It was an action-packed weekend of rugby league action, and once again a team of stars emerged from the pack.
Four Raiders players have made this team after a 41-point massacre of the Eels in the nation’s capital.
Meanwhile, a Bulldogs pairing and a host of Warriors stars have also been given their flowers for his performances.
Read below for the Round 5 Team of the Week!
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FULLBACK
Dylan Edwards — 2 tries, 1 try assist, 245 running metres, 9 tackle busts, 1 linebreak
His team went down to a Sea Eagles outfit inspired by Daly Cherry-Evans’ record-breaking appearance.
But Edwards was excellent for the Panthers, having a hand in three tries and consistently delivering with ball in hand.
His performances can’t be ignored by Michael Maguire and will put him in the equation for an Origin debut.
WINGERS
Xavier Savage — 1 try, 240 running metres, 6 tackle busts, 1 try assist
He’s got speed to burn and showed it on Sunday.
Savage tore the Eels’ right edge to shreds in front of his home crowd, scoring a dangerous full-field try.
He also had a hand in another and broke tackles with ease as the Raiders down a hapless Parramatta side.
Jesse Arthars — 1 try, 171 running metres, 4 tackle busts, 1 try assist
The Broncos flyer was excellent against the Storm, scoring one try and assisting another.
He very easily could have had a second, but dropped a wayward pass from Selwyn Cobbo only metres out from the line.
Regardless, Arthars showed his quality and is a deserving selection in this team.
CENTRES
Matt Timoko — 2 tries, 172 running metres, 9 tackle busts, 1 try assist, 2 linebreaks
As damaging a performance as you’ll see.
Timoko was everywhere for the Raiders and scored a double, breaking nine tackles and also assisting another try.
The Kiwi international is in fine form and was a huge reason behind the Raiders’ 41-point performance on Sunday.
Valentine Holmes — 191 running metres, 6 tackle busts, 1 linebreak, 1 try assist
He’s been elite this season, and he once again delivered against the Titans.
He assisted one try and consistently looked like he would break the Gold Coast’s right edge open on Sunday.
Outside of a handful of wayward passes, Holmes’ consistently broke tackles and is a clear focal point for the Cowboys in attack.
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FIVE-EIGHTH
Matt Burton — 3 tries, 114 running metres, 4 tackle busts, 2 linebreaks, 1 try assist
He stood up when his team needed it.
A hattrick for the Dogs playmaker, who ran the ball in the exact fashion pundits have been crying out for.
Had a hand in four tries in tackle and broke the line twice in a stellar performance to down the Roosters.
HALFBACK
Shaun Johnson — 2 tries, 2 try assists, 3 tackle busts, 2 linebreak assists
Maturing like a fine wine is Johnson, who was at his brilliant best to demolish the Rabbitohs on Saturday.
He scored a double, supporting his teammates who broke through the middle of the field.
He also had a hand in two more tries, finding backrower Jackson Ford with a tough line run, which is looming to be a scary combination this year.
HOOKER
Wayde Egan — 3 secondary try assists, 4 tackle busts, 89 running metres, 37 tackles
Egan is forcing himself into the Origin equation.
His pass to find Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad through the middle of the field deserves every bit of recognition it got.
The Warriors gun was the architect in three tries on Saturday afternoon in a performance that will have caught the eye of Michael Maguire.
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BACKROWERS
Eliesa Katoa — 2 tries, 4 tackle busts, 2 linebreaks, 26 tackles
Good luck trying to stop Katoa close to the line.
The Storm backrower showed he is one of the competition’s best ball runners on Thursday night, scoring a double.
He was virtually untouched for his first try, running the perfect line before showing his power for his second.
Viliame Kikau — 163 running metres, 7 tackle busts, 2 linebreaks
Kikau was battling a knee injury against the Roosters, but still delivered a huge performance for the Bulldogs.
He ran for 163 metres and broke the line twice, leaving 7 defenders in his wake.
The former Panther is in a purple patch at his new club, putting the demons of his first season in Belmore behind him.
PROPS
Addin Fonua-Blake — 169 running metres, 16 carries, 24 tackles, 6 tackle busts
Yet another huge performance from one of the NRL’s premier props.
Fonua-Blake got through a mountain of work, averaged over 10 metres per carry and made 24 tackles.
Throw in the mix six tackle breaks and you’ve got one hell of a performance.
Joseph Tapine — 102 running metres, 2 tackle busts, 27 tackles
A key figure for the Raiders in the middle.
Tapine has been solid so far this season and his form continued against the Eels, leading as captain from the front.
He made 27 tackles and ran for 102 metres.
LOCK
Morgan Smithies — 125 running metres, 39 tackles, 0 missed tackles, 1 tackle bust, 80 minutes
The fourth and final Raiders to make this team.
The English import stayed on the field for 80 minutes against the Eels, making 39 tackles not missing a single one.
He also ran for 125 metres and was an ever-present figure in the middle in the nation’s capital.
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