Sea Eagles internationals Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran both enjoyed seasons to remember as they produced some of their finest football in 2013.
At ages 24 and 23 respectively, Cherry-Evans and Foran have already accomplished things in the game most players could only dream of.
Together, the pair guided Manly Warringah to this years grand final, only to fall one game short of claiming their second title as a halves pairing.
The duo would again take the field in 2013, only this time as foes in the Rugby League World Cup final.
Their impressive NRL seasons earning selection for their respective nations, with Cherry-Evans Kangaroos proving too chic for the Kiwis and vice-captain Foran, running out 34-2 champions on Saturday night.
Benefiting this season from the one-on-one training with Manlys assistant coach and former Blues great Andrew Johns, Cherry-Evans and Forans game jumped to another level in 2013.
Arguably the most proven halves pairing in the competition, the pair have formed one of the game's most lethal combinations in recent years.
Their achievements were nothing short of extraordinary. Daly Cherry-Evans pressed his claim for a permanent Kangaroos jumper with an impressive tournament in the UK.
Despite being in a losing grand final side, the Sea Eagles No.7 claimed the Clive Churchill Medal for a man-of-the-match performance against the Roosters and came within two points of wining the Dally M Medal just days earlier, falling short to Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk.
However, Cherry got the backing of the international rugby league community, when he picked up international halfback of the year for a second time in his career.
The jump from the NRL to international level seemed little more than a minor step up as Cherry-Evans relished the world stage, bagging three tries and a man-of-the-match performance in the World Cup.
Having lost two finals in as many months, partner in crime Foran will certainly be hurting. The disappointment of consecutive final losses could prove extra motivation for the five-eighth in 2014.
Foran played a starring role in the success of both the Sea Eagles and Kiwis in 2013, proving his worth as both a playmaker and a leader.
Earlier this season, Foran captained New Zealand for the first time after Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney chose him to replace the injured Simon Mannering for the Anzac Test in Canberra.
At ages 24 and 23 respectively, Cherry-Evans and Foran have already accomplished things in the game most players could only dream of.
Together, the pair guided Manly Warringah to this years grand final, only to fall one game short of claiming their second title as a halves pairing.
The duo would again take the field in 2013, only this time as foes in the Rugby League World Cup final.
Their impressive NRL seasons earning selection for their respective nations, with Cherry-Evans Kangaroos proving too chic for the Kiwis and vice-captain Foran, running out 34-2 champions on Saturday night.
Benefiting this season from the one-on-one training with Manlys assistant coach and former Blues great Andrew Johns, Cherry-Evans and Forans game jumped to another level in 2013.
Arguably the most proven halves pairing in the competition, the pair have formed one of the game's most lethal combinations in recent years.
Their achievements were nothing short of extraordinary. Daly Cherry-Evans pressed his claim for a permanent Kangaroos jumper with an impressive tournament in the UK.
Despite being in a losing grand final side, the Sea Eagles No.7 claimed the Clive Churchill Medal for a man-of-the-match performance against the Roosters and came within two points of wining the Dally M Medal just days earlier, falling short to Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk.
However, Cherry got the backing of the international rugby league community, when he picked up international halfback of the year for a second time in his career.
The jump from the NRL to international level seemed little more than a minor step up as Cherry-Evans relished the world stage, bagging three tries and a man-of-the-match performance in the World Cup.
Having lost two finals in as many months, partner in crime Foran will certainly be hurting. The disappointment of consecutive final losses could prove extra motivation for the five-eighth in 2014.
Foran played a starring role in the success of both the Sea Eagles and Kiwis in 2013, proving his worth as both a playmaker and a leader.
Earlier this season, Foran captained New Zealand for the first time after Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney chose him to replace the injured Simon Mannering for the Anzac Test in Canberra.
