With every team now having played at least half of their allotted games, there is a mix of new faces and incumbent stars at the top of the queue for the Dally M Team of the Year.

For many, we have seen a return to glory, with the likes of James Tedesco throwing the gauntlet back towards Broncos rising star Reece Walsh.

Meanwhile, the extended sideline stint of generational halfback Nathan Cleary has put some debate back into the No.7 of the year award.

Without further ado, here is the undercooked NRL team of the season … so far.

1. Dylan Edwards

The Panthers fullback had to pull out insane form for an Origin look-in over Tedesco at NSW, and hasn’t he done ust that.

Edwards has averaged 233 running metres and broke 72 tackles across 11 weeks of almost flawless footy.

The 28-year-old was on top of the Dally M leaderboard in round 12 – the final public release of the tallies.

While Walsh, Tedesco and Scott Drinkwater have all been stellar (apart from some poor Cowboys form which flushed out the flair of their No.1), Edwards’ consistency and work-rate is something one can’t ignore.

2. Zac Lomax

The Temora junior has been an undeniable threat on the Dragons right edge. Lomax, despite his early season frustration, is an out and out class winger.

On the receiving end of a rollercoaster team try against the Tigers, Lomax has been ever reliable in an inconsistent Dragons side.

Averaging 183 running metres and crossing the chalk 10 times from 12 appearances, the incumbent Eel is a terrific pickup and an insane aerial weapon.

Lomax franked his form with a solid NSW Blues debut, scoring their sole try off a Nicho Hynes kick.

The winger can pop up on fifth tackle plays to contest bombs and pressure opposition fullbacks, something that he lacked as a centre.

Given the standard expectations from wingers in the current game, Lomax is exceeding what many thought he could achieve.

3. Joseph Manu

The Kiwi international will be a massive loss for rugby league next year, as he heads to Japanese rugby starting his cross-code career.

Manu is just too strong – his step, intensity and offloading skills combine to make him the game’s most prominent centre.

The two-time premiership winner is just 27 – at the peak of his athletic abilities. Manu has the power to draw in both the opposition centre and winger, which has gifted Dom Young with some untouched tries.

Not only is he the NRL’s best centre, but his versatility gives the Roosters unmatched depth. If he were a starting fullback, there’s no doubt he would be top five in the competition – enough so to spark debate on Tedesco’s stability as the Roosters primary No.1.

4. Selwyn Cobbo

Away from Manu the second centre slot boasts a blanket of in-form clubman. Stephen Crichton, Jesse Ramien, even the consistency of Nick Meaney probably deserves a place here. The performance of Crichton in Monday’s comeback win against Parramatta almost inserted him into the spot. Yet, the physical enigma that is Cobbo is simply too much to pass up. Cobbo is just imposing and powerful.

His transition from the wing is still early days and admittedly, he has been caught out defensively. Cobbo has missed 27 tackles throughout the season which may not seem like much, but as a centre, this is a statistic that can’t be ignored. For reference, Crichton has missed 28.

The 22-year-old is an aerial, out-wide and short-ball threat, all due to his big frame and speed.

Cobbo is rather softly spoken, but on the field lets his actions do the talking. He has broken 75 tackles and averages 136 running metres.

5. Ronaldo Mulitalo

Broncos speedster Deine Mariner was initially an out of the box pick here but while he is a terrific finisher with dazzling feet, he doesn’t have the impact in yardage returns and the beef of big set starters like Brian To’o and Mulitalo.

Mulitalo is averaging 149 running metres and is a freak to watch in open space. In recent weeks the Sharks haven’t helped him out too much, but his tall stature is an invaluable option on the fifth tackle and he has a great finishing ability.

He can be prone to making a few silly errors, as can Dom Young and other leaping wingers. He has scored nine tries in 13 games and has 12 line-breaks, along with an impressive 57 tackle breaks.

6. Ezra Mam

Before you have a crack, remember to realise Cameron Munster’s absence. Dearden could also be here off the back of his heart and head – he is one of those players with the bravery and brains to surmount most situations.

The Cowboys No.6 must take a back seat here for a blatant reason. While a terrific ball-runner, Dearden doesn’t boast the stats of a No.1 playmaker.

Ezra Mam has nine try assists compared to Dearden’s four. That’s 20 points worth – quite a big margin considering the Cowboy has played one more game than Mam. The 2023 five-eighth of the year is on track to go back-to-back.

The Broncos’ left-edge creator also has an innate knack for finding the try line. Seven tries and 10 line-break assists.

7. Daly Cherry-Evans

Consistency is key here. Cherry-Evans rarely puts in a sub-par performance. The Maroons half is maybe not as legendary as the likes of Cooper Cronk or Johnathan Thurston, but he can do everything a No.7 needs – and he does it year in, year out.

Yes, Nicho Hynes was underwhelming in the Origin arena. It doesn’t take an expert to note that. But given the injury toll of Mitchell Moses and Cleary, Hynes has been very close to the best No.7 in clubland. That can’t be dismissed.

Although, it would be remiss not to mention the difficulty of the Sharks’ draw over the first half of the season. Let’s also remember they lost 32-6 to the Tigers in round three.

In the recent Sharks vs Panthers game, well before Hynes was shipped off due to a head knock, his team was in real trouble – he does seem to struggle in big moments, not a great look for Dally M halfback, let alone a Dally M player of the year.

Cherry-Evans has six try assists and nine line-breaks, which makes Mam look like some kind of wizard. Where things turn his way is on the boot.

The veteran averages 411 kicking metres and can strike from anywhere on the park. For an older half, he still has the legs to threaten the line too. He is arguably the best support play halfback in the game.

Honourable mention goes to Jahrome Hughes, who has been an attacking nightmare this year.

8. Addin Fonua-Blake

Ill-disciplined issues or not, Fonua-Blake is a down right beast. The Warriors enforcer has been on the rampant for the past few seasons. 2024 is no different.

Averaging 180 running metres per game as a prop is insane. He does that in around 55 minutes too. Plus 49 tackle breaks and a whopping six tries – he’s almost a certainty to never face an end of season nudie.

The Kiwi international will be a much welcomed addition to the Sharks forward pack in 2025, and will have the likes of Hynes and Kennedy on the front foot.

His offloading ability is also unmatched. At 123 kilograms, he’s a swift mover. He makes 15 hit ups a game, and is getting close to clocking a kilometre in post contact metres.

9. Harry Grant

This selection was arguably the easiest to make. Anyone that disagrees must be on another planet.

Grant has been the dominant dummy-half for a few seasons now, and has lived up to the hype after succeeding Cameron Smith.

The former Tiger always seems to dart with the ball in hand at 200% and his service is top shelf. Not to mention his long and short range kicking.

He’s made 507 tackles across 12 games at a 91% efficiency rate.

But it’s his gallant 80-minute performances that make him one of the games most valuable players.

Grant has a stamina tank unmatched by competition No.9s. Mitch Kenny is up there, so is Api Koroisau, but the two remain second-tier in talks with the Storm key spine member.

10. James Fisher-Harris

Payne Haas has been omitted from this second prop position based off his lack of appearances (8). The Broncos inflictor is below career-best form at the minute, but still seemingly a top three prop.

Fisher-Harris, from the far north of New Zealand, has an aggression that is hard to fathom.

Every hit-up he makes is packed with fire and ferocity, so too is his defence. He averages 122 run metres across 46 minutes a game.

Away from statistics, it’s the moral he brings the Panthers when on the field. JFH and Moses Leota are a deadly one-two combo.

The 103 kilogram powerhouse has also strongly developed his ball-playing skills, where he shovelled the pill 19 times during Penrith’s 42 point drubbing of the Sharks.

11. Eliesa Katoa

The former Warrior has found a home at Melbourne. More importantly for the Storm, they found him. Katoa has lifted his level in 2024 and has become a staple for Craig Bellamy and the hip of Jahrome Hughes.

Katoa has six tries to his name already, while he has six line-breaks and four assists.

While only charging 117 metres a game, Katoa has been a model of consistency and a core defensive element of Melbourne’s right edge.

He has 18 offloads for the season and has played 80 minutes in all bar one game.

The 24-year-old is a massive threat inside the opposition 20 and is a gifted line-runner who knows how to burst through a hole.

12. Haumole Olakau’tau

Again, a shortage of games from Liam Martin and starting appearances from Angus Crichton leaves two real contenders here. Jaydn Su’A was the one to miss out.

The destructive Manly second-rower wasn’t provided the same platform in Origin. He looked lost as an impact player and disconnected to the Blues spine.

It’s something he knows nothing about as a Sea Eagle in 2024. Cherry-Evans has helped Olakau’tau cross the line three times, while contributing to five line-breaks.

He ploughs up the pitch for 123 metres a game and is also an 80-minute back-rower. Only on three occasions has he left the field prior to the final hooter.

The goal-line sledgehammer is the weakness of any enemy No.6, and also boasts a 92% tackle efficiency.

Jordan Riki, Jeremiah Nanai and both Elliot Whitehead and Hudson Young were all in the conversation.

13. Isaah Yeo

I’m a massive fan of Patrick Carrigan, although the Maroons brick lay-the-platform lock is behind the Panthers co-captain at the halfway mark.

Yeo may not be a flashy lock, but he does everything – without errors and with perfect execution.

He and Carrigan both average around 70 minutes, but it’s the percentages regarding tackle efficiency and the defensive department which grants him the edge.

The Dubbo-born diligent lock has a 98% tackle rate, missing just nine in 12 games. Carrigan has dropped off on 27.

Go and revisit the Sharks vs Broncos highlights from the weekend. Braydon Trindall’s show and go four-pointer will illustrate what I mean.

Yeo has also broke 31 tackles as oppose to Carrigan’s 20. But the defining factor is the Blues’ pass. He is such an effective ball-player and has allowed Nathan Cleary to put the steeden on a string for the last three years.

No doubt that Carrigan will take the gong post Yeo, but right now, the 29-year-old’s experience is all class.