Returning Origin stars Zac Lomax and Ben Hunt were rewarded for their 48-hour turnaround performance to help the Dragons to a big win over Wests Tigers.
While Blues hopeful Latrell Mitchell also made a big statement for South Sydney to earn selection in the Round 14 Team of the Week.
1. Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs)
Made his first telling impact on the game in the eighth minute and from there was unstoppable, with his final stat sheet including three try assists, five offloads and four tackle busts. A more surprising feature of his performance in Round 14 was his kicking game, with Mitchell kicking more than twice the amount of any other South Sydney player and causing some real issues with towering bombs.
Mitchell in form on the Gold Coast
2. Zac Lomax (Dragons)
On the back of a strong Origin debut on Wednesday night, Lomax was in a class of his own against the Wests Tigers. The 25-year-old set a new mark for most points in a game by a St George Illawarra player with 32, thanks to a hat-trick of tries and a perfect 10 from 10 off the boot. His ferocious kick pressure also had the Tigers' back three well and truly spooked at WIN Stadium.
3. Kayal Iro (Sharks)
Outstanding in defence, with some huge last-minute interventions off the ball that helped the Sharks subdue the star-studded Brisbane backline. Iro continues to go from strength-to-strength in his first full season as an NRL player.
4. Dane Gagai (Knights)
Was a constant attacking threat for the Knights in their narrow loss to Melbourne on Sunday. Had three damaging line breaks, ran for 248 metres and was rewarded for his efforts with a try late in the match.
5. Tommy Talau (Sea Eagles)
The Manly winger crossed for four tries in his side’s 32-22 loss to the Panthers on Sunday afternoon, becoming the first Sea Eagle to achieve the feat since Reuben Garrick in 2021. Talau scored three tries in the space of eight minutes to complete his hat-trick before half-time and then added a fourth in the second half.
6. Tyran Wishart (Storm)
Stepped up in the absence of Cameron Munster (groin) with a dominant attacking performance in Sunday’s win against Newcastle. Set up a try with a sweet ball for Coates in the corner and got two of his own, showing Craig Bellamy he’s hungry to cement a spot in the Storm’s 17.
Tyran Wishart grabs a double
7. Te Maire Martin (Warriors)
In the absence of the injured Shaun Johnson, Martin is enjoying close to career best form. His vision and pass selection in good ball situations in Townsville was excellent and saw him set up four of the Warriors’ seven tries on the night. The Māori All Star Came up with some big defensive plays before the scoreline blew out 42-12.
8. Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors)
Made an instant impact in his return to the field after missing the Warriors win over the Dolphins due to disciplinary reasons. The hulking prop ran for a mammoth 207 metres, broke six tackles and scored a try in his team’s convincing win over the Cowboys. The platform laid by Fonua-Blake provided plenty of opportunities for the Warriors to attack and they made the most of it in their seven-try onslaught.
9. Harry Grant (Storm)
Backed up his Origin performance in another strong showing for the Storm, providing plenty of spark in attack off the bench. Had a hand in several tries alongside Jahrome Hughes, continuing what has become a lethal attacking combination for Melbourne. Once again tackled himself to a standstill with 31 in his 58-minute stint to relieve Bronson Garlick.
10. James Fisher-Harris (Panthers)
Laid the platform alongside Moses Leota to set up Penrith’s hard-fought win over Manly. Got through a mountain of work in his 43-minute stint up front with 166 run-metres, two tackle busts and 26 tackles to zap the energy out of Manly for interchange props Lindsay Smith and Liam Henry.
11. Luciano Leilua (Dragons)
An absolute menace against his former Wests Tigers teammates, coming off the bench on the half hour mark to cause chaos down the left edge. Scored two tries off Ben Hunt down the corridor and smashed his way through seven tackle attempts on his way to 126 run metres.
Talakai too hard to handle
12. Siosifa Talakai (Sharks)
It’s becoming difficult to remember the Tongan international as a centre after watching him churn out an 80-minute performance at second row. Starting in place of Teig Wilton (shoulder), Talakai ensured the young forward’s presence wasn’t missed with a try, 120 run-metres and five tackle busts to help the Sharks to a big win over the Broncos.
13. Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs)
On the back of what was probably his best performance of the season back in Round 12, Koloamatangi continued to excel in his move to the middle of the park with a damaging 80-minute display. His 27 carries were almost double the amount registered by any other Rabbitohs forward and by full time he had 265 metres to show for it.
14. Ben Hunt (Dragons)
An admirable effort just 48 hours on from his starring role for the Maroons, in which he pushed through 42 minutes in the middle of the park. Hunt torched the Wests Tigers’ right side with his deft touches on Friday, none more so than a crisp short ball for Luciano Leilua’s first try. To want to play the full 80 minutes even as the score blew out says plenty, while his try gave him the rare distinction of scoring three times in the space of two days, following on from his double in Origin I.
15. Mitchell Barnett (Warriors)
Barnett returned to the Warriors fold after a week in the NSW Blues camp and he showed exactly why he’s in the State of Origin equation with his performance on Saturday. The forward scored a try, ran for 147 metres and made 28 tackles without a miss as the Warriors secured a dominant win over the Cowboys.
16. Royce Hunt (Sharks)
Hunt may have played just 24 minutes off the bench in Cronulla’s win over the Broncos but he had an explosive impact in the contest. The forward ran for 88 metres from just six carries, breaking six tackles in the process.
Captain Crichton leads Bulldogs to a win
17. Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs)
A captain’s knock from the centre, with two tries, a try assist, three tackle breaks and 148 run metres. In a tight game where his team came-from-behind to down the Eels, his leadership also came to the fore to help guide the Dogs home.
