I can almost smell the season it's that close...
Here's my pick of my top 3 number 4s of the upcoming 2015 season...
Michael Shenton - Castleford's compassionate captain has been presented with the number 4 jersey for the upcoming season and from the quality season he and his team had in 2014, I couldn't leave him out.
Captain Shenton was one of the best captains throughout the 2014 season in my opinion, as he ordered his team around the field and managed to lead his team to the Challenge Cup final at Wembley and also to a top 8 position, the first time since 2009. Even though he's out-wide on the field, he still managed to be an inspiration for his players (which Warrington's new captain, Joel Monaghan will be hoping he can do the same, too!).
In the 2014 season, Shenton scored 17 tries, made 55 tackle busts, 2431 metres and made 22 clean breaks.
Even though Tigers ended the 2014 season without a trophy, they were still successful throughout and provided great entertainment for their fans.
Shenton topped off his exceptional 2014 season with an involvement in the England squad in the 2014 Four Nations, where he scored England's first try of the tournament against Samoa.
Shenton will be hoping to lead the Tigers to yet another successful season in 2015, and I think he can.
Junior Sa'u - Sa'u was a player I picked out before the 2014 season to be a player to keep an eye on, but he didn't produce as much as I thought he would have.
The ex-Melbourne Storm and Newcastle Knights player started rather quiet for the Red Devils in 2014, but definitely improved as the season went on. Unfortunately, I didn't see the player in action as much as I would have liked in 2014, so I can't fully evaluate his 2014 season. All I know is that his name wasn't in the limelight as much as I was expecting it to be...
As for 2015, like 2014, I'm expecting big things from this centre. He has a great build, quality strength and an even better hand-off. He can easily out-strengthen his opposition in most cases and I really rate him. In 2014, Sa'u scored 12 tries, created 8 of them, made 302 carries, 2343 metres and had a total of 75 tackle busts, the second-most in his position.
I'm definitely going to be keeping an eye on this player in 2015...
Dan Sarginson - At London this player was hardly known, but since moving to Wigan, Sarginson has made a name for himself and impressed almost all Super League fans, and even Steve McNamara.
Being a Wigan fan, I loved this player and he made fans feel much more comfortable while being on the field. Although I think he still needs to develop his game at the centre position, he's a cracking prospect and I don't think he's at his best just yet.
He's got an impressive side-step on him and he's also a strong defender. In 2014, he managed to make 13 clean breaks, 12 try assists and also made 89 tackle busts (I can imagine his step had something to do with these stats).
Sarginson, like Shenton, had a successful 2014 year which was made even better as he was selected to represent England in the 2014 Four Nations. Sarginson managed to be selected in the centres for 2 of the 3 games, being picked before Michael Shenton. He had a impressive tournament and I can imagine a few NRL teams have their eyes on this young talent.
I'm looking forward to seeing more of this man's step in 2015, and hopefully see him become an even better player throughout the season.
Here's my pick of my top 3 number 4s of the upcoming 2015 season...
Michael Shenton - Castleford's compassionate captain has been presented with the number 4 jersey for the upcoming season and from the quality season he and his team had in 2014, I couldn't leave him out.
Captain Shenton was one of the best captains throughout the 2014 season in my opinion, as he ordered his team around the field and managed to lead his team to the Challenge Cup final at Wembley and also to a top 8 position, the first time since 2009. Even though he's out-wide on the field, he still managed to be an inspiration for his players (which Warrington's new captain, Joel Monaghan will be hoping he can do the same, too!).
In the 2014 season, Shenton scored 17 tries, made 55 tackle busts, 2431 metres and made 22 clean breaks.
Even though Tigers ended the 2014 season without a trophy, they were still successful throughout and provided great entertainment for their fans.
Shenton topped off his exceptional 2014 season with an involvement in the England squad in the 2014 Four Nations, where he scored England's first try of the tournament against Samoa.
Shenton will be hoping to lead the Tigers to yet another successful season in 2015, and I think he can.
Junior Sa'u - Sa'u was a player I picked out before the 2014 season to be a player to keep an eye on, but he didn't produce as much as I thought he would have.
The ex-Melbourne Storm and Newcastle Knights player started rather quiet for the Red Devils in 2014, but definitely improved as the season went on. Unfortunately, I didn't see the player in action as much as I would have liked in 2014, so I can't fully evaluate his 2014 season. All I know is that his name wasn't in the limelight as much as I was expecting it to be...
As for 2015, like 2014, I'm expecting big things from this centre. He has a great build, quality strength and an even better hand-off. He can easily out-strengthen his opposition in most cases and I really rate him. In 2014, Sa'u scored 12 tries, created 8 of them, made 302 carries, 2343 metres and had a total of 75 tackle busts, the second-most in his position.
I'm definitely going to be keeping an eye on this player in 2015...
Dan Sarginson - At London this player was hardly known, but since moving to Wigan, Sarginson has made a name for himself and impressed almost all Super League fans, and even Steve McNamara.
Being a Wigan fan, I loved this player and he made fans feel much more comfortable while being on the field. Although I think he still needs to develop his game at the centre position, he's a cracking prospect and I don't think he's at his best just yet.
He's got an impressive side-step on him and he's also a strong defender. In 2014, he managed to make 13 clean breaks, 12 try assists and also made 89 tackle busts (I can imagine his step had something to do with these stats).
Sarginson, like Shenton, had a successful 2014 year which was made even better as he was selected to represent England in the 2014 Four Nations. Sarginson managed to be selected in the centres for 2 of the 3 games, being picked before Michael Shenton. He had a impressive tournament and I can imagine a few NRL teams have their eyes on this young talent.
I'm looking forward to seeing more of this man's step in 2015, and hopefully see him become an even better player throughout the season.