During the 2023 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.
1. Dylan Edwards. Club: Penrith Panthers. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 4
Edwards continued his impressive form this season with another stellar performance against the Titans on Saturday night.
The fullback ran for 303 metres – 77 post contact – scored two tries, had a line break assist and 11 tackle breaks.
2. Jason Saab. Club: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 2
Despite his team not coming home from Auckland with the win on Friday night, Saab was a standout for the Sea Eagles which has earned him his second TOTW selection.
Along with scoring three tries the winger had three line breaks, six tackle breaks and ran for 145 metres off 20 runs.
3. Tyrone Peachey. Club: Penrith Panthers. SOO appearances: 3. TOTW selections: 2.
After two weeks on the sideline, Peachey returned for the Panthers on Saturday night against the Titans to help his team unleash another clinical performance.
Peachey scored a four-pointer, had two line breaks, two line-break assists and ran for 184 metres – 59 post-contact metres.
4. Stephen Crichton: Club: Penrith Panthers. SOO appearances: 3. TOTW selections: 6.
Crichton was at his attacking best over the weekend, which had the centre set up three tries against the Panthers win over the Titans.
Along with the three try assists, Crichton scored a try, ran for 118 metres off eight runs and had a line break and a line-break assist.
5. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. Club: Sydney Roosters. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections 3.
Helping to keep his team finals hopes alive, Suaalii scored his first double of the season taking his tally for the year to seven.
The winger had 18 points to his name for the game against the Eels, scoring two tries, kicking five goals from six attempts along with three line breaks and six tackle breaks.
6. Luke Keary. Club: Sydney Roosters. SOO appearances: 1. TOTW selections: 2
Keary was back to his best on Friday night against the Eels, being a threat to the Eels defensive line every time he had the ball.
The five-eighth had set up three of the Roosters six tries, had four line break assists, made 24 tackles and kicked for 254 metres.
7. Nicho Hynes: Club: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. SOO appearances: 1. TOTW selections: 5
Earning his fifth TOTW selection, Hynes played a pivotal role in his teams 32-12 win over the Cowboys on Thursday night.
The Sharks halfback was in everything, scoring a try, kicking all six conversions, having a try assist and a line-break assist along with running for 190 metres off 22 runs.
8. Stefano Utoikamanu. Club: Wests Tigers. SOO appearances: 1. TOTW selections: 1
Utoikamanu was a busy man during his 48 minutes on the field in the one-point win over the Dolphins, giving a hint as to why Westpac NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler gave him his Origin debut this year.
He made 132 metres off 13 runs, made 27 tackles missing none, and set up Fonua Pole’s opening try.
9. Blayke Brailey. Club: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 2
Brailey had 122 receipts in the Sharks win over the Cowboys in Townsville last Thursday night, along with making 44 tackles.
He had a line-break assist, a try assist, two tackle breaks, and four dummy-half runs for 40 metres.
10. Blake Lawrie. Club: St George Illawarra. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 2
Lawrie ran the most metres (196) of any of his Dragons teammates, and also the most post-contact metres (67) to be a constant thorn in Melbourne Storm’s side.
From his 22 runs he busted out of three tackles, had an off load, made 60 kick-return metres in his 63 minutes on the field. He also made 28 tackles, missing just one.
11. Tyson Frizell. Club: Newcastle Knights. SOO appearances: 16. TOTW selections: 3
Frizell will continue to be a TOTW regular if he keeps up 80-minute performances like the one against the Rabbitohs.
He had the highest post-contact metres (55) of his team alongside 18 runs for 151 metres in total. Frizell also had a line break, five tackle-busts and 27 tackles.
12. Nat Butcher. Club: Sydney Roosters. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 4
Butcher’s form earns him back-to-back TOTW nominations.
He scored the Roosters sixth try against the Eels on Friday night – his fourth for the year – alongside two line breaks and 13 runs for 131 metres. He busted out of four tackles and made 36 of his own, missing just one.
13. Isaah Yeo. Club: Penrith Panthers. SOO appearances: 11. TOTW selections: 9
The Penrith co-captain is an ever-present member of TOTW nominations because of the type of games he can produce such as Saturday night’s win over the Titans.
Yeo scored his fourth try of the year, as well as a line break and busting out of five tackles. He made 29 tackles and ran for 140 metres off 13 hit-ups.
