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 annual Players’ Champion awards night.
During Round 11 of the NRL, 16 rookies took the field across the competition in what was a thrilling weekend of Rugby League.
No new names were added to the existing list of 30 players who have debuted this season, however there were a number of exciting performances from within that group.
On Thursday night, Sharks hooker Jayden Brailey once again proved his workhorse capabilities, with the 21-year-old making an incredible 56 tackles in the win over North Queensland.
The following night saw Warriors’ winger Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad score his second double of the season, with the Cook Islands representative having now crossed for four tries in just three appearances.
On Saturday night, Sea Eagles’ flyer Brian Kelly continued his impressive run of form by making 119 metres against his former Club – the Gold Coast Titans.
Raiders’ winger Nick Cotric crossed for his sixth try of the season, going over in the corner during Canberra’s 22-16 win over Parramatta.
The performance of Panthers’ prop forward Viliame Kikau was the highlight from Sunday, with the 22-year-old making a whopping 152 metres in just his sixth NRL appearance.
NRL – ROUND 11
Sharks vs Cowboys
Jayden Brailey (Sharks) – 80 minutes, 40 metres, 56 tackles
Warriors vs Dragons
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors) – 80 minutes, 90 metres, 3 tackles, 2 tries
Hame Sele (Dragons) – 23 minutes, 77 metres, 23 tackles, 1 line-break
Jai Field (Dragons) – 7 minutes, 13 metres
Broncos vs Wests Tigers
Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (Wests Tigers) – 80 minutes, 100 metres, 21 tackles
Moses Suli (Wests Tigers) – 80 minutes, 128 metres, 11 tackles
Titans vs Sea Eagles
Morgan Boyle (Titans) – 45 minutes, 89 metres, 24 tackles
Brian Kelly (Sea Eagles) – 80 minutes, 119 metres, 10 tackles
Eels vs Raiders
Nick Cotric (Raiders) –80 minutes, 80 metres, 3 tackles, 1 line-break, 1 try
Knights vs Panthers
Sam Stone (Newcastle) – 76 minutes, 55 metres, 48 tackles
Luke Yates (Newcastle) – 46 minutes, 62 metres, 31 tackles
Corey Harawira-Naera (Panthers) – 80 minutes, 63 metres, 28 tackles
Viliame Kikau (Panthers) – 64 minutes, 152 metres, 19 tackles
Bulldogs vs Roosters
Matt Frawley (Bulldogs) – 80 minutes, 80 metres, 19 tackles, 1 try
Rabbitohs vs Storm
Tyrell Fuimaono (Rabbitohs) – 24 minutes, 33 metres, 11 tackles
Joe Stimson (Storm) – 14 minutes, 40 metres, 9 tackles, 1 try-assist
