Macarthur Rugby League: Have your say, vote for the best players of 2023
After a cracking finals series, the 2023 Macarthur Rugby League season has now been filed away.
But before the memories of a long season fade into the heat of summer, we’re celebrating by naming the team of the season, as voted by you, the fans.
From a list of top performers, it’s now over to you to vote for the top player in each position.
Once the votes are in, we’ll collate the numbers and list the team of the season from No.1 to 13.
FULLBACK
In a crack field, James Coyne was among Mittagong’s best every week in posting a season tally of 20 tries. Then there’s Hayden Sutton, the Thirlmere speedster and player of the grand final.
Elsewhere, Steele Brown shifted from centre and didn’t let the Rams down. While Oakdale’s Jake Steadman and Collies’ Norwin Latu were consistent in every outing.
WINGERS
No winger scored more tries (16) than Camden’s John Ryan, but Blake Clayton (12) wasn’t far behind for the battling Eagles.
Once again Bailey King and Hamish Oxley stood tall for their respective sides, while veterans Josh Bryant and Michael Lett defied injuries to rewind the clock with several stunning outings.
CENTRES
Thirlmere’s Curtis Scott alternated between lock and centre throughout the season, but with the title on the line in the grand final, the former Storm star bagged a try on each edge to help sink Camden.
Once again, Bryson Goodwin was a rock on Mittagong’s left and the goalkicking No.3 was the only player to break the 200-point barrier.
Oakdale’s Nathan Davis used his imposing frame to continually attract defenders, while for Camden, Atini Gafa scored the bulk of his nine tries during a mid-season hot streak.
In struggling teams, Collies’ Leon Longbottom and Picton’s Rua Hona were regulars across the stripe.
FIVE-EIGHTH
Chris Browne started the season in the reggies before helping pilot Camden to the decider. One time Wests Tigers centre Tim Simona was another late to the party, but the No.6 proved crucial in Thirlmere’s title success.
For The Oaks, points were never far away whenever Mitchell Brasington was in a mood. While in a tough season, Narellan’s Jarrod Dowie showed periods of class, and veteran Brett Lahey shook off several injuries to get East Campbelltown within touching distance of the finals.
HALFBACK
Injuries cut short Netane Masima’s season, but by then the Collegians half had already done enough to be crowned the Macarthur player of the season. Once again Brad Speechley was dynamite for the Rams, and was only minutes shy of captaining the side to consecutive titles.
Try-sneak Daniel Payne was at it again, topping the charts (21) for The Oaks.
In the Southern Highlands, Thomas Maloney guided the Lions back to the finals, while Damon New guided the Steeden between the posts to win the grand final.
PROPS
Good luck trying to separate this lot.
Yet again, Danny Fualalo was Camden’s chief battering Ram, while Ben Arandt and Matthew Scott led the charge for the Lions and Roosters.
Skipper Aaron Teariki spearheaded Campbelltown’s early surge, and warhorse Evrett Vaurasi was at the forefront of the Tigers return to finals action.
Then there was Oakdale’s Michael Bullock, who blended bash and barge with subtle touches of playmaking magic.
HOOKER
John Martin picked up a stack of players’ player awards at Camden, and Luke Williams and Nathan Rumsby never shirked their task for East Campbelltown and The Oaks.
But when it came to lighting up the ruck, Thirlmere’s Mitchell New led the way with 14 tries with Mittagong’s Blake Barbuto only two behind.
SECOND-ROWERS
Ram’s recruit Jack Miller delivered in spades, scoring 11 tries and adding plenty of sting in defence. And at one stage, Mittagong’s Liam Cassidy was at short odds to score the most four-pointers for the season, before finishing fifth on 15.
Josh Carr proved a try scoring colossus at the pointy end of the season and went within inches of carrying Oakdale to a preliminary final. Thirlmere’s Louis Meehan mixed power with second phase to get the Roosters rolling.
Picton’s Stephen Dengate found his range in the closing months, turning in a stack of standout performances. Despite finding several unique ways to keep himself sidelined, when he was on the park, Kobe Chamberlain added plenty of punch on the Eagles edge.
LOCK
In a list of hard nuts who refuse to take a backwards step, Thirlmere’s Kye Madden ended up hoisting the trophy, but on another day, Camden’s Ben Powers wouldn’t have looked out of place.
At Oakdale, Kyle Fraser maintained the rage in his first season as captain-coach. Cooper Smith missed the start of the Tigers’ campaign but added plenty of zip when he got on the park.
Mittagong’s Nelson Sharp was a relentless presence, missing just one of the Lions’ 19 games.
