Nathan Cleary does it again in another tough week for a host of likely captaincy options.
Winners
That man Nathan Cleary scored his second century of the year and fourth of his career with a masterful 105 in his side's big win over Manly. The NSW halfback scored one try, set up two more, kicked seven goals and for over 700 metres in general play and recorded a remarkable zero demerits. What's also remarkable is that it's not even his best score in the past three weeks, having hit 106 against the Cowboys in round 10.
Jason Taumalolo (88) put in a vintage effort with a try and 241 metres in 66 minutes. His score was equal second-best of the round alongside Kotoni Staggs (88) whose two tries and eight busts helping spark a much-improved Brisbane performance.
Fellow Broncos Payne Haas (72 and best of the non-Cleary captaincy options), Tevita Pangai jnr (71), Pat Carrigan (66), Darius Boyd (64) and Herbie Farnworth (60) also scored heavily in the 36-26 loss.
It is Tino time on the Sunshine Coast
Daly Cherry-Evans (87) and Jake Trbojevic (76) did their best to lift their team against the Panthers, in-form Storm prop Tino Faasuamaleaui smashed his way to 86 off the bench, Cody Walker (84) and Alex Johnston (78) were busy in the Bunnies' win over the Dragons, Reece Robson (75) looks a keeper again now he's back to 80 minutes, Junior Paulo (75) was busy while Tohu Harris (73) and Braden Hamlin-Uele (71) each scored a try.
Api Koroisau (66) made a remarkable return after missing just one game, Sam McIntyre (61) got his price moving, Tom Starling (52) is making fast cash off the Raiders bench, Tommy Talau (49) again racked up points late while Bayley Sironen (48) is also doing well as a cash cow.
Bellamy confirms Smith will spend time on sidelines
Losers
Cam McInnes (54), James Tedesco (50) and Damien Cook (49) made a trio of poor captaincy choices given the scores of Cleary, Haas and Taumalolo while Cam Smith (32) played less than 40 minutes for just the second time in his career thanks to an AC joint injury that is expected to see him miss 2-3 weeks.
Zac Lomax (15) was probably due a low score eventually, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (10) didn't find a big-scoring run this week and Siliva Havili (21) is proving a dud buy largely thanks to Starling.
Cash cow of the week Chris Randall (19) was looking good until his second NRL game was ended in the first half by an HIA.
Early injuries relegated Adam Reynolds and Dylan Walker (both -1) to the joint lowest score of the round.
Averillo goes acrobatic
Round 12 team of the week
- Darius Boyd (64)
- Alex Johnston (78)
- Kotoni Staggs (88)
- Euan Aitken (69)
- Peta Hiku (69)
- Daly Cherry-Evans (87)
- Nathan Cleary (105)
- Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (88)
- Reece Robson (75)
- Junior Paulo (75)
- Jake Trbojevic (76)
- Tohu Harris (73)
- Jason Taumalolo (88)
- Cody Walker (84)
- Payne Haas (72)
- Tevita Pangai jnr (71)
- Braden Hamlin-Uele (71)