NRL engulfed by second crunch trainer incident in a week<\/a><\/p>\nCHAOS! Key playmakers out in WILD scenes | 01:04<\/p>\n
CRUCIAL NO-CALL COULD OPEN UP \u2018DIVING\u2019 CAN OF WORMS<\/p>\n
For the second week in a row, the Titans were involved in some late game drama and once again it was Jayden Campbell at the forefront.<\/p>\n
Campbell was the goalkicker the Penrith trainer ran in front of last weekend. Eight days later, it was Campbell who was collected high in a 79th minute tackle right in front of the posts with his side trailing by two points.<\/p>\n
The Rabbitohs weren\u2019t penalised and held onto win the game, but they could consider themselves a little lucky the Titans and Campbell weren\u2019t given the chance to tie it up and send it to golden point.<\/p>\n
Fox League\u2019s Steve Roach said in commentary the Titans should have been awarded a penalty, as did Matty Johns.<\/p>\n
While it wasn\u2019t a vicious high tackle by any means with little force involved, Rabbitohs forward Tom Fletcher did hit Campbell high.<\/p>\n
Had the Bunker taken a closer look at the incident, the penalty would have been given and the Titans likely level the scores at 20.<\/p>\n
Instead, Campbell didn\u2019t give the Bunker a chance to do so as he quickly got up to play the ball.<\/p>\n
Johns credited Campbell for not diving or milking for a penalty.<\/p>\n
Jayden Campbell copped a high shot late in the loss to Souths.Source: The Courier-Mail<\/p>\n
\u201cFair play to Jayden Campbell. I want to give him a rap here,\u201d Johns said on Sunday Night with Matty Johns.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a high shot from Tom Fletcher. There wasn\u2019t a lot in it but if Jayden stays down there, they level up. There\u2019s no doubt about it, but good on him for getting up on his feet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eels legend Nathan Hindmarsh believed the right call was made.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn all seriousness, that\u2019s how it should be. He got a brush across the face,\u201d Hindmarsh said before Bryan Fletcher asked if the importance of the game would play a factor on if a player stayed down after a questionable tackle.<\/p>\n
\u201cDevil\u2019s advocate here. This is a semi-final going into a grand final?\u201d Fletcher said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe referee would not blow the whistle on something that light. Surely not,\u201d Hindmarsh replied.<\/p>\n
Campbell\u2019s coach Des Hasler was even asked about his halfback\u2019s actions and if he was proud that Campbell got straight back up. <\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t put words or thoughts into people\u2019s minds so I\u2019m not going to get into hypotheticals,\u201d Hasler said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t do anything. It doesn\u2019t change anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arrow questioned on late no-penalty call | 02:30<\/p>\n
TEDESCO FLEXES DALLY M MUSCLE IN ROUT OF DOLPHINS<\/p>\n
James Tedesco is arguably in the midst of his greatest season in first grade at the age of 32 after 14 seasons and 272 games in the NRL. <\/p>\n
Tedesco had 136 run metres, five tackle busts, three offloads, a linebreak, five linebreak assists, four try assists and a classy double to lead the Roosters to a 64-12 rout of the Dolphins. <\/p>\n
The win was made even more important because it improved their points differential and hurt the Dolphins, who are one of their main top eight rivals in that department. <\/p>\n
Bryan Fletcher believes Tedesco has never played better in his career than in 2025, after a bounce back season following losing his Blues and Kangaroos captaincy posts last year. <\/p>\n
\u201cJames Tedesco what a game he had up there in Brisbane,\u201d Fletcher said on Sunday Night with Matty Johns. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think he is a moral for the Dally M Medal. Having seen what he did live last week against Manly, this bloke is just a phenomenon. <\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like this is his best season ever. I know he has had some cracker seasons, but considering it was such a young team and he lost all that experience in the off-season. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe won the Artie Legacy Medal for the best player on the field and James Tedesco is flying.\u201d <\/p>\n
Matty Johns noted Tedesco has evolved from a ball runner to a playmaker, which is why he is playing better now that when he last won the Dally M Medal. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe is well known for his motor and going through the middle tippy toeing, but is his ball playing as well now,\u201d Johns said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe is so much more a complete player.\u201d <\/p>\n
James Tedesco is in career best form.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Johns was stunned by the scope of the victory over the Dolphins but believes their casualty ward is coming back to bite them after a long season. <\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t see that coming 64-12 and the Dolphins are ravaged by injuries and you can just see it is starting to catch up with them,\u201d Johns said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBy the same token it was a powerhouse performance from the Chooks. <\/p>\n
\u201cSam Walker was terrific. You can just see now that he is fulfilling that potential we all knew he had.\u201d <\/p>\n
The game also saw four sin bins after Spencer Leniu sparked an all-in melee in a fiery start to the match. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a feisty encounter with four sin bins and Spencer Leniu was involved but no suspensions,\u201d Johns said. <\/p>\n
Fletcher believes the referee went too far in sending four players off for the incident, which was a blast from the past. <\/p>\n
\u201cI thought it was good, I like how he shaped up it was old school, but I don\u2019t know whether they needed to send four off,\u201d Fletcher said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think that was a bit over the top.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Roosters face the Bulldogs next week in a huge clash, while the Dolphins face the Broncos in a round that could decide which of the two teams plays finals. <\/p>\n
SPENCER INCIDENT SPARKS 4 SIN BINS | 01:08<\/p>\n
BURTON\u2019S BULLDOGS ANSWER CRITICS WITH WET WEATHER MASTERCLASS <\/p>\n
The Bulldogs were 0-3 in the wet coming into their clash with the Warriors at a soggy Accor Stadium, but Matt Burton ensured they answered their critics with a kicking masterclass. <\/p>\n
Cameron Ciraldo said during the week that he hoped it was raining, so his side could prove a point and that came to fruition in a clinical display in atrocious conditions on Saturday night. <\/p>\n
Matty Johns has been a vocal critic of the Bulldogs\u2019 wet weather struggles, but commended their performance against the Warriors. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Bulldogs were excellent winning in the wet, which was important to take them to the next level,\u201d Johns said. <\/p>\n
\u201c32-14 it was a terrific win and in those conditions it can be tricky, but they still moved the football, but it was more controlled than last week against the Tigers.\u201d <\/p>\n
New fullback Jacob Kiraz revealed that the Bulldogs actually have the game to thrive in the wet, so it was about being honest with themselves about what hasn\u2019t worked in their last three losses. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was everywhere that we couldn\u2019t play in the rain, but at the end of the day we were losing in the rain, so we sat down and spoke about how it didn\u2019t make sense to us,\u201d Kiraz said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur game actually suits the rain, so we sat down this week and spoke about controlling the ball and field position <\/p>\n
\u201cI felt like our halves Galvin and Burton did a tremendous job of kicking the ball to corners and doing what we do best.\u201d <\/p>\n
Matt Burton\u2019s kicking game was superb against the Warriors.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Marcelo Montoya agreed the criticism of the Bulldogs was fair and the team were honest in addressing the mistakes in their approach. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t about the media, it was more us realising that we played three games in the wet and we were 0-3,\u201d Montoya said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was more just understanding as a team what we needed to do better to get the result in the wet.\u201d <\/p>\n
Johns paid tribute to the Bulldogs\u2019 halves for their kicking game, with Lachlan Galvin\u2019s short kicks perfectly complementing Burton\u2019s long bombs.<\/p>\n
\u201cGalvin was really good with his short kicking game,\u201d Johns said. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I just love the utility players that just chain pass through the middle of the field. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut some of Matt Burton\u2019s bombs and kicks were crazy. That 20\/10 he kicked was just ridiculous. The ball went from inside his 20 and landed on the 10 metre line.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs face the Roosters next week in a mouth-watering clash as they aim to keep the pressure on the Raiders and Storm in the top two race. <\/p>\n
Ciraldo puts wet weather rumour to bed | 03:55<\/p>\n
NOTHING STRANGE ABOUT THIS PERFORMANCE<\/p>\n
A career-first hat-trick for Raiders gun Ethan Strange stunned the Sea Eagles in Round 23.<\/p>\n
And now the rising star is \u201cdestined\u201d for representative honours according to one league legend, while the Kangaroos coach also made it clear he is on the selector\u2019s radar.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old is one of the NRL\u2019s best up-and-coming playmakers and broke 11 tackles, the line three times and scored a trio of tries to down Manly.<\/p>\n
Kevin Walters signalled he would definitely be watching Strange\u2019s finals series closely, with the young gun leading the charge for the Raiders to win the minor premiership.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s one of the names that was thrown up, from my experience with the Kangaroos someone through that finals series gets on a bit of a run,\u201d Walters said on Fox League.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey play their way into the Australian side because of their form. He\u2019s one certainly that could force his way in.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just like the way he runs the ball, he\u2019s big and strong. He enjoys the contact in defence and attack… he\u2019s a good young player.\u201d<\/p>\n
Strange\u2019s club coach went one better.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have got a very strong opinion of Ethan, I have a very strong opinion of where he\u2019s going to go as a player,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he will play for Australia this year and he will be our next five-eighth for NSW.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t sit here gloating, I don\u2019t sit here as a happy coach saying that. I firmly believe that, he\u2019s got Origin attitude, the way he defends, the way he runs the football.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got qualities of a representative player already as a young person. I don\u2019t say that outlandishly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ethan Strange dominated Manly.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Michael Ennis was of the belief Strange could come in contention for an Origin debut next season.<\/p>\n
The Blues went down in a decider earlier this year, with the pairing of Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai unable to inspire NSW to victor in Game II and III.<\/p>\n
While Mitchell Moses could be fit and was the favoured selection in the series opener, Nicho Hynes could also come into the equation.<\/p>\n
Fellow rising star Isaiya Katoa is also pressing his case to partner Cleary, who is widely considered the best playmaker in the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cStrange is charging towards representative jerseys… he was absolutely brilliant, best on ground. I think he\u2019s destined to play Origin next year,\u201d Ennis said.<\/p>\n
Strange ‘destined’ for Origin next year | 01:58<\/p>\n
WARNING OVER PANTHERS WIN STREAK AS PREMIERS CRACK TOP FOUR<\/p>\n
The four-time defending premiers the Panthers are in the top four for the first time this season after their 48-12 win over the Knights and the Warriors\u2019 loss to the Bulldogs. <\/p>\n
However, Michael Ennis believes the Panthers desperately need some quality opposition before the finals, so their young players can test themselves under pressure before a tilt at a fifth straight title. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the period they\u2019ve needed desperately coming up,\u201d Ennis said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe teams they\u2019ve played over the last five weeks have all been near the bottom. <\/p>\n
\u201cTheir test coming up over the next three weeks is exactly the test Ivan would want as a coach heading into the finals.<\/p>\n
\u201cStorm, Raiders, Bulldogs is the dress rehearsal that this side needs, for no other reason than to continue to give them confidence. That\u2019s it. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think there\u2019s any evidence that he\u2019s looking for in terms of whether his game model holds up. He knows it does and he\u2019s starting to prime himself. <\/p>\n
Nathan Cleary\u2019s Panthers have won nine straight.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s more just for the individuals, particularly the young ones. You know that Nathan and Brian To\u2019o and Dylan Edwards are ready for finals.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cleary has been in red hot form since the Origin series loss and is excited to test himself and the team against the top sides at the business end of the year starting with the Storm next up.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really exciting, along with the Bulldogs and Raiders, they\u2019ve been the benchmark of the competition this season,\u201d Cleary said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re in really good form at the moment so it\u2019s a good test for us. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been nice to string a few wins together but we probably haven\u2019t versed a team in the top four since that Bulldogs game so looking forward to that test as it\u2019s always a good battle with the Storm.\u201d<\/p>\n
Panthers leap into top four with big win | 02:08<\/p>\n
SHARKS ONCE AGAIN FAIL TO DELIVER WITH \u2018EVERYTHING TO PLAY FOR\u2019<\/p>\n
There should be real concerns over Cronulla\u2019s premiership aspirations after the hot-and-cold Sharks failed to get the job against inferior opposition over the weekend.<\/p>\n
The Sharks were favoured to defeat the Dragons at home on Saturday, but despite boasting several opportunities in attack, they could only score two tries in a 22-14 loss. <\/p>\n
Cronulla had a golden opportunity to consolidate a top eight spot and keep their top four hopes alive, but failed to deliver.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou really have to question their mentality. Going into this game, was there any complacency because the Dragons just wanted it more,\u201d rugby league legend Mal Meninga said.<\/p>\n
While Cronulla have a talented team on paper and have finished in the top eight in all of the previous three seasons, there\u2019s a feeling around the league they aren\u2019t genuine enough to contest for a premiership.<\/p>\n
The Sharks were poor in a loss to the Dragons.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
NRL Hall of Famer Cooper Cronk was left unimpressed with what the Sharks dished up, criticising the lack of consistency from Craig Fitzgibbon\u2019s men.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Sharks are a finals team but they are so inconsistent. When you think they\u2019ve turned a corner, they take a step back,\u201d Cronk said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just disappointing that the Sharks had an opportunity to step up and solidify a finals spot, they put in an error-riddled performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Sharks I think today showed us why they aren\u2019t a top four team,\u201d Braith Anasta added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey had everything to play for and it was one of their worst performances of the year. That may be a little bit harsh but they gave themselves no chance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fitzy searching for anwsers after loss | 04:27<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Broncos\u2019 title hopes are in tatters after a halves crisis, while James Tedesco is in career best…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":58628,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[568],"tags":[18743,47898,64,63,689,47913,21686,651,4428,47914,47930,10122,7618,47904,47901,47929,11101,47918,4738,47921,11096,13485,47920,162,4591,21683,13213,47915,28957,763,47908,47897,47905,4612,47907,47928,4517,47910,4555,4415,4570,21384,47917,3194,4744,47931,18662,47896,11639,4601,4746,18656,7865,32917,6407,47916,22326,47903,761,762,4495,764,158,677,47909,10383,4873,47924,47925,47922,16684,47923,701,42724,47927,47919,28362,7623,4478,47911,38710,24006,47906,45629,4439,47900,47902,85,47895,1080,11375,7663,47912,31303,11089,35632,1651,28419,47899,47926,9020],"class_list":["post-58627","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nrl","tag-adam-reynolds","tag-answer-critics","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australia-and-new-zealand","tag-ball-runner","tag-ben-hunt","tag-brisbane","tag-brisbane-broncos","tag-broncos-halves-crisis","tag-brutal-halves-crisis","tag-bryan-fletcher","tag-cameron-ciraldo","tag-career-first-hat-trick","tag-casualty-ward","tag-coach-heading","tag-cooper-cronk","tag-cracker-seasons","tag-craig-fitzgibbon","tag-crunch-trainer-incident","tag-daniel-nuttall","tag-darcie-mcdonald","tag-darren-lockyer","tag-dolphins","tag-dylan-edwards","tag-ezra-mam","tag-finals-series","tag-finals-spot","tag-finals-team","tag-fox-league","tag-game-drama","tag-game-model","tag-gaping-halves-hole","tag-gold-coast-titans","tag-halves-crisis","tag-halves-spot","tag-hamstring-injury","tag-inferior-opposition","tag-jacob-kiraz","tag-james-tedesco","tag-jayden-campbell","tag-jock-madden","tag-josh-rogers","tag-kevin-walters","tag-kicking-game","tag-kicking-masterclass","tag-league-legend","tag-m-medal","tag-mal-meninga","tag-manly-sea-eagles","tag-mark-st-john","tag-matty-johns","tag-metre-line","tag-michael-ennis","tag-michael-maguire","tag-minute-tackle","tag-mitchell-moses","tag-moses-ices","tag-national-rugby-league","tag-nationalrugbyleague","tag-newcastle-knights","tag-north-queensland-cowboys","tag-nrl","tag-oceania","tag-panthers-leap","tag-points-differential","tag-post-match-press-conference","tag-powerhouse-performance","tag-premiership-aspirations","tag-premiership-charge","tag-premiership-contenders","tag-quality-opposition","tag-queensland","tag-real-concerns","tag-representative-jerseys","tag-reserve-grade-games","tag-rising-star","tag-run-metres","tag-sam-walker","tag-series-loss","tag-series-opener","tag-sharks-coach","tag-side-needs","tag-sin-bins","tag-south-sydney-rabbitohs","tag-souths-logan-magpies","tag-spencer-incident","tag-sports","tag-steve-roach","tag-sydney-roosters","tag-tackle-busts","tag-talking-points","tag-teams-plays-finals","tag-title-hopes","tag-tom-sargeant","tag-trainer-drama","tag-wayne-bennett","tag-wet-weather","tag-wet-weather-rumour","tag-wet-weather-struggles","tag-young-gun"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58627","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58627"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58627\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58628"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58627"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58627"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58627"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}