Team of the week: Weird and wonderful combine as NRL’s hitmen dominate

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Well done if you can find better entertainment than a weekly round of NRL at the moment. Between Manly’s brutal demolition of Melbourne, Newcastle’s grit and guts, the brilliance of the game’s best halves and Hudson Young doing Hudson Young things, the round seven team of the week has a bit of everything, just like the rugby league fare trotted out in 2023.

1. Reece Walsh (Broncos)

Turned Brisbane around with brilliant jumping into the line and tore the Titans to shreds. One of the most entertaining players in the game right now.

2. Murray Taulagi (Cowboys)

Considering North Queensland offered so little in attack, Taulagi turned in an especially strong performance out wide – he was one of their few threats and finished with a try, more than 180 running metres and three line breaks.

Campbell Graham, Reece Walsh, Daly Cherry-Evans and Nicho Hynes.Credit: NRL Photos

3. Will Penisini (Eels)

Scythed through for Parramatta’s first try and found regular space down the right edge to the tune of 190 running metres.

4. Campbell Graham (Rabbitohs)

Loving life playing outside Latrell Mitchell and causes all sorts of problems for rival defenders, with two more tries against the Dolphins. An awkward customer to tackle and mounting a strong case for an Origin call-up.

5. Greg Marzhew (Knights)

Had some errors against the Panthers but summed up Newcastle’s effort and tenacity with 80 minutes of hustle and bustle. Produced some great defensive reads and strong contact out wide as well.

6. Nicho Hynes (Sharks)

The difference between a Sharks win and a loss. Steered Cronulla home superbly and twice split the Roosters with lengthy breaks into the backfield. Well on his way to earning a sky blue debut.

7. Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)

The maestro behind Manly’s mayhem in defence against Melbourne, Cherry-Evans turned out his best game of the year, kicking judiciously to keep the Storm under wraps. Wore heavy shots himself but kept going to the line and sealed the most impressive win of the weekend.

8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Eels)

Immense up front for the Eels after being hospitalised earlier in the week by illness, not that you’d know. Helped himself to a try and a game-high 197 metres.

Blayke Brailey taking on the Roosters.Credit: Getty Images

9. Blayke Brailey (Sharks)

His match-winning try was just reward for a typically tireless effort in the middle against the Roosters. Made 45 tackles and piloted Briton Nikora over late as well.

10. Moeaki Fotuaka (Titans)

The best player on the field for the first 40 minutes against Brisbane, bending their vaunted forward pack back with runs we haven’t seen in the past 12 months. Finished with a game-high 199 running metres.

11. Haumole Olakau’atu (Sea Eagles)

Could get the nod for folding Justin Olam with one of the tackles of the season alone. Backed it up with a couple more heavy shots and kept Melbourne on their toes out wide as well.

12. Hudson Young (Raiders)

Things just happen around him. Weird, wonderful things too, like 80-metre runaway tries and optimistic heavy grubbers that somehow force a line drop-out. Always fun to watch.

13. Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)

Led Manly’s defensive assault on Melbourne and built for their contact-focused approach under Anthony Seibold. Even found his kicking licence at one point. Everything is coming up Jake this year.

14. Cody Walker (Rabbitohs)

Looked up midway through the second-half, found a 12-man Dolphins defensive line and went to work. Laid on three tries for the game. Jason Demetriou is right, when he takes a contest into his own hands, he’s the best five-eighth in the game.

15. Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors)

Started with a barge-over try and was the bedrock for a backs-to-the-wall Warriors win with 141 metres – the most by any Warriors forward by some margin.

16. Jazz Tevaga (Warriors)

Same story as Fonua-Blake but without the ball. Tevaga held up their middle in defence with 47 tackles for only one miss. Willing, as always, when he did take the Steeden.

17. Tyson Frizell (Knights)

Continues to wind back the clock with wholehearted efforts on Newcastle’s edge. Has defined their attitude so far this year and no different against Penrith.

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