NRL rookie team of the yearIt's been a boom year for NRL rookies, with a host of Toyota Cup graduates impressing after making the step up to first-grade level.
With that in mind, we've named the best 17 young guns of 2011. We've followed the NRL's rules on what counts as a "rookie season" – that is, the first year in which a player played more than three NRL matches.
For the record, there were plenty of names in the running to take out the two halves spots, with Newcastle's Ryan Stig and Canberra's Sam Williams missing out altogether, while two other star playmakers had to settle for bench spots.
BigPond Sport's 2011 Rookie Team of the Year
1. William Hopoate (Sea Eagles) – "Hoppa Jr" has already matched his father for NSW Origin appearances, bursting onto the scene as a genuine talent this year. His brilliance at fullback and on the wing meant Manly hardly missed the injured Brett Stewart at the start of the season, and he's sure to be in demand if and when he returns to the game after his two-year Mormon mission.
2. Kalifa FaiFai-Loa (Cowboys) – Fits the big, fast prototype of the modern winger, with plenty of skill to boot who made the diving "Superman" try his own this season. Found the tryline 10 times in 21 games this season.
3. Jack Reed (Broncos) – Has played every game in his rookie season as one of the leading young guns in a Brisbane side that is a premiership contender once again. Hard-working, versatile, and his team's second-top try-scorer with 11 tries.
4. Jacob Loko (Eels) – A rare bright spot in another disappointing Eels season, Loko is a hard-running centre who lit up the Toyota Cup last season and impressed in his 10 performances for Parramatta in the top grade this year.
5. Ryan Morgan (Eels) – Another promising Parramatta junior, Morgan has plenty of speed and the versatility to fill a role on the wing or in the centres.
6. Gareth Widdop (Storm) – Had already played fullback for England before stepping up to the role of Melbourne's starting five-eighth this season, and made the switch effortlessly. A great support player and elusive ball-runner, Widdop's rise is a big reason for the Storm's successful minor premiership campaign.
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles) – Manly weren't too disappointed to lose 2010 rookie sensation Trent Hodkinson at the end of last season, and Cherry-Evans is the reason why. He's formed a great partnership with fellow young gun Kieran Foran, and the pair could become the youngest premiership winning halves duo since Kenny and Sterling. Took out this year's Rookie of the Year award on Dally M night.
8. Josh Papalii (Raiders) – Made a great mid-season impact in a highly-rated but largely underperforming Canberra forward pack, even managing to crash over for three tries.
9. Matt Srama (Titans) – Almost a carbon-copy of departing Titans hooker Nathan Friend, the little No.9 has some handy playmaking skills and the endurance and technique to tackle all day.
10. Mitchell Allgood (Eels) – A regular performer for the Parra pack who has only missed one game all year.
11. Tariq Sims (Cowboys) – Big Tariq is brutally effective in both defence and attack and looks destined for State of Origin football (for NSW, as it happens).
12. Joel Edwards (Knights) – The hard-working redhead is a Knights fan favourite and could be pound-for-pound the hardest hitter in the competition.
13. Elijah Taylor (Warriors) – A classy workhorse who is one of a host of impressive young guns to come through the ranks of the Warriors' all-conquering Toyota Cup side.
Reserves
14. Shaun Johnson (Warriors)
15. Aaron Woods (Tigers)
16. Nathan Peats (Rabbitohs)
17. Chad Townsend (Sharks)
Coach: Anthony Griffin (Broncos)
Source: Bigpond Sport
Topic: Papalii named in rookie team of the year
