Rookie Watch – Round 11

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