NSW Team of the Week | Round 27
During the 2024 season, nswrl.com.au selects the round’s best 13 of New South Wales eligible players. These selections are based on the writers’ opinions and do not reflect the views of the NSWRL or the selection process for the Westpac NSW Blues. Players who are sent-off, sin-binned, or suspended by the NRL match review committee are ineligible for Team of the Week nominations.
1. James Tedesco. Club: Sydney Roosters. SOO appearances: 23. TOTW selections: 4.
Tedesco looks ready to go for another finals campaign after a strong display against the South Sydney Rabbitohs to close out the regular season.
The Tricolours’ skipper made 19 carries for 222 metres (52 post contact), scored two tries, had two try assists, two line-breaks and five tackle-busts.
2. Albert Hopoate. Club: Canberra Raiders. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.
Hopoate has been solid for the Canberra Raiders throughout season 2024 and posted one of his best performances in Round 27.
Playing on the wing for Ricky Stuart’s side, the 23-year-old scored a try and had four tackle-busts. He finished the contest with 265 run metres (80 post-contact) from 23 carries.
3. Will Penisini. Club: Parramatta Eels. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.
Another outside back who finished his season on a high note, Penisini proved hard to handle at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Friday night.
Along with scoring a first-half double, the Parramatta centre had a line-break and six tackle-busts, ran for 203 metres (51 post-contact), and made 15 tackles.
4. Jesse Ramien. Club: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 5.
Ramien secured his fifth TOTW nomination for the season with a quality performance against the Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park.
Despite receiving an early mark in the 72nd minute, Ramien’s impact on the match didn’t go unnoticed with a try assist, line-break assist, five tackle-busts, 116 run metres, seven tackles and no errors.
5. Brian To’o. Club: Penrith Panthers. SOO appearances: 12. TOTW selections: 7.
It won’t come as surprise to find To’o in yet another TOTW for 2024, his seventh appearance for the season.
As well as scoring the opening try in Penrith’s 18-12 win on Saturday, To’o managed two line-breaks, seven tackle-busts and 214 run metres (77 post-contact).
6. Braydon Trindall. Club: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.
Trindall created plenty of opportunities for the Sharks during their 40-20 victory against the Sea Eagles in Round 27.
The five-eighth produced two try assists and three line-break assists, rand for 71 metres and kicked for 291.
7. Sandon Smith. Club: Sydney Roosters. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 2.
Smith was effective for the Roosters in what was his first start in the halves since the corresponding clash against the Rabbitohs in Round Three.
The Central Coast junior set up a try and a line-break, produced two tackle-busts, an offload, 60 run metres and 11 tackles.
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard. Club: Parramatta Eels. SOO appearances: 3. TOTW selections: 1.
The Eels’ front-rower crashed over under the sticks – even converting from in front – as his side piled on 60 points to finish the season.
Campbell-Gillard also recorded a try assist, 138 run metres and 35 tackles with just one miss.
9. Jacob Liddle. Club: St George Illawarra Dragons. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 4.
Liddle has been one of the Dragons’ best players over the course of the season and was again a standout for the Red V in Round 27.
The No.9 came up with a try, three line-breaks, nine tackle-busts, 162 run metres and 40 tackles.
10. Jack de Belin. Club: St George Illawarra Dragons. SOO appearances: 3. TOTW selections: 1.
De Belin’s output was enormous in just 55 minutes on the park in Round 27. The Dragons’ prop ran for 223 metres (60 post-contact), made 27 tackles without missing one, and had no errors.
11. Bryce Cartwright. Club: Parramatta Eels. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 2.
Cartwright was another standout for Parramatta in their final clash for 2024.
The crafty back-rower scored a try and assisted for two more, ran for 124 metres with two tackle-busts, threw four offloads and made 22 tackles.
12. Hudson Young. Club: Canberra Raiders. SOO appearances: 3. TOTW selections: 6.
Young’s try in the final round for Canberra brought his season total to 10, the fourth-most of any back-rower in 2024.
Along with the four-pointer he ran for 221 metres (65 post-contact), had two line-breaks and six tackle-busts. He also made 34 tackles.
13. Adam Elliott. Club: Newcastle Knights. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 2.
After a scoreless first 27 minutes, Elliott scored to break the deadlock in the Knights’ battle for eighth spot against the Dolphins.
The Newcastle lock also ran for 136 metres, had a line-break and five tackle-busts, and made 32 tackles and no errors.