Last week, the Super League Dream Team was announced and it’s hard to have too many gripes with the selection. Plenty of the top performers in the 2021 season have been rewarded with their place in this year’s Dream Team, but there are always those who are unlucky to be left out especially players in sides who have struggled this year. So, today we’re giving those players some much needed love after some brilliant performances by giving you our alternative Dream Team for this season.
Fullback: Jake Connor
In most other seasons the mercurial Jake Connor would’ve walked into the Dream Team. But the quality of Sam Tomkins ensured he was left out despite his 22 try assists and 6 tries. His mid-season injury slowed down Hull FC’s momentum especially in attack. He can do virtually anything with the ball in hand and that’s what makes him such a threat.
Wingers: Adam Swift and Ryan Hall
Both Adam Swift and Ryan Hall have scored tries for fun in Hull this season. Swift established himself as Hull FC’s first choice winger after a few years of struggle and poached 13 tries but his scoring prowess merely complimented his work rate off the ball. Ryan Hall meanwhile looked headed for the top try scorer award until he picked up a nasty injury but his 15 four-pointers were still impressive and saw him become only the second player to reach 200 in Super League. He’s also been a superb leader for the Robins and doesn’t shy away from the hard yards.
Centres: Jake Mamo and Jordan Turner
Only one player scored more tries than Jake Mamo this season. His tally of 16 is truly impressive especially when you consider how many came from long range thanks to his elusive speed and willingness to put himself about to snap up an unlikely opportunity. Always a joy to watch, he was unlucky to be left out of the Dream Team proper. Meanwhile, Jordan Turner has been equally impressive for the Tigers scoring and creating tries down the left edge. His attacking prowess very nearly dragged the Tigers to the play-offs.
Halfbacks: Josh Drinkwater and Jordan Abdull
Josh Drinkwater can count himself unlucky to be left out of the Dream Team. Yes, his teammate James Maloney has had a superb year as has Jonny Lomax, but his bewildering 28 try assists deserved recognition. His kicking game is one of the most dangerous in the league and he’s been key to the Catalans attack. Meanwhile, Jordan Abdull has been the key for Hull KR. His organisation and creativity has made Hull KR very difficult to stop in attack but his willingness to run with the ball himself also makes him exceptionally dangerous.
Props: Chris Satae and Matt Prior
Things could’ve been a whole lot worse for Hull FC without Chris Satae. With powerful runs, solid defence but also a willingness to burst tackles and generate momentum for the Black and Whites, he was an exceptional prop all season and deserved to play play-off rugby. Meanwhile, Matt Prior was most definitely unfortunate to be left out of the Dream Team. With a magnificent offload and a wide skillset which sees him figure at the heart of the Leeds attack, he’s been superb again this year after being named Leeds’ Player of the Year in 2020.
Hooker: Matt Parcell
Matt Parcell is a classy number nine with a keen eye for a gap on the back of a quick play the ball and has the pace to exploit it with devastating effect. He also has huge smarts and organises the Robins attack with superb effect and has been at the heart of Hull KR’s amazing attack this term.
Second-rowers: Rhyse Martin and Mike McMeeken
Rhyse Martin admittedly started the season slowly, but he soon found some superb form. With great physicality and a willingness to take in hard carriers, he’s formed the ground work of the Leeds attack but he also offers a touch of x-factor when given the ball out wide. He’s also one of the league’s finest goal kickers. James Maloney is the only player to kick more goals than the Papua New Guinea skipper in 2021. Meanwhile, Mike McMeeken has rediscovered the form which made him so devastating at Castleford in 2017. A dangerous runner with the ball and an eye for an opportunity in attack, he’s given the Catalans pack a little something extra this year.
Loose-Forward: Cameron Smith
Like Martin, Cameron Smith had a slow start to the season but his slow start was largely down to injuries which kept him out for a huge chunk of the first half of the season. Once he got over those injury struggles, he found some excellent form offering impact off the bench with his wide-ranging skillset, his ability to make good metres and loads of tackles. A natural loose forward, in the absence of Zane Tetevano and Mikolaj Oledzki he stepped up to fill the void with some great performances.
