Round 16 Team of the Week

With so many upsets and good individual performances at the weekend, the selectors found it hard to pick the squad. There are some very deserving players who put there hands up for selection and this week we?ve also got a list of people that we called just to let them know they got a mention at the selection table. So without further adieu, here?s the Round 16 League Unlimited Team of the Week and what a cracker it is!

Fullback ? A Minichiello (Roosters) A classy display from a classy player. Mini has developed his running and passing game well since last year?s Kangaroo Tour and the try he put on for Cross was beautiful to watch.

Wing ? P Richards (Tigers) This big boy had a great game at the weekend over the more fancied Dragons, bagging a double and causing general mayhem on the flanks for the opposition.

Centre ? R Cross (Roosters) Ok, let?s forget about his judiciary woes for the time being ? he?s not guilty?yet. But in all seriousness this bloke was the difference and stood up when the Roosters needed him the most, scoring two tries.

Centre ? T Tahu (Eels) Performed well in the centres in a weekend where there were few that shone. His strong effort has gained him a blue jersey and he?s playing injury free for the first time in a while.

Wing ? M Vatuvei (Warriors) Menacing Manu continues his great form on the wing where he?s hard to stop and proved so against the Broncos, scoring a solid try and asking questions of the defence all day long.

Five-eighth ? B Anasta (Bulldogs) Braith had a huge game, setting up a great try, potting the vital field goal and had a hand in everything all day. His top notch game ensured that he has kept his blue jumper and joins Origin partner Joey in our halves.

Halfback ? A Johns (Knights) The master is back, weaving his magic to generate the first club victory for Newcastle this season after a torrid and arduous 15 weeks. He teams up with Anasta and will do so again in Origin 3.

Lock ? S Faumuina (Warriors) Sione is a free-running forward who has developed well throughout the year and plays a bit of 5/8 now and again. He scored an awesome try and really put in for the Warriors.

Second-row ? A Ryan (Bulldogs) What a hit! Ryan had a great game after a fairly quiet season by his standards. He seems to be coming into his own and has struck a rich vein of form in recent weeks that could propel the Bulldogs into the semi?s.

Second-row ? W Koopu (Warriors) Blockbusting performance from Koopu who terrorised the Broncos at every opportunity. Scored twice and made several powerful runs up the centre of the ruck in a well controlled effort.

Prop ? Adrian Morley (Roosters) Moz didn?t give an inch in difficult conditions against a determined Parra pack who are on song right now. He?ll add some great firepower to the pack here.

Hooker ? C Smith (Storm) Gave splendid service allowing the Storm plenty of room to move, and boy did they use it! He?s a quality rake and chimed in with a couple of goals just for good measure.

Prop ? Mark O?Meley (Bulldogs) He must be disappointed not to get a call up for the Blues after two good performances back from injury. Shrek has lifted the team to a couple of good victories and I bet he?s happy to be back.

A great bench here, with the dynamic duo from Canberra, Smith & Withers, coming off the bench in super-sub fashion. Slater adds a heap of raw speed and skill, with Newton settling the ship after a great game at the weekend.

Interchange: J Smith (Raiders), L Withers (Raiders), B Slater (Storm), C Newton (Knights).

We called these guys up just to let them know we?re still thinking about them. They?ve all been proven performers over the year and we just wanted to let them know we haven?t forgotten their efforts.

Hard-done-by?s: S Prince (Tigers), B Hodgson (Tigers), B Kennedy (Sea Eagles), N Hindmarsh (Eels), M Orford (Storm).