I always think individual awards in a team game have to be taken slightly with a pinch of salt - even more so "team of the season" style selections. You often see players being picked out of position just to fit them into the team (maybe less so in RL). Locker's probably is the best "proper 13" in the league, but the game's moved on from that. Anyone from Livett to BMM can be utilised at 13 in different ways - how can you have an award for which one is "better" when they're very different players doing vary different roles?
The SL team of the season always seems to contain over-representation of players from the best team(s) that season.
That seems obvious - the best teams usually contain the best players. But there's also a big element of players getting selected simply because they're good players in the best team, rather than being the best players in the competition.
I really like Danny Richardson, and think he's a great player - but as he's been mentioned further up this thread I'll pick on him -
He's 2nd for errors made out of every player in SL.
There are 7 HB's ahead of him for assists.
He's 2nd for missed tackles.
He's kicked the most goals, but Saints have scored the most tries. His kicking success rate is the same a Ratchford's (75%).
The best kickers in the league are Gale (86%), Connor (86%) and Our Tyrone (82%).
Like I say, Richardson is a cracking player, has had a fantastic breakout season, and was a vital cog in the Saints machine. I'd take him here in an instant.
But is he one of the best 2 HBs in the competition? Not a chance. He's a good player in a great team. That's why, as I said, individual awards in a team game have to be taken slightly with a pinch of salt.
