The Top Ten NRL Halfbacks

The halfback position has evolved throughout the years, but leadership and control of the game have remained constant traits of the position. You only need to look at the two teams playing in last year’s grand final to realise that a good halfback is part of a winning formula to success. Halfbacks need to be able to pass, kick, attack the line and be able to read the play. They must also show courage in defence, where most teams constantly aim members of the forward pack, to wear them down throughout the game. It is possible to win without a great halfback but it sure makes it hard.

Think back over the last thirty years and your memory will be filled with match winners at the position. Players like Johnathan Thurston, Andrew Johns, Allan Langer, Geoff Toovey all were great leaders of  their teams and inspired so many supporters.

Here are the top ten halfbacks in the game at present.

Honourable Mention

Sam Walker

(in 11 games) 4 Line Break Assists   4 Try Assists

Came into the season with question marks over his game and lingering injuries but finished the year in the starting side. He is capable of moments of individual brilliance, either taking on the line in attacking situations or with his short kicking game. It feels like a make-or-break year for the young playmaker at the Roosters but deserves the chance to start the season in the number seven.

Lachlan Ilius

11 LBA 10 TA

The Greek International had a solid second season of NRL while to continuing to grow his game overall. He reminds me of an older style footballer who looks natural with the ball in his hands and can be seen organising the team in the background. Needs to work on his consistency and having a firmer hand on the game. He has the advantage of talented players around him at the positions that matter, and he should crack the top ten of this list in the near future.

Chad Townsend

10 LBA (46th)

The experienced halfback has provided what the Cowboys needed in his stint so far by providing maturity in the spine and allow Tom Dearden and Scott Drinkwater to grow without the weight of the team on their shoulders. Drinkwater started to take on a lot of the playmaking duties throughout last season which lessened the opportunities for Townsend.

Luke Brooks

7 TA  3 40/20

Luke Brooks looks and plays like great halfbacks of the past without much team success throughout his career. Has it been the inability of the club to sign players or construct a team around Brooks to compete or does it start with the halfback? He is one of those players who seems younger than they are but at 29yrs old the Tigers finally stop waiting for next year.

10.

Jamal Fogarty

15 TA (19th) 1 40/20

Jamal Fogarty has quietly become one of the game’s best halfbacks, plying his trade in the nation’s capital. He has one of the strongest kicking games out of the players on this list and become a leader of the Raiders team. With Jack Wightons departure from the Raiders even more playmaking responsibility with be place on the Fogarty’s shoulders and it will be interesting to watch how he handles this. He has spoken in interviews about improving his attack with the ball in his hands and he has the forward attack to get defences on their back foot so he should have plenty of chances.

9.

Mitchell Moses

15 TA (21st)  11 LBA

Mitchell Moses doesn’t look like the average halfback in stature but he uses his physicality to great effect. He is a strong runner with the ball and uses his speed well when carrying the ball to the line and testing the defence. Was rewarded with selection in the NSW origin team, when Nathan Cleary was injured, due to his consistent play at club level. With Dylan Brown, the Eels have a top five halves combination but need to find a higher level of play at the end of the season.

8.

Matt Burton

16 TA (17th)  13 LBA (27th)  16 Offloads

Matt Burton burst onto the scene while playing in the backline for a dominant Panthers team full of star players. He has found it much tougher with defences focusing their attention on him at the Bulldogs the last two seasons. As usual the Bulldogs seem to have recruited well and should have more weapons and help for Burton this year. Burton has a strong kicking game, and everyone is aware of the towering bombs. With a likely move to five eighth this season it will the give the playmaker more chances with the ball in space. Will he take advantage of this and return to the form that got him selected in Origin and Test teams?

7.

Jahrome Hughes

25 LBA (8th)  21 TA (7th)

Jahrome Hughes is a very hard player to position on this list. Could have easily been a couple of spots higher or even lower depending on your preference in skill sets. Hughes is such a dangerous runner of the ball and always seems to make the right decisions when the defensive line is in disarray. He is an above average kicker and leads his team well around the paddock. Has the advantage of Cameron Munster beside him to attract defensive attention but singlehandedly keeps the team afloat during the origin period. His game has aged well and he should be able to maintain his play for the foreseeable future.

6.

Ben Hunt

17 LBA  (17th)  29 Offloads (23rd)  19 TA (9th)

An absolute game winner on his day and has every skill you need in your halfback. Has been a staple in origin and test teams for the last few years and deservedly so, especially as a utility player. He has a solid kicking game and attacks the line at the right times. Can be found wanting towards the end of games at club levels but this may also be a by-product of the talent around him. There was more focus on his off-field issues (contract demand/club swap) than his on field play last season but once again was one of Queensland’s best throughout the origin series.

5.

Daly Cherry-Evans

19 LBA  (13th)  20 Offloads  (45th)  18 TA  (13th) 2 40/20  (6th)

With over 300 club games, 22 origins and 21 test matches for Australian Daly Cherry-Evans has a resume that dwarfs everyone else on this list. His game seems to lift for origin and has been a constant positive for the Queensland side throughout the years. He is a polarising figure to fans of the game but his career should be admired by young fans. His game has evolved with age becoming less of a running threat but more of an efficient organiser. Needs to play five more game to eclipse Cliff Lyons’ record with most games played for Manly which is an incredible feat for a club with such an illustrious history.

4.

Adam Reynolds

16 LBA  (20th)  19 TA  (11th)  1 40/20

Adam Reynolds has forced his way into the top four due to the success of his team. He led a young and inexperienced backline into the 2023 grand final and was the glue to the Broncos team. Reynolds manoeuvred the team around the park, allowing young guns, Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam, to attack in advantageous positions of the field. His short and long kicking game remains one of the best in the game and was brilliant passing close to the line. With the team gaining experience from a long finals run only injury can prevent Reynolds from a repeat performance this season.

3.

Nicho Hynes

33 LBA  (2nd)  28 Offloads (25th)  28 TA  (2nd)

Hynes is an absolute star on the rise in the NRL and should be a representative regular for years to come. Since arriving at the Sharks, Hynes has been dominant at club level and his game has continue to improve. His teammates seem to be inspired to play hard for him and rally around him at any opportunity. Looks like a football player and has all the skills needed to lead this team to greater success. At 27yrs of age and two full seasons at Cronulla, 2024 seems like the coming-of-age season for Hynes. Coming in 2nd in the competition in Line Break Assists and Try Assists suggests that Hynes is able to read the play and more importantly, is able to execute on the field.

2.

Shaun Johnson

26 LBA (7th)  29 TA  (1st)  1 40/20

One of the best seasons by a halfback in recent memory by a player who seems to have complete control of his game. The Warriors were an entertaining team to watch, able to score a try at any moment and seemingly influenced by the efforts of Johnson.  The halfback has always been a brilliant ball runner but the direction he provided the team was the secret to their winning season. Leading the league in try assist also shows the control he possesses with ball to go along with an improved kicking game. At 33yrs of age the Warriors will be hoping for repeat season and so will all fans of attacking rugby league.

1.

Nathan Cleary

18 LBA (19th)   34 Offloads (13th)   20 TA (8th)  4 40/20  (=1st)

The grand final performance catapults Nathan Cleary to the number one spot, if he wasn’t there already. With the Panthers looking defeated and teammates injured in the final, Cleary took over and won the game. The most impressive feature of the win was that Broncos knew that Cleary was the only player who could beat them and still could not stop him. He has the best kicking game in the competition and also a great goal kicker. He has shown more patience with the ball in his hands with delayed passes and taking on the line late. It would be hard for him to  have a better season than 2032 but Cleary has improved his game every offseason so anything is possible.