2017 Holden Cup Team of the Year announced

Minor Premiers Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks have dominated this year’s Holden Cup Team of the Year, securing six positions in the team.

Cronulla Coach John Morris was also named Coach of the Year, taking his place in the team alongside Sharks players Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien, Kyle Flanagan, Briton Nikora, Billy Magoulias and Blayke Brailey.

Others to be included in the prestigious team today were Kalyn Ponga (North Queensland Cowboys), Philip Sami (Gold Coast Titans) and Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos).

The team was announced at today’s 2017 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series Launch at ANZ Stadium.

The 2017 team joined a previous Holden Cup Team of the Year member, Manly Captain Daly Cherry-Evans, at the launch.

NRL Head of Football Brian Canavan said eight of the 16 Clubs were represented in the 2017 Holden Cup Team of the Year.

“This year’s Team of the Year is once again filled with some exciting talent and I can’t wait to see these players progress,” Mr Canavan said.

This year’s team joins an honour roll that includes some of the NRL’s most talented stars, including Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Valentine Holmes, Kieran Foran, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Ben Matulino, Dane Gagai, Jason Taumololo, Tariq Sims, Gareth Widdop, Ben Hunt, Trent Merrin, David Klemmer, Dylan Napa, Konrad Hurrell, Luke Brooks, Bryce Cartwright, Nick Cotric, Dylan Edwards and Matt Dufty.