Prop | Toby Couchman
Can always count on the Couchman’s to put in a shift. This week, Toby Couchman was a standout with his 75 minutes, contributing 59 tackles, 163 run metres, and three tackle breaks.
Prop | Naufahu Whyte
Naufahu Whyte recorded an incredible 10 tackle breaks against the Cowboys, with a season-high performance of 198 run metres, 30 tackles and 3 offloads despite the close loss.
Hooker | Wayde Egan
The ever-elusive Egan was back at it against the Broncos in his 54 minutes on the field. Showed great vision and was decisive with his quick darts to catch the tired Broncos on the back foot for his try. He did the same in the second half, surging up the centre of the pitch 40 metres out, taking advantage of a slow-retreating Broncos defence to set up TMM for his try. Egan also collected two tackle breaks and two line breaks.
Second Row | Haumole Olakau’atu
Put up a scary 261 run metres! Looked as if the Tigers didn’t want anything to do with him, and I can’t blame them after seeing him launch Seyfarth to the floor. Had a great offload for Faulalo’s try, took about three defenders with him over the line for his own try, contributed 20 tackles, had a massive eight tackle breaks, looks lethal ahead of Origin.
Second Row | Ativalu Lisati
Lisati put in another big 80-minute shift for the Storm with a 44-tackle contribution, missing once, had two turnovers, and a tackle break. The more minutes Lisati plays, the better.
Lock | Erin Clarke
198 run metres, 74 post-contact metres, two tackle breaks and showed a good dummy for his try. He also contributed defensively with 27 tackles, missing only one. I thought Carrigan showed up too, for a below-average looking Broncos, putting in a shift with 52 tackles and three tackle breaks.
Half | Te Maire Martin
There has been lots of controversy around the #7 jersey for the Wahs this past week, and it only continued when Tanah Boyd went down within the first 7 minutes of the game, but TMM stepped up in a big way with another solid magic round performance when the Wahs needed him most. TMM collected two try assists, a try, made 28 tackles, collected 90 run metres, 1 tackle break, and 194 kick metres in a big win over the Broncos.
Half | Cameron Munster
Munster was in form for the Storm and took it to the line for 141 run metres, good show-and-gos, two try assists, ran a nice line for his try, had four tackle breaks, and had a big shift on defence with 33 tackles, a season high.
Centre | Dane Gagai
Nine tackle breaks, two line breaks, a try, and 173 metres in the bank. Gagai saved an almost certain try from Brimstone. Caught the defence napping with a burst down the right edge before smashing his way through the Titans’ defence to score.
Centre | Herbie Farnworth
Farnworth providing for the Dolphins again with a try and an assist. He gave the Bunnies’ defence a lot to think about with his impressive 11 tackle breaks, 171 run metres, five offloads, and two line break assists in their 32-10 victory.
Winger | Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
DWZ was back to his best with 216 run metres, two tries, two line breaks, two tackle breaks, another interception and an impressive try-saving effort to prevent Karapani from scoring a magical try in the corner.
Winger | Jason Saab
Must be Saab’s best game of the season so far, collecting a hat-trick, five line breaks, five tackle breaks, 251 run metres. Locked lethal on the edge with his electric breaks down the sideline and fancy footwork to leave the defence in the dust with a quick turn of pace.
Fullback | Clayton Faulalo
First start at Fullback for Faulalo, and he did not disappoint, racking up 267 metres, 3 tackle breaks, 4 Line break assists, 2 try assists, a try, and saved his side from receiving a 40/20 from Madden.