1. Anthony Milford (Raiders): Another brilliant performance from a special young player. The livewire fullback scored an amazing try, assisted another, made a line break and ran 147 metres against the Cowboys.
2. Manu Vatuvei (Warriors): A busy night against the Titans, which ended tryless but was excellent nonetheless. Ran 153 metres in a typically powerful display while also popping four offloads to keep his side rolling.
3. Konrad Hurrell (Warriors): The bulldozing centre showed excellent hands to pick up a bad pass off his laces and lay one on for his winger in the first half, then produced a trademark bump and offload to set up a second later in the game. He totalled four offloads all up – a season-high.
4. Jack Wighton (Raiders): Had a wow of a game against North Queensland, with a pair of tries, two try assists, two line breaks and a hefty 172 running metres during his side’s romp.
5. Daniel Vidot (Broncos): Has been power personified on the Brisbane left flank this season and gave the Tigers no respite. Smashed out 197 run metres at Campbelltown to help keep his side on the front foot.
6. James Maloney (Roosters): A smart performance in the wake of his NSW axing. Made a pair of try assists against the Bulldogs and ran judiciously to threaten the line, an underrated part of his game.
7. Ben Hunt (Broncos): Just keeps getting better in his breakout season. In a terrific duel with Tigers ace Luke Brooks, Hunt steered his side home and made a try assist, a line break, 60 run metres, 29 tackles – and the match-winning penalty goal.
8. George Burgess (Rabbitohs): Resembles a bulldozer wearing a blonde wig in his current form. The England Test prop belted through 189 run metres and 27 tackles against the Sharks in the latest unstoppable Burgess performance.
9. Jake Friend (Roosters): A snapshot of Friend could sit in the dictionary beside the word “industrious”. The Queensland shadow player was always at the Bulldogs, running 87 metres and making 44 tackles.
10. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Roosters): Just shaded fellow Kiwi bookend Sam Moa in laying the foundation against the Bulldogs. Powered through 150 metres and 25 tackles while enjoying a stoush with young Dogs rival David Klemmer.
11. Dave Taylor (Titans): Sent a message to Maroons selectors that was subtle as a sledgehammer. Scored a first-half hat-trick against the Warriors, made a pair of line breaks, ran 143 metres and made 13 tackles in a brave, beaten side.
12. Sonny Bill Williams (Roosters): A masterclass. Scored two tries, assisted another, made a line break, had five offloads, ran 155 metres, made 24 tackles and generally made life extremely difficult for his old club Canterbury.
13. Sam Burgess (Rabbitohs): Not to be outdone by his younger brother, Burgess scored the opening try against the Sharks, made a line break, ran 175 metres and produced 26 tackles to continue a stellar final season with South Sydney.
14. Shaun Johnson (Warriors): Carried a niggling injury into the Titans clash and still scored a brilliant try, made three line breaks and ran 109 metres, while also ensuring his side kept decent field position with sound kicking.
15. Terry Campese (Raiders): The skipper has been copping enormous criticism of late but turned back the clock against the Cowboys. Made two try assists, a line break, ran 61 metres and 22 tackles in a display of still-enviable football smarts.
16. Simon Mannering (Warriors): A textbook performance from an immensely admirable player. Scored a try, made a line break, ran 124 metres and made 33 tackles in his latest captain’s knock.
17. Paul Carter (Titans): Terrific young player, the son of Penrith legend Steve Carter. Starting at lock against the Warriors, the utility ran 142 metres and made 25 tackles in an effort that was all desire and toughness in a losing cause.
