Four One New Zealand Warriors players claimed Dally M points but prop Jackson Ford was overlooked after Saturday’s 36-14 win over Parramatta.
Loose forward Erin Clark, centre Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and halfback Tanah Boyd received three points each with winger Dallin Watene-Zeleniak awarded one.
The other two points went to Parramatta's former Warriors standoff Ronald Volkman.
Ford was awarded votes in each of the Warriors’ first six wins of the season to lead the field on 31 points after eight rounds.
He was impressive again in a 71-minute effort on Saturday night scoring his fourth try of the season, making 177 metres from 18 runs with a game-high 71 post-contact metres plus two tackle breaks, two off loads and the most tackles of any player (50 with only one miss), his second 50-tackle effort in consecutive matches.
Match: Eels v Warriors
Round 9 -
home Team
Eels
15th Position
away Team
Warriors
2nd Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
However, the judges bypassed him in the voting which enabled Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary to go top on 33 points after picking up five votes for his display against Manly Warringah.
Clark was again outstanding in his 50 minutes on the field making 179 metres from 17 runs (69 post-contact metres) with three tackle breaks, an off load and 27 tackles with just one miss. He was again a key figure on attack linking with his halves and producing a wonderful pass for Ford’s try.
Tuivasa-Sheck scored his second try of the season and had another ruled out while he made a game-high 199 metres from 16 runs, 69 post-contact metres, two line breaks, five tackle breaks and 14 tackles.
Boyd orchestrated much of the Warriors’ play as usual with 54 metres from eight runs with two line break assists, a try assist and two tackle breaks while he handled the ball 56 times, made 16 tackles, kicked 12 times for 471 metres and kicked six goals from eight attempts. His three points lifts his tally to 16 points and leaves him 10th on the ladder.
Watene-Zelezniak scored for the fifth straight match to give him eight tries in his last five outings while he now has 10 for the season from nine matches. He made 177 metres from 14 carries, 45 post-contact metres and three tackle breaks.
Dally M leaderboard | Round 9
33 Nathan Cleary (Panthers)
31 Jackson Ford (One New Zealand Warriors)
26 Dylan Edwards (Panthers)
25 Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys)
21 Braydon Trindall (Sharks), James Tedesco (Roosters)
20 Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers), Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs)
17 Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles)
16 Tanah Boyd (One New Zealand Warriors)
Other One New Zealand Warriors:
9 Taine Tuaupiki
6 Erin Clark, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
4 Wayde Egan
3 Leka Halasima, James Fisher-Harris
2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Mitchell Barnett
1 Alofi’ana Khan-Pereira
