NRL Lowdown: How is your team faring after Round 18?
ONE team’s victory was “as impressive as it gets” - but how did your side fare? Find out in the Round 18 edition of the NRL Lowdown.
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WHO starred, who struggled, who’s on the fringe, who’s on the outer, who passed and who failed?
Get the very best analysis from our team of experts in the Round 18 edition of the NRL Lowdown.
SHARKS
HOW THEY FARED
The Sharks managed to extend their club-record winning streak courtesy of a 26-10 victory over the Panthers.
WHO STARRED, WHO STRUGGLED?
Ben Barba stole the headlines with two tries but five-eighth Fa’manu Brown was probably Cronulla’s best, creating Barba’s first try with a line break and looking every inch an NRL level playmaker. Considering the knee injuries that have kept him out of the top grade since 2014, it was a fine return.
Valentine Holmes had an afternoon to forget, failing to make any real impact on the game and missing a number of very kickable conversions.
INJURY WARD
Ricky Leutele (ankle, Round 19)
WHO’S LURKING ON THE EDGE?
The Sharks losing players to Origin had a knock-on effect in the NSW Cup with several Newtown Jets called into first grade. The undermanned Jets went down 16-12 to Wyong but still had reason to be positive with former Sharks under-20s players Lachlan Stein, Jaimin Jolliffe and Ash Nisbet all making their senior rugby league debuts.
REPORT CARD
A: The Sharks had their guts torn out and still managed to win comfortably. This was about as impressive as it gets.
— Nick Campton
COWBOYS
HOW THEY FARED
The Cowboys tried, but failed, to win without their Origin stars. Despite a gutsy performance, North Queensland lost 26-12 to the Raiders in chilly Canberra.
WHO STARRED, WHO STRUGGLED?
Debutant Josh Chudleigh and young forward Coen Hess were particularly impressive for the Cowboys, proving they are stars of the future. Neither was afraid to get involved and they were the only two Cowboys to cross the line.
It was North Queensland’s backs that struggled most. The likes of Lachlan Coote and Antonio Winterstein made a number of uncharacteristic mistakes in defence, which Paul
Green said was partly to blame for the loss.
WHO’S LURKING ON THE EDGE?
The Cowboys will enjoy a bye this week and then welcome back State of Origin stars Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Gavin Cooper, Justin O’Neill and James Tamou. Michael Morgan should also be right to return after another week off.
REPORT CARD
B: There was no doubt the Cowboys tried their hardest on Monday night, but silly errors, defensive mistakes and too many penalties cost them. Not to worry though. The return of their Origin men should give them back their discipline.
— Rikki-Lee Arnold
BULLDOGS
HOW THEY FARED
The Bulldogs made it four wins in a row after downing a gallant Tigers 32-22.
Despite their winning form coach Des Hasler conceded his side still needs to improve, especially when it comes to dealing with their slow starts.
Canterbury struggled to take control against a Wests outfit missing key players Aaron Woods and James Tedesco, allowing them to strike the first blow on the scoreboard — a habit they’ve fallen into over the last month.
WHO STARRED, WHO STRUGGLED?
Rumours the Bulldogs are looking to lure embattled star Kieran Foran may have been exactly what Josh Reynolds needed.
He was at his best as highlighted by his running and ball-playing. The five-eighth made two linebreaks, had one linebreak assist and made seven tackle busts.
Sam Kasiano played with plenty of impact from the bench and Brett Morris continued his purple patch of form scoring a double from the wing.
Asipeli Fine started in the backrow but was only on the field for 26 minutes, where he only made three runs and missed two tackles.
INJURY WARD
Adam Elliott (hamstring, Round 23), Chase Stanley (knee, season)
WHO’S LURKING ON THE EDGE?
The Bulldogs went down 28-6 against the Tigers in the NSW Cup. The inclusion of NRL players Craig Garvey and Kerrod Holland wasn’t enough to inspire the Blue and Whites, who were in the match at half-time but defensive lapses proved costly in the second half.
REPORT CARD
B: The Dogs have what it takes to trouble the teams ahead of them on the table but they must sort out their slow starts — which could cost them against the likes of the Cowboys, who they face twice in their run home.
— Fatima Kdouh
RAIDERS
HOW THEY FARED
In the end the Raiders walked away 26-12 winners against a depleted Cowboys outfit.
But coach Ricky Stuart would rightfully be worried with the periods of complacency his side slips into over 80 minutes.
Once again Canberra took their foot off the gas to let North Queensland right back into the match after dominating in the opening exchanges.
Particularly worrying was the ease with which the premiers marched up field once the momentum had shifted in their favour.
The Green Machine did complete exceptionally well considering the conditions. They completed at almost 90 per cent for only five errors.
WHO STARRED, WHO STRUGGLED?
Jack Wighton has repaid the faith shown in him by Stuart, after the coach refused to give into those calling for the fullback to be dropped.
Wighton played his best game of the season — he scored two tries, made some important (and bone rattling) tackles in defence and showed what he is capable of when he’s on.
Halfback Aidan Sezer was influential, his short kicking game came to the fore and he showcased his ability when running the ball as he took on the Cowboys’ line to score a good individual try, sealing victory in the dying stages of the match.
INJURY WARD
Paul Vaughan (concussion, round 20), Jeff Lima (hip, Round 20)
WHO’S LURKING ON THE EDGE?
It wasn’t pretty but a 33-22 victory over the Knights has seen the Mounties move back to the top of the NSW Cup table — winger Kato Ottio crossed for a double to take his season tally to 17 tries.
REPORT CARD:
B: The Raiders would have struggled to get across the line if the Cowboys were at full strength on Monday night. Their lapses of concentration could be the difference between them just making up the numbers come finals time or being dark horse title contenders.
— Fatima Kdouh
PANTHERS
HOW THEY FARED
The Panthers’ inconsistencies continued as they went down 26-10 to the Sharks.
WHO STARRED, WHO STRUGGLED?
Penrith undertook a late reshuffle with Zak Hardaker moving to fullback, Will Smith to centre and Dylan Edwards coming into the team for his first grade debut. It went poorly as Hardaker looked out of his depth and Smith struggled on both sides of the ball.
Isaah Yeo made a good fist of things and scored a fine late try but Penrith’s lack of composure and patience got the better of them yet again.
INJURY WARD
Dean Whare (ACL, Season), Peta Hiku (ACL, Season), Sam McKendry (ACL, Season),
Te Marie Martin (Shoulder fracture, Indefinite)
WHO’S LURKING ON THE EDGE?
The Panthers under-20s side had a winning streak that stretched all the way back to the season opener against the Raiders but were held to a 34-all draw with the Sharks. Halfback Jarome Luai was his sides best.
REPORT CARD
D: Penrith are now clinging around the top eight by the skin of their teeth and if they don’t beat Parramatta this weekend they could drop as low as 10th. They really needed to win this one.
— Nick Campton
WESTS TIGERS
HOW THEY FARED
Without State of Origin stars Robbie Farah, Aaron Woods and attacking weapon James Tedesco it was expected the Bulldogs would romp home against the Tigers.
But to their credit they were gallant throughout and even finished the first half mistake-free.
The errors started to creep in during the second stanza and Jordan Rankin’s dropped ball proved the most costly of them all.
Not only did the fumble cost them a try it helped swing momentum in favour of the Bulldogs, who then went on to score three unanswered tries.
WHO STARRED, WHO STRUGGLED?
Tim Grant performed admirably in the absence of Aaron Woods — the forward stepped-up to lead from the front, making 161 metres from 15 runs which included a linebreak.
Hooker Jacob Liddle showed he has the makings of a future NRL star, scoring a try on debut and bravely taking on the Bulldogs’ big men in defence.
INJURY WARD
Nathan Milone (knee, indefinite), Matt Ballin (knee, season)
WHO’S LURKING ON THE EDGE?
The Tigers earned a 28-6 victory against the Bulldogs in the NSW Cup. Watson Hereta was lively from fullback as he scored a try and set-up another. Justin Hunt was also influential from halfback.
REPORT CARD
C+: The Tigers were well an truly in this game at half-time but an error-riddled second half cost them the chance to cause an unlikely boilover.
— Fatima Kdouh
EELS
HOW THEY FARED
The Eels shrugged off another drama-filled week and another round of injuries to overturn a 12-point second-half deficit and record a gutsy 22-18 victory.
Less than 12 hours later they plummeted down the ladder after the NRL finally stripped them of 12 competition points for salary cap breaches.
WHO STARRED, WHO STRUGGLED?
Corey Norman was a cut above for the Eels, the playmaker setting up all four of Parramatta’s tries including the matchwinner with a deft grubber for Clint Gutherson to score in the corner.
Power-running back-rower Manu Ma’u had to fill-in in the centres but made the most of it with two tries.
It was a different story for the Eels’ two wingers: Fijian flyer Semi Radradra’s night was cut short by a knee injury that will sideline him for six weeks. Meanwhile, rising rookie Bevan French, who’d scored seven tries in his first four games, came crashing back to earth. He was first denied a four-pointer due to a forward pass, then was cut agonisingly short of an 80-metre effort thanks to a brilliant chase and tackle from opposing flyer Joseph Manu.
INJURY WARD
Kepeli Tanginoa (Ankle, Round 25), Mitch Cornish (Knee, Round 20), Kieran Foran (Shoulder, Season), Anthony Watmough (Knee, Season), John Folau (Fractured wrist, Round 21), Kaysa Pritchard (Shoulder/neck, Indefinite), Semi Radradra (Knee, Round 23), Isaac De Gois (Concussion, Round 19), Luke Kelly (ACL, Season), Brad Takairangi (Hamstring, Round 19).
WHO’S LURKING ON THE EDGE?
Two words: Jarryd Hayne. Two more words: Just kidding. Or are we? While the sporting world awaits news of the Hayne Plane’s next destination, the fact remains that Parramatta have to replace at least one outside back following Radradra’s injury. Brad Taikarangi’s imminent return from a hamstring complaint would allow Manu Ma’u to return to the forwards, with Bureta Faraimo next cab off the ranks for a wing berth given that Vai Toutai is also out with a knee injury.
REPORT CARD
B+: The Eels’ finals hopes are on life support thanks to their points deduction, which means they’ll have to win all the remaining matches to sneak into the top eight — minus star winger Semi Radradra for six weeks. Friday night’s performance showed that there’s still plenty of sprit every time they take the field and they keep aiming up regardless of what’s happening off it.
— Dominic Burke
ROOSTERS
HOW THEY FARED
The Roosters failed to capitalised on a strong start and a two-try point lead midway through the second half to eventually fall 22-18 to the Eels in a nailbiter.
WHO STARRED, WHO STRUGGLED?
Latrell Mitchell was a rare bright spot for the Roosters, scoring two tries including a long-range beauty. The young fullback was at his best with ball in hand, churning out 176 metres from 14 runs and made six tackles busts and two linebreaks.
With virtually a full-strength squad following Boyd Cornder’s return, the Roosters as a whole were disappointing as they failed to close out an 18-6 lead. It was the eighth time they’d lost by four points or less for the season.
INJURY WARD
Ian Henderson (Broken leg, Indefinite)
WHO’S LURKING ON THE EDGE?
Young gun Ryan Matterson was dropped back to NSW Cup but did his chances of an NRL recall no harm, scoring a try and impressing with his kicking game in Wyong’s 16-12 win over the Newtown Jets.
REPORT CARD
D: Last year’s minor premiers sit in 15th spot, with only the woeful Newcastle Knights beneath them on the ladder. With all but NSW winger Blake Ferguson missing, the time for excuses is long over.
— Dominic Burke
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