The Penrith Panthers have confirmed themselves as the dominant force of Round 1, with six players making Zero Tackle's stats-based team of the week.
Each round during the 2022 season, Zero Tackle will name a team of the week based purely on stats, including four interchange players who must play from the bench.
There is no subjectivity involved in picking the team from us, with only numbers involved in determining who makes the team.
Zero Tackle's stats team of the week - Round 1
1. Dylan Edwards (Panthers)
Edwards was a star of the show for the Panthers, running more than 300 metres and claiming maximum points in our MVP voting for the opening round of the season.
2. Mikaele Ravalawa (Dragons)
Ravalawa scored three tries on Saturday afternoon for the Dragons in the Red V's victory over the Warriors, causing constant headaches on the edge.
3. Dane Gagai (Knights)
Gagai impressed in his first appearance for the Knights, scoring a try and running for big metres throughout the contest as Newcastle upset the Roosters.
4. Izack Tago (Panthers)
Tago has taken over in the centres at the Panthers following the departures of Matt Burton and Paul Momirovski, and didn't put a foot wrong, proving dangerous in attack all game.
5. Sean Russell (Eels)
The Eels' youngster will spend time on the sideline following a significant injury, but scored three tries in the first half of Sunday's win over the Titans.
6. Jake Clifford (Knights)
There has been plenty of conjecture surrounding the Knights' halves and their attack for 2022, but Clifford was near on perfect in their season-openeing win over the Roosters.
7. Sean O'Sullivan (Panthers)
O'Sullivan had enormous boots to fill against the Sea Eagles, standing in for Nathan Cleary, but led the way with a superb kicking game and excellent decision making.
8. Payne Haas (Broncos)
Haas is a weapon in the front row, and that much was clear yet again as he led the Broncos to something of a shock win over the Rabbitohs without Adam Reynolds in the halves.
9. Apisai Koroisau (Panthers)
Koroisau might be off to the Tigers at the end of the year, but he will want to finish his time at the foot of the mountains with another premiership. He made a fantastic start to the year, causing constant headaches for Manly out of dummy half.
10. Josh Papalii (Raiders)
Papalii had a big game for the Raiders on Friday night against the Sharks, leading the forward pack and making big metres with the ball in hand.
11. Hudson Young (Raiders)
Young scored the match-winning try for the Raiders as they ran out winners over the Sharks, but had a big game elsewhere, passing the 100 metre mark and causing constant problems with the ball in hand.
12. Shaun Lane (Eels)
Lane, between the pre-season trials and Round 1, is showing signs that he might hit his potential this year. A strong start to the season for the tall second rower.
13. Isaah Yeo (Panthers)
Yeo was, as always, a picture of consistency for the Panthers against the Sea Eagles, passing 100 metres and tackling anything that moved in the middle third.
Interchange
14. Trent Loiero (Storm)
Loiero is the first bench player selected this week. He scored a try and had plenty of impact off the bench on the edge for the Melbourne side as they got the better of the Tigers.
15. Max King (Bulldogs)
King was solid for the Bulldogs as they ran out narrow winners over the Cowboys. In a game dominated up the middle third, he was among the best.
16. Luke Thompson (Bulldogs)
Thompson was demoted to the bench an hour before kick-off, but didn't let that impact his level of production once he came onto the park, setting the tone in the middle third for Canterbury.
17. Scott Sorensen (Panthers)
Sorensen will get plenty of game time this year following the departure of Kurt Capewell, and made sure he would remain in Ivan Cleary's plans for the foreseeable future with a strong Round 1 performance.
