With Round 1 of the 2024 Telstra Premiership season in the books, NRL.com take a look at the standout individual performers from the opening slate of games.
After Luke Brooks starred in his Sea Eagles debut in Las Vegas, both Morgan Smithies and Zac Hosking helped the Raiders to victory in their first outing as members of the Green Machine.
While Joey Manu and Zac Laybutt showed off their impressive individual skills, for others like Harry Grant the beauty was in their defensive grit.
Round 1 Team of the Week
1. James Tedesco (Roosters)
An excellent return to action after a tough 2023 campaign, 'Teddy' did damage almost every time he touched on the ball and had 212 run metres with eight tackle busts to show for it. A statement game from the Tricolours skipper.
Victor Radley Try
2. Zac Lomax (Dragons)
Put to rest any concern that a move to the wing would limit his involvement, with an effort that included a game-high 266 metres. Scored a try in the second half and excelled under new coach Shane Flanagan's game plan.
3. Zac Laybutt (Cowboys)
The debate as to who will replace Peta Hiku in the centres long-term can be laid to rest, after Laybutt carved the Dolphins up on Sunday. Scored a 40-metre solo try that included a cheeky dummy flick pass to round the fullback, before turning provider for Kyle Feldt following a long-range break minutes later.
Zac Laybutt was outstanding in attack for the Cowboys
4. Joey Manu (Roosters)
A star in Vegas after he nearly missed the trip due to the birth of his daughter. Having earlier picked up off Ezra Mam's wayward pass for the opening try, Manu produced an early contender for try assist of the season with a no-look flick pass to set up Junior Pauga's crucial four-pointer in the second half.
Junior Pauga Try
5. Xavier Coates (Storm)
In a defensive battle at AAMI Park Coates made some crucial interventions from the wing to close down Penrith raids. Produced a bat-back to set up the only try of the game as well.
6. Luke Brooks (Sea Eagles)
An excellent club debut in Las Vegas which included a try four minutes from full-time. Brooks looks like being an inspired signing who can elevate others around him at the Sea Eagles in 2024.
7. Ben Hunt (Dragons)
Led the Dragons around the park well and really came to life in the second half as the blew the Titans away. Set up two tries and kicked his opponents off the park at times. Struck a nice balance alongside new recruit Kyle Flanagan.
8. Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors)
Gave his future Sharks teammates a reminder of the player they'll be getting next year with a dominant display up front. Broke the line early for a try and then again in the second half on a run which saw him swat away multiple defenders and nearly score again. Finished up with 220 metres to his name.
Addin Fonua-Blake on the loose!
9. Harry Grant (Storm)
Set the tone for a remarkable team defensive effort that saw Melbourne hold Penrith scoreless for the first time since they blanked the premiers late in the 2022 regular season. Had 43 tackles by full-time and kept busy on the ball too with nine runs.
10. Junior Paulo (Eels)
With the Bulldogs looking light up front to start the season, Paulo took full advantage with a long opening stint in which he constantly caused them issues with his aggressive carries. The go-forward he helped generate meant the Eels could stay in charge of field position despite Mitchell Moses being hobbled with a groin injury.
11. Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles)
Owned his edge of the field through a powerhouse running game that delivered six tackle busts as part of a 184-metre effort. The Sea Eagles sent the ball his way 20 times in Las Vegas and if this is what they're going to get out of him you can expect that number to rise even further going forward.
12. Bryce Cartwright (Eels)
Looks like being a key cog in the Parra machine again this season, with his six offloads contributing greatly to the second-phase heavy game plan the Eels executed. Strolled over just before half-time before getting a second try from a powerful run early in the second stanza. Polled six Dally M votes to sit atop the leaderboard alongside Nicho Hynes and Tom Trbojevic after the opening round.
Bryce Cartwright Try
13. Morgan Smithies (Raiders)
Looked right at home in his first outing in the NRL, getting through plenty of work across his two stints which equated to 68 minutes on the park. No Raider tackled more than Smithies, who had 46 with just one miss, while he ranked second among Green Machine forwards with 14 carries.
14. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Titans)
They key man holding things together for his injury-hit side on Saturday. Once he left the field the Dragons took charge, with all four of their second-half tries coming while Big Tino was on the bench. Finished with a touch under 200 metres in a spirited performance.
15. Thomas Hazelton (Sharks)
With Braden Hamlin-Uele out injured, it was Hazelton who stood tall from the bench with a productive 40-minute stint. Averaged 10 metres per carry across 14 runs and helped wrestle back momentum after the Warriors' middles got them rolling early on.
16. Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys)
As the Cowboys punished some shaky Dolphins edge defence, Nanai was heavily involved and super effective with ball in hand. Crossed for the 25th try of his 41-game career in the first half and had an assist to his name as well.
Jeremiah Nanai Try
17. Zac Hosking (Raiders)
Used every bit of his 189cm frame to climb high and claim the opening try from a cross-field kick and in general was a reliable presence on the right for Canberra. Did a nice job on Newcastle's dangerous left edge defensively and finished up with 38 tackles.
