NRL Tackle: Wests Tigers’ Harry Grant surges up Dally M leaderboard

Our rugby league writers reveal what caught their eye — good and bad — in Round 7 of the NRL, plus check out the Dally M votes from every game and full leaderboard.

What caught our eye in round seven of the NRL?

• Monday Buzz: Five-year plan that is actually working

• More Monday Buzz: Struggling Broncos in firing line

Welcome to The Tackle, where our rugby league writers reveal what caught their eye — good and bad — in Round 7 of the NRL.

PANTHERS v RABBITOHS

Dally M votes: Nathan Cleary 3, James Tamou 2, Jarome Luai 1. Judge: Andrew Johns

Like: Penrith go hard. There’s no other way to really put it. The Panthers are about level with Souths in terms of talent, maybe even a little bit behind, but they just go as hard as they can as often as they can and as simple as it sounds, a lot of the time that’s enough to get a win. Ivan Cleary’s men seem different to the flashy Penrith teams of recent years – there’s a tougher edge underneath, a little more substance with a little less style. That’s what got them the win this time around, that’s how they were able to beat Melbourne last week and that’s why, a third of the way through the season, they’ve only lost one game.

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Damien Cook’s running game has disappeared. Picture: Grant Trouville/NRL Photos

Dislike: The new rules were supposed to take rugby league to lightning speed, eliminate the horrid scourge of wrestling forever and banish its originators to the deepest circles of hell – why then, has it not resulted in a boom for Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook? Cook is the best running dummy half in the game, but his speed off the mark has not been as prominent thus far in 2020. In seven games, Cook has just one line break and his return against Penrith (three runs for 23 metres) was meagre.

— Nick Campton

STORM v WARRIORS

Dally M votes: Ryan Papenhuyzen 3, Jahrome Hughes 2, Suliasi Vunivalu 1. Judge: Ben Ikin

Like: Melbourne’s attack hasn’t been all it could be in recent weeks, but it clicked into gear against the Warriors and the key, apart from New Zealand putting in some lacklustre efforts, was Cameron Smith spending more time at first receiver. With Cameron Munster injured and Smith fixing for a move to the halves, it could be that Melbourne have stumbled into the solution to the halves problem that has plagued them since Cooper Cronk’s departure.

Cameron Smith shapes as the Storm’s answer. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Dislike: The folly of sacking Stephen Kearney made itself clear in this one as the Warriors lost much of the fight that had taken them previously to a 2-2 record since the restart. This season is not about winning games for New Zealand – it is about finding the motivation to give a respectable showing each week, given the extraordinary circumstances in which they find themselves. It is no wonder several players considered heading home after Kearney was dumped – the coach was an important part of keeping the team’s morale together and his unexpected dumping was an unnecessary destabilising effect in an already unstable campaign.

— Nick Campton

ROOSTERS v DRAGONS

Dally M votes: Siosiua Taukeiaho 3, Luke Keary 2, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 1. Judge: Dallas Johnson

Like: Joey Manu, who will finish this year crowned best centre in the NRL. Even playing out of position against St George Illawarra – filling in at fullback for the injured James Tedesco – the rising Rooster ran for 264m, made three tackle busts and produced an early contender for NRL Try of the Year. Late in the first half, Manu kicked high, chased, then leapt above Matt Dufty to catch the ball before landing, spinning and throwing a perfect ‘no look’ flick for prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves to score. If ever you wanted to know why the Roosters were OK letting Latrell Mitchell go, it’s this guy.

Joseph Manu continues to impress for the Roosters. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Dislike: ACL injuries. Of all the different ways rugby league can cruel a young man, and there are plenty, few make us squirm quite like that most dreaded of acronyms. For Roosters duo Victor Radley and Sam Verrills, the season is now over after both suffered ACL injuries against the Dragons. Which undoubtedly, will seriously impact the Tricolours hopes of earning a third straight title. Without Radley, the Chooks will have to completely transform how they play. Not our words, but those of eighth Immortal Andrew Johns. All of which now makes this an undeniable case of ‘Watch This Space’.

— Nick Walshaw

COWBOYS v KNIGHTS

Dally M votes: Jake Clifford 3, Jason Taumalolo 2, Scott Drinkwater 1. Judge: Ryan Girdler

Like: After a rough couple of weeks which the players themselves described as ‘pathetic’, it was great to see the Cowboys finally playing with the intent and attitude we expect of them. The Knights have been one of the form teams of the competition since footy returned from shutdown and the Cowboys completely outplayed them in the first half scoring 26 unanswered points. They had way more energy, their forwards were dominant through the middle, and young halves Scott Drinkwater and Jake Clifford really stood up. They completely took Kalyn Ponga out of the game with their kicking and the Knights struggled to get anything going as a result. Newcastle did manage to claw back some points in the second half but it was too little too late as the Cowboys did enough to hold on. Special mention also has to go to hooker Reece Robson, who not only made 50 tackles, but played the full 80 minutes and played a key role in his sides first half dominance.

Jake Clifford stood up for the Cowboys. Picture: Evan Morgan

Dislike: Before kick-off Knights coach warned his side that they weren’t as good as they thought they were and he was right. After being one of the best defensive sides in the NRL for 2020, this was a wake-up call for Newcastle who were completely blown away in the first half. The Cowboys let the Knights back into the game in the second half and their defence still has a lot to be desired, currently sitting in the bottom four for points conceded. With tough match-ups coming up against the top three teams in the competition right now (Eels, Roosters and then Panthers), the Cowboys are going to need to rely on more than just scoring points to have any chance and from what we’ve seen so far in 2020 things could get messy.

— Wilson Smith

BRONCOS v TITANS

Dally M votes: Moeaki Fotuaika 3, Jai Arrow 2, Ashley Taylor 1. Judge: Luke Lewis

Like: The gradual resurrection of Ash Taylor. How good is it to see the Titans playmaker enjoying his football again? Taylor was so mentally broken last year he refused to take a penalty goal. In this game, he was blasting conversions from the sideline. The former Broncos ace opened the scoring with a solo try and had the ball on a string with some nice deft kicks as he clearly outpointed Broncos halves Anthony Milford and Brodie Croft. For the Titans to be a finals chance, Taylor must be their matchwinner on a regular basis.

Anthony Milford and the Broncos were clearly outpointed. Picture: Dan Peled/AAP

Dislike: The culture of the Broncos. The NRL’s flagship club has lost its aura and now a shadow of the mighty Broncos who won six titles under Wayne Bennett. Coach Anthony Seibold appears clueless and has lost the dressing room based on the attitude of Broncos players. The sight of Brisbane players smiling after the game was an absolute disgrace. If they aren’t prepared to bleed for the club, the Broncos board should sack them … and Seibold should go with them.

— Peter Badel

EELS v RAIDERS

Dally M votes: Clint Gutherson 3, George Williams 2, Josh Hodgson 1. Judge: Gary Belcher

Like: How Clint Gutherson took control. With Mitchell Moses injured, the Eels needed someone to step up and their skipper produced arguably his best performance of the season. He laid on two tries and kicked the match winning field goal despite not having slotted a one-pointer before – at any level. Gutherson also took on a large chunk of the general play kicking and the goalkicking too in Moses’ absence. He will need to help Dylan Brown while Moses is sidelined.

Clint Gutherson stepped up and took charge for the Eels. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AAP

Dislike: The Canberra Raiders: Coach Ricky Stuart made the point after the game that they aren’t the same side they were last year. And they aren’t. For a whole number of reasons. They need to stop searching for whatever it was which made them a success in 2019 and instead focus on getting their 2020 campaign back on track. They lack patience with the footy and aren’t making the smart plays and the right time – with and without the footy. They aren’t far away though and the good thing is they are still displaying grit so you know a fix will happen shortly.

— Michael Carayannis

SEA EAGLES v SHARKS

Dally M votes: Shaun Johnson 3, Braden Hamlin-Uele 2, Sione Katoa 1. Judge: Anthony Minichiello

Like: Only a couple of weeks ago there was a huge push for Cronulla to dump Shaun Johnson.

Cooper Cronk no less accused the star Cronulla five-eighth of “firing blanks”.

But since that roast Johnson has really shown some character and tremendous improvement that continued on Sunday night.

In wet and cold conditions in Gosford, Johnson showed his class with some fine touches in the big win over Manly.

It was Cronulla’s first back-to-back win of the season following last rounds’ gritty effort against Canterbury, and it will ease the pressure on coach John Morris a little more.

Shaun Johnson was back to his best for the Sharks. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Dislike: Watching Manly without Tom Trbojevic is a total let-down.

At full strength you’d give the Sea Eagles a chance to beat the best. But without their gun fullback Cronulla cruised to an easy win.

The Sea Eagles superstar is going to be sidelined for some time to come, and judging by the performance against the Sharks it could really cruel Manly’s top four chances.

Backing up from last week’s courageous win over Canberra, Manly’s first half was as flat as a tack.

It doesn’t get any easier next week when they take on Newcastle in the return to Brookvale on Sunday.

BULLDOGS v WESTS TIGERS

Dally M votes: Harry Grant 3, Luciano Leilua 2, Luke Brooks 1. Judge: Steve Menzies

Like: Wests Tigers’ ruthless streak. Coach Michael Maguire’s controversial decision to drop Benji Marshall three weeks after a demoralising loss to the Gold Coast appears, for now, to be vindicated. Coaches are paid to make big calls and that one could have blown up in Maguire’s face, but the Tigers have now climbed to sixth on the ladder. Maguire’s side really stuck it to Canterbury and then kicked sand in their face by scoring 34 unanswered points. There was plenty to like about Wests Tigers albeit against a substandard Canterbury side.

David Nofoaluma and the Tigers piled on the points against the Bulldogs. Picture: Craig Golding/AAP

Dislike: The Bulldogs fell away badly after a solid opening 20 minutes. Put it whatever way you want, the Bulldogs don’t have the cattle, capabilities or class to match or trouble many sides in the NRL. The club desperately needs some quality. Under the pump last night, the Canterbury of old would have scrapped and fought. But this current Dogs team, which is down on confidence, slid into oblivion. It won’t help Dean Pay’s push for a new deal.

— Dean Ritchie

DALLY M LEADERBOARD ROUND 7

Jason Taumalolo 11

Harry Grant 10

Nathan Cleary 9

Tom Trbojevic 9

Shaun Johnson 8

Cameron Smith 7

James Tedesco 7

Benji Marshall 6

Cameron Munster 6

Clinton Gutherson 6

Jack Wighton 6

Josh Hodgson 6

Luke Keary 6

Matthew Dufty 6

Mitchell Moses 6

Victor Radley 6

George Williams 5

Kodi Nikorima 5

Tohu Harris 5

Addin Fonua-Blake 4

Apisai Koroisau 4

Curtis Sironen 4

Daniel Saifiti 4

Elliott Whitehead 4

Josh McGuire 4

Latrell Mitchell 4

Reed Mahoney 4

Ryan Papenhuyzen 4

Bradman Best 3

Clint Gutherson 3

Cody Walker 3

Dane Gagai 3

David Klemmer 3

David Nofoaluma 3

Herman Ese’ese 3

Isaah Yeo 3

Jahrome Hughes 3

Jake Clifford 3

James Fisher-Harris 3

Jayden Brailey 3

Jesse Bromwich 3

Jesse Ramien 3

Josh Jackson 3

Josh Morris 3

Josh Papalii 3

Liam Knight 3

Matt Burton 3

Mitchell Pearce 3

Moeaki Fotuaika 3

Moeaki Fotuaika 3

Payne Haas 3

Ryan Matterson 3

Siosiua Taukeiaho 3

Tim Glasby 3

Tui Kamikamica 3

Will Hopoate 3

Zac Lomax 3

Aaron Woods 2

Addin Fonua-Blake 2

Angus Crichton 2

Braden Hamlin-Uele 2

Brodie Croft 2

Cameron McInnes 2

Dale Finucane 2

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2

Daly Cherry-Evans 2

Jai Arrow 2

James Tamou 2

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 2

Josh Mansour 2

Josh Reynolds 2

Junior Paulo 2

Justin Yeo 2

Luciano Leilua 2

Luke Brooks 2

Michael Jennings 2

Mitchell Barnett 2

Paul Vaughan 2

Scott Sorensen 2

Valentine Holmes 2

Viliame Kikau 2

Waqa Blake 2

William Hopoate 2

Aiden Tolman 1

Ashley Taylor 1

Ben Hunt 1

Blake Green 1

Brett Morris 1

Bryce Cartwright 1

Cameron Murray 1

Coen Hess 1

Damien Cook 1

Eliesa Katoa 1

Jarome Luai 1

Jarrod Croker 1

Maika Sivo 1

Reece Robson 1

Scott Drinkwater 1

Sione Katoa 1

Suliasi Vunivalu 1

Tex Hoy 1

Wade Graham 1

Xavier Coates 1