NSW Team of the Week Rd 19: Aubusson shines in milestone match

NSWRL

The NSW Team of the Week is back! Each week of the NRL season, NSWRL.com.au staff writers will have their say on the round's best performing New South Welshmen. These are based entirely on the opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSWRL or the selection process for the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues. Captaincy is awarded based on that week’s on-field performance and is not based on club captaincy or leadership qualities.

  1. Clint Gutherson (C)

Club: Parramatta Eels. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 6.

Gutherson handed the Eels a three-try buffer when he crossed for a double just minutes before halftime against the Broncos on Friday night. He also produced a try-assist and two line-break assists, made one line-break and five tackle-breaks, threw two offloads and ran for 189m including 71 from kick returns.

  1. Daniel Tupou

Club: Sydney Roosters. NSW Origin appearances: 4. TOTW selections: 4.

The Roosters’ left edge continues to look more dangerous in the lead-up to the finals series and Tupou has been one of the beneficiaries. In Saturday’s win over the Sharks, Tupou scored his 101st career try, made one line-break and eight tackle-breaks, and ran for 175m including 56 post-contact.

  1. Zac Lomax

Club: St George Illawarra Dragons. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 4.

Lomax proved it again in Sunday’s clash against the Knights, but the Dragons’ right centre has been a standout player for the Red V in 2020. Lomax scored two tries, produced one line-break assist, had a line-break and five tackle-breaks, kicked three from three conversions, ran for 97m and made 32 tackles.

  1. Mitchell Aubusson

Club: Sydney Roosters. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.

A first half brace was only fitting on a momentous occasion for Aubusson on Saturday night, who broke the all-time appearances record for the Sydney Roosters in his 303rd NRL game. He also recorded 109m, one line-break and two tackle-breaks.

  1. Josh Addo-Carr

Club: Melbourne Storm. NSW Origin appearances: 6. TOTW selections: 7.

Addo-Carr put on an exceptional winger’s display in Round 19 as Melbourne reached the half-century for the second time this season. Addo-Carr scored two tries in the opening half, made two line-breaks, five tackle-breaks, and ran for 164 metres.

  1. Luke Keary

Club: Sydney Roosters. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 10.

Keary scored his second double from as many games against the Sharks at the SCG to continue the Roosters’ strong march toward the finals. In a 34-18 win for the tri-colours, Keary also recorded 141 kick metres, forced one line-dropout, ran for 70m and made 22 tackles.

  1. Nathan Cleary

Club: Penrith Panthers. NSW Origin appearances: 5. TOTW selections: 10.

Cleary has well and truly found himself in Dally M Medal calculations with another strong performance to help the Panthers secure their third minor premiership. Steering the visitors to a 32-12 victory over the Cowboys in Townsville, Cleary recorded two try-assists, one line-break, four from six conversions, 397 kick-metres, one forced line-dropout, 66m and 22 tackles.

  1. David Klemmer

Club: Newcastle Knights. NSW Origin appearances: 14. TOTW selections: 11.

Klemmer led the way for the Newcastle forward pack as the Knights dominated the Dragons in their final home game of the regular season. Klemmer ran for a game-high 181m including 86 post-contact and made 22 tackles with zero missed.

  1. Chris Randall

Club: Newcastle Knights. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.

Randall took the opportunity with both hands when he ran out for his fifth NRL appearance in Round 19. In Newcastle’s 24-point win against St George Illawarra, Randall had a try-assist and line-break in the third minute of play, ran for 80m and made 34 tackles with zero missed.

  1. Daniel Saifiti

Club: Newcastle Knights. NSW Origin appearances: 2. TOTW selections: 7.

Saifiti has rounded out an all-Newcastle front row in the Round 19 Team of the Week after a superb performance at McDonald Jones Stadium. Saifiti not only scored his third four-pointer for the season, but also had a line-break and five tackle-breaks, ran for 175m including 82 post-contact and made 13 tackles.

  1. Josh Jackson

Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. NSW Origin appearances: 9. TOTW selections: 1.

It was a signature performance by Jackson in his 200-game milestone as the Bulldogs recorded their first win since Round 11. Jackson played 72 minutes against South Sydney, producing one line-break assist, running for 151m including 69 post-contact metres and making 33 tackles.

  1. Angus Crichton

Club: Sydney Roosters. NSW Origin appearances: 4. TOTW selections: 8.

Crichton started at second row in the absence of Boyd Cordner for the Roosters’ Round 19 match, causing plenty of headaches for his opposition with ball-in-hand. Crichton had a try assist and six tackle-breaks, ran for 164m, including 56 post-contact, and made 19 tackles.

  1. Nathan Brown

Club: Parramatta Eels. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 5.

Brown has made strong claims throughout the season for a State of Origin debut and his performance in Round 19 has only helped cause. From 55 minutes played on Friday night against Brisbane, Brown ran for 126m and made 35 tackles with zero missed.

  1. Nicho Hynes

Club: Melbourne Storm. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 2.

Hynes stepped in brilliantly again for the injured Ryan Papenhuyzen as the Storm recorded a clinical victory in their final Sunshine Coast Stadium fixture for 2020. Hynes scored a 19th-minute try, produced one line-break assist, had a line-break and three tackle-breaks, ran for 187m, including 58 from kick returns, and made 10 tackles with zero missed.

  1. Aiden Tolman

Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 3.

Tolman’s huge 71-minute effort on Thursday night went a long way to helping the Bulldogs hold on for a 26-16 win against a potent South Sydney outfit. Tolman ran for 232m, including 101 post-contact, and 57 from kick returns, and made 46 tackles.

  1. Curtis Sironen

Club: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 3.

Sironen has shown no lack of effort for the Sea Eagle despite was has been a disappointing finish to their 2020 campaign. In Manly’s loss to the Titans at Brookvale Oval, Sironen produced one try-assist, had a line-break and six tackle-breaks, ran for 203m including 60 post-contact and made 19 tackles.

  1. Hudson Young

Club: Canberra Raiders. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 2.

Young has continued his run of outstanding performances for the Raiders as they look to gain momentum heading into the finals. From 73 minutes played in Round 19, Young scored a try, had two tackle-breaks, threw three offloads, ran for 99m and made 39 tackles with just one missed.