LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Rugby League is often touted as a team game, but let's not kid ourselves, it's the standout individuals who make all the difference when push comes to shove.
According to the latest buzz on zerotackle.com, Nathan Cleary single-handedly carried the Panthers to victory last year, pulling off a jaw-dropping performance that will go down in history as one of the greatest 15 minutes ever seen in the game.
When you think back on all the NRL champions of the modern era, it's hard to find a team that didn't have a bonafide superstar leading the charge - if only for that season.
We're all familiar with the likes of Cleary, the Turbos, and Hynes - the cream of the crop in terms of NRL talent.
But today, we're shining a light on the unsung heroes, the players who may not always steal the spotlight but will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the upcoming finals series.
Make no mistake, some of these players may still be superstars in their own right, they just happen to play second fiddle to the main attraction on their respective teams.
As the NRL finals draw closer, keep an eye out for these under-the-radar talents who may just be the X-factors that propel their teams to glory.
In the game of rugby league, it's often the unexpected heroes who shine the brightest when the stakes are highest.