LU's NRL Team of the Week - 2017 Round 2

Our updaters have spoken - based on their votes across the weekend, here is our Team of the Week for NRL Round 2.

Fullback - Jack Bird (Sharks)

A try assist, four tackle breaks, three offloads and a try that couldn't have been denied, he's put plenty of pressure on Holmes to perform at the back when Val returns from injury.

Wingers - Suliasi Vunivalu (Storm) & Nathan Ross (Knights)

Both players played starring roles in their sides' wins over the weekend. Vunivalu was a sideline running machine against the Warriors, scoring a try, running 192m in 15 possessions on a wet night, an achievement in itself. Add six tackle breaks, and a line break and he was electric for the Storm. Ross is a crowd favourite in the Hunter, on Saturday he was a double try scorer and was pushing hard all game. Unlucky not to have grabbed a hat-trick.

Centres - Tyrone Peachey (Panthers) & Josh Morris (Bulldogs)

Peachey was explosive on Sunday with 4 line breaks, a try assist and a bunch of tackle busts, threatening the Wests Tigers' outside men all day. Morris was everywhere for the Bulldogs in a losing side, capitalising on two Roosters errors to grab crucial tries which brought the Bulldogs within four points of an upset win.

Halves - Cody Walker (Rabbitohs) & Luke Keary (Roosters)

Keary was the architect of the Roosters' win on Thursday, and despite some lapses at key moments in defence, had a hand in three tries and asked question of the Bulldogs defence all night. Walker was easily the best on the park for the Bunnies on Saturday evening, the return of halves partner Adam Reynolds allowing him to turn provider, laying on two tries and crossing for one of his own.

Front Rowers - Andrew Fifita (Sharks) & Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Roosters)

The Kiwi enforcer was a key feature of the Roosters' go-forward on Thursday night, with 157 run metres off 17 hit-ups, and he worked hard in defence with 34 tackles to his name. Fifita went about his work in an unassuming fashion on Saturday night for Cronulla, amassing a huge 187 metres in just 51 minutes of game time.

Hooker - Cameron Smith (Storm)

A huge 45 tackles and a solid kicking game in wet conditions weren't the least of his impressive stats - his first conversion of the evening saw him become the only current player to surpass 2,000 premiership points. He was joined two hours later by Cowboys & Queensland half Johnathan Thurston.

Second Rowers - Wade Graham (Sharks) & Ethan Lowe (Cowboys)

Cronulla's back rower scored a hat trick and recorded a try assist, all while putting in his usual high workload against a big Raiders forward pack. Ethan Lowe meanwhile played a crucial role for the Cowboys in extra time, forcing a key error which stunted the Broncos' momentum. Add 160 run metres & 34 tackles and you have one tough hombre.

Lock - Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys)

231 run metres off 20 carries, the 'other' JT was a tank on Friday. Failed to tire all night, with the only blemish on his night being a judiciary hearing this week from a shoulder charge.

Interchange

James Maloney (Sharks) - two try assists, seven goals;
Matt Moylan (Panthers) - superb passing game & one try assist;
Semi Radradra (Eels) four tries - enough said;
Corey Norman (Eels) two try assists, outstanding running & passing games

LU Player of the Year

Through every game, our LeagueUnlimited.com volunteers will allocate 3-2-1 points to who they choose as the best players on the park. Here, we'll keep track of the leaderboard.

6 points

Luke Keary (Roosters), Corey Norman (Eels)

4 points

Dale Finucane (Storm), Nathan Ross (Knights)

3 points

Suliasi Vunivalu (Storm), Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys), Cody Walker (Rabbitohs), Wade Graham (Sharks), Matt Moylan (Panthers), Darius Boyd (Broncos), James Tedesco (Wests Tigers), Gareth Widdop (Dragons), Joey Leilua (Raiders), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Latrell Mitchell (Roosters), Shaun Johnson (Warriors)

2 points

Josh Morris (Bulldogs), Cameron Munster (Storm), Trent Hodkinson (Knights), Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Jack Bird (Sharks), Tyrone Peachey (Panthers), Michael Jennings (Eels), Jordan Kahu (Broncos), Josh Addo-Carr (Storm), David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers), Jack de Belin (Dragons), Jake Granville (Cowboys), David Fusitua (Warriors), Clint Gutherson (Eels)

1 point

Anthony Milford (Broncos), Mitchell Barnett (Knights), Sam Burgess (Rabbitohs), James Maloney (Sharks), Te Maire Martin (Panthers), Semi Radradra (Eels), Chad Townsend (Sharks), Josh Jackson (Bulldogs), Damien Cook (Rabbitohs), Joel Thompson (Dragons), Mitchell Pearce (Roosters), Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)