The Tackle: Ryan Papenhuyzen’s blistering form putting heat on for NSW Origin selection
Melbourne’s ‘Flying Mullet’ is blazing his way towards a NSW Origin debut - with Ryan Papenhuyzen’s hot start to 2022 putting him in a four-way play for a Blues jersey.
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Brisbane horror showing against the Warriors has dominated the Round 4 NRL talking points.
But a simmering feud between two of rugby league’s greatest figures has the potential to ripple through the competition.
These are PAUL CRAWLEY’s likes and dislikes from Round 4. PLUS, the shock runaway Dally M leader revealed – with leaderboard and this week’s votes below.
ROUND 4 DISLIKES
1. JOEY’S DOUBLE STANDARDS
Andrew Johns is kidding himself having a snipe at Wayne Bennett for meeting with Kalyn Ponga over the weekend.
It wasn’t so long ago Johns went public with his desire to coach Luke Brooks at Newcastle, even though Brooks had two years to run on his contract at Wests Tigers.
“He looks like he needs a change, and getting out of Sydney would be good for him,” Johns said of Brooks last November.
Yet that didn’t stop Joey bagging Bennett on The Sunday Footy show after reports emerged the Dolphins coach and Ponga had a catch up following the Knights’ loss to the Sharks.
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“I just think it’s poor form if Wayne flew down to Newcastle to meet with a player while they’re playing that season,” Johns said.
“It would definitely be a distraction.”
But it wouldn’t have been a distraction for the Tigers having Joey talking up his desire to coach Brooks, even if it happened in the off-season?
That story still hasn’t died down.
2. BUMBLING BRONCOS LOOK LOST
If the Brisbane Broncos dished up the type of schoolboy error-riddled performance they did against the Warriors under former coach Anthony Seibold the old boys would be howling the joint down.
That’s not having an unfair crack at Kevvie Walters. That’s just calling it for what it is.
There is no way to sugar coat how disappointing the bumbling Broncos have been the last two weeks.
After such a promising start to open the season they have now crashed 38-12 to the Cowboys followed by a horrible 20-6 loss to the Warriors.
The challenge goes up several notches when they take on the resurgent Sydney Roosters next round, followed by the premiers at Penrith in round six.
Across the board it was hard to single out many who held their own on Saturday night other than Payne Haas and TC Robati in the forwards and Herbie Farnworth in the backs.
To make matters worse they have lost Albert Kelly (suspected Lisfranc foot injury) and Pat Carrigan (knee) for an extended period.
Former champion playmaker Cooper Cronk was scathing in his post match assessment on Fox League.
Cronk pointed to the fact the Broncos gave up 10 penalties “and every time the Warriors did something it was off the back of an error or a penalty”.
Equally as concerning was that the Broncos’ only try came off an Adam Reynolds’ grubber kick to himself.
If it was a Queensland Cup side playing with the same lack of discipline and composure you would walk away shaking your head.
Yet this is coming from a team that is supposed to represent one of the most powerful organisations in Australian sport.
3. SIN BIN FARCE RINGS ALARM
The NRL needs an immediate rethink on what constitutes a sin bin and what doesn’t.
Too many games are being ruined by outrageous inconsistencies.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten is the latest to have a go at the perceived double standards that several coaches have already complained about when it comes to the haves and have nots.
It is easy to fob off Payten’s comments as this just being another case of a losing coach crying foul.
Yet you just can’t hide from the fact that there is a worrying trend.
The Cowboys had three players sin binned. One was legitimate (Tom Gilbert), one was questionable (Chad Townsend), and the other was farcical (Griffin Neame).
I have no doubt Townsend’s swinging arm did constitute a sin bin under the current guidelines.
But not when you think back to some other incidents that have gone unpunished this year.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s terrible cheap shot last week was the perfect case in point.
And how did the Warriors’ Jazz Tevaga escape a sin bin for his cannon-ball on Pat Carrigan on Saturday?
Perhaps that goes against what Payten is saying in respect to the haves and have nots, because the Warriors aren’t exactly a powerhouse.
But the inconsistency across the board is driving everyone mad.
Another shocking call was Luke Keary not even drawing a penalty when the star Roosters playmaker was dangerously taken out on the first kick of the game.
4. PLAYER MARKET CIRCUS NEEDS FIXING
If Johns or anyone is looking for someone to blame they should direct their focus away from Bennett and point it to the NRL and the RLPA.
The real issue is that the game has done nothing to fix this player market circus for years.
If they want to end it they need a transfer window at the end of the season and maybe another mid-year. Otherwise it will go on and on.
5. TEAM SELECTION SMOKE SCREEN
It’s time the NRL made clubs provide greater transparency in relation to injuries and team selections.
A few weeks back we had the Knights keeping Ponga’s knee injury under wraps all week ahead of their clash against Wests Tigers.
This week it was Penrith playing ducks and drakes before ultimately bringing in James Fisher-Harris and Liam Martin for the grand final rematch.
I can see why every coach would want to keep the opposition guessing for as long as possible.
NRL CASUALTY WARD: Tommy Turbo in knee brace
But in a sport where so much money these days is outlaid on betting, it sure makes inside information extremely valuable.
While no one is suggesting any players or clubs are in any way guilty of trying to manipulate markets, in horse racing for instance trainers are required to report any changes leading up to every race. That includes injuries, gear changes, even riding tactics.
It’s no use saying anyone who bets on footy does so at their own risk because the game also profits from it.
6. RAIDERS’ INADEQUACIES LAID BARE
The Canberra Raiders are a team that just love to shoot themselves in the foot.
But a factor a lot of people who love to have a crack at Ricky Stuart overlook is that they are playing without their first choice hooker in Josh Hodgson and first choice halfback in Jamal Fogarty.
Yes, they continued to be their own worst enemies at stages in the loss to Manly.
But as Cooper Cronk explained after watching Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic orchestrate the Sea Eagles’ victory: “The stats were pretty even, the difference was the star power of Manly.
“Cherry-Evans with his boot and Turbo (just being Turbo).
“I’m pretty sure if Cherry-Evans and Turbo were on the other side for Canberra maybe they might have won that game … those two guys, Turbo and DCE, just came up with big plays and carved up Canberra at different times.”
DALLY M VOTES, ROUND 4
TITANS v TIGERS
Judge: Greg Inglis
3: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (GCT)
2: Luciano Leilua (WST)
1: Luke Brooks (WST)
SHARKS v KNIGHTS
Judge: Ryan Girdler
3: Siosifa Talakai (CRO)
2: Briton Nikora (CRO)
1: Ronaldo Mulitalo (CRO)
PANTHERS v RABBITOHS
Judge: Nathan Hindmarsh
3: Isaah Yeo (PEN)
2: Dylan Edwards (PEN)
1: Taylan May (PEN)
WARRIORS v BRONCOS
Judge: Tim Mannah
3: Addin Fonua-Blake (WAR)
2: Reece Walsh (WAR)
1: Shaun Johnson (WAR)
SEA EAGLES v RAIDERS
Judge: Ben Creagh
3: Tom Trbojevic (MAN)
2: Daly Cherry-Evans (MAN)
1: Josh Aloiai (MAN)
COWBOYS v ROOSTERS
Judge: Roy Masters
3: Joseph Manu (SYD)
2: James Tedesco (SYD)
1: Luke Keary (SYD)
STORM v BULLDOGS
Judge: Chris Heighington
3: Ryan Papenhuyzen (MEL)
2: Jarome Hughes (MEL)
1: Harry Grant (MEL)
EELS v DRAGONS
Judge: Jimmy Smith
3: Dylan Brown (PAR)
2: Mitchell Moses (PAR)
1: Clint Gutherson (PAR)
DALLY M LEADERBOARD AFTER 4 ROUNDS
12: I Yeo
10: R Papenhuyzen
6: N Hynes, J Clifford, J Wighton
5: T Fa’asuamaleaui, S Talakai, A Fonua-Blake, J Curran, R Walsh, T Trbojevic, D Cherry-Evans, M Moses, J Hughes
ROUND 4 LIKES
1. SHARKS SHOW TIGERS HOW TO BUILD
It was impossible not to feel sorry for Wests Tigers after their heartbreaking loss to the Titans.
But as brave as they defended for all bar that frantic final play, it only mounts more pressure on everyone, including coach Michael Maguire, ahead of their clash against the Sharks this Sunday?
Which brings us to the stunning turnaround at Cronulla under Craig Fitzgibbon.
On and off the field, if the Tigers are looking for an example of how success can be built sooner rather than later this is it.
While the Tigers have continually recruited and retained players who just aren’t doing the job, Fitzgibbon has wasted no time doing a massive roster overhaul.
He brought in blokes like Dale Finucane, Nicho Hynes and Cameron McInnes, who Fitzgibbon signed for their character as much as their ability.
And they along with Fitzgibbon are now setting the standard for others to follow.
2. ROOSTERS BIG GUNS TAKE OWNERSHIP
Just when you thought the Sydney Roosters could be in for a long season, their senior leaders stood up with a statement of their own in the big win over the Cowboys.
And of all the star performances from James Tedesco, Joey Manu and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, perhaps the effort from Luke Keary will prove the most significant.
In Fox League commentary Brent Tate, who himself came back from four knee reconstructions during his career, explained the difficulties Keary would be experiencing after returning from last year’s ACL surgery.
“It does take a good eight or 10 games before you find your feet again,” Tate said.
“You have to find your confidence, it is always in the back of your head when you are coming back from a knee reconstruction.
“In his fourth game back I think he has been outstanding.”
3. TURBO’S CLASS ON SHOW AGAIN
There was a time when Manly was undisputedly the most hated team in rugby league.
But not with the Trbojevics who continue to give this generation of Sea Eagles a good name.
Tom’s class was on show again during Saturday night’s win over the Raiders with a random act of kindness just highlighting his natural instinct.
It came after Turbo charged over for his try and a young Raider Semi Valemei was caught under a sea of celebrations.
With everyone else caught up in the moment and oblivious to the Raider on the ground, Turbo just leant down and offered out his hand and helped Valemei to his feet.
Daly Cherry-Evans also showed his decency after the game when he took a moment out after his masterclass to offer some words of encouragement to a smiling Brad Scheider, who just had that starstruck look on his face.
4. HIKU AVOIDS WILL SMITH MOMENT
In the week where we saw Will Smith go berko at the Academy Awards, Peta Hiku’s spur-of-the-moment reaction to Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ attempted face slap was priceless.
With the Cowboys defending their line in Townsville, big JWH took exception to the Cowboys’ go slow tactics in the ruck and struck out at Hiku.
But instead of take offence or retaliate, Hiku just let out this beaming smile and got on with the play.
5. GOLD STANDARD SIDELINE ACROBATICS
There are some brilliant finishers in the NRL these days.
But it’s hard to think of any who could do better than the display of acrobatics Cronulla’s Sione Katoa produced on Friday night.
It looked almost impossible that Katoa would get the ball down when he flew through the air like he had wings to slap it down with pin point accuracy just inside the touchline.
You kind of get accustomed to their freakish skills, but it truly has been one of the great developments in recent years.
Some of the other great finishers include Daniel Tupou, Kyle Feldt, Brian To’o, Reuben Garrick, Valentine Holmes, David Nofoaluma Alex Johnston and Josh Addo-Carr. You could name just about any of them.
Another young bloke who is quickly making a name for himself is Panthers rookie Taylan May who finished with a double in the win over Souths, that included one try where he beat three defenders with virtually no room to play with.
It will be interesting to see if it is May or Charlie Staines who gets to keep their spot when To’o returns from injury.
6. TOUGH KNIGHT NO DIVER
In an age where it seems most players would rather stay down if there is even a remote chance of milking a penalty, it was great to see Newcastle’s featherweight halfback Adam Clune bounce back up like a spring after copping a massive shot from Cronulla’s Briton Nikora.
Clune would be among the smallest players in the game, weighing 80kg and standing at 172cm, and Nikora hit him like he was holding a sledge hammer.
But what Clune lacks in size he obviously makes up for with toughness because he didn’t skip a beat.
7. FLYING MULLET LOOKS ORIGIN READY
If all NSW players are fit heading into State of Origin, Brad Fittler will be spoiled for choice choosing his bench utility out of Ryan Papenhuyzen, Nicho Hynes and Jack Wighton.
All three have been among the competition’s standouts over the opening four rounds.
But it’s the man with the flying mullet who right at this minute just looks unstoppable.
Papenhuyzen continued his exceptional form in the Storm’s thumping 44-0 win over the Bulldogs, finishing with four tries.
Of course, Papenhuyzen is yet to play Origin after missing last year’s series following that shocking concussion suffered during Magic Round.
On the flip side, Trent Barrett’s season just took a horrible turn.
Smashed by the Storm, the Bulldogs now take on the Panthers followed by the Rabbitohs in their next two games.
There was so much expectation about the Bulldogs after recruiting the spark of Josh Addo-Carr, Brent Naden, Matt Dufty, Tevita Pangai and of course Matt Burton.
But watching them squander so many opportunities against the Storm just made you question what they did all preseason.
They looked absolutely lost.
EELS SERIOUS CONTENDERS
Parramatta look like a team finally ready to challenge for a premiership.
The form of Dylan Brown and Mitch Moses is just outstanding, and it is not a stretch to put Reed Mahoney up in the class of Harry Grant when it comes to what he offers out of dummy half.
They have speed to burn in the outside backs and a forward pack that is tough enough to mix it with the best.
The Dragons went out to bash them on Sunday night but in the end they just didn’t have the fire power to match them.
The 48-14 smash up comes a week after the Eels beat the Storm in Melbourne.
There is a long way to go and Parra fans have been burnt plenty of times in the past.
But this is a squad worthy of the expectation that is now coming their way.
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