3 minute read
All the talking points from round five of the NRL.
WHAT HAPPENED IN ROUND 5 OF THE NRL:
* QUOTE OF THE ROUND: "Crowds aren't going to help us on our last plays." - Not even the prospect of fans returning could hide North Queensland coach Paul Green's disappointment at his team's inability to defend fifth-tackle plays in their loss to the Warriors.
* STAT THAT MATTERS: Parramatta made it a perfect five-from-five to start the season with a six-point comeback win over Penrith. The last time they started 5-0 was when they last won the premiership in 1986.
* MAGIC MOMENT: When Mikaele Ravalawa crossed for his second with the final play of the game against Cronulla, it not only clinched St George Illawarra's first win of the season, but released a heap of pressure on under-fire coach Paul McGregor.
* TALKING POINT: The NRL was forced to postpone Canterbury's clash with the Sydney Roosters by 24 hours after Bulldogs prop Aiden Tolman was informed that a teacher at his child's school tested positive to COVID-19.
* MAN OF THE ROUND: Cameron Smith was at his vintage best in Melbourne's 26-12 triumph over Newcastle, setting up two tries, kicking five goals from as many attempts, and racking up a team-high 37 tackles.
* JUDICIARY WATCH: Sea Eagles - Danny Levi (dangerous contact); Warriors - Poasa Faamausili (dangerous contact), Jack Murchie (dangerous contact); Cowboys - Thomas Gilbert (dangerous contact); Eels - Kane Evans (dangerous contact); Wests Tigers - Russell Packer (careless high tackle); Dragons - Corey Norman (tripping).
* CASUALTY WARD: Sea Eagles - Martin Taupau (finger), Moses Suli (finger); Broncos - Kotoni Staggs (hamstring); Cowboys - Valentine Holmes (ankle), Jordan Maclean (calf); Panthers - Kurt Capewell (knee); Titans - Dale Copley (ankle); Wests Tigers - Luciano Leilua (ankle); Sharks - Matt Moylan (hamstring).
* UNDER PRESSURE: Brisbane improved from their 59-0 humiliation the previous week with a two-point loss to Manly, but they still blew a three-try lead and have now lost all three games since the resumption of the competition.