NRL Tackle Round 8 2021: Reed Mahoney risks becoming NRL’s next Jake Friend

Recently retired Roosters captain Jake Friend and form Parramatta hooker Reed Mahoney are on very similar trajectories.

Our rugby league writers reveal what caught their eye — good and bad — in Round 8 of the NRL, plus check out the Dally M votes from every game and full leaderboard.

RAIDERS v RABBITOHS

Likes: You know a team is good when the opposition senses something is about to happen but they are powerless to stop it. That’s what it felt like whenever the Rabbitohs shifted left as the Bunnies stripped the Raiders with consummate ease. Souths have now scored a whopping 23 tries down that channel, with Alex Johnston unsurprisingly leading the way with eight four-pointers, while he’s been ably supported by Dane Gagai, Cody Walker, Latrell Mitchell and others.

Walker finished with three try assists and Benji Marshall chimed in with one of his own as the Rabbitohs made Canberra’s right-edge defence look silly. Bailey Simonsson was eventually moved to the left wing after he and Curtis Scott were found out time and time again in the second half by South Sydney’s slick, perfectly-timed ball movement that waited for the defence to make a mistake and then pounced.

Benji Marshall is turning back the clock (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Things don’t always go according to plan, but the experienced heads don’t panic and they refuse to go away from what they know works so well. It’s that mix of patience and confidence that makes the predictable so hard to stop.

Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand with No Ad-Breaks During Play. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Dislikes: Ricky Stuart can blame the referees as much as he wants, but he’s only deflecting from his team’s glaring problems. The Raiders have leaked a staggering 185 points through eight rounds, which flies in the face of the defensive doggedness that defined Canberra over the past few seasons. After eight games last year, they had only conceded 113 points. In 2019, they’d allowed 102. Even in 2018, when they started the season 3-5, Canberra had a better defensive record at this stage but ultimately missed out on the finals.

We’ve heard a lot of theories about their struggles in attack this year, something not helped by an injury to George Williams in the warm-up on Thursday night, but Stuart will be far more concerned with what they’re doing without the ball.

The Raiders scored 24 points last week and another 20 against South Sydney, yet they lost both games. The Raiders of old would have been happy to get involved in shootouts, but not this current crop. Their middle remains solid, but the edges look vulnerable. If the players can’t sort it out then they may find themselves “rested” when the teams are named on Tuesday.

Fox Sports key stats: Cody Walker had three try assists — just the fifth time in his career he has set up three tries, but third since round 18 last season. Jordan Rapana’s 66th minute try was the Raiders’ first second half points since the 60th minute against the Panthers in Round 5.

- Martin Gabor

Dally M votes:

Judge: Andrew Johns

3 Benji Marshall (SOU)

2 Keaon Koloamatangi (SOU)

1 Cody Walker (SOU)

Cody Walker had three try assists (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

STORM v SHARKS

Likes: Craig Bellamy looks to have done it yet again. At the Canterbury Bulldogs, Reimis Smith was something of a bit player in a struggling team. At his new club in Melbourne this season, Smith is fast becoming the game’s newest try-scoring sensation. The centre has scored five tries in his past two games, including a hat-trick notched up in 20 minutes against Cronulla at AAMI Park.

He is now second at Storm for tries so far this season behind emerging superstar Ryan Papenhuyzen. Smith had a few scratchy weeks in first few games in purple, but in recent weeks he’s found his feet and gone to another level on Storm’s right edge. How do Storm, and Bellamy, continue to do it?

Dislikes: A few weeks ago Storm playmaker Cameron Munster joked he wanted to “chop my foot off” after a poor night with the boot. Well, both Storm fans and probably coach Craig Bellamy wanted to grab a chainsaw after Munster’s kicking display on Friday night against Cronulla. With Storm’s new first choice goalkicker Ryan Papenhuyzen injured, the duties have fallen to Munster. Against Cronulla, his confidence appeared to hit rock bottom.

Twice he sprayed regulation shots straight in front and even passed the duties on to Nicho Hynes for Storm’s last conversion attempt, which Hynes missed badly. It is just another area where the Storm misses the great Cameron Smith, who himself had moments with the boot but was generally solid in front of the uprights.

With Papenhuyzen far from certain to return against South Sydney on Thursday night, it will be interesting to see whether Munster is given another chance. But who else is there other than Hynes? Josh Addo-Carr? Brandon Smith? Maybe in a crisis. They need Papenhuyzen back ASAP.

Fox Sports key stats: Sharks have now lost 14 straight against the top seven teams from last season. The Storm completed just 65 per cent of their sets in the first half — but were almost perfect in the second, seven tries, eight linebreaks to two and completing 21/23 sets.

- Nick Smart

Dally M votes:

Judge: Mark Geyer

3 Jahrome Hughes (MEL)

2 Harry Grant (MEL)

1 Reimis Smith (MEL)

Reimis Smith is on a tryscoring streak (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

BRONCOS v TITANS

Like: Unheralded Broncos playmaker Tyson Gamble is proof that second-tier football can be a crucial development tool for an NRL career. At 24, Gamble has plied his trade in the Intrust Super Cup and when his chance in the big league came, he took it against the Titans. In just his fourth NRL game, Gamble was confident and vocal at halfback as he got under the skin of Titans rivals.

His direct style also complements Anthony Milford, who suddenly had more freedom at five-eighth. In the forwards, Tevita Pangai Jnr is a genuine matchwinner and should be considered for a NSW Origin call-up this season.

Dislike: The Titans have to find a harder edge to play finals football. Justin Holbrook’s troops have conceded 112 points in three weeks and still lack the hard-nosed consistency to truly challenge the likes of the Roosters, Penrith and Melbourne. The Titans also need more diversity in their attacking shapes or risk David Fifita being nullified in attack.

The Titans’ $1 million man can’t score a hat-trick every week and Pangai Jnr showed shutting down Fifita is entirely possible. The Coast’s engine room lacks presence in the absence of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.

Fox Sports key stats: Broncos’ first win against someone other than the Bulldogs since round two last season. Three straight losses for Titans — they have conceded at least 36 points in all three.

- Peter Badel

Dally M votes:

Judge: Paul Whatuira

3 Jamayne Isaako (BRI)

2 Payne Haas (BRI)

1 Xavier Coates (BRI)

Tyson Gamble was a revelation for the Broncos (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

PANTHERS v SEA EAGLES

Like: Brian To’o is the game’s form winger. He was again at his destructive best running for a game high near 200 metres. But it is his developing style which is proving so good. He set up Penrith’s first try by running over the top of two players before off-loading late. His next effort was outstanding where he completing a back line movement and instead of trying to run over the top of Tom Trbojevic he ducked underneath him to score.

Dislike: The lack of punch early from the Sea Eagles. Off the back of three straight wins and against the competition leader, Manly should have been up for it. But they wilted. Poor line speed and defensive middles cost them. It resulted in Des Hasler producing an all-time half-time spray which his team responded to. But by then the damage had been done. Manly showed enough that they can compete with the best but need to do it for 80 minutes.

Fox Sports key stats: Penrith made it 23 straight regular season wins, extending their all-time record. Brain To’o has run for 190-plus metres in every game except round one this season when he ran for 162 metres.

-Michael Carayannis

Dally M votes:

Judge: Steve Roach

3 Nathan Cleary (PEN)

2 Liam Martin (PEN)

1 Daly Cherry-Evans (MAN)

Brian To’o’s stats are off the charts. Picture: Robb Cox - NRL Photos

BULLDOGS v EELS

Like: Reed Mahoney might end up being the next Jake Friend. That’s not a put-down, Friend had a tremendous career for the Roosters and was one of the best hookers of the past 10 years. But where Mahoney’s career may line up with Friend is the lack of a path to representative football.

Friend didn’t make his Origin debut until age 30 due to Cameron Smith’s longevity and Mahoney’s path to a Maroons jersey could be blocked by Harry Grant for some time to come. It’s a shame for Mahoney, who has improved so much this year and was again among Parramatta’s best. His attacking game, particularly his ability to challenge defenders with his runs from dummy half, has been a real feature of the Eels play all year.

Reed Mahoney and Jake Friend.

Dislike: The Bulldogs will have a fine backline next year when Matt Burton, Josh Addo-Carr and Brent Naden join the club, but the rest of their recruitment should be focused on middle forwards. There are some nice pieces there — Luke Thompson has made a massive difference since returning from suspension and the likes of Renouf Atoni and Ofahiki Ogden have their moments, but they need more muscle. Word is they’re planning to take a run at Cronulla’s Toby Rudolf, which would go some way to fixing the problem.

Fox Sports key stats: Maika Sivo scored the 10th double of his career — he has six tries in his past three games. Fourth time this season the Bulldogs have been held to nil at half time — only three times last season.

- Nick Campton

Dally M votes:

Judge: Corey Parker

3 Clint Gutherson (PAR)

2 Isaiah Papali’i (PAR)

1 Reagan Campbell-Gillard (PAR)

Reed Mahoney’s improvement has been dramatic (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

KNIGHTS v ROOSTERS

Like: Turning a negative into a positive, the response after season-ending injuries to Brett Morris and Lindsay Collins said plenty about the rugby league fraternity.

Morris was given a standing ovation from the Newcastle faithful as he was carried off McDonald Jones Stadium with a likely ACL tear. Knights fans knew this was probably the last we’d see of BMoz on a football field, putting club rivalry aside to give the veteran the send-off he deserved.

The dressing-room scenes were incredibly moving as teammates and coach did their best to console the broken Morris. Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves also showed great empathy and understanding in comforting Lindsay after the tearaway forward suffered his own serious knee injury. It’s a tough game but there’s still room for compassion.

Dislike: Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien didn’t say it in so many words, but it’s clear he believes a number of his players are struggling with the week-to-week intensity of the NRL.

After a fifth loss in six starts, the Knights boss declared just getting picked in the first grade side was not an achievement in itself.

He wants his players to compete every minute for the full 80, not drift in and out of games. O’Brien, who was assistant coach at the Roosters when they won the 2019 title, used his old club as the blueprint. The hunger and desire the Chooks show year after year — despite being at or near the summit for so long — is what makes the great club great. The Knights are still miles away from becoming that sort of club.

Fox Sports key stats: Sam Walker scored a try and had five try assists — the most on record for a Roosters player while Josh Morris scored the seventh hattrick of his career, and first for the Roosters. The Knights have just one win in their past six games

- Adam Lucius

Dally M votes:

Judge: Greg Alexander

3 Sam Walker (SYD)

2 Joseph Manu (SYD)

1 Angus Crichton (SYD)

Just horrible, another serious knee injury for the Roosters with Brett Morris. Unfortunately video brings concern for an ACL injury; non contact/direction change mechanism. Best case here meniscus tear/bone bruise but doesn’t look good again, really hope the video lies pic.twitter.com/H9qNLaG2X4

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 1, 2021

WARRIORS v COWBOYS

Like: Nathan Brown’s investment in youth has paid off deluxe, and the club should be very excited about what they might produce in the future. The impending loss of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will be a devastating blow, but generation next has shown there is light at the end of the tunnel. Reece Walsh will undoubtedly get all the plaudits after his stellar showing in just his second game, but he had plenty of company on Sunday.

Rocco Berry is new to the game but bagged a try and scrambled well with debutant Edward Kosi on the right edge as the Cowboys sent traffic their way all day. Josh Curran, Bayley Sironen and Adam Pompey are all still young but playing like seasoned veterans.

Dislike: You can’t begrudge a coach for signing a premiership-winning halfback and one of the most promising playmakers in the game, but where does that leave Scott Drinkwater in 2022? The five-eighth has been a focal point in attack this year and is a point of difference when they enter the red zone. He has six try assists off his left boot and can slot into his preferred fullback role if Valentine Holmes is unavailable.

Todd Payten says Drinkwater is a priority signing, revealing the club has tabled him a contract extension. But whether a player in his prime wants to be the third choice half is another thing entirely. It still remains unclear who will get the nod next year, but Drinkwater appears to be the odd man out. If that’s the case, it’s likely other clubs will be interested.

Fox Sports key stats: Tuivasa-Sheck had two try assists, almost 200m and five tackle busts, whereas Jason Taumalolo had a quiet return by his standards with 120m, no tackle busts and 16 tackles in 45 minutes.

- Martin Gabor

Dally M votes:

Judge: Chris Heighington

3 R Tuivasa-Sheck (NZ)

2 B Murdoch-Masila (NZ)

1 T Harris (NZ)

Reece Walsh is the next big thing at the Warriors. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

DRAGONS v TIGERS

Likes: On a weekend where we saw some awful injuries and the potentially the sad end of Brett Morris’ stellar career, it was just wonderful witnessing the celebration from friends and family when young Wests Tigers outside back Zac Cini touched down for his first try on debut.

Just minutes after the bunker overturned what looked to be his first try in the top grade, the former Australian Schoolboy finished off a nice attacking shift right in front of his own cheer squad who went off like scenes from an EPL match.

Dislikes: The NRL has made some terrific changes in recent times and the six-again would be at the top of the list for many given how we no longer have to spend Monday mornings talking about how the wrestle is ruining the game. But one they’ve got wrong is this ability for the Bunker to come in over the top and take back a try after it has been awarded by the referee.

The emotion that followed young Cini’s first ‘try’ was something to be celebrated. But then to have it taken away after numerous replays just ruins the moment and makes you wonder why they bothered changing the procedure in the first place. Yes it was the right call but wouldn’t you rather just wait for the Bunker to make the final decision before the on-field verdict is announced?

Fox Sports key stats: Adam Douehi created three line-breaks for the first time in his career. He ran for 100 metres, busted four tackles and made three offloads.

Dally M votes:

Judge: Ben Ikin

3 D Laurie (WST)

2 A Doueihi (WST)

1 A Twal (WST)

DALLY M LEADERBOARD

Latrell Mitchell 13

Nathan Cleary 13

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 13

Ryan Papenhuyzen 12

James Fisher-Harris 11

David Fifita 9

Reed Mahoney 8

Adam Doueihi 7

Benji Marshall 7

Clint Gutherson 7

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 7

William Kennedy 7

Sam Walker 7

Brett Morris 6

Cameron Munster 6

Cody Walker 6

Jamayne Isaako 6

James Tedesco 6

Kodi Nikorima 6

Daly Cherry-Evans 6

Tom Trbojevic 6

Jahrome Hughes 6

Ben Hunt 5

Daniel Saifiti 5

Isaiah Papali’i 5

Jarome Luai 5

Maika Sivo 5

Mitch Moses 5

Valentine Holmes 5

Scott Drinkwater 5

Chad Townsend 5

Daine Laurie 4

Damien Cook 4

Hudson Young 4

Paul Vaughan 4

Viliame Kikau 4

Felise Kaufusi 4

Joseph Manu 4

Angus Crichton 3

Bradman Best 3

Brian To’o 3

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 3

Corey Norman 3

Dylan Edwards 3

Josh Papali’i 3

Junior Paulo 3

Xavier Coates 3

Zac Lomax 3

Tom Burgess 3

Jarrod Wallace 3

Josh Aloiai 3

Payne Haas 3

Kalyn Ponga 3

Harry Grant 3

Tohu Harris 3

Reece Robson 3

Will Hopoate 3

Joseph Tapine 3

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 3

Addin Fonua-Blake 2

Christian Welch 2

David Klemmer 2

George Williams 2

Jayden Brailey 2

Lindsay Collins 2

Luke Brooks 2

Matt Burton 2

Matthew Moylan 2

Nathan Brown 2

Tariq Sims 2

Tom Eisenhuth 2

Adam Clune 2

Keiran Foran 2

Cameron Murray 2

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2

Oregon Kaufusi 2

Dylan Napa 2

Keaon Koloamatangi 2

Liam Martin 2

Ben Murdoch-Masila 2

Adam Elliott 1

Alexander Brimson 1

Anthony Milford 1

Ashley Taylor 1

Daniel Alvaro 1

Jack Bird 1

Jordan Rapana 1

Josh Hodgson 1

Josh Mansour 1

Justin Olam 1

Marata Niukore 1

Mark Nicholls 1

Toby Rudolf 1

Dane Gagai 1

Tyrone Peachey 1

Sean O’Sullivan 1

George Jennings 1

Mikaele Ravalawa 1

Reuben Cotter 1

Tyson Frizell 1

Jake Granville 1

Corey Thompson 1

Bryce Cartwright 1

Luke Thompson 1

Emre Guler 1

Martin Taupau 1

Josh Morris 1

Josh Addo Carr 1

Reimis Smith 1

Regan Campbell-Gillard 1

Alex Twal 1