Brits Down Under: Burgess impressive, Farnworth shines again & trio help Canberra win

After the penultimate round of NRL season we take another look into the performances and stats of the league’s British contingent…

Herbie Farnworth

The Broncos were kept at bay by the Sharks over the weekend as two costly sin bins to Tom Flegler and Brendan Piakura allowed Cronulla enough of a buffer to walk away with a 24-16 win. Despite the loss it was another impeccable display from Farnworth who again proved why he is one of Brisbane’s most consistent players and brightest young stars. The 21-year-old was in great form, securing 127 metres, 34 post contact metres, a line break and a tackle bust whilst also taking on goal-kicking duties for a second game in a row to slot two out of three conversions. The Lancashire-born centre now looks all but certain to finish as his side’s second highest metre maker come the end of the regular season next week.

Josh Hodgson

The Raiders kept their slim play-off hopes alive over the weekend after coming back from 16 points down to score 28 unanswered points and take the win against the Warriors. The 31-year-old was again in solid form, showing great management and ball playing to set up one of five tries for his side on top of producing another great defensive display with another 29 tackles to cement his status as Canberra’s top tackler this year.

Tom Burgess

The 28-year-old was at his polarising best in the Rabbitohs’ dominant 54-12 win over the Roosters. His sheer size and formidable ball carrying proved to be too much for his opponents to contain. The barnstorming prop forward yet again proved why he is one of the most dominant forwards in the league as in only 43 minutes off action he bulldozed his way to 200 metres, 76 post contact metres and two tackle breaks as his side ran rampant against their arch rivals. With only game left to go in the regular season, Burgess looks set to be crowned as South Sydney’s leading metre maker this year whilst also finishing inside the top 10 for the entire league.

Elliott Whitehead

Another solid and dependable showing from the 31-year-old who continues to be one of Canberra’s top leaders in the forward pack. The second-rower had the most tackles by a member of the Raiders in the win over the Warriors with 36 to his name on top of producing a decent ball running display of 86 metres and 34 post contact metres.

Ryan Sutton

It was not as destructive as we have seen on plenty of occasions this year from Sutton but, even still, the powerful back-rower put together a fine display in the come from behind win over the Warriors. Altogether, the former Wigan man tallied 80 metres, 36 post contact metres and 24 tackles to remain Canberra’s second highest metre maker on top of producing the third most tackles so far this year.