The Tackle: Ultimate NRL finals snapshot; Shane Flanagan’s blow up at Ben Hunt, growing cases of penalty milking
The NRL’s crackdown on high tackles and foul play has resulted in a growing number of players looking to milk penalties, leaving games disrupted and coaches frustrated on the eve of finals. THE TACKLE.
Fatima Kdouh reveals her likes and dislikes from round 26.
ROUND 26 DISLIKES
GOT MILK?
The NRL’s crackdown on high tackles and foul play is frustrating coaches with its impact on the flow of the game.
But what is also proving as big of a store point for fans, in particular, is a seemingly growing number of players staying down in a bid to attract a penalty from the referee.
Cronulla skipper Cameron McInnes accused Dallin Watene-Zelezniak of ‘gamesmanship’ after Kayal Iro was sin-binned for a high shot on the Warriors winger. Watene-Zelezniak didn’t leave the field for a head injury assessment.
But it’s not only head high shots under the spotlight. Back in round 24, Canterbury’s Matt Burton stayed down clutching at ankle after a hip-drop like tackle by Dolphins utility Lachlan Hubner. He was down long enough for the referee to review the incident and award a penalty. Burton recovered just as quickly.
The reality is that players know that if they are slow enough to their feet there is a decent chance they can draw a penalty to advantage their side.
Fox League analyst Cooper Cronk believes a simple solution will deter players from feigning injury.
“If you want to stop players laying down and playing for penalties, fine them. Simple,” Cronk said. “Fine them, charge them and the embarrassment of laying down to pretend for a penalty will be enough to stop them from doing it again.”
Cronk is onto something.
ON HUNT FOR NEW CLUB?
St George Illawarra’s finals hopes are all but gone.
Is Ben Hunt’s future at the club now under the same duress?
Cameras captured the moment Shane Flanagan unleashed a tirade at the skipper after the Dragons’ shocking 44-40 loss to Parramatta with a finals berth on the line.
Flanagan was seen dressing down a despondent Hunt in the sheds at full-time in scenes that will only add uncertainty about Hunt’s future at the Red V.
Hunt was very vocal in agitating for a release from his deal to move to Queensland before Flanagan arrived at the Dragons.
The seasoned coach managed to smooth things over and the club even began talks to extend Hunt beyond 2025.
But Hunt, who has one year left on his deal, has made no secret of wanting out and the fiery dressing room bake could be a tipping point in the delicate relationship the 34-year old has with the club.
Flanagan had every right to be filthy at Hunt, and the Dragons, for the display the side dished up against the Eels.
The scoreboard tells a false narrative.
The Dragons were only beaten by four points but were down 44-12 with 10 minutes to go. The Dragons were woeful for 70 minutes and out-enthused in every aspect of the game by a side battling for a wooden spoon.
Flanagan needed every bit of Hunt’s experience on Saturday.
The coach has every right to feel let down.
Hunt is leading the NRL for try assists but has been rocks and diamonds all season long. Flanagan will be wondering if that inconsistency is worth forking out over $1 million a season.
The halfback was in command against the Storm in round 22 but struggled to take control in must win games against Canterbury, Cronulla and now the Eels.
There’s no doubt Hunt has missed his foil in Kyle Flanagan, who is sidelined after copping a four-week ban for biting.
Flanagan has been open about needing to bolster his roster, and the halves should get some attention.
The coach rates rookie Lyhkan King-Togia but beyond that halves stocks are bare.
If it is time for Flanagan to look beyond Hunt the coach should look at luring Dragons local junior Tyran Wishart back to the Red V.
The Melbourne utility will become a free agent from November 1 and has excelled when deputising for Cameron Munster at five-eighth.
His toughness, skill and competitive nature are exactly the traits Flanagan is looking for in his rebuild.
DOGS REALITY CHECK
The Bulldogs’ gritty form even had some pundits believing Cameron Ciraldo’s men could be a dark horse for the title this year.
But a fast start in front of 35,000 fans at Accor Stadium came undone and the Bulldogs now risk slipping as low as 7th on the ladder if they lose to the Cowboys and Manly beat the Sharks in round 27.
It’s a timely, and valuable lesson, for the Bulldogs. The side wasn’t willing to pay the price of winning - hard work and commitment, which have been two traits that have carried the Bulldogs all year.
“They ran harder, tackled harder and Cherry-Evans controlled the game much better than what we did. That’s what is going to win big games over the next few weeks,” Ciraldo said after the loss.
The biggest question mark over the Bulldogs in the pre-season was also exposed - the size of Canterbury’s pack.
Manly’s big men dominated Canterbury’s more agile forward pack at stages.
But Ciradlo’s biggest worry would be conceding 34 points, the most this season, on the eve of the finals series.
WALKER GONE
It’s the stuff of nightmares for Roosters coach Trent Robinson and a massive blow to the club’s title tilt.
But what dreams are made of rising playmaker Sandon Smith.
In-form Roosters halfback Sam Walker suffered a suspected ACL against the Raiders, ending his season prematurely, on the eve of the finals series.
While Connor Watson is an option alongside Luke Keary in the halves, Robinson should put his faith in Smith - who is viewed as a long-term halves option at the club.
“Throw him (Sandon Smith) in, let him do the job. Trust the young fella,” Phil Gould on Channel 9 when asked who Robinson should deputise in Walker’s absence.
Smith has played 12 NRL games in 2024, mostly off the bench, but has been playing his trade in the no.7 jumper in NSW Cup.
Smith was impressive in the Roosters win over Canberra in reserve grade, scoring a try. He gave-up goal kicking duties late in the game due to an ankle ‘niggle’ but Roosters coaching staff confirmed the issue is not serious.
Watson initially moved into the halves when Walker went down but then switched into dummy half after hooker Brandon Smith also went down with a knee injury and is facing a month on the sidelines.
The double blow forced centre Joey Manu into five-eighth for the rest of the clash. Manu is also an option in the halves and will be a serious consideration given Robinson has depth in the outside back stocks with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to return from a neck injury against South Sydney. Rugby-convert Mark Nawaqanitawase, Billy Smith, Robert Toia and Junior Pauga available for selection.
Regardless of who Robinson goes with in the halves, the Roosters’ title hopes now rest on experienced campaigner Keary to step-up and take control in September.
Things only got worse for Robinson after Victor Radley left the field nursing a shoulder injury leaving the coach also searching for replacements in the forwards. Backrower Sitili Tupouniua is the man likely to move into the starting side.
ROUND 26 LIKES
TOP EIGHT SHOOT-OUT
Then there were two in the five way battle for 8th spot - the Knights and Dolphins.
Newcastle’s (28 competition points) victory over the Titans has set-up a top eight shootout against the Dolphins (28 points) - where the winner on Sunday is headed for week one finals showdown against either Canterbury or the Cowboys.
But in a huge blow to the Dolphins’ hopes, veteran Felise Kaufusi is set to miss the clash after he was hit with a two-week ban for a late shot on Adam Reynolds.
The Knights win has also effectively ended the finals ambitions of Dragons (28 points), Brisbane (26 points) and Raiders (28 points).
The Dragons can still finish on 30 points with a win over Raiders but with a poor differential of -124 points are unlikely to leapfrog either the Knights or Dolphins.
After going down to Manly, Canterbury can still secure fifth spot, and a home final at Accor Stadium, if they can take down the Cowboys on Saturday night.
The Bulldogs will have to get the job done without centre Bronson Xerri (suspension) and potentially five-eighth Matt Burton (concussion). Ciraldo will get a welcome return in inspirational skipper Stephen Crichton.
A home final from 6th spot is possible if the Bulldogs lose but then will have to rely on Cronulla to beat Manly.
But Cameron Ciraldo’s men risk slipping as low as 7th if they lose to the Cowboys and Manly topple Cronulla.
Regardless of the outcome in that clash, Manly can still secure a home final at 4 Parks Park if they take down the Sharks on Sunday afternoon to finish 6th on the ladder.
But Manly will be without superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic (shoulder) and flyer Jason Saab (ankle), while Cronulla will be bolstered by the return of Siosifa Talakai (calf), Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee) and Jesse Ramien (suspension).
A loss will see the Sea Eagles keep 7th spot.
Reigning premiers Penrith will lock in second spot, and a home final with victory over the Titans.
TOUCHING TRIBUTES
The NRL world rallied behind South Sydney youngster Tyrone Munro after the heartbreaking news of his mother’s death last week.
Even Munro’s opposition, the Penrith Panthers, went out their way to pay tribute to the rising star, who also lost his uncle in the same week.
It went unnoticed at the time but Panthers winger Brian To’o had the name of Munro’ mother Kirawhan written on the strapping on his wrist for the Friday night clash.
To’o also had the word ‘atreus’ - which means brave in Greek mythology - on the strapping in a touching tribute to Munro.
Penrith enforcer James Fisher Harris also took to social media after the match to pay his respects.
“I don’t know this young man, nothing but big admiration and respect in these times. Prayers for him and his family,” Fisher-Harris posted on Instagram.
Munro delivered a stellar performance despite the trying circumstances, finishing the game with 166 metres and two tries.
TYRAN WISH-LIST
Melbourne utility Tyran Wishart will hit the market on November 1 and the in-form playmaker will be on the wish list of plenty of NRL clubs.
Wishart has not just emerged as an invaluable asset to Craig Bellamy’s spine but arguably the most value for money player in the NRL.
It means Wishart should be able to command a considerable upgrade on his current deal at the Storm with around $300,000 per season.
Wishart has met every challenge handed to him by Bellamy in 2024. He was impressive in the no.6 jumper when Cameron Munster was out with a groin injury and filled-in with ease for Harry Grant at hooker against the Cowboys on the weekend.
His versatility, and competitive nature, should make Wishart one of the hottest prospects on the free market in two months time.
SPOON BOWL
Spoon Bowl fever is well and truly catching on with both Parramatta and Wests Tigers fans embracing the hype around the round 27 clash.
One Eels fan was spotted dressed as a wooden spoon at Saturday’s clash against St George Illawarra.
Tigers fans have been posting proof of their ticket purchases for the showdown at Campbelltown Stadium over the weekend too.
For the Tigers avoiding a third-straight wooden spoon will be vital to morale under Benji Marshall’s rebuild.
For Parramatta, slumping to a last-placed finish will bookend a horrid year of injuries and the axing of Brad Arthur mid-season.
But both struggling clubs will be playing with the same motivation - pride.
JOHNSON FAIRYTALE
It was the poetic ending to Shaun Johnson’s NRL career that only rugby league could deliver.
Behind by two points with 30 seconds on the clock, Johnson found the killer cut out pass that put Dallin Watene-Zelezniak over the white line to sink Cronulla.
The same Sharks that unceremoniously told Johnson that he was surplus to requirements in 2022 under then newly-appointed coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
Johnson has been a wonderful servant for the game, particularly in New Zealand. The 33-year old will now put his legacy into practice as he prepares to take on a new role as a halves coach at the club.
Coach Andrew Webster halves stocks, including Luke Metcalf, Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita will be the biggest beneficiaries of Johnson’s commitment to the Warriors.
So too Jett Cleary, the younger brother of Penrith champion halfback Nathan Cleary, who will join the Warriors from the Panthers in 2025.
The 19-year old sharp shooter has been in fine form in the Jersey Flegg (under 21’s) in recent weeks guiding the Panthers to a second placed finish ahead of the finals series.
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