Crash Tackle: Robert Craddock’s likes and dislikes from NRL Round 24

The Courier-Mail’s chief sportswriter Robert ‘Crash’ Craddock lists his likes and dislikes from the weekend’s NRL action.

Dylan Napa of the Roosters leaves the field after being sin binned during the Round 24 NRL match against the Broncos. Photo: Getty Images

The Courier-Mail’s chief sportswriter Robert ‘Crash’ Craddock lists his likes and dislikes from the weekend’s NRL action.

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DISLIKES

HEADLESS CHOOKS

THE fallout of Dylan Napa’s torpedo tackle goes further than one man’s recklessness and into the heart of a club who should be embarrassed at how badly they misread the issue.

We understand coaches like to support their players but there is also a time for respecting the game and Roosters coach Trent Robinson missed the moment after Napa’s hit on Andrew McCullough.

Dylan Napa of the Roosters looks dejected as he watches on during the Round 24 NRL match against the Broncos. Photo: Getty Images

“(We) Support Naps in the way he plays … people will enjoy the physicality he plays (with) and that is where the discussion will lie over the next couple of days,’’ Robinson said.

No it won’t. Physicality is one thing. Brutality quite another. Napa knocked a player senseless with a tackling style which is downright dangerous and must change under the guidance of club coaches who sadly don’t see a problem. And that’s a real problem.

SECRET AGENDAS

It’s been a big year for back-stabbing — in Canberra and in a rugby league.

With so many coaches on shaky ground, some ambitious assistant coaches have been promising their head men full support while shamelessly putting their hands up behind closed doors to replace them when they fall. Pathetic really.

PEAS IN A PODCAST

Andrew Fifita and Josh Dugan probably thought they were being clever when they demeaned Sydney journalist Phil Rothfield in a podcast last week.

But the joke is on them. Brad Fittler’s unofficial No Dickhead policy worked brilliantly for NSW this season and guess who missed the party?

HOOKED TOO SOON

ANTHONY Griffin’s sacking as Penrith coach looked reckless and outrageously harsh at the time and the three matches since have done nothing to erase these thoughts.

Anthony Griffin. Photo: Jono Searle.

The Panthers’ only win since sacking Griffin was a golden point victory over the Titans and they will enter the finals looking rudderless and vulnerable.

We are not branding Griffin the Super Coach, just saying having guided the Panthers into the finals for the third straight year he deserved the chance to finish the job.

WAIT A MINUTE

SIXTY three seconds. That’s how long Parramatta’s Brad Takairangi took to leave the field after his sin-binning against the Cowboys, making a mockery of the game and the rule.

LIKES

WAYNE’S WHIRLPOOL

WHAT if Wayne Bennett’s Broncos won the premiership? How could they punt him then?

From being down and desperate, the Broncos are suddenly the form team of the competition, gaining in strength and focus as the Rabbitohs, Roosters, Dragons and Storm have either hit submerged logs or are jogging on the spot.

Wayne Bennett. Photo: Getty Images

The odds of the Broncos winning four games in a row to take the title from outside the top four are remote ($13 to be precise) but in this crazy “anybody can beat anybody’’ season you never know.

Rugby league’s desperation to plan a season ahead can create red faces.

Souths’ Anthony Seibold has been chased to replace Bennett in Brisbane at 2020 but as Souths struggle, the Broncos have found their mojo and there is a chance Bennett’s team may yet gallop past Souths in the finals.

LOCKY A WINNER

Darren Lockyer is rugby league’s gift that keeps giving.

Lockyer volunteered to host a lunch for four guests at the Caxton Hotel for the Switch On charity and betting surged up to $3500 at last week’s auction in Ipswich.

WILLIAM THE CONQUERER

Billy Slater says he wants to retire next month with petrol still in the tank.

Billy Slater of the Storm acknowledges the crowd following his last game in Queensland, the Round 24 NRL match against the Titans. Photo: AAP

After a rousing effort against the Titans when he ran for a jaw-dropping 302 metres we can confirm he is powering to the chequered flag with plenty of gas.

STATS TERRIFIC

JOHNATHAN Thurston’s final season has not produced the one statistic he craved — a premiership — but you can’t fault his effort.

Johnathan Thurston. Photo: Getty Images

Thurston is number one in the competition for line engagements, try assists and line break assists and the fact his farewell game on Saturday will be the Titans’ first sellout in a decade says everything about his statewide popularity.

IT’S A LOTTERY

With one week to go in the regular season we dip our lids for a gentle salute to the bottom eight teams who missed the finals.

This season’s top eight took shape early yet there was a point on Sunday where all 16 premiership teams were either 3-2 or 2-3 from their last five, meaning the bottom eight never stopped trying.