Fastest player in the NRL this year according to the Telstra trackers

[Jonty58]

NRL'S FASTEST PLAYERS 2023

1. Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks) 37.188km/h

2. Jason Saab (Sea Eagles) 37.116km/h

3. Maika Sivo (Eels) 36.864km/h

4. Dominic Young (Knights) 36.828km/h

5. Josh Addo-Carr (Bulldogs) 36.756km/h

6. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins) 36.684km/h

7. Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Titans) 36.144km/h

8. Mitchell Moses (Eels) 36.108km/h

9. Jake Averillo (Bulldogs) 36.072km/h

10. Kalyn Ponga (Knights) 35.892km/h

11. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Roosters) 35.784km/h

12. Dylan Edwards (Panthers) 35.748km/h

13. Jahream Bula (Tigers) 35.748km/h

14. Blake Wilson (Bulldogs) 35.712km/h

15. Tyrell Sloan (Dragons) 35.676km/h

16. Herbie Farnworth (Broncos) 35.64km/h

17. Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles) 35.64km/h

18. Fetalaiga Pauga (Roosters) 35.64km/h

19. Clinton Gutherson (Eels) 35.532km/h

20. Reece Walsh (Broncos) 35.46km/h

 

I don’t believe Sivo is third fastest, surprised he is in the top 10 to be honest.

[Farmduck]

Couple of points:

- you don't have to reach any specific speed as long as you're a couple of paces ahead of the guy chasing you.

- RL players don't need to reach top speed. Once they get through the line and they can reach the line before the defenders reach them, players generally ease off. There's no point blowing a hamstring just to make some point about reaching a specific speed.

- even the length-of-field tries are often a product of the defence being shot rather than the ball-carrier's speed.

I'm also surprised at Sivo's place.

[Graham]

As well as opponents, age also catches up on players.

Addo-Carr 5th in 2023?

In the 2022 game against Titans he was recorded at 38.7 km/h which is just over 24 mph.

 

[DoubleD]

2 hours ago, Farmduck said:

Couple of points:

- you don't have to reach any specific speed as long as you're a couple of paces ahead of the guy chasing you.

- RL players don't need to reach top speed. Once they get through the line and they can reach the line before the defenders reach them, players generally ease off. There's no point blowing a hamstring just to make some point about reaching a specific speed.

- even the length-of-field tries are often a product of the defence being shot rather than the ball-carrier's speed.

I'm also surprised at Sivo's place.

Sivo is quick when he opens up. His problem is it takes him some time until he gets to that speed - he's slow accelerating, which makes him appear sluggish. Most of the other players are quick off the mark

[Anita Bath]

looking at that top 10 seems like last thing a succesful team needs is a flyer.

[Futtocks]

8 hours ago, Graham said:

As well as opponents, age also catches up on players.

Addo-Carr 5th in 2023?

In the 2022 game against Titans he was recorded at 38.7 km/h which is just over 24 mph.

Addo-Carr at the Bulldogs has had far fewer chances to really extend himself at top speed than he did at the Storm. Plus he's had an injury this season and missed 8 weeks, so he's probably not been 100% all year.

[NRLandSL]

I recall Dom Young almost reaching 39 last year or the year before. Him or Saab are defenitly the fastest at top speed.

[Dunbar]

On 31/10/2023 at 12:12, Farmduck said:

Couple of points:

- you don't have to reach any specific speed as long as you're a couple of paces ahead of the guy chasing you.

- RL players don't need to reach top speed. Once they get through the line and they can reach the line before the defenders reach them, players generally ease off. There's no point blowing a hamstring just to make some point about reaching a specific speed.

- even the length-of-field tries are often a product of the defence being shot rather than the ball-carrier's speed.

I'm also surprised at Sivo's place.

These top speeds are for the game as a whole and very often they are not with the ball in hand.  In fact a chase where you are trying to pull in a ball carrier is when a player hits their top speed.