Stocks Up

Tupou Sopoaga - The young forward has been one of the only Panthers to benefit from the current injury crisis in Penrith (which has now extended to almost two seasons) which good minutes off the bench. Sopoaga produced 100 metres in 47 minutes, which compared to Penrith's other members of the hundy club (Cartwright 117m in 80 mins, Latimore 108m in 45 mins) is pretty handy for a youngin'. 

Latimore, who...

Sam Perrett - A couple tries and a try assist always go down nicely for a winger.

Jason Taumalolo - I don't think it's a coninkidink that Taumalolo played the most minutes he has over the past few months, in Auckland. Playing in front of friends and family, Taumalolo pumped out 72 minutes and 212 running metres (no Warriors forward ran over 100 metres). That's the Taumalolo we all love, but the Cowboys haven't needed it and have been able to ease the workload on Taumalolo, who is suspect will starting peaking for the finals. 

Jordan Kahu - When reading these stocks, it's important to keep the Kiwis tour to England in mind as it's quickly looming on the horizon. Kahu - with my Kiwi-bias safe lurking - was the best player for the Broncos in their tough loss to the Roosters and just looks like a classy player. There's Kiwis wing spots up for grabs and Kahu's playing well.

Nikorima Brothers - Older bruv Kodi made 14 metres with each of his 14 carries in a brief spell to give Andrew McCullough a break. Younger bruv Jayden, has decided to be an Aussie (reppin' Queensland and Junior Kangaroos) so, whatever but he's got the blood and he signed a 3-year deal with the Roosters, leaving Kodi in Brisbane. 

Siosiua Taukeiaho - In that Denan Kemp x Jeremey Latimore, Latimore said that Taukeiaho is one of the hardest blokes in the NRL to tackle which I'm sure will be backed up by many other NRL players. The loss of Waerea-Hargreaves is offset by having Taukeiaho (among others) who took 14 carries at 11.21 metres per carry in 48 minutes against the Broncos. He's somewhat of a Kiwis bolter, especially given they success they have had with their power game - Taukeiaho, Taumalolo and Taupau? All day.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - FUCKING STANDARD (80 mins, 26 carries, 285m, 5 tackle busts, 3 offloads and the most metres in an NRL season).

Issac Liu - A slept on player for the Roosters but someone who consistently performs and offers the Chooks a mobile forward to go along with their behemoths.

Kalifa Faifai Loa - 2 tires and hopefully we see Faifai Loa get back to being a consistent selection, getting more chances to show that he's a very solid NRL winger.

Stocks Down

Tigers Forwards - The Tigers have been pretty stink this season but we have at least been able to enjoy quality performances from either Sauaso Sue, Ava Seumanufagai and Martin Taupau, at times all three. Unfortunately in their hefty loss to Cronulla, all three had mediocre knights with Taupau playing the most minutes at 37 in a lacklustre performance from the entire Tigers forward pack.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves - Season over, just as he was building a compelling case for Kiwis selection.

Jesse Bromwich - A quiet night for the best prop in the business, in a mediocre Storm performance.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona - A mediocre Storm performance headlined by Asofa-Solomona who, in 37 minutes managed to make an error, concede a couple penalties and miss 6 tackles.