Ricardo: NRL Team of Week 5

Again casting his eye over the play from NRL Round 5 – Ricky Ricardo chooses his top players from this weeks games.

Fullback: Brett Stewart – In what had been a tumultuous month for the fullback, Stewart answered his critics with a solid three try performance against a lackluster Tigers outfit.

Winger: Antonio Winterstein – Another strong performance from a great up and coming youngster. Scored two tries in a solid performance and has a great future ahead of him.

Centre: Patrick Ah Van – A very good young player for the Warriors. Scored a last minute try in their loss to the Knights and is very strong in both defence and attack. Great prospect for the future.

Centre: Josh Morris – Played his best game in a Bulldogs jersey with a strong performance and is a darkhorse for an Origin spot if he can maintain good for

Winger: David Simmons: Was the Sharks best player in a topsy turvy yet poor showing against the Raiders. Flew high to score a try and is making the wing spot his own.

Five-Eighth: Jamie Soward – Played out of his skin yet again and is proving a huge buy for the Dragons. Had a deft kicking game and without a doubt his best season ever.

Halfback: Scott Prince: Totally outshone JT in the race for the QLD halfback position. Was involved heavily in all of the Titans main attacking plays and has a good chance of winning the race.

Prop: Joel Clinton: Had his best game for the Broncos with a vey strong offensive and defensive effort. Made good metres and was very solid in defence.

Hooker: Nathan Friend – The guy is everywhere. Just re-signed with the Titans and proved what a great choice that was with a solid defensive outfit against a physical Cowboys team. Also scored a try.

Prop: Russell Packer – A very good young prop for the Warriors and has shown what a talent he is with consistent strong performances. Got on the scoresheet again and is a handful for opposition sides.

2nd Row: Anthony Laffranchi – Superb player, week in, week out with solid defensive performances on a regular basis and should get a starting spot for NSW

2nd Row: Andrew Ryan – Great captain’s effort getting in on the scoresheet and a solid defensive display but could find himself in trouble over a slap.

Lock: David Faalogo – Has curbed his previous bad ways and seems to be reformed of late putting in a solid performance in the Rabbitohs loss.

Interchange: Kris Keating – Terrific performance by the young utility. Came on and provided an instant spark that gave the Eels are a whole new attacking dimension. Deserves a starting spot for the Eels.

Interchange: Dan Hunt – The Dragons best player apart from Soward with a very strong performance off the bench. Solid metres, strong defence and caused havoc for the opposition.

Interchange: James McManus: Scored two tries in a close win over the Warriors and is a darkhorse for a wing spot for NSW.

Interchange: Karmichael Hunt: Proved his worth yet again with a dominant display in the Broncos backline and is basically guaranteed to be QLD’s starting fullback.