According to the writers at NRL.com, Jamie Lyon's reign as the premier centre in the game has come to an end but there is a Bulldog in the top five.
5. Dean Whare (Panthers)
2015 stats: Metres per game – 90; line breaks – 7; tackle-breaks 18; try assists – 6; tries – 6
The classy Kiwi was kept to just 13 games for the Panthers in 2015 but a try upon his return in Round 26 was enough to convince New Zealand selectors to take him to England. A sharp turn of foot and ability to set up his outside men makes him dangerous in all parts of the field.
4. Will Chambers (Storm)
2015 stats: Metres per game – 135; line breaks – 8; tackle-breaks – 50; try assists – 4; tries – 10
Didn't have to wait until the retirement of Justin Hodges to be elevated into the national team, earning his Kangaroos debut in the mid-year Test against New Zealand. The electrifying Storm centre played in all three Origin matches, scoring tries in Queensland's victories in games one and three. Played in 25 of the Storm's 26 games in 2015, trailing only winger Marika Koroibete in the club try-scoring tally.
3. Josh Morris (Bulldogs)
2015 stats: Metres per game – 113; line breaks – 14; tackle-breaks – 55; try assists – 5; tries - 10
After two quiet try-scoring years the arrival of brother Brett at the back reignited Josh's ability to find the line, crossing 10 times in 2015 to shade his twin by one. A newcomer to this list, Morris missed the Test on May 3 due to an ankle injury but returned to play all three Origin matches for New South Wales and was naed in the Bulldogs' team of the decade.
2. Jamie Lyon (Sea Eagles)
2015 stats: Metres per game – 77.5; line breaks – 6; tackle-breaks – 30; try assists – 8; tries – 4; goals – 47
It sounds sacrilegious to even say but could Father Time finally be catching up to the inspirational Sea Eagles right centre? Lyon was kept to just 17 games in 2015 due to ankle and hamstring injuries and his return of four tries his lowest since joining Manly in 2007. But as they say, class is permanent and the 33-year-old will again find ways to run rings around the youngsters in 2016.
1. Michael Jennings (Roosters)
2015 stats: Metres per game – 97.5; line breaks – 9; tackle-breaks – 81; try assists – 7; tries – 8
A blistering performance in Origin II was one of the great individual displays of the season and stamped Michael Jennings as the premier centre in the game. In addition to scoring the first try of the game he terrorised Maroons' opposite Justin Hodges for the first half and gave NSW a number of try-scoring opportunities. The controversy that followed put his place in the team for Game Three in jeopardy but the Roosters flyer starts 2016 as the most potent centre three-quarter in the game today.
