The Mole: Origin snubs and workhorses who 'rarely get a headline' in NRL's most underrated
NRL's most underrated players
Lachlan Croker, Tom Hazelton, Isaiya Katoa, and Nick Meaney are some of the NRL's most underrated players.
While their club teammates are playing State of Origin and racking up Dally M votes, these guys are silently starring but flying under the radar.
Wide World of Sports' The Mole presents 13 of those unheralded guns.
Matt Timoko (Raiders)
Raiders realise they have a special talent in this rugged centre but most rival clubs don't know how good he is until he charges through them to score tries.
Tough and talented he has a big future.
Jeremy Marshall-King (Dolphins)
One of the best dummy-halves in the league and been a secret behind the Dolphins' run to the finals.
Has the knack of knowing when to run and when to pass and can also sniff out a try.
David Armstrong (Knights)
An unknown a couple of months ago at the Knights.
Fans feared the worst when star fullback Kalyn Ponga went down injured in round seven, but he's stepped in and played some great footy in the pressure fullback spot.
Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins)
If this talented Dolphin was playing for a Sydney club he may well have been in the reckoning for a State of Origin berth.
Very mature young half who is running equal sixth in the Dally M count so people are starting to notice him.
Ben Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)
Looked like he was just making up the numbers at the Sea Eagles last year but has become a very handy wide ball-runner this year.
Also reads defence well for a bloke with so little experience.
Wayde Egan (Warriors)
Has developed into one of the most polished dummy-halves in the game over the past couple of seasons and like Croker at Manly, his real value shows when he is out injured.
All class with the ball in hand.
Jackson Ford (Warriors)
Looked an average player in his time at the Dragons but has shone since moving to the Warriors at the start of last season.
Has made many strong bursts running off Shaun Johnson's passes.
Fonua Pole (Tigers)
It's never easy for a kid coming into a losing team but this guy has dominated the middle for the Tigers since debuting late in 2022.
He was the Tigers' rookie of the season that year and is now a consistent first grader.
Eliesa Katoa (Storm)
Been a great gain for the Storm from the Warriors over the past 18 months and is a real weapon running the ball.
Will only get better and better.
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