1. Luke Sharpe
Club: Wyong Roos
14 total runs, 170 total run metres, three line breaks, eight tackle breaks, two tries.
There seems to be no stopping Luke Sharpe this season as the dynamic fullback once again finds himself in the Team of the Week. Despite having two errors, Sharpe redeemed himself with two first-half tries while posing as a constant threat with his nifty footwork - running for 170 metres and recording three line breaks in another brilliant showing.
2. Kalifa FaiFai Loa
Club: Illawarra
14 total runs, 114 total metres, two line breaks, two tries.
He’s not one to shy away from the tough stuff out of his own end, but FaiFai Loa took full advantage of his opportunities on the weekend and ended up with two tries to his name to go with 114 hard-fought metres.
3. Brendan Frei
Club: Wyong Roos
14 total runs, 163 total metres, one line break, six tackle breaks, 11 tackles, two tries.
Having played a majority of his senior career as a forward, Brendan Frei may have found himself a home at centre after an impressive performance in the Roos victory over the Tigers. While working hard as always with the ball in hand with 164 running metres, and six tackle breaks, he eventually reaped the rewards with two tries of his own.
4. Jesse Ramien
Club: Newtown Jets
15 total tries, 151 total metres, two line breaks, eight tackle breaks, two tries.
It wasn’t the best afternoon for the Newtown Jets, but Jesse Ramien made the most of his limited opportunities. He was constantly causing havoc for the defence with 15 evasive runs that also saw him break eight tackles and cross for two barnstorming tries for good measure.
5. George Jennings
Club: Wentworthville Magpies
11 total runs, 168 total metres, one line breaks, six tackle breaks, two tries.
The Magpies have found some consistency in their recent charge towards the top eight and George Jennings has provided the finishing touches on their improved attacking raids. He scored a brilliant run-away try that saw him extend his team’s lead, while ran for 168 metres to go with his six tackle breaks.
6. Josh Cleeland (c)
Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Five total runs, 51 total metres, two line breaks, four tackle breaks, 106 total kick metres, 22 tackles, two tries.
With the game in the balance in the closing stages, it was Josh Cleeland who stood up and delivered with the crucial match winning try. His two-try performance and instrumental role in the Bulldogs come-from-behind victory sees him earn this weeks captaincy, with the classy five-eighth being a key figure in the Bulldogs charge towards the top four.
7. Brock Lamb
Club: Newcastle Knights
9 total runs, 51 total metres, one try assist, two line break assists, 19 tackles, 7 goals, one try.
Having enjoyed most of the year in first-grade, Brock Lamb returned to the Intrust Super Premiership NSW and had a significant impact in the Knights big victory. He had a hand in two tries – one being a remarkable tap back for his hooker Randall, and was strong with the boot converting 7/8 conversions in a typical well-rounded performance.
8. Kaide Ellis
Club: Penrith Panthers
16 total runs, 154 total metres, 54 post contact metres, two tackle breaks, 40 tackles
It was a physical contest at North Sydney Oval on Friday night and Kaide Ellis certainly didn’t shy away from it’s brutal nature. His 154 metres reflect his consistent hard work through the middle-third, while his 40 tackles were a significant factor in his team’s committed defensive efforts.
9. Tyler Randall
Club: Newcastle Knights
One try assist, one line break assist, two line breaks, two tackle breaks, 20 tackles, two tries.
Tyler Randall played a big role in the Knights thumping 46-18 victory over the Wests Tigers and worked well with Brock Lamb to deliver a clinical attacking performance for his side. His two tries were the cornerstone of a strong all-round performance that also saw him make 20 tackles and record two line break assists in just a 50 minute stint.
10. Jacob Hind
Club: Illawarra
15 total runs, 139 total metres, 57 post contact metres, one tackle breaks, one offload, 37 tackles.
In a game that Illawarra desperate needed two competition points, Jacob Hind delivered for his teammates in a game that saw him constantly working hard on both sides of the ball. His performance saw him dent the opposition forward pack on numerous occasions and will no doubt be an integral part of Illawarra’s form at the back-end of the season.
11. Rhyse Martin
Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
16 total runs, 145 total metres, 55 post contact metres, five tackle breaks, one offload, 37 tackles.
Along with lock-forward Rod Griffin, Martin proved a handful for the Warriors on the weekend with another monster 80-minute performance. Topping the tackle count with Griffin with 37 tackles, his big efforts went further with the ball-in-hand as he busted five tackles and continued to lay a strong platform for his outside backs.
12. Luciano Leilua
Club: Illawarra
15 total runs, 141 total metres, 60 post contact metres, one try assist, one line break assist, three tackle breaks, 33 tackles, one try.
It was a welcome return to form for Illawarra and Leilua did everything he could to get his team over the line. Facing a big forward pack with plenty of NRL experience, Leilua lead the way with 141 running metres to go with a game-high 60 post contact metres and before crossing for the match-sealing try.
13. Rod Griffin
Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
26 total runs, 242 total metres, 78 post-contact metres, two tackle breaks, 37 tackles.
The Bulldogs victory over the Warriors on the weekend was largely thanks to the form of their forward pack and Rod Griffin lead the way with some huge numbers in a hard-working performance. His 26 carries and whopping 242 metres continued to get his side on the front-foot, with his 37 tackles a testament to his strong defensive efforts.
14. Eli Levido
Club: North Sydney Bears
18 total runs, 153 total metres, one line break, six tackle breaks, two tries.
Despite going down to the Panthers on Friday night, Levido put in a starring performance and is clearly relishing his recent switch to fullback. Scoring both of the Bears’ tries, it was his darting carries out of his own end that saw him break six tackles and run for 154 metres in one of his best games of the season.
15. Cheyne Whitelaw
Club: North Sydney Bears
12 total runs, 83 total metres, two tackle breaks, 62 tackles
The Bears have boasted the best defensive record for a majority of this season and Cheyne Whitelaw plays an integral role in holding out their opposition. His tireless work rate saw him make more than 60 tackles once again this year, with his quick play the balls giving his team constant momentum and capping off a strong performance with some try-saving tackles on his own line.
16. Wesley Lolo
Club: Mounties
11 total runs, 134 total metres, 64 post contact metres, one try assist, one line break two tackle breaks, one offload, 20 tackles.
The Wests Tigers were on the wrong end of the score-sheet once again, but Lolo continues to impress for his side with another strong outing. His early bust through the middle saw him eventually offload for Jack Littlejohn, and continued to fight hard with his 134 running metres the most of anyone in his team.
17. Siosaia Vave
Club: Wentworthville Magpies
16 total runs, 144 total metres, 65 post contact metres, four tackle breaks, two offloads, 18 tackles.
Siosaia Vave put in a valiant effort for his team in their hard-fought victory over the Blacktown Workers. Constantly charging through the middle-third to give his team momentum, his 16 carries were of consistent quality and managed to break four tackles in the process.
