Rugby league great Greg Alexander has named his 2021 NRL Team of The Year.
As a New South Wales assistant and Fox League commentator, not many would’ve watched as many games this season as Brandy, and he’s named his best side one through 13.
Speaking on SEN 1170 Mornings with Matt White, Alexander named his starting line-up and revealed who was unlucky to miss out.
“I can’t go past Tom Trbojevic as the fullback, although James Tedesco certainly deserves a mention after his form,” Alexander said.
“The wingers, I would go Brian To’o and Josh Addo-Carr, Alex Johnston certainly deserves a mention, but the two New South Wales wingers have had outstanding seasons, both try-scoring and Addo-Carr’s try assists, he’s not just a try-scorer.
“(Justin) Olam I’ve got in one centre spot, Joey Manu just pips Matt Burton and Brian Kelly who I thought had a great season for the Titans.
“Cody Walker and Nathan Cleary are the halves.
“It’s very hard to split Cameron Murray and Isaah Yeo as my lock, extremely hard to split those two, boy.
“Back-rowers those that had good seasons, I thought Kurt Capewell was terrific for Penrith, Sitili Tupouniua had a great season for the Roosters, I thought Angus Crichton had a great season on the left edge and Isaiah Papali’i, there’s four back-rowers that deserve a mention.
“I think Papali’i’is form in the first part of the season means he gets the nod, and I’d probably go with Angus Crichton, I thought he was great for the majority of the season.
“Brandon Smith wins the hooker, he was just very consistent, played a lot of footy and started a lot in that position because of injuries to Harry Grant.
“My front-rowers are James Fisher-Harris and Payne Haas, Fisher-Harris certainly was gutsy on the weekend, and even though he’s a bit out of form, his first 20 rounds were outstanding, Christian Welch also deserves a mention.”
Check out Brandy’s Team of The Year here
Fullback – Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)
Wingers – Josh Addo-Carr (Storm) & Brian To’o (Panthers)
Centres – Joey Manu (Roosters) & Justin Olam (Storm)
Five-eighth – Cody Walker (Rabbitohs)
Halfback – Nathan Cleary (Panthers)
Props – James Fisher-Harris (Panthers) & Payne Haas (Broncos)
Hooker – Brandon Smith (Storm)
Second-rowers – Angus Crichton (Roosters) & Isaiah Papali’i (Eels)
Lock – Isaah Yeo (Panthers) & Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs)
Compare it to the official Dally M Team of The Year
Fullback – Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)
Wingers – Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles) & Brian To’o (Panthers)
Centres – Matt Burton (Panthers) & Justin Olam (Storm)
Five-eighth – Cody Walker (Rabbitohs)
Halfback – Nathan Cleary (Panthers)
Props – James Fisher-Harris (Panthers) & Payne Haas (Broncos)
Hooker – Brandon Smith (Storm)
Second-rowers – Viliame Kikau (Panthers) & Isaiah Papali’i (Eels)
Lock – Isaah Yeo (Panthers)