The Sydney Morning Herald and Wide World of Sports have teamed up to deliver a cross-platform content series naming the ultimate NRL Top 50 Players list ahead of the 2024 season, which kicks off today. 

Nine’s publishing and digital brands have combined to bring together an incredible judging panel featuring rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns, State of Origin and NRL Premiership winning captains Darren Lockyer and Brad Fittler, respected journalists Andrew Webster, Roy Masters (former Dally M Coach of the year), Michael Chammas, Emma Lawrence, Adam Pengilly, Danika Mason and former Australian Jillaroo Allana Ferguson.

Revealing 10 names a day from today to Friday, February 23, the Herald and wwos.nine.com.au will give footy fans the definitive list of top 50 players from the best judges available in the game.

Each judge has picked their top 30 players in the NRL, ranking them 1-30, with their No.1 being allocated 30 points with points decreasing by one all the way down to pick 30. After votes were cast the points were tallied and the final list was determined, with the judges writing their analysis of their chosen players throughout the week. 

Will it be wonder kid Reece Walsh, the Prince of Penrith Nathan Cleary, Melbourne’s magic man Cameron Munster, Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell or another one of the NRL’s galaxy of superstars? 

Head of Sport at The Sydney Morning Herald, Ian Fuge, said: “What makes this list particularly fascinating for me is that we drew on the expert opinions of 10 judges to compile what I think is a pretty definitive list. Our judging panel included former playing greats, an immortal and journos from across Nine’s platforms, WWOS and the Herald. 

“They did a terrific job and the list they came up with shows just how much amazing talent there is in the NRL at the moment, including one very special player, our No.1, who picked up a maximum of 300 votes out of 300. Surely we are talking about a future immortal.”

Read the 50-41 in The Sydney Morning Herald today here.

Monday, February 19, 2024