Ranking the best Super League hookers in 2024 with retired star in the top three

Looking back on the 2024 Super League season, we’ve ranked the best in the number nine position across the competition.

The hooker is a vital role in any team simply due to their task of handling the ball on near enough every single play. As such, having an elite hooker is one of the things that separates a lot of the good sides from the great ones.

It’s also a position that has been looked upon favourably in the Man of Steel competition in the past although that award now seems to be won by other players in the spine.

Paul McShane, who has signed with York Knights this off-season, was the last number nine to lift the award whilst one player on this list has won it previously, all the way back in 2014.

Looking back on the Super League season, we’ve picked out a top five.

Who were the best hookers in Super League in 2024?

5: Brad O’Neill (Wigan Warriors)

He’s arguably the best in this list but injury ended O’Neill’s season meaning he was capped to just 16 games. To that point, he was having his best season yet as a pro which made his injury all the more devastating.

O’Neill’s injury came just weeks after his first England cap and the Challenge Cup victory, a trophy lift that meant he had won every trophy at club level before the age of 21. His return in 2025 will be one that only makes a dominant Wigan side even stronger.

4: Edwin Ipape (Leigh Leopards)

Similar to O’Neill, Ipape only played 18 games as he struggled throughout the season with injury but when he was fully fit, he was a game-breaker. As Leigh marched to the play-offs late in the season, the PNG international put in some performances that were pure textbook. Their ability to keep hold of him for 2025 is one of the best pieces of business that Leigh has done.

3: Daryl Clark (St Helens)

The England number nine is probably a victim of St Helens’ rocky form as to where he stands in this list. He’s also another who had injury issues but that didn’t stop Shaun Wane picking him for the end-of-season internationals.

Clark started the season on fire with Saints and looked like an early shout for the Man of Steel, something he won in 2014, however, it wasn’t to be. Perhaps with a new-look spine in 2025, he could make a play 11 years after winning the award.

2: Matt Parcell (Hull KR)

Hull KR fans might still be asking why Matt Parcell is retiring, that’s how good his performances were in 2024. Despite starting the season on the bench with Jez Litten playing as the starter, Parcell would play himself into the starting role and was integral in Hull KR making their first-ever Super League Grand Final. He’ll be a big miss at Craven Park even with KR signing Micky McIlorum.

1: Danny Walker (Warrington Wolves)

He earned Dream Team honours and rightly so, Danny Walker flourished in his first season without Daryl Clark. Instead, he had Sam Walker as the veteran to support him and it arguably helped Walker take his game to a new level. His consistency in the role is hard to match and was a major reason for the success of Sam Burgess’ side.