The NRL Tackle: Paul Crawley’s likes and dislikes from Round 15, bunker robs Broncos

After another humiliating loss its finally time for the Tigers to make a call on the future of Luke Brooks, writes Paul Crawley. PLUS all the Likes and Dislikes from Round 15.

Damien Cook and the South Sydney Rabbitohs were trounced. Picture: NRL Photos

Paul Crawley runs the rule over every game from Round 15 and reveals his LIKES and DISLIKES in The Tackle.

DISLIKES

TIGERS’ DOUEIHI-BROOKS CONTRACT CONUNDRUM

Wests Tigers need to make the other tough call they dodged at the start of the season.

Let Luke Brooks go and rejuvenate his career somewhere else next season, and give whoever takes over from Michael Maguire a fresh start.

Given there are 10 rounds of the season remaining, Tim Sheens should also use it to fast track Adam Doueihi’s return into the halves now Doueihi’s back from injury - and see how he works with Jackson Hastings.

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There was genuine excitement when Maguire initially moved Brooks to five-eighth and Hastings to halfback.

But after some early success this partnership has struggled with only one win in their past seven games and that was against the Bulldogs the week Trent Barrett got punted.

But in the three weeks since Mick Potter has totally transformed the Bulldogs’ attack, while the Tigers are going nowhere fast.

The Wests Tigers need to make tough call on Brooks v Doueihi, writes Paul Crawley.

It can’t all be pinned on the halves, of course. They had hardly any ball in the 36-12 belting on Sunday and their defence was shocking.

But when they did have the ball they had nothing go on, while their last play options just weren’t up to scratch.

Doueihi was the Tigers’ best player before he was injured last year playing at five-eighth, and that’s his preferred position.

This is Brooks’ 10th season and the Tigers are yet to play finals football with him in the team.

When the Knights wanted Brooks at the start of the season Sheens didn’t want to know about it.

But you’d think after watching what he’s seen over 15 rounds he’d be ready for a rethink.

CALL THAT CRUELLED BRONCOS

Every year we read the same stories about the NRL’s plan to fast track forward pass technology, but they continue to move at a snail’s pace to actually get it done.

What makes it all the more frustrating is everyone watching on TV can see what is going on. But we just have to sit there and cop lame excuses as to why the technology is not ready to be implemented.

This time it was the Broncos who copped a stinker in the loss to the Storm with a pass from Justin Olam to Dean Iremia when the game was in the balance.

It went from 20-16 to 26-16, and see you later Broncos.

These decisions not only decide games but often seasons and even careers for players and coaches.

We have the bunker come in for everything these days, but it can’t act on forward passes? It’s just ridiculous.

The Broncos cropped a dubious call from the bunker. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

SOUTHS’ BIG MISTAKES EXPOSED

Jason Demetriou’s decision to hook rookie half Lachlan Ilias during the disastrous loss to St George Illawarra was one of the most unfair and humiliating coaching decisions we’ve seen in years.

But it was also the exclamation point on everything that has gone wrong at South Sydney this year.

All the PR spin in the world does not make it better.

What they have done on many fronts to their fans and individuals has been really average.

To go from a grand final team to being in the position they are in now is all of their own making.

Souths’ capitulation against the Dragons was concerning. Picture: NRL Photos

They made the decision to move on Adam Reynolds. They made the decision to let Dane Gagai walk. They made the decision to bring in Ilias and choose Cody Walker to be chief playmaker over Reynolds.

They made all these decisions with eyes wide open.

But to then make Ilias the scapegoat by hooking him when it wasn’t his fault Souths were copping a first half spanking was just a low blow.

Everyone watching felt the same. From the fans to experts like Matty and Andrew Johns and Johnathan Thurston, who all had a say.

It is no use Demetriou taking out his frustrations on journalists for asking about it post match because it was always going to be the story.

But for the club to now come out over the weekend and say they are going to back Ilias going forward, it’s a bit late.

You didn’t back him. You humiliated him. Purely as a reaction to scoreboard pressure.

Everyone knew Ilias went into this season with the rugby league world on his shoulders after taking over from Reynolds, and the kid has performed pretty admirably until now.

If anything it has been the lack of Walker’s leadership in the halves that has let Souths down.

But Cody doesn’t get hooked.

WHAT’S GONE WRONG WITH ROOSTERS?

It’s very hard to be critical of the effort and bravery of the Roosters in what was one of the games of the season against Parramatta.

But the fact one of the benchmark clubs of the last decade finishes the round outside the top eight for the first time since 2016 (later than round three in the season) sums up where they are now as a squad in its current form.

For so long the Roosters have been admired, even if at times with sarcastic jealousy over the so-called salary cap sombrero, for their unashamed pursuit of excellence.

That’s why they got Sonny Bill Williams. That’s why they got Cooper Cronk, James Tedesco and Luke Keary, and went after Joseph Suaalii, Sam Walker and next year Brandon Smith.

Through a shocking run of injuries over the past two seasons they have continued to play with great commitment and character, but where has it got them?

Everyone just expects the Roosters to be successful with the influence of Nick Politis and all their resources.

But here they are sitting behind the up-and-down Dragons who don’t have near their star power, yet have taken their spot in the eight after 15 rounds.

Yeah, they were missing Luke Keary against the Eels as well as Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Victory Radley. But the old Roosters just wouldn’t be sitting ninth on the ladder.

Especially not in a season where many judges actually tipped them as premiership favourites.

And they back up against the Panthers after rep round.

The Roosters are outside the eight after one of the worst games of the year. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

WHY WASN’T TINO SIN BINNED?

Another scratch your head moment was when big Tino Fa’asuamaleaui escaped the sin bin in the loss to the Sharks.

It came late in the first half with the scores locked at 10-all when Will Kennedy made a break and turned it inside to Ronaldo Mulitalo.

It was an enormous effort for Tino to chase down the flying winger and make the try-saving tackle. But then he held on and on until it was a blatant professional foul.

But referee Chris Sutton for some crazy reason didn’t think sin bin.

Then you had the call at the death where the bunker did come in and take a cracking consolation try off Titans for a Matt Moylan knock on down the other end of the field.

It’s gobsmacking inconsistency.

SEA EAGLES BLOW IT – AGAIN

If Manly miss the eight this year they will look back on this loss to the Cowboys with huge regret.

With seven minutes to go they led 26-12 and looked home for all money, but just blew it, letting in three tries in a crazy finish that would have left Des Hasler absolutely gutted.

Especially given a win would have put the Sea Eagles in the top eight, instead they’re 10th and have the Storm next round, and are still to beat a top eight team this year.

The performance of underrated dummy half Lachlan Croker was superb in a beaten side.

LIKES

JEKYLL AND HYDE EELS FIGHT BACK

It’s like watching the NRL version of Lleyton Hewitt.

Parramatta needs to be two sets down and with their backs against the wall before they will come out fighting.

A week ago the Eels were towelled up by the. Then they come out and play like this against the Roosters in what was an absolute bellringer of a game of footy.

And what a response from Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard after getting bullied by Tevita Pangai.

Paulo was exceptional with 25 runs for 228m, while Reagan Campbell-Gillard ripped in with 20 runs for 199m, and Ryan Matterson was good in the middle.

But what they need to do now is narrow that gap between their best and worst.

This is as open as the premiership window will get for this particular Parramatta squad.

But inconsistency will be their undoing if they don’t fix it.

You can’t afford an off week in the big end of the season games or otherwise it’s next year, not next week.

SUAALII V SIVO BRUTAL AND BRILLIANT

Rugby league has known some brilliant teenagers over the years, and Joseph Suaalii certainly ranks up with the absolute elite we’ve ever seen.

Throw in Brad Fittler, Greg Inglis, Darren Lockyer, Israel Folau and Bradley Clyde to mention just a handful.

Last week it was Suaalii’s phenomenal strength when stopping Jahrome Hughes from scoring that got everyone talking.

This time it was his astonishing attacking skills, starting with that incredible sideline aerial act to touch down off a Joey Manu flick pass, backed up with a tremendous chip and chase try, while his runs out of the back field are astonishing for a winger so young.

And up against the brute force of Maika Sivo this was really a wonderful one-on-one battle in a great game of footy.

It will be interesting to see if Suaalii ultimately ends up in the centres or playing fullback, but wherever he’s going to be world class. Perhaps the player of his generation.

UNLUCKY PANTHER DESERVES A REP JUMPER

It was fantastic footage seeing the Panthers celebrate with Api Koroisau after he was told of his NSW call-up in the dressing sheds following the big win over the Warriors.

It’s just such a shame a player like Dylan Edwards can’t get a go given what he produces for the competition’s benchmark team week after week.

Edwards was again outstanding in this one with a terrifically executed scrum base try — when he combined so brilliantly with Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai — a just reward for one of the game’s great clubmen.

Everyone knows the quality of NSW fullbacks ahead of Edwards when it comes to rep selection.

But like Cleary said post match, Edwards certainly wouldn’t look out of place in a Blue jumper.

Is Dylan Edwards worthy of an Origin call-up? Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

MOYLAN WORTHY OF A NEW DEAL

A year ago you wouldn’t have blamed Cronulla for sending Matt Moylan on his way.

But the way he has responded to the coaching of Craig Fitzgibbon has been one of this season’s great comeback stories.

We always knew what a naturally talented footballer Moylan was, but at 31 he’s turned back the clock with his best season in years.

Fitzgibbon revealed after the game moves are underway to extend the off-contract playmaker.

LOMAX SHOWS WHAT DRAGONS ARE CAPABLE OF

It was a great response from Zac Lomax after the criticism he copped the previous week with an outstanding performance in the big win over Souths.

Now let’s hope that’s the benchmark going forward, and this could turn out to be a real line in the sand moment for not just Lomax but the entire Dragons team.

Make no mistake, that first half effort was top shelf _ and it highlights the talent in this team.

But they need to bring that out against the best sides consistently, and there’s no reason why they can’t be a serious contender.

STORM HALVES DIFFERENCE AGAINST BRAVE BRONCOS

We’ve raved all year about the magic of Cameron Munster. But what about his unassuming halves partner, Jahrome Hughes?

The Kiwi halfback has to be rated in the top 10 players in the game today, and it’s going to be great watching him in the Test against Tonga on Saturday.

The Broncos were really brave with some big outs including Adam Reynolds, but the performance of the Storm halves was the difference. The Broncos can take a lot of this game.

COWBOYS’ AMAZING COMEBACK VICTORY

Just when you thought the Cowboys were going to get a reality check, they deliver one of the most outstanding get-out-of-jail escape acts we’ve seen in the NRL in years.

Three tries in as many minutes _ and what a try to finish it off when Scott Drinkwater knocked the ball out of Daly Cherry-Evans’ hands and Val Holmes runs the full length of the field.

But for all the razzle dazzle, equally impressive was Jason Taumalolo in the middle.

While he’s not attracting the same attention as in recent years, the big unit still clocks up massive metres, finishing with 175 from 18 runs.

ends

Originally published as The NRL Tackle: Paul Crawley’s likes and dislikes from Round 15, bunker robs Broncos