Team of the Week rewards big efforts in tough losses
The VB Hard Earned Index for Round 8 reflected the close nature of the on-field contests, with four of the top five ranked players – including the highest-scorer of the round in David Fifita – coming from losing sides.
The Titans forward (with his 98-point score) went down in a close loss against the Dolphins after being held scoreless in the second half, but his contribution to the side couldn't be ignored, with an effort that included 35 tackles and six tackle busts.
Fifita was joined in the Team of the Week by two of his teammates, with fifth-ranked Moeaki Fotuaika (85 points) and winger Phillip Sami (67 points) putting in strong performances to star in their respective positions.
The Broncos were the only other side with three players featuring in this week’s team, with superstar forwards Payne Haas (84 points), Pat Carrigan (84 points) and centre Herbie Farnworth (75 points) included after their win over the Eels.
Addin Fonua-Blake (92 points) had a game to remember, despite his Warriors going down to Melbourne Storm 30-22 in their traditional Anzac Day clash.
As well as scoring and try and running six decoys, he also made 35 tackles as his team put in a gutsy performance with no fit players left on the bench by the end of the match.
Dane Gagai (87 points) was the best of the backs and the only non-forward at the top of the rankings, with the Knights centre making a whooping 11 tackle busts. The Queensland Origin representative also had two offloads to his name.
Cowboys forward Reuben Cotter (96 points) completes the top-five ranked players and was remarkably the only one to have recorded a win in Round 8, with North Queensland just pipping the Knights in their 18-16 win – largely thanks to Cotter's eight decoy runs, four tackle busts and 45 tackles.
VB Hard Earned Index: Round 8
1. James Tedesco (Roosters) — 78 points
2. Phillip Sami (Titans) — 67 points
3. Dane Gagai (Knights) — 87 points
4. Herbie Farnworth (Broncos) — 75 points
5. Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs) — 66 points
6. Joseph Manu (Roosters) — 77 points
7. Nathan Cleary (Panthers) — 52 points
8. Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors) — 92 points
9. Harry Grant (Storm) — 55 points
10. Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans) — 85 points
11. David Fifita (Titans) — 98 points
12. Corey Waddell (Bulldogs) — 76 points
13. Josh King (Storm) — 84 points
14. Reuben Cotter (Cowboys) — 96 points
15. Patrick Carrigan (Broncos) — 84 points
16. Payne Haas (Broncos) — 84 points
17. Hame Sele (Rabbitohs) — 83 points
Stats for the VB Hard Earned Index and Team of the Week are provided via Fox Sports.
