Each week of the NRL season, the 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 State of Origin selection process.
1 – Tom Trbojevic
Club: Manly Sea Eagles; Origin appearances: 0; 2017 TOTW selections: 4.
22 total runs, 239 total metres, two line-breaks, two try-assists, one offload, three tackle-breaks, three line-break-assists.
It should be emphasised that this position was extremely difficult to nominate given the class of a number of NSW eligible fullbacks, but Tom Trbojevic narrowly beats out the likes of Clint Gutherson, Matt Moylan and Will Hopoate, who fills the designated bench utility role. As the Sea Eagles produced one of the finest performances seen by any team this season, their star fullback was predictably at the centre of it. Directly setting up two of his side’s nine tries – including yet another for brother Jake – Trbojevic is one of five Sea Eagles who make the Team of the Week for Round 8.