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. Players who are sin-binned, sent off, or charged by the NRL match review committee are ineligible for Team of the Week nominations.
1. Dylan Edwards. Club: Penrith Panthers. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 2
Fullback is one of the most competitive positions in the NRL but Edwards doesn't just do the flashy runs, he stepped in and slotted three goals when his captain and kicker Nathan Cleary went down with a hamstring in the 16-10 win over Canterbury-Bankstown.
Edwards did run for 254 metres - the most of either side - off 27 runs with 10 tackle breaks. From that tally, 92 metres were kick-return and 82 were post-contact proving he's a hard man to get on the ground.
2. Jacob Kiraz. Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 4
It is no surprise Kiraz has earned his fourth TOTW nomination when he produces stats like he did against the Panthers, even though he was on the losing side.
He scored his third try of the year, made 24 runs for 236 metres, had a line-break assist and six tackle-breaks along with 78 post-contact metres.
3. Jesse Ramien. Club: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 2
The top-of-the-table clash with Melbourne Storm brought out the best in both teams with Ramien one of those shining for the Sharks in the 25-18 win in front of the Storm faithful.
He busted out of two tackles in his 53 post-contact metres as part of his 14 runs for 139 metres. His third try for the season was the one that poked the Sharks noses in front.
4. Bradman Best. Club: Newcastle Knights. SOO appearances: 1. TOTW selections: 2
Three line breaks were part of Best's 235 metres off 14 runs, with 61 kick-return metres, and helped him earn the 'Player of the Week' honour.
His fourth try of the year came from brute strength pushing off two defenders either side, after he'd run 70 metres before popping a try assist pass for his fullback David Armstrong.
5. Zac Lomax. Club: St George Illawarra Dragons. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 3.
Lomax now has seven tries in 10 games after he scored first for the Dragons in their 28-14 win over South Sydney on Saturday.
But his tally for the day was 16 points when you add the two-point field goal, three conversions and two penalties. He made 19 runs for 195 metres - 77 of those post-contact.
6. Luke Keary. Club: Sydney Roosters. SOO appearances: 1. TOTW selections: 3.
Making his third TOTW so far Keary was helped greatly by his two try assists in the 30-point win over the Warriors on Sunday.
He also made 22 tackles along with six kicks for 153 metres backing up his halves partner Sam Walker.
7. Jayden Sullivan. Club: Wests Tigers. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.
They lost by a converted try to Newcastle but Sullivan did everything in his power to get the result with a line break, two line-break assists, two try assists, two tackle-breaks and an off-load.
He also sent up 11 kicks for 394 metres and for that busy afternoon in Tamworth he earns his first TOTW nomination.
8. Mark Nicholls. Club: Dolphins. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 1.
The evergreen Dolphins prop scored a rare try from 20 metres out on Friday night in the 30-24 win against Manly Warringah Sea Eagles after showing great determination to back up a break from Jake Averillo.
He also ran for 116 metres and made 26 tackles without missing one and joins Sullivan with his debut appearance in TOTW.
9. Cameron McInnes. Club: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 3.
The versatile Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks forward again demonstrated his value to the team after jumping into hooker when Nicho Hynes’ withdrawal through injury forced a late reshuffle against Melbourne Storm on Saturday night.
He made 49 tackles without a miss, ran for 78 metres and had two tackle busts.
10. Payne Haas. Club: Brisbane Broncos. SOO appearances: 11. TOTW selections: 3
Haas made his return recently from injury and has been strong ever since in good news for both the Brisbane Broncos and Westpac NSW Blues.
Against Parramatta Eels on Friday night, he ran for 165 metres, had nine tackle busts, two offloads and bent his back for 27 tackles without missing one.
11. Tyson Frizell. Club: Newcastle Knights. SOO appearances: 16. TOTW selections: 1.
The Knights back-rower made his return from a hamstring injury against Wests Tigers on Saturday and had an immediate impact.
He ran for 152 metres, had two offloads and made 33 tackles with only one miss.
12. Angus Crichton. Club: Sydney Roosters. SOO appearances: 11. TOTW selections: 3.
The Sydney Roosters back-rower has been in devastating form recently and was too strong for the Warriors on Sunday. He's now made TOTW three weeks in a row and scored five tries in the past three matches.
In the comfortable win over the Warriors Crichton scored two tries, ran for 110 metres, busted out of nine tackles and made 39 tackles with only one miss.
13. Isaah Yeo. Club: Penrith Panthers. SOO appearances: 11. TOTW selections: 4.
The workaholic Panthers lock always leads from the front and turned in a strong performance to keep Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at bay on Friday night.
He ran for 186 metres, had one line break, six tackle busts and made 31 tackles without missing any.
