Clinical Sea Eagles rewarded in Team of the Week selection

Playing for pure pride, the Round 27 VB Hard Earned Index Team of the Week recognised the individual performances in Manly's rampaging 54-12 win over the Wests Tigers. 

Tolu Koula (80 points), Jake Arthur (64 points), Toafofoa Sipley (93 points) and Haumole Olakau'atu (88 points) all topped the point scoring for their respective positions to earn selection in the final VB Team of the Week.

Toafofoa Sipley's 54-minute performance in the front row saw the highest index score among Anthony Seibold's side with the 28-year-old putting his hand up for 21 carries, achieving hauls of eight metres or more in 15, 21 tackles and eight decoy runs.

Meanwhile, the Panthers were also rewarded for their comfortable win over the Cowboys to retain the Minor Premiership with halfback Nathan Cleary (78 points) topping the scoring among the halfbacks and prop James Fisher-Harris (74 points), Isaah Yeo (87 points) and Stephen Crichton (86 points) also earning selection. 

It was Crichton's attacking efforts in Round 27 which took him to top spot among the centres, busting 11 tackle busts and putting his hand up for 18 carries of which 14 were eight plus metres. 

Meanwhile, despite his side already falling out of finals contention, Titans lock Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (106 points) was the highest-scorer for the round after the Maroons forward put his hand up for 21 carries - achieving hauls of eight metres or more in 14 of them - 26 tackles, four tackle busts and five offloads.

Teammate Kruise Leeming also topped the scoring among the hookers with the 2023 rookie taking five scoots from dummy half and busting three tackles.

VB Hard Earned Index Team of the Week

1. Tolu Koula (Sea Eagles) – 80 points
2. Dominic Young (Knights) – 69 points
3. Stephen Crichton (Panthers) – 86 points
4. Valence Te Whare (Dolphins) – 68 points
5. Jack Bostock (Dolphins) – 68 points
6. Jake Arthur (Sea Eagles) – 64 points
7. Nathan Cleary (Panthers) – 78 points
8. Toafofoa Sipley (Sea Eagles) – 93 points
9. Kruise Leeming (Titans) – 59 points
10. James Fisher-Harris (Panthers) – 74 points
11. Haumole Olakau’atu (Sea Eagles) – 88 points
12. Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins) – 82 points
13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Titans) – 106 points
14. Isaah Yeo (Panthers) – 87 points
15. Terrell May (Roosters) – 85 points
16. Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs) – 83 points
17. Max King (Bulldogs) – 78 points

Stats for the VB Hard Earned Index and Team of the Week are provided via Fox Sports.