Upsets everywhere!
Fun and games in NRL round 22 as weather proved the great equaliser for games in New South Wales, while elsewhere we had rippers across the ditch and on the Gold Coast.
After a few predictable months we were due a round like this, and long may it continue.
Let’s dive into your weekly talking points.
Credit where it’s due
First, a salute to the players who went out there in biblical conditions around NSW. Whether it was Wollongong, Sydney or Newcastle, the men’s and women’s comps showed just how incredibly high their skills and fitness levels are.
We won’t salute the grounds’ ability – or lack thereof – to hold the grass together, but with the amount of rain we’re talking about, it’s hardly fair to rip into the groundskeepers.
Except at the Cronulla construction pit, which seemed to be surrounded by a moat.
Once again, we’re talking about trainers on the field
Jees they’re unlucky, Penrith’s trainers.
It’s just so sad how they’re constantly caught helpless in positions that unfortunately cause problems for the opposition. If only there was some way to help them out, the poor buggers.
Again we find ourselves asking what it’s going to take for the NRL to enforce some proper penalties for trainers interfering with games.
Again we find ourselves talking about a feature of the game that should have been eliminated a decade ago, and could be fixed tomorrow, but won’t be.
If they do something like what we saw on Saturday (and the week before from Melbourne’s trainer, let’s not forget), let’s have some proper, on-field, in game punishments.
In the AFL, after a series of team runners positioned themselves in defensive areas, they introduced a rule that they were no longer allowed within 25 metres of a stoppage, and had to vacate the 50-metre zone during any stoppage. If they trespass, or impact play in any way, the opposition gets a free kick. That change was over a decade ago.
What happened to Jayden Campbell should have seen his kick moved to dead in front. If any interference should be met with either this or a penalty try, I think you’d find Penrith’s trainers might find their way out of all this trouble pretty quickly.
Think that’s too harsh? Here’s something that will solve the issue by this afternoon – get the trainers off the field. That should have happened when a trainer impacted a Grand Final back in 2019, but apparently even that wasn’t enough to make this simple decision.
Grading the wins
The biggest and best winners of the weekend were the Dragons, Tigers and Dolphins.
St George Illawarra finally got reward for a month of strong effort by knocking over the league leader Canberra 18-12, playing the type of grinding game their coach Shane Flanagan was built for. Canberra made 14 errors and couldn’t get out of their own way – it was a rough day in particular for halfback Jamal Fogarty.
Wests Tigers were magnificent value for their 28-14 win over Canterbury. They punched them in the mouth early and didn’t let up for a second – you could even argue that score flatters how the Bulldogs performed.
Adam Doueihi at halfback was a great call by Benji Marshall and on that kind of performance, he might be a decent pickup for any club looking for a utility who can impact a game.
The Dolphins may have gotten out of jail with their 20-18 miracle across the ditch, but let’s appreciate the steel rookie NRL coach Kristian Woolf has instilled in this team.
Losing Herbie Farnworth adds to the pile of injured players but the ‘Phins are a great watch.
The Warriors are not quite adrift just yet, but an upcoming game against a stung Bulldogs is a hell of a test.
That winner’s killer instinct
When Penrith led Gold Coast 24-0 you could have written your own ticket for the Titans making a game of it, but they staged a fantastic comeback to lead 26-24 with moments to go.
But the play to get into position for Nathan Cleary to kick a two-point field goal, then by Casey McLean to send Blaize Talagi for the winning try showed the difference between a winning club and everyone else.
The Panthers were all over the shop giving away the lead, but when it mattered, their reverting to type was ominous.
It’s also fair to ask where this has been from the Titans over the last couple of weeks. Again they’ve played well below what their squad should be delivering.
Happy surprises
Canberra and Canterbury losing was a pleasant surprise for Melbourne, who battled their way past the vastly improved Parramatta 16-10.
That gives the Storm a real shot at top spot, not that it really matters these days, with first and second getting the same outcome.
It took Brisbane about half a hour to get past their sympathy for South Sydney’s injury predicament before teeing off for a 60-14 result. This was on the back of New Zealand going down, which ever so slightly re-opened the door for a Brisbane second chance.
The Roosters kept themselves in finals contention with a relatively straightforward 20-4 win at Manly, who once again showed how unserious they are; but Cronulla’s 32-12 pasting of the pathetic North Queensland made that fight for the top eight just a fraction more difficult.
Just quietly, the Sharks are now level on points with Brisbane and just a game behind New Zealand in fourth. Why aren’t we talking about them as a top four chance? Because they’ve shown us nothing to think they can maintain decent form, that’s why.
Big games next week
After this week’s drenching across NSW, we’re hopeful of some clear skies.
I’ll be at what could be an absolute ripper in Melbourne on Thursday as the Storm welcome Brisbane, with top spot and the top four in play for both.
For happy hour Friday, it’s off to Newcastle for Penrith and the Knights, then to the capital for the Raiders and their bogey side the Sea Eagles.
Saturday starts with a pretty good one: Dragons and Sharks at Kogarah. The Dragons are punching their way to the end – the Sharks should win but who knows.
Twilight Saturday is at Lang Park for the Dolphins and Roosters, which has big top eight ramifications; we finish the day at Homebush for Canterbury hosting the Warriors in a game that has become much more important after this weekend.
On Sunday, we head to the Gold Coast for the Titans and Rabbitohs, then the round wraps with Parramatta hosting the incredibly disappointing North Queensland at Western Sydney Stadium.
Wests Tigers have the bye and the free two points, which will keep them out of the spoon race and respectably close to the top eight.
Round 22’s random thoughts
– I’ve always wondered, is ‘having the wind at your back’ a rugby league myth? It’s purely a talking points gut feel, but these days I’m not sure a strong breeze is the advantage many seem convinced it is.
– Still wondering why Gold Coast’s Phillip Sami wasn’t awarded a penalty or a penalty try when Panthers winger Brian To’o clouted him across the head stopping a try.
– There are often complaints about the amount of time lost and the amount of ball in play. Here’s a thought – why does the clock need to keep running when someone is lining up to convert a try?
– Liam Martin copped a stray elbow from Regan Campbell-Gillard as the Titans prop tried to wrestle around on the ground. This has happened quite a few times this year with ballcarriers throwing elbows around on the ground. Do we have a problem or is this just a part of it all?
– Is Melbourne Storm second rower Eliesa Katoa the best NRL buy of the last five years? He has been incredible since moving from the Warriors in 2023. Who else might count here?
What did you make of round 22, Roarers?
