Coen Hess

Another entertaining round of footy as some teams are left with genuine soul-searching to do as others continue to fly high and soar above the rest of the pack. Momentum is everything in rugby league as is confidence and with so many good performers enjoying a rich vein of form, just who cracks our team of the week for Rd 4. 

Just note, as per the last few weeks, because the players named are done so based on the allocated points we hand out for our own awards throughout the year, some players will be named out of position to accommodate for that and to ensure total consistency with our team.

Well, stick around and find out because we shall not keep you waiting any longer. Here it is, Ricky’s Team of the Week for Rd 4:

  1. Tom Trbojevic – After a slow start, Tommy Turbo has found his feet and he put in another impressive performance. The heir to the fullback throne at Manly, the position is one that many expect him to hold for years to come. The scary part is, as good as he is, he will only get better.

2. Jordan Rapana – It would be safe to say that Rapana has continued his 2016 form to establish himself as one of the elite wingers in the game. Despite some inconsistencies from the Raiders, his game rarely falters as he continues to score tries and prove a handful for opposition defences.

3. Josh Dugan – A rare entry for Dugan in a team of the week this season who despite his club’s good form, has been overshadowed by performances from team-mates. Not this week. A strong, confident performance from Dugan will have fans hoping it can continue as they look to maintain their form.

4. Michael Gordon – A surprise packet so far in 2017, Gordon is just what the doctor ordered for the Roosters. His sleek, confident play has the Roosters firing on all cylinders and his link-up play with 5/8 Luke Keary and centre Latrell Mitchell is a joy to watch as a fan.

5. Josh Addo-Carr – Another surprise performer in 2017, Addo-Carr has so far filled the shoes of Marika Koroibete perfectly. His speed and hard work are on display every week and he was rewarded with a runaway try for his efforts.

6. Johnathan Thurston – The game’s elite half is back in business. After a slow grind, Thurston had the ball on a string and produced the goods in a masterful display of class, precision and finesse as he racked up the stats in the club’s win v the Titans.

7. Daly Cherry-Evans – Another player coming more into his own this year, the man nicknamed DCE has been under some pressure since the departure of Kieran Foran but he is starting to handle that and the captaincy. A masterclass on his part as he laid the ball on to all parts of the ground with feet and hands.

8. Paul Vaughan – You could make an argument that Vaughan is currently the form prop of the competition with seemingly no end in sight to his consistency. Playing solid minutes and making the most of them, he is leading the Dragons pack forward and propelling them towards success.

9.  Cameron Smith – For his leadership and smarts under pressure, Cam Smith makes the team this week. The defining moment in his side’s win over the Tigers was a 40/20 he kicked that turned the tide of the game when the Storm’s back was against the wall. He has always had that instinctive play in him and that one was no different.

10. Adam Blair – At times criticised for pushing an offload or making a silly error, Blair continues to run hard and hit hard and establish himself as a key player in the Broncos forward charge. Whilst not as flashy or gifted  as others, he has the courage of a lion and every team needs that.

11. Coen Hess – What a revelation Hess has been this year! Initially slated for minimal time off the bench, he has exploded out of the blocks and performed consistently whether it has been from the bench or starting in the absence of others.

12. Corey Harawira-Naera – An impressive debut has many asking just who CHN is. A hulking edge player, he made the most of the opportunity and gave coach Anthony Griffin plenty to think about as he dismantled the opposition defence, picking them apart at will.

13. Paul Gallen – Yet another workhorse-like performance from the Sharks veteran who ran hard, tackled hard and produced the goods all day against the Eels. A neat little 1-2 saw him nab a try assist and line-break assist as well.

14. Scott Bolton – Stepping up in the absence of Matt Scott, many believe Bolton is a genuine Origin contender and if he continues to play as he is, he may well be. Accustomed to coming off the bench, he has lost none of the spark and fire that sees him perform strongly off the bench in years past.

15. Andrew McCullough – Milestone games can be bogey ones for many players but McCullough was standing tall at the end of it, as his side not only won but he also got on the scoresheet with a lovely show and go from dummy half. One of the genuine workhorses of the league.

16. Siosaia Vave – In what was a game to forget for the Eels in many regards, the impact and punch off the bench from Vave was a rare highlight. His first game with the club after off-season surgery, Vave showed that he has a spot in the team and that he can make an impact.

17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona – Perhaps one of the biggest back-rowers you will see yet so incredibly mobile, the man they simply call NAS is a huge specimen but puts his frame to good use. Hard to tackle and bring down, he shrugs off defenders with ease and makes running the ball look like child’s play.

Player of the Week: Coen Hess (North Queensland Cowboys).

By ricky

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