Rookie Watch – Round 14

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.

It was the rookie outside backs who stood up in Round 14, with Canberra’s Nick Cotric and Canterbury’s Marcelo Montoya excelling once again over the weekend.

Cotric scored a double in his side’s narrow loss to Penrith in Bathurst, taking his tally out to eight tries in 14 games this season.

Montoya helped break a four-game losing streak for the Bulldogs, running for a massive 154 metres and scoring a try in his side’s victory over St George Illawarra on Monday.

In other notable performances, Penrith rookie Corey Harawira-Naera crossed for his fifth try of the season, while Raiders forward Royce Hunt became the 36^th player to debut in 2017.

Cotric, Jayden Brailey (Sharks), Brian Kelly (Sea Eagles) and Moses Suli (Wests Tigers) have played every match for their respective teams this seasons, placing them as front runners for the Rookie of the Year award this season.

 

NRL – ROUND 14

 

Sharks vs Storm

Jayden Brailey (Sharks) – 75 minutes, 28 metres, 26 tackles

Ryley Jacks (Storm) – 80 minutes, 21 metres, 23 tackles

 

Sea Eagles vs Knights

Brian Kelly (Sea Eagles) – 80 minutes, 93 metres, 11 tackles

Luke Yates (Knights) – 48 minutes, 67 metres, 23 tackles

 

Broncos vs Rabbitohs

Tyrell Fuimaono (Rabbitohs) – 48 minutes, 90 metres, 23 tackles

 

Titans vs Warriors

Morgan Boyle (Titans) – 57 minutes, 93 metres, 32 tackles, 1 line-break

Max King (Titans) – 32 minutes, 20 metres, 21 tackles

 

Panthers vs Raiders

Corey Harawira-Naera (Panthers) – 71 minutes, 80 metres, 30 tackles, 1 line-break, 1 try

Viliame Kikau (Panthers) – 10 minutes, 29 metres, 3 tackles

Nick Cotric (Raiders) – 80 minutes, 105 metres, 2 line-breaks, 2 tries

Royce Hunt (Raiders)* – 6 minutes, 16 metres, 2 tackles

 

Eels vs Cowboys

No rookies played.

 

Wests Tigers vs Roosters

Moses Suli (Wests Tigers) – 80 minutes, 85 metres, 14 tackles,

Esan Marsters (Wests Tigers) – 49 minutes, 71 metres, 19 tackles

 

Bulldogs vs Dragons

Marcelo Montoya (Bulldogs) – 80 minutes, 154 metres, 6 tackles, 1 try

Matt Frawley (Bulldogs) – 80 minutes, 54 metres, 21 tackles,

Hame Sele (Dragons) – 21 minutes, 35 metres, 13 tackles

 

* Debut in Round 14