WHAT HAPPENED IN ROUND EIGHT OF THE NRL:
* Quote of the round: “After the last couple of weeks I’m starting to doubt if this group has got that (character) and we better find that or I’ll be finding some new players.” Livid Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy questions the Storm’s character and threatens team changes after their shock 20-18 loss to a depleted Cronulla.
* Stat that matters: South Sydney are enjoying their equal-best start to a season since 1989 with 7-1 tally after their 38-6 rout of Brisbane.
* Magic moment: Where to start after Latrell Mitchell’s personal 26 point haul in Sydney Roosters’ 42-12 rout of Wests Tigers? The centre’s long range effort in the 15th minute complete with a flying, one handed put down in the corner did mark his 50th career try and is hard to beat.
* Talking point: Have Melbourne lost their aura after claims by Cronulla captain Paul Gallen that Storm stars Cameron Munster and Cam Smith were bickering on-field over a rare botched final play in their surprise loss?
* Man of the round: That man Latrell Mitchell. He ignored speculation linking him to South Sydney to run amok against the Tigers, scoring three tries, setting up another two and running 169m in a display rated “10 out of 10” by Roosters coach Trent Robinson. Hard to argue.
* Judiciary watch: Penrith – James Maloney (grade one dangerous throw, grade one dangerous contact), Liam Martin (dangerous throw); Wests Tigers – Ben Matulino (grade one dangerous contact).
* Casualty ward: North Queensland – Josh McGuire (calf); Gold Coast – Michael Gordon (concussion), Tyrone Roberts (concussion), Phillip Sami (ankle); Canberra – John Bateman (eye socket), Joey Leilua (neck); Penrith – Isaah Yeo (shoulder), Viliame Kikau (leg), Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (rib); Manly – Addin Fonua-Blake (ankle), Lachlan Croker (hamstring); Wests Tigers – Josh Aloiai (concussion); Parramatta – Corey Norman (cheekbone); St George Illawarra – Tyson Frizell (eye).
* Under pressure: Take your pick between Penrith’s Ivan Cleary and Brisbane’s Anthony Seibold. Cleary lost three key players to injury after their fourth straight loss with another two facing suspension, slumping to a 2-6 record. Seibold boasts the same tally after his grudge match against Wayne Bennett became a fizzer, with South Sydney thrashing Brisbane 38-6. No team has recovered from a 2-6 record to win the title.
