3 minute read
All the highs and lows of round 22 of the NRL, where top two Penrith and North Queensland suffered defeats and Paul Green was remembered.
MAN OF THE ROUND: Young five-eighth Talatau Amone's hat-trick was in vain for St George Illawarra as the Dragons fell to a dramatic 24-22 loss in Canberra on Sunday. Amone, who extended his deal until the end of 2024 earlier in the week, set up a blockbuster finish with a key role in Tautau Moga's 75th-minute try but the Raiders held on to keep their season alive with a crucial win.
QUOTE OF THE ROUND: "Everyone should have someone to talk to; regardless of how big or small the problem is, no one should have to carry around that sort of pressure with them." - North Queensland captain Jason Taumalolo's message following the death of the Cowboys' premiership-winning coach Paul Green. The 49-year-old was honoured with a minute's silence before every match this weekend as tributes poured in from across the game.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Penrith's blank in their 16-0 loss to Melbourne on Thursday was the first time the Panthers have been held scoreless in a match since a 20-0 loss to the Storm in 2015.
MAGIC MOMENT: Shaun Johnson's return to the Warriors hasn't gone to plan for the New Zealand playmaker as he battled form issues and being separated from his family in the first half of the season with the Warriors based in Queensland. So it was a joyous moment for player, club and fans when the halfback broke through Canterbury's defence to seal a 42-18 win at Mt Smart Stadium on Friday night.
TALKING POINT: Has Penrith's hiccup opened the door in the premiership race? The Panthers are almost certain to win the minor premiership but what looked a one-horse competition a few weeks ago appears to have opened up with South Sydney, the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne all finding good form and Cronulla and North Queensland firmly in the running.
CASUALTY WARD: Sharks - Toby Rudolf (knee); Broncos - Kobe Hetherington (head knock); Panthers - Liam Martin (ankle), Dylan Edwards (sternum); Raiders - Adam Elliott (ribs); Sea Eagles - Jason Saab (knee).
JUDICIARY WATCH: Bulldogs - Matt Burton (shoulder charge); Eels - Ryan Matterson (shoulder charge); Storm - Tui Kamikamica (dangerous contact); Cowboys - Luciano Leilua (crusher tackle); Roosters - Joseph Suaalii (careless high tackle); Sharks - Teig Walton (dangerous contact); Knights - Anthony Milford (shoulder charge); Raiders - Elliot Whitehead (dangerous tackle); Sea Eagles - Dylan Walker (high tackle);
UNDER PRESSURE: Parramatta fans will be concerned after the Eels' were whacked 26-0 by South Sydney on Friday. Coach Brad Arthur said his team had been "bashed up" by the Rabbitohs in a defeat which does serious damage to Parramatta's top four hopes and will have nerves jangling given the Eels' record of winning just two of their past eight finals matches.
