Panthers\u2019 24-10 win over the Bulldogs <\/a>on Friday night that was undoubtedly the standout performance over the weekend.<\/p>\nIt was also another reminder why the greatest rugby league team of the last 50 years is ready to strike again.<\/p>\n
The champion playmaker has now set the stage for Penrith to win a fifth premiership in six years.<\/p>\n
And Sam Walker\u2019s likely season-ending syndesmosis injury has only strengthened their grip, dealing the Roosters a massive blow on the eve of the finals.<\/p>\n
The Panthers might be more predictable than the Wahs, Roosters and Dolphins, but that is also what makes them so bloody hard to beat.<\/p>\n
They are just like a well-oiled machine where every player not only knows his job but goes out and gets it done.<\/p>\n
But then you have the best player in the game pulling the strings.<\/p>\n
Cleary\u2019s perfectly weighted towering floater early in the second half which bamboozled Connor Tracey and allowed Liam Martin to pounce, summed up their performance perfectly.<\/p>\n
Big players owning big moments.<\/p>\n
Dylan Edwards was also outstanding, as was Casey McLean who produced some huge defensive plays, including a cracking try-saver on Matt Burton, while scoring a crucial try.<\/p>\n
It was the perfect tune-up for finals footy.<\/p>\n
SAIFITI SEND OFF WILL ROCK KNIGHTS<\/p>\n
The Warriors remain Penrith\u2019s biggest threat after taking down the Knights eight-tries-to-six.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s just unbelievable how there is now only a single point margin in for and against between the Warriors and Panthers at the top of the ladder after 26 rounds.<\/p>\n
But it must be said Newcastle put up a brave fight to stay in the game as long as they did despite having Jacob Saifiti sent off in the 12th minute.<\/p>\n
No question it was a reckless high tackle and it warranted a send off.<\/p>\n
Saifiti SENT OFF for horrific high shot | 00:43<\/p>\n
I still felt for Saifiti who put his hand up straight away and took ownership of his mistake.<\/p>\n
But it\u2019s another huge setback for the Knights who also lost young rampaging backrower Francis Manuleleua with what looked a serious elbow injury.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t forget Dylan Lucas is already gone along with halfback Dylan Brown.<\/p>\n
But just to make it through to the finals is a great effort from last year\u2019s wooden spooners.<\/p>\n
DOLPHINS EMERGE AS GENUINE CONTENDERS<\/p>\n
As for the Dolphins, they\u2019re not just smokies anymore.<\/p>\n
They\u2019re genuine contenders after handing the Roosters back-to-back defeats.<\/p>\n
Factor in the Dolphins beat the Warriors 26-24 in round 17, while they lost to the Panthers by a point back in round seven.<\/p>\n
Even before Walker went down in the 52nd minute, the Roosters were already 20 points down with Isaiya Katoa and Kodi Nikorima in total command.<\/p>\n
And what a footballer Max Plath has become.<\/p>\n
He not only knows how to ball play and score a try, but some of his defensive efforts were just massive in this game.<\/p>\n
Throw in the performance of Selwyn Cobbo, Herbie Farnworth and Jack Bostock who also came up with some tremendous moments.<\/p>\n
Dolphins win enormous top four clash | 06:45<\/p>\n
ROBBO\u2019S CALL TO SIGN DCE PROVES A MASTERSTROKE<\/p>\n
Trent Robinson\u2019s decision to bring Daly Cherry-Evans to the Roosters has just been proven a masterstroke.<\/p>\n
At the start of the year plenty of people, including me, questioned why the Roosters would seemingly put Hugo Savala\u2019s development on hold after the season he had last year just to bring in a 37-year-old to partner Walker.<\/p>\n
Well, how\u2019s this for irony?<\/p>\n
With Walker now sidelined, it will be Savala partnering Cherry-Evans in the halves when the Roosters need him most.<\/p>\n
And I\u2019m certainly not about to write off their premiership hopes because Walker is missing.<\/p>\n
Not when they still have a playmaker with the experience and composure of Cherry-Evans calling the shots.<\/p>\n
Just look at what the Warriors have managed this year despite losing Tanah Boyd, Te Maire Martin and Luke Metcalf along the way.<\/p>\n
Walker’s Roosters season in doubt | 00:55<\/p>\n
Every contender has had to deal with major injury setbacks.<\/p>\n
Now it\u2019s the Roosters\u2019 turn.<\/p>\n
This also presents a huge opportunity for Savala.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s done a terrific job in the centres, but stepping into the halves for the finals is an entirely different challenge.<\/p>\n
I still reckon the Roosters have the best overall roster and they get Victor Radley, Daniel Tupou and Angus Crichton back this week to take on Souths.<\/p>\n
But there is now a massive question hanging over their premiership campaign given the loss of Walker, who is just that special player who can create something from nothing.<\/p>\n
And at 37, can Cherry-Evans keep producing week after week when the intensity goes through the roof in the finals?<\/p>\n
GALVIN STEPS UP, CRICHTON BELONGS IN CENTRES<\/p>\n
To their credit, the Bulldogs were also brave going down to the Panthers.<\/p>\n
And Lachlan Galvin deserves another wrap.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s been the Dogs\u2019 best all year and Galvin again produced some terrific moments, including two try assists.<\/p>\n
While the Dogs won\u2019t be playing finals footy this year, Galvin has shown exactly why Cameron Ciraldo has picked him to build his team around.<\/p>\n
Now they just need to play him in his right position at five-eighth next year, and find a genuine halfback to take some heat off.<\/p>\n
As hard as Stephen Crichton has tried to adapt to the playmaking role, the two grubbers he put dead were another reminder why he belongs in the centres.<\/p>\n
UNWANTED EEL UPSTAGES SHARKS\u2019 MILLION-DOLLAR MAN<\/p>\n
While Craig Fitzgibbon owns a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he also has a pretty mean right cross.<\/p>\n
But as frustrated as Fitzy obviously was when he smashed that TV monitor after Tom Hazelton\u2019s sin bin for a hip drop (making it a 7-1 penalty count), you can only imagine how he felt watching his $1 million halfback Nicho Hynes get completely upstaged by Parramatta\u2019s unwanted playmaker Ronald Volkman.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s remember, while Nicho is one of the highest-paid players in the game, Volkman doesn\u2019t even have a club for next year.<\/p>\n
Eels crush Sharks’ top-four hopes | 03:16<\/p>\n
I know Hynes wasn\u2019t the only Shark to put in a shocker on Sunday.<\/p>\n
But he\u2019s paid the big bucks to deliver when it matters.<\/p>\n
There is talk Braydon Trindall could be back for this week\u2019s clash against the Storm.<\/p>\n
Obviously there is a risk involved after he dislocated his shoulder only a fortnight ago against the Raiders.<\/p>\n
But it\u2019s now painfully obvious, even to the TV monitor, that the Sharks have no chance in the finals without Trindall.<\/p>\n
\u2018ALMOST AS DYSFUNCTIONAL AS DARK DAYS UNDER SEIBOLD\u2019<\/p>\n
Just when you thought things couldn\u2019t get any more embarrassing for the Broncos, out comes leaked information over the weekend about the club\u2019s much-anticipated internal review.<\/p>\n
Seriously, I just shook my head at the timing of this.<\/p>\n
After the week of drama surrounding Adam Reynolds\u2019 disastrous farewell ended in a humiliating 46-20 loss to the Storm, some bright spark had a light bulb moment and apparently decided this was the best way to try and contain the bushfire that has been burning out of control at Red Hill.<\/p>\n
But leaking selective information after the most tumultuous week of their season isn\u2019t going to put out the fire.<\/p>\n
If anything, it just reinforces the suspicion that the people running the joint don\u2019t know how to put the fire out.<\/p>\n
Among the findings revealed by The Courier Mail\u2019s Peter Badel was that not only is Michael Maguire safe, but the review is believed to have found Broncos players \u201chad no issue with being pushed hard at training\u201d.<\/p>\n
Reynolds thanks Walters, not Madge | 00:54<\/p>\n
The story also reported the Broncos executive claimed they had \u201cnot fielded a single complaint about Maguire\u201d.<\/p>\n
And remember, this is supposedly \u201cthe most comprehensive review in the club\u2019s history\u201d.<\/p>\n
I should mention the report also claimed Broncos bosses were presented with a preliminary list of about 14 recommendations designed to overhaul the football program.<\/p>\n
I can\u2019t wait to see what those recommendations include given none of the players apparently have an issue with Madge.<\/p>\n
While the Broncos won\u2019t collect the wooden spoon this year, you could make a legitimate argument they are almost as dysfunctional now as they were during the dark days under Anthony Seibold.<\/p>\n
I know that sounds over-the-top for a club that won the premiership less than 12 months ago.<\/p>\n
But the past seven days have shown just how far the Broncos have fallen.<\/p>\n
REYNO\u2019S FAUX PAS CAPS OFF FORGETTABLE FAREWELL<\/p>\n
As for Thursday night, what an absolute shambles.<\/p>\n
Both Reyno and Payne Haas deserved so much more respect than what the club dished up.<\/p>\n
The fact Reynolds also forgot to mention Madge in his post-match speech, only to apologise on Instagram the next day, just capped it all off.<\/p>\n
JENKINS \u2018NO TRY\u2019 EXPOSES WHY BUNKER NEEDS REBOOT<\/p>\n
Benji Marshall was probably within his rights to blow off a bit of steam at his post match media conference about some of the contentious calls that went against the Tigers in their loss to the Cowboys.<\/p>\n
But let\u2019s not kid ourselves that it\u2019s only teams in the bottom half of the ladder copping some tough calls this year.<\/p>\n
Just look at the no-try ruling that could end up costing Tom Jenkins the leading try-scorer award, after the Bunker ruled Jacob Kiraz had caught the ball cleanly _ and then lost it _ before his feet even hit the ground.<\/p>\n
Cleary fury at Jenkins decision | 06:24<\/p>\n
As Ivan Cleary said after the game: \u201cDid it pass the pub test that one? It\u2019s ridiculous.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf he caught the ball, with no-one around him, in the air and dropped it, what would happen?\u201d<\/p>\n
When you\u2019ve got a coach of Cleary\u2019s standing questioning the decision, along with a stack of respected former players, you know something isn\u2019t right.<\/p>\n
Even though they will tell us that is how the rule is now interpreted.<\/p>\n
When everyone watching at home can see the obvious, but the Bunker somehow rules differently, that\u2019s when you know the game has a problem.<\/p>\n
DID MANLY JUST UNEARTH THE NEXT CODY WALKER?<\/p>\n
Can\u2019t wait to see what Kieran Foran does next year when he has Luke Brooks, Joey Walsh and Clayton Faulalo all fighting to wear the No 6 jersey.<\/p>\n
You can now throw Onitoni Large into the conversation as well after the gun teenager came off the bench to make his debut in the big win over the Dragons.<\/p>\n
We all know Walsh is a freak talent, and Large comes with similar expectation, while Brooks was having a terrific season before injury struck.<\/p>\n
But surely Foran has to find a place for Faulalo somewhere in his starting side.<\/p>\n
And with Turbo at fullback, five-eighth looks a pretty good fit for the 26-year-old.<\/p>\n
Faulalo had 13 runs for 151 metres and a try against the Knights last round.<\/p>\n
Clayton Faulalo.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
He backed that up against the Dragons with four runs for 104 metres, a try and three try assists before his night was cut short by a head knock.<\/p>\n
Faulalo can also play in the centres.<\/p>\n
But watching what he can produce with the ball in his hands, he has the potential to become an absolute star at five-eighth.<\/p>\n
And as a former five-eighth himself, you can bet Foran won\u2019t be underestimating what he has seen so far.<\/p>\n
Faulalo\u2019s age shouldn\u2019t count against him either.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t forget Cody Walker didn\u2019t make his NRL debut until he was 26.<\/p>\n
EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE BRINGS FANS FROM ALL CLUBS TO TEARS<\/p>\n
Have we ever witnessed a more emotional or inspiring moment in rugby league than the scenes involving Jai Arrow on the Gold Coast on Saturday?<\/p>\n
From Wayne Bennett helping Jai put on his socks in the dressing rooms before the game, to big Tino Fa\u2019asuamaleaui embracing him in the tunnel just before the teams walked out, it was incredibly powerful.<\/p>\n
Then there was the beautiful vision of Cody Walker walking alongside Jai as they went on the field and sharing a laugh.<\/p>\n
‘Always want to be there for your mates’ | 01:26<\/p>\n
Emotional Arrow walks out with Souths | 02:44<\/p>\n
Wayne: “Couldn’t be more proud” | 06:06<\/p>\n
And when Cam Murray replaced Jai, Murray found a way to channel that emotion into an unbelievable first-half performance.<\/p>\n
Sometimes rugby league gives you moments that are bigger than wins and losses, and I have not spoken to a single person who didn\u2019t watch that with a tear in their eye.<\/p>\n
Everyone involved deserves enormous credit for the compassion and respect they showed Jai and his family.<\/p>\n
It was also wonderful to see Latrell Mitchell back on the field and wearing a smile.<\/p>\n
He\u2019ll be better for the run heading into this week\u2019s showdown with the Roosters.<\/p>\n
While Jai will again get the chance to lace up the boots and celebrate his 100th game for the Rabbitohs.<\/p>\n
Given the fierce rivalry between these two clubs, the fact they\u2019ve been able to put that aside to give Jai this moment is just fantastic.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It was wonderful vision watching Nathan and Ivan Cleary smack bang in the middle of Wahs Land cheering…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":874429,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[568],"tags":[64,63,761,762,158,85],"class_list":["post-874428","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nrl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-national-rugby-league","tag-nationalrugbyleague","tag-nrl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/874428","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=874428"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/874428\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/874429"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=874428"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=874428"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=874428"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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