Rookie Watch – Round 16

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.

Jamal Fogarty was the only player to debut in Round 16, slotting in at five-eighth for the Gold Coast Titans on Friday night after making a mid-season switch from Parramatta.

The former Eel was part of the Titans’ 26-14 win over Wests Tigers, lining up alongside fellow rookies Max King and Morgan Boyle.

The debut of Fogarty takes the total number of debutants to 41 for the 2017 season – with a host of future stars making their way into first grade this year.

Among the best performers for Round 16 were Rookie of the Year front-runners Corey Harawira-Naera (Panthers) and Nick Cotric (Raiders) who both added tries to their already impressive scoring tallies this year.

Cowboys forward Corey Jensen crossed for the first try of his NRL career, scoring a crucial four-pointer in his side’s narrow win over Penrith.

Unfortunately, Sharks hooker Jayden Brailey suffered a broken jaw in the game against the Sea Eagles and will be sidelined for a considerable amount of time after playing every game this year.

NRL – ROUND 16

Warriors vs Bulldogs

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors) – 80 minutes, 91 metres, 5 tackles

Marcelo Montoya (Bulldogs) – 80 minutes, 132 metres, 8 tackles, 1 line-break

Wests Tigers vs Titans

Moses Suli (Wests Tigers) – 80 minutes, 65 metres, 13 tackles

Esan Marsters (Wests Tigers) – 80 minutes, 81 metres, 11 tackles, 1 line-break, 1 try

Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (Wests Tigers) – 80 minutes, 66 metres, 4 tackles

Matt Eisenhuth (Wests Tigers) – 48 minutes, 99 metres, 33 tackles

Jamal Fogarty (Titans)* – 80 minutes, 18 metres, 21 tackles

Morgan Boyle (Titans) – 44 minutes, 125 metres, 27 tackles

Max King (Titans) – 54 minutes, 100 metres, 32 tackles

Cowboys vs Panthers

Kyle Laybutt (Cowboys) – 80 minutes, 55 metres, 14 tackles

Corey Jensen (Cowboys) – 18 minutes, 57 metres, 9 tackles, 1 line-break, 1 try

Corey Harawira-Naera (Panthers) – 80 minutes, 47 metres, 44 tackles, 1 line-break, 1 try

Viliame Kikau (Panthers) – 14 minutes, 15 metres, 11 tackles

Raiders vs Broncos

Nick Cotric (Raiders) – 80 minutes, 148 metres, 2 tackles, 1 try

Roosters vs Storm

Brandon Smith (Storm) – 33 minutes, 14 metres, 17 tackles

Dragons vs Knights

Hame Sele (Dragons) – 35 minutes, 31 metres, 30 tackles

Luke Yates (Knights) – 53 minutes, 73 metres, 31 tackles

Sharks v Sea Eagles

Jayden Brailey (Sharks) – 48 minutes, 14 metres, 24 tackles

Brian Kelly (Sea Eagles) – 80 minutes, 72 metres, 14 tackles

* Debut in Round 16