Huge Saga: Nathan Cleary and Selwyn Cobbo caught in NRL storm as Jye Gray detail adds to Latrell debate…..

The Dally M voting has once again left a number of NRL fans bewildered with Nathan Cleary and Selwyn Cobbo receiving points in their team’s loss, while Jye Gray’s performance has only further complicated the decision on whether Latrell Mitchell should play fullback. The Roosters were the surprise packet of round two having bounced back from a thrashing at the hands of the Broncos to defeat reigning premiers the Panthers.

There were a number of standouts for the Roosters against the Panthers with the likes of James Tedesco, Sandon Smith, Daniel Tupou, Connor Watson and Mark Nawaqanitawase all stepping-up to silence the doubters. However, Cleary managed to pick up a Dally M point in the Panthers’ loss. While Cleary certainly played well, with two try assists and 12 points through goal-kicking, Roosters fans could argue he was overshadowed by a number of their players.

Roosters five-eighth Smith finished with a try, a try assist and five conversions in the victory, while winger Tupou scored two tries and made three linebreaks in one of his best games in recent times. Tupou even made a try-saving tackle on Brian To’o in the 80th minute to secure the Roosters’ win. Watson was also excellent at No.9 having also scored two tries and appeared to win two points each from the judges.

But one judge deemed Cleary deserved a point in the loss, over Smith, Tupou and Nawaqanitawase. While Cleary did play well, it will certainly raise eyebrows among Roosters fans having watched their team pull off an unlikely victory.

But this wasn’t the only questionable decision in the Dally M voting. Arguably the biggest was the decision to award Cobbo two points in the Broncos’ defeat to the Raiders. Ricky Stuart’s men sent Michael Maguire and the Broncos crashing back down to earth with a 32-20 win at GIO Stadium.

Reece Walsh had a nightmare in Canberra, while Jesse Arthars was one of the shining lights for the Broncos having scored a hat-trick. Although one of the more baffling decisions from the voting was Cobbo picking up two points from one judge. Cobbo finished with one try, no linebreaks and 138 running metres in his 80 minute display.

While impressive, there were a number of Canberra players that either didn’t get points or could have received more. Debutant Matty Nicholson lined-up in the second-row for the Raiders and charged over the line for two tries in a remarkable appearance. However, he was no where to be seen in the Dally M voting.

Canberra’s Matthew Timoko ran for a similar amount of metres compared to Cobbo, scored a try, made a linebreak and made 12 more tackles. But he didn’t didn’t receive a point. Cobbo’s teammate Arthars crossed for three tries, made two linebreaks and even ran for similar metres, but was ignored. While there were a number of bizarre Dally M votes last week in the opening round, it appears round two is throwing up similarly confusing scenarios for fans.

Jye Gray pushing Latrell Mitchell for fullback role

One highlight from the Dally M voting is the emergence of Gray. The young Rabbitohs fullback sits second on the Dally M count after two rounds having played a starring role for South Sydney. In the absence of Mitchell, who is out for around six weeks with a hamstring injury, Gray has improved on his debut season last year and taken his game to another level.

Gray ran for a staggering 256 metres, he also ran for more than 200 metres last week, made a linebreak and opened the scoring against the Dragons on the weekend. While Clint Gutherson and Jamie Humphreys were also standouts on the field, Gray was clearly the best and earned six Dally M points.

And his two energetic performances continues to raise questions to where Mitchell will slide back in when he returns. Mitchell is still a few weeks away from making his NRL comeback, but there has been debate over whether he is more suited to fullback or centre.

Mitchell made his name as a centre for the Roosters and represented NSW during State of Origin last year in this position. Wayne Bennett may have been set to start Mitchell at fullback for his first game back as coach of the Rabbitohs, but the scenario has slightly changed due to Gray’s displays.

In the past, Mitchell’s lack of energy has prompted concerns over his performances in the No.1 jersey. However, there hasn’t been a candidate to take the jersey away from him until now. Gray has shown he is up for the challenge and offers the energy fans have been yearning for in the South Sydney jersey.

Although Mitchell was tipped to return to NRL footy in career-best shape, before he got injured. Regardless, the 27-year-old will be ready to get out and help his team, whether that is in the centres or at fullback. Mitchell has missed the majority of South Sydney’s games since injuring himself after State of Origin Game 2 last year.