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Round 5 once again displayed just how close the National Rugby League is, as the Dragons and Warriors both continued their unbeaten runs.
In a shock to rugby league fans, the ladder has been turned on its head, with the Roosters the only team from last year’s top four currently in the eight.
The Warriors, Knights, Wests Tigers and Titans all sit close to the top, having made up last year’s bottom four.
Here is the NRL team of the week for Round 5.
Fullback: Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights)
The 20-year-old launched himself into Origin contention with a stellar performance in the Knights’ 15-10 win over the Broncos. Ponga was dominant in attack, sending Lachlan Fitzgibbon through for a try, while almost putting Shaun Kenny-Dowall over with a cutout pass.
The rookie custodian also made a try-saving tackle on James Roberts, ran for a massive 223 metres and made five tackle breaks.
Wing: Corey Oates (Brisbane Broncos)
Corey Oates didn’t put a foot wrong in his return from injury during the Broncos’ close loss to the Knights. The winger chewed through the Newcastle defensive line with seven tackle breaks and looked threatening with every touch of the ball.
Centre: Euan Aitken (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Aitken left star Rabbitohs centre Greg Inglis bamboozled when he scored on the former Australian international. The Scotland representative was sensational, with four tackle breaks in attack, as well as his try, while also defending well with 14 tackles for the night.
Centre: Joseph Leilua (Canberra Raiders)
Leilua combined well with Jordan Rapana as he helped the Raiders to their first win of 2018.
He exhibited great offloading skills in a gut-busting performance, with four tackle breaks and two tries.
Joey Leilua (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)
Wing: David Fusitu’a (Warriors)
Fusitu’a has been one of the Warriors’ most potent attacking weapons in 2018 and his two tries against the Cowboys saw him surge to the top of the tryscoring tally.
His presence was felt out wide, tearing apart the North Queensland defensive line with four tackle breaks.
Five-eighth: Anthony Milford (Broncos)
The Broncos No.6 was everywhere on Saturday night, finally standing up after a poor start to 2018. Milford scored a try and attacked the line, forcing a handful of goal-line drop-outs. The enigmatic half kicked for over 300 metres and ran for 157 metres in an outstanding 80-minute effort.
Halfback: Shaun Johnson (Warriors)
Johnson settlintoraight back in to the Warriors’ attack after a week away, setting up a try, kicking a 40-20 and breaking three tackles, while also making 14 tackles.
The New Zealand international has helped deliver a 5-0 start to his club’s season, gelling with halves partner Blake Green.
Prop: Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne Storm)
Bromwich was dominant in the Storm’s double-header fixture against the Wests Tigers, laying the platform up the middle with some damaging runs leading to five tackle breaks, while also making 28 tackles.
Hooker: Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Damaging in attack, Cook kept the cardinal and myrtle in the game right up until the final siren with his brilliant play out of acting half.
Cook racked up six tackle breaks, with plenty of promising runs, while also putting his hand up in defence with 38 tackles.
Prop: Andrew Fifita (Cronulla Sharks)
Fifita stood tall for Cronulla in their loss to the Roosters at Shark Park. The Tongan international made an explosive 176 metres, displaying solid second-phase play with his offloads and contributing defensively with 29 tackles.
Andrew Fifita of the Sharks. (AAP Image/Joe Castro)
Back row: Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Newcastle Knights)
Fitzgibbon has transformed his game in 2018 and Saturday’s win over the Broncos was no different, with nine tackle breaks and a try. The local Newcastle junior combined well with Kalyn Ponga on the left edge.
Back row: Tohu Harris (Warriors)
Harris dominated the ruck, with some great runs on the edge and a heavy defensive workrate. He made 38 tackles, while also running for 121 metres from 13 touches.
Lock forward: Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks)
Gallen wound back the clock against the Roosters – he was dominant up front, with 186 metres, and made 34 tackles.
Interchange: Jai Arrow (Gold Coast Titans)
Arrow has been a revelation in 2018. With his heavy workrate in the middle of the park, the young Queenslander ran for 166 metres against the Sea Eagles in Gladstone while making five tackle breaks, 27 tackles and scoring two tries.
Interchange: Jack de Belin (St George Illawarra Dragons)
One of the best forwards in the game – likely to play State of Origin for New South Wales in 2018 – had a big match against the Rabbitohs.
The Cootamundra junior was strong in attack and equally impressive defensively, his impact helping the Dragons to win the battle in the middle of the park.
Interchange: Aidan Guerra (Newcastle Knights)
Guerra was great on the edge, combining well with ex-Roosters teammate Mitchell Pearce. The backrower was an attacking force, with four tackle breaks, while making 36 tackles.
Interchange: Josh Aloiai (Wests Tigers)
Aloiai played some heavy minutes off the bench against the Storm in Auckland, averaging over ten metres with every touch of the ball as he ran for 173 metres in total. He also scored a try and making 25 tackles.
Roarers, which player stood out the most in Round 5 of the 2018 NRL season for you?
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