NRL ROUND 17 HIGHS AND LOWS
QUOTE OF THE ROUND: “I missed it to be quite honest. After we missed the field goal I think I was abusing somebody.” – Canberra coach Ricky Stuart on Jordan Rapana’s miraculous golden-point try off a failed field goal attempt.
MAN OF THE ROUND: SULIASI VUNIVALU. Melbourne’s rookie winger nabbed his second hat trick of the season in the Storm’s rout of Brisbane, taking him to 16 tries in 10 games and keeping him on track to smash Israel Folau’s record of 21 tries in 27 games in a debut season.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Brisbane’s 48-6 pummelling at the hands of Melbourne was their heaviest defeat in club history, surpassing the 40-0 thumping by the same side back in 2007. It is the Broncos’ sixth loss in eight games and they’ve now dropped to seventh spot – their lowest position of the season.
MAGIC MOMENT: JORDAN RAPANA. The Raiders star produced one of the moments of the season when he pounced on a failed Blake Austin field goal with one second left in the first half of golden point to help beat the Knights 29-25.
TALKING POINT: SEMI RADRADRA. With three counts of domestic violence hanging over his head, the embattled Eels star was a shadow of his Dally M Winger of the Year self in a lethargic performance against the Sharks on Saturday night.
JUDICIARY WATCH: Broncos – Josh McGuire (grade one dangerous throw); Tigers – Josh Aloiai (grade one tripping); Canberra – Kurt Baptiste (on report, dangerous throw)
CASUALTY WARD: Roosters – Latrell Mitchell (knee); Broncos – Kodi Nikorima (shoulder), Corey Oates (concussion); Storm – Jordan McLean (ankle); Titans – Ash Taylor (calf), Nathan Friend (hand); Karl Lawton (ankle), William Zillman (foot), Ryan Simpkins (concussion); Panthers – Sam McKendry (ACL); Canberra – Shannon Boyd (knee), Jordan Rapana (shoulder); Newcastle – Tyler Randell (ribs); Rabbitohs – Sam Burgess (knee).
UNDER PRESSURE: LAURIE DALEY. It may be a dead rubber, but the NSW coach is under mounting pressure to keep his job by delivering a belated State of Origin win. He begins preparations by naming his team on Monday.
