While there is hopefully still plenty more of one the most competitive Group Nine seasons to come there is no doubt we've been treated to some big performances already this year.
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The finals shape as a real hot affair with four genuine title contenders so it is no surprise the bulk of the side come from Tumut, Southcity, Young and Gundagai.
However there are plenty of up and coming faces who have nabbed a spot and almost every club is represented in The Daily Advertiser's Team of the Year.
While Brad Fittler tasted plenty of success with a back line stacked with fullbacks in the State Of Origin arena, a real effort has been made to see players picked in their actual positions this year.
There are plenty of hard luck stories, especially with injury ruling out a couple of big chances, but there is no doubt this is a team to make one of the strongest rugby league competitions proud.
Fullback - Dane O'Hehir (Gundagai)
We kick things off with probably the hottest position on the field. There were plenty of candidates worthy of the number one jumper, but Dane O'Hehir nabs it due his ability to spark the Gundagai attack.
He's become the focal point of the Tigers this season, getting them out of trouble on more than one occasion.
His combination of speed and size creates plenty of headaches for his rivals who struggle to limit his impact on kick returns or close to the line.
Wing - Tom Hickson (Tumut)
Has made a big impact in his first season in the top grade.
Hickson kicked things off with an important try against Gundagai and hasn't up let up much since, crossing for 13 tries this season.
Has shown his versatility throughout the year, creates plenty of long range plays but has looked most at home on the wing where his size is a great asset for the Blues.
Centre - Nic Hall (Young)
Another young gun who continues to blossom in first grade and has played a big part in the club's ladder rise in the last two seasons.
He is dangerous whenever he gets the ball, has become a real target under the high ball for Young in 2021 and is also strong defensively.
You could argue he's actually under utilised by the Pickers, but has the ability to turn nothing into points and keeps defences on their toes.
Centre - Brayden Draber (Tumut)
Just beat out Blues teammate Tolo Aroha-Tuinauvai to nab the other centre position.
After making his Riverina debut this year, Draber has taken his game to a new level to become one of the key parts of the Tumut back line who has really started to find their rhythm after playing a real forwards dominated game in the past.
He's showed plenty in attack, and is the competition's equal highest tryscorer, but his defensive efforts can't be underestimated and give him an important edge.
Wing - Jake Veney (Young)
Veney has been in and out of the Cherrypickers line up for years, but has definitely made his home on the wing in first grade this season.
He's wound back the clock with an impressive 11 tries this season.
However it's not just his finishing that has impressed, but a real willingness to help get Young out of trouble which has only added to his value to the side.
Five-eighth - Nathan Rose (Southcity)
After struggling with injury last season, Rose has really returned to his damaging best in 2021.
Has been damaging with ball in hand this season, and is the competition's equal highest tryscorer, but his role in setting up tries is just as important.
His ability to create opportunities for teammates has the Bulls back in title contention.
Halfback - Mitch Cornish (Young)
Came to the region with a big reputation and after finding his feet early has really helped Young become a genuine threat this season.
Pulls all the strings with the Cherrypickers and provides some much needed direction.
His kicking game is outstanding and his combination with his brothers has helped create plenty of points this season.
Front row - Zac Masters (Tumut)
Continues to lead from the front at the Blues and remains the main man teams look to stop.
Has a monster engine with not only a high work rate but has a big impact driving Tumut forward.
He can also find his way over the line with his 11 tries placing him well clear of any other forward in the competition.
Hooker - Lachan Bristow (Tumut)
Has toyed with a role in the halves at times this season, but from dummy half is where he truly shines brightest.
Sparks plenty of the attacking plays for the Blues as he times his moments to inject himself into the game well and is hard to stop from close to the line.
Also has a great ability to get under the skin of his rivals to make them come off second best.
Front row - Jon Huggett (Albury)
Has been the shining light in a tough season on the border.
Huggett has really led the charge for the Thunder with a massive work rate and manages to stand out even when things don't go the way for his side.
Has also relished a different role up front this season trying to lift his young teammates forward.
Second row - Ron Leapai (Tumut)
Another who has made a big impact after coming to the competition with a big reputation.
Has a disrupted back end to the season, but the Blues forward is hard to stop with his footwork his greatest attribute.
However his ball skills also provide plenty of options for his teammates and he's not afraid to push up the sleeves when things get tough.
Second row - Jayke Hogan (Young)
Part of a big Young pack who has excelled this season and his high work rate is a big part of their success.
Poses a big threat on the edge and defensively is very strong as he helps control things for the Pickers.
Has also shown he knows his way with seven tries among the best for the forwards.
Lock - Luke McBeath (Southcity)
The Bulls pack give away plenty of size to most of their rivals but the work rate of McBeath helps them tick.
The young gun has taken another step up this season after being given more of a leadership role and his desire to get the hard tasks done really shines through.
Can also make an impact in attack, drawing in defenders to allow for opportunities out wide.
Interchange - Latrell Siegwalt (Southcity)
Has really taken his game to a whole new level, or maybe even two this season.
The Bulls backed him in for the fullback role over a couple of more high profile options and has more than repaid them for their faith.
While giving away plenty of size, Siegwalt makes it work, knows his way over the try line, leads the competition for pointscoring and is unlucky to only fill the utility role in the side.
Interchange - Luke Berkrey (Gundagai)
Continues to be the real leader of the Tigers pack with his presence through the middle.
Provides plenty of go forward and his ball playing skills and offloads plenty spark other opportunities for the side.
After a number of injury problems in the last few years, it's taken Berkrey time to build into this season but his form in the back end of the year coincided with some big steps the Tigers took at the back end of the year.
Interchange - James Hay (Brothers)
It's been a tough season for the Brothers co-coach with his side going winless but that hasn't stopped him from performing each week.
As the leader of a young side he's taken another step forward with his game, getting through plenty of minutes and metres each week.
Will need some help next season but is the right man to build the club back up around.
Interchange - Luke Ingram (Kangaroos)
Has made a big impact up the middle in his first season with the Wagga club.
You can particularly feel his absence as Kangaroos struggle to find the same go forward without him on the park.
Challenges through the middle with the ball and also makes a big impact to the Kangaroos defence.
Coach - Nathan Rose (Southcity)
The Bulls took a different approach to the impact of COVID on the season last year as they missed out on finals.
However with a few more bodies at his disposal, Rose has been able to turn the team back into a premiership threat.
He not only leads by example on the field but has been able to help some of his younger players really step up this season.