Dylan Napa’s halftime speech helped to inspire Roosters to their first win of the season

THEY say Dylan Napa’s halftime speech at ANZ Stadium on Friday night was as in­spirational as his big hits on Sam Burgess.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Dylan Napa of the Roosters and team mates celebrate winning the round six NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium on April 8, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

THEY say Dylan Napa’s halftime speech at ANZ Stadium on Friday night was as in­spirational as his big hits on Sam Burgess.

As Trent Robinson was winding up his second-half instructions, Napa rose to his feet and declared he would not be coming off. He would play the full 80 minutes.

This is from a player who has averaged 54 minutes in the Roosters’ forward pack this year.

A player who was determined to be there for his teammates and lift them to victory.

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Afterwards Roosters officials spoke of how the players responded to his stirring speech.

His words epitomised the way the Roosters played in the second half.

Napa ended up playing his 80 minutes. Everyone followed him and the club walked away with two desperately needed competition points.

Dylan Napa gave teammates an inspiring speech during halftime.

EELS ARE LOOKING FOR TOP-FOUR MATERIAL

SO how far can the Parramatta Eels go in this competition?

Obviously much depends on the outcome of the NRL’s salary cap ­investigation.

Putting the salary cap aside, there is no question this Eels outfit is capable of making the top four.

Brad Arthur’s team has flogged the Raiders and Bulldogs and beaten the Cowboys.

Kieran Foran is getting better every week. The team is playing with discipline, something that has been missing in recent years.

Kieran Foran is getting better with each week for the Eels.

Arthur is showing why so many good players rate him so highly and want to play for him.

The more they win, the more the pressure builds on the board members who are refusing to step aside.

And obviously the severity of the NRL punishment will end up determining their position on the ladder.

FLAMING HELL

The Parramatta Eels are the other big firmer in betting markets. After Saturday’s thumping win over the Canberra Raiders, the TAB tightened them into $9 on the third line of betting behind only the Broncos and the Cowboys

MARKET MOVERS

The Parramatta Eels are the other big firmer in betting markets. After Saturday’s thumping win over the Canberra Raiders, the TAB tightened them into $9 on the third line of betting behind only the Broncos and the Cowboys.

CODE ALERT

It’s great to see Victorians know their rugby league. The official Twitter account of AAMI Park was promoting Monday’s game in Melbourne as the Storm v Western Bulldogs.

KIWI STAMPEDE

Is there a better forward in the world than Cowboys lock Jason Taumalolo? It’s a fair question after watching him make 222 explosive metres on Saturday night against the Panthers.

SPOTTED

Will Hopoate watching his brother and sister playing for Beacon Hill Bears Under 12’s, the team his dad coaches, in Manly juniors on Saturday.

S**T SEATS

It’s hard to keep arguing for the survival of suburban grounds when Cronulla fans turned up to Sharks Park on Sunday to find bird droppings all over their season seats.

HEAD CASE

The NRL has got to either bring back the send-off rule or sin bin players for foul play. Twice in three weeks the Sharks have lost two players — Jack Bird and James Maloney — to blatant high shots. First it was Martin Taupau and then Greg Bird on Sunday.

Originally published as Dylan Napa’s halftime speech helped to inspire Roosters to their first win of the season