Opinion: Dream Team 2023 contenders

The 2023 Betfred Super League Dream Team will be unveiled on Sunday Night. The 13 best players across Super League will be recognised for their outstanding contributions this season.

But who will be included? We've taken a closer look at some of the contenders of this year's Super League Dream Team.

Full back

2022 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel finalist Jack Welsby will be a front runner for the full-back spot in this year's Dream Team. The reigning Young Player of the Year was included in both the 2021 and 2022 Dream Team - at centre and then at half-back - and has been in fine form once again in 2023.

This year, he's cemented his position at full-back and is an integral part of the St Helens side. He's an immense competitor who has been ever-present for the Saints this year and boasts an impressive 37 try contributions - the joint most across the competition. Love him or loathe him, Welsby is a superstar.

ELECTRIC FIELD ?

Final play of the half & @JaiTField does this for @WiganWarriorsRL ?#SuperLeague #SLWigSal pic.twitter.com/SM3BQReeOd
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 1, 2023

Hot on Welsby's heels will be last year's Dream Team full-back, Jai Field. Despite missing six games through injury, Field has still logged 35 try contributions thanks to 15 tries and 20 assists. He's been electric at the back for a Warriors side with the best attack in the competition. 

Winger

A three-horse race has developed to become Super League's 2023 top try scorer between three front runners for a wing spot in this year's Dream Team.

Catalans' Tom Johnstone is joint top of the try scoring charts after a blistering debut season in the South of France. He also sits third in the metres made charts as well as being joint second in the Man of Steel rankings before voting went dark.

Lebanese international Abbas Miski shares top spot with Johnstone - he's scored an incredible 27 tries in just 20 appearances, including 17 tries in his last seven outings, after making the right wing spot his own.

? more #SuperLeague tries for @WiganWarriorsRL's Abbas Miski last night ? pic.twitter.com/G8mlqkH2Ny
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 16, 2023

 Elsewhere, Josh Charnley is just behind Johnstone and Miski on the try scoring charts - Charnley has looked rejuvenated at the Leopards and enjoyed a fantastic season on the Leigh edge. 

Outside of the three front runners, Matty Ashton has had another impressive year for Warrington, whilst the experienced Tommy Makinson and Ryan Hall have been at their consistent best in 2023.

Centre

Catalans' acquisition of Adam Keighran may have swept under the radar compared to other big-name signings at the start of the year, but his performances for the Dragons in 2023 have been consistently impressive.

Whether filling in at stand-off or in his more favoured centre position, Keighran has delivered for Catalans. His 12 tries and ten assists marks an impressive return for the Australian, alongside his razor-sharp goal kicking.

Half-back

Half-back is set to be the most divisive position in this year's Dream Team. With just two halves awarded a place and a plethora of worthy candidates, someone must miss out.

Warrington's George Williams led the way in the Man of Steel rankings before voting went dark mid-way through the season. Williams was integral to the Wolves' blistering start to the season and played a significant role in their pursuit of a top six spot. 

Reigning Man of Steel Brodie Croft has thrown his hat in the ring after quietly but effectively going about his business in 2023 whilst Papua New Guinea international Lachlan Lam has enjoyed a terrific debut season in Super League - he has been integral to the Leopards' attack and collected the Glen's Player of the Month award in June after a run of scintillating displays.

?? ICYMI @LeighLeopardsRL Lachlan Lam is your @GlensVodkaLLG May Player of the Month ?

What a first half of #SuperLeague 2023 he is having ? pic.twitter.com/spoXtlwtt0
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) June 5, 2023

Could we see an all-Wigan Dream Team halves pairing of Bevan French and Harry Smith? French was hot on the heels of George Williams on the Man of Steel leaderboard before voting went dark and has the joint most try contributions across Super League. Smith also occupied a top 10 spot in the Man of Steel rankings and has played a huge part in Wigan's exceptional end of season form.  

And let's not forget about the ever-reliable Jonny Lomax. Lomax has been included in three of the last five Dream Teams and will be firmly in the mix again this year.

With no shortage of options, we can expect one or two surprise exclusions from the Dream Team halves this year.

Prop

It didn't take Paul Vaughan long to settle into life at Warrington. The front rower took the competition by storm and immediately impressed thanks to his unrivalled work rate, physicality and all-round effort. He's continued in the same vein ever since, topping the metres made chart and missing just one game during his maiden season at the Wolves.

Leigh duo Tom Amone and Robbie Mulhern have also shown incredible durability whilst leading the line for the Leopards this season. Amone is second behind Vaughan in the metres made charts and is ever-present for Leigh this season, whilst Mulhern has found a new lease of life at the Leopards after joining the club in the off-season.

Hooker

Last year's Dream Team hooker James Roby will be pushing for an eight appearance in the side before he calls time on his illustrious career at the conclusion of the season.

Edwin Ipape has improved week by week during his first year in Super League. He burst onto the scene with Leigh in the Championship last year and picked up the Championship Player of the Year award in the process. Since then, he's acclimatised to life in the top flight and reaped the rewards playing behind an emphatic Leigh middle unit. 

And whilst he may not be the most glamourous of dummy halves, Michael McIlroum has been an integral part of the Dragons squad this season. His no-nonsense approach has ensured he's firmly in the picture to make his first ever appearance in the Super League Dream Team.

Second row

Death, taxes and Liam Farrell being included in the Super League Dream Team. Farrell has featured in the last four Dream Team's and a worthy contender again this season. He performs at a consistently high level and has again shown immense durability, missing just two regular season games in 2023. 

Although nothing is guaranteed, Farrell will be a hot favourite to feature in the Dream Team for the fifth year running.

Loose forward

Like Farrell, Morgan Knowles has also featured in the Dream Team over the past four years. However, Knowles' impressive reign is under extreme threat this season.

Despite the Rhinos' inconsistent form, Cameron Smith has flourished in 2023. Smith has been an ever-present for Leeds this season and has come of age in the loose forward role. There won't be many players in this year's Dream Team from club's outside the top six, but Smith could buck that trend. 

Cameron Smith powers across the line for @leedsrhinos ? pic.twitter.com/OEbZSmfi5V
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 9, 2023

Leigh skipper John Asiata is another front runner to put an end to Knowles' Dream Team run. Asiata has been inspirational for the Leopards this year and a leader through the middle. He's become the focal point of Leigh's attack and carries the ball more than any other player in the competition. Add to that a tough, uncompromising defensive attitude, and Asiata is the complete package.

And on the subject of leaders, Catalans captain Ben Garcia has led the line for the Dragons in 2023. Like Cam Smith, Garcia is yet to miss a league fixture for his side. His hard-nosed defence is complimented by skill and hard running through the middle. 

Expect a new face in the 13 shirt in 2023 Super League Dream Team.