NRL 2022’s penultimate round laid the table for an intriguing final week of the home-and-away season. Here’s your talking points.
The best worst game of the season?
What a game in Melbourne on Friday night as the Roosters took the home team apart early then held on for grim life. To be quite honest it was a miracle the Storm got as close as the 18-14 final result, starved of possession and outdone in basically every statistic that matters.
It had plenty. Aggro, sporadic bursts of high-quality play, many, many disastrous errors, an unbelievable game-winning, try-saving tackle from James Tedesco and Nat Butcher to stop Kenny Bromwich but let’s be brutally honest – if it was Manly versus the Gold Coast, you probably wouldn’t have said the game reached any great heights.
We also had Jared Waerea-Hargreaves sin-binned for (only) the fifth time in his career, as he and Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona waged war on each other in the opening half.
The argy bargy ended with the usual soft touch from the judiciary. Waerea-Hargreaves got a $3000 fine with an early plea and Asofa-Solomona copped a $3000 fine with an early plea, or they both get two-match suspensions if they’re dumb enough not to take that plea.
NAS is now up around $11,000 in fines without being suspended in season 2022 for attacking the head of his opponents.
But the Roosters left a few bodies on the road to victory. Winger Daniel Tupou left early with a groin issue and is out for 1-2 games, prop Lindsay Collins faces four weeks for a hip drop tackle which sent Tom Eisenhuth from the field and backorder Victor Radley got a tackle horribly wrong and was knocked cold, convulsing on the field in the immediate aftermath but thankfully was able to return on to the field post-game.
The Chooks can finish anywhere from fifth to seventh and might end up back in Melbourne for an eliminator. After seven straight wins, they’ll be praying for fortune this week.
As for the Storm, they hung tough and gave themselves the chance to win but so many uncharacteristic errors and a completely unnecessary, coach killer 77th-minute holding penalty by Cameron Munster gave the game away.
The door to the top four is wide open for Parramatta
Parramatta needed Melbourne to lose and to beat Brisbane themselves. The Roosters did their part and the Eels were emphatic fulfilling theirs.
A complete and utter 53-6 drubbing of a cooked Broncos leaves the Eels with a home game against Melbourne, who are coming off that smash mouth 80 minutes against the Roosters.
After so many peaks and troughs, the Eels can steal a double chance and from there anything is possible. They’ve beaten Penrith twice and Melbourne, but they’ve also been beaten by South Sydney, North Queensland, the Roosters and Cronulla (in Round 2, but a loss is a loss).
Coach barneys add spice for the finals
North Queensland’s 20-10 loss to South Sydney may’ve been a sign of a team just starting to run out of legs, but here’s a selection of post-game quotes where coach Todd Payten was in no doubt about why his team fell short:
“The game went for two hours tonight, I was very confused about some of the HIAs at the back end.”
“There was one in the first half where Jason actually hit Tatola through the ribs and there was a HIA. That is bending the rules at best.”
“I would like the NRL to have a look at it. It is not my job. Well it is my job, but they have got the right people to have a look at it and I would like them to investigate it or at least look closer at it.”
“I’m unsure, I’d like to get another look at it, but like from our point of view Campbell Graham didn’t come off for a HIA, so I’m not sure if he got hit in the head or not. That’s the part that I’m confused about.”
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
Payten was upset about alleged gamesmanship by the Bunnies and his South Sydney counterpart Jason Demetriou responded: “I think he has a bit of a habit about complaining about stuff.”
Some fun and games ahead of the finals, but I guess the real issue of Rabbitohs centre Campbell Graham not going for an HIA after being hit high by Coen Hess (who got offered a week’s suspension) will have to be filed away under the ‘NRL isn’t serious about head injuries’ category.
Things fall into place for Canberra
Hitting 40 points for the first time since 2019, Canberra walked through Manly 48-6 against a side who quit a month ago. With Brisbane in free fall the Green Machine are the favourites to take the last spot in the finals, even if chances are they only extend their season by one week.
Who’s going to rest players?
Penrith have already hinted they’ll be resting a few for their trip to Townsville, while Cronulla all but have their hands on second. Who’s going to give their stars and key role players a rest leading into a draining finals series?
Cronulla may sit a few key players like Nicho Hynes against Newcastle, or at least take them out as soon as the game is in hand. Canberra might even be able to take the mickey a bit and rest a couple if Brisbane can’t beat the Dragons.
It’s not a big deal for teams to rest players or sit them for a half or so, and with meaningful games on the horizon any edge is useful.
Quick hits
– Remember when I said nothing Penrith does matters until the finals? That stays true. They welcomed back even more key players and strolled past New Zealand 46-12. They’re building nicely.
– You feel for Wests Tigers’ Junior Pauga, who made a key error off a short dropout to gift St George-Illawarra the ball, and for Asu Kepaoa, who gave away the game-deciding penalty in a 24-22 Dragons win. You’d hope these things only need to happen once to sink in.
– In the Titans’ last six games they’ve scored 26, 24, 14, 44, 26 and 36 for four losses and two wins.
– Brisbane’s NRLW team lost 28-8 to the Roosters, their second loss from two games. Before this NRLW season started, they’d lost three games since 2018.
– Other NRLW results: Dragons 16-10 over Parramatta, and Newcastle 16-12 over the Titans in a beauty.
– Got a quick hit of your own? Whack it in the comments.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
To the next
The final round of the season! For half the comp it’s sweet sweet merciful release, for the rest it’s more shoulder jostling ahead of the ‘real’ season.
We begin Thursday with the battle for fourth place – a smacked and battered Melbourne face a completely bruise-free Parramatta for the double chance.
Friday is the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles’ last chance to leave a good impression, then the bottler between the Roosters and Rabbitohs will open Allianz Stadium (AKA the new Sydney Football Stadium).
Saturday’s games aren’t really thrilling but a couple still count. New Zealand finish their year at home against the hapless yet high scoring Titans, Brisbane head to Kogarah needing to win to salvage their finals hopes and Penrith head to the far North in what might be a borderline NSW/QLD Cup matchup, depending on who gets rested.
Sunday is the Sharks and Knights, and the regular season wraps at Leichhardt Oval with the Tigers and Raiders.
What did you make of Round 24, Roarers?
matth
Roar Guru
They have got a roll on
Rellum
Roar Guru
I got three out of four, Dolphins still a big chance Matt
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Australian crowds don't really create a hostile atmosphere in the NRL, unless it's Origin or a Grand Final. It's not like overseas in the Premier League. The crowd at PointsBet will be a paltry 12,000. As I've said previously the whole home ground advantage thing is a bit of a throw away lime that doesn't actually mean anything. The only advantage, as someone else pointed out, is familiarity. That's it. It's a shame that the NRL has a new $800 million dollar stadium and the perfect opportunity to show it off, but the little Sharkies want their construction site to host a finals game
zonecadet
Roar Rookie
That they are but they always have. Their attendances have always been bigger than Rugby League's. Having said that, it's important to note that Essendon is the farthest Melbourne team from the MCG (Geelong is not in Melbourne) and that distance is only 16kms and the train goes right to the MCG. All other Melbourne clubs' heartlands are within 16kms or thereabouts from the MCG. Cronulla is roughly 27kms from the whatever it's called stadium. Penrith is 61kms and Manly is 17, although there is no train. These are not trivial distances in the congestion of Sydney. Regardless of stadium size, teams higher in the standings deserve the home field advantage, especially as many home games are already given up for so-called magic round and country and interstate games.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
That’s why the NRL is still anchored along the eastern seaboard and is mostly NSW and QLD teams. Two expansions given out, both have gone to yet another QLD team. Titans have been a disaster just like previous Gold Coast franchises. Should have gone to WA, then instead of Redcliffe which doesn’t expand the game at all; Redcliffe is a tiny suburb North of Brisbane, you could bring in a team from Adelaide to or add a second NZ team
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Did you like the rule changes made by PVL, the accountant?
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
1. Why reward a team that can’t make it to the 40m line? PVL didn't think it through. 2. The contest for the ball is not necessary with six tackles before a handover. The bomb is a reward for teams who have failed to score in the first five tackles. 3. Allowing a field goal as the only scoring option on the sixth tackle gives a team a minor reward for getting close to the try line. They also get six again from the kick-off if successful.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
1. Penalise the laying and holding down as it was before six again. 2. If the defender isn't injured and doesn't get back in three seconds they will be inside the ten and unable to participate in defence. 3. If the tackled player gets up and tries to play the ball before three seconds have passed the the ref will tell them to wait a second. This will fix the play the balls but there could be more penalties until the players learn to get off quickly.
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
Well, here’s a fact for you – the Dragons yet again won’t play in the finals and their Mad Monday is just days away. Fact. I just love facts, don’t you? Especially that one – it’s a ripper. Here’s another cracker of a fact – the Sharks are in the finals and will finish in the top four – at least. Isn’t that a great “fact”? Now, back to the important question – are you going to see the Dragons lads off at the airport on Monday? Bet they’d love you to be there.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
He was a hoot.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
If you believe what you read on that trashy paper then that shows your limited intelligence. Perfect Sharks fan
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Now your getting concerning. Will need to cease there. Need air.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Respectfully vote for you never to be in charge of rule changes.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Are you proposing a stoppage after each tackle? A stoppage is what happens now. If the ball carrier is put onto the ground the tackler only has to place a hand on the attacker but the defender lays on or holds down because the attacker tries to get up for a quick ptb. If the ball carrier waited for the same duration the defence is given the time to set their defence without the need to lay on or hold down. If the ball carrier is held up the ref calls held but the ball carrier waits for the defence to get back so there is no holding on or hugging to slow play down. Maybe people like the wrestling and the bomb. RL could change for the better if it got rid of them.
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
You give me all the sustenance I need Adam.
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
"Meanwhile, Dragons forwards Jaydn Su’A and Blake Lawrie have reportedly been left disgruntled by the club’s disappointing season. Su’A, who joined the club from the Rabbitohs this season, went as far as requesting a release from the final two years of his contract according to The Daily Telegraph." Trouble in paradise -oh dear. Then there's the Hunt contretemps (google it) and the sacking of the coaches and the failure to make the semis. How you manage to be so concerned about the Sharks while so much is going wrong at the Dragons is really quite touching. Thank you so much.
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
The ones I speak to and know are - you see we are true fans - we want what the team and the club want - a home final. Paul Gallen said the same on Nine last night. The rest of your reply is risible (look it up - I know you have to) and oh so revealing and reeks of desperation. Speaking of desperation, I do hope your Dragons have booked their flights and accomodation for Mad Monday. It's less than a week away! Hate to see your Dragons miss out on a trip to Bali. Will you be at the airport to see them off?
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
1. Stop the holding down and laying on a player. This only happens because the tackled player tries to get up and ptb quickly so the opposition can't form a defensive line. We don't use creative ball playing with intricate moves as much as bash, barge and bomb. The bomb is a reward for failure to score in the six. In US football they only allow a field goal as the last tackle scoring option. We should have done the same. 2. They said they wanted to take RL to the Yanks.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Pretty harsh assessments from within, when in reality, if Carrigan is playing the last month, how many of those game would they have won?, I would suggest most, at least a couple - and then where does that place them on the ladder?
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
1. On the weekends before SoO we could have a knockout competition involving Pacific Island teams and state cup teams to make 32 teams. It probably won't happen but it would be nice to have something else to play for. The more teams the more losers. 2. Field goals should be one point and not dependent on where it was kicked. Why give a team that can't make it to the 40m line a reward? 3. Apart from the one on one steal there is no contest for the ball because we have six tackles and then a handover. The bomb is rubbish. 4. Ban the bomb by penalising the bomber for any obstructions. 5. Allow a field goal as the only scoring option on the sixth tackle.