Key players and standout performers named in NRRRL midseason review

Some teams will play catch up games over the next week while others prepare for the second half of the season.

Byron Bay Red Devils have been the standouts so far this season.

The Red Devils are the only unbeaten side in the competition with five wins and one draw.

Byron Bay probably has the most well-balanced team in the season.

It has strong halves in Toby Marks and Jack Rogers with experienced centres Clarence Kelly and Michael Thomas.

Winger Abele Atunaisa is a wrecking ball who can score tries from anywhere with a genuine bench who can change the momentum of the game with Jacob Kernick and Jesse Beauchamp.

Bilambil have been the pick of the Tweed teams and the other standout.

They are piling on the tries and showing some of the form which won them the premiership in 2022.

Northern United halfback Tyrone Roberts has put the polish on his teams wins this season.

He was the best on field in a 30-12 win over Ballina where his kicking game proved the difference.

His game management skills has the Dirawongs primed the second half of the year, while he is also one of the best defensive halfbacks in the competition.

Kyogle recruited well with the addition of centre Dan Gibson, five-eighth Ryan Walker, fullback Oliver Regan and front-rower Josh Beech joining the club.

However, they are yet to win a game while Lower Clarence are anchored at the bottom of the ladder with no wins.

Evans Head and Cudgen look solid enough and will likely battle for fifth or sixth spot in the finals.

Mullumbimby, Murwillumbah and Tweed Coast have decent teams on paper, but are struggling to find wins.

Most teams still have at least one catch-up game to play after a rain-affected start to the season.

Murwillumbah have enough strike power to go on a late run while Tweed Coast might have left it too late.

Mullumbimby will also struggle to make up ground having only won two of its games.

Casino and Marist Brothers look a lot better after missing the top six last season.

Brothers had a big 18-14 win over defending premiers Cudgen last weekend.

They played most of the game with 12 men after a send off for an alleged elbow just 20 minutes in.

Casino pushed Byron Bay to the limit in a tough game where they went down 24-16.

The Cougars have a big forward pack where they can mix it with the better teams, while five-eighth Eddie Walker-Williams continues to grow in confidence.

Ballina has injuries to key players having lost fullback Zac Beecher and hooker Michael Dwane.

However, fitness and speed around the park should see them in the mix after making the grand final last year.

Elsewhere, Marist Brothers will continue to be competitive and pushing for finals as long as centre Mitchell Krause, front-rower Lochie Perren, halfback Shallin Fuller and hooker Paul O'Neill are on the field.

Its game against Byron Bay when the competition resumes on June 16 will be telling.

Northern United will have plenty of confidence after its win over Ballina and they should have beaten Bilambil the previous week.

The Dirawongs will host Cudgen in its catch-up game at Crozier Field on June 8.

Ballina takes on Evans Head in a catch-up game at Kingsford Smith Park, Ballina on Tuesday night.

LADDER

Byron Bay 13, Bilambil 10, Ballina 10, Evans Head 10, Marist Brothers 9, Northern United 8, Cudgen 8, Casino 7, Mullumbimby 6, Murwillumbah 6, Tweed Coast 3, Kyogle 2, Lower Clarence 0