NRL barometer market movers & power rankings: Sydney Rooster Jaxson Paulo’s rising trade value
When Jaxson Paulo made the cross-town switch from from the Rabbitohs, few anticipated the rise he’s experienced this year. See BRENT READ’s Round 3 market movers and power rankings.
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Canterbury centre Paul Alamoti came into the season with big expectations and his fan club is growing as rival clubs circle the teenager who tore apart the Wests Tigers at the weekend.
Alamoti is only 19 but has shown in three games under Cameron Ciraldo what all the buzz was about. The Bulldogs junior is coming to the end of a lucrative contract he signed some time ago and Canterbury are doing their level best to keep him.
However, News Corp understands that rival clubs are closely watching the situation. Their interest is only likely to have grown after Alamoti produced a stunning performance against the Tigers at Belmore Sports Ground.
Alamoti ran for 187 metres and had two try assists as the Bulldogs’ left side attack ran riot against the Tigers — the teenager is blessed to have Viliame Kikau on his inside and Josh Addo-Carr on his outside.
The Bulldogs are known to be keen to extend Alamoti’s deal but his price is rising as he lives up to the billing through the opening three rounds.
NRL MARKET MOVERS
Paul Alamoti (Bulldogs)
Former Australian schoolboys and NSW underage star is flying through the opening three rounds. ($350,000 ^ $450,000)
Jaxson Paulo (Roosters)
The former South Sydney back moved to the Sydney Roosters in the off-season on a cut-price deal and has been on fire. ($120,000 ^ $250,000)
Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Titans)
Khan-Pereira was a try-scoring machine in the Queensland Cup and he has carried that form into the NRL. ($180,000 ^ $270,000)
Corey Horsburgh
Big Red scored a double at the weekend as Canberra secured their first win of the year. ($350,000 ^ $450,000)
Dom Young
Young was the subject of a bidding war before the season began but his form has dipped considerably since he announced a move to the Roosters. ($400,000 down to $250,000)
NRL POWER RANKINGS
10. Will Kennedy (Sharks) - down 7 spots
Kennedy helped himself to another try but it didn’t help the Sharks as they slumped to their second loss of the year. The silky fullback is locked in contract talks with the club and his price has gone up with every game this year.
9. Harry Grant (Melbourne) - stays the same
Grant has been dynamite through the opening three weeks of the season, albeit in a Storm side that has struggled. Their latest loss was against the Gold Coast at the weekend but Grant couldn’t be blamed - he had three try assists.
8. Sean O’Sullivan (Dolphins) - new entry
O’Sullivan has proved to be one of the Dolphins’ most astute buys through the opening three rounds. He has been a steady hand for young five-eighth Isaiya Katoa, defended strongly and used his precise kicking game to orchestrate the Dolphins’ unbeaten start.
7. Tohu Harris (Warriors) - up three spots
The Warriors spiritual leader ran for more than 100 metres and added 35 tackles as the Warriors continued their surprising start to the year. He has been the driving force behind their bright start.
6. James Tedesco (Roosters) - new entry
Tedesco was at his inspirational best as he ran for more than 100 metres and busted six tackles in the Roosters’ big win over South Sydney on Friday night. He threw in a try assist for good measure as the Roosters punished their bitter rivals.
5. Isaah Yeo (Penrith) - stays the same
Yeo enjoyed the bye last weekend but he retains his place in the top 10 because of his performances over the opening two rounds. Penrith’s co-captain will be a key figure in the grand final rematch on Thursday night.
4. Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs) - new entry
The Bulldogs were tipped to improve this year largely off the back of signing Reed Mahoney and Viliame Kikau. They haven’t disappointed. Mahoney was a key figure again at the weekend as the Dogs swatted away the Wests Tigers.
3. Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly) - up one spot
Cherry-Evans bounced back from the bye with another starring role as Manly continued their unbeaten start to the year against Parramatta. The Sea Eagles skipper has been on fire as the Sea Eagles prepare to meet South Sydney.
2. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Gold Coast) - new entry
Fa’asuamaleaui has surged into the rankings after an inspirational performance for the Gold Coast against Melbourne at the weekend. The Titans skipper has been a driving force behind their fast start to the year.
1. Reece Walsh (Brisbane) - stays the same
Walsh continued his thrilling start to the year against St George Illawarra and he will be at the centre of the Dolphins’ game plan as they prepare for Friday night’s Battle of Brisbane. Stop Walsh and the Dolphins are halfway there.
Originally published as NRL barometer market movers & power rankings: Sydney Rooster Jaxson Paulo’s rising trade value
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