Ethan Strange's status as one of the best halves in the competition has been confirmed with the 21-year-old named at five-eighth in the RLPA's players' dream team.

Strange's selection indicates how big of a loss he was for the Raiders in the side's semi-final defeat against the Sharks. The five-eighth had to withdraw due to illness.

The Raiders were unable to attack with the same level of potency as usual and were subsequently steamrolled.

Nine's Phil Gould admitted post-game that part of the loss was down to Strange's absence. 

"Shark too good tonight … defence outstanding … having said that, the Raider missed their five-eighth and their attack was severely limited," he wrote on X.

Strange was selected alongside Isaiya Katoa at halfback. James Tedesco, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Xavier C

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