Snapshot of round 11 of the NRL

WHAT HAPPENED IN ROUND SEVEN OF THE NRL:

* Quote of the round: “Our young guys, it rattled them, because we went off a cliff at the start of the year.” Penrith coach Ivan Cleary talking about the sex tape scandals that have rocked their start to the season.

* Stat that matters: League leaders South Sydney’s 32-16 win over the Wests Tigers moved their record to 10-1, their best start to a season since 1989.

* Magic moment: Embattled halfback Nathan Cleary won the ball back, then scored a crucial try in the space of a minute to inspire Penrith to a 16-10 win over Parramatta, helping him retain his State of Origin jumper.

* Talking point: NSW coach Brad Fittler had to watch halves options Luke Keary, Mitchell Pearce and Adam Reynolds suffer injuries in the space of 24 hours before naming his State of Origin I team on Sunday night.

* Man of the round: Gold Coast five-eighth Tyrone Roberts scored two tries and set up two more in their 36-18 upset of Manly, ending a four-game slide.

* Judiciary watch: Brisbane – Joe Ofahengaue (dangerous contact); Sydney Roosters – Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (dangerous contact).

* Casualty ward: Gold Coast – Jai Arrow (hip), Keegan Hipgrave (concussion); Penrith – Waqa Blake (ankle), Dean Whare (hamstring), James Fisher-Harris (concussion); Sydney Roosters – Luke Keary (concussion); Newcastle – Kalyn Ponga (concussion), Danny Levi (ankle), Mitchell Pearce (groin); Wests Tigers – Moses Mbye (groin); North Queensland – Coen Hess (groin), Matt Scott (shoulder), Justin O’Neill (ruptured spleen); Manly – Brad Parker (jaw); Canberra – Josh Hodgson (thumb); Warriors – Jazz Tevaga (ankle); Melbourne – Dale Finucane (concussion); Melbourne – Jahrome Hughes (concussion); South Sydney – Adam Reynolds (leg).

* Under pressure: Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson shouldered the blame after resting Cooper Cronk in their loss to Newcastle. The defending premiers have now lost two in a row as they enter the crucial State of Origin period.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!