In a week featuring big performances from Belmore-inspired Bulldogs, a Fijian flyer, veteran Sharks and a rejuvenated Warrior, this is NRL.com's Round 16 Team of the Week
1. Josh Dugan (Dragons)
Perhaps the best on ground in a beaten team, the Dragons fullback inspired his team late in the game with a long winding 50-metre run which led to an Eto Nabuli try.
2. David Simmons (Panthers)
Outscoring the Wests Tigers 18-12 on his own, Simmons's four tries (and conversion to boot) stole the show at Leichhardt, in a game where he also brought up his 100th career try.
3. Michael Jennings (Roosters)
In his first game back since a club-imposed suspension for off-field dramas, Jennings proved to be the eventual match-winner against the Titans by scoring one try and putting teammate James Maloney over for another.
4. Dean Whare (Panthers)
Earned Man of the Match honours at Leichhardt after bamboozling opposite man Tigers' Kyle Lovett on more than one occasion, as well as setting up three of Simmons's four tries.
5. Semi Radradra (Eels)
Scoring his ninth try in four games, the Eels' Fijian Flyer continues to firm as a likely winger of the year candidate after scoring a hat-trick against the Dragons.
6. James Maloney (Roosters)
In what was a happy homecoming to his native Central Coast, the Roosters five-eighth set up one try and scored another in the Tricolours' scrappy 10-point win over the Gold Coast.
7. Shaun Johnson (Warriors)
Hitting his straps at the right end of the season, the Warriors halfback Johnson left plenty of Raiders in the rear view mirror after setting up two tries and scoring 14 points of his own in his team's 30-8 win.
8. George Burgess (Rabbitohs)
Coming up against big brother Luke for the first time ever, Burgess worked tirelessly (181 metres, 41 tackles) in the Rabbitohs' 12-point win over the Sea Eagles and was aptly named Man of the Match.
9. Michael Ennis (Sharks)
Orchestrating his team's come-from-behind 24-18 win over the Cowboys, Sharks hooker Ennis's three try assists proved vital in handing North Queensland their first loss in 12 matches.
10. David Klemmer (Bulldogs)
State of Origin can make or break a player; in Klemmer's case it certainly has proved beneficial. In the Bulldogs' return to Belmore, the prop blew the Storm off the park with 230 metres.
11. Matt Gillett (Broncos)
Earning a spot in our Team of the Week is quickly becoming a habit for the Broncos back-rower. Gillett's two tries, 138 metres and 36 tackles was enough to earn Man of the Match honours in Brisbane's 22-point win over the Knights.
12. Shaun Lane (Bulldogs)
In just his third NRL game, the Bulldogs back-rower was the Man of the Match against the Storm on Monday after producing a try assist and his maiden NRL try as well as 166 metres and 32 tackles.
13. Chris Heighington (Sharks)
Ever-present for the Sharks at lock, Heighington wasn't needed to rack up big numbers but played a key role for Cronulla by keeping plays alive while also providing another option in terms of ball playing.
Interchange
14. Trent Hodkinson (Bulldogs)
In easily his best NRL game of the season, everything the Bulldogs halfback did turned to gold. Regularly on Melbourne's defensive line, Hodkinson's performance will prove timely with the Origin decider a little over a week away.
15. Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers)
The local Leichhardt boy might not have got the chocolates against the Panthers, but the prop didn't lose any admirers either in what was another commendable performance up front for the Wests Tigers.
16. Dylan Napa (Roosters)
The raging Roosters ranga ran over Titans captain Nate Myles to strengthen his bid for an Origin debut for Queensland next Wednesday. Though not selected to play in the decider, Napa did enough in the Roosters win over the Gold Coast alone to suggest he's an Origin star of the future.
17. Sam Tagataese (Sharks)
Started the second half off with a bang and didn't take his finger off the pulse from there. The Sharks prop was one of the main impetuses behind Cronulla's comeback win over the Cowboys, and he was only on the field for 30 minutes!
This article first appeared on NRL.com
