3 minute read
A snapshot of round eight of the NRL, with a send-off, golden-point thriller and another Melbourne Storm flogging highlighting the weekend's action.
SNAPSHOT OF ROUND EIGHT OF THE NRL
MAN OF THE ROUND: Scott Drinkwater. It looked as if the North Queensland fullback could lose his spot to a returning Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. Instead, he set up three tries and scored one of his own as the Cowboys flogged Parramatta 35-4 in their best wins in years.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Melbourne's 50-2 flogging of Newcastle made them just the sixth team in history to score 120 points in back-to-back games, after annihilating the Warriors 70-10 last week.
MAGIC MOMENT: Matt Burton's try-saver on Joseph Suaalii to help Canterbury to a 16-12 win over the Sydney Roosters. After a tough six rounds and long week of media spotlight, the relief was clear on coach Trent Barrett's face.
QUOTE OF THE ROUND: "I'm lost for comment in regards to the quality of that performance in the second half. For any loyal fan, any real fan we've got left, I feel really embarrassed and sorry for them." - Canberra coach Ricky Stuart after his side collapsed again in the second half to the Warriors, making it five losses on the trot for the Raiders.
TALKING POINT: Did the officials get it right sending off Manly's Karl Lawton? There was no intent but his dangerous throw on Cameron Murray went within centimetres of being disastrous. Jack Wighton could also count himself lucky not to be sin-binned for his own dangerous throw, copping a grade-two charge and likely two-game ban for one on Reece Walsh.
CASUALTY WARD: Broncos - Payne Haas (shoulder); Titans - David Fifita (knee), Patrick Herbert (cheekbone); Knights - Sauaso Sue (concussion), Adam Clune (knee); Storm - Tepai Moeroa (arm).
JUDICIARY WATCH: Sea Eagles - Karl Lawton (dangerous throw); Rabbitohs - Josh Mansour (contrary conduct), Tevita Tatola (dangerous contact); Raiders - Jack Wighton (dangerous throw); Bulldogs - Billy Tsikirikas (dangerous contact); Warriors - Matt Lodge (dangerous contact).
UNDER PRESSURE: Newcastle. If their 39-2 loss to Parramatta at home warranted an apology from coach Adam O'Brien, perhaps fans should ask for free tickets to the Knights' next match at McDonald Jones Stadium. Jake Clifford put the opening kick off out on the full and Newcastle were never back in it as they slumped to last place on the ladder with their worst defeat of the O'Brien era.
