Welcome to the first instalment of the Top 5 Blues Players of the Week! Every week of the NRL season, NSWRL.com.au staff writers will have their say on the best performing New South Welshmen. More than one player can be selected in a position if their performance is deemed to be in the top five for that week. Selections are purely subjective and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSWRL or the selection process for the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues.
James Tedesco
Club: Sydney Roosters. Position: Fullback. NSW Origin games: 13.
The Sydney Roosters skipper needed only two minutes to open his account against Manly Warringah and things really didn’t get any better for the Sea Eagles from there. He managed two more tries, had 17 runs for 148 metres including 32 post-contact, a line break, a line break assist and eight tackle breaks. His only blemish was a couple of forgettable goal kicks but that just goes to show he’s human after all.
Ryan Papenhuyzen
Club: Melbourne Storm. Position: Fullback. NSW Origin games: 0.
The Storm fullback was at his electrifying best in the first half against the South Sydney Rabbitohs after scoring two tries, kicking five goals, having 20 runs for 175 metres including 38 post-contact, a line break, two line break assists, a try assist and five tackle breaks. His highlight came in the first half when he burned the Rabbitohs defence with sheer speed to score in the corner.
Latrell Mitchell
Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs. Position: Fullback. NSW Origin games: 4.
The Rabbitohs custodian had a tough end to last season after tearing his hamstring but looked in ominous form against the Storm. He had 19 runs for 180 metres including 37 post-contact, a line break, a line break assist, a try assist and 11 tackle breaks. He also scored a try with authority after setting sail for the corner and proving too strong for the Storm defence along the way.
Brett Morris
Club: Sydney Roosters. Position: Winger. NSW Origin games: 15.
The evergreen winger turned back the clock in a dominant display against Manly Warringah where he bagged the 11th hat-trick of his 275-game career. The 34-year-old had 23 runs for 297 metres including 62 post-contact, two line breaks and five tackle breaks. He is now fourth on the list of all-time tryscorers with 168 and only has Steve Menzies (180) Billy Slater (190) and Ken Irvine (212) in front of him now.
David Klemmer
Club: Newcastle Knights. Position: Prop. NSW Origin games: 14.
While front row teammate Daniel Saifiti caught the attention after scoring two tries against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, it was Klemmer who topped the stats count. The True Blue played 74 minutes, made 24 runs for 217 metres including 103 post-contact, had two tackle-breaks, three offloads and made 33 tackles without missing one.
