3 minute read

A snapshot of action from round 24 of the NRL.

NRL ROUND-24 SNAPSHOT:

* QUOTE OF THE ROUND: "As soon as you allow defenders not to try, it's not their fault. That's what the rules allow. I don't think the game wants that. He made no effort at all. We didn't run behind our own man. I don't know what the obstruction was because he just stopped." Penrith coach Ivan Cleary fumes after Nathan Cleary was denied a try because of a Reagan Campbell-Gillard obstruction.

* STAT THAT MATTERS: Newcastle's crowd of 8274 against Gold Coast on Saturday was their fourth lowest in club history at McDonald Jones Stadium and their worst since 1997.

* MAGIC MOMENT: After Chad Townsend and Aidan Sezer traded field goals, booting two apiece in the final 11 minutes, the Canberra No.7 iced a memorable 15-14 win over Cronulla to lock down a top-four spot with a clutch golden-point field goal.

* TALKING POINT: Relocation, expansion and the axing of clubs is back on the agenda after Nine Network head of sport Tom Malone said he supported one side being chopped so a second Brisbane franchise could be installed.

* MAN OF THE ROUND: Brisbane giant David Fifita broke a mammoth 16 tackles in a barnstorming effort including busting four in a massive 30-metre run which set up Jamayne Isaako's game-winning field goal against Parramatta. It was a performance which cemented his reputation as one of the best young forwards in the game.

* JUDICIARY WATCH: Nil.

* CASUALTY WARD: Warriors - Chanel Harris-Tavita (arm); Sea Eagles - Tom Trbojevic (pectoral), Jack Gosiewski (leg), Morgan Boyle (shoulder); Storm - Cameron Munster (shoulder); Roosters - Siosiua Taukeiaho (ribs); Sharks - Shaun Johnson (quad), Josh Dugan (concussion); Dragons - Zac Lomax (concussion), Cameron McInnes (ankle).

* UNDER PRESSURE: Wests Tigers and Cronulla will meet in a Leichhardt Oval blockbuster next Sunday which will decide who scrapes into the finals in eighth spot.