My Super League Dream Team 2017
1.
Full-back: Zak Hardaker (Castleford
Tigers)
Since returning from a loan stint at Penrith Panthers at
the back end of last year, Hardaker has gone from strength to strength. The
full-back won the coveted Man of Steel trophy back in 2015 while at Leeds Rhinos,
but he has arguably been in better form this season and moving to the Tigers in
an attempt to revive his career has certainly paid off. On so many occasions
this year he has torn up the opposition defence, and
although there have been some great performances at full-back – including Jamie
Shaul at Hull – nobody has come close to Zak this season.
2.
Wing: Greg Eden (Castleford
Tigers)
Who else? I thought nobody would come close to Denny
Solomona’s record of last year but I am willing the former Huddersfield Giants
player to beat it. Before injuring his shoulder in Castleford’s victory over
Salford back in July, he had played in every game and failed to score in just
four. His performances speak for themselves and you could not have a dream team
without him in it.
3.
Centre: Mark Percival (St
Helens)
Saints have undergone an incredible revival under Justin
Holbrook, and I think Percival has been one of the stand-out centres in the
competition. He has it all – he’s strong in both defence and attack, as well as
having a mean kicking game. The one performance that really caught my eye was
his side’s 19-12 victory over Hull at the beginning of July. He scored twice –
one stunning try that proved to be the winning score – and kicked impeccably to
steer Saints to two points. It was around this point that the Merseyside club
turned their season around, and I think Percival played a huge part in that.
4.
Centre: Michael Shenton
(Castleford Tigers)
This was a tough choice. There have been some solid
performances at centre this year – including Kallum Watkins who has impressed
with his boot – but I’ve gone for Castleford’s captain fantastic. Shenton has
been instrumental in Castleford’s rise to the summit of Super League, setting
up some phenomenal tries for his partner Greg Eden, as well as scoring a few
himself and being solid in defence.
5.
Wing: Tommy Makinson (St
Helens)
This season has been one for the wingers, making this
decision even harder. Eventually, I’ve opted for Saints’ star Makinson. Potentially
a rogue decision, but I think he’s got pace to burn and always puts 110% in.
Having been at the club since a youngster, Makinson’s developed a leadership on
the field that is evident when he often controls the game and is influential in
so many areas. He’s also not half bad at kicking and can defend well too.
6.
Stand-off: George Williams (Wigan
Warriors)
In an otherwise lackluster season for the Warriors, Williams
has been a constant performer. I could’ve gone with Albert Kelly of Hull, who even notched himself a Man of Steel nomination, but Williams snatches it for me. He’s still young, he's adventurous and always looks dangerous on the ball. He’s scored 11 tries and
has the most try assists in the Wigan side.
7.
Scrum-half: Luke Gale (Castleford
Tigers)
There really was no competition for this spot. From the
word go, Gale has been magnificent. He is the glue that holds the Castleford
team together and without him, I don’t think they would be where they are now.
He completely controls the game and his teammates play well around him. In my
opinion, he has to win Man of Steel.
8.
Prop: Alex Walmsley (St
Helens)
The Saints man has to be on the plane for the World Cup.
He has been significant in his side’s recent resurgence, and even when they
were struggling at the start of the season he was always one of their most
consistent performers. The perfect prop.
9.
Hooker: James Roby (St Helens)
Again, this could be a rogue decision but I think he has
almost carried his St Helens side through the competition. Although Paul
McShane has had an outstanding season, and so has Matt Parcell at the Rhinos,
I’m a huge Roby fan. He has been around for a while, but he’s still so
fast from the play-the-ball and has the same creativity and flare he did when
he first started out. It’ll be a tough decision when Wayne Bennett decides his
England starting line-up – will he go for McShane or Roby? I can’t wait to find
out.
10.
Prop: Liam Watts (Hull FC)
A prop who should also be in the England squad this
October. Watts and Walmsley would be a force to be reckoned with on that field.
He has arguably had his best season in a Hull shirt, and is forever causing the
opposition problems. Solid in defence and attack, he’s involved all over the
pitch and has to be on the plane next month.
11.
Second-row: Matty Ashurst (Wakefield
Trinity)
One of the most under-rated players in the league. As a Wakefield
fan, I’ve had nothing but a grin on my face all season, and I couldn’t do a
Dream Team without sneaking a Trinity player in. Having said that, Ashurst
fully deserves his place. He goes about his business, week in week out, and I
don’t think I’ve seen him have a bad game all season. He could be an outside
choice for an England spot this year.
12.
Second-row: Ben Murdoch-Masila (Salford
Red Devils)
A beast. Despite Salford falling apart in the Super 8s,
after finishing the regular season in fourth, Masila has had a storming season.
He’s scored 14 tries and had a hand in a few others as well. He’s a handful for
any team to deal with and is a linchpin in the Salford side.
13.
Loose Forward: Gareth Ellis (Hull FC)
In his last season at Hull, Ellis has been key in their Challenge
Cup success and third-placed finish. Ellis is the perfect captain – controlled
on the field, as well as having the right amount of fight and tenacity. He has
played the game for so many years now, his rugby brain is fantastic and I
really hope he can cap an illustrious career with a Grand Final victory.
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