Jackson Ford may have missed out on State of Origin selection but the One New Zealand Warriors front rower is keeping the heat on at the top end of the Dally M leaderboard.
He was one of six Warriors players to split the 12 points available after Sunday’s exceptional 42-12 Magic Round victory over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
Ford was awarded two points, enabling him to move up to 33, five behind leader Nathan Cleary ahead of the last round of open voting next week; with Cleary ruled out due to Origin duty, Ford will have a chance to close the gap further.
He’s the only front rower in the top 10 players while Manly’s Haumole Olakau'atu is the only other forward.
Second rower Kurt Capewell and loose forward Erin Clark were awarded three points each for their displays against the Broncos while prop James Fisher-Harris polled two points and second rower Leka Halasima and winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak one each.
Dally M leaderboard | Round 11
38 Nathan Cleary (Panthers)
33 Jackson Ford (One New Zealand Warriors)
32 Dylan Edwards (Panthers)
27 James Tedesco (Roosters)
25 Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys)
23 Braydon Trindall (Sharks)
22 Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles)
20 Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers), Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs)
19 Kalyn Ponga (Knights)
Other One New Zealand Warriors:
16 Tanah Boyd
9 Taine Tuaupiki, Erin Clark
6 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
5 James Fisher-Harris
4 Wayde Egan, Leka Halasima
3 Kurt Capewell, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak,
2 Mitchell Barnett
1 Alofi’ana Khan-Pereira
