Eli Katoa is shaping as the most dangerous forward coming into the finals series.
The Storm colossus has scored 11 tries this year and is on track for a slice of history by becoming the first forward to lead the club in tryscoring in a season.
The Tongan tornado was in dynamic form on the edges against Dolphins on Saturday night, scoring a try and running for 214 metres – the most of any player on the field.
READ MORE: Carlton scrapes in as AFL finals week one confirmed
READ MORE: Murray facing big ban after bizarre sin bin wait
READ MORE: Verstappen stunned in Dutch GP boilover
Katoa loves running off the Storm’s brilliant playmakers Jahrome Hughes and Cam Munster and his power game will worry every team he faces in the big matches to come.
THE TEAM PREMIERSHIP GIANTS MUST FEAR
The Roosters have served notice that they are the team big guns Storm and Panthers most have to fear in the lead-up to the finals.
Trent Robinson’s globetrotters cruised to a 48-22 win over the unpredictable Titans on Sunday afternoon, scoring some spectacular tries in the process.
And they did it despite setbacks.
Sin bin king Jared Waerea-Hargreaves again spent time in the naughty corner.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii went off early with an arm injury and his centre partner Joey Manu could barely get into the game – the pair making just 10 runs between them.
Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Despite the problems, the Roosters were superb.
Angus Crichton, in career-best form, bagged a hat trick and Sam Walker’s scheming created try after try.
It was a clear shot across the bows of Penrith and Melbourne – and you can bet they took notice.
THE MAN WHO COULD DELIVER UNLIKELY FINALS BERTH
Is Patrick Carrigan becoming the most consistent forward in the game?
There are flashier big men and those who get more headlines – but this bloke carries the Broncos on his back week after week.
On Friday night, he led the fightback from 16-0 down against the Eels, topping both the tackle count and the run metres for his team yet again.
To do the double so often takes a very special player – especially in a team full of stars like the Broncos.
It was Carrigan who led the comeback after the Broncos’ dreadful start – and he was still going strong as the final siren sounded.
RAIDERS STAR’S UNDERRATED ASSET
Jamal Fogarty has emerged as one of the most intelligent general play kickers in the NRL.
The underrated halfback steered the Raiders to their shock 22-18 win over premiers Penrith in the national capital on Saturday afternoon.
Fogarty doesn’t have the blinding speed or evasive skills of some of his fellow No.7s.
But what he does have is one of the best kicking games and he tormented the Panthers with a combination of towering bombs, fine long kicks downfield and well-placed grubbers.
With such a variety of kicks in his arsenal, Fogarty shapes as a key man for the Raiders for years to come.
BUNKER ERROR THAT SOURED SJ’S FAREWELL
The Bunker has had many shockers down the years, but definitely hit rock bottom in the 24 hour period from Thursday to Friday nights.
After three Manly players were sin binned at Leichhardt for high shots, another blitz appeared to be coming on dangerous tackles.
But the following night, Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton knocked Warriors favourite Roger Tuivasa-Sheck senseless – and stayed on the field.
Why?
Because the referee and Bunker deemed there were “mitigating circumstances”.
RTS, who was hit so hard he failed his HIA, would love to know what those circumstances were… as would the three Manly players.
With the Warriors losing their other centre Adam Pompey earlier in the game, it proved a turning point and the Bulldogs cruised to a 34-18 win.
The Wahs were actually leading 18-16 at the time, but failed to score another point as the Dogs steamed home.
The incident soured Shaun Johnson’s last game in front of his home crowd – and the NRL will have some explaining to do this week.
CONTROVERSIAL RECRUITMENT GURU’S LEGACY
Scott Fulton is long gone from the Tigers – a controversial figure who had a short, eventful career as recruitment manager.
But his legacy lives on in the three Fainu brothers, who shone in Thursday night’s stunning upset win over the Sea Eagles.
The trio, ironically pinched by Fulton from Manly, were outstanding in the shock victory over their former club.
Latu and Samuela both scored tries in the second half charge to the finish line, while Sione added power and thrust from the bench.
All three have a heap of talent and along with the likes of Lachlan Galvin, Fonua Pole and Jahream Bula, are the future of the Tigers.
