NRL Player Power Rankings, round nine: Campbell Graham, Nicho Hynes put their hands up for NSW selection

The South Sydney centre was near faultless as the Rabbitohs downed the table-topping Broncos.

Graham finished with three tries, a try assist, 16 tackles and 136 run metres, finishing with a score of 99.75 as Souths came away with a 32-6 victory.

Playing on the right edge, Graham benefited from some brilliant playmaking inside him and according to his coach is doing everything possible to set himself up for a Blues jumper.

“He’s doing what he needs to do to put himself in the frame for rep honours,” said Jason Demetriou after the match.

“We just love having him as part of our club and what he brings to our footy team, so we will see what happens when they pick the team.”

It’s set to be a tough decision for NSW coach Brad Fittler who has an array of outside backs to choose from. Stephen Crichton and Latrell Mitchell are both in fine form while Tom Trbojevic’s Origin history also comes into account.

The next-best performance of the round belonged to an unheralded star in the Dolphins’ incredible start to life in the NRL – Connelly Lemuelu.

The 24-year-old has cemented his position as a starting back-rower in recent weeks and rewarded Wayne Bennett with a strong showing against the Raiders in Wagga Wagga. He had two tries, a try contribution, two line breaks, 34 tackles and 117 run metres.

J’maine Hopgood continued his breakout for the year, filling the stat sheet again on Friday against the Knights.

Without Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Ryan Matterson, Hopgood stepped up with 154 run metres, one of 12 Parramatta players to run more than 100 metres. He also finished the match with 41 tackles and a try assist.

Cronulla halfback Nicho Hynes joined Graham in his latest push for an Origin debut as the Sharks smashed the Cowboys to open the round. Hynes scored a try, had a try assist, two try contributions and 595 kick metres as he pulled all the strings in the victory.

Rounding out the top five is one man Fittler won’t be able to call upon for NSW – Jack Wighton. After a week where he dominated the headlines after confirming his move to the Rabbitohs next year, Wighton showed that he still has plenty to give in his final year at the Raiders.

He had a try and two try assists, a line break and 97 run metres as Canberra secured an emotional golden point victory over the Dolphins.

Top 10 power rankings after round nine

The Panthers’ surprise loss to the Wests Tigers sees Nathan Cleary relinquish top spot in the overall power rankings.

The Penrith halfback drops to third spot, with fellow New South Welshmen Payne Haas and Nicho Hynes moving up the ladder.

Haas takes the No.1 position but did not play in round nine due to suspension.

Cody Walker and Siosifa Talakai continued their impressive performances. The pair sit in fourth and fifth respectively, with the Rabbitohs and Sharks confirming their place as two of the form teams in the NRL.

A new entrant in the top 10 this week is Dolphins dummy-half Jeremy Marshall-King. The 27-year-old has been one of Bennett’s most consistent players in their start to NRL life. He finished with 53 tackles and a try assist against the Raiders, both categories he leads for the Dolphins this season.

Manly’s up-and-down year continued with a surprising loss at home to the Titans, but Jake Trbojevic showed why he is still one of the most reliable forwards in the competition as he made his way into the top 10. A calf problem will keep him out for two weeks and the Sea Eagles will miss his experience in crucial matches against the Broncos and Sharks.

Rounding out the rankings were two fullbacks who score tries for fun, Clint Gutherson and Latrell Mitchell.

Gutherson finished with a hat-trick but could have had a few more against the Knights, while Mitchell was at his brilliant best once again as he scored a double against the Broncos.