SNAPSHOT FROM ROUND 23 OF THE NRL:
THEY SAID IT: “I think maybe the football gods were smiling on us a little bit. And we’ll take that, because they haven’t been good to us for most of the year.” Manly coach GEOFF TOOVEY on his side’s come-from-behind 26-24 win over Canberra.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Canberra’s defeat to Manly was their ninth loss at home this year. The Raiders last loss nine home games in a season in 1982, their inaugural year in the first grade competition.
MAN OF THE ROUND: LUKE KEARY. The premiership winning pivot was at his aggressive best in South Sydney’s 31-18 blitz of North Queensland, but it is set to cost him a week on the sideline as he faces suspension for a shoulder charge.
MAGIC MOMENT: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ bulldozing 20m run in which he shrugged off five Parramatta defenders to score the go-ahead try late in Sydney Roosters’ 28-18 win confirmed his status as the NRL’s in-form prop.
TALKING POINT: Manly are coming … Can anyone stop them?
JUDICIARY WATCH: Rabbitohs – Issac Luke (dangerous throw, shoulder charge), Luke Keary (shoulder charge); Broncos – Anthony Milford (shoulder charge); Panthers – Reagan Campbell-Gillard (high tackle); Raiders – Mitch Barnett (high tackle); Sea Eagles – Jorge Taufua (shoulder charge); Titans – Agnatius Paasi (late tackle)
KEY INJURIES: Rabbitohs – John Sutton (hamstring); Tigers – Aaron Woods (knee), Robbie Farah (cheekbone), Luke Brooks (hand); Eels – Tim Mannah (knee); Bulldogs – Michael Lichaa (ankle); Titans – Aidan Sezer (shoulder)
UNDER PRESSURE: The Dragons’ once promising season is in danger of ending badly on the back of injuries and poor form as evident in their 32-6 shellacking at the hands of Brisbane. Coach Paul McGregor has precious time to turn things around before facing Penrith on Thursday night.