1. Billy Slater (Storm): Has returned to slashing form right in time for Queensland Origin duty. Carved up the Rabbitohs to the tune of two tries, a line break and 227 run metres, working beautifully with Cooper Cronk.

2. David Simmons (Panthers): Scored a double against the Raiders in a clinical performance that rammed home what a model professional he is, also running 133 metres as he took on his share of grunt work in the capital.

3. Jarryd Hayne (Eels): Just shaded for this week’s fullback spot by the man he will face in Origin, the NSW superstar was sensational against the Dragons, scoring two tries, assisting another and running a hefty 187 metres.

4. Kane Linnett (Cowboys): The underrated centre scored the first hat-trick of his NRL career against his former club the Roosters, running 109 metres and making a pair of line breaks on a night he won't ever forget.

5. Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs): Terrific in a beaten side, the young winger again performed beyond his years with a pair of tries, three line breaks and 103 run metres against a dominant Storm outfit.

6. Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys): The Queensland champion’s form must be of grave concern for NSW. Scored a try, notched three try assists and two line breaks and ran 86 metres in a playmaking clinic against the Roosters.

7. Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers): It’s simply a matter of time until this prodigious talent is the NSW Origin halfback. Registered three try assists against the Sharks, plus a line break and 112 run metres.

8. Jesse Bromwich (Storm): The Kiwi Test bookend been an absolute colossus this season and came out on top of South Sydney’s much-vaunted pack on Friday, charging 169 metres and making 30 tackles.

9. Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers): Was at the heart of everything positive his side did against the Sharks, finishing with 143 run metres and 44 tackles in a great return from injury that will buoy NSW.

10. James Graham (Bulldogs): Yet another stellar performance from the English Test star, who scored a try, ran a massive 204 metres and made 36 tackles in a tough outing against the Warriors.

11. Anthony Watmough (Sea Eagles): The latest blue chip effort in a so-far superb season from the battered veteran, with a great output of 167 run metres and 29 tackles in a thriller against the Knights.

12. Matt Gillett (Broncos): Has certainly earned his maiden starting spot for Queensland. The gun back-rower scored a try against the Titans, made 103 metres and 34 tackles, while also popping four offloads.

13. Paul Gallen (Sharks): The NSW skipper was gutted after coming away with nothing from a tremendous personal tussle against the Tigers. Scored a try, assisted another, ran 181 metres and made 45 tackles in a true captain’s knock.

14. Cooper Cronk (Storm): Imperious against the Rabbitohs, with the Maroons No.7 scoring a try, assisting another, running 82 metres and making life awful for the opposition with his immaculate kicking.

15. Anthony Milford (Raiders): Brilliant in a losing cause against Penrith, the young fullback scored a try, assisted another, made two line breaks and ran 163 metres to rub in what a loss he will be to the Green Machine.

16. Matt Scott (Cowboys): In bruising form as he resumes Maroons duty, the Test prop belted out 154 run metres and 21 tackles during a take-no-prisoners shift against the massive Roosters pack.

17. Josh McGuire (Broncos): Did everything possible to win a Maroons debut with a whole-hearted effort for Brisbane in the south-east Queensland derby, making 147 run metres and 29 tackles against the Titans.