NRL's kick-blocker crackdown changes the game - but the question is do we want that?
NRL kickers are under more pressure than ever. But what will the knock-on effects of the new crack-down be?
The Sydney Roosters are bracing for life without Victor Radley as they prepare to test their improved form against the best in the NRL.
The lock limped off with an ankle injury on Sunday night in Brisbane that will require scans and likely some time on the sidelines in a blow to his State of Origin hopes.
Trent Robinson’s men held firm in a 31-24 defeat of Parramatta without Radley, defying Mitchell Moses’s best efforts in a second-half comeback at Suncorp Stadium.
It was back-to-back wins for the Roosters (6-4), who move into fourth on points differential ahead of Saturday’s clash with Penrith.
“Victor doesn’t usually report injuries at all, medical staff have to pry it out of him,” Robinson said. “So when Rads was limping like that it looks like a few weeks.”
Robinson lauded 18-year-old winger Joseph Suaalii’s two-try, 16 hit-up effort in a win the Roosters had to earn.
“It was really tough; we worked hard to get that lead and had them camped on our goal line to finish the first half,” he said.
“There was a momentum shift there and they kept turning up and found a way to claw it back and win the game.”
Top-of-the-table Penrith await, with Roosters captain James Tedesco wary after the Panthers’ 32-6 romp over Melbourne on Saturday.
“I watched the game last night, they looked really good and have been the benchmark for a couple of years,” the fullback said.
“They’re a top team and so are Parra; we’ve got a tough road ahead the next few weeks.
“But tonight was a good challenge for us and we played really well.”
Former Queensland State of Origin winner Edrick Lee is headed back to his home state, having penned a two-year deal with the Dolphins from next year.
Lee, 29, recently returned to action for Newcastle after missing the entire 2021 NRL campaign with foot injuries, and will shift to the expansion side at season’s end.
He scored a try in his only Origin appearance, crossing in the Queenslanders’ series-clinching win in 2020, with Dolphins’ head coach Wayne Bennett in charge of that side.
Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader said Lee’s ability to battle back to first grade after a string of injuries showed an approach the new club would need.
“It is this type of attitude that gives us confidence he will be a major contributor for the Dolphins in 2023 and beyond,” he said.
“We have seen Edrick’s class at the highest level and are excited he will be part of the Dolphins’ first ever team.
“The Dolphins are pleased to be able to bring another Queensland product back to their home state to be part of a historic time for the club.”
Lee scored in Newcastle’s 16-6 win against Canterbury on Friday night.
Fan behaviour is again in the spotlight after a spectator was ejected from the final night of NRL’s Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium after hurling “disgusting” abuse at Wests Tigers halfback Jackson Hastings.
As he was lining up a conversion attempt in the 31st minute of the first half, Hastings was taunted by the spectator. Immediately after making the kick, Hastings alerted an official to the abuse.
Channel 9 sideline reporter Emma Lawrence tweeted that “the comments have been confirmed to me by witnesses and they are disgusting.
She also posted vision of the fan being escorted from the venue soon afterwards.
The spectator was charged with disorderly conduct and faces hefty sanctions including a fine and lengthy ban from attending NRL matches.
Spectators sitting near the lowlife should be applauded for confirming the perpetrator’s comments to security staff.
A brawl erupted on the opening night of Magic Round when former Queensland State of Origin forward Owen Cunningham was inadvertently caught up in it.
The former Manly, Cowboys and Maroons forward said he had “never seen anything like it” when he and his family were attacked by a group of thugs who had been making derogatory comments about the girlfriend of Cunningham’s son, Ethan.
Isaah Yeo regained the lead in the Dally M Medal race with another man of the match performance in Magic Round as Roosters young gun Sam Walker shot into contention on the leaderboard.
With Ryan Papenhuyzen out for a month with leg injuries, Yeo produced another superb performance in Penrith’s victory over Melbourne to leapfrog the Storm fullback into top spot.
Walker, who starred in the Roosters’ upset win over Parramatta, has risen to seventh on the leaderboard after collecting two votes while Eels halfback Mitchell Moses surprisingly got three in a beaten side from judge Greg Alexander.
17: Isaah Yeo
15: Mitch Moses, Ryan Papenhuyzen
14: Ben Hunt
13: Nicho Hynes, Daly Cherry-Evans
11: Sam Walker, Adam Reynolds, James Tedesco
10: Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards
9: Harry Grant, Siosifa Talakai, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes
Bulldogs v Knights: 3: David Klemmer 2: Mitch Barnett 1: Kalyn Ponga. Judge: Luke Lewis
Sea Eagles v Broncos: 3: Adam Reynolds 2: Selwyn Cobbo 1: Patrick Carrigan. Judge: Ryan Girdler
Warriors v Rabbitohs: 3: Tevita Tatola 2: Cody Walker 1: Reece Walsh Judge: Ben Creagh
Titans v Dragons: 3: Jayden Campbell 2: Moeaki Fotuaika 1: Ben Hunt. Judge: Brett Kimmorley
Storm v Panthers: 3: Isaah Yeo 2: Nathan Cleary 1: Dylan Edwards. Judge: Andrew Johns
Sharks v Raiders: 3: Brad Schneider 2: Joseph Tapine 1: Hudson Young. Judge: Paul Whatuira
Roosters v Eels: 3: Mitchell Moses 2: Sam Walker 1: James Tedesco (SYD) Judge: Greg Alexander
Tigers v Cowboys: 3: Reuben Cotter 2: Chad Townsend 1: Murray Taulagi. Judge: David Shillington