LU Team of the Week - NRL Round 5

As chosen by our Live Updaters, we reveal our best 17 of the fifth round of the 2016 NRL Season, together with a full list of LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Year points.

Fullback - James Tedesco (Wests Tigers)
Holy wow. Arguably player of the weekend, and in a losing side to boot. Tedesco was monumental in the Tigers' loss to Cronulla, with 7 tackle busts, 2 line breaks, a try-assist and 2 tries.
Honourable mentions: Ben Barba (Sharks)

Wing - Jordan Kahu (Broncos) and Valentine Holmes (Sharks)
Kahu bagged 10 points, took several big hit-ups and put out a couple of his own big hits in Brisbane's 8-point win over the Titans. Holmes was exhilirating on the edges for Cronulla, with 4 tackle busts, 2 line breaks and 2 try assists, plus a bumper 202 running metres!
Honourable mentions: Josh Mansour (Panthers), Kyle Feldt (Cowboys) & Tuimoala Lolohea (Warriors)

Centres - Jarrod Croker (Raiders) and Waqa Blake (Panthers)
Croker's wide runs saw him cross for two fantastic tries and his goalkicking was on-point as the Raiders produced a cheeky upset at Belmore. Waqa Blake was among Penrith's best in Sunday's freak last-minute win over Parramatta.
Honourable mentions: Brad Takairangi (Eels)

Halves - Shaun Johnson (Warriors) and Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys)
SJ is showing glimpses of returning to his best form and was instrumental in keeping the Warriors a chance in their golden point win over the Roosters, while JT's two try assists for the Cowboys spoke volumes as they smashed the Dragons.
Honourable mentions: Blake Green (Storm) & Api Koroisau (Sea Eagles)

Front Rowers - Sam Thaiday (Broncos) and Robbie Rochow (Knights)
Thaiday was at his grinding best against the Titans coming off the bench, helping deliver a crucial win for the now-ladder leaders. Rochow switched to the front row prior to kickoff against the Storm and was a key figure in his side's go-forward against a more-fancied opposition.

Hooker - Cameron McInnes (Rabbitohs)
After much conjecture over whether he or Cook is better suited to the Bunnies' starting hooker role, McInnes has done plenty to stake his claim. On Thursday he was outstanding - scoring 2 tries in the first half. Also made 25 tackles and 6 tackle busts. Had to put in bigger minutes after Damien Cook was sidelined with a head knock early in the 2nd half.

Second Rowers - Bryce Cartwright (Panthers) and Ethan Lowe (Cowboys)
Cartwright's ball-playing ability is incredible and his size and skill in Sunday's last minute win was vital. Bagged the matchwinning try in a staring performance. 123 big metres from the young second rower together with 27 tackles and two scintillating line breaks.

Lock - Corey Parker (Broncos)
Workmanlike stuff from the evergreen Broncos lock. Smashed through 150 metres along with a 33-tackle defensive input to get his side the choccies over local rivals the Gold Coast.

Interchange
Manu Ma'u (Eels)
Josh Hodsgon (Raiders)
Jacob Lillyman (Warriors)
Jesse Bromwich (Storm)

LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Year Points - NRL Round 5

South Sydney Rabbitohs 16 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 12
Judge: Sam Bourke
3 points - Cameron McInnes
2 points - Apisai Koroisau
1 point - Greg Inglis

Brisbane Broncos 24 Gold Coast Titans 16
Judge: Jamie Mancini
3 points - Jordan Kahu
2 points - Sam Thaiday
1 point - Zeb Taia

Melbourne Storm 18 Newcastle Knights 14
Judge: Josh Robertson
3 points - Cooper Cronk
2 points - Robbie Rochow
1 point - Blake Green

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 34 Wests Tigers 26
Judge: Andrew Jackson
3 points - James Tedesco
2 points - Valentine Holmes
1 point - Ben Barba

North Queensland Cowboys 36 St George Illawarra Dragons 0
Judge: Rick Edgerton
3 points - Johnathan Thurston
2 points - Ethan Lowe
1 point - Kyle Feldt

Warriors 32 Sydney Roosters 28
Judge: Josh Robertson
3 points - Shaun Johnson
2 points - Jackson Hastings
1 point - Issac Luke

Penrith Panthers 20 Parramatta Eels 18
Judge: Tim Costello
3 points - Bryce Cartwright
2 points - Manu Ma'u
1 point - Josh Mansour

Canberra Raiders 22 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 8
Judge: Justin Davies
3 points - Josh Hodgson
2 points - Jarrod Croker
1 point - Josh Papalii

2016 LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Year Leaderboard - after Round 5

8 points - Cooper Cronk

7 points - Johnathan Thurston

6 points - Anthony Milford, Moses Mbye, Ben Barba, James Tedesco

5 points - Mitchell Moses, Gareth Widdop, Jesse Bromwich, Ryan James, Ethan Lowe, Josh Hodgson

4 points - Ken Edwards, Cameron Munster, Michael Morgan, Greg Inglis, Zeb Taia, Josh Papalii, Shaun Johnson

3 points - Josh Reynolds, Shaun Fensom, Jason Taumalolo, Darius Boyd, Sam Burgess, Chad Townsend, Semi Radradra, Iosia Soliola, Tyrone Peachey, Ashley Taylor, Matt Parcell, James Graham, Michael Gordon, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Josh Dugan, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, James Roberts, Manu Ma'u, Jackson Hastings, Cameron McInnes, Jordan Kahu, Bryce Cartwright

2 points - Corey Oates, Sam Kasiano, Aidan Sezer, Sauaso Sue, Adam Reynolds, Tyrone Roberts, Sam McKendry, Latrell Mitchell, Lachlan Coote, Aaron Gray, Will Chambers, Aiden Tolman, Jarrod Mullen, Te Maire Martin, Jack de Belin, Tom Trbojevic, Michael Ennis, Junior Paulo, Solomone Kata, Jason Nightingale, Jamie Lyon, Josh Mansour, Apisai Koroisau, Sam Thaiday, Robbie Rochow, Valentine Holmes, Jarrod Croker

1 point - Will Hopoate, Trent Merrin, James Gavet, Joe Burgess, Agnatius Paasi, Luke Brooks, Young Tonumaipea, David Fifita, Nathan Peats, Cody Walker, Sam Williams, Bodene Thompson, Elliot Whitehead, Kevin Naiqama, Mitch Rein, Andrew Fifita, Aaron Woods, David Shillington, Josh Morris, Josh McGuire, Blake Green, Kyle Feldt, Issac Luke