And then there were two. The Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters booked their respective places in the NRL Grand Final during a tough preliminary final weekend.
Each of the final four all put up their best display however in the end only two came out on top. The winners proved too strong with great team efforts however a number of players stood out across the weekend. Retiring players had one last hurrah while rookies thrust into the spotlight stepped up to the challenge.
Here is your NRL team of the week for finals week three.
Fullback: Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm)
In his final game at AAMI Park, Billy Slater stood up to the challenge scoring two tries to book the Melbourne Storm’s place in the grand final.
Slater was extremely dangerous at the back in a man-of-the-match performance, running for 189 metres with eleven tackle busts and two line breaks.
He came up with the try assist for Brodie Croft to score and also made a try-saving tackle on Sosaia Feki, however he now faces the judiciary following a shoulder charge.
Wing: Blake Ferguson (Sydney Roosters)
Blake Ferguson led the metre count for the Roosters with 164 metres gained in a phenomenal performance. The Australian international busted five tackles and scored the first try of the second half in a show of strength.
Centre: Paul Momirovski (Sydney Roosters)
Called in to replace Latrell Mitchell, Momirovski did not loofirst-gradeace in only his second first grade game. The 22-year-old scored the match-winning try for the tricolours and made three tackle busts for the night as well as completing ten tackles.
Centre: Joseph Manu (Sydney Roosters)
Manu combined well with Blake Ferguson to put his winger over for a try. The Cook Islands international busted three tackles and made 19 of his own, holding out Greg Inglis and the Rabbitohs’ lethal left-edge attack.
Wing: Josh Addo-Carr (Melbourne Storm)
Addo-Carr was potent for the Storm, running for 124 metres with three tackle busts. He may not have crossed the stripe however, the State of Origin representative shut down Edrick Lee on a number of occasions to keep out Cronulla’s attacking raids.
Five-Eighth: Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm)
Munster took control of the game for the Storm, working well with fullback Billy Slater. The five-eighth was enterprising with the ball in hand, running for 98 metres off the back of five tackle busts and a line break while also making 20 tackles in defence.
Halfback: Brodie Croft (Melbourne Storm)
Croft showed great maturity with a solid kicking game, putting up a number of bombs. He found the chalk for the opening try of the match and was effective in defence with 23 tackles.
Prop: Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne Storm)
Bromwich helped the Storm through the middle of the park with 125 metres gained from 14 runs. He helped get Melbourne in good territory and looked strong in defence with 19 tackles.
Hooker: Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm)
Provided the grubber for Billy Slater’s second try and remained composed in attack. He made the most tackles of anyone on the park with 42 tackles, controlling the ruck area.
(Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Prop: Sio Siua Taukeiaho (Sydney Roosters)
He may not have had the best night off the kicking tee however Taukeiaho put forward a dominant display up front. The Tongan international gained 132 metres with a couple of half-breaks. He made 26 tackles.
Back row: Felise Kaufusi (Melbourne Storm)
Elusive on the Storm’s right edge once again, providing a strong run early in the game gaining crucial field position for Croft to score. Kaufusi ran for 119 metres and also made 33 tackles, behind only Cameron Smith in the tackle count.
Back row: Joe Stimson (Melbourne Storm)
Stimson strung together a tough 80-minute performance with 103 metres gained and 31 tackles. Made a crucial tackle on Chad Townsend to hold the Storm’s line.
Lock forward: Dale Finucane (Melbourne Storm)
Hard-working through the middle, Finucane ran the gauntlet for the Storm. He came up with 28 tackles as well as gaining 75 metres in a 55-minute stint.
Interchange: Thomas Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Thomas Burgess stepped up to the challenge, matching it with the Roosters’ pack by running for 118 metres. He proved hard to contain with three tackle busts while also completing 30 tackles.
Interchange: Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
The England stalwart wasn’t at his best but he still managed to keep the Rabbitohs in the game with some strong work through the middle. Sam Burgess gained 125 metres and made 38 tackles.
Interchange: Luke Lewis (Cronulla Sharks)
Lewis hung up the boots after 324 first grade games in the Sharks’ loss to the Storm. The 16-time Australian international scored Cronulla’s only try in the 68th minute and put up a never-say-die attitude. Lewis made two tackle busts and a line break while contributing 25 tackles.
Interchange: Brandon Smith (Melbourne Storm)
Smith came on late in the game for 21 minutes and kept the Storm in front at the death. The 22-year-old filled in at lock forward with 68 metres gained and a half-break. He made eleven tackles and dominated the ruck area as the second defender.
Stay tuned next Monday as we take a look back at the 2018 season and reveal the NRL team of the year.
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