Minus their best player on Saturday night, it took some huge efforts from Sharks players to get the job done down in Melbourne to remain the outright competition leaders after 10 rounds.
From a coming-of-age performance from Daniel Atkinson to a mammoth defensive effort from Cameron McInnes, Cronulla stars dominate this week's Team of the Week.
The current Dally M leader commands a spot at the back, while some of the NRL's best young backline talents produced eye-catching showings to earn selection as well.
Round 10 Team of the Week
1. Dylan Edwards (Panthers)
As cool as ever despite the chaos erupting around him with Nathan Cleary exiting the game at the end of the first half. An error free night out that was headlined by a whopping 27 carries that yielded 254 run metres and 10 tackle busts. After claiming the maximum Dally M points on offer in Round 10 the Penrith custodian has now pulled six clear on the overall leaderboard.
2. Dom Young (Roosters)
You know it's probably been a decent game when by full-time you've registered more line breaks personally (five) than your opposition managed as a team (three). The English flyer had a day out at the expense of the Warriors, with his first-half double setting them up for a big win. Had some massive carries from the backfield too.
Young bags two
3. Jesse Ramien (Sharks)
Backed himself to power through multiple defenders for his try in the second half, when it would have been tempting to dance around or offload the ball instead, and it was a four-pointer the Sharks got plenty of emotional energy from. Did the tough stuff too and worked tirelessly coming out of yardage, with 14 carries for 139 metres.
4. Bradman Best (Knights)
During a round in which he watched several Origin contenders go down with injury, Best’s performance in Tamworth must have brought a smile to Blues coach Michael Maguire’s face. The Newcastle powerhouse changed the game in the second half with his energy and power, setting up David Armstrong’s try with a long-range break before palming off two would-be defenders for a try of his own. Broke 11 tackles on his way to 235 run metres.
Bradman beast-mode
5. Deine Mariner (Broncos)
A star on the rise, Mariner had Eels defenders turning around all night with his speed and footwork. A first-half double proved vital for the Broncos’ morale heading into half-time, but the Kiwi flyer didn’t stop there with a couple of momentum shifting hits in defence and 212 run metres to finish a big night out on Brisbane’s right edge.
6. Ezra Mam (Broncos)
Took the reins for Brisbane and controlled the game well. Had a couple of huge moments, including a jarring hit on the much bigger Maika Sivo in defence. A try assist for Reece Walsh and a superb solo chip and chase made for an impressive highlight reel for the 21-year-old.
7. Daniel Atkinson (Sharks)
The late withdrawal of your veteran halves partner ahead of your sixth game at NRL level, at arguably the toughest away venue in the competition, might have shaken some young playmakers, but not this one. Atkinson rose the occasion against his former club in the absence of Nicho Hynes and nailed the big moments on Saturday night which included booting a clutch go-ahead field goal in the dying minutes and converting four from four off the tee. A coming-of-age performance for the 23-year-old.
Atkinson puts the Sharks ahead
8. Payne Haas (Broncos)
Back to full fitness and form just in time for Origin selection, Haas was excellent in his 62-minute stint against an Eels side with plenty of size and experience in the middle. Churned through 165 metres and made 27 tackles without a miss on the other side of the ball.
9. Cam McInnes (Sharks)
Moved into the hooking role after Hynes’ late withdrawal, McInnes yet again showed why he is valued so highly by Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon. He went full tilt for 80 minutes, coming up with 11 runs for 90 metres and a whopping 50 tackles as the Sharks snared their first win at AAMI Park since late 2018.
80 minutes, 50 tackles, 9 hitups
10. Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys)
After a quiet start to the year in which his minutes were limited, Taumalolo is really hitting his straps now and was his side’s best forward against the Titans. Averaged over 10 metres across 14 carries, with 67 coming after contact. The days of the Tongan enforcer being a 200-metre plus player are over, but this version of him can be a very handy weapon for North Queensland.
11. David Fifita (Titans)
After announcing mid-week that this season will be his last as a Titans, before being unveiled as the Roosters' newest signing, Fifita left it all out on the field on Sunday. After setting up his namesake Jojo Fifita, the Maroons hopeful flaunted his pure strength with a burrow-over of his own. Had 10 tackle busts, which is becoming the norm for him in 2024.
12. Angus Crichton (Roosters)
Continued his superb run of form with another powerhouse performance, laying the platform for the Roosters' early surge on Sunday. He can't stop scoring tries right now and added another two against the Warriors, in addition to clocking up 109 run metres, nine tackle breaks and 39 tackles.
Angus Crichton gets another double
13. Jack de Belin (Dragons)
Made the most of all 62 minutes on the field, putting his hand up for 20 carries of the ball which delivered 193 metres. Made 22 tackles without a miss and featured heavily in the ball playing for the Red V too.
14. Ben Hunt (Dragons)
Kicked the Rabbitohs off the park in testing conditions on Saturday night, forcing a handful of mistakes from their back five and ensuring his side tended to maintain the upper hand in a contest which was close through the first hour. Produced a well weighted grubber for Zac Lomax’s opener and really troubled South Sydney with his running game, which included breaking seven tackles.
15. Siosifa Talakai (Sharks)
The Sharks’ bench came up big in a pressure cooker atmosphere at AAMI Park, with Talakai leading the charge with 181 run metres from 14 runs and the match-sealing try. Coming off the bench for the fifth successive game, Talakai looked every inch the powerhouse performer who earned two Origin caps for the Blues in 2022.
16. Trai Fuller (Dolphins)
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's pending return from injury leaves Wayne Bennett with a big selection call to make, with Trai Fuller again starring in the No.1 jumper. Fuller scored a fantastic try just before half-time and went on to finish with 155 metres, two offloads and four tackle breaks to his name.
Trai's full of beans
17. Isaah Yeo (Panthers)
Shifted into an even bigger ball-playing role once Nathan Cleary left the field and ensured the Penrith machine kept chugging along nicely. Put his hand up for 18 carries and was a pillar of strength off the ball with 31 tackles.
