Opinion: Dream Team 2020
21 Nov 2020
Bevan French
A season to remember for the Warriors fullback. He’s been a joy to watch all year with some real standout performances, backed up by his impressive stats; French finished joint second in tries scored and top of the tackle bust and clean breaks charts. Some tough competition with Lachlan Coote having a great year, but French’s x-factor wins it for me.
Ash Handley
Ash Handley has been one of Leeds Rhinos' best players over the past two years. He topped the try scoring charts and metres gained for the year, averaging an impressive 169 metres per game. He’s matured into a player who has an immense skillset and works as hard as anyone on the pitch. I fully expect to see Handley lining up for England in next years’ World Cup.
Toby King
King’s 2020 form has been outstanding. A consistent performer for the Wolves, he is a massive threat out wide and has a tremendous work rate. He’s become an integral part of the Wolves team and shown up well in big games, ever reliable and able to create opportunities for his team from out wide.
Josh Griffin
In my opinion very unlucky to miss out on the 2019 dream team. Griffin has been steadily improving for the past few years and become a standout performer at Hull FC. He’s one of the more senior players in the squad and leads from the front in attack and defence. He’s got a great pair of hands and is a devasting runner of the ball, able to make good metres every time he carries.
Josh Griffin was a menace with ball in hand against Hull KR 👊
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 11, 2020
11 carries, 139 metres, 12 tackle busts, an assist and a try 💪
Here are his best moments ??? #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/cV8hhiFKJu
Krisnan Inu
A huge contrast from how the year started to how it finished for Inu. Unable to get game time before lockdown, Inu has been a key player for Red Devils after the enforced break. He’s scored 10 tries in 10 games this year and has been lethal with the boot. Give him the ball close to the line and you can almost guarantee he will make something happen.
Jackson Hastings
Hastings' started where he left off after a Man of Steel winning season last year. His unrelenting effort and skill has helped him fit in seamlessly at Warriors. He’s formed a great partnership down the left edge with Liam Farrell and has helped Warriors secure their first League Leaders' Shield in eight years.
Aidan Sezer
Arguably the signing of the season. He came over to Giants with a big reputation after helping Canberra to an NRL Grand Final in 2019, and immediately made an impact in Super League. He’s the complete half who can take the line on, kick teams out the game and convert match winners from the sidelines.
Alex Walmsley
Some may have questioned how big Al would fare when the six again rule was announced post lockdown. There were fears that the big men of Super League may struggle with the increase in pace, but Walmsley got better. An integral part of the Saints team, he leads their go forward, getting the team on the front foot every game and has even become a prolific try scorer!
Paul McShane
McShane was instrumental in everything Tigers did throughout the 2020 season. His ability to dictate the speed of play and get his team going forward was vital early in the year. He’s a constant threat jumping out of dummy half, knowing when to take the line on or nudge a clever a kick behind the defensive line. His defence isn’t too bad either!
McShane moves five clear at the top ???
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 8, 2020
The best of Paul McShane's performance for @CTRLFC against @SalfordDevils as he extends his lead at the top of the @StevePrescott1 #ManOfSteel rankings ??#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/p9MJA8c0ie
Mike Cooper
Consistently brilliant throughout the year, Cooper is tough, skilful and has an incredible engine for a front-row forward. In a condensed season he showed up time and time again, putting in big minutes and leading his Wolves forward pack into battle. He’s a constant threat going forward, offloading and taking on defenders at will.
Liam Farrell
Warriors most consistent performer and a worthy Man of Steel candidate. Farrell has been a machine all year and racked up some impressive stats in attack and defence. He’s showing no signs of slowing down and has been as lethal as we’ve ever seen down the left edge for Warriors, running hard lines and scoring some key tries this year.
James Bentley
This was a tough one. Currie and Tanginoa have been awesome but for me James Bentley gets it. He’s a tough player who loves being in the thick of the action. A breakthrough year for the forward who has kept teammate Peyroux out of the side for most of the year, no easy feat but a credit to the way Bentley has performed all season.
Joe Cator
Another player who has really benefited from the six again rule and the increased pace of games. Andy Last described him as an extremely fit young lad, and his performances reflect that. He’s topped the tackle count in numerous games this year and constantly puts his hand up to help the team out. He loves getting stuck in and has had a stellar debut season for Hull.
