RLPA.com.au each week provides an update on NRL rookies around the Clubs, highlighting the best performers in the lead-up to the Rookie of the Year medal at the Players’ Champion awards night.
Rabbitohs forward Tyrell Fuimaono made an impressive NRL debut on Friday night against the Wests Tigers, taking the field for a 34-minute stint in which he amasssed 97 metres and 15 tackles.
Fuimaono became the 30th player to debut so far in 2017, with Broncos forward George Fai also named in the final 17 for Brisbane but not taking the field on Saturday night against the Sea Eagles.
Nic Cotric (Raiders) and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors) scored doubles for their respective teams on Saturday, highlighting what was a weekend of impressive performances from the class of 2017.
Morgan Boyle played a vital role for an injury-ravelled Titans side that scored a remarkable upset over Melbourne, making a whopping 181 metres and 20 tackles in what was a dynamic 57-minute stint.
In the same game, Storm interchange forward and rookie Joe Stimson, crossed for his first career try as he showed great support play for winger Suliasi Vunivalu.
Jai Field (Dragons), Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (Wests Tigers) and Tui Kamikamica (Storm) all returned to first grade after making their debuts earlier in the year.
NRL – ROUND 10
Bulldogs vs Cowboys
Matt Frawley (Bulldogs) – 80 minutes, 41 metres, 16 tackles, 1 line-break, 1 try-assist
Dragons vs Sharks
Hame Sele (Dragons) – 24 minutes, 68 metres, 14 tackles
Jai Field (Dragons) – 60 minutes, 63 metres, 11 tackles
Jayden Brailey (Sharks) – 64 minutes, 13 metres, 38 tackles
Wests Tigers vs Rabbitohs
Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (Wests Tigers) – 80 minutes, 96 metres, 23 tackles
Moses Suli (Wests Tigers) – 80 minutes, 149 metres, 11 tackles
Tyrell Fuimaono (Rabbitohs)* – 34 minutes, 97 metres, 15 tackles
Panthers vs Warriors
Corey Harawira-Naera (Panthers) – 46 minutes, 71 metres, 18 tackles
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad – 80 minutes, 60 metres, 9 tackles, 1 line-break, 2 tries
Storm vs Titans
Joe Stimson (Storm) – 26 minutes, 34 metres, 13 tackles, 1 try
Tui Kamikamica (Storm) – 10 minutes, 12 metres, 4 tackles
Morgan Boyle (Titans) – 57 minutes, 181 metres, 20 tackles
Sea Eagles vs Broncos
Brian Kelly (Sea Eagles) – 80 minutes, 119 metres, 10 tackles
Knights vs Raiders
Luke Yates (Newcastle) – 57 minutes, 125 metres, 30 tackles
Nick Cotric (Raiders) –80 minutes, 101 metres, 4 tackles, 2 line-breaks, 2 tries
Roosters vs Eels
No rookies played
* Debut in Round 10
