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.