The Mole’s Team of the Week: Awkward scenario looms for Eels after superstars stand up
Eels guns make a statement
Two of the Eels’ three superstars were on fire as they all but extinguished the Dragons’ finals hopes in round 26. Both of them made The Mole’s Team of the Week.
Scroll on to see who joined them.
1. Clint Gutherson (Eels)
Scored two tries, laid on another and ran for 200 metres against the Dragons to show incoming coach Jason Ryles he still wants the fullback spot in 2025.
2. Lehi Hopoate (Sea Eagles)
The latest ‘Hoppa’ to make the big time enjoyed his best game at NRL level on Friday night, scoring two tries and making two line breaks in the big win over the Bulldogs.
3. Valentine Holmes (Cowboys)
The best goalkicker in the game heading into the finals, kicked seven goals from as many attempts against the Storm on Thursday night and scored a try and set one up for good measure.
4. Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins)
Too fast and elusive for his former club, scoring two tries and setting up two more as the Phins ran riot against the Broncos in Brisbane on Saturday night.
5. Tyrone Munro (Rabbitohs)
Showed remarkable courage just to take the field in a week in which his mother and uncle both died. And then in a well beaten team at Penrith, he scored both Souths’ tries in a fine tribute to his late relatives.
6. Dylan Brown (Eels)
Arguably the best player who won’t be playing finals football in 2024, set up three tries and scored another in the high-scoring shootout against the Dragons on Saturday afternoon.
7. Jarome Luai (Panthers)
With Nathan Cleary again missing, took over the role of main playmaker with class and style, laying on three tries with his silky skills in the 34-12 defeat of Souths on Friday night.
8. Mark Nicholls (Dolphins)
An old-style ‘unfashionable’ prop, he led the way up front with 150 run metres as the Phins pack out-gunned the Broncos on Saturday night.
9. Tyran Wishart (Storm)
Arguably the most versatile player in the league, slotted in superbly at hooker, bagging two tries in a losing team against the Cowboys in Townsville.
10. Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors)
In his last match for the Warriors against the team he will join next year, ran for nearly 200 metres to lay the platform for the upset win against the Sharks.
11. Dylan Lucas (Knights)
Much-improved back-rower, never stopped working in defence and ran for 170 metres – the most of any forward in the vital win over the Titans on Sunday.
12. Hudson Young (Raiders)
A powerhouse game highlighted by some massive effort plays as the Raiders scored a huge upset win over the Roosters in Sydney on Sunday.
13. Nathan Brown (Sea Eagles)
Added firepower to the Manly pack as they steamrolled the Bulldogs. Led Manly in run metres despite only playing 50 minutes.