Round 21 Team of the Week

A classic round of footy action left the selectors a little boondoggled as they made their way around the table late Sunday afternoon. A couple of quality games throughout the round saw most positions remaining fairly contentious as the evening wore on and the boys put away Mrs Mac?s entire lemon meringue pie before settling on the final line-up. So strap yourselves in and have a good hard look at the Round 21 League Unlimited Team of the Week - by gee there?s some points in them.

Fullback: Rhys Wesser (Panthers) ? One of Rockhampton?s favourite son?s. Rhysey carded a splendid night out in the ?Riff, collecting a hat-trick for his troubles and displaying some of that blinding pace he possesses. Geez he?s got a decent pair of Warwick Farm?s on him too! Honourable mention: Luke Burt.

Wing: Nathan Merritt (Rabbitohs) ? They ought to bottle this kid out Redfern way. He?s been their best player all year highlighted by the fact he?s leading the try scoring tally for the comp despite the Bunnies winning only 2 games all year. He grabbed another two against the Raiders ? keep up the good work Nathan.

Centre: Luke O?Dwyer (Eels) ? What a find O?Dwyer?s been for the Eels, shame he?s going to the Coast next year. Big, robust and a good turn of pace, he?s hard to stop close to the line and he crossed the stripe for a double against the Sea Eagles.

Centre: Matt Cooper (Dragons) ? Played well in a beaten team. Coops looked threatening every time the ball went his side of the field, scoring a brace for his boys and creating plenty of headaches for the Storm defence.

Wing: Dean Collis (Tigers) ? We?ll stick him on the wing here as he did well up at Lang Park in a game the Tigers weren?t expected to win. Collis has been a steady improver all year and whilst he didn?t get the wraps some of the other kiddies got this week, he scored two important tries along the way.

Five-eighth: Preston Campbell (Panthers) ? Presto is coming good towards the business end of the season, making incisive runs throughout each game and setting up many tries for the Panthers. His goal-kicking is improving as well, adding 6 from 7 this week. Honourable mention: Brett Finch.

Halfback: Scott Prince (Tigers) ? Scotty had his best game for a while up in the cauldron-like atmosphere of Lang Park. Supported by a number of kiddies still wet behind the ears, Prince led the team around the park well and added a couple of goals for good measure.

Lock: Ryan Hoffman (Storm) ? Still a destructive beast, The Hoff went wild at Kogarah. He made some sensational tackles and hit the ball up well scoring a try and played it smart when the ball came off his chest to continue with the movement and assist in the try. Honourable mention: Ben Kennedy.

Second-row: Craig Fitzgibbon (Roosters) ? The captain of the Chooks partook in a stirring second half revival, tackling his guts out as usual. He added seven goals from as many attempts continuing to prove his worth to the Birrell Street Boys. Honourable mention: Lance Thompson.

Second-row: Nathan Hindmarsh (Eels) ? Another regular in the LU colours, Hindy punched out another outstanding performance after the Eels were cut to a man short early in the second half. Tackles all day and takes every hit-up like it?s his last.

Prop: Ruben Wiki (Warriors) ? Fair dinkum, Wiki is MAD. He plays the game as hard as anyone I?ve seen, constantly throwing himself at the opposition and I bet they feel it. He was in a losing side but this guy was the only one who could hold his head high as he walked off the ground. Shame he?s been suspended.

Hooker: Cameron Smith (Storm) ? Easily the form hooker of the comp. Knows when to run, when to pass and caused the Dragons headaches all day long. His general kicking was also a highlight, taking the pressure off Cronk when needed. Added 5 from 7 in the scorers column which was crucial in the context of the game.

Prop: Nathan Cayless (Eels) ? Another impressive performance from Cayless who has lifted his game in recent weeks. The Eels will need him to step up again as they face a front row that?s a bit light on. I?m sure he?s up to the task now that the club has a sniff of the finals.

Interchange: Adam Woolnough (Knights), Scott Geddes (Rabbitohs), Tony Puletua (Panthers), David Peachey (Rabbitohs).

A solid bench with a few workers there in Woolnough and Geddes. I thought both of them were solid for their respective clubs. Puletua adds a bit of impact for the side and he scored a good try for the Panthers. Lastly, Peachey offers some variety in attack and a bit of unpredictability to the backline.

Merkin of the Week Award for Stupidity: We?ve got a couple of contenders this week. Poor old Fuifui gets a gong for his slappy-slap on Kite. Clearly that boy just doesn?t have both oars in the water. And then there?s Shayne Hayne?s torturous display of whistle blowing which confirms most public opinion ? the Ref?s don?t know the rules. Good old Shane, he?s sharp as a marble that bloke!