Dylan Edwards kicked things off with a brilliant individual performance to open Round 4 on Thursday night, and from there the impressive showings from fullbacks just kept coming.
Dragons custodian Tyrell Sloan enjoyed a day out at the Sea Eagles' expense, while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck gave fans a blast from the past in his cameo back in the No.1 jersey to help the Warriors down the Knights.
Young guns Lachlan Galvin and Terrell May stood out for their sides, while veteran Cameron McInnes put in a massive effort in the middle as the injury-hit Sharks beat the Raiders.
Round 4 Team of the Week
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors)
Returning to fullback for the first time since 2021, Tuivasa-Sheck reminded us why he was once the game's premier No.1. The cross-code star tormented the Knights with his kick returns and carries early in sets as he chalked up 283 run metres with seven tackle breaks. With some trademark dazzling footwork and a couple of crucial defensive interventions thrown in, it was a big day at the office for RTS.
A certified mind blower
2. Sunia Turuva (Panthers)
Registered the first hat-trick of his young career and it was a timely one for Penrith in a one-score game. Showed real awareness to go under the much bigger Daniel Tupou for his first, before backing himself and duly skinning Luke Keary down the flank for his third early in the second half.
3. Jack Wighton (Rabbitohs)
If the Rabbitohs were to beat the Bulldogs on Easter Friday they were going to need one of their stars to step up and give them an injection of strike, and they got just that from Wighton out wide. His two tries made all the difference to the final scoreline, while his work out of yardage was excellent too, with 13 carries that resulted in 140 metres.
Jack Wighton Try
4. Justin Olam (Wests Tigers)
Players on Parramatta’s right side were wise to keep one eye on the PNG international when they had the ball, with Olam flying out of the line on several occasions looking to dish out ferocious hits. An Easter Monday double made it three tries in two games for the centre, who has given the Wests Tigers a genuine strike weapon for their new-look halves pairing to feed.
5. Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins)
One of the key contributors as the Dolphins turned around an early 10-0 deficit to record their second win of the year. The Kiwi international made a nice break down the flank to set up Herbie Farnworth’s try in the second half, with that run part of a 198-metre effort across the 80 minutes. Isaako’s goalkicking was particularly important early on and allowed his side to apply some scoreboard pressure to the Titans.
6. Lachlan Galvin (Wests Tigers)
In just his third NRL game the 18-year-old stood tall for his side when it mattered. After being sent to the sin bin in the second half, Galvin showed great confidence and composure to put his side back in the lead with a moment of pure brilliance to set up Jahream Bula for a crucial try. The rookie playmaker also had a day out on the boot, setting up Justin Olam with a perfectly weighted grubber as well as a solid defensive display with 24 tackles.
Galvin looking right at home
7. Adam Reynolds (Broncos)
In soggy conditions in Brisbane, Reynolds gave the Cowboys' back three nightmares. The veteran pulled all of the tricks out of the bag to make life difficult with his boot and had 645 kicking metres by full-time. Laid on two try assists for good measure as the Broncos won big over their Queensland rivals.
8. Mitch Barnett (Warriors)
His form to start 2024 is making the prospect of life without Addin Fonua-Blake next year a little more bearable for Warriors fans, with Barnett at his aggressive best against his former Newcastle teammates in Auckland. In 56 minutes the 29-year-old churned through 178 metres from 18 carries. Put on some huge shots in defence too.
9. Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers)
Continued his excellent start to the season with an inspirational showing to help the Wests Tigers achieve back-to-back wins for the first time in nearly a calendar year. His clever pass selection and service helped his forwards get the better of the Eels in the battle up the middle, while in defence he was huge too, making 44 tackles and throwing himself at anything wearing blue and gold.
10. Terrell May (Roosters)
A shining light in a beaten side, May has gone from strength to strength through the opening month of the competition and was the Roosters’ best middle against the Panthers. Made 38 tackles without a single miss and ran for 149 metres in a 55-minute stint.
11. Euan Aitken (Dolphins)
After being overlooked in Round 1, Aitken has made every post a winner in the absence of Connelly Lemuelu. A rock in defence with 35 tackles and no misses, while with ball in hand he worked hard too with a 17-carry effort that was more than any other Dolphins forward.
12. Kurt Capewell (Warriors)
In an absorbing encounter against the Knights it was Capewell who showed up in the moments when others couldn’t or didn’t for the Warriors. In defence he clocked a game-high 48 tackles, a couple of which halted promising attacking moves from Kalyn Ponga, while in attack he put his hand up for carries late on to help get his men out of their own end.
Capewell with the steal
13. Pat Carrigan (Broncos)
With no Payne Haas to lead the way, the Brisbane lock stepped up for his side against the Cowboys and in 73 minutes managed 212 run metres, 79 of which came post contact, and made 41 tackles to earn the inaugural Carl Webb Medal.
14. Tyrell Sloan (Dragons)
Caused constant problems for the Sea Eagles with his speed and athleticism, both of which were on full display for his two tries which proved crucial in the end. While his attacking brilliance is something we have seen plenty of times before, it was Sloan’s work off the ball that was of most note in Round 4, as he came up with some big defensive plays and denied Manly a 40/20 that could have changed the game with 25 minutes to play.
Sloan's highlight reel
15. Cam McInnes (Sharks)
Led from the front in the absence of Dale Finucane, Toby Rudolf and Royce Hunt. McInnes’ tireless 80-minute performance had a lot to do with Cronulla’s ability to wrestle momentum back in their favour after trailing by 18 points at one stage. Ran for 150 metres with the ball, 45 of which came after contact, and made a team-high 48 tackles.
16. Tyson Frizell (Knights)
Kept the Knights in the contest for majority of the match, scoring a try in the first half and coming up with a try saver on Chanel Harris-Tavita in the second term. The NSW Origin forward finished his 80-minute performance with a team-high 42 tackles and 94 run metres.
17. Dylan Edwards (Panthers)
A stellar showing headlined by a brilliant individual try which saw him put James Tedesco on skates with some footwork, before kicking in behind the line and regathering the ball. Set up another try and averaged 10 metres across 24 carries from the back. Kicked goals in place of the injured Nathan Cleary too.
