There were thrills and spills aplenty as always after another weekend in the NRL, with the fullbacks and Origin stars especially making compelling cases for inclusion in the Sydney Morning Herald’s team of the week.
1. Dylan Edwards (Panthers)
Four tries in 52 minutes and just a recurring nightmare for Manly’s flaky left-edge defence.
Edwards has been lumped with the ‘underrated’ tag for far too long – he’s simply a star.
2. Phillip Sami (Titans)
His best game in years and best on ground. Fourteen tackle busts, a try, three line breaks and 275 running metres. Sometimes the numbers really do tell the whole story.
Campbell Graham.Credit: Getty
3. Campbell Graham (Rabbitohs)
A very good Friday indeed for Graham, who threatened constantly down South Sydney’s right side and played a big role in Latrell Mitchell’s first two tries. Cashed in late with a deserved hat-trick of his own in the last 12 minutes.
4. Izack Tago (Panthers)
Just as lethal as Edwards on the opposite edge and had Morgan Harper on toast all game. Growing in confidence with every game.
A bloodied Jordan Rapana leaves the field against the Broncos.Credit: Getty
5. Jordan Rapana (Raiders)
Set the tone for Canberra’s upset with energy he brings like few others. Finished the game with two tries and a head full of stitches after putting his body on the line under the high ball. Just pips the Tigers’ Junior Tupou for a start.
6. Cameron Munster (Storm)
Dominant. Not least because he touched the ball 59 times against the Roosters and took the line on 20 times — the equal most runs of any Melbourne player. Set up two tries, scored another himself and sealed it for the Storm with a 30-minute blitz.
7. Mitchell Moses (Eels)
If it wasn’t for Mitch Moses, the Tigers are level with Parramatta on the ladder. Four try assists — three of them from his boot in the first half — and some clutch conversions as well.
8. Josh Papalii (Raiders)
Muscled up without Joseph Tapine and matched it with Brisbane’s athletic forward pack. 156 running metres and ensured the Broncos didn’t get on top in the middle.
9. Jeremy Marshall-King (Dolphins)
Another big impact around the ruck with two try assists and a game-high 41 tackles. Proving himself one of the more dangerous dummy-half runners in the NRL.
10. Payne Haas (Broncos)
At times threatened to drag Brisbane to a win all on his own. Continues to develop an offload in his game and had six tackle busts to go with his game-high 203 metres.
Payne Haas.Credit: Getty
11. Tyson Frizell (Knights)
Wound back the clock with 36 tackles and one of his famous chases, mowing down Edward Kosi with Lachlan Miller early on. Jagged a try and led from the front.
12. John Bateman (Tigers)
Gave it his all, as he always does, and featured heavily in the Tigers’ fightback. Thirty-three tackles and 132 running metres on the right edge and determined to take his teammates with him.
John Bateman.Credit: Getty
13. Tom Gilbert (Dolphins)
An absolute monster in the middle and a sneaky shout for buy of the year. A well-deserved try against his old North Queensland side to go with 154 metres and 34 tackles.
14. Lachlan Miller (Knights)
In absolutely everything as usual, having added goal-kicking to his CV as well. Leads the league for tackle busts (54), runs (134) and running metres (1287) and it was plain to see why once more against the Warriors.
Tough school … three tries and 26 points, but Latrell Mitchell is relegated to the bench this week.Credit: Getty
15. Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs)
Three tries, 26 points and had the No.1 spot sewn up until Dylan Edwards ran amok. Challenged by Jason Demetriou to get himself into the game earlier and did exactly that with two tries in three minutes to skewer Canterbury before half-time.
16. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins)
Split the Cowboys seemingly every time he took the line on and already in talks about an extension beyond 2024. Not too many could’ve scored his first-half try. Rare pace and balance and enjoys a slice of rugby league history as a result — his six straight tries for a new club equal a 115-year record.
17. Corey Horsburgh (Raiders)
Forty tackles in the middle against the Broncos and threw himself into the fray as usual. Billy Slater is keeping an eye on him with a Queensland Origin berth in mind.
