NRL TEAMS - 2024 Round 4
3 days ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
Round 12 proved to be one of the closest on record with the State of Origin decided by a field goal in the dying stages, two club games split by one point in extra time and the Eels v Roosters game going right down to the wire as well. The cream has risen to the top, that?s for sure, making the Round 12 League Unlimited Team of the Week a difficult proposition and one that threatens to put a few noses out of joint.
Fullback: Clinton Schifcofske (Raiders) ? I?ve forgotten how many times the Schif has saved Canberra?s bacon and he was at it again on Saturday night up in Townsville. His precision boot, deft hands and under-rated kick returns kept them in the game long enough for Carney to snap the match-winner. The Schif did well to hold out Storm young gun Greg Inglis.
Wing: Matt Geyer (Storm) ? This old war horse doesn?t know when to quit. Junior MG swooped on a cut-out ball to race 80m and score an important try for the Storm just as the Eels were looking threatening. He also added one with the boot.
Centre: Mark Gasnier (Dragons) ? Gaz tore Newcastle apart with a dominant performance after sealing his future with the club and the code earlier in the week. He scored an opportune try and had a hand in two others as the Dragons went berserk up in Newcastle. I was a bit disturbed by his attempted conversion though.
Centre: Timana Tahu (Eels) ? Tahu had an impressive performance for his club after backing up from state duties earlier in the week. He couldn?t get across the stripe but he did make a few decisive breaks and have a hand in the odd meat pie.
Wing: Darren Albert (Sharks) ? Albert bagged a double against the hapless Warriors and looked threatening all night long. He?s really settled in well down at the Shire and wouldn?t be out of place in a couple of these rep sides floating about. Did enough to keep raging Broncos winger Tame Tupou at bay.
Five-eighth: Trent Barrett (Dragons) ? Baz took on the line and distributed the ball well for a terrific victory in Newcastle, adding a try to the scorecard himself. Unfortunately he looks to be in a spot of bother with a stray elbow to Carney?s head potentially ruling him out for 6 weeks. Only just played over Darren Lockyer.
Halfback: Scott Prince (Tigers) ? Scotty came back to form against the Bunnies and that seems to be the trend these days. He ran the show for Wests, with good support, and managed to cross for a hat-trick of tries to plunge yet another knife into the hearts of Rabbitoh?s fans.
Lock: Paul Gallen (Sharks) ? This guy?s becoming a regular fixture in the team, displaying a hard running style and making a mountain of tackles each week. He had some good competition for a spot from Wairangi Koopu and just keeps putting in each week.
Second-row: Nathan Hindmarsh (Eels) ? Could Hindmarsh be the ultimate player? His workrate is off the charts and he just keeps doing it over and over again. This week he did it twice just for something to do, leading the charge for both NSW and the Eels in their respective victories. What an animal!
Second-row: Anthony Laffranchi (Tigers) ? I think the Tige?s are going to miss Laffranchi when he heads up the coast next year. He?s a strong player with plenty of go forward and he was involved in the rough stuff all day long yesterday.
Prop: David Shillington (Roosters) ? We?ve given a youngster a start here with up-and-coming Rooster Shillo packing into the front row. He?s a bolter for the Queensland squad and a great prospect for the Bondi club who are a bit short on personnel at the minute.
Hooker: Robert Farah (Tigers) ? The second best NSW hooker running around has hit a rich vein of form, steering the joint venture club around the park and finding his way over the line as well. He?s got an old head on young shoulders and will be first in line for a Blue jersey when Buderus pulls the pin.
Prop: Ben Cross (Melbourne) ? Big, bad Ben Cross finally got on the park for the Storm and he made a big impact for them. If he can stay fit it will be a huge boost to the Victorian-based outfit who are no doubt acutely aware of their shortage of genuine front rowers.
Interchange: Corey Parker (Broncos), Greg Bird (Sharks), Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys), Craig Wing (Roosters).
A great bench here with Parker and Bird offering some forward impact when injected into the fray. Both guys have been in form lately with Bird scoring a neat try and Parker still nudging over the goals. Thurston and Wing bring undoubted attacking flair to a side that is already bursting with flamboyance. They could really mix things up from the bench, each scoring a try at the weekend.
Merkin of the Week Award for Stupidity: Whoever thinks Darren Lockyer should be at fullback is in contention for the award this week with debate over the playmaker?s future reaching fever pitch. I?ve gotta feel for Wayne Bennett - the media hounds him to play his star at 5/8 for years and when he finally relents they?re all calling for him to be moved back. No wonder he doesn?t talk to you, fools!
Look what happens when he plays behind a forward pack that dominates the opposition such as Brisbane did against Canterbury on Saturday. Yes, he runs riot, doesn?t he?