NRL 2023, Round 20 Team of the Week, Knights star as Fonua-Blake tops century in VB Hard Earned Index

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Tue 18 Jul 2023, 11:58 AM

Newcastle celebrated Kalyn Ponga's milestone night with the club in style in Round 20, chalking up a big win over Wests Tigers at home thanks to the tireless efforts of a number of key players.

Registering back to back wins for the first time all season, Adam O'Brien's side were led by the performances of Tyson Frizell, who chalked up 95 points courtesy of 15 runs and seven tackle busts for the second highest individual score of the round by all players in the VB Hard Earned Index Team of the Week.

Greg Marzhew (75 points) topped all wingers thanks to his eight tackle busts and 14 runs of eight-plus metres – a figured topped only by Cowboys winger Semi Valemei (18 runs of eight-plus metres) and Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake (15) – while Adam Elliott also finished with a strong total of 81 points.

Holmes gives his all

Jake Trbojevic's 52 tackles paved the way for him to top all lock forwards in the round, amassing 83 points, but it was the Cowboys who emerged victorious on the night thanks with Valemei (63) and Valentine Holmes (68 points) standing tall.

Round 20: Holmes' on-field home renovation

With 10 tackle busts to his name, Euan Aitken topped all centres in Round 20 as he finished with 74 points, while Joey Manu produced a typically strong game at fullback for the Roosters – his 20 runs and eight tackle busts helping him to the highest score of the round among all number ones with 64 points.