3 minute read
All the details of round 21 of the NRL including man of the round, injuries, suspensions and controversies.
WHAT HAPPENED IN ROUND 21 OF THE NRL
* MAN OF THE ROUND: In an already glittering start to his young career, Matt Burton produced potentially his best performance yet against the Sydney Roosters. Filling in for Nathan Cleary, the Penrith half scored two tries, stepping through the line from inside his own end on both occasions. He also kicked superbly in the 20-14 win.
* QUOTE OF THE ROUND: "I've got a shotgun in my room, so I'm going to get one of the guys to take that out tomorrow night." - Craig Bellamy's sarcastic plan to stop Tom Trbojevic. In the end Melbourne didn't need a weapon, just an expert kicking game and high pressure on the Manly No.1 in defence.
* STAT THAT MATTERS: Melbourne's 28-18 win over Manly made it 17 straight wins for the Storm, becoming just the fourth team in history to do so.
* MAGIC MOMENT: Adam Reynolds became South Sydney's greatest ever points-scorer when he overtook Eric Simms' mark of 1841 with a conversion early in the second half of the Rabbitohs' win over Parramatta. It broke a record that had stood for 50 years - the longest points-scoring record at any club in the NRL.
* TALKING POINT: Can Parramatta's spiralling season be saved? Coach Brad Arthur is starting to feel the heat after their third straight loss. Now without Reed Mahoney for the rest of the year, the Eels are on the cusp of dropping out of the top four and still have games against Manly, Melbourne and Penrith to come.
* JUDICIARY WATCH: Sharks - Will Chambers (contrary conduct); Warriors - Matt Lodge (high tackle), Kane Evans (contrary conduct/dangerous contact/dangerous contact), Dallin Waetene-Zelezniak (contrary conduct); Panthers - Liam Martin (dangerous contact), Kurt Capewell (dangerous contact), Api Koroisau (contrary conduct); Roosters - Angus Crichton (crusher), Egan Butcher (high tackle); Sea Eagles - Toafofoa Sipley (crusher); Raiders - Jordan Rapana (dangerous contact); Dragons - Tariq Sims (high tackle), Zac Lomax (high tackle); Rabbitohs - Taane Milne (high tackle); Broncos - Keenan Palasala (high tackle); Bulldogs - Dylan Napa (high tackle), Jack Hetherington (high tackle); Cowboys - Tom Gilbert (high tackle).
* CASUALTY WARD: Eels - Reed Mahoney (shoulder); Knights - Hymel Hunt (concussion), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder); Dragons - Cody Ramsey; Sea Eagles - Taniela Paseka (leg); Tigers - Thomas Mikaele (concussion); Cowboys - Murray Taulagi (concussion), Lachlan Burr (concussion).
* UNDER PRESSURE: Cronulla were among the favourites to claim one of the last two spots in the top eight with one of the softest runs home, but Saturday's loss to the Warriors left that at risk. The Sharks had 20 minutes with an extra man on the field and led 16-6 at halftime but still managed to lose to a team with little to play for.