NSW Team of the Week Rd 8: Eels bolter in the mix

NSWRL

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: 2.

The Parramatta fullback now sits atop the Dally M leader board after a superb performance in his 100th NRL appearance. Gutherson produced three try-assists, one line-break, three line-break assists, seven tackle breaks, two offloads, seven from eight conversions and one penalty goal, and 247 run metres including 90 post-contact.

2. Brett Morris

Club: Sydney Roosters. NSW Origin appearances: 15. TOTW selections: 4.

It was another brilliant display by Morris in the Roosters’ nail-biting golden point loss to the Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium. Morris scored a 54th-minute try, produced one try-assist, had two line-breaks and six tackle-breaks, ran for 129 metres including 55 post-contact and made 12 tackles.

3. Josh Morris

Club: Sydney Roosters. NSW Origin appearances: 15. TOTW selections: 2.

Brother Josh remains in stellar form since the season restarted as the Morris twins continue to build on one of their best-ever starts to a season. Morris scored two four-pointers, recorded two line-breaks and four tackle-breaks, ran for 115 metres and made 10 tackles in Round 8.

4. Euan Aitken

Club: St George Illawarra Dragons. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.

Euan Aitken led a second half surge on the left edge for the Dragons in their 22-16 loss to Canberra at GIO Stadium. Aitken finished the match with a try-assist, one line-break, 10 tackle-breaks, 221 run metres including 119 post-contact, and 10 tackles.

5. Alex Johnston

Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.

Alex Johnston scored from a long-range effort down the touchline against the Bulldogs to earn his first NSW Team of the Week nomination for 2020. Along with his third-minute try, Johnston recorded one line-break, three tackle-breaks, two intercepts and 196 run metres.

6. Luke Keary

Club: Sydney Roosters. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 5.

Keary was there again in the big moments for the Roosters despite being pipped at the post by Melbourne on Thursday night. The crafty five-eighth came up with a try-assist, one line-break, two line-break assists, one field goal, 123 run metres and 19 tackles.

7. Jai Field

Club: Parramatta Eels. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.

Field had some major shoes to fill at halfback for the Eels in the absence of Mitchell Moses. In what was his first NRL appearance for the blue and gold, Field certainly impressed with a try and a line-break, nine tackle-breaks, 118 run metres and 17 tackles.

8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Club: Parramatta Eels. NSW Origin appearances: 1. TOTW selections: 3.

Campbell-Gillard consistently made inroads through the middle of the Cowboys line as Parramatta ran away with a 42-4 win. From 57 minutes played, Campbell-Gillard ran for 214 metres including 103 post-contact and made 35 tackles.

9. Blayke Brailey

Club: Cronulla Sharks. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.

The Cronulla-Sutherland No.9 produced his career-best NRL performance in his 23rd game for the Sharks on the weekend. Brailey scored one try with a line-break and two tackle-breaks, recorded one try-assist and line-break assist, forced one dropout, ran for 64 metres and made 37 tackles.

10. Junior Paulo

Club: Parramatta Eels. NSW Origin appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 4.

Paulo joins fellow bookend Campbell-Gillard for consecutive rounds in the NSW Team of the Week after another dominant forward display. Paulo eclipsed the double-century for run metres with 223 including 97 post-contact, had two tackle-breaks, threw seven offloads and made 27 tackles.

11. Tyson Frizell

Club: St George Illawarra Dragons. NSW Origin appearances: 11. TOTW selections: 2.

Frizell played a solid role in the second row when the Dragons clashed with competition heavyweights Canberra on Friday. Frizell ran for 149 metres including 81 post-contact with four tackle-breaks and made 35 tackles.

12. Angus Crichton

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

Crichton’s efforts with and without the ball didn’t go unnoticed as the Roosters took on the Storm in Round 8. Crichton produced a try-assist, one line-break assist, four tackle-breaks, 95 run metres and 54 tackles with zero missed.

13. Cameron Murray

Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs. NSW Origin appearances: 3. TOTW selections: 1.

Murray was back to his best in the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ Round 8 win over Canterbury-Bankstown. The No.13 set up a try with a line-break assist, ran for 107 metres and made 49 tackles.

14. James Tedesco

Club: Sydney Roosters. NSW Origin appearances: 10. TOTW selections: 3.

In a beaten side the tricolours’ fullback was still as busy as ever during Thursday night’s blockbuster against Melbourne Storm. Tedesco recorded a line-break, two line-break assists, nine tackle-breaks, four offloads, 268 run metres including 66 post-contact and 77 from kick returns, and seven tackles with zero missed.

15. Daniel Saifiti

Club: Newcastle Knights. NSW Origin appearances: 2. TOTW selections: 5.

Saifiti starred for a Newcastle pack who showed plenty of defensive steel as the Knights edged out the Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval. Saifiti ran for 207 metres including 93 post-contact with two tackle-breaks and made 43 tackles.

16. David Klemmer

Club: Newcastle Knights. NSW Origin appearances: 14. TOTW selections: 5.

Klemmer was just as strong in the Knights’ front row as the Novocastrians recorded a 14-12 win on Sunday afternoon. Klemmer ran for 206 metres including 101 post-contact, threw four offloads and made 32 tackles with zero missed.

17. Payne Haas

Club: Brisbane Broncos. NSW Origin appearances: 1. TOTW selections: 5.

Even though the Broncos continue to struggle there was no lack of effort as is always the case from big-minute prop Payne Haas. From 66 minutes played, Haas produced 205 run metres including 83 post-contact, three tackle-breaks, four offloads and 44 tackles with one missed.