Last updated 11:47, Thursday, 02 October 2008

SALFORD did not have it all their own way in Sunday’s NL1 Grand Final against Celtic, but they were undoubtedly the best team I saw this year.

Three-sy does it: Haven powerhouse Howard Hill takes a trio of Leigh defenders with him

It takes a rare pack to match Haven’s forward line, and the full-time City Reds were the only side I felt managed it this year, though the league game at Leigh was also pretty bruising for the Cumbrians!

I almost feel guilty leaving Haven custodian Gary Broadbent out of my All-Star line-up.

He’s been League One’s outstanding full-back for many a year, and he enjoyed another successful season.

But I’ve gone for the mercurial Celtic star Tony Duggan to fill the No 1 jersey this time around.

Possessing rare pace, he scored an incredible 40 tries in NL2 last term and has shone again this year at the higher level.

The Widnes back-line boasted a handful of classy performers this year, including winger Dean Gaskell, who scored four tries against Haven in the Vikings’ narrow home win in March.

Ever-willing to take a ball up from dummy-half, I’d pair him with another keen worker, Ade Adebisi.

The winger has enjoyed a terrific first season at the Recre, topping the try-count with 22.

Others to impress me this term were Salford’s Paul White, Gavin Dodd, of Widnes and Leigh’s Dave Alstead, while Craig Calvert contributed 19 tries for Haven.

Steve Tyrer may not quite have made the grade at St Helens, but he certainly illuminated NL1 during his loan stint with Widnes. An elusive runner, he would take a centre berth alongside Salford’s John Wilshere.

The Papua New Guinea ace sometimes looks to be playing within himself, but don’t be fooled by that languid style. He was one of the division’s most potent finishers this season - and he kicks goals, too.

I was spoiled for choice in the halves. Richard Myler, just turned 18, had a terrific season for Salford. He’s a great support player and elusive runner, and will surely be a big star of Super League, given time.

At the other age of the age spectrum is Halifax’s Graham Holroyd. He’s not everyone’s idea of a top stand-off, but his tactical kicking game is top-draw. Against Haven in their play-off game at the Shay he put in two troublesome kicks just before half-time that displayed his versatility to its full effect.

His magical lob over the top of Haven’s defence was perfectly weighted, forcing Broadbent to knock the ball over the sidelines.

And he then lofted a high bomb to the other flank, forcing an under-pressure Gregg McNally to palm it to safety, again ensuring that Fax regained possession.

Aussie Ben Black perfectly complemented Holroyd at the Shay. A terrific runner who can also pass a fair ball, his play-off try against Widnes, from inside his own half, was a superb effort.

Haven’s Gregg McNally also has a great future, while Dennis Moran still posed a huge danger with ball in hand, though he suffered his share of injuries for Leigh.

Matty Smith and John Duffy did well at Widnes. Celtic’s Damien Quinn was last week named NL1 player-of-the-year. I’m sure the award was well-deserved, though he failed to shine when I saw him, so, sorry Damien, but you’ll just have to make do with the RFL’s accolade. Black and Holroyd will do for me, with Myler narrowly missing out.

The leading front-rowers this year, in my view, were Salford pair Craig Stapleton and Phillip Leuluai, and Haven’s Karl Edmondson.

Stapleton virtually swept the board at the City Reds’ awards night and has extensive NRL experience. The Aussie’s a fearsome prop, as is Leuluai, the division’s leading off-loader.

Edmondson enjoyed a fantastic debut season at the Recre, while team-mates Adebisi, Howard Hill and Leroy Joe also impressed.

Hill, recovering from serious illness, had arguably his best year for the Cumbrians and starts in the second-row for my All-Stars team, though he’s equally capable at prop.

Wasn’t sure who to name at hooker and in the end went for Salford’s tackling machine Malcolm Alker, who shaded Halifax’s Sean Penkywicz and Haven’s Graeme Mattinson.

Paul Smith had another great year in the second-row for Halifax. A strong runner with a decent off-load game, he again scored his share of tries.

Neale Wyatt, of Celtic, has the versatility to play at 13 and in the front-row. He wins my vote at the back of the scrum.

Joining Leuluai on the bench is Willows’ team-mate Stefan Ratchford. Myler grabs many of the headlines for Salford, but this youngster is another top prospect. He has featured on the wing in the past but is now accomplished at half-back, even keeping the great Robbie Paul out of the starting line-up, at times.

You always need hard-workers in a team, and Leigh’s James Taylor fits that bill, while Batley’s Kevin Crouthers really impressed me.

I remember Crouthers when plying his trade in the centres at Dewsbury, and he still has a touch of pace now he’s switched to the back-row.

Few forwards have posed as many problems for Haven this year as did he in the defeat at Mount Pleasant in May.

MORGAN’S ALL-STARS

1 Tony Duggan (Celtic), 2 Dean Gaskell (Widnes), 3 Steve Tyrer (Widnes), 4 John Wilshere (Salford), 5 Ade Adebisi (Haven), 6 Graham Holroyd (Halifax), 7 Ben Black (Halifax), 8 Karl Edmondson (Haven), 9 Malcolm Alker (Salford), 10 Craig Stapleton (Salford), 11 Howard Hill (Haven), 12 Paul Smith (Halifax), 13 Neale Wyatt (Celtic)

Subs: 14 Stefan Ratchford (Salford), 15 Phil Leuluai (Salford), 16 James Taylor (Leigh), 17 Kevin Crouthers (Batley)