Each week of the NRL season, the NSWRL.com.au staff writers will have their say on the round's best performing New South Welshmen. These are based entirely on the opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSWRL or the State of Origin selection process.
1 - Jack Wighton
Club: Canberra Raiders; Origin appearances: 0; 2017 TOTW selections: 0.
21 total runs, 236 total metres, two offloads, three tackle-breaks, three line-break assists.
While coach Ricky Stuart explained that the Raiders are unlikely to 'blow teams away' in season 2017, Wighton was a key man in their impressive victory over the Eels. The Canberra fullback was heavily involved, with the fourth-largest metre tally of Round 5 and the equal-most line-break-assists, earning his first selection in the state's best 17 this year.
2 - Nick Cotric
Club: Canberra Raiders; Origin appearances: 0; 2017 TOTW selections: 0.
13 total runs, 168 total metres, two line-breaks, one offload, 10 tackle-breaks, one try.
When a much-hyped 18-year-old bursts onto the NRL scene, he only needs one play to turn heads - and that's what Nick Cotric achieved on Saturday. As the Raiders game against the Eels remained in the balance with 11 minutes on the clock, Cotric moved from dummy-half to the try line 35 metres away, producing some individual brilliance to score perhaps the try of the round. He also made a round-high 10 tackle-breaks, giving an indication as to why he was a part of the victorious NSW Under-18 side in 2016. While he'll be ineligible for the Under-20 team this year, he is adjusting well to the top grade at such a young age.
