Brits Down Under: Thompson impresses in Bulldogs’ win, Farnworth’s assist and Young scores maiden NRL try
We have taken a look at the performances and stats of the NRL’s British contingent following round 14.
Herbie Farnworth
After Xavier Coates’ late withdrawal due to a hamstring tweak, Brisbane were forced into a slight backline reshuffle with Farnworth moving from full-back to the wing for the game against Canberra. However, it was another disappointing defeat for Kevin Walters side as they failed to contain the Raiders’ attack. The positional switch did not seem to effect, his ever-growing stock rise though with Farnworth putting together another great running display. In total, the 21-year-old had 105 metres, 51 post contact and three tackle busts on top of producing an audacious try assist under tackle pressure out wide to allow Tyson Gamble to score.
Ryan Sutton
The Raiders returned to winning ways on Saturday with a 38-16 victory over Brisbane to push themselves back up the ladder to 13th and only two points behind an NRL Finals spot. The 26-year-old was highly effective off the bench using his size and tough ball carrying to produce another solid performance with 112 metres, 41 post contact, a tackle bust and 28 tackles to his name. The powerful back-rower now has the third most metres (1,368) and the second most tackles (361) all by a Canberra player this year.
Tom Burgess
The 28-year-old started off the bench in the win over Newcastle on Saturday and even though it may not have been another blitzing 100 metre plus display like we have been used to seeing but a total of 74 metres, 35 post contact and a tackle bust shows just how effective he can be and how difficult he is to handle with the ball in his hand. The barnstorming prop forward continues to lead the Rabbitohs in metres made with 1,654 and he also has the fourth most tackles with 290 after securing 24 in the victory over the Knights.
Luke Thompson
The Bulldogs sealed their second win of the year with an impressive performance against a poor Dragons side. As young five-eighth Jake Averillo starred with a brace of tries and a solid kicking display, Thompson showed his tireless work ethic and tough ball running with another great showing. The 26-year-old raked up 153 metres, 50 post contact, a tackle bust and 27 tackles in all-round solid effort. After missing the first four games this year due to suspension, the former St Helens forward has the fifth most metres (1,233) and fourth most tackles (280) all by a Canterbury player this season along with averaging 137 metres and 31 tackles per game.
Elliott Whitehead
The 31-year-old may not be one of the flashiest or one of the most productive but one thing you can guarantee is that he does his job week in and week out for the Raiders. The second rower’s work ethic and ball playing out on the edge and general influence set him apart from most at his position and he was as solid as they come yet again in the win over the Broncos. The former Catalans and Bradford star continues to top Canberra’s tackling charts after securing 25 against Brisbane while putting in a steady running display with 70 metres and 17 post contact.
Dom Young
After featuring mainly for Newcastle’s reserves side in the New South Wales Cup, the 19-year-old was given another chance to show what he can do in the NRL after being called up to the Knights squad that faced South Sydney on Saturday. It may have ended in 24-10 defeat for Adam O’Brien’s side, but even still they were very much in the contest for a good portion of the game with Young starting on the wing and showing great finishing ability to power his way over for his first ever try in the NRL in the 23rd minute. Overall, the former Huddersfield youngster continues to showcase plenty of potential with 97 metres, 26 post contact, a linebreak and tackle bust.
Josh Hodgson
Since making his return from an ACL injury earlier on in the season, Hodgson has certainly been a little hit and miss in attack for Canberra this year and it has certainly shown as the green machine fell down the ladder to outside the NRL Finals spots. However, the win over Brisbane proved that the 31-year-old still has a big role to play going forward, with an integral performance that produced a try assist alongside some very assertive runs out of the ruck. Altogether, Hodgson had 57 metres, 17 post contact, three tackle busts, an assist and 25 tackles.
Bailey Hodgson
The 18-year-old has been in impressive form since making his debut for Newcastle in the New South Wales Cup only a few weeks ago and that trend continued this week as the Knights were able to beat the Rabbitohs in the second-string competition. The young full-back saw 80 minutes of action and was a big piece of their offence, taking on a big workload in terms of carries with 19 and racking up 154 metres, 38 post contact and seven tackle busts.
Harry Rushton
The promising back rower continues to be a prominent feature in Canberra’s reserve side and played 44 minutes in the win over the Blacktown Sea Eagles in the NSW Cup. The 19-year-old has been one of the side’s standout performers in the competition and in the game against the Sea Eagles he had 70 metres gained, 39 post contact, a tackle bust and 29 tackles.