![There are some Group 4 players who entertain fans more than others. Picture by Gareth Gardner There are some Group 4 players who entertain fans more than others. Picture by Gareth Gardner](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/KUhQizDbwW8WqAyPP4x5yp/12ad50bd-206a-420d-a4d6-6cd253dafe1c.jpg/r0_0_4799_3178_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
They're at the top of the heap, according to some of Group 4's most prominent voices.
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Asked to provide the Leader with their top-five players, with each No. 1 pick assigned five points, each No. 2 pick assigned four points, and so on, we have complied a list based on their selections.
As the clubs manoeuvre for the upcoming season, it is an opportune time to shine a light on those standouts who provide their team with a sprinkling of country stardust.
Unsurprisingly, four of the selections were named in the 2023 Group 4 team of the year.
Side note: former Bears captain Scott Blanch received a healthy number of votes. But as he retired at the end of last season, he could not be included on the list.
So, without further ado, here are the top-five players.
1. Jack Cameron (Dungowan prop).
![Jack Cameron's return to Group 4, after stints with the Newcastle Knights and the South Sydney Rabbitohs, was a memorable one. Picture by Gareth Gardner Jack Cameron's return to Group 4, after stints with the Newcastle Knights and the South Sydney Rabbitohs, was a memorable one. Picture by Gareth Gardner](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/KUhQizDbwW8WqAyPP4x5yp/e1383a19-2218-4700-819b-109368f76970.jpg/r0_0_3509_2472_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"He's just a no-frills front-rower," Moree captain-coach Mick Watton said of the former NSW Cup player, adding: "He's cut from the old-school cloth. He's just a competitor. And every time we played against Dungowan this year, he was just at you. He's just a really good player. I have a lot of respect for Jack."
2. Josh Schmiedel (North Tamworth second-rower).
![Co-captains Josh Schmiedel, right, and Scott Blanch celebrate Norths' 2023 grand final win. Picture by Gareth Gardner Co-captains Josh Schmiedel, right, and Scott Blanch celebrate Norths' 2023 grand final win. Picture by Gareth Gardner](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/KUhQizDbwW8WqAyPP4x5yp/9da60cef-8a7f-461a-b9ed-9e6ee0ab36bd.jpg/r0_0_7809_5136_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Moree prop Chris Vidler said of Schmiedel: "He's been around a long, long time, like myself ... For his size, he's just got good vision and speed. He's big, strong, fast - and he's not a young boy. So he's making them [the opposition] look pretty ordinary."
3. Logan Howard (Kootingal-Moonbi second-rower).
![Logan Howard on the charge against North Tamworth at Jack Woolaston Oval this year. Logan Howard on the charge against North Tamworth at Jack Woolaston Oval this year.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/KUhQizDbwW8WqAyPP4x5yp/8cb883a9-4c45-4d29-9313-6bede1d14695.jpg/r0_0_762_668_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Boggabri coach Shane Rampling said Howard's "try-scoring ability speaks for itself. He's deceptively quick and strong. All round he's just a really good player, defensively and in attack."
4. Adrian Smith (Moree fullback).
![Adrian Smith targets his opposite, Lynken Dickson, in this year's grand final. Picture by Gareth Gardner Adrian Smith targets his opposite, Lynken Dickson, in this year's grand final. Picture by Gareth Gardner](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/KUhQizDbwW8WqAyPP4x5yp/9ec1bbad-0b9d-45d1-bd6f-054ecaeeeea1.jpg/r0_0_4584_3276_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"He's a player who can come into a game when required," Roosters coach Mark Sheppard said of Group 4's reigning player of the year. "He's quite explosive, and he can change the course of a game with his speed and his attacking ability."
5. Mitch Doring (Dungowan fullback)
![Cowboys playmaker Mitch Doring moved to fullback late last season. Picture by Zac Lowe Cowboys playmaker Mitch Doring moved to fullback late last season. Picture by Zac Lowe](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/KUhQizDbwW8WqAyPP4x5yp/32690a83-f920-4bff-b492-1b82c5838ab0.jpg/r0_0_1039_678_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Paul Boyce said Doring had "a really good running game, really good natural instincts - he's just a natural footy player". North Tamworth's premiership-winning mentor also said the halfback-cum-fullback was "very dangerous" and the "focal point" of his side - "the one you want to shut down".