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A snapshot of round 12 action in the NRL

3 minute read

A look at Round 12 of the NRL season, as Penrith rammed home their advantage at the top of the ladder and State of Origin teams were named.

CAMERON MUNSTER. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

HOW ROUND 12 OF THE NRL SEASON PLAYED OUT

MAN OF THE ROUND: Cameron Munster. When he wasn't setting up or scoring tries against Manly, he was pulling off one-on-one strips to put Melbourne on the attack. Munster was easily the Storm's best in the 28-8 win, as they put aside the absences of Ryan Papenhuyzen and Harry Grant to avoid a third straight loss.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Gold Coast are the first team in history to give up to two 20-point leads in one season, after Jamayne Isaako's short kick-off to let Brisbane back into the match on Friday night highlighted their capitulation from 24-0 up to 35-24 losers.

MAGIC MOMENT: Alex Johnston's 147th career try for South Sydney on Saturday night, taking him to top spot in the all-time records books of the league's oldest club. Even more fitting was the fact it came at home in Indigenous Round, two years after Rabbitohs fans launched a petition to keep him at the club.

QUOTE OF THE ROUND: "I'm usually not one to get rattled but when I heard the boos it rattled me a bit" - Payne Haas on being booed by Brisbane fans both before and during their come-from-behind win over Gold Coast. It came a day after it emerged Haas had asked for an immediate release from the Broncos.

TALKING POINT: Are Queensland entering State of Origin as the favourites all of a sudden? NSW will be loaded with at least five Penrith players, but the bulk of the Maroons squad will come from top-four clubs Melbourne, Brisbane and North Queensland.

CASUALTY WARD: Sea Eagles - Dylan Walker (knee); Knights - Daniel Saifiti (knee); Eels - Will Pennisini (head knock).

JUDICIARY WATCH: Warriors - Marcelo Montoya (high tackle); Panthers - Jarome Luai (high tackle); Broncos - Jordan Riki (dangerous contact), Tom Flegler (dangerous contact); Titans - Jaimin Joliffe (high tackle).

UNDER PRESSURE: Michael Maguire. Wests Tigers powerbrokers will meet before the club's next game in a fortnight to mull over the club's football department. With a record of 3-9 and now into his fourth season at the club without making the finals, the heat is again on Maguire.