Payne was sheer joy in Taniwha's season

Advocate sports reporter Peter Thorley casts an eye over the individual performances of the Northland players this season.by Peter Thorley
* Jared Payne: Outstanding input from the stand-in captain in every match. He ended up as the top try-scorer and will have benefited from the season by developing his leadership skills. He's already signed for next year and will be a big target for the union in 2011. Must have missed the All Blacks by a whisker.
* Simon Munro: A late replacement for early injury problems, the Auckland reject found a new home by impressing with his work rate in both attack and defence. Could be back again next year.
* Rene Ranger: Learned that he has become a big target for opposing defences. Was marked out of out of most games but still managed to engineer chances with enormous strength in the tackle to deliver offloads - and missed when he was injured. His defence also made big gains over the season.
* Derek Carpenter: A lack of competition saw him cement his spot in the team and overall, the experience he gained, added to his ability and reputation.
* Lachie Munro: Decent kicking five-eighths are still hard to find around the country and ones that can cover wing and fullback are even rarer. Big input to season, his goal-kicking improved markedly as he went. He was one of the players with x-factor and will be back next year.
* David Holwell: After struggling through the first few games playing bit parts, a fully fit and functioning Holwell was a delight to behold. Inspirational, a great leader, who put in his best when the rest of the team was flagging.
* Rhyan Caine: The competition for halfback was the tightest of the season, with Caine the solid performer that started most matches. He is always dangerous on the ball and provided a good kicking option.
* Luke Hamilton: The ''energiser bunny" of the team, he was in competition with Caine for a starting spot. Hamilton never stopped trying and he sparked several attacking moves by his natural ability to counter-attack.
* Cameron Eyre: The biggest improver of the squad, thrown in the deep end after Collin's injury to become first choice No8, he looked bewildered early on but was able to learn from his mistakes and became a dependable member of the team, who played in every minute of the season.
* Joel McKenty: Started the season on the outer with the coaches, but proved his value once he started the season after overcoming an achilles rupture. He gained plenty of turnover ball and was a scrapper at ruck time, he may have pushed close to Super-14 contract but the latest injury may have scuppered that.
* Roy Griffin: Started the season on the injury list, solid without being spectacular after warming to his task. Is young at 20-years-old, and will only have benefited from the experience.
* Dan Goodwin: Was picked as a back-up lock but ended up starting most matches with the well documented locking problems the team had. He delivered his best consistently and occasionally excelled, mixing it up with some quality opponents.
* Matt Clutterbuck: Arrived with great fanfare, didn't really deliver early on and was another to slowly learn about rugby at the top level and improve over the year. Very fit, high work rate and provided good coverage around the field for side.
* Cam Jowett: Delayed start to the season, when he finally got going was impressive, particularly as a lineout specialist and provided some size and grunt in the contact area. Unfortunately took a head knock and missed finishing the season but could be another Super-14 target for someone. Is bound to be offered a more permanent spot for next year but as a loan player, Auckland may have other ideas.
* Matt Wallis: Started the season as fourth string prop but made the most of injuries in the side to finish the season strongly. Good workrate in defence and made a difference in the scrum to push his place for another year in 2010.
* Mikaele Tuu'u: Apart from Eyre, was the most consistent forward. Is a converted loose forward and was able to confuse the Sky Commentary teams by staying on when replaced by Tim Dow in the hooking role. Still has some work to do to learn his front row duties and throw to the lineout was dodgy early on but should be a Super-14 prospect in another year.
* Bronson Murray: Started the season slowly but was another target in the team. Was a great defender in close quarters but got injured just when he started to perform at his best.
* Tim Dow: Better throwing option at hooker but sometimes struggled in the scrums. Made up for it with huge work-rate, running like an extra loosie.
* Jon Elrick: Signed as back-up first five eighth to Lachie Munro, could have retreated in a huff when Holwell showed up. He didn't and was brought back into the team for another chance because of his reliable defence and impressed with versatility against Hawkes Bay.
* Karl Haitana: Whole-hearted effort over the season, had a few injury issues, and plateaued a bit in the middle of the season. Regrouped and finished strongly, was perhaps unlucky at times to cop scrum penalties from referees, who might have known better.
* Pat O'Connor: Great potential but had a frustrating season with injuries and was hardly seen.
* Junior Gadolo: Good athlete who can get around the field and make tackles, carried the ball well, but at times might have made more of his opportunities, was a safe lineout option - and that's saying something this season.
* Nick Collins: Another bit-part player due to injury, looked good in the final game against Hawkes Bay.
* Damien Fakafanua: Another who showed his versatility, particularly in attack with a safe pair of hands, who was willing to try things. Dropped once because of a defensive failing but generally good all round game.
* Troy Woodman: Another player to watch with a genuine head of speed. Not too many chances to shine this year because of injury. Shown up once or twice in defence on his return but has plenty of time to work on this.
* Brook Gilmore: Another youngster with promise. Again injured after promising start and wasn't seen again, will be back though hopefully with a better all round game.
* Ross Wright: Hooker filling in as prop, another good prospect.
* Matt Harrison: Added something as a fill-in at the end of the season and could be worth another look next season, if he can get over a nasty neck injury.
* Steve Baker: Roped in for last game, dependable player, who will remain in the mix.
* Justin Davies: Injured in the final preseason game and remains untested at the top level but will probably get another chance.
* Justin Collins: Missing in action, instead condemned to pacing the sideline uneasily. Would have him back in a flash but head still bothering him after Super-14 injury in April.