NO man in any Group 10 side touches the ball more than the hooker.
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And these five rakes make every touch count.
Class, skill, speed and, more often than not, precise decision making out of dummy half helps propel their sides downfield and into attacking territory.
And once there each has the ability to score or set up tries.
The 2013 hooker stakes is a tough class.
You’re the judge though.
Who’s your pick.
THE CONTENDERS:
Trent Hemsworth (Bathurst St Pat’s): one try, 11 games.
A class act in and around the ruck for the Saints, Hemsworth’s ability at No.9 is equal to that of any halfback in the competition. Has a brilliant kicking game to boot.
Jamie Clark (Lithgow Workies): two tries, eight goals, 13 games.
They say good players have plenty of time on their hands with the ball in it, and Clark often has an eternity leading Workies’ attack.
Andy Stott (Mudgee Dragons): four tries, nine goals, 13 games.
Fierce and competitive are two words you could use to describe this Mudgee rake, but his ability to maintain the rage has made angry Andy Stott a revelation in the nine. Has helped turn the Dragons around.
Sam Hill (Orange CYMS): six tries, 12 games.
Quick. Quick, Quick. Hill is quite often found looming up in support through the middle of the ruck for CYMS and in turn has the wheels to convert half-breaks into points.
Sandon Gibbs-O’Neill (Orange Hawks): six tries, 12 games.
Normally a pivot, Gibbs-O’Neill has taken to the hooking role at Hawks like a duck to water. Touch football background makes his darts on the back of quick play the balls a constant threat.
* Tomorrow: Only two spots in the engine room
![ALL THE SKILLS: Bathurst St Pat's Trent Hemsworth is one of Group 10's craftiest attacking forces. ALL THE SKILLS: Bathurst St Pat's Trent Hemsworth is one of Group 10's craftiest attacking forces.](/images/transform/v1/resize/frm/storypad-35DGTwqtRAw3RmzrxRCkyVz/9647e000-01c9-47b3-a72c-dd2eb401fd86.jpg/w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
![TIME TO SPARE: Lithgow Workies' Jamie Clark leads his side's attack with superb vision. TIME TO SPARE: Lithgow Workies' Jamie Clark leads his side's attack with superb vision.](/images/transform/v1/resize/frm/storypad-35DGTwqtRAw3RmzrxRCkyVz/79bb6620-2d39-418b-89f2-af7e617d6d76.jpg/w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
![BREATHING FIRE: Mudgee Dragons' Andy Stott has been a big part of his side's late turnaround this season. BREATHING FIRE: Mudgee Dragons' Andy Stott has been a big part of his side's late turnaround this season.](/images/transform/v1/resize/frm/storypad-35DGTwqtRAw3RmzrxRCkyVz/c072f902-bea6-4c70-84b7-d0c7bcc82461.jpg/w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
![SLICK SERVICE: Speed is the chief asset of Orange CYMS' Sam Hill. SLICK SERVICE: Speed is the chief asset of Orange CYMS' Sam Hill.](/images/transform/v1/resize/frm/storypad-35DGTwqtRAw3RmzrxRCkyVz/0d14ce65-79d8-40e7-8fda-66222754dc57.jpg/w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
![FANCY FOOTWORK: Orange Hawks' Sandon Gibbs-O'Neill uses his touch football skills around the ruck to destroy opposition defences. FANCY FOOTWORK: Orange Hawks' Sandon Gibbs-O'Neill uses his touch football skills around the ruck to destroy opposition defences.](/images/transform/v1/resize/frm/storypad-35DGTwqtRAw3RmzrxRCkyVz/39262c96-5d53-4e7d-a975-c4deeaf9a39f.jpg/w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)