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Every club has a best player but they don’t always have the biggest impact on the result.
A club’s No. 1 man might be a prop and while he’ll carry the team forward all night, he won’t be able to kick the winning field goal in golden point.
Here I pick every NRL team’s most important player heading into the 2024 season and why they’ll have such an impact on their side.
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BRISBANE BRONCOS
Reece Walsh – Needs more control in his game. It’s about seeing if Walsh can evolve his game like Billy Slater did and that expectation has been brought forward with the Broncos losing four grand final players.
CANBERRA RAIDERS
Jordan Rapana – The Raiders are going well when their fullback is playing well. There are big raps on teenager Chevy Stewart but Ricky Stuart has opted for veteran Rapana in Round 1. Whoever is wearing the No. 1 jersey this season will have the biggest impact on Canberra’s results.
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS
Reed Mahoney – He might have lost the captaincy to Stephen Crichton but Mahoney will still play an integral role for this club. His ability to lead by example is paramount to the Bulldogs’ consistency this season.
PENRITH PANTHERS
Isaah Yeo – the Panthers are chasing the first fourpeat in over 50 years and their results will massively depend on whether Isaah Yeo can maintain his level in 2024. Watch that space.
CRONULLA SHARKS
Braydon Trindall – It looks like Trindall will be given first crack in the halves with Nicho Hynes but whoever wears the No. 6 jersey will play a huge role this season. Hynes needs a partner in crime to play to his potential.
DOLPHINS
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – This fullback has speed to burn and can turn a game on a dime with his electrifying pace. Jamayne Isaako may have led the NRL in tries and points last season but it will be the ‘Hammer’ who decides their finals fate in 2024.
GOLD COAST TITANS
Kieran Foran – If the Titans are going to finally realise their potential and win a finals game then they’re going to need Foran fit and firing. If the playmaker is at his best it will ensure stars like David Fifita and Beau Fermor hit their stride.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Brandon Smith – The Roosters have more stars than any club but their ability to unlock them all sits on Smith’s shoulders. The Kiwi proved in Melbourne he can consistently create for others and now it’s time to show it at the Tricolours.
MANLY SEA EAGLES
Haumole Olakau’atu – If Manly are to finish with a winning record this season they’ll need their backrowers dominating and that starts with Olakau’atu. He’s a future Origin player and if he can lead the charge the likes of Josh Schuster will follow.
MELBOURNE STORM
Ryan Papenhuyzen – He’s a top five player in the NRL at his best and the Storm can win the competition if Papenhuyzen is fit and firing. He looked red-hot during the trials and fingers crossed he can stay injury free this year.
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Shaun Johnson – The question is whether SJ can back up his sublime 2023 form and play at the same level. If he can then the Warriors will absolutely be genuine title contenders come September.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Daniel Safiti – It’s his time to shine after several players left the club at the end of last season. Saififit had a limited impact last year due to injuries but now he’s primed for a massive season and will need to lead the pack.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Jeremiah Nanai and Scott Drinkwater – I think Drinkwater’s suspension and Nanai’s injury last year had a massive impact on the side and hurt Chad Townsend. But I’m tipping the Cowboys to bounce back this year if these two stay on the park.
PARRAMATTA EELS
Junior Paulo – the former Origin and international prop needs a big year and lead the middles if the Eels want to break back into the top eight. Their halves need the pack moving forward for them to strut their stuff and that all starts with Paulo.
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Damien Cook and Peter Mamouzelos – The two hookers hold the key to Souths success this year. Their ability to find combination and timing and how JD uses them will be crucial. We may see Mamouzelos emerge as more important, but don’t underestimate Cook’s role.
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Tyrell Sloan – It will all come down to his growth under Shane Flanagan because Sloan has all the ability in the world, now it’s about seeing that in his overall game. Needs to step up in attack and take some of the pressure off Ben Hunt.
WESTS TIGERS
Jayden Sullivan – His growth under Benji and ability to play consistently will have a huge impact on their season. Everybody rates Sullivan’s skill and now he’s got the chance to prove his consistency at halfback before Jarome Luai arrives.
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