The NSWRL is pleased to announce the 2022 NSW Team of the Year (TOTY), recognising the top NSW-eligible performers from throughout the NRL season.
The selection criteria for the 1-13 is based on the number of Team of the Week (TOTW) nominations players accrued in each position throughout the season.
TOTW nominations were decided by NSWRL writers across 20 rounds this season, excluding those affected by Origin team selection and Ampol State of Origin matches (12-13 and 15-17).
The players chosen do not reflect the opinions and/or selection processes of the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coaches and staff.
Sydney Roosters, Blues and newly announced Kangaroos skipper James Tedesco takes the No.1 jersey after seven TOTW nominations – three of those which also saw him named NSW Player of the Round. Tedesco came away with a slew of awards for his efforts in both Origin and NRL, leading the competition for tackle busts (169) and second for run metres (5,092).
The wing pair – with four nominations each – includes Alex Johnston after his 30 tries in 2022 led to a third-straight Ken Irvine Medal, and Brian To’o, who averaged 203.8 run metres with 73.4 post-contact (second behind Brisbane Broncos prop Payne Haas) in a season affected by injury.
The centres are an explosive duo; Cronulla-Sutherland’s Siosifa Talakai (six nominations) and Penrith’s Stephen Crichton (five). Talakai had a strong run of performances for the Sharks on the way to an Origin jersey, while Crichton started the year in blistering form before coming up with plenty of big moments in the Panthers’ charge to successive NRL Premierships.
The halves feature two men who wore new colours this year; Blues debutant and Bulldogs five-eighth Matt Burton with three nominations, and Dally M Medal winner and Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes with eight nominations. Burton was second in kick metres (10,357) while Hynes led the competition for line-break assists (29) and was third for try assists (21).
The front row contingent has TOTW mainstays Haas (12 nominations), hooker Damien Cook (eight) and Eels prop Junior Paulo (five). In 2022 Haas continued to produce his unbelievable work-rate, Cook wound back the years with his trademark running game, and Paulo caused all kinds of headaches with damaging carries and deceptive ball-playing.
Canberra Raider Hudson Young finds a spot in the second row with five nominations, including three from the final six rounds during the Raiders’ late charge to the finals. The Rabbitohs’ Keaon Koloamatangi joins him at No.12 with six nominations for the season, which saw him finish second in his position for run metres with 3,629.
Rabbitohs captain and Kangaroos vice-captain Cameron Murray rounds out the team after receiving six nominations at lock, which saw him finish the season topping the tackle count in his position (40.3 per game).
1. James Tedesco (c). Club: Sydney Roosters. SOO appearances: 19. TOTW nominations: 7.
2. Alex Johnston. Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW nominations: 4.
3. Siosifa Talakai. Club: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. SOO appearances: 2. TOTW nominations: 6.
4. Stephen Crichton. Club: Penrith Panthers. SOO appearances: 3. TOTW nominations: 5.
5. Brian To’o. Club: Penrith Panthers. SOO appearances: 6. TOTW nominations: 4.
6. Matt Burton. Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. SOO appearances: 2. TOTW nominations: 3.
7. Nicho Hynes. Club: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW nominations: 8.
8. Payne Haas. Club: Payne Haas. SOO appearances: 9. TOTW nominations: 12.
9. Damien Cook. Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs. SOO appearances: 15. TOTW nominations: 8.
10. Junior Paulo. Club: Parramatta Eels. SOO appearances: 9. TOTW nominations: 5.
11. Hudson Young. Club: Canberra Raiders. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW nominations: 5.
12. Keaon Koloamatangi. Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW nominations: 6.
13. Cameron Murray. Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs. SOO appearances: 10. TOTW nominations: 6.
