Footy fans have reacted with joy and a bit of puzzlement after one of the NRL’s biggest social media accounts ranked the 20 hottest players in the competition.
The NRL Roast has attracted more than 250,000 followers on Instagram with its light-hearted, left-field takes on the on-field and off-field action in the ‘greatest game of all’.
On Saturday, the Roast unveiled its Hottest 100 list, with Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth coming in at No.1 for the third year in a row.
The Englishman beat out Broncos star Jordan Riki, with his teammate Jesse Arthars in third.
Broncos Reece Walsh and Pat Carrigan finished in fourth and fifth respectively, with Knights excitement machine Kalyn Ponga in sixth, ahead of Bulldogs gun Stephen Crichton.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (eighth), Souths skipper Cameron Murray (ninth) and yet another Bronco in Kotoni Staggs rounded out the top 10.
Dolphins star Herbie Farnworth (pictured with partner Lilly Pickles) has once again taken out the top spot in the Hottest 100 NRL players list compiled by the NRL Roast
Patrick Carrigan (pictured) was one of several Brisbane Broncos to make the top 20
Souths halfback Jamie Humphreys (pictured) and his teammate Cameron Murray also made it
The list then included Bunnies halfback Jamie Humphreys in 11th, followed by Dylan Brown (Newcastle), Nicho Hynes (Sharks), Chevy Stewart (Canberra), Harry Grant (Storm), Connor Watson (Roosters), Cam McInnes (Sharks), Jye Gray (Souths), Mark Nawaqanitawase (Rooster) and Matt Burton (Bulldogs) in 20th place.
The post got more than 7600 likes and dozens of comments debating the choices.
Former Storm and Manly player turned radio star Cooper Johns wrote, ‘Controversial @nichohynes squeezing @harrrygrantt out.’
‘I’ve checked the list from 100 to 1 multiple times, Roasty might want to walk to his car with keys ready for leaving out the fragrance man @ben_talty,’ a Broncos tragic said.
‘What does bradman best have to do to get a spot over the constant queensland glaze?’ one fan asked, referring to the Newcastle Knights star who just became a father with boxing legend Jeff Fenech’s daughter Kayla.
‘Ain’t no way you’re dogging Chanel like that,’ wrote one supporter who wasn’t happy with Warriors star Chanel Harris-Tevita failing to get a run.
‘Cam McInnes should be higher,’ added another, referring to the shock spot held by the Cronulla forward, who is widely known for how battered his head and teeth are after spending 12 years as one of the game’s toughest men.
Several fans remarked on the Broncos sewing up the title of the league’s hottest team, while others called for stars including Canberra’s Joseph Tapine, Dragons forward Blake Lawrie, Tigers cult hero Alex Twal and Manly half Luke Brooks to be included.
Some fans labelled Brisbane the league’s sexiest team after Reece Walsh (pictured) also got a start in the top 20
The Sharks were represented by Nicho Hynes (pictured with fiancée Piper Wallis)
Bulldogs gun Stephen Crichton (pictured with wife Leonee) and his teammate Matt Burton also cracked the top 20
The title of the NRL’s sexiest man is a light-hearted affair now, but it used to be a far more high-profile competition.
NRL Roast’s Hottest 100 debuted in 2021, when Kalyn Ponga took the title, but stars dating back to the 1990s have been put on a pedestal for their looks.
The Men of League calendar was an annual staple that featured heartthrobs like Cronulla legend Andrew Ettingshausen and Manly enforcer Ian Roberts shot in arty black and white photos.
Former Dragons star Matt Cooper stands as the only player to win the Sexiest Man of League title twice, although that part of his career comes with mixed memories.
Cooper was first crowned in 2001, when the final round of judging was held on Channel Nine’s now-defunct Footy Show.
Just 21 at the time and in only his second year with St George Illawarra, the attention made him cringe.
‘Standing on stage, I kept hoping I wouldn’t win it,’ Cooper recalled in 2009.
‘When my name was called out I was really embarrassed because I was in reserve grade, not playing that great footy.’
