A weekend of upsets, disappointments, brilliant performances and stunning decisions. NRL round 20 had it all.
The Roosters appear to be hitting peak form at the perfect point of the season, but will be without star playmaker Luke Keary for an extended period of time due to a knee injury.
With the Chooks decimating the St George Illawarra Dragons, and the Panthers barely winning against Manly, it now appears three teams have jumped out in front of the premiership favourites race.
The Tricolours are joined by Melbourne who tore the Raiders to shreds, and Souths who put in a lacklustre performance against last-placed Parramatta but still took the chocolates.
While team accolades are clearly the most important, we case our eyes towards the individual ones here.
Take a look below at Sporting News' team of the week for round 20.
1. JAMES TEDESCO (SYDNEY ROOSTERS)
In the Roosters' demolition job of St George Illawarra, Tedesco starred at the back.
The NSW Blues number one scored a double, had a try assist and broke five tackles against the Red V. He is really starting to look at home in Roosters gear.
2. PHILLIP SAMI (GOLD COAST TITANS)
Sami put on a show against the Warriors, scoring a double in the Titans' shock victory. He also had one of the highlights of the season which can be seen below.
Oh my 😮... Phillip Sami Tuivasa-Shecked RTS!#TelstraPremiership moment of the match.#NRLTitansWarriors #NRL pic.twitter.com/wnTqoBVnwo
— NRL (@NRL) July 29, 2018
3. LATRELL MITCHELL (SYDNEY ROOSTERS)
After Mitchell's performance against the Dragons, there are those calling him one of the best players in the game.
The youngster tore the Red V apart in a game that yielded three tries, 11 tackle breaks, 100 metres and four goals.
4. DANE GAGAI (SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS)
Gagai stood up for Souths in the absence of skipper Greg Inglis.
Against the Eels, he scored a brace, had a try assist, broke eight tackles and had another two line breaks.
5. SULIASI VUNIVALU (MELBOURNE STORM)
Vunivalu has had a far quieter season than we all expected after his breathtaking year in 2017.
He showed glimpses of his stunning form against the Raiders where he scored a try, broke three tackles and had a line break.
6. CAMERON MUNSTER (MELBOURNE STORM)
Munster looked like the best player in the world against the Raiders. While there are those who believe his best position is at the back, Munster played a fantastic game in the halves for Melbourne.
He scored a try, had a try assist, broke eight tackles, had a line break, a line break assist, made 25 tackles while running for 90 metres.
7. NATHAN CLEARY (PENRITH PANTHERS)
Cleary had arguably his best game in clubland during Penrith's dramatic victory over the Sea Eagles.
Not only did he score the winning try, but he had a try assist, broke two tackles and made a line break.
8. MATT LODGE (BRISBANE BRONCOS)
Lodge continued his good form in the tight win over the Sharks.
He scored a try, broke four tackles, had a line break while making 24 tackles of his own.
9. CAMERON SMITH (MELBOURNE STORM)
Cameron Smith had a cracker against the Raiders, he continually took the ball to the line and tore his opponents' defence to shreds.
In the huge victory, the skipper broke a tackle, kicked eight goals and made 28 tackles himself.
10. SIO SIUA TAUKEIAHO (SYDNEY ROOSTERS)
Taukeiaho stood out for the Chooks in the mammoth victory over Canberra.
The big man broke two tackles and ran over 160 metres in a dominant performance.
11. LACHLAN FITZGIBBON (NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS)
Fitzgibbon continued his red-hot try-scoring form for the Knights in the loss to the Cowboys.
The forward scored two tries, broke six tackles, had two line breaks and made 43 tackles.
12. ANGUS CRICHTON (SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS)
Crichton can seem to do no wrong in a Souths jersey.
In the win over the Eels, the Blues forward broke five tackles, ran over 80 metres and made 38 tackles of his own.
13. SAM BURGESS (SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS)
Burgess joins his Souths teammate as the lock in our team of the week.
Against Parramatta, Burgess made 39 tackles and ran just under 120 metres.
