1. Michael Morgan (Cowboys): While he didn't end up making the extended Queensland Origin squad for Game Two, Morgan would not have looked out of place following his outstanding performance against the Eels on Friday night. Morgan ran for 183 metres, broke six tackles and had a hand in two of his team's tries before scoring one himself in the dying stages of the game.



2. Akuila Uate (Knights): Wayne Bennett's choice of swapping his wingers to the opposite side of the field appeared to pay dividends for Uate on Sunday afternoon against the Tigers. Uate made three line breaks and ran for 184 metres while also crossing for a hat-trick of tries, elevating him to the all-time leading try scorer in the history of the Newcastle Knights.

3. Josh Dugan (Dragons): While it happened against an injury-ravaged Cronulla Sharks, Dugan's move to the centres finally managed to get the pay-off the Dragons have been chasing after the usual fullback crossed for a hat-trick of tries. Dugan put his hand up at the right time to earn a recall for the Blues for Game Two.

4. Dylan Walker (Rabbitohs): Was the difference in the Bunnies' victory over the Warriors. With two tries, 207 metres, seven tackle breaks and three line breaks, Walker produced a stunning performance in both centre and later at fullback when Greg Inglis went down with an ankle injury. Unfortunately, a thumb concern will sideline the young centre for several weeks.

5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Roosters): If ever there was a prize awarded to a player with the ability to make his opposition defenders look silly then you would look no further than the evasive Tuivasa-Sheck. With a crisp step, Tuivasa-Sheck within a split second bamboozled Melbourne's Young Tonumaipea to cross for his fourth try of the year to accompany his 200 metres and three line breaks.

6. James Maloney (Roosters): Has tidied up his game exceptionally well since being left out of the Blues team. Since being dropped, Maloney has been impressive for the Roosters in their now three-game winning streak. His three try assists, 19 tackles and line break reaffirmed this again on Sunday against Melbourne.

7. Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly): Cherry-Evans single-handedly turned the game for the Sea Eagles against the Bulldogs on Friday night, and he played just 44 minutes. Demonstrating his pure influence, Cherry-Evans had a hand in all of Manly's first-half tries assisting with a line break, two offloads and a try assist in the first half before succumbing to a knee injury.

8. Aaron Woods (Tigers): Woods is coming into Origin II off the back of a great performance against the Knights. Seeing the big man in space is a scary prospect especially late in proceedings. As well as his line break, Woods ran for 158 metres, busted through four tackles and made 34 tackles of his own.

9. James Segeyaro (Panthers): Segeyaro is making it hard for Kevin Kingston to reclaim his spot once he returns from injury. Segeyaro was at his best once again generating 51 tackles, five tackle breaks and 110 metres as well as scoring his fourth try of the season.

10. Josh McGuire (Broncos): The young Broncos prop smashed out a man of the match performance against the Raiders on Monday night. With a try to his name, 163 metres, 36 tackles and a line break, McGuire left Queensland selectors left wondering "why didn't we pick him as well?" Unfortunately, he may come under scrutiny from the match review committee after being placed on report twice.

UPDATE: Cleared by the judiciary today - Tuesday 10/6.

11. Tyrone Peachey (Panthers): Peachey's form in recent weeks is a big reason as to why the Panthers are leading the competition at the halfway point of the season. Off the back of his man of the match performance against the Eels the week before, Peachey backed it up with 219 metres, a try, a try assist and three line breaks.

12. Sonny Bill Williams (Roosters): Williams has been a busy man in recent weeks as he slowly builds back to his damaging best. Whether it is with ball in hand or in defence, the man dubbed SBW has been impressive. Against Melbourne he ran for 147 metres before producing a line-break, a try, two line break assists and 32 tackles.

13. Trent Merrin (Dragons): The extraordinary ability of Merrin to produce the numbers he did coming off the bench for the Dragons is an achievement in itself. While the Red V did hold the majority of possession indicative in the Origin forward's 25 tackles, Merrin still ran for an unbelievable 268 metres.

Interchange:

14. Benji Marshall (Dragons): It might have taken three appearances but Marshall finally showed what he is capable of, albeit against an injury-ravaged Sharks team. Marshall produced three line break assists and three try assists for the Red V, announcing in the meantime that he's in it for the long run.

15. Jarryd Hayne (Eels): Off the back of his man of the match performance in Origin I, Hayne backed it up in his first game back for the Eels in notable circumstances. When he wasn't jokingly tussling with Johnathan Thurston, Hayne punched out a try, two line breaks and five tackle breaks.

16. Jake Friend (Roosters): If Queensland ever feel the need to move incumbent hooker Cameron Smith to the halves for State of Origin they'll find great solace in knowing that someone like Friend is there to fill the hole out of dummy-half after racking up 42 tackles, 107 metres, two line break assists and a try assist against Smith and the Storm on Sunday.

17. Sam Burgess (Rabbitohs): The ever-consistent Burgess again produced brilliant numbers against the Warriors, continuing his rich vein of form. The English international made his opposition pay with five tackle breaks, a double century of metres, three offloads and 35 tackles.

This article first appeared on NRL.com