NRLW Team of the Week: Round 5

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Mon 19 Sep 2022, 12:01 PM

The Eels produced their best performance of the season to send the Broncos packing in the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership and book a finals berth while the Roosters and Knights both recorded wins.

Parramatta's upset win has rocked the competition ahead of the NRLW semi finals to be played this Sunday at Suncorp Stadium as part of a quadruple schedule of footy action.

Here is the NRLW team of the week for Round 5!

1. Gayle Broughton (Eels)

Safe under the high ball and looked threatening coming out of her own zone when given open space. Racked up 115 metres with a line break assist and five tackle busts in the win.

2. Zali Fay (Eels)

Got on the board for her first ever NRLW try in the opening half before putting in a sound effort with 98 running metres and three tackle busts for the match.

3. Jess Sergis (Roosters)

A superstar performance from a superstar player. Sergis was at her dominant best on Sunday to rack up a try, nine tackle busts, 172 metres and a try-saving tackle in the big win.

Sergis has the speed

4. Taliah Fuimaono (Dragons)

A switch to the centres proved a bit of a masterstroke despite the loss for Fuimaono with the playmaker scoring the side's first try and looking threatening on the edge with 134 metres and 15 tackles.

5. Jayme Fressard (Roosters)

A strong return to the field for the Roosters winger after she missed last week's win due to an infected cut. Fressard scored twice, had five tackle busts and produced 104 metres and an intercept in the side's win over the Titans.

6. Ash Quinlan (Eels)

A dominant performance by the former representative touch footballer who set up three tries on the left edge to play a big part in the Eels' upset over the Broncos.

7. Jesse Southwell (Knights)

Went close for team of the week honours in round four but couldn't be overlooked this time. Southwell's barnstorming match included 88 running metres, two try assists, three conversions and over 300 kick metres.

8. Caitlan Johnston (Knights)

The Knights prop is getting better and more dominant with every game she plays in the NRLW. Dominated up front with 194 metres alongside Millie Boyle (181 metres) and put fear into the opposition with every carry.

9. Destiny Brill (Roosters)

Came up with two trademark tries from dummy half to rub salt into the wounds for her old side the Titans, who won't feature in the finals. Ended the game with 90 metres, 12 tackles and two offloads.

10. Kennedy Cherrington (Eels)

Made sure the first NRLW try of her career counted in the second half to cement the Eels' first finals appearance. Ended up running for 260 metres alongside fellow front-rower Filomina Hanisi (173 metres), who was also dominant in the middle.

Cherrington crashes over

11. Yasmin Clydsdale (Knights)

Another sound performance from the NSW representative on the left edge with Clydsdale having a hand in a try, racking up 143 running metres and topping the side's tackle count with 28.

12. Otesa Pule (Roosters)

Came off the bench for the Tricolours and didn't disappoint with 137 running metres, 70 of which were post-contact, showing her dominance with her carries. Made 12 tackles in the 31-minute stint with three tackle busts.

13. Simaima Taufa (Eels)

A captain's knock for the Eels veteran, who now holds the record for most metres in an NRLW match with 307, passing Titans fullback Evania Pelite's 300 record set in round four. Taufa's try broke the 16-16 deadlock while she added six tackle busts and two offloads in her performance too.

14. Ali Brigginshaw (Broncos)

Tried hard and did everything she could to get the Broncos over the line with a try, two goals, 80 running metres, a try assist, 19 tackles and 228 kick metres in the loss.

Aiken and Brigginshaw combine brilliantly

15. Keilee Joseph (Roosters)

Continues to keep motoring along in the NRLW competition this season with another 150 metres and 27 tackles. Not only is the quantity there but the quality and intensity has her team on the front foot even when they're under some pressure only moments earlier.

16. Shannon Mato (Titans)

Among the shining lights to a disappointing season for the Titans with Mato's 175 metres, five tackle busts and 23 tackles among the best for her side. Came up with a couple of errors but is the clear leader of the side's pack and should be retained next year.