Ranking: The five best props in Super League in 2024

VaselineMay 26, 2024

0 4 minutes read

Ranking: The five best props in Super League in 2024

The defenders score the tries, the full-backs provide the flair and the half-backs orchestrate, but the props put in nasty yards and hard tackles, and there are plenty of elite in Super League. That being said, who have been the best props so far in 2025?

Quantifying what’s best can be difficult, but generally the eye test tells you all you need to know, however statistics can also be incredibly helpful. A combination of the two will be used for this ranking, and no doubt a hint of personal bias, with certain players making more appeal based on the ‘unquantifiable’.

Quite often, the best measure to rank players can simply be “How does a player make you feel when you watch them?” Do you get excited when they run a linebacker, take a hit or shoot?

With those very poor values settled, here are the five best Super League props so far in the 2024 season.

Who are the top five Super League props in 2024?

5: Luke Thompson – Wigan Warriors

Credit: Imago Images

One of the biggest signings for Super League as a competition, not just Wigan, was Luke Thompson. The England international’s return from the NRL was major news and created huge expectations, and Thompson has delivered.

Thompson was unlucky to miss out on the World Club Challenge at the start of the season after being sent off following a botched HIA in the first round against Castleford Tigers, however, he didn’t dwell on it and set about reminding Super League what it’s all about. the best in the business.

His resurgent form will also put him on Shaun Wane’s radar for the mid-season international, something he was unable to feature in his time out, but he will almost certainly be in the squad to face France in the summer.

4: Tyler Dupree – Wigan Warriors

Credit: Imago Images

Another Wigan Warriors man to make the list, such are their riches in the forward department, but this time it’s younger star Tyler Dupree. After signing from Salford midway through last season, Dupree has had a brilliant start to life in the Cherry and White.

Still only 24, Dupree is developing at a rapid pace and has been a nuisance himself from the start and off the bench for Matt Peet’s side this season. More incredibly, Dupree played 22 games for the club but lost just two of those.

He has made just nine appearances but his impact is undeniable, with 21 shutouts in just 100 carries being one of the most impressive stats. Dupree’s inclusion is perhaps one that comes with personal bias, more so for the potential of this talented Englishman.

3: Matty Lees – St Helens

Credit: Imago Images

Another Englishman is on the list, but this time it’s a man from the other side of the Good Friday derby. Matty Lees has had to work hard this season with the Saints pack limited by injuries and the 26-year-old has been up to the challenge.

His last four games have seen him rack up over 30 tackles in each as he has started to become more of a running threat in the absence of the likes of Alex Walmsley and Agnatius Paasi. His Round 11 performance against Castleford Tigers saw him make a huge 23 carries for 189 metres.

One of the reasons Lees makes the roster is how important he is to the Saints, and it shows in what he’s limiting. He limits his fouls (2), limits his penalties (1) and limits his missed tackles (7), all impressive stats for a player who averages nearly 30 tackles per game.

2: Herman Ese’ese – Hull FC

Credit: Imago Images

Another signing ahead of the 2024 season and another man who has lived up to high expectations, and that has been crucial for Hull FC, who have failed in other areas of recruitment. They certainly haven’t missed out on Ese’ese, the 29-year-old has quickly established himself as one of the best in his position despite the club’s shortcomings.

Ese’ese has a huge 21 offloads in his ten games and sometimes carries Hull FC’s pack. His last seven appearances have seen him average over 115 yards a game which is very impressive considering how dominated his side are.

He pokes holes in the defense but is ultimately let down by the lack of a supporting cast, maybe that changes in 2025.

1: Tom Amone – Leigh Leopards

Credit: Imago Images

Tom Amone may have only played seven games for Leigh Leopards this season after suffering injuries, but those seven games were at such a high level that he has to be considered the best full-back in Super League right now.

That’s exactly how Gus Gould described him after the Canterbury Bulldogs confirmed they had signed the 27-year-old.

Gould said: “We are very excited that Tom Amone is returning to the NRL. He has been the best front-row striker in the UK for the last two years and will certainly be a boost to our forward stock.”

It’s hard to argue that he’s wrong. Amone was a Dream Team player in 2023 and his current campaign, while plagued by injuries, has seen him average nearly 30 tackles and over 18 a game. It is no coincidence that as he finds his fitness, the Leopards have also started to find their form.

His performance against Castleford perhaps best highlights why he is at the top of this list; 34 tackles, 4 tackle busts, 27 carries, 198 meters and 2 offloads. Tom Amone is an absolute superstar and Super League fans need to enjoy him while we still have him.

VaselineMay 26, 2024

0 4 minutes read