NRL SuperCoach: Winners and Losers from Bulldogs vs. Warriors, Tigers vs. Storm, Cowboys vs. Sea Eagles
Manly star Jason Saab scored a hat-trick against the Cowboys, while Mitchell Barnett continued his impressive run of form. See the 10 SuperCoach winners and losers from all three Saturday games.
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Manly have ensured it stays in touch with the top eight after a golden point win over North Queensland.
The 21-20 win in Townsville means the Sea Eagles are just a point outside the top eight while the Cowboys are tettering on its edge.
After three blockbuster games we take a look at the major SuperCoach winners and losers.
SUPERCOACH WINNERS
1. Mitchell Barnett (121 pts) – Barnett finished with a whopping 121 points thanks to a huge shift in the middle. He made 54 tackles to go with 24 runs in a losing side during 82 minutes on the field.
2. Josh Curran (90 pts) – The Bulldogs workhorse barely slowed down as he approached triple digits. With the versatility of a DPP, he could be a good pick up for the run home to finals.
3. Max King (80 pts) – It was a bruising game for forwards and it makes sense that another middle finished with a big score. King was heavily involved throughout the match.
4. Tyran Wishart (119 points) - was the major beneficiary of Melbourne’s seven-try game. Wishart scored 16-points for the game.
5. Jahream Bula (101) The Tigers fullbackwas elective for Wests, running 161m, producing a try and assisting with two others.
6. Charlie Staines (98) - A double from meant it was a good night out for the Tiger.
7. Jahrome Hughes (97) - had his hand in just about everything for Melbourne and he dined out on it.
8. Fonua Pole (85) - scored a try, ran 161m and made 21 tackles in a solid display for a losing side.
9. Jason Saab’s (111) - hat-trick made him a valuable asset for any coaches in the league.
10. Kyle Feldt (94) - scored a try and ran an incredible 245m to lead North Queensland’s brigade.
11. Reuben Cotter (98) - ran 126m and made 48 tackles in another big game from the Queensland representative.
12. Daly Cherry-Evans (78) — The ice man pulled the strings to perfection for the entire game and made up for his missed field goal attempt by slotting the winning shot.
SUPERCOACH LOSERS
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (37 pts) – 37 points in a half of football is fine, but CNK left the field with a calf complaint before the break making him a likely sell for any owners.
2. Chanel Harris-Tavita (8 pts) – Terrible output from the Warriors five-eighth, finishing in single digits. Harris-Tavita will need to find a way to get more involved in coming games.
3. Te Maire Martin (25 pts) – Martin also struggled to have an impact in a game dominated by the forwards. New Zealand was valiant in defence but need more spark if their players are to be considered good options for SuperCoach.
4. Stephen Crichton (44 pts) – Almost hitting 50 points is usually worth a pass, but the Bulldogs will demand more from their captain and Origin representative.
5. Nelson Asofa-Solomona (18 points) – went off in the opening 20 minutes with a hamstring injury and was not seen again.
6. Bronson Garlick’s (19) – back spasms sidelined him after just under a half of football in a nightmare night for the hooker .
7. Solomona Faataape (4) – cooked his team’s chances of taking advantage of some early dominance when he was sin binned.
8. Shawn Blore (30) – was nearly unsighted despite playing 66 minutes of the game against Melbourne for Wests.
9. Kane Bradley (20) – made little impact for the Tigers and SuperCoach users will be considering whether it’s time to offload him.
10. Murray Taulagi (34) – was absent for North Queesnland and coaches will be questioning what to do with him.
11. Tom Dearden (41) – had a quiet game on a night that was crucial for the Cowboys who will have the bye next week.
12. Tommy Talau (34) – struggled to make the impact he would have liked.
RELIVE OUR LIVE COVERAGE OF SUPER SATURDAY BELOW
81st minute - 21-20 Manly
Daly Cherry-Evans has kicked Manly to victory in the opening stages of extra time. An absolute roller coaster and heartbreak for Cowboys fans in Queensland.
It’s the 28th field goal in Cherry-Evans’ career.
“I had to make up for that absolute sitter I missed in front,” Cherry-Evans said.
80th minute - 20-20
Extra time will be required after a frantic final few minutes where both teams missed field goal attempts, including multiple from Chad Townsend.
74th minute - 20-20 Manly
Cotter has gone from hero to villain and look to have gifted his Queensland teammate Daly Cherry-Evans a win for his Manly side momentarily.
Cotter was penalised for pulling at Cherry-Evans’ jersey and the Sea Eagles slotted the penalty to take a brief lead before Scott Drinkwater nailed an almighty field goal to level scores again.
54th minute - 18-18
Reuben Cotter put the Cowboys back in the hunt on a weekend Queensland coach Billy Slater is fine tuning his squad for the final State of Origin game.
Minutes later Kyle Feldt scored in the corner and now the game is locked up with 24 minutes to play.
43rd minute - 18-6 Manly
Moments after Ben Trbojevic left the field following a head clash Manly have gone the length of the field to score through none other than Jason Saab.
Saab’s third of the night has sileneced a Townsville crowd who spent most of the day listening to the roar of the Supercars that are in town.
HALFTIME - 12-6 Manly
Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans has warned the game will open up in the second half after a frantic opening 40 minutes.
The ball was constantly in play throughout the first half with both teams getting little reprieve while the pace of the game has been red hot.
Fatigue has set in and tired legs will make for an interesting second stanza
35th minute - 12-6 Manly
It threatened to be a shoot out early and has since turned into one of the more dour contests.
But Jason Saab has broken the deadlock with some crafty footwork on the right wing, charging over the top of Scott Drinkwater.
Saab through a forward pass seconds later that could be extended the team’s margin.
18th minute - 6-6
Minutes after he dropped a ball cold over the tryline Chad Townsend has redeemed himself by finishing off a lightning play by North Queensland. The Cowboys could have gone in front if not for a second bombed try. Jeremiah Nanai looked set to score when the pass that put him in front of the line was deemed to have gone forward.
3rd minute - 0-6 Manly
The Sea Eagles have got off to the perfect start with halfback Daly Cherry-Evans producing a creative pass to Jason Saab that was thrown behind the backs of the Cowboys defence.
NORTH QLD COWBOYS V MANLY SEA EAGLES
There are no late changes for either side in Townsville and all eyes will be on Tom Trbojevic who is set to play his first game since round 10 after recovering from a hamstring injury.
FULLTIME - 40-28 Melbourne Storm
Jahream Bula has scored a consolation try under the posts in the final minute of the game following a scattered attacking play by Wests.
76th minute - 40-22 Melbourne Storm
Sualauvi Faalogo has scored the turf to skip outside his opposite man and scoot away for his second try of the match. Melbourne added a further two points after Tiger Eliesa Katoa gave away a penalty for a dangerous tackle.
72nd minute - 34-22 Melbourne Storm
Melbourne tried to make the mountain all but too hard to climb for Wests Tigers after adding another six points to the margin courtesy of a try from Tyran Wishart who converted his own try.
But a second from Wests’ Charlie Staines has kept the team’s slim chances alive.
60th minute - 28-18 Melbourne Storm
Lachlan Galvin keeps the Tigers chances of a comeback alive following some brilliant ball movement by hooker Apisai Koroisau.
55th minute - 28-12 Melbourne Storm
Repeat sets have led to another try for the Storm, this time down the left through winger Sualauvi Faalogo who pounced on the grubber of Ryan Papenhuyzen.
45th minute - 22-12 Melbourne Storm.
Melbourne are on the verge of blowing the game wide open following the sin-binning of Tigers player Solomona Faataape.
Faataape made no attempt to contest a high ball. It is Wests 13th this season and 12th of the last 10 games.
Grant Anderson scored on the back of it and the Storm look threatening.
44th minute - 16-12 Melbourne Storm
Bronson Garlick will not return after suffering a back spasm late in the first half.
It’s the second injury the Storm has sufferd this game following the loss of Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hamstring).
HALFTIME - 16-12 Melbourne Storm
Westswere the more dominant side for most of the opening half but it is Melbourne who head into the break with the lead and all the momentum that has come largely on the back of its success down the right edge.
Unsurprisingly it is Jahrome Hughes who leads the SuperCoach scoring so far. See the game’s top 10 below.
30th minute - 16-12 Melbourne Storm
Melbourne have hit the lead for the first time and Jahrome Hughes has his third try-assist for the game. Hughes made the linebreak and right winger Will Warbrick finished the play. Only St George playmaker Ben Hunt has more try assists this season than Hughes.
28th minute - 12-10 Wests Tigers
Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has scored against the run of play following a stunning linebreak from Tyran Wishart. Wests had Melbourne on the ropes and looked dangerous with the speed of its ball movement. Storm playmaker Jahrome Huges went to the right-edge, lured the defenders and put Papenhuyzen through to decrease the deficit to two.
20th minute - 12-6 Wests Tigers
Nelson Asofa-Solomona has gone off with a hamstring injury and will not return in a huge blow to Melbourne.
19th minute - 12-6 Wests Tigers
Melbourne have been made to pay for failing to find the line off a penalty, with Wests scoring its second via Fonua Pole.
15th minute - 6-6
Melbourne have hit straight back courtesy of some stylish ball play from Jahrome Hughes and Eliesa Katoa is the one who crosses for the Storm.
12th minute - 6-0
The Tigers are the first to put points on the board via winger Charlie Staines. The field position came off the back of a penalty conceded by Melbourne’s Jack Howarth for a dangerous tackle.
9th minute - 0-0
David Klemmer has been put on report for an earlier incident in a lively start to the game. Both sides are struggling to find their rhythm and errors have been constly in front of the line.
LATE MAIL - Tigers v Storm
Both sides have shuffled their respective lineups in the minutes before kickoff.
The Tigers have brought David Klemmer into start at prop, with Fonua Pole shifting to lock while Justin Matamua moves to the bench.
For the Storm Nelson Asofa-Solomona will start at prop while Tui Kamikamica will come off the bench with teammate Alec MacDonald while Joe Chan has become 18th man.
FULL TIME – Bulldogs 13-12
He’s done it again.
Matt Burton finally got he ball he wanted and kicked his side ahead for the second time in a week.
His magnificent kick grazed the left upright and sailed through, keeping Canterbury-Bankstown within the top eight.
The scoreline doesn’t suggest it but that was one of the games of the season so far.
Despite being in the losing side, Warriors forward Mitch Barnett topped SuperCoach scoring with an easy century, finishing on 121 points.
85th minute – 12-12
Each team had golden opportunities to claim the win but miraculous defence kept the scores locked at 12.
WIth the territory both sides are achieving there should be more great chances but this game could well finish as a draw.
80th minute – 12-12
Matt Burton came as clase as it gets to taking the lead, hitting the left upright with his field goal attempt from perfect position.
But fans are being treated to some bonus footy this afternoon as we enter golden point extra time.
Although there haven’t been many highlights, this game has been a cracker.
70th minute – 12-12
With 10 minutes to go, it looked like golden point was a true possibility.
Debut sensation Leka Halasima – a young prop playing in the centres – came close to breaking the deadlock with an incredible run but the ball was held up.
New Zealand made a bold attempt to win a penalty in front with a captain’s challenge but the call didn’t go their way. But a bungled play-the-ball handed possession right back to the Warriors, whose field goal attempt was then charged down.
55th minute – 12-12
Viliame Kikau flew high to get his team back level with the Warriors with plenty of time still to play.
New Zealand’s forced player shuffle may be too much of a disadvantage for them to overcome but debutant Leka Halasima’s first run was a great highlight for Warriors fans.
46th minute – Warriors 12-6
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak left the field for an HIA after getting into an awkward position in a tackle and was ruled out afte shpwing category 1 symptoms.
With Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad ruled out for the game, the Warriors are in a bit of strife as the Bulldogs mount their comeback.
HALFTIME – Warriors 12-6
Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad left the field with a minute remaining after battling through pain for most of the half.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck took over at the back to finish the half.
Fox League reported it was a calf strain that sideline the Kiwis star.
The Bulldogs will have to find something more in attack if they want to come back to win this one.
Mitch Barnett leads SuperCoach scoring with 25 tackles and nine runs.
27th minute – Warriros 10-6
SInce the Bulldogs scored their try it hasn’t been pretty for them.
This time New Zealand scores down the opposite flank with left winger Marcelo Montoya bumping off his opposite to crash over.
Adam Pompey’s sideline conversion attempt from the left touch line flew straight threw. Pompey is now 6/7 with goals from the left sideline this season.
24th minute – Bulldogs 6-4
An error from the ensuing kick-off gave the Warriors a gift and they took it with both hands as Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scored a spectacular try in the right corner.
Adam Pompey’s kick went slightly astray but the Warriors look ready to take the lead.
20th minute – Bulldogs 6-0
The Warriors had their best attacking opportunity of the game deep in attack but lost direction and an attempted short ball by halfback Te Maire Martin was intercepted by Matt Burton, who raced half the field before finding Bronson Xerri on the inside for a runaway try.
These teams are both desperate for the win.
It has been a brutal arm wrestle so far with neither side chancing their arm too much, but it threatens to open up when fatigue enters the game.
5th minute – 0-0
New Zealand began with intent and looked the more threatening of the two sides before a Bulldogs error invited them to start a set in the attacking half.
It looked like halfback Te Maire Martin had sliced through for a linebreak but the play was called back for an obstruction.
LATE MAIL
Warriors captain Tohu Harris has been ruled out for this afternoon’s clash with the Bulldogs after succumbing to a wrist injury.
That change brought Dylan Walker into the starting side at lock while teenager Leka Halasima is in line for his NRL debut from the interchange.
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo also made a late change to his starting side, elevating Kurt Mann to lock and dropping Bailey Hayward back to the interchange.
Fullback Connor Tracey makes his return from a head knock, allowing Jacob Kiraz to move back to the wing.
Hello and welcome to our coverage of the Super Saturday NRL action.
There are three big games on, and while all have plenty of SuperCoach relevance, the biggest attraction of the day sits in just 2.5% of teams right now.
That attraction is of course Tom ‘Turbo’ Trbojevic of the Manly who has not played since round 10.
Due back this week, but at the somewhat unfamiliar position of centre, even the most ardent of Manly haters will be wishing Trbojevic a bit of luck with injury for a change.
OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH ON SATURDAY
Jacob Kiraz: The big Bulldog was a popular buy last week and he disappointed his new owners with a moderate 52 points. Has been moved from wing to centre to fullback of late but returns to his preferred wing this week and he comes up against a Warriors outfit that has been leaking plenty of points to the position.
Mitchell Barnett: Speaking of Warriors, Mitch Barnett has been superb for the team of late. Moving between edge and middle he is averaging 50+ in base stats and is picking up plenty of attacking stats too.
Lachlan Galvin: The Wests Tigers rookie was superb two weeks ago notching his first triple-figure score as his team stunned the Raiders. Last week the Roosters towelled up the Tigers but Galvin still managed to scrap his way to a commendable 59 points. Now against the Storm and their suffocating defence I expect Galvin to struggle but as he covers the bye I doubt many will sell till after round 19.
Jahrome Hughes: The Storm halfback has been sublime of late and has a 3RA of 92 and 5RA of 93.8. The Tigers are the 15th worst team when it comes to defending halfbacks and Hughes’ last three games against them were for 87 points, 103 points and 123 points. Another ton here would not surprise.
Val Holmes: Origin has taken a toll on Holmes and the Cowboys (no surprise as the team contributes six players over the period) but after a break to recharge his batteries and hosting the Sea Eagles on home turf a bounce back is to be expected.
Haumole Olakau’atu: One of the most-purchase players coming into the round and is easy to see why with the big man coming off a last game 118 against the Dragons and is averaging 70PPG this year.
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Originally published as NRL SuperCoach: Winners and Losers from Bulldogs vs. Warriors, Tigers vs. Storm, Cowboys vs. Sea Eagles
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