3 minute read
All the highs and lows of round 21 of the NRL, where the gap between the top-eight and the chasing pack became wider with a month to play before finals.
SNAPSHOT OF ROUND 21 NRL ACTION
MAN OF THE ROUND: Cameron Murray. Produced one of the great back-row performances of the year as he set up three tries in the first-half to help South Sydney defeat the Warriors 48-10.
QUOTE OF THE ROUND: "We are calling on the NRL to take action as we believe Jaeman has been wronged in this situation" - Jaeman Salmon's family's statement after he was labelled a "weak-gutted dog" by Canberra coach Ricky Stuart, with the comment believed to be linked to an incident during junior football days.
STAT THAT MATTERS: North Queensland have now won 15 games this season with four rounds to play. The only time they have won more than that in the regular season was when they claimed the premiership in 2015.
MAGIC MOMENT: Jake Arthur's efforts to pull off Parramatta's 36-20 win over Manly. The Sea Eagles led by six points with 25 minutes to go before Arthur helped set up two tries, including a wonderful harbour-bridge ball for Waqa Blake to start Parramatta's roll. It came just a fortnight after he was booed by his own fans before a game against Brisbane.
TALKING POINT: What punishment will the NRL hand down to Stuart? No coach has been suspended for post-match comments but it's not entirely out of the question following his outburst against Salmon.
CASUALTY WARD: Storm - Jahrome Hughes (shoulder); Titans - Aaron Booth (knee); Sea Eagles - Kieren Foran (hamstring); Sharks - Connor Tracey (concussion); Raiders - Joseph Tapine (ribs), Ryan Sutton; (concussion); Tigers - Ken Maumalo (knee).
JUDICIARY WATCH: Storm - Brandon Smith (dangerous contact); Warriors - Taniela Otukolo (crusher); Raiders - Joseph Tapine (crusher), Nick Cotric (high tackle); Panthers - James Fisher-Harris (high tackle), Jaeman Salmon (contrary conduct); Dragons - Tariq Sims (high tackle); Knights - Anthony Milford (crusher).
UNDER PRESSURE: Brisbane. Two weeks ago they were in the fight for the top four, now they sit seventh after back-to-back losses and are battling to stay inside the top eight.
