The Mole: Egg on Roosters' face as 'early contender for buy of the year' emerges in round one Team of the Week
New Dog features in Team of the Week
The Bulldogs showed plenty of promise in their first round win over the Dragons and one of the standout performers was a new face who added an extra dimension.
Scroll on to find out how Sitili Tupouniua fits into The Mole's Team of the Week for round one, and which 12 players had the honour of being picked alongside him.
1. Kalyn Ponga (Knights)
Started the new season in scintillating form with 200 running metres and two line breaks in the narrow win over the Tigers.
2. Jesse Arthars (Broncos)
Gave Dom Young a lesson with three line breaks and two try assists as well as a try himself in the big 50-14 win.
3. Gehamat Shibasaki (Broncos)
Came of age as an NRL player, scoring a try and having a hand in a couple of others as the Broncos carved up the Roosters backline.
4. Jack Howarth (Storm)
Led the Storm rampage against the Eels on Sunday out wide with an awesome 239 running metres and two try assists.
5. Xavier Savage (Raiders)
Set Vegas alight with two tries and several line breaks in the upset win over the woeful Warriors.
6. Fletcher Sharpe (Knights)
In a tight win over the Tigers, he was the difference, with a try and two lightning line breaks.
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)
The oldest player in the NRL started his 15th season with a ripper performance against the Cowboys, scoring a try and having a hand in three more.
8. Patrick Carrigan (Broncos)
Made a mammoth 242 running metres - almost double the best Roosters forward, to lead the way up front.
9. Harry Grant (Storm)
Terrorised the Eels with his class and skill out of dummyhalf in Sunday's massacre at AAMI Park.
