Fullback: Jarryd Hayne (Eels)
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Michael Morgan and Matt Moylan have been the big improvers, but it's hard to go past Hayne as the fullback of the year. He's in career-best form and has to be in line to knock off Greg Inglis as the best fullback in the game in 2014. Brett Stewart and Billy Slater are as good as always, but Hayne has been the standout in a team lacking big-name players.
Mark Geyer: Jarryd Hayne
Brett Kimmorley: Jarryd Hayne
Ryan Girdler: Jarryd Hayne
Steve Menzies: Greg Inglis
Michael Crocker: Greg Inglis
Herald experts: Jarryd Hayne
Wingers: Josh Mansour (Panthers) and Semi Radradra (Eels)
Two power-packed wingers have pipped the speed and class of Brett Morris, Peta Hiku and Alex Johnston to win wingers of the year. Radradra started his incredible try-scoring feats at the Auckland Nines and has continued throughout the season to sit on top of the leading try-scorer's list with 19. Mansour has 13 tries in 17 games to his name but is averaging 6.7 tackle breaks, 17.3 runs and 162 metres a game.
Mark Geyer: Brett Morris and Josh Mansour
Brett Kimmorley: Semi Radradra and Josh Mansour
Ryan Girdler: Semi Radradra and Peta Hiku
Steve Menzies: Brett Morris and Josh Mansour
Michael Crocker: Semi Radradra and Alex Johnston
Herald experts: Josh Mansour and Peta Hiku
Centres: Dylan Walker (Rabbitohs) and Konrad Hurrell (Warriors)
Given how well veterans Jamie Lyon and Steve Matai have played for Manly this season, it says a lot about the rapid development of Walker and Hurrell to be named centres of the year. They are completely opposite players, but both have been dynamic for their clubs. Walker's speed and agility have helped him get around his opposite centre consistently, while Hurrell has trampled over the top of his opposition all season with his sheer power.
Mark Geyer: Greg Inglis and Dylan Walker
Brett Kimmorley: Jamie Lyon and Konrad Hurrell
Ryan Girdler: Steve Matai and Will Chambers
Steve Menzies: Jamie Lyon and Konrad Hurrell
Michael Crocker: Will Chambers and Dylan Walker
Herald experts: Dylan Walker and Konrad Hurrell
Five-eighth: Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys)
This could have gone to either Thurston or Kieran Foran. The Manly No.6 has had his best season yet and continues to develop as one of the toughest playmakers in the game. But just when you thought Thurston couldn't possibly keep doing what he does, he delivers on the big stage. His Origin form wasn't the best, but he hasn't had such difficulty in club-land. Don't forget Jamie Soward and Gareth Widdop, who have been the two buys of the season and have been challenging Foran and Thurston as the five-eighth of the year.
Mark Geyer: Jamie Soward
Brett Kimmorley: Johnathan Thurston
Ryan Girdler: Kieran Foran
Steve Menzies: Johnathan Thurston
Michael Crocker: Kieran Foran
Herald experts: Johnathan Thurston
Halfback: Daly Cherry-Evans (SeaEagles)
What a year Ben Hunt has had for Brisbane. He's arguably the most improved player in the competition, but he's not at the same level as Cooper Cronk and Cherry-Evans. The Manly halfback might be the No.7 in waiting for Queensland and Australia, but he's done enough in 2014 to outshine his Melbourne rival. However, with 21 try assists to Cherry-Evans' 13, some might argue Cronk might have got the nod if he had led his team to as many wins as Cherry-Evans has for Manly.
Mark Geyer: Daly Cherry-Evans
Brett Kimmorley: Cooper Cronk
Ryan Girdler: Daly Cherry-Evans
Steve Menzies: Daly Cherry-Evans
Michael Crocker: Cooper Cronk
Herald experts: Daly Cherry-Evans
Props: Jesse Bromwich (Storm) and James Graham (Bulldogs)
A lot of Melbourne Storm players are out of sight and out of mind, but the performances of prop Bromwich this season have not gone unnoticed. The New Zealand international has arguably been the No.1 prop in the game this season. Englishman Graham hasn't been far behind, but a form slump from the Bulldogs has limited his impact in recent weeks. George Burgess, Sam Moa and Corey Parker have all had exceptional years but not on the same level as Bromwich and Graham. Matt Scott has missed six weeks of play this season through injury.
Mark Geyer: Matt Scott and Jesse Bromwich
Brett Kimmorley: Sam Moa and Jesse Bromwich
Ryan Girdler: George Burgess and Jesse Bromwich
Steve Menzies: George Burgess and James Graham
Michael Crocker: Matt Scott and Jesse Bromwich
Herald experts: Jesse Bromwich and James Graham
Hooker: James Segeyaro (Panthers)
You have to produce a special season to knock over the respective Australian, NSW and New Zealand hookers to be the overwhelming choice as the No.9 of the year. But it's hard to deny that Penrith's Segeyaro has been the most influential hooker in the competition in 2014. Ivan Cleary's decision to turn Segeyaro into an 80-minute hooker has paid dividends, with Segeyaro terrorising the opposition with his speed and vision out of dummy half. Mark Geyer: Cameron Smith
Brett Kimmorley: James Segeyaro
Ryan Girdler: James Segeyaro
Steve Menzies: James Segeyaro
Michael Crocker: James Segeyaro
Herald experts: James Segeyaro
Second-rowers: Aidan Guerra (Roosters) and Simon Mannering (Warriors)
If Ben Hunt is the most improved player in the competition, Aidan Guerra isn't far behind. Guerra made his Origin debut for Queensland this year and didn't look out of place. He was one of their best forwards and has probably been the Sydney Roosters' most consistent player this season. Warriors skipper Simon Mannering never plays a bad game, and his leadership has developed along with his influence on a game.
Mark Geyer: Greg Bird and Sam Burgess
Brett Kimmorley: Aidan Guerra and Simon Mannering
Ryan Girdler: Aidan Guerra and Matt Gillett
Steve Menzies: Aidan Guerra and Elijah Taylor
Michael Crocker: Corey Parker and Sonny Bill Williams
Herald experts: Aidan Guerra and Simon Mannering
Lock: Sam Burgess (Rabbitohs)
It's unfortunate Burgess is defecting to rugby union next season, because if he stayed in the 13-man game he might have gone on to be remembered as one of the greatest forwards ever to play the game. He has far and away been the best forward in the competition this season and is the key to South Sydney finally breaking their long-standing premiership drought. He's averaged 20 runs a game for a gain of 160metres. He's scored eight tries, made 10 line breaks and produced 61tackle breaks and 47 offloads.
Mark Geyer: Adam Docker
Brett Kimmorley: Sam Burgess
Ryan Girdler: Sam Burgess
Steve Menzies: Sam Burgess
Michael Crocker: Sam Burgess
Herald experts: Sam Burgess
Bench: Corey Parker (Broncos), George Burgess (Rabbitohs), Sonny Bill Williams (Roosters), Greg Inglis (Rabbitohs)
It's hard to deny Parker a spot on the bench. His offloads are lethal and he is one of Brisbane's main attacking weapons. George Burgess continues to get better at a young age and is always difficult to contain. While SBW has been down in comparison with last season, he's still one of the best forwards in the competition. The utility position could have gone to Soward, Widdop, Foran, Morgan or Moylan, but what sort of team would it be without Greg Inglis?
Mark Geyer: Aidan Guerra, KevinProctor, Aaron Woods, Gareth Widdop
Brett Kimmorley: Corey Parker, James Graham, Gareth Widdop, Daly Cherry-Evans
Ryan Girdler: Corey Parker, NateMyles, Adam Docker, Michael Morgan
Steve Menzies: Jesse Bromwich, Boyd Cordner, Sonny Bill Williams, Gareth Widdop
Michael Crocker: Nate Myles, Aidan Guerra, Konrad Hurrell, Daly Cherry-Evans
Herald experts: Sonny Bill Williams, George Burgess, Corey Parker, Kieran Foran
Coach of the year: Ivan Cleary (Panthers)
Mark Geyer: Ivan Cleary
Brett Kimmorley: Ivan Cleary
Ryan Girdler: Ivan Cleary
Steve Menzies: Ivan Cleary
Michael Crocker: Geoff Toovey
Herald experts: Ivan Cleary
Buy of the year: Jamie Soward (Panthers)
Mark Geyer: Jamie Soward
Brett Kimmorley: Jamie Soward
Ryan Girdler: Jamie Soward
Steve Menzies: Gareth Widdop
Michael Crocker: Jamie Soward
Herald experts: Jamie Soward
Rookie of the year: Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs)
Mark Geyer: Alex Johnston
Brett Kimmorley: Luke Brooks
Ryan Girdler: Alex Johnston
Steve Menzies: Luke Brooks
Michael Crocker: Alex Johnston
Herald experts: Alex Johnston
