Things are heating up in the reserve grade competitions, with plenty of sides across NSW Cup and QLD Cup looking to book a spot in the finals.
North Sydney cemented their spot atop the ladder with a hard-fought victory in Round 24, while the Rabbitohs moved into the top-four with an emphatic win over the Dragons.
Up north, Souths Logan and Burleigh continue to battle it out at the top of the ladder, while Redcliffe moved into the top-four after a high-scoring clash against the Capras.
The Sporting News have found five standout performers from the weekend's reserve grade fixtures below.
Sam Walker - North Sydney Bears
After a lengthy absence due to a knee injury, Roosters playmaker Sam Walker returned in style via NSW Cup over the weekend, leading the table-topping North Sydney Bears to victory.
The 21-year-old started at halfback and guided the side around the park, laying on two try assists and running for over 130 metres in the 18-10 victory.
Walker also kicked three goals and made 17 tackles, with Trent Robinson expected to recall him to the NRL lineup in the run to the finals.
Dylan Lucas - Newcastle Knights
While the top grade Newcastle side continue to shine heading into the finals series, the club's second-tier lineup recorded a rare victory over the weekend in a 42-28 triumph over Canterbury.
Back-rower Dylan Lucas was in the thick of the action for the Knights, crossing for a hat-trick and setting up another, as well as making a whopping five linebreaks against the Dogs.
The 23-year-old Bega product also finished with a game-high 170 run metres and 15 tackles with just one miss.
Blake Taaffe - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Canterbury fans may be disillusioned with the club's current standing on the table - but the performances of Blake Taaffe in the lower grades will give them something to look forward to in 2024.
The livewire fullback was at his electric best for the Rabbitohs over the weekend, registering four try assists, four linebreaks, 198 run metres and one try as his side belted the Dragons 50-12 at Redfern Oval.
Taaffe wasn't the only one who impressed for the Bunnies, with hulking winger Izaac Thompson scoring a hat-trick as he pushes for an NRL recall, while Daniel Suluka-Fifita did his chances no harm with another dominant display.
Ryan Papenhuyzen - Sunshine Coast Falcons
In just his second game back from a 14-month layoff, Ryan Papenhuyzen helped the Falcons to a crucial 40-18 victory over Norths Devils.
With a potential return to first grade looming, Papenhuyzen was at his very best for the Sunshine Coast franchise, setting up two tries before scoring one of his own in the 79th minute.
Papenhuyzen also finished with an impressive 127 run metres, six tackle breaks and six goals in his first 80-minute display since suffering a horror knee injury.
Cameron Cullen - Redcliffe Dolphins
Redcliffe moved into the top-four of the QLD Cup competition over the weekend and playmaker Cameron Cullen proved to be a major factor in their win.
The 29-year-old played a handful of top grade games back in 2016 and 2017, but continues to star for the Dolphins and was impressive in the 32-26 win over Central Queensland.
Cullen finished with one try, three try assists, two linebreak assists and 262 kicking metres in the victory.
SPECIAL MENTION: Tweed Heads Seagulls
While it would be tough to single out any player from the Seagulls, their destructive 72-8 win over the Ipswich Jets is certainly worth mentioning, cementing their spot in the QLD Cup top-eight.
