Round 7 Team of the Week

This week's mob is a tough bunch with a few players out of their accustomed positions, but the League Unlimited selection panel is firmly of the view that each player can hold their own where they've been selected. This team could give any club in the NRL a working over and are oozing point-scoring ability. Here is the Round 7 League Unlimited Team of the Week.

Fullback - L Patten (Bulldogs) Played the house down on Sunday, scoring two tries and saving the day for his team with a bone-crushing tackle on Trent Salkeld in the dying stages.

Wing - E Grothe (Eels) Also bagged a double and found some form of old, bustling his way through defence and coming up with a couple of big hits. Seems to have found himself a new trademark post-try celebration.

Centre - M Bowen (Cowboys) He was outstanding once again on Saturday night, also picking up a two flashy tries and proving the difference at various stages. He has probably also added a bit of value to his upcoming contract, one which I'm sure the Cowboys will be keen to maintain.

Centre - B Slater (Storm) Again, we have a backline member with a pair of four-pointers to his name?where will it end?! Hasn't played centre in a while but started out there at the Storm and can no doubt handle it.

Wing - H El Masri (Bulldogs) It ends here with El Masri only managing one meat pie?he did boot 4/4 though and adds great value to this team. He's still a vital cog in the Bulldogs camp even if he seems a little quieter than usual.

Five-eighth - T Smith (Eels) He'll have to settle for the number six jersey this week, as Tim Smith gets his first ever berth in the LU Team of the Week. We like his style of play in here and he has the potential to represent plenty of times if he keeps his head.

Halfback - M Orford (Storm) What can we say about this bloke? Dynamic just doesn't seem to do him justice any longer as he consistently carves out inspiring and enthusiastic footy week-in week-out. Punched 4 from 5 also.

Lock - L Ricketson (Roosters) Hard working Ricko was at it again in the Anzac clash with lots of tackles and metres gained. He didn't get the result he wanted, but puts his hand up for a start at the LU Team of the Week.

Second-row - S Menzies (Sea Eagles) Scored a try in a great team performance and defended well. Beaver makes a welcome addition to the squad this week as he seeks to keep Manly at the top of the ladder.

Second-row - D Stagg (Broncos) This guy gets through a mountain of work and is the current NRL top tackler. We value that down here at LU and for his relentless work-rate he's packing down in the row.

Prop - D Nutley (Sharks) Another absolute workhorse. Nutley doesn't know when to stop and just keeps taking that nuggetty frame of his to the line time and time again.

Hooker - R Farah (Tigers) Surprised a few people with his dash out of dummy half in the opening minute to score the first try of the game. He claimed a consolation later in the match as well and seems to be improving each week.

Prop - A Watmough (Sea Eagles) Touted as a bolter for the NSW side, we like him just where he is and even though he's used to the back-row we think he can handle the tough stuff up front. Likeable character off the park also.

The bench is an intriguing one, with rockin' Rod Jensen in number 14. You can just take this guy off the leash and watch him go berserk. He decided the left upright wasn't going to deny him a try at the weekend by smashing into it and also has a good turn of pace. Elsewhere we've got a bit of flair and creativity in Witt and Head (not to mention the goal kicking) and reliability and stability in Buderus.

Interchange: R Jensen (Cowboys), M Witt (Sea Eagles), M Head (Dragons), D Buderus (Knights).