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 – Cody Walker
Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs; Origin appearances: 0; 2017 TOTW selections: 3.
23 total runs, 166 total metres, one line-break, two try-assists, 11 tackle-breaks.
A move to fullback did not hinder the brilliance of Cody Walker against the Wests Tigers on Friday night, as he once again tore his opposition apart thanks to his freakish ability to turn half chances into points. Walker created a line-break out of nothing in the early stages of the game which led to an Alex Johnston try, while he set up his winger for another in the second half. When Walker is sniffing around the ball, it is always dangerous for the opposition, and that was no different against the Tigers.
2 – Anthony Don
Club: Gold Coast Titans; Origin appearances: 0; 2017 TOTW selections: 2.
One line-break, two try-assists, one offload, one try.
Two try assists from the wing is almost unheard of, but Anthony Don was truly the star of the show in the Gold Coast Titans’ famous victory against the Melbourne Storm. In one of the craziest games in the history of Rugby League, the aerial prowess possessed by Don allowed him to set up a try early on before scoring one himself, but it was his final touch that will be shown on highlights reels for the rest of the season. Down by two on the stroke of full-time, Don was able to perfectly bat Kane Elgey’s kick into the hands of Konrad Hurrell, who did the rest to win the game for the Titans.
3 – Jack Bird
Club: Cronulla Sharks; Origin appearances: 2; 2017 TOTW selections: 0.
19 total runs, 143 total metres, one try-assist, three offloads, 16 tackles, five tackle-breaks.
A marginal knock-on denied Bird his second try of the year, but he had undoubtedly his best game of the season to date in the Sharks’ Round 10 victory. A fine pass to Sosaia Feki would eventually seal the win late in the contest, reminding fans that he is still in calculations for the VB Blues side to be named on 22 May.
