Finals football is finally upon us and only six remain in the race after four enthralling matches.
The Storm and Roosters have both earned weeks off while the Warriors and Broncos were bundled out of the competition following dominant wins by the Panthers and Dragons. They now take on the Sharks and Rabbitohs respectively.
The combinations clicked into gear for a number of teams across the weekend while others were left red-faced with injuries to key players. Rugby league fans were treated to some fantastic individual heroics and team efforts with dominant kicking games, some fierce defensive efforts and workhorse displays.
Here is your NRL team of the week for the first week of the finals.
Fullback: James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
Tedesco was outstanding at the back, running for 240 metres with eight tackle busts and two try assists – one each for Joseph Manu and Daniel Tupou.
Wing: Suliasi Vunivalu (Melbourne Storm)
Vunivalu scored two tries in the Storm’s 29-28 win over the Rabbitohs. He looked solid under the high ball and showed some glimpses of greatness in attack.
Centre: Tyrone Peachey (Penrith Panthers)
Peachey looked comfortable on the right edge for the Panthers as they came back from a 12-2 deficit to dispose of the Warriors and keep their premiership chances alive. The utility scored two tries in the space of eight minutes during the first half, also setting up Christian Crichton to seal Penrith’s fate. He kept his opposition number Solomone Kata quiet.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Centre: Timoteo Lafai (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Lafai had a brilliant game as the Dragons disposed of the Broncos by 30 points. The centre made 123 metres with four tackle busts and scored a try early in the second half looking dangerous with every carry.
Wing: Josh Mansour (Penrith Panthers)
He didn’t manage to cross the stripe but Josh Mansour was solid on the left wing. He ran for 180 metres with two tackle busts to his name and made some crucial tackles on his own goal-line.
Five-eighth: James Maloney (Penrith Panthers)
Maloney clicked with his halves partner, Nathan Cleary, controlling the Panthers’ attacking structures with a strong kicking game. He kicked a 40-20 in the lead-up to Penrith’s opening try before looming up in support of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to score one of his own. The veteran forced a total of three drop-outs, sustaining the pressure on the Warriors in their red zone.
Halfback: Cooper Cronk (Sydney Roosters)
Scored the Roosters’ opening try in a sensational individual effort and orchestrated his side’s attack with the boot, clinching the match-sealing field goal. He also kicked for a huge 685 metres with a number of bombs placing opposition fullback Valentine Holmes under pressure.
(Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Prop: Leeson Ah Mau (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Ah Mau dominated throughout against the Broncos, taking charge after James Graham came from the field for an HIA. The New Zealand international gained 147 metres from 14 carries with two tackle busts and a line break while also making 31 tackles in the middle.
Hooker: Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm)
Smith controlled the Storm’s game plan, helping to deliver a home preliminary final. The skipper was dominant around the ruck, making 38 tackles and providing effective service from acting half.
Prop: Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Penrith Panthers)
Campbell-Gillard played a no-frills brand of football, asserting his dominance through the middle over 50 minutes. He made some good carries for a total of 67 metres.
Back row: Felise Kaufusi (Melbourne Storm)
Kaufusi terrorised the Rabbitohs on the right edge, running for 102 metres. The Australian international had a try assist to his name and made 40 tackles, including a crucial forced error on Sam Burgess, in a strong 80-minute performance.
Back row: Tariq Sims (St George Illawarra Dragons)
The Broncos couldn’t contain Tariq Sims as he crossed the chalk three times in the first half. Sims dominated against his younger brother, Korbin, running for 101 metres on the Dragons’ left edge with six tackle busts and three line breaks.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Lock forward: James Fisher-Harris (Penrith Panthers)
Fisher-Harris led the tackle count with 32 tackles, keeping the Warriors’ attacking enterprise to a minimum. He carried the ball for 86 metres with two tackle busts.
Interchange: Latrell Mitchell (Sydney Roosters)
Mitchell was potent as usual with ball in hand and just as strong on defence. He scored a try in the second half and stopped one from Luke Lewis with a sensational effort. He finished the game off with six tackle busts and now faces a nervous wait as he prepares to face the judiciary for a crusher tackle on Josh Dugan.
Interchange: Moses Leota (Penrith Panthers)
He wasn’t on the field for long but Leota was seriously impressive with 73 metres from eight runs. He made 15 tackles, providing some jarring hits and giving the Panthers the go-forward they required at a crucial point in the match.
Interchange: Tyson Frizell (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Frizell was dominant as usual for the Red V, running for 135 metres with three tackle busts to his name. He made 29 tackles, stepping up for his team as they humiliated the Broncos’ forward pack.
Interchange: Ben Hunt (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Hunt got another one up over his old team, turning around his poor form of late to put in a masterclass. He took charge of the team after Gareth Widdop left the field injured, setting up a try and providing some well-weighted kicks including a 40-20 late in the match.
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