NRL | The importance of Defence and a quality Playmaker for NRL Premiership success | 2023

The importance of a quality Playmaker – #7 or #6 calling the shorts and directing play toward winning the premiership title has stood the test of time. So much so that 36 of the last 38 premiership titles have been won by sides who have had a Origin or International representative playmaker in their halves combinations, even across the last 10 or so years with many coaches favouring an even more highly structured approach with left and right playmakers. 

The only two sides to win the comp without a Rep #7 or #6 were the 2014 Rabbitohs and 1980 Canterbury teams, but in both instances they were to win with key playmakers who were to then go on to rep honours. The 2014 Rabbitohs side had Adam Reynolds calling the shots at #7 who has since gone on to be a NSW Origin rep, while the 1980 Canterbury title winners did so with that year with Gary Hughes at #6 and Steve Mortimer at #7. Mortimer went on to an illustrious rep career but his first rep honours were not until the following season, 1981.

Over the course of history the list of NRL title winners has been dominated by some of the greats playing their role at #7 or #6 – Mortimer; Sterling (and Kenny); Hasler; Stuart (and Daley); Langer (and Walters); Johns; Fittler and Lockyer to mention the obvious, each leading their respective teams to premiership glory. Through recent years we have then seen the likes of Cronk (Storm) and now Thurston (Cowboys) join this illustrious list. 

There have also been a number of the lower profile (at the time) premiership winners also led by their rep playmaker, which include –

Penrith 1991 – Greg Alexander – Halfback

Storm 1999 – Brett Kimmorley – Halfback

Penrith 2003 – Craig Gower – Halfback

Bulldogs 2004 – Braith Anasta – Five-Eight

West Tigers 2005 – Scott Prince – Halfback

Dragons 2010 – Jamie Soward – Halfback

A full list of Premiership winners can be viewed here