Highs and lows of round 23 of the NRL

NRL ROUND 23 HIGHS AND LOWS

QUOTE OF THE ROUND: “This is my house.” – Code-hopping superstar Jarryd Hayne marked his first NRL game in his home town of Campbelltown with the game-winning field goal eight seconds from fulltime in Gold Coast’s 19-18 win over the Wests Tigers.

MAN OF THE ROUND: Brisbane star Anthony Milford breathed life into his team’s premiership campaign by scoring a try, setting up two more and breaking the line three times in a 38-16 win over Parramatta.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Are there any more unwanted records left for Newcastle to break? Sunday’s 42-6 thumping to Penrith equalled a club-record seven-game losing streak at home, and extended their losing run to 15 straight games.

MAGIC MOMENT: Just minutes after being denied a golden-point try, Canterbury five-eighth Josh Reynolds shrugged off the disappointment to bag an 89th-minute game-winner in his side’s 20-16 win over Manly. It was the Bulldogs’ ninth golden-point win in 12 games.

TALKING POINT: Are the wheels falling off premiership heavyweights Cronulla and North Queensland? The Sharks are winless in three, while the Cowboys have lost three straight, raising serious questions about both sides’ title ambitions.

JUDICIARY WATCH: Bulldogs – James Graham (high tackle); Rabbitohs – Zane Musgrove (shoulder charge); Titans – Ryan James (high tackle), David Shillington (dangerous contact).

CASUALTY WARD: Bulldogs – Raymond Faitala-Mariner (concussion); Sea Eagles – Dylan Walker (shoulder), Tom Trbojevic (ankle), Jorge Taufua (shoulder); Tigers – James Tedesco (jaw); Sharks – Sosaia Feki (groin), Paul Gallen (calf); Rabbitohs – Adam Reynolds (hamstring); Knights – Tyler Randell (concussion); Cowboys – Antonio Winterstein (knee); Roosters – Dale Copley (concussion).

UNDER PRESSURE: What is it about the Warriors? Another late-season fade has them in danger of again missing the finals following Saturday’s surprise 41-22 disappointment against South Sydney at home.

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