The Late Mail: Rabbitohs v Bulldogs
26 mins ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
This week we?ve got it all! At the halfway mark of the competition there were several stirring performances from individuals over the weekend and a few were unlucky to miss out. All teams were out doing their best to improve or consolidate their positions on the ladder and as a result the Round 13 League Unlimited Team of the Week will run down the tunnel, burst onto the park foaming from their frontal orifices, giving those pretty ladies holding pom-poms a wink as they go by?
Fullback - M Bowen (Cowboys) Last week I asked all and sundry if this bloke could get any better. My answer then was probably, and he proved me right. Bowen dead-set tore the Sharkies apart, feasted on their insides and held the carcass open for his team mates. Love your work Matty!
Wing - B Slater (Storm) Like Bowen, Billy holds his position from last week. He?s in a head-on tussle to wrest the custodial duties from his Maroon buddy and the two try effort at Leichhardt Oval went close, but he?ll have to be content on the wing for now, where we know he won?t let anyone down.
Centre - M King (Storm) Played a starring role for the Storm on Sunday, making breaks, busting tackles and creating headaches for the Tigers all day long. He didn?t get over the chalk but was heavily involved.
Centre - M Cooper (Dragons) Put in a length of the field effort against the Warriors on Saturday night and laid on the first try for Naiqama. He?s a solid defender, noted speedster and we?re happy yo throw him the no.4 jersey this week.
Wing - E Grothe (Eels) Another player backing up from last week and he must be getting close to a mention at the table with Blues selectors. Guru jnr is beginning to live up to his potential and he scored a very telling try against the Panthers.
Five-eighth - D Lockyer (Broncos) Locky was back to his best on Sunday against Newcastle, setting up tries and booting five goals. The all-important playmaker has been a regular feature he at LU and we?re glad to have him running the show again this week.
Halfback - M Head (Dragons) A solid return from the Dragons playmaker, getting heavily involved in the play and putting in a full 80 coming back from a serious ankle injury. He?s feeding the scrums for us this week.
Lock - B Kennedy (Sea Eagles) Our fourth and final return player, BK has had a big couple of weeks with some huge performances for both club and state. The recipe is quite simple though, he just keeps taking it up and tackling with purpose. They just don?t build them him anymore.
Second-row - A Harrison (Rabbitohs) Great to see a Bunny in the run-on squad this week with Harrison deservedly lining up in the ?row for us. He helped his team squeeze a point out of the Premiers in a gritty draw which could give the club a bit more spirit for the rest of the year.
Second-row - S Southern (Cowboys) He?s no token blood-nut - Southern is showing all the hallmarks of a great League product. He?s tough, he?s strong and he has absolutely no respect for that head of his!
Prop - P Rauhihi (Cowboys) Another tough guy of the comp, Rauhihi was as standout in the forwards for the Cowboys on Saturday night, barging his way up-field and on several occasions leaving gummy-sharks in his wake.
Hooker - D Widders (Eels) Although he normally finds his way off the bench at some stage, we?ve slotted him in here at dummy half to have a go. He?s a versatile player and can move that chunky body of his around at pace.
Prop - S Webcke (Broncos) The old workhorse gets the call-up this week. Webcke is the benchmark of prop forwards and deserves every wrap he gets. Any mere mortal could be excused for making a quick trip to the change room to get a new pair of duds after he?s just run over the top of you.
The bench this week is an absolute monty, with four big forwards each possessing their own unique aspect of skill. They will inject themselves at some point throughout proceedings to relieve our weary warriors following the opening exchanges.
Interchange: M Minichiello (Rabbitohs), R Asotasi (Bulldogs), G Morrison (Eels), A Tupou (Roosters).