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 sent-off, sin-binned, or suspended by the NRL match review committee are ineligible for Team of the Week nominations.
1. Clint Gutherson. Club: Parramatta Eels. SOO appearances: 4. TOTW selections: 2
The Parramatta fullback played one of his best games of the season against St George Illawarra Dragons at CommBank Stadium on Saturday.
Gutherson bagged his second double of the season, had a try assist and a line break assist along with 205 run metres – 39 post contact.
2. Fletcher Sharpe. Club: Newcastle Knights. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 2.
Making his second appearance in Team of the Week for 2024, the Newcastle rookie had another standout performance to keep the Knights finals hopes alive.
The young winger ran for 138 metres, had two line breaks, six tackle breaks and scored three tries to take his tally to 10 for the season.
3. Bradman Best. Club: Newcastle Knights. SOO appearances: 2. TOTW selections: 3
Alongside his Newcastle teammate, Bradman Best had an impressive performance in the Knights 36-14 win over the Gold Coast Titans.
The centre had two try assists, a line break, a line break assist, four tackle breaks and ran for 218 metres – 65 post contact.
4. Reuben Garrick. Club: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 4
Making his fourth appearance in Team of the Week for 2024, Garrick was instrumental in his team’s 34-22 win over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
The Sea Eagles centre scored a try, had two try assists, two line break assists, a line break and kicked five goals from six attempts.
5. Daniel Tupou. Club: Sydney Roosters. SOO appearances: 10. TOTW selections: 3
Despite going down 14-12 to the Canberra Raiders on Sunday afternoon, Tupou was a shining light for the Roosters as they looked to secure a top two finish.
The Roosters winger scored two tries – his fifth double for the season - ran for 234 metres and had two-line break assists.
6. Jake Averillo. Club: Redcliffe Dolphins. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 2
A switch from centre to five-eighth sparked Averillo to a strong performance against the Broncos and keep the Dolphins finals hopes alive.
The young playmaker scored two tries, had two try assists, three-line break assists and a line break.
7. Jarome Luai. Club: Penrith Panthers. SOO appearances: 10. TOTW selections: 2.
Taking the reins in the No.7 jersey for the seventh time this season, Luai steered the Panthers to a 34-12 win over the Rabbitohs on Friday night.
The three-time premiership winner set up three tries, had a line break and a line break assist, and kicked for 247 metres.
8. Taniela Paseka. Club: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 4.
Becoming a mainstay in Team of the Week for 2024, the Manly enforcer played his role in his side’s convincing win over the Bulldogs.
The damaging forward ran for 178 metres – 85 post contact – and made 26 tackles, with no misses.
9. Tyran Wishart. Club: Melbourne Storm. SOO appearances: 0 . TOTW selections: 1.
Making his debut in the Team of the Week, Wishart continued his impressive form this season for the Storm despite the Minor Premiers going down 38-30 to the Cowboys.
Starting in the number nine jersey for the first time this season, Wishart scored two tries, had a line break and a line break assist, made 35 tackles and kicked four goals from five conversion attempts.
10. Shaun Lane. Club: Parramatta Eels. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 2.
Lane had an impressive game for the Eels in the front row to help secure their sixth win of the season.
The prop ran for 160 metres – 65 post contact – had a line break and line break assist as well as going over for a four pointer.
11. Jacob Preston. Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 2.
The Bulldogs second-rower turned in another impressive performance last Friday night despite his team going down to the Sea Eagles.
Preston scored a try, had two line break assists, four tackle breaks and made 36 tackles – missing none.
12. Dylan Lucas. Club: Newcastle Knights. SOO appearances: 0. TOTW selections: 3
Making back-to-back appearances in Team of the Week, the young utility shifted back into the back row for Round 26 after playing centre last week.
Lucas ran for 179 metres – 89 post contact – had a line break assist, four tackle breaks and 42 tackles – missing none.
13. Isaah Yeo. Club: Penrith Panthers. SOO appearances: 14. TOTW selections: 8.
Yeo continues to go from strength to strength each week and was at his best against the Rabbitohs on Friday night.
The Panthers co-captain scored a try, had a line break, a line break assist and a try assist, along with making 33 tackles.
