NRL 2023: Round Four Team of the Week

From a try right on the dead ball line to monster performances in the face of key players injured, the fourth round showed that more than just the stars have what it takes in 2023

Round Four had it all for fans with tight contests and match-saving heroics that showed several players have settled into their new homes nicely after just a month of footy.

The Edge of the Crowd Rugby League team put their heads together to put together the best 13 players in this week's Team of the Week.

1. Fullback - Lachlan Miller - Newcastle Knights

Lachlan Miller again showed his wares on the weekend, as the Knights powered to a strong win over the Raiders. Miller had 255 metres gained, including 81 metres after contact, coming as a result of nine tackle breaks

His running was complemented with two line break assists, and two try assists as he helped the outside backs terrorise the Raiders' defence. Two goals also don't hurt his stats, as he contributed enormously to the Knights' win.

2. Winger - Alofiana Khan-Pereira - Gold Coast Titans

Alofiana Khan-Pereira continues to be electric for the Gold Coast Titans injecting hope into the side despite the disappointing loss. Scoring two tries Khan-Pereira dominated on the left edge, slipping past the Cowboy's defensive line like it was easy with five line breaks and six tackle breaks.

The rookie has proven himself to be indispensable for the Titans just four rounds in, forming an impressive combo with Brian Kelly and David Fifita showing a surprising amount of maturity for a first-year player.

3. Centre - Dane Gagai - Newcastle Knights

Dane Gagai was part of a left-sided attack that dominated for the Knights, with his own try in the corner just after halftime, capitalising on the momentum of teammate Greg Marzhew.

Gagai's outing also included four offloads, as he forced the Raiders' defence into scramble mode time and again, keeping the play alive for an extended period.

4. Centre - Valentine Holmes - North Queensland Cowboys

It was a classy performance from Valentine Holmes for the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday, scoring an 80-metre try and kicking at 100 per cent for conversions.

Putting the hard yards in Holmes ran for 232 metres from 14 runs, and ran 39 metres from dummy half. It wasn't the perfect match for Holmes, however, he settled his side and continued to take plenty of joy in making his opponents miserable scoring his ninth try in 12 games against the Titans.

5. Winger - Greg Marzhew - Newcastle Knights

Marzhew is the third Knight to make it in this week, as the right side of the attack dominated. In his first outing in the red and blue, Marzhew had two tries, including the first for the Knights, and one fresh after halftime.

Marzhew's running included 274 metres, and 101 metres after contact, the most by any Knights player on the weekend in both stats. The Knights will hope he can replicate this form for the club in coming weeks.

6. Five-Eight - Cody Walker - South Sydney Rabbitohs

After facing criticism in the opening rounds of the 2023 NRL season Cody Walker fired back in a big way in South Sydney's win over Manly. Scoring the 13th double of his career, Walker made the impossible possible, getting the ball down with millimetres of space before the ball came into contact with the dead ball line.

Walker had an impact in all areas of the park, making 29 tackles for the match and running for 99 metres with two tackle breaks and one line break. The 32-year-old continues to form a brilliant combo with fullback Latrell Mitchell and stepped up when wingers Alex Johnston and Campbell Graham struggled to break the Manly line.

7. Halfback - Nicho Hynes - Cronulla Sharks

Nicho Hynes is not only back but the 2022 Dally M medal winner's return from injury highlighted what the Sharks have been missing in the opening rounds of the season. Having his hand in three tries Hynes' play-making ability proved to be the difference in a match that looked close in the first half but quickly turned into a demolition in in the second half.

Any time the 26-year-old got his hands on the ball he was incredibly potent, kicking for 257 metres for the match and running for 148 metres from 13 runs, Hynes wasted no opportunities and should he stay fit Hynes will be incredibly influential on the Shark's campaign in 2023.

8. Prop - Payne Haas - Brisbane Broncos

Now leading Edge of the Crowd's Dally M predictor Payne Haas was instrumental in the first-ever Battle of Brisbane with a near-flawless performance at Suncorp Stadium.

With 14 hit-ups and three offloads, Haas advanced the Broncos' line up the field into the Dolphin's defensive half and looked for any opportunity to strike. He backed that up with a strong defensive performance tackling at 94 per cent with 32 tackles, not wasting a single second of his 56 minutes spent on the field.

9. Hooker - Harry Grant - Melbourne Storm

Grant was at the centre of an immense defensive performance for the Storm, making 50 tackles, as well as three incisive kicks to push the Tigers back on their heels.

Grant played every minute, with 118 passes out of dummy half in his performance directing the Storm around the park. Despite recording just six runs, Grant was instrumental in directing the Storm in attack, in devastating fashion for the home side.

10. Prop - Reagan Campbell-Gillard - Parramatta Eels

Parramatta has its first win on the board and Reagan Campbell-Gillard made the most of his 57 minutes on the park on Thursday night. Running for 255 metres, a team-high for the Eels, Campbell-Gillard proved he's capable of mirroring Junior Paulo's abilities while avoiding being placed on report, unlike his teammate.

Running the ball 24 times from his 25 receipts, Campbell-Gillard did plenty of hard work for the Eels producing zero errors for the match as the Eels finally found a way to win.

11. Second Row - Trent Loiero - Melbourne Storm

Loiero was a workhorse for the Storm, with 21 carries over the match, and 177 metres, 73 coming after contact. It was a strong performance, backed up by 37 tackles and an intercept in defence too.

Working as part of a dominant forward pack, Loiero combined well with Grant around the ground to give the Storm plenty of go-forward as they made life difficult for the Tigers' defensive line, pushing them back all afternoon.

12. Second Row - Jackson Ford - New Zealand Warriors

There were plenty of heroics on display from Jackson Ford in the Warriors' win over the Bulldogs, slipping into a leadership role in the forward line following Tohu Harris' injury. The 25-year-old may only be in his first season at the Warriors but a lot of trust was won filling in any role that was needed in accordance with who coach Andrew Webster could get on the park.

The lone forward to play the full 80 minutes, Ford lead the Warriors for tackles including an incredible try-saving tackle, that also ensured the Warriors took home their second win of the season.

13. Lock - Cameron Murray - South Sydney Rabbitohs

Cameron Murray continues to step up to the plate, leading an injury-rocked forward line, the 25-year-old stayed on the park for the full 80 minutes and got involved in a large chunk of the defensive work.

Tackling at 92 per cent, Murray led the tackles for the match with 57, however, all that tackling did result in three penalties in Manly's favour, but the Souths captain proved to be a leader running forward as well, making 19 runs for the match and running for 124 metres.