The defending Premiers showed their class, while the Raiders caused yet another upset at AAMI Park to kick off a brilliant first week of the Telstra Premiership finals.
A number of players stood out with extra efforts in the 93-minute thriller between the Sharks and Cowboys on Saturday, while those who kept their heads in a fiery clash between the Roosters and Rabbitohs were rewarded with Team of the Week selection.
Take a look at who made the team for finals week one below!
1. Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys)
In a game that went down to the wire he contributed a line break, line break assist and set up a try, while he was there for the grunt work when his side needed it too. Handled what Cronulla threw at him and organised his line well.
2. Xavier Coates (Storm)
Did everything he could for the Storm on the wing and finished with three tries. Positioned himself well in attack and worked hard off the ball.
3. Valentine Holmes (Cowboys)
Won the game with a 45-metre field goal in golden point, but even before that his performance would have justified selection in the Team of the Week. Set up a try and line break and was the classy presence the Cowboys needed when the match was on the line.
Valentine Holmes you star
4. Sebastian Kris (Raiders)
Made some crucial defensive interventions and was all over Melbourne’s edge most of the time they came his way. An important part of Canberra’s left side which has been crucial to them getting to this point of the season.
5. Brian To’o (Panthers)
Scored his side's first two tries and was as effective as ever when carting the ball up, registering a game-high 238 metres from his 25 carries.
6. Cody Walker (Rabbitohs)
The key man in attack for the Bunnies, who pulled the strings expertly amid the chaos, setting up four of his side’s five tries. Held his own defensively as well with 20 tackles.
7. Nathan Cleary (Panthers)
You could be forgiven for forgetting the Panthers’ No.7 came into this game having not played a competitive match in over a month. Simply outstanding in almost everything he did. Set up two tries, converted five from five and controlled the game with his general play kicking.
Cleary's bombs causing all sorts of headaches
8. James Fisher-Harris (Panthers)
The Panthers needed a huge game from 'JFH' to combat the Eels' impressive pack, and they got it. Dented the line with each of his 21 carries and was rewarded with a rare try in the second half.
9. Blayke Brailey (Sharks)
Worked himself to a standstill in the middle of the park, playing all 93 minutes and tackling everything that moved near him. Ended up making 68 tackles and only missed three.
10. Joseph Tapine (Raiders)
Dominated the Storm pack alongside his front-row partner Josh Papalii. But his running game was just part of a brilliant performance from the Kiwi, and he also produced some deft touches to put teammates into gaps, including setting up a try for Elliott Whitehead.
Whitehead gets in on the act
11. Isaiah Papali’i (Eels)
Had the second-highest tackle count for his side with 41 and worked hard to combat what Penrith threw at his side of the field. Clocked up over 100 run metres as well.
12. Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs)
While some of the big men around him got caught up in the emotion of the contest, Koloamatangi went about his work on both sides of the ball and was a pillar of strength for South Sydney. Made a team-high 41 tackles and carried 16 times for 148 metres.
13. Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys)
You know it’s been a good day at the office when you have over 100 metres in post-contact yardage alone. This was Taumalolo at his best, punishing the defence with every carry. Finished having carted the ball up 24 times for 270 metres.
Taumalolo sends us to extra time
14. Josh Papalii (Raiders)
Combined brilliantly with Tapine to own the middle of the field against the Storm. Managed to break nine tackles on his 16 carries. Set the tone early with some solid contact on both sides of the ball.
15. Peta Hiku (Cowboys)
You don't see centres running for over 300 metres very often, even when the game does go 93 minutes. Kept showing up when the going got tough and his forwards were fatigued, running the ball more than any other player on the field (28 carries).
16. Nat Butcher (Roosters)
One of the players who really had to step up during the various stages of the game when his side were down on numbers due to sin-binnings. Butcher pushed through the full 80 minutes, made 43 tackles with just one miss and scored a try to keep the Roosters in the contest heading into the final 25 minutes.
17. Reuben Cotter (Cowboys)
Outside of a 10-minute breather, he played right through the golden point thriller and got involved in plenty. Was the best defender on the park, churning through 60 tackles at a 98 percent effectiveness rate.
