We've reached the halfway point of the NRL season and it's time to look back on the players who have taken the competition by storm so far.

Sporting News has picked its team of the year after 13 rounds and while it doesn't contain all the big names, it features the best of 2018, all of which well and truly deserve the honour of being named.

We've chosen our team according to their playing position and while there is flexibility on the field, off the field we have stuck to their traditional position.

It's a relatively young line-up with a few veterans, but put them on the field and they'll get the job done.

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Check out our team below.

TEAM OF THE YEAR

1. KALYN PONGA

Hasn't this kid been a revelation?

Ponga immediately set the competition on fire in just his 10th first grade game and first for the Knights in round one after moving down from the Cowboys this season.

The 20-year-old has played like a leader for Newcastle so far this season and was called in as cover for an injured Billy Slater for the State of Origin opener and was unlucky not to play.

Could be a big finish to the year for Ponga.

THE STATS THAT MATTER: 12 try assists, 22 goals, 73 tackle busts, 117 running metres per game.

2. VALENTINE HOLMES

Slow start to 2018 but had a turnaround in form just as quick as his blistering speed on the field.

Holmes began the season at fullback before being shifted onto the wing after just one game but has regularly interchanged between the two positions since.

The 22-year-old has raced in for 11 tries in just 12 games this season including a hat-trick against the Knights in round 12.

Could be very dangerous for the Sharks come the business end of the season.

THE STATS THAT MATTER: 11 tries, 8 linebreaks, 11 runs per game, 118 running metres per game.

3. EUAN AITKEN

The boom centre was unlucky to miss State of Origin selection behind Jimmy the jet.

AItken has been outstanding for the Red V in both attack and defence.

His hard running and brute strength has made him a weapon and it was on show when he left GI on the ground behind him in round five.

Will be crucial to the Dragons' premiership chances.

THE STATS THAT MATTER: 7 tries, 7 linebreaks, 13 runs per game, 112 running metres per game.

4. LATRELL MITCHELL

Compared to GI, the young talent hasn't had it easy in his first few years of the top grade.

Mitchell has significantly improved in 2018, not only by more consistently busting through lines and setting up tries, but also with his defence.

The 20-year-old has also been more disciplined which was a major factor in getting a State of Origin call up for Freddy's Blues.

If he continues to improve this year, WATCH OUT!

THE STATS THAT MATTER: 6 tries, 43 goals, 8 linebreaks, 48 tackle busts.

5. JOSH ADDO-CARR

He's the flying fox.

If he finds space you won't catch him.

Addo-Carr has been brilliant at just his second year at the Storm pouncing on any chance and running the length of the field on multiple occasions.

He's equal first on the try-scoring leaderboard for this season and even notched a try in his State of Origin debut for the Blues on Wednesday.

Don't give him a head start!

THE STATS THAT MATTER: 12 tries, 12 linebreaks, 48 tackle busts, 11 runs per game, 117 running metres per game.

6. JAMES MALONEY

You get the good and the bad with Maloney, but this year the good outweighs the bad.

In fact, most years the good outweighs the bad.

Maloney single-handedly steered the Panthers around the park and to the top of the table on the back of a two-month injury to halves partner Nathan Cleary.

He's set up a number of tries for his side and we're not shocked that Jimmy's move out west from the Shire has propelled Penrith to the top.

Expect a formidable combination to come with Cleary.

THE STATS THAT MATTER: 10 try assists, 44 goals, 3 field goals, 131 kicks.

7. BEN HUNT

Could be the signing of the season.

Hunt had an immediate effect for the club upon arriving on a multi-million dollar deal when he steered the Dragons around the club against his old side, Brisbane in round one.

The 28-year-old's value as a halves partner to Gareth Widdop goes without saying due to the impact it's had on the British five-eighth's game.

He's been simply brilliant for the most part of 2018 and it's no co-incidence his team are equal top and Hunt will need to continue that form if they are to win the comp.

THE STATS THAT MATTER: 9 try assists, 33 tackle busts, 18 offloads, 121 kicks.

8. ANDREW FIFITA

He makes headlines off the field, but Fifita has put his head down and done the hard yard on it.

Carrying a knee injury for most of the year hasn't stopped Fifita who almost forced his way into the Blues' Origin set up, despite pledging his allegiance to Tonga.

Fifita always attracts multiple defenders and his form could determine where the Sharks finish in 2018.

THE STATS THAT MATTER: 36 tackle busts, 18 runs per game, 140 running metres per game, 42 offloads, 28 tackles per game.

9. DAMIEN COOK

The find of the year.

Cook regularly battled with Robbie Farah in 2017 for the hooking position but has made the number nine his own this year.

He deservedly won the race for the Blues hooking role and was faultless on debut, even setting up a try.

The Souths rake has put the Rabbitohs on the front foot many atime this season and if he keeps this form up, they'll go deep into the finals.

THE STATS THAT MATTER: 3 tries, 4 try assists, 9 linebreaks, 41 tackle busts, 94 running metres per game, 39 tackles per game.

10. MARTIN TAUPAU

The wrecking ball hasn't disappointed.

Among all the drama that has followed Manly around in 2018, Taupau has been a shining light thanks to his bustling performances.

Consistently averaging over 150 metres running with the ball and 25 tackles, it's no wonder he makes our front-row.

He will be crucial to how Manly end their season.

THE STATS THAT MATTER: 44 tackle busts, 16 runs per game, 152 running metres per game, 43 offloads, 25 tackles per game.

11. TOHU HARRIS

Big buy for the Warriors.

Harris has become a leader at an inconsistent Warriors side and was a big part of their successful early run this season.

Without doing anything outstanding, Harris does the little things consistently and doesn't necessarily receive the accolades he deserves.

If the Warriors make the eight, give some of that credit to Harris.

THE STATS THAT MATTER: 11 runs per game, 100 running metres per game, 28 tackles per game.

12. TYSON FRIZELL

The bustling back-rower has been at his usual best for the Dragons this year.

Frizell consistently runs with gust of wind behind him into the defensive line with his carries crucial to taking the Red V up the field.

He's also a wall in defence.

Will be a threat to any defensive line for the remainder of the season.

THE STATS THAT MATTER: 4 tries, 10 runs per game, 97 running metres per game, 25 tackles per game.

13. JAI ARROW

Hasn't this man stepped up since moving from the Broncos?

Arrow just keeps on running hard and making tackles for the Gold Coast Titans this season.

The 22-year-old has made the number 13 his own and earned a State of Origin call up for the Maroons in game one.

Expect his strong form to continue.

THE STATS THAT MATTER: 16 runs per game, 140 running metres per game, 28 tackles per game.