NRL Round 24 Snapshot

A snapshot of round 24 of the NRL.

* Quote of the Round: “We’re never going to be able to replace him. There’s no James Tedesco’s sitting in a tree.” – Ivan Cleary on Tedesco’s performance for the Tigers against his future club, the Roosters.

* Man of the Round: Brodie Croft drew comparisons with Cooper Cronk while filling in for the Melbourne halfback, the 20-year-old tearing Newcastle to shreds with three tries and two try assists.

* Stat that Matters: The Panthers’ seven-game winning streak is their best since their premiership-winning 2003 season, while 19-year-old spearhead Nathan Cleary became the youngest man to score 200 points in an NRL season.

* Magic Moment: Brisbane winger Corey Oates plucked a long pass in with his left hand and somehow stayed in the field of play, evading two defenders when he flew high to score in the 68th minute and seal Brisbane’s 24-12 win over St George Illawarra on Friday night.

* Talking Point: The Jarryd Hayne v Neil Henry debate rages on, even though Hayne missed Gold Coast’s Thursday night loss with an ankle injury. A board meeting this week is expected to decide their futures, with speculation mounting that Henry has coached his last game at the Titans.

* Judiciary Watch: Wests – David Nofoaluma (dangerous contact, other); Cronulla – Wade Graham (high tackle, careless), James Maloney (tripping); Parramatta – Manu Ma’u (shoulder charge)

* Casualty Ward: Newcastle – Sione Mata’utia (concussion), Brock Lamb (knee); Brisbane – Tevita Pangai Junior (hamstring); Wests Tigers – Elijah Taylor (ribs/shoulder), Luke Brooks (hamstring), Kevin Naiqama (ribs), Gold Coast – John Olive (elbow); Parramatta – Bevan French (hamstring); Dragons: Euan Aitken (shoulder), Nene MacDonald (knee), Hame Sele (illness), Tyson Frizell (ankle); New Zealand – Kieran Foran (back); South Sydney – Alex Johnston (hamstring).

* Under Pressure: Can the injury-ravaged Cowboys find a win from somewhere to keep their season alive? They’ve lost four on the trot now and, despite still clinging to eighth, need to win at least one of their last two to avoid missing the finals.

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