28 sleeps to go

28 sleeps to go until we hit March the 7^th, that’s only four lots of 7 days, the All Star game this weekend draws closer and squad lists are coming out as teams prepare for their trial games. Some will get ahead of the pack and head out to the trials to catch the new recruits and Under 20s graduates in action, the wait has been too long, a fix is needed. Others scour the internet for news, big or small, anything will do, whether it’s Gallen missing the All Star game, or what movie Corey Parker talking about what movie he has been to Twitter, we are hungry for Rugby League. For me, I count down the days by moving on to number 28 in my list of the top 30 players in the NRL

#28 Sam Thaiday

At 27 Slammin Sam (or "Third man Thaiday) is transitioning into one of the more experienced guys going around the track nowadays. He's notched up 168 games for the Broncos, 17 tests for Australia, and has been a regular fixture in the dominant Queensland Origin team for whom he has also played 17 games. With multiple Origin wins, a premiership with the Broncos, two Dally M second rower of the year awards, a RLIF international second rower of the year award, Ron McAuliffe Medal, Ken Stephen Memorial Award and earning the captaincy of his beloved Broncos and being named in the Indigenous Rugby League team of the century, Thaiday really has done it all, delivering both on and off the field. 

At 112kg Sam is more than a handful and is capable of playing anywhere in the forward pack. If you need him in the front row lugging the ball up all night he'll get out there and do it, his trademark hair flinging back as he charges at the defense with reckless abandon is a familiar site. Thaiday's true potential however is seen when he is in the back row, blending his aggressive ball running with great mobility and passing skills for a guy his size.

OK, so maybe not quite like that, but Thaiday has evolved into the type of second rower that can be utilized in attack not only for his strong offloading but as a guy who has the passing skills to look like he is one of the backs. The halves can utilize Thaiday as someone who can put questions into the mind of the defense, when the ball gets into Thaiday's hands, you have to be prepared for him to charge right at you, but it's just as possible that he's being used as part of an orchestrated move and the backs are playing off him, you can't take him for granted. 

Sam seems to be one of the most divisive guys in the competition when it comes to the fans, you either hate him or you love him. He's developed the reputation of being the third man in when it comes to fights on the field, earning the nicknames Third man Thaiday and Thirdmaninday...

but of course, if you are a NSW fan, or a fan of anyone playing against the Broncos, he's the "third man in" putting in cheap blindside shots on people, if you're a Queensland fan or a Broncos fan, then he's sticking up for his team mates. Whatever your take on his third man antics, his toughness cannot be questioned with the way he so willingly throws his body around the field. He leads from the front, he's big, strong and talented and his hard work amongst the Indigenous communities off the field is a testament to his great character.

Tune back in tomorrow for number 27 as we get one sleep closer to the NRL season. Criticism, advice, comments, banter, feel free to put it in the comment sections or get at me on Twitter @WellsNorthShore