After another supremely entertaining five days of footy, the cream appears to be rising to the top with the high-flying Rabbitohs and ladder-leading Broncos providing more than a third of this week’s honour roll. Those two sides headline the round nine fixtures in what promises to be one of the games of the season so far on Friday night.
1. Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs)
The Souths pin-up was busy early, provided an excellent flick pass for Alex Johnston in a passage of play that led to their first try, and helped himself to his own double.
There are few better sights in the game than ‘Trell Mit’ is in full flight.
2. Corey Oates (Broncos)
The veteran Bronco was busy in his comeback game from a broken jaw and chalked up north of 200m in the wet. This fella is seriously underrated, and will be missed the next few weeks with a fresh knee injury.
3. Moses Suli (Dragons)
Apart from being stood up by Joseph Suaalii once, Moses Suli almost got the better of his rugby-bound opposite, and was an absolute handful on his right edge. It’s fun watching him and Tyrell Sloan combine.
4. Stephen Crichton (Panthers)
This bloke loves scoring tries against Souths, and somehow bagged a treble. Penrith only had limited opportunities in attack, but ‘Critta’ made sure he nailed every one of his. He also kicked three from four.
Latrell Mitchell, Payne Haas, Api Koroisau, Haumole Olakau’atu and Adam Reynolds.Credit: Getty
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks)
He made the highlights reel for bombing a certain try, but he was in the thick of everything, and finished with five tackle busts against the Dogs. He’s such an infectious character at Cronulla.
6. Cody Walker (Rabbitohs)
He stood up when his club needed him, including the final play when he snuck a pass for Isaiah Tass to run away with the match-winner. He’s playing with confidence and almost unstoppable on the left edge.
Cody Walker.Credit: Getty
7. Adam Reynolds (Broncos)
His kicking game was flawless in tough conditions in the Top End. He bagged a try and set up another couple. He also controlled the game when Parramatta looked ready for a late fightback.
8. Payne Haas (Broncos)
How many times does this bloke make the Team of the Week? He can consider himself harshly done by to be suspended for a hip-drop tackle that never really looked like a hip-drop tackle, and needed three or four Eels to stop him every time.
9. Api Koroisau (Tigers)
He is yet to win a game, but Api Koroisau was hands-down the best Tiger on the park. He scored a try and never stopped trying. Another two or three players with his ability would have the Tigers humming.
10. Reuben Cotter (Cowboys)
Was a machine off the bench and slowly getting back to peak fitness with three games under the belt. The Cowboys need him firing if they are to continue their own winning ways.
Reuben Cotter.Credit: Getty
11. Briton Nikora (Sharks)
Ran a strong line to set up Will Kennedy’s first try and made life difficult for the Dogs on their own left edge. He notched seven tackle busts. Has played every minute this year and does not look like slowing down.
12. Haumole Olakau’atu (Sea Eagles)
Was strong in the first half and helped shrug off three defenders in a play that eventually led to Daly Cherry-Evans scoring. He was quieter in the second half, but this bloke reminded everyone why he is worthy of being deep in the NSW Origin conversation.
13. Pat Carrigan (Broncos)
Numbers failed to reflect the impact this guy had. He gets his hands on the ball so much and is such a circuit-breaker. Did not miss a tackle and offloaded when the Broncos needed him to.
14. Will Kennedy (Sharks)
How can you ignore a bloke who scores three first-half tries? The Sharks fullback is fast earning the raps as one of the premier fullbacks in the game, something the good folk in the Shire have known for a while.
15. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Roosters)
We are including him just for that excellent no-look pass to Victor Radley to score in the first half. Any playmaker would have been proud of the big fella. Moses Mbye had no idea what was coming. Play on, please, JWH.
16. Tyson Frizell (Knights)
The veteran forward is showing glimpses of his old form and was at it again against the Cowboys. Made a linebreak and every run had purpose. Was also his usual brutal self in defence.
17. Jarrod Wallace (Dolphins)
Wayne Bennett quipped Jarrod Wallace would love to play his old club the Titans every weekend. Was a ball of energy and busy off the bench, and not afraid to throw the ball around. An experienced forward having a great year.
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