Reynolds Kicks Cowboys to loss
4 hours ago | Andrew Ferguson
As chosen by our Live Updaters, we reveal our best 17 of the eighth round of the 2016 NRL Season, together with a full list of LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Year points.
Fullback - Will Hopoate (Bulldogs)
Hoppa was outstanding at the back - his composure under repeated high ball raids and kick returns gave the Dogs a fighting chance, particularly in extra time. 223 metres in a typically tough showing from the blue-and-whites' fullback.
Wing - Jordan Rapana (Raiders) and Valentine Holmes (Sharks)
4 tries for Rapana - a just reward for the form winger of the competition. Ran for close to 190 metres busting plenty of tackles along the way on his way to four line breaks. A handful whenever he got the ball in hand. Holmes scored what ended up the match-winning try for the Sharkies in a grinding contest against Penrith and ran a blockbusting 178 metres.
Centres - Joey Leilua (Raiders) and Kerrod Holland (Bulldogs)
Sharing the limelight with winger Rapana, Joey Leilua was instrumental in an on-fire Raiders' backline. Holland returns to the Team of the Week after a workhorse performance in the 'Dogs golden point win over the Titans, running 121 metres topping the tackle count in the backline with 24. Two line breaks also vital to his side's victory.
Halves - Gareth Widdop (Dragons) and Chad Townsend (Sharks)
A vital try assist, a couple of (ultimately) crucial penalty goals and a wonderful "solo" try saw Widdop guide his Red V side to a nervous win. Coming up with another fantastic performance, Townsend worked in harmony with his side, setting up tries and showing just how far he has come since returning from a stint at the Warriors.
Front Rowers - Jesse Bromwich (Storm) and James Fisher-Harris (Panthers)
Bromwich was unstoppable in the first 30 minutes and set the platform for Melbourne in racking up a first half massacre. Announcing himself to the NRL world, the young New Zealander produced a destructive effort. Scoring two tries and working tirelessly in defence, Fisher-Harris looks set for a big career at the Panthers.
Hooker - Josh Hodgson (Raiders)
Continued his stellar early season form with 4 try assists and a hand in plenty more. The focal point of the Raiders attack and the opposition had no answers.
Second Rowers - Josh Jackson (Bulldogs) and Gavin Cooper (Cowboys)
46 tackles in defence for Jackson, and bagged a try to put his side in control in the second half. Best amongst the Dogs forwards. Taumalolo was great for the Cows, strong as always. Morgan was brilliant in the final 10. But Gavin Cooper remains underrated as always, with 142 metres run, 35 tackles, a line break and a try!
Lock - Paul Gallen (Sharks)
Lachlan Coote (Cowboys)
Corey Parker (Broncos)
Jamie Lyon (Sea Eagles)
Cameron Smith (Storm)
Honourable mentions: Greg Bird (Titans), Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Jack de Belin (Dragons), Ryan Matterson (Roosters), Paul Vaughan (Raiders), Kieran Foran (Eels), Cameron Munster (Storm), Ben Hunt (Broncos), Michael Morgan (Cowboys)
LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Year Points - NRL Round 8
Brisbane Broncos 30 South Sydney Rabbitohs 8
Judge: Jamie Mancini
3 points - Corey Parker
2 points - Corey Oates
1 point - Kodi Nikorima
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 21 Gold Coast Titans 20
Judge: Mick Rad
3 points - Will Hopoate
2 points - Josh Jackson
1 point - Greg Bird
Canberra Raiders 60 Wests Tigers 6
Judge: Rick Edgerton
3 points - Josh Hodgson
2 points - Jordan Rapana
1 point - Paul Vaughan
North Queensland Cowboys 32 Parramatta Eels 16
Judge: Andrew Jackson
3 points - Lachlan Coote
2 points - Gavin Cooper
1 point - Kieran Foran
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 20 Penrith Panthers 18
Judge: Robert Crosby
3 points - Paul Gallen
2 points - James Fisher-Harris
1 point - Chad Townsend
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 26 Newcastle Knights 10
Judge: Josh Robertson
3 points - Jamie Lyon
2 points - Tom Trbojevic
1 point - Jake Trbojevic
St George Illawarra Dragons 20 Sydney Roosters 18
Judge: Jamie Mancini
3 points - Gareth Widdop
2 points - Jack de Belin
1 point - Ryan Matterson
Melbourne Storm 42 Warriors 0
Judge: Sam Bourke
3 points - Cameron Smith
2 points - Jesse Bromwich
1 point - Cameron Munster
2016 LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Year Leaderboard - after Round 8
11 points - Cooper Cronk
10 points - Anthony Milford, Gareth Widdop
9 points - Moses Mbye, Johnathan Thurston, Ben Barba
8 points - James Tedesco, Josh Dugan, Josh Hodgson
7 points - Shaun Johnson, Michael Ennis, Jesse Bromwich
6 points - Jason Taumalolo, Ethan Lowe, Ryan James, Jamie Lyon
5 points - Mitchell Moses, Jackson Hastings, Bryce Cartwright, Ben Hunt, Cameron Munster, Corey Oates, Lachlan Coote
4 points - Ken Edwards, Michael Morgan, Greg Inglis, Zeb Taia, Josh Papalii, Ashley Taylor, Michael Gordon, Apisai Koroisau, Kyle Feldt, Kerrod Holland, Chad Townsend, Jack de Belin, Tom Trbojevic, Will Hopoate
3 points - Josh Reynolds, Shaun Fensom, Darius Boyd, Sam Burgess, Semi Radradra, Iosia Soliola, Tyrone Peachey, Matt Parcell, James Graham, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, James Roberts, Manu Ma'u, Cameron McInnes, Jordan Kahu, Andrew Fifita, Dylan Napa, Corey Norman, Steve Matai, Trent Hodkinson, Latrell Mitchell, Michael Jennings, Jamie Soward, Corey Parker, Paul Gallen, Cameron Smith
2 points - Sam Kasiano, Aidan Sezer, Sauaso Sue, Adam Reynolds, Tyrone Roberts, Sam McKendry, Aaron Gray, Will Chambers, Aiden Tolman, Jarrod Mullen, Te Maire Martin, Junior Paulo, Solomone Kata, Jason Nightingale, Josh Mansour, Sam Thaiday, Robbie Rochow, Valentine Holmes, Jarrod Croker, Beau Scott, Isaac De Gois, Suliasi Vunivalu, Matt Moylan, Josh Jackson, Jordan Rapana, Gavin Cooper, James Fisher-Harris
1 point - 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, Aaron Woods, David Shillington, Josh Morris, Josh McGuire, Blake Green, Issac Luke, Jake Friend, Jake Granville, Nathan Ross, Sam Perrett, Addin Fonua-Blake, Tuimoala Lolohea, James Maloney, Jordan Rankin, Kodi Nikorima, Greg Bird, Paul Vaughan, Kieran Foran, Jake Trbojevic, Ryan Matterson