There were starring performances from a number of big name players in Round 14 but unfortunately the biggest talking point out of the weekend is on the injury front, with Panthers star Nathan Cleary set to join the likes of Cameron Murray and Jack de Belin on the sidelines for an extended period of time.
Round 14 Winners
Warriors playmaker Shaun Johnson continues to turn back the clock in 2023 with another sparkling performance in his side's win over the Dolphins. Scoring two tries, the mercurial halfback scored 95 points to earn the highest score of the round – comfortably clear of Wests Tigers forward John Bateman's next best score of 85.
Jamal Fogarty's double in Canberra's win over Wests Tigers saw him finish with the third highest score of Round 14, with the halfback notching up 81 points in the win.
Valemei's club debut hat-trick
The Cowboys had an attacking afternoon to remember against the Storm with Valentine Holmes (77 points) scoring well, while club debutant Semi Valemei notched 66 points in his first game playing as a replacement for Kyle Feldt.
Backing up from Origin, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui chalked up another big score with 72 points against the Rabbitohs; James Tedesco also performing well after his efforts with the Blues to score 70 points in the Roosters' win over the Bulldogs.
Tedesco hits back
Several Broncos outside backs got among the points in Brisbane's gritty win on the road over Cronulla – Herbie Farnworth (64 points), Corey Oates (62 points), Kotoni Staggs (60 points) and Reece Walsh (59 points) all rewarding coaches.
The third most popular player in the game, Jahream Bula's stock (and price tag) continues to rise with 61 points against the Raiders, while highly owned players such as Nicho Hynes (62 points) and Jacob Preston (53 points) also scored well.
Round 14 Losers
Nathan Cleary's hamstring injury comes at the worst possible time for Panthers and Blues fans, with the playmaker expected to miss several weeks after going off early in the contest against St George Illawarra. Cleary did have an attacking contribution early on, but was taken off with just 17 points to his name in a blow for coaches.
There were further injury dramas on the Gold Coast where Cameron Murray was taken off with a groin injury having managed 26 points against the Titans.
Jai Arrow (11 points) and Jack De Belin (39 points) also look set to miss time with injury, the latter set to be stood down for at least 11 days under concussion protocols.
Joey Manu was quiet in the Roosters' win over Canterbury, managing just 28 points despite playing at five-eighth where he has been scoring well this year, while David Fifita was also limited in his return from Origin commitments, scoring only 15.
Cleary unlikely for Origin II
Round 14 Team of the Week
- James Tedesco (WFB) – 70 points
- Jamayne Isaako (WFB) – 77 points
- Valentine Holmes (CTR) – 77 points
- Herbie Farnworth (CTR) – 64 points
- Semi Valemei (CTR, WFB) – 66 points
- Shaun Johnson (HLF) – 95 points
- Jamal Fogarty (HLF) – 81 points
- Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (MID) – 72 points
- Reece Robson (HOK) – 55 points
- Moeaki Fotuaika (MID) – 59 points
- John Bateman (EDG) – 85 points
- Keaon Koloamatangi (EDG) – 67 points
- Isaah Yeo (MID) – 63 points
- Nicho Hynes (HLF) – 62 points
- Corey Oates (WFB) – 62 points
- Jahream Bula (WFB) – 61 points
- Kotoni Staggs (CTR) – 60 points