The Tackle: NRL experts’ likes, dislikes for Round 13 2021
Their failure to make the finals since 2011 is stuff of NRL legend, but could the tide be finally turning for Wests Tigers? Our writers wrap up the highs and lows of Round 13.
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Our rugby league writers reveal what caught their eye — good and bad — in Round 13 of the NRL.
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The Dally Ms have now gone behind closed doors. For the rest of the season News Corp’s NRL experts will do their own 3-2-1 votes for every NRL game and publish a composite leaderboard.
DRAGONS v BRONCOS
Like: He endured a wretched run at the Broncos, playing just 17 games in two seasons as injuries threatened to derail his career. But Jack Bird showed he is still a force in the NRL as he tormented his former club with a try and an assist in his first game in the back row. He is one of the great stories of 2021, and it’s just nice to see him enjoying life on and off the field at a club that clearly means the world to him. Bird has said he wants to go back to the centres, but Thursday night showed he is a weapon when he gets earlier ball closer to the ruck.
Dislike: Dragons fans have every right to be filthy with the club’s decision to not re-sign Matt Dufty. We still don’t know exactly why he hasn’t received a contract extension, but it’s clearly not football related. He was incredible in his first game back from a shoulder injury, setting up five tries and scoring two of his own as he unleashed his attacking arsenal on the hapless Broncos. His speed and support play have always been on show, but his passing game has gone to new heights in 2021. The local junior should be in the Red V for life, but sadly, he might terrorise them for the years to come.
Fox Sports key stats: Ninth time the joint venture has scored 50 points or more - their most points since defeating the Titans 54-8 in 2018. The Broncos have conceded 398 points already this season - 38 more than the Bulldogs (from one extra game)
Player of year points: 3 Matt Dufty, 2 Ben Hunt, 1 Jack Bird
- Martin Gabor
TIGERS v PANTHERS
Like: The Panthers might have been undermanned but this can still be an important win for the Tigers. For all their early season struggles the joint venture are still in the hunt for the top eight and look to have finally settled on their best 17. Their forward play in the middle of the field was especially impressive with Alex Twal and Shawn Blore particularly shining - Blore looked dangerous on the left edge in the closing stages and Twal has quietly become one of the NRL’s most reliable props. There’s a fair way to travel before the finals but there’s reason to hope the Tigers could break the longest playoff drought in the NRL should they continue to improve.
Dislike: Any complaining about the Luciano Leilua penalty try is well off the mark. Leilua was clearly hit around the chops in the process of scoring and it would have been a clear cut penalty try even before the NRL’s recent crackdown. While there was no malicious intent from Penrith winger Rob Jennings it was surprising to see the Panthers flyer avoid suspension - he’ll escape with a fine and will be free to play against Cronulla on Friday night.
Fox Sports key stats: First back-to-back wins for the Tigers since rounds 6 and 7 last season (Cowboys and Bulldogs). There were 21 penalties in this match - the most of any game this season.
Player of the year points: 3 Daine Laurie, 2 Alex Twal, 1 Luke Brooks
- Nick Campton
STORM v TITANS
Like:The match winning ways of Storm hooker Brandon Smith. The Kiwi international is more than just a great character of the game. ‘The Cheese’ is also a great competitor and game breaker. His try and try assist in the first half of Melbourne’s 20-14 win over the Titans proved critical in the outcome, as did his 35 wholehearted tackles. Titans debutant Jayden Campbell is set for a long and successful career after the 21-year-old son of club legend Preston Campbell had an outstanding debut. His game awareness, speed, skill and toughness – as evidenced by a crunching try saving tackle on Nicho Hynes – was a shining light in the Titans loss. Campbell still ran for 132m in a game that did not really suit his freewheeling style.
Dislike: The inability of Titans halves Ash Taylor and Jamal Fogarty to step up when games are on the line. The Gold Coast had enough ball in the second half to win two games but Taylor and Fogarty failed to provide the knockout punch. Taylor, on his return from injury, did set up a try for Brian Kelly with a deft grubber but he could have done so much more. Two runs for 12m is not what coach Justin Holbrook expects from his $1 million man.
Fox Sports key stats: The Storm have won their past 11 games during the Origin affected portion on the season. Eighth loss of the season for the Titans and ninth time they have conceded 20 points or more.
Player of the year points: 3 Brandon Smith, 2 Jayden Campbell, 1 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
- Joel Gould
Knights vs Eels
Like: Bryce Cartwright’s situation was that desperate not so long ago that he started looking up online job sites, convinced his NRL career was all but over. The ball-playing forward had been to hell and back as he attempted to overcome a series of setbacks and controversies. It appeared he was down to his last chip. But the Eels were willing to take a gamble and both player and club are prospering. The gifted Cartwright showcased all his skills in the big win over Newcastle, underlining what a talent he is when body and mind are in sync. It’s one of the great storylines of 2021.
Dislike: It’s clear Newcastle just don’t have the depth or class to go with the competition’s top sides. The Knights need to be close to full strength to challenge the elite and their frontline troops can’t return quick enough. The good news is Mitchell Pearce and Kalyn Ponga should be back within a fortnight at the same time as the suspended David Klemmer. Daniel Saifiti will return after Origin duty but there will be no Tyson Frizell for some time. The Knights desperately need the stability Pearce brings and the unpredictability provided by Ponga. That’s when their season might finally find some consistency.
Fox Sports key stats: After a quiet start to the game, Eels fullback Clint Gutherson exploded to life, running for 131m and racking up two try assists, two linebreaks and a four-pointer of his own.
Expert points: 3 Clint Gutherson (PAR), 2 Reed Mahoney (PAR), 1 Bryce Cartwright (PAR)
- Adam Lucius
Composite leaderboard
Nathan Cleary 21
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 17
James Fisher-Harris 16
Tom Trbojevic 15
Latrell Mitchell 13*
Ben Hunt 13
*Ineligible due to suspension
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