Knights on the charge in Round 24 Team of the Week

Newcastle's surge towards finals football continued in Round 24 with standout performances from a number of players not only helping them to a big win over the Bulldogs but also earning selection in the VB Hard Earned Index Team of the Week.

An incredible 12 tackle busts from centre Dane Gagai saw him top his position with 77 points – the highest total among all outside backs in the competition in Round 24 – while teammates Greg Marzhew (63 points), Leo Thompson (81 points) and Adam Elliott (75 points) also earned selection in this week's team.

Elsewhere, the Sharks had three players named in the team – stand-in fullback Connor Tracey stepping up to top all number ones in the round with 63 points as Jesse Ramien (76 points) and Cam McInnes (93 points) also produced big scores, the latter coming courtesy of a strong 44 tackles in his side's win over the Titans.

McInnes' 93-point effort was only bettered by Warriors big man Addin Fonua-Blake, who stole the show with a mammoth 110-point effort to help his side over the line against Wests Tigers. Fonua-Blake, who made a remarkable 25 runs including 15 of eight-plus metres, was joined in the side by teammate Tohu Harris, who once again scored well with a 86-point performance landing him on the bench.

Drew Hutchison's double saw him dominate the halfback spot with 90 points to his name while Storm playmaker Cameron Munster finished top of the five-eighths with a 76-point score in Melbourne's big win over Canberra.

Trent Loiero (74 points) and Nat Butcher (72 points) rounded out the back row while Payne Haas made a round-high 18 runs of eight-plus metres to finish with 84 points.

VB Hard Earned Index Team of the Week

1. Connor Tracey (Sharks) - 63 points
2. Brian To’o (Panthers) - 67 points
3. Dane Gagai (Knights) - 77 points
4. Jesse Ramien (Sharks) - 76 points
5. Greg Marzhew (Knights) - 63 points
6. Cameron Munster (Storm) - 76 points
7. Drew Hutchison (Roosters) - 90 points
8. Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors) - 110 points
9. Damien Cook (Rabbitohs) - 51 points
10. Payne Haas (Broncos) - 84 points
11. Trent Loiero (Storm) - 74 points
12. Nat Butcher (Roosters) - 72 points
13. Cameron McInnes (Sharks) - 93 points
14. Tohu Harris (Warriors) - 86 points
15. Isaah Yeo (Panthers) - 83 points
16. Leo Thompson (Knights) - 81 points
17. Adam Elliott (Knights) - 75 points

Stats for the VB Hard Earned Index and Team of the Week are provided via Fox Sports.