Round 14 Team of the Week

Will all the fuss over Fuifui?s little chomp, Monday?s boilover and Wednesday?s State of Origin, the Round 14 League Unlimited Team of the Week has had to show its versatility and pack into the mix on a Friday. It has been a festival of League recently and what better way to gear up for another weekend of action than to peruse the finest 17 on paper from last round.

Fullback: David Peachey (Rabbitohs) ? The Peach is settling in really well over at Redfern as Rusty and Pete get things organised at the club. His good form is helped by the fact that he was external to the club when the takeover came about.

Wing: Luke MacDougall (Rabbitohs) ? Another Bunny gets a call up with Mad Dog junior one of the more consistent performers for Souths when he stays on the field. Bagged a double with is strong running, I hope he stays on for next season.

Centre: Jake Webster (Storm) ? A solid performer down at the Storm and has proven himself at the International level. Webby scored a hat-trick as Melbourne put the Eels to the sword at Parra Stadium.

Centre: Sonny Bill Williams (Bulldogs) ? Sonny Bill had a good game against the Raiders and tried hard all day, creating some opportunities but still has a long way to go before reclaiming his best form. Watch him this weekend as I?m sure he?ll turn it on with plenty of support from the returning Origin forwards.

Wing: Jarryd Hayne (Eels) ? One of the few Eels that could hold his head high after another disappointing effort at home, scoring a double. It would seem Hayne also taught a few tricks to his mate Fuifui after both of them have been a bit hungry lately. Maybe they?re not paying them enough out at Parra?

Five-eighth: Scott Hill (Storm) ? Hill had a good game playing well when close to the line. He?s a big guy and quite mobile with a good set of hands. It looks as like he?s in the frame for Origin duties as well and he wouldn?t let anyone down.

Halfback: Grant Rovelli (Warriors) ? Rovelli has shown some good form over the past six weeks or so and he gets scrum feeding job this time around. He?s getting better each week and has plenty of strings in his bow.

Lock: Ben Kennedy (Sea Eagles) ? BK is a proven performer who continues to put in 100% each week for the Sea Eagles. His hard style kept Manly in the contest against the Tigers and they?ll miss him next year.

Second-row: Lance Thompson (Sharks) ? What a buy for the Sharks! Thommo is in career best form and is one half of a lethal back-row combination with partner Paul Gallen. It?s no surprise to see them both picked this week.

Second-row: Paul Gallen (Sharks) ? See above. There has been a noticeable improvement in the Sharks this year with Gallen filling the void left by workhorse Danny Nutley. Rep honours can?t be too far around the corner for this guy.

Prop: Michael Weyman (Raiders) ? Made a huge impact for the Raiders in his return from injury. Whilst not the fittest bloke running around, Weyman has an experienced outlook on the game and gives opposition sides plenty to think about with his devastating runs.

Hooker: Nathan Friend (Storm) ? Clever player and performed well in the absence of regular rake Cameron Smith. Knows when to run, gave admirable service from dummy half and contributed well to the tackle count.

Prop: Anthony Laffranchi (Tigers) ? Again put in all night long against a strong Manly forward pack. Laffranchi has an uncanny ability of finding his way to the line recently and was at it again on Friday night. Combines well with Skando.

Interchange: Dean Young (Dragons), Sione Faumuina (Warriors), Ben Hornby (Dragons), John Williams (Eels).

A solid bench here with Young and Faumuina both offering vastly different games. Honrby?s creativity and leadership gets him a spot and whilst Williams is a winger, anyone who gets three meat pies deserves a run in the team.

Merkin of the Week Award for Stupidity: Gorden Tallis...again. How this bloke is allowed to commentate on anything, let alone NRL matches, is just beyond me. FOX Sports are really scraping the bottom of the barrel with him. Even more unbelievable is that he?s an NRL Director when it appears he struggles to string a sentence together on a topic he?s paid to talk about and has played all his life. Go figure. Enjoy the ornament Gordie.