Closing the doors on yet another Rugby League regular season, the coming rounds are sure to cover Dally M discussion and the stars of the game in review. Sure, the resurgence of Shaun Johnson and his coming of maturity intertwined with skill. Chuck in Nicho Hynes putting his hand up for the back-to-back accolade.

If I, the punter from the couch corner was the judge, Patrick Carrigan’s name would loom large among few others. A hard man poised with untapped versatility as a ball player, which has undoubtedly led to Brisbane’s stellar success.

Nonetheless, as the team of the year nears selection, who are the overlooked?

The NRL’s underrated players of the year. The personalities who don’t line the sports pages, flood our Instagram feeds or appear in a post-match laugh with Matty Johns on Fox League. This is the silenced squad of the season.

Fullback: Nick Meaney

The former Bulldog has arguably been Melbourne’s Mr. Consistent in 2023. With big shoes to fill amid Ryan Papenhuyzen’s sidelined season, Meaney has silently gone about his work across all areas in the game.

To reference my selections, it is only fair that I cross-examine these players with the predicted Dally M team of the year.

Meaney averages 146 running metres a game and has 10 try assists to his tally. He has crossed the line 10 times and made 101 tackles (78% efficiency) over the course of 21 appearances. Coming into finals, it would be amiss of Bellamy to rule the 25-year-old out of the no.1 jersey due to a possible Papenhuyzen return.

Reece Walsh appears the Dally M fullback of the year. Equipped with an insane turn of foot that can change the game in a matter of moments, Walsh starred in the State of Origin series. The young gun has averaged 155 running metres for Brisbane and played hand to 19 tries. He has made 61 tackles (69% efficiency) and clocked up 97 tackle breaks. Notable mention to Dylan Edwards who is also a hot-chance for the award.

Wing: Jamayne Isaako

This 27-year-old Kiwi has been remarkable throughout the Dolphins’ inaugural NRL season. Mixed between the fullback and wing role earlier in his career, Isaako has proved a dangerous kick returner and strong aerial competitor. The former Bronco is a gifted mover, who has scored 21 tries in 22 games. He has galloped for 160 metres a game and broke 92 tackles (top 5 for wingers 2023), whilst kicking 67 goals for Redcliffe.

Isaako has been a shining light for the Dolphins and is a cracking finisher who returns strongly and soars remarkably high for a man not so tall in stature. While Isaako is currently tied for most tries with Warriors flyer Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, he is hardly covered by the media and seems near forgotten among other big names on the edge. Will Warbrick and Alofiana Khan-Pereira are two finishers who are more than worthy of this title.

Greg Marzhew is a must for the Dally M winger slot. Marzhew is a blatant wrecking ball who has been vital for the Knights’ success and left-side attack/defence. Across 18 appearances, the 104kg star has scored 18 tries and busted 154 tackles.

He leads this statistic by 20, with the next name being Dylan Edwards. He has simply proved too hard to handle and it would be a complete injustice for the former Titan to miss out. Notable mention to DWZ who has been electric and finished some crazy corner chances.

Centre: Jesse Ramien

Ramien is an out-and-out freak. He is an edge player in which all his opposition must despise coming up against.

This selection was incredibly difficult. I chose the Sharks aggressor based on reliability. I believe Kotoni Staggs can go missing on occasion and tend to rush up in defence, which is problematic. This is not to discredit that Staggs has otherwise had a Kangaroo worthy season. Matt Timoko is another name deserving of a wrap. But the 26-year-old Ramien is a handful to say the least on Cronulla’s right edge.

His ability to draw in defenders and hit a hole is unmatched. He has averaged 140 running metres, with 280 tackles made at a 90% efficiency rate. Ramien has also crossed for 10 tries. Once again to note, this is the undervalued side of the year. While Campbell Graham could be considered undervalued, he is most certainly not underappreciated across media.

Herbie Farnworth has got to be a moral for the Dally M side. The Englishman will be sorely missed by the Broncos as seasons end as he heads to Redcliffe in 2024. Farnworth is an every-play player. While on the edge, he has a great knack to pop up anywhere in support and weave around tired defence.

Now, Graham is a big chance for this accolade as well. The reason behind dubbing Farnworth as the pre-emptive medallist, is his intensity with the ball in hand. While Graham is very much a truck it up, hard yards type of centre, Farnworth seems to create opportunities no matter his position. The young-gun has broken 108 tackles and averaged 164 running metres. For reference, that is 55 more tackle breaks than the Rabbitohs tall man.

Five-Eighth: Luke Keary

Strong five-eighth form has been hard to come by for many clubs this season. Top eight flyers like the Sharks, Knights and Warriors have struggled throughout the year to cement a halves combo. Luckily, the three have found names like Luke Metcalf, Braydon Trindall and Tyson Gamble to help settle the ship. Yet, it’s the Roosters sitting in 9th who have relied upon their man Luke Keary to cope with a sub-par season.

Sure, the Chooks have been below their standards in attack, but the numbers and effort shown by Keary are an indicator of his consistency and flair. In a trying year, the 3x premiership winner has logged 17 try assists and 15 line break assists. Shaun Johnson (the likely Dally M medallist) holds the current crown at 25, while Cody Walker is the only no.6 above Keary on the assist list. Quite a significant statistic given the Roosters have scored 140 points less than any top eight side bar the Raiders.

Keary’s defence for a small man is rather exceptional. He has made the most tackles out of any no.6 this season (433), with an 89% tackle efficiency – also the highest of any five-eighth.

Once again, the best no.6 is a tough debate. I’ve sided with Cody Walker in a tough stoush against Ezra Mam. Walker has the numbers and put in a huge mid-season shift to lift the Rabbitohs during the Origin period. As stated previously, he leads the no.6 try assist tally combined with a remarkable 30 line-break assists.

Simply put, the Souths left edge is an attacking powerhouse, helmed by Walker who pops up on the whiff of a chance. Notable mentions to Tyson Gamble who has been a surprising stakeholder at Newcastle and Cam Munster, once again dancing through a top season.

Halfback: Jahrome Hughes

Hughes epitomises this article. The 28-year-old is one of the best fullback to half converts in the game’s history. Armed with a stunning step and always improving kicking game, Hughes is getting better as a no.7 every season.

The speedy playmaker has dished 20 try assists and 22 line-break assists. Compare that to SJ’s 25 and 23, it makes Hughes’ season look quite spectacular given he has played in three less games than Johnson.

While not huge on kicking metres, the headgear bandit defines a running halfback who is a massive threat on an opponents 10m line. Hughes averages 106 running metres, upstaged by the likes of Nicho Hynes and Nathan Cleary. The Kiwi had formed a formidable partnership with human tank Nelson Asofa-Solomona whilst he appeared on the edge, and has been key in the rise of Will Warbrick.

Shaun Johnson has redefined his career. Fullstop. The 32-year-old trickster is now leading New Zealand to a top four finish for the first time since 2007. As a result of the veteran’s success, flyers Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and prop Addin Fonua-Blake find themselves amongst Dally M team talks.

Young no.6 Luke Metcalf has also flourished beside Johnson, playing freely while the Kiwi threads the needle in defensive lines and pushes up in support play. No doubt, Johnson has been the best halfback this year.

Prop: Lindsay Collins

The Roosters no.10 has been a shining light all year in an otherwise dismal Sydney season. Collins also made waves for the Maroons in a starring State of Origin series. He was marginally pipped for man of the series by Reuben Cotter, but continued on a great run of form. Effort is Collins’ no.1 statistic. As a 106kg beast, Collins has been seen on many occasions, chasing down backs and leaping high in fifth tackle blitzes.

Almost always spotted with blood towards the latter part of a game, Collins has charged for near 12 hit-ups a stint and averaged close to 60 minutes. As a feature prop, playing near 60 minutes a game is a remarkable feat, up with the likes of Payne Haas. No doubt the Queenslander has worked into a key role for the Chooks in preparation for the exit of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

Payne Haas is out of this world good. Having just signed on to a $3.5 million mega deal to stay in Brisbane, the 23-year-old has heralded some serious coin for his efforts on the field. When broken down, these efforts truly are ridiculous.

The numbers this 117kg battering ram puts forward are well beyond his fellow props. While Addin Fonua-Blake holds the gong for most post contact metres at 1425, he has played 3 more games than Haas, who sits at 1352.

Furthermore, the Bronco has almost 30 more tackle breaks than the Warrior, and 12 more offloads. It’s well-known news he has a crazy motor for his size. Haas is cranking out 60 minutes a game – which seems amateur considering Fonua-Blake’s insane 71-minute rampage last week against Manly. Yet, it’s the connectedness in which Haas displays.

As a big man, his receipt (passing) statistics are surprising. He is averaging more than 20 receipts a round, which points towards Brisbane’s innate point scoring ability. For yet another season, Haas has proved a major Payne for his competition.

Hooker: Blayke Brailey

Cronulla’s Blayke Brailey has been flying under the radar for a while now. The 24-year-old is a major part of the Sharks’ spine and is noticeably growing in confidence. What is truly terrific is his game fitness. In an era where most sides are opting for a no.14 dummy half utility, Brailey has played 80 minutes in 17 of his 22 appearances this season. Not since round 16 has Brailey battled for less than 78 minutes.

While not a known kicker at the back of the ruck, the crafty hooker has shown his worth in many other respects. He has 10 try assists to his name, one greater than 2023 incumbent Dally M no.9 Harry Grant. He also fields 9 line-break assists, again, one greater than Grant. Brailey is a warrior when it comes to defence. He has made 913 tackles for an average in the late 40s – almost the exact number as Grant. Brailey’s service is constantly top notch, which has led to early front-foot ball for Hynes. Big comment on Billy Walters who is my vote for the NRL’s most improved.

Harry Grant’s name is etched into that Dally M no.9 trophy with pencil. Surely. There’s not much else to note. His running game is unmatched by other hookers, and he remains one of the only 9’s to output 80 minutes. A true game changer only going up.

Second Row: Jacob Preston

Wow, what a debut season Jacob Preston put forward. Moving in after a disappointing long-term injury to bleached-mop big boy Villiame Kikau, Preston played his way into Boyd Cordner-esque form. Preston was a headline act for the Dogs during a tough period of losses, where he built a strong combo with Matt Burton who has also had a trying season. The 21-year-old was thrown into the fire early on, bouncing back with huge performances that saw him cross the chalk six times this year.

The Belrose Eagles junior averaged 100 running metres and was a landmark buy on NRL fantasy, as his value skyrocketed from rookie to real status. Defensively he was a huge asset for Canterbury and will be a key in their club’s future. As a strong line-runner and aggressor in defence, it was one of the Dogs best moves this year to resign his services. Scott Sorenson was a close contest for this underrated title. He has seasoned into a professional second-rower who is getting fitter and more versatile every round.

For the purpose of adding a lock debate, J’Maine Hopgood is my Dally M selection for second row of the year. I realise he has played most of his games this year at lock, although since he is currently fielded at no.11, he can take this title for depth sake in the conversation.

While there have been big performers like Eliesa Katoa and Zac Hosking, it is hard to pinpoint a star second rower for the Dally M team of the year. John Bateman and Briton Nikora, along with Tyson Frizell have all been solid, yet it is difficult to name a true outlier. If Liam Martin weren’t to miss near nine games this season, he would be a moral for the accolade.

Hopgood has been Parramatta’s best by a country mile this season. He has worn his heart on his sleeve in all 23 of the club’s matches. He has averaged 123 running metres and 40-odd tackles per round, but it is his 53 offloads that point towards his style of play. The former Panther is arguably the buy of the year, which unfortunately isn’t enough to gift the 2022 grand finalists a spot in the eight.

Lock: Tohu Harris

The lock role is the NRL’s most competitive position. Apart from the hotshot no.7 and no.1 wage, the no.13 heralds much prestige in rugby league. Especially in the modern era of the game, in which the ball playing attribute is equally as important as trucking it up.

Now, take away Cam McInnes’ talisman 80 tackle effort a few rounds back, and ask yourself if he is talked about as much as he should be. Probably not. Raiders redman Corey Horsburgh received the big wraps during the Origin period, whilst many other names went unheard of. Now, personally, through the media, I think we hardly hear of Tohu Harris. With huge names like Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Pat Carrigan, Isaah Yeo and Jake Trbojevic, responsibility in the lock role is growing each year.

Warriors legend Tohu Harris is a regular 80-minute player. While not a big offloader, Harris has the third most tackles of a lock this year, just behind Isaah Yeo and Cam McInnes. Harris has been key in Shaun Johnson’s resurgence to form and is putting it up to the likes of Carrigan and Tino in running metres.

The reasoning behind this selection is largely due to his minutes and reliability.

Now, the Dally M lock of the year is a seriously difficult prospect. Isaah Yeo and Pat Carrigan are the two in the tango. They are both neck-and-neck on tackle breaks, average hit-ups and running metres. While Yeo has made nearly 100 more tackles than Carrigan throughout the course of the season, the Bronco has dished 30 offloads to Yeo’s seven.

Further, Carrigan has marched for almost 200 more post-contact metres. He has become a talented ballplayer, in which I’m certain has used Yeo as a blueprint to his style of play. The decision is close to a flip of the coin.

Regardless, the 2023 NRL regular season has produced some breakout seasons from the new and the old. Well, those getting older. Yet, let’s not forget the players who won’t be named on Dally M night, who have performed well from off-stage, away from the FoxLeague microphones and the Channel 9 headlines.