Sad but probably true. I think Sam Burgess would be the only English player who could get in to an Aussie 17. Ellis and Graham would be in the squad but neither (particulary Ellis) has ever really been able to look more than slightly above average in comparison to their Aussie counterparts.

You could argue that Ellis has looked well above average compared to his counterparts in the NRL, given his three successive Player of the Year Awards at Wests. Who knows how much better he might look at international level in a more dominant pack. (Having said that I wouldn't want to place him above their current second row internationals.)

Agreed.

Ellis is a better player than Burgess too. Burgess spends too much time on the injury lists, granted he's a huge talent and puts in some massive hits but I'd have ellis in my side before him.

Who else would West Tigers nominate?
They are the Hull FC of the NRL
Benji Marshall has been up there so often so a new face was needed.
It was Ellis or Heighington as the best of the rest.

Your argument might hold true for the first or second year, but if it's a question of needing new faces a third consecutive award would be pretty unlikely.
Having seen video of his performances (particularly 2009-10) Ellis looks every bit worth the accolades.