Alternative Super League Dream Team 2019

This year’s Super League Dream Team has seemingly been the least divisive in recent memory, but there are still players that have flown under the radar.

Often playing for clubs outside the top four, these are the players who have had impressive seasons but haven’t quite had the recognition they deserve.

So here is my alternative Super League Dream Team of 2019…

1- Niall Evalds

The Salford full-back is probably still not quite at the level of Super League’s best, but few people would have thought he would even be near that conversation in February. He’s enjoyed the best season of his career becoming Salford’s top try scorer, and joint second in the league, and has been a vital part of this odds-defying Red Devil’s side.

2- Ratu Naulago

One of the best bits of business done this year was Hull FC’s signing of the Fijian winger. Naulago was given leave from Army duty to chase a rugby career and ended up at the KC after stints in union and sevens. It’s in league where he has made his name though and the risk to pursue a future in the sport has paid off big time, for both club and player.

3- Reece Lyne

The Wakefield centre has had another impressive year despite his side’s struggles late on. It might be too much of a ask for him to make the final Great Britain squad, but he’ll be causing the selectors headaches as the initial 29-man list is narrowed to 25.

4- Josh Griffin

The centre completed a clean sweep of titles at Hull FC’s end of season award after being named Player of the Year by coaches, supporters, and players. He had been criticised after FC struggled at the back end of 2018, but his response this year has more than made up for that.

5- Ryan Hampshire

Contract disputes have tarnished the end of Hampshire’s season, but this year has shown just what he can do, whether at full-back, on the wing or in the halves. He’s only missed one minute of this season (thanks to a final minute yellow) and should prove a smart signing for any club able to get him signed up.

6- Theo Fages

It’s hard to feel sorry for anyone playing in such a dominant team, but the Frenchman is often overshadowed in this Saints side. Since his move from Salford in 2016 he’s stepped up massively, and it’s been another impressive season, including racking up the joint-second most try assists.

7- Jordan Abdull

9- Joey Lussick

Lussick arrived in the UK midway through last season as an unknown quantity but soon became a fan’s favourite. Now opposition clubs are a little bit wiser to just how much he brings, his trademark burrows from dummy-half in particular – not that it’s stopped him, mind.

10- Mitch Garbutt

Injury has meant a slightly disrupted season for the Australian, but he’s still managed to make an impact for Rovers this year. He arrived with big expectations after being let go by Leeds, but he’s more than lived up to them, with KR fans voting him as their Player of the Year.

11- Matt Whitley

The 23-year-old has continued to impress since moving to Perpignan from Widnes. His performances this year have earned him another England Knights call-up for the autumn, and big things are expected in the future.

12- James Donaldson

He didn’t even have a club at the start of this year, but Donaldson’s effort has won him fans at Headingley this year. In a disappointing season for the Rhinos, he’s one of the few players to stand out when the going got really tough.

13- Luke Yates

The Australian must be up there as one of the signings of the season, and one of the most consistent performers for London. The gutsy back-rower was the league’s second top tackler, and that has definitely been appreciated by his teammates, who voted him as their Player of the Year.