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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.
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.
