NRL Rewind:- Round 8
0By Stephen Gallagher
Broncos 30 Rabbitohs 8
The scoreline is a bit flattering if you weren’t lucky enough to witness the 80 minutes unfold.
The Broncos led 14-0 at the half time after what was a fairly easy showing.
The second half was the most interesting however.
The Rabbitohs are lacking enjoyment. They are trying too hard, they are too frustrated. Their emotions got the better of them.
A couple of boiling points erupted – which did fire them up. 14-8 and it was on.
It was disappointing to see refferee Maxwell lost control of this match also.
However, Hunt and Milford yet again stepped up and showed just how amazing these guys are.
The Broncos scored points willingly with ease, and the Rabbitohs crumbled under the pressure of the attacking skills that were on display.
The Rabbitohs forwards tried their hardest – but the Brisbane big boppers were relentless. An impressive feat.
Bulldogs 21 Titans 20
Ouch, four losses in a row for the Gold Coast Titans. This one hurts even more so in golden point after fighting back from 20-8 down.
The wet weather football meant that the game was played in the trenches. The big guys on both sides were running short lines and the flair was kept on a leash.
There were some great tries scored – David Mead tip-toed down the sideline to sneak in, and the length of the field effort by Kiwi Josh Hoffman meant the last ten minutes were thrilling!
Josh Reynolds stepped up and slotted the win in the 84th minute. The Bulldogs were lucky in the end. Almost undone by lack of finishing for the third time in four weeks.
Raiders 60 Tigers 6
It’s official. The Tigers suck.
When it was 12-0 after 12 minutes, you knew it was not going to end well for Wests.
The Raiders threw the ball around and got some brilliant go forward which allowed them to. Something coach Stuart was indredibly critical of the previous week.
Rapana, Crocker, Wighton and Hodgson were all brilliant. And they came off the back of Vaughan, and Whitehead. Actually, all 17 were solid. No weak links in this blowout.
Where to for the Tigers? Their support play has gone from beating the world to non-existent. There’s no flow. No direction. No confidence. They have the second thinnest roster in the NRL so a clean out isn’t really an option. Does Jason Taylor go?
Cowboys 32 Eels 16
It was Parramatta’s first real road game of the year and it did not end well!
The first 40 minutes were some of the most physical I have seen this year. Some absolute brutal hits. It was like a game of tackle tennis. Back and forth the hits were coming!
Though ten minutes in the Cowboys crossed, and another not long after saw them take a deserved 14-0 lead in to the break.
But whatever Brad Arthur said to the Eels at half time must have worked.
Three tries in twenty minutes from their left edge of Jennings and Radradra saw them hit the lead.
Corey Norman was rightfully sin binned for a professional foul which eventually cost them the game. The Cowboys struck twice in his absence and one right on full time to blow the game wide apart.
Sharks 20 Panthers 8
My oh my, what a match this was!!!!
Thoroughly enjoyable from the outset, and will be remembered for Luke Lewis smoking Matt Moylan in one of the hits of the season.
This game was busy, lots happening – and it all intensified in the second half.
Leading 8-0, Cronulla were taking steps to ensure victory – then the Panthers turned up.
It was like a switch was flicked, and soon it was 14-8 to Penrith.
The Sharks hit back twice to gain the lead, and with three to go Penrith were set to equalise except Jamie Soward’s conversion was wide.
Some fantastic effort by the forwards, in particular James Fisher-Harris from the Panthers.
The Sharks roll on again with another win.
Sea Eagles 26 Knights 10
Manly’s poor record in Newcastle was forgotten about after 80 minutes with an eventual comprehensive win.
This game will be remember for the bunker more than the football played, after some average calls were given and not given.
Nathan Ross ‘knocked on’ and in a similar effort Brenton Lawrence was given the green light right on half time.
The second half dragged on, as there were plenty of incidents and injuries.
Hamstring injuries to Brett Stewart and Jarrod Mullen will hamper both sides.
Tyler Randall’s try from a Knights kickoff was the overall highlight, but wasn’t enough for the struggling Knights.
Dragons 20 Roosters 18
Another ANZAC day battle for the ages between these two sides.
Desperate is what the Roosters are. And when they trailed 8-0 early after a Latrell Mitchell mistake, it looked like a long afternoon.
Another Red V try, and an intercept by Fai Fai Loa right on half time meant the Dragons led 18-0.
Then it was most definitely a game of two halves.
The Roosters fought back big time. A try four minutes in to the half laid a platform for their come back.
Though the game was not without its normal officiating controversy. The men on ground once again making dubious calls.
The last ten minutes were probably the most intense ten of the season, and a hot potato throw it around by the Roosters right after the hooter was not enough. The Dragons improve to 4-4 and the Roosters an incredible 1-7.
Storm 42 Warriors 0
The Warriors were terrible but the Storm were electric.
It was try after try after try for the Storm. The Warriors did not show up at all, and bad turned to worse for them. 28-0 at half time and the Storm were cruising.
A half time super spray by Cappy McFadden looked to do the job, it stemmed the flow somewhat – but the fact they were kept scoreless is not a good look.
A few injury concerns too, Lolohea and Mannering look to miss a couple weeks each.
Take nothing away from Melbourne. They deserved to rack up the scoreboard the way they did.
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