Freakish try-scoring feats were abundant in Round 2 of the Telstra Premiership season as some of the game's best finishers shone for their respective sides.
From Xavier Coates' last-minute miracle, to Izack Tago's line-break bonanza against the Eels and a masterclass from 'The Hammer', these were the best performers from the round that was.
Round 2 Team of the Week
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm)
He’s back! Melbourne’s No.1 gun was at his electrifying best in the pulsating clash with the Warriors. Papenhuyzen came up with two tries, two line breaks, eight tackle breaks and 162 run metres to help the Storm pull the great escape and start their season 2-0. With his confidence restored and his injury woes behind him, the 25-year-old looks to be in for a huge season.
2. Sunia Turuva (Panthers)
Bounced back from a forgettable opening-round performance against the Storm with a two-try showing that was part of a hugely improved team effort on the ball. Went looking for work with 15 carries and was nice and safe when Parramatta sent traffic his way.
3. Izack Tago (Panthers)
With a new contract in his back pocket and the perfect stage to showcase his talents under the Friday night lights, Tago torched the Eels with nine tackle breaks, 245 run metres and an outrageous six line breaks – a stat a whole team would be happy with in most games. At 21 and with two premierships already to his name, Tago has the chance to become one of the Panthers’ best ever centres.
Tago's week just keeps getting better
4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors)
Had the Warriors held on for a few more seconds and won in Melbourne, they would have had Tuivasa-Sheck to thank for a fair chunk of the work which helped them reverse a 18-6 deficit at the break. After a fairly quiet season-opener, RTS showed his class in his new position with a series of damaging runs and quality delivery to his winger Marcelo Montoya, which included setting up a try.
5. Xavier Coates (Storm)
His spectacular try with seconds on the clock is rightfully being hailed as one of the greatest game-winners in history. The gravity-defying finish spoke to his composure and patience on a night in which the Warriors directed almost all of their attacking kicks in his direction. Coates handled it with aplomb, making just one error, before coming up clutch when his side needed him most.
Coates with the best match winner you have ever seen
6. Luke Brooks (Sea Eagles)
The Sea Eagles are two from two and their new No.6 has been front and centre in both games. Playing with a new lease on life after a decade at Wests Tigers, Brooks took the line on and used his speed to torment the Roosters on both sides of the field. Finished the day with 123 metres from 15 runs to go with a line break, a try assist and three tackle breaks in a superb display that again showcased how potent his partnership with DCE will be in 2024.
7. Jahrome Hughes (Storm)
A slashing performance by the Kiwi playmaker to help get his team home in an instant classic at AAMI Park. In the absence of Cameron Munster, the 29-year-old has joined forces with Jonah Pezet to control proceedings in two high pressure games against Penrith and the Warriors. Hughes shared the general play kicking duties with his No.6 and then took control in the key moments with two try assists and two line breaks, while also coming up with superb defence.
8. Moses Leota (Panthers)
At times, including on his brilliant 25-metre carving run to the try-line in the first half, the Eels couldn’t handle his athleticism in the middle. Losing James Fisher-Harris to injury after 25 minutes put more pressure on Leota, but he took it in his stride to finish with 146 metres from 14 carries.
Moses Leota Try
9. Jeremy Marshall-King (Dolphins)
Took a fearful whack to the head midway through the first half when a Ben Hunt kick collected him from close range, but returned to the field in the second term to play a pivotal role in the Dolphins’ biggest ever win. Came up with a line break and a try assist as well as darting over for a four-pointer of his own as the scoreline blew out. A key member of the Dolphins’ spine who looks to be in for a big year after injury restricted him to just 15 games last season.
10. Taniela Paseka (Sea Eagles)
When Paseka and co get going this Manly side are an intimidating prospect, and up against Lindsay Collins and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves he didn’t take a backwards step all game. His first 25-minute stint was crucial in setting the tone and across 18 carries the 26-year-old left defenders on the ground on several occasions, finishing with a shade under 200 run metres.
11. Teig Wilton (Sharks)
The Cronulla left edge was a joy to watch on Friday night, with Wilton at the forefront of the action as he smashed through seven would-be tackles. After setting up the first try with a line break and pass, he produced a no-look flick in the lead up to his side’s third in the second half. Backed up nicely to get one of his own just before full-time to put the icing on top.
12. Zac Hosking (Raiders)
A tireless stint which included time spent out in the centres as injury cover. After scoring his second try in as many games as a Raider Hosking is also becoming a favourite aerial target for Jamal Fogarty late in tackle counts. Safe as houses in defence too, making 35 tackles without a miss.
Zac Hosking Try
13. Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)
The leading man on a day in which the Manly forwards completely dominated their opponents in the middle of the park and helped their side run for 500 metres more than the Roosters by full-time. Along with a team-high 32 tackles, Trbojevic was heavily involved on the ball and put his hand up for 18 carries.
14. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins)
Ended a six-game streak without a try in emphatic fashion by running in three against a Dragons side who at times couldn’t lay a hand on the 22-year-old flyer. ‘Hammer’ outsprinted them, stepped them and even stripped the ball away from them to save a try at Kayo Stadium as the Dolphins returned to winning ways.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow hat-trick
15. Tom Dearden (Cowboys)
Changed the game with two huge effort plays in the second half, hurtling onto the ball for a prop-style barge over try before breaking the line on the carry before Chad Townsend’s game-winning field goal. His composed leadership helped the Cowboys overcome a late 10-point deficit.
16. Pat Carrigan (Broncos)
Back in the middle of the park after having to play most of Round 1 out on an edge, Carrigan churned through a game-high 222 metres, with 83 of them being post-contact. He also made 35 tackle.
17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Cowboys)
The off-contract 20-year-old is being keenly pursued by rival clubs right now and it’s not hard to see why. Called upon to play 58 minutes after Heilum Luki was injured, he handled the uptick in minutes comfortably and was hugely damaging with ball in hand. A tidy defensive output too with 21 tackles and no misses.
