VB Hard Earned: Interchange move ignites Papalii

A move back to the bench lit a fire in Raiders prop Josh Papalii, as he was among the top performers of Round 16 per the VB Hard Earned index.

Papalii earned a Team of the Week spot by posting a Hard Earned score of 83 in 53 minutes during a 34-20 win over Canterbury.

Each player's VB Hard Earned index score is calculated by doubling their total runs and adding a point for every tackle, offload, decoy, support, charge down and tackle break.

Negative plays lower the index score. One point is taken off per missed tackle, while errors and penalties cost four points. Being sin-binned results in eight points being subtracted.

Papalii's output at GIO Stadium featured 19 carries for 222 metres, 29 tackles and two tackle-breaks. Papalii, Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary (index score of 84) and Roosters fullback James Tedesco (68) put in the three featured Hard Earned performances of the round.

Cleary was credited with 26 runs for 129 metres and 29 tackles, while Tedesco pumped out 24 runs for 217 metres.

Tedesco also had five try assists and a try in his side's 58-12 romp against the Broncos, showcasing both his silky skills and willingness to work.

St George Illawarra lock Cameron McInnes once again recorded the highest score of the week (107) as he marched into third place on the overall leaderboard.

McInnes missed the first two rounds with a knee injury but quickly set about cutting into the margin of those above him with several 100-plus index scores.

Manly lock Jake Trbojevic still holds the overall lead, but Warriors back-rower Tohu Harris and McInnes remain in the hunt with four matches remaining.

Penrith's Isaah Yeo has slipped to fourth after missing most of the second half against the Wests Tigers due to a head knock.

His Penrith teammate James Fisher-Harris is next, followed by Brisbane's Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan. Newcastle's David Klemmer rounds out the top eight.