The Mole's round 20 Team of the Week: Tigers discard makes mockery of contract call
Making a mockery of Tigers
An under-rated Tigers star who made a mockery of his former club, a Penrith hero and an Origin star, feature in the Mole's team of the week for round 20.
1. Reece Walsh (Broncos)
Back to his devastating best, with two try assists, four line break assists and nearly 200 run metres in the win at Newcastle.
2. Grant Anderson (Storm)
Another Craig Bellamy 'no-name' who has become a top liner, winning his battle with Roosters star Dom Young with two tries and 151 run metres.
3. Taane Milne (Rabbitohs)
His best game of the year with two try assists and three line breaks as the Bunnies ran riot against the Tigers in Gosford on Saturday afternoon.
4. Deine Mariner (Broncos)
One of the most improved players in the NRL in 2024. Destroyed the Knights out wide with two tries and three line breaks.
5. Jaxon Purdue (Cowboys)
Scored the decisive try in the defeat of the Bulldogs on Sunday night and safe under pressure in a vital game for his team.
6. Nathan Cleary (Panthers)
The game's best player made a triumphant return to the NRL after an injury layoff in the thriller against the Dolphins, creating tries and then kicking a marvellous field goal to win it in golden point.
7. Jamal Fogarty (Raiders)
Made a triumphant return after a long layoff with injury, kicking superbly in general play and laying on a try as the Raiders held on to beat the Warriors.
8. Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors)
Ran for 170 metres and scored the try that should have tied up Friday night's thriller as the Warriors almost ran down the Raiders.
9. Damien Cook (Rabbitohs)
Started at hooker, moved to centre, kicked some pressure goals and ran for over 150 metres in the big win over the Tigers on Saturday.
10. Taniela Paseka (Manly)
Fast becoming one of the NRL's best 'super subs', coming from the bench to carve up the Titans defence with his probing runs up the middle.
11. Ben Trbojevic (Manly)
The youngest of the Turbo brothers shone in Manly's big win over the Titans at Brookvale, scoring a try and making several probing runs.
12. Shawn Blore (Storm)
Much under-rated player who has blossomed at the Storm, had 13 runs for 174 metres and 29 tackles in the upset win over the Roosters.
Why did the Tigers not keep him?
13. Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs)
Has proven to be the key man in Souths' late-season revival, running for a game-high 209 metres in the high-scoring win over the Tigers on Saturday afternoon
:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2Fb1be90f2-903c-4261-8969-e300b67124b8 "Natalie van Coevorden, Ariarne Titmus and Alex de Minaur.")
:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F3338eaf5-2048-4188-aa14-17f757030322 "<p>If an Australian team was picked today after the Blues&#x27; Origin series win, it would be dominated by players from the victorious NSW team.</p><p>In a changing of the guard, 10 Blues would make the squad. And even more would play for the Kangaroos but for the fact that three of Wednesday night&#x27;s stars - Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton and Brian To&#x27;o - are Samoan internationals.</p><p>All three would have been certain Aussie selections, which would have resulted in Queensland having a mere four players in the 17-man squad.</p>")
:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F531f18e2-9586-4c21-a704-265435cf066d "Reece Walsh looks dejected as he holds his daughter following the Maroons' loss in game three.")
:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F2a3638b1-489b-44eb-9454-95ff229403de "BRISBANE, QSL - JULY 6:The Blues celebrate winning game three of the ARL State of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium July 6, 2005 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)")
