That’s all she wrote. After 25 rounds of football, the top eight and minor premiership is finally settled as we prepare to enter the finals.
The Sydney Roosters claimed the JJ Giltinan Shield with a big win over the Eels on Saturday night after the Penrith Panthers shocked the Melbourne Storm. In every game across the weekend there were some standout performances from representative stars and young blood alike.
Here is your NRL team of the week for Round 25.
Fullback: James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
Tedesco was extremely dangerous at the back for the Roosters as they delivered a warning shot to the rest of the competition. The fullback was secure under the highball, running for 259 metres and forming a nice combination at the back with Blake Ferguson.
He busted through eleven tackles with two line breaks and three try assists, looming up on the left edge in support of Luke Keary, as well as scoring a try of his own.
Wing: Josh Mansour (Penrith Panthers)
Mansour was enormous in the Panthers’ thrilling victory over the Melbourne Storm. The Australian international scored two tries on the wing for the mountain men with some strong runs in attack, gaining a total of 172 metres. He was fierce with every touch of the ball, busting through nine tackles.
Centre: Latrell Mitchell (Sydney Roosters)
Mitchell surged to the top of the point scoring leaderboard with a 24-point tally against the Eels on Saturday night. He was lethal on the left edge, running for 137 metres with ten tackle busts and three line breaks, combining well with Daniel Tupou and sending his winger over for a try. The State of Origin representative scored a hattrick of tries himself, proving himself once again as the best centre in the world.
Centre: Joseph Manu (Sydney Roosters)
Manu was dangerous on the Roosters’ right wing scoring a try in their 44-10 flogging of the Parramatta Eels. He continued his tryscoring streak with a lone four-pointer and worked well with winger Blake Ferguson with a try assist. The Cook Islands international made five tackle busts, two line breaks and ran for 186 metres as well as completing 15 tackles.
Wing: Blake Ferguson (Sydney Roosters)
The NRL’s leading metre-eater, Ferguson chewed through an enormous 314 metres against the Eels. The former Australian international scored two tries with five tackle busts and three line breaks while also looking secure under the high ball.
Five-Eighth: Cody Walker (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Walker played a big role in turning South Sydney’s form around as they delivered a 51-10 thrashing of the Wests Tigers. The attacking five-eighth set up a number of attacking raids down the Rabbitohs’ favoured left side, scoring a try and setting up another. He busted through four tackles and forced two dropouts, rekindling his partnership with skipper Greg Inglis.
Halfback: Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)
Thurston drew his career to a close on an absolute high with a game-breaking performance against the Titans. In front of a capacity crowd on the Gold Coast, Thurston impressed with a masterclass by setting up two tries and putting together a pin-perfect kicking display with three forced dropouts. The future Immortal was also damaging in defence, producing 22 tackles and rattling the Titans.
Thanks JT. For everything. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Prop: George Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
The Rabbitohs proved they are still premiership contenders with their 51-10 victory over the Wests Tigers and George Burgess had them moving through the middle of the park. The England international was strong alongside his brothers with 29 tackles in defence and also five tackle busts in attack.
Hooker: Cameron McInnes (St George Illawarra Dragons)
McInnes was enigmatic from acting half with some good scoots out of the ruck to gain 47 metres from five runs. He was strong in the middle with 48 tackles and provided good passing service.
Prop: Daniel Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)
Saifiti was extremely influential on Old Boys Day and responsible for keeping the Knights in the game against the Dragons. The Fijian international ran for an unrivalled 229 metres through the middle of the park with three tackle busts while also making 20 tackles in defence.
Back row: John Sutton (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Sutton was one of the Rabbitohs’ best forwards in their big win over the Wests Tigers delivering some attacking brilliance on the left edge. The veteran backrower displayed some scintillating footwork, running for 173 metres with four tackle busts and two line breaks as well as scoring a try and setting up two more.
Back row: Tohu Harris (Warriors)
Harris had another understated but influential performance for the Warriors, once again proving himself to be one of the club’s most valuable players as they secured a 20-16 win over the Raiders. The New Zealand international kept his side moving forward, gaining 147 metres from 15 runs with three tackle busts while also making a 36-tackle contribution in defence.
Lock forward: Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders)
The Raiders may not have qualified for the finals in 2018 but Josh Papalii’s campaign can be marked down as a success after the veteran forward reinvigorated his career. He was strong in their loss at the hands of the Warriors with 138 running metres and 36 tackles. He also busted three tackles and scored a try, dominating in the middle of the park.
Josh Papalii (Digital Pic by Robb Cox © Action Photographics)
Interchange: Corey Oates (Brisbane Broncos)
Oates narrowly misses out on a starting wing spot however, he was too brilliant to be excluded from the 17. The rangy winger scored four tries as the Broncos dismantled the Sea Eagles including a full-field effort. He hit the line hard in a gutsy performance on the right wing.
Interchange: Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Murray made a big impact off the bench, featuring heavily in the forward rotation for the cardinal and myrtle. The young lock forward made twenty runs for a total of 191 metres and was put through a heavy workload with 23 tackles in addition to three tackle busts.
Interchange: Valentine Holmes (Cronulla Sharks)
Holmes was the Sharks’ principal attacking weapon as they ended the Bulldogs’ strong form and secured a place inside the top four. The fullback provided three try assists and also scored one of his own, running for 139 metres and making two tackle busts.
Interchange: Mitchell Pearce (Newcastle Knights)
You could have been mistaken for thinking that the eighth immortal, Andrew Johns, had returned to Newcastle after Mitchell Pearce produced a spectacular performance off the boot. Pearce’s kicking game was extremely accurate, berating the Dragons with a number of bombs and cross-field kicks as well as forcing three drop-outs. He also provided 15 tackles in defence.
Haz
Guest
Wow, did the Broncos steal your girlfriend in high school?
keith hurst
Roar Pro
by keith hurst The fact that you picked no rooster forwards is an indication that your radar is wonky. No team with as many wins as the Roosters can get that far without significant contributions from their forwards. Backs are onl;y as good as their forwrds. Just wait and see. Keith hurst
steveng
Roar Rookie
'buttery' it doesn't matter, Cody puts in a great to sensational performance every week not like Milford whos the most overrated player in the NRL and has been for a few seasons, I know who I would rather have at the Bunnies and its not Milford.
Concerned Observer
Roar Rookie
Morning Mike, genuinely a rare experience to meet someone who might just actually attend the roosters games. You talk about forwards so I guess here’s some tough questions Without any significant changes to your forward pack, what’s the difference this year as opposed to last year when your “forwards” just disappeared against the cowboys? Will the man of few metres but many words JWH turn in a stellar sub 50m after calling out the opposition again? And speaking of, Roosters v Parramatta, cute win but how can you put on 44 and concede 10 against a team that had the spoon and at one point, 11 players on the field when just last week, my Cowboys put on the same score, conceded less and the eels only had one in the bin. I know it’s comparing apples to oranges but why on Earth should the rooster’s forwards be praised? One of them’s really good at getting binned and suspended for 3 weeks?
Albo
Roar Rookie
Well I think Riley was overly generous naming 4 x Roosters backs in his team of the week ! Did you see who they were playing ? Mitchell had actually done nothing at all until Jennings was sin binned in the 2nd half leaving the Eels with just 11 players at the time, and inviting Mitchell to stroll in for a hat trick. At the end of the day, this is just one man's opinion of a team of the week. Each to their own opinions here. Certainly no reason to be called a goose.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Which Rooster forward was a standout on the weekend ? Main man JWH had 4 runs for 40 meters ....Friendy had his usual tackle feast but put nothing on..Boyd C. was quiet..Tatevano went better than Papalii ?
JN
Roar Rookie
this is a team of the week written by one person. Doesnt support anything.
Nat
Roar Guru
Poor buggar couldn't catch a cold yesterday. Not the final outing you'd wish on anyone. That said, Oates has out jumped, ran and pointed some of the very best and it wasn't like Parker was just getting run over or caught out of position.
buttery
Roar Rookie
Cody Walker was brilliant better than the millionaire Milf, the Broncos only played the bottom of the ladder Manly, anyone could be brilliant against that mob.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah Oates and Milford were both standouts. That Oates performance is as good as you’ll see - although Brad Parker is barely first grade standard, and he had a shocker even by his incredible low standards. Still, the skill and speed shown by Oates was impressive to see. Also should be noted that Oates plays on the left wing, not the right.
Nat
Roar Guru
Mate, the Broncos rarely get a start in these TOTW. Was Walker as dominant as Milford? Fergo was good, Oates scored 4 tries and they weren't catch and put down efforts.
Long Black
Roar Rookie
You should go back through all your lists and see if you have a team of the year based on these articles. Or not. Whatever. Up to you.
rossco
Guest
I don't know why Sam Burgess rarely features in the team of the week. Is it because he is held to a higher standard than others or because he is a given and so others get their chance? He is the best, most consistent forward in the NRL week to week.
Mike Bradley
Roar Rookie
Your a goose, this is the 1st time is 5 weeks that any Rooster player made the team, games are won through the forwards yet not one Rooster forward has made the team in over 8 weeks. I've been following footy since 1950 and your selections reflect your lack of football knowledge and appreciation of co-ordinated defence and attack with the forwards being the launching pad. A sad reflection of inert understanding of the game and a real appreciation of the what makes a team perform at its very best. Born a Rooster 1947
kk
Roar Pro
Good morning Riley, Enjoyed your selections and opinions for 25 rounds. Many thanks. I dare to differ on several points on your final TOTW in the H & A season of 2018. Anthony MILFORD was breathtakingly brilliant aka as a 'blinder'. His performance won selection over Cody Walker who earns a place on the bench at the expense of Pearce. Waqa BLAKE similarly got my nod over one of my favourtite players Joseph Manu whom I moved to the bench in place of Valentine Holmes. The sensational Joe OFAHHENGAUE earned a spot on the bench over the hard working Cam Murray. Joe is seriously scary. His future promises to be electric and will probably be just as expensive to retain. Looking forward to next season, Riley. May your off season be bountiful.
stevesyd
Roar Rookie
No rooster forwards further supports why there will struggle in the finals.