Each week of the NRL season outside of the Origin period, 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. The VB Blues Team of the Week is as follows:
1 - James Tedesco
Club: Wests Tigers; Origin appearances: 4; 2017 TOTW selections: 1.
21 total runs, 220 total metres, one try-assist, three offloads, seven tackle-breaks, one try.
If the Tigers were going to upset the Titans, who were playing for their season on Sunday afternoon, it was always going to require some class from their star fullback – and he delivered. After being denied a brilliant, classic James Tedesco try earlier in the contest, the no.1 scored as the visitors dominated the contest. In one of Tedesco’s last outings for the club, he was largely to thank for their surprise victory.
2 - Josh Addo-Carr
Club: Melbourne Storm; Origin appearances: 0; 2017 TOTW selections: 2.
15 total runs, 247 total metres, two line-breaks, eight tackle-breaks, one try.
Few sides have blown away their opposition like the Storm did to the Sea Eagles yesterday, with their winger threatening on numerous occasions at AAMI Park. His 247 running metres were second most of the round and while it was Cameron Smith’s day in Melbourne, the strong crowd were in awe as Addo-Carr used his lightning pace to easily score late in the game.
3 - Jarrod Croker
Club: Canberra Raiders; Origin appearances: 0; 2017 TOTW selections: 1.
11 total runs, 132 total metres, one line-break, one try-assist, one offload, 17 tackles, eight tackle-breaks, one try, six goals.
The Raiders’ finals hopes might be hanging on by a thread, but one man who has never stopped trying is their captain. Croker was in fine form with a try, try-assist and six goals against the Rabbitohs, earning his second Team of the Week selection.
4 - Latrell Mitchell
Club: Sydney Roosters; Origin appearances: 0; 2017 TOTW selections: 5.
One line-break, one try-assist, 13 tackles, two tackle-breaks, one try, one goal.
Mitchell’s selection might be a controversial one given he only ran the ball three times, but the centre did all he could to prove that he needs to have more touches. For those three runs he broke two tackles and scored an incredible try down the left-hand touchline, also setting one up as the second-placed Roosters continue their charge towards the finals.
