NRL ROUND-22 SNAPSHOT:
QUOTE OF THE ROUND: “I’ve just told them in there it’s not terminal yet, but it’s getting close” – South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett after South Sydney dropped out of the top four with a disappointing 14-6 loss to Canterbury.
* STAT THAT MATTERS: X-factor Latrell Mitchell is on track to become the first player since Mal Meninga in 1990 to top both the try and top pointscorer lists in a season after his 18-point haul in the Sydney Roosters’ 42-6 thumping of Warriors.
* MAGIC MOMENT: When Brisbane needed inspiration, teenage prop Payne Haas provided it. The 19-year-old showed extraordinary speed for a big man to storm past four defenders over 45m and score in the 72nd minute to seal a 24-12 win over Penrith and keep their finals hopes alive.
* TALKING POINT: A Kalyn Ponga-inspired Newcastle revived their top-eight hopes with a club-record 42-6 rout of North Queensland. If the Knights do reach the finals, they’ll become just the second team in a decade to qualify after losing six straight during the season.
MAN OF THE ROUND: Josh Hodgson. The wily hooker proved the difference again for a high-flying Canberra, capping another stellar display by pulling off a masterful one-on-one strip in the lead-up to Josh Papalii’s 76th-minute match-winning try over Melbourne.
* JUDICIARY WATCH: Brisbane – Jake Turpin (dangerous contact), Tevita Pangai (dangerous contact), Anthony Milford (tripping); Parramatta – Michael Jennings (tripping); Wests Tigers – Luke Brooks (contrary conduct); Warriors – Jazz Tevaga (shoulder charge).
* CASUALTY WARD: Brisbane – Tevita Pangai (knee); South Sydney – Sam Burgess (quad), Tom Burgess (concussion), Braidon Burns (hamstring); Canberra – Joe Tapine (ribs); North Queensland – Jordan Kahu (eye socket); Wests Tigers – Jacob Liddle (knee); Newcastle – Connor Watson (knee); Parramatta – Junior Paulo (ankle); Warriors – Gerard Beale (knee); St George Illawarra – Patrick Kaufusi (concussion), Ben Hunt (concussion), Tyson Frizell (concussion); Cronulla – Matt Moylan (hamstring).
* UNDER PRESSURE: South Sydney mentor Wayne Bennett. The Rabbitohs had been flying high with a 10-1 record but have sensationally dropped out of the top four for the first time this year after their shock loss to the Bulldogs – their seventh defeat in 10 games.
