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.
Ryan Papenhuyzen. Club: Melbourne Storm. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.
The Storm fullback turned back the clock with his standout performance against the Warriors after a few horror seasons with injury.
Papenhuyzen scored a double, made two-line breaks and two-line break assists along with running for 162 metres.
Sunia Turuva. Club: Penrith Panthers. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.
Turuva played an instrumental role in the Panthers victory over the Parramatta Eels on Friday night to help guide them to their first win of the season.
The winger scored two tries, made a line break assist and four tackle busts.
Izack Tago. Club: Penrith Panthers. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.
Tago was the star of the show at BlueBet Stadium on Friday night, combining with Turuva to terrorise the Eels defence.
The centre made six line breaks, and had a try assist while running for 245 metres – 96 post contact.
Tolutau Koula. Club: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.
Koula was a key player in helping Manly go back-to-back in the opening two rounds of the season.
He scored a try, had two line breaks, two line break assists while also setting up a try.
Jack Bostock. Club: Redcliffe Dolphins. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.
Bostock, a former NSW Under 19s player, was a standout performer in the Dolphins 38-0 win over the Dragons.
The Dolphins winger ran for 159 metres off 15 carries, made a line break and two try assists.
Ethan Strange. Club: Canberra Raiders. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.
Cementing himself in the No.6 jersey for Canberra, Strange continues to impress each week for the Raiders.
The young playmaker scored his first NRL try, made a line break and had two try assists.
Chad Townsend. Club: North Queensland Cowboys. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.
Townsend played an instrumental role in leading the Cowboys their second win of the season.
The Cowboys halfback led his team around the park, scoring a try, setting up the try to level the score and kicking the winning field goal in golden point.
Taniela Paseka. Club: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. SOO appearances: 0. TOWT selections: 1.
Paseka has been strong for the Sea Eagles to start the season after helping them to a strong 21-14 win over the Sydney Roosters on Sunday afternoon.
The prop ran for 191 metres – 94 post contact – in 57 minutes on the field, made one offload and had no errors.
Blayke Brailey. Club: Cronulla Sutherland Sharks. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.
Entering his sixth season with the Sharks, Brailey continues to excel with each game he has under his belt.
In their win over the Bulldogs on Friday night, Brailey made 38 tackles – missing none.
Payne Haas. Club: Brisbane Broncos. SOO appearances: 11. TOTW selections: 1.
Haas has picked up right where he left off in 2023, with another impressive performance against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Thursday night at Suncorp Stadium.
The Broncos prop ran for 186 metres – 84 post contact – made six tackle breaks and 24 tackles from his 56 minutes on the field.
Zac Hosking. Club: Canberra Raiders. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.
Starting fresh at a new club this season, Hosking has proved he is one to watch for the Canberra Raiders in 2024.
Hosking had two line break assists, a line break, a try assist along with scoring a four pointer of his own.
Teig Wilton. Club: Cronulla Sutherland Sharks. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.
Wilton had a hand in everything in the Sharks victory on Friday night.
The back rower scored a try, set up another, had a line break and line break assist while making seven tackle busts.
Adam Elliott. Club: Newcastle Knights. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.
Despite being in a losing side this week after the Knights went down to the Cowboys in golden point, Elliott had a strong outing for the blue and red.
He scored a double, made 44 tackles without missing one, and ran for 144 metres off 16 carries.
