After another intriguing weekend of rugby league sees leaves us with nine teams left in the running for the finals, but more importantly we have a winner in The Roar‘s NRL MVP.
Despite the fact there is still a week to play, the winner was never really in doubt and it is looking like it will be a North Queensland Cowboys 1-2, which reflects Johnathan Thurston and Jason Taumalolo’s dominance for their side.
In saying that, Round 26 is going to have a couple of cracking matches with the minor premiership up for grabs between the Storm and Sharks, while the Tigers and Titans are still in the hunt for eighth.
Anyway, onto the weekend that was.
Canterbury Bulldogs 16 defeated by North Queensland Cowboys 24
Blogged by: Widget
3: Johnathan Thurston – Clearly the best on ground and wraps up the competition with another stellar performance.
2: Josh Reynolds – One of the reasons the Bulldogs were even in the game, producing a solid kicking game and coming up with some huge tackles.
1: Jason Taumalolo – The man who can’t be stopped ran for another 204 metres as easy as you like while recording a couple of tackle breaks, scoring a try and making a line break.
Melbourne Storm 16 defeated by Brisbane Broncos 26
Blogged by: Scott Pryde
3: Ben Hunt – It was a wow of a performance from Hunt, kicking strongly all game and picking the right moments to get creative. He had a hand in a couple of tries while also picking up 85 metres.
2: Anthony Milford – Wasn’t far behind his halves partner, playing a big role in a couple of tries and the Broncos offence – he ran the ball alot, and pulled off some excellent players.
1: Sam Thaiday – Put in a big 80-minute effort with plenty of involvement in the match, looking to set plays up and never picking the wrong option. Also ran the ball hard for nearly 120 metres.
Manly Sea Eagles 30 defeated by Canberra Raiders 44
Blogged by: Alan Nicolea
3: Jordan Rapana – Back to his best on the edge for the Raiders, scoring a hat-trick of tries including a first half double that kept Canberra ahead despite not dominating.
2: Tom Trbojevic – Was Manly’s answer to Rapana, scoring a hat-trick but he also came up with some massive plays to guide the team around the park playing injured.
1: Joseph Leilua – Scored a pair of tries in the second half and as usual, formed a lethal combination with Rapana.
Gold Coast Titans 14 defeated by Penrith Panthers 15
Blogged by: John Coomer
3: Greg Bird – Might have been on the losing side but didn’t deserve to be after scoring a try, making 183 metres and adding 35 tackles.
2: Tyrone Peachey – Made a mountain of metres for the Panthers, and the most important of those came from a break to give field position for the winning field goal.
1: Matt Moylan – Kicked the winning field goal and controlled the Panthers attack all game, setting up a try of his own.
Cronulla Sharks 37 defeat Sydney Roosters 12
Blogged by: Widget
3: Paul Gallen – Made a monstrous impact in his return from injury for the Sharks, setting up the win with a try, a line break, three offloads and 212 metres.
2: Ben Barba – Really tried to get involved in the attack and did a god job scoring a try and assisting another.
1: Michael Ennis – At his clinical best, creating plays from hookers, maintaining a strong kicking game and defending well.
New Zealand Warriors 24 defeated by Wests Tigers 36
Blogged by: Scott Pryde
3: Aaron Woods – Maybe the best performance of the season so far for the Tigers captain, running the ball like a mad man early on, setting up a few tries and scoring one of his own.
2: Mitchell Moses – Really turned it on during the second half, his kicking, passing and decision making clear for all to see.
1: David Fusitu’a – Big game at the back and despite a few roadblocks he was relatively solid under the high ball and would end up running for more than 200 metres.
Newcastle Knights 12 defeated by South Sydney Rabbitohs 34
Blogged by: Connor Bennett
3: Greg Inglis – Scored the opening try of the game and never looked back with a 193 metre effort.
2: Adam Reynolds – Backed up his fullback superbly, creating at will and putting the ball on a five cent piece from the boot – Also assisted a couple of tries.
1: Sione Mata’utia – The best in a losing side picking up more than 150 metres in what is an unfamiliar back row position.
Parramatta Eels 30 defeat St George Illawarra Dragons 18
3: Bevan French – Might have scored three tries but was electric all over the park, running for 138 metres and coming up with some big defensive plays.
2: Semi Radradra – At or close to his destructive best despite not scoring a try, grabbing an assist and 175 metres.
1: Kenny Edwards – Came off the bench doing his job and then some with 155 metres, a couple of line breaks and a try. Always a threat on the edges.
1. Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys) – 31 votes
2. Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys) – 27 votes
=3. Shaun Johnson (New Zealand Warriors) – 24 votes
=3. Anthony Milford (Brisbane Broncos) – 24 votes
=5. Cooper Cronk (Melboune Storm) – 22 votes
=5. Ben Barba (Cronulla Sharks) – 22 votes
=5. Josh Reynolds (Canterbury Bulldogs) – 22 votes
8. Ben Hunt (Brisbane Broncos) – 21 votes
9. Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs) – 20 votes
=10. Corey Norman (Parramatta Eels) – 18 votes
=10. James Tedesco (Wests Tigers) – 18 votes
=10. Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders) – 18 votes
=10. Ryan James (Gold Coast Titans) – 18 votes
=10. Mitchell Moses (Wests Tigers) – 18 votes
The greatest player in the game, Johnathan Thurston has closed out the competition after another man of the match effort with a week to spare.
Taumalolo hangs onto second and is likely to make it a one-two from Townsville, but from there on things are pretty close with all but eighth and ninth place tied, meaning the next games will give us the final order – hopefully separating a few players that are glued together.
Be sure to check in next Monday for that!
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
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