Terrific yet terrifying Tigers, tough Titans and an alpha Rooster headline NRL.com's Team of the Week for Round 14.
1. James Tedesco (Wests Tigers)
Tedesco produced 13 tackle breaks and two tries in the Wests Tigers' 28-point win over reigning premiers South Sydney. Enough said.
2. Semi Radradra (Eels)
It's not often teams rely on wingers to win games but in the Eels' case, they would have easily been on the losing side of things if it weren't for Radradra's two tries and 200-plus metres against Melbourne.
3. James Roberts (Titans)
The Titans centre kept everyone on the edge of their seat and left the Bulldogs out on their feet with his bamboozling performance. He almost came up with the assist for a try of the season contender too. Speed to burn.
4. Solomone Kata (Warriors)
The young centre furthered his claim for Rookie of the Year honours despite the Warriors going down by four points. Scoring a brace of tries, most impressively Kata kept opposite centre Blake Ferguson's impact to a minimum for most of the game.
5. Kevin Gordon (Titans)
While he hasn't been a regular feature in the NRL this season, Gordon made sure opposite winger Corey Thompson left the Gold Coast with plenty of nightmares to take home with him.
6. Mitchell Moses (Wests Tigers)
Frustrated with the Tigers' attack of late, Moses looked to have finally clicked in his team's dominate performance against South Sydney.
7. Aidan Sezer (Titans)
One of if not the form halves in the competition at the moment, Sezer moved to halfback against the Bulldogs and ultimately killed it. His 40/20 and try assist just before halftime was instrumental in his side's win.
8. Tim Browne (Bulldogs)
One of the few constants in Des Hasler's pack this season, Browne produced 139 metres, 30 tackles and a try assist in a 50 minute stint off the bench for the Bulldogs.
9. Nathan Friend (Warriors)
Andrew Voss called Friend's performance the best of his Warriors career such was his influence out of dummy-half. Before being carried off the field with a concussion, the hooker made almost 100 metres and 34 tackles.
10. Ben Matulino (Warriors)
The Warriors prop stood up without Origin duo Jacob Lillyman and Ryan Hoffman. Running for 183 metres and making 26 tackles, Matulino continued his mightily impressive season.
11. Sio Siua Taukeiaho (Roosters)
The only Rooster to make the Team of the Week, Taukeiaho was the impetus behind the Tricolours' last gasp win over the Warriors. Drawing comparisons with Sonny Bill Williams for his amazing showing, the 14 NRL game rookie led from the front for his Origin depleted side.
12. Greg Eastwood (Bulldogs)
Lived up to his 'Beastwood' nickname against the Titans in the Bulldogs' otherwise depleted forward pack. Filling in for Origin-bound Josh Jackson, Eastwood constantly threatened on the edges.
13. Martin Taupau (Wests Tigers)
The Tigers lock dominated from the get-go and was rewarded handsomely through his two bullocking tries.
Interchange:
14. Daniel Mortimer (Titans)
Mortimer's move to hooker is paying dividends for Neil Henry and the Titans. Far from the biggest man on the field, his defence (40 tackles vs. Bulldogs) is invaluable to the middle of the field.
15. Chris Sandow (Eels)
While he made a few mistakes, Sandow's three try assists were vital in the Eels win over the Storm.
16. Tim Mannah (Eels)
Earning Man of the Match honours following his side's win, the Eels captain ran for 172 metres and produced 38 tackles in just over a half of football.
17. Dale Finucane (Storm)
Playing almost the entire 80 minutes in the absence of the big three, Finucane held his own in the middle of the park and proved a handful for plenty of Eels.
