Halves are also grouped into a single position for selection purposes. James Tedesco's running metres are down considerably on his per game average of last season, but he has already scored six tries in three games in While he might not be getting quite so far up the field, Teddy is breaking almost seven tackles per game.
Tedesco is more than just the numbers. He's an elite support player, a gravitational pull to the defence, and has a ridiculous knack for being in the right place at the right time. Brett Morris produced the above quote when talking about claiming three Dally M points across each of the two opening rounds.
His points total has created plenty of controversy, but back-to-back hattricks in Round 1 and 2, along with a seventh try in Round 3, have him named in the SI Team of the Month. While he does have the pleasure of playing within the most dangerous left-edge attack in the NRL, Gagai isn't simply reaping the rewards of brilliance inside him.
He's doing the hard yards getting South Sydney's sets off to a strong start. Gagai's metres per game is his highest average in a season since We can expect him to set a new career-high by the time Round 24 wraps up too. Souths were poor to start in Round 1 and took a while to get going in dire conditions in Round 2. Once the Rabbitohs start to hit their straps, Gagai's yardage and finishing on the edge will be at the forefront. He hasn't always been asked to do much, but Manu has done the job asked of him to start the season.
His three try assists in is already just two short of 's season total, the running metres per game is on track for a new career-high, and the year-old has broken 11 tackles along the way.
Things start to get a little bit more difficult for Manu now, though. With Keary out and an inexperienced half now beside him, the game centre needs to do more if the Roosters are to be relevant in September. However, the year-old has dotted down just once so far this season.
To'o leads the NRL with running metres per game through three rounds while falling behind only David Fifita in tackle breaks at 7. Whether it be in exit sets, off kick returns or the first play from a scrum, To'o is getting the Panthers downhill and playing a big part in what eventuates at the other end of the field.
Luke Keary cracks the Stats Insider Team of the Month for March, but it will be his last appearance this season after sustaining a significant knee injury in Round 3. Up to that point, Keary had already accumulated an NRL-high seven try assists as the Roosters ran rampant down his new home on the right edge. If that's what things looked like while Keary grew accustomed to his new role, it's scary to think how lethal the Roosters right side would have been by the end of the season.
Sam Verrills and Victor Radley will help keep the Roosters above water, but there is no replacing Keary who looked every bit like one of the best halfbacks in the game to start The year-old is averaging a whopping 82 touches per game as he guides the Panthers around the park. He's handed out two try assists in as many games, but much of Cleary's influence in the side comes in the pressure he builds with his boot.
His He's doing what he wants with the ball, and a lot of that comes from his threat as a ball-runner. The best halves run the ball regularly, but elite halves pick the right moments. Cleary is doing that while averaging a career-high running metres per game in Tevita Pangai Jr.
If it wasn't an on-field suspension keeping him off the field last season, it was an off-field incident causing problems. But with a full pre-season under his belt and as a leader of this Brisbane Broncos forward pack, the year-old has stood up through the first three rounds of the NRL season. He's averaging running metres per game and has thrown 13 offloads and broken 10 tackles along the way. Defensively, he's missed just two of his 86 attempted tackles.
However, it's the eye-test that gives confidence to the idea that the new-and-improved TPJ is for real. He's putting his foot down until the final whistle and the Broncos look a lot better for it. Limited to just two games last season leaving Adam O'Brien to rotate through a handful of makeshift hookers, a healthy Jayden Brailey has been a game-changer for the Newcastle Knights.
He has scored a try, handed out two, forced a dropout and run for a career-high 44 metres per game to start The year-old is a tackling machine making He's passing players onto the ball and making good decisions from behind the ruck. Brailey's experience at the position has freed up Mitchell Pearce and will soon help Blake Green and Kalyn Ponga return from injury. Time in possession is crucial with the fatigue in the game.
The simplified approach against bottom teams is to hit the advantage line and move the defence around until they tire and crack. Souths and Penrith, along with Melbourne, have succeeded in doing that against the 13 other teams in the competition all season. Perhaps more important than metres made is metres conceded. Again, like defence and running metres remaining as key components of premiership-winning teams despite the changes in recent years, being towards the top of the list in running metres conceded is also a trend of recent winners.
Eight of the last ten teams to lift the Provan-Summons Trophy have conceded the fewest or second-fewest running metres throughout the season. South Sydney's advantage in this area is especially notable when you consider Penrith's patient approach in attack. While the Panthers do earn The Rabbitohs, on the other hand, score 1. While the Panthers are the better team in yardage with the ball, the Rabbitohs are superior without it.
It's a very long way of saying these two teams are perfectly matched up to produce a ripper of a footy game on Sunday night. These two sides are both at the top of their game defensively. Penrith is one of the best defensive teams in NRL history while Souths have improved more than anybody expected. Still, with the Total set at It's no surprise to see the Panthers here at this point of the season.
It has long been expected that they would reach their second-consecutive Grand Final. However, their path here has been bumpy. Unlike the Rabbitohs, Ivan Cleary's side has been forced to play right the way through September and will be feeling the effects of a long and physical season. The Bunnies, on the other hand, have played just once in the last two weeks and appear to be timing their run to perfection.
Will the Panthers learn from their Grand Final experience and go one better, or will Wayne Bennett go out a winner in his 10th appearance in the big dance? Did you enjoy this article? Join our free mailing list to get the best content delivered straight to your inbox, or join the conversation by l eaving a comment below or on the Stats Insider Twitter or Facebook page.
As far as Jason is concerned, there is no better time of year than March through June. An overlap of the NBA and NRL seasons offer up daily opportunities to find an edge and fund the ever-increasing number of sports streaming services he subscribes to. If there's an underdog worth taking in either code, he'll be on it. Past performance is not always indicative of future performance. No matter how many 'innovations' are crowbarred into the game, some things never change.
Perhaps more important now than ever, defence will win the premiership. Latest Articles. A new version of Stats Insider is now available! You'll see it when you next reload the page, or you can click here to go to it now! Stats Insider for Business. Engage your audience with integrated sports predictions and real time insights with Stats Insider partner solutions.
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