Take 100 NRL stars and ask them a series of tough questions from who is the biggest grub to the standard of refereeing and what do you get... the Annual Rugby League Week Players Poll.
Tonight on NRL Daily, Rugby League Week editor Mitchell Dale joins host John Gibbs and NRL stats guru David Middleton to reveal the results and debate the hot topics in our weekly ‘Voice of Reason’ segment.
After winning the 2011 Telstra Premiership with the Manly Sea Eagles and leading his new team the Bulldogs into poll position to take the minor premiership, Des Hasler has been voted the best coach in the game.
With 42 per cent of the players voting for Hasler, the NRL Daily panel discuss what has been the best coaching decision from Des this season.
With 42 per cent of the players voting for Hasler, the NRL Daily panel discuss what has been the best coaching decision from Des this season.
“Giving Benny Barba confidence,” is John Gibbs's answer. “He has always had unquestionable ability in attack but Des challenging him to improve his defence has had a monumental impact on his confidence as a football player to perform consistently.”
David Middleton believes Hasler has made plenty of good decisions this season but the change to the style of play by the Canterbury forwards has to be the best.
“He recognised early on that the best way to harness the skill and mobility of his pack was to promote a lot of passes before the line and also make use of the off-loading skills of men like Kasiano and Graham,” Middleton said.
“It has energised the entire team. Ben Barba thrives on the second phase play and Josh Morris has also benefitted greatly from the increased ball movement.”
The best player in the game is another hot topic in the annual poll, and even though he has not played for the Storm since round 13 Billy Slater has been voted the best by his peers with 28 per cent of the vote. In Slater’s absence the Storm has won just one from six, including last round's loss to cellar dwellers the Eels.
Do the Storm’s premiership hopes lay on the shoulders of Billy Slater? Let us know your thoughts on twitter @NRL_Daily and tune in tonight on NRL.com at 7:00pm.
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