Sunday, 25 April 2021

Late Mail: NRL Round Seven

 Seven rounds into the NRL and with everyone now having points on the board, things are hotting up. On Anzac weekend, clubs sported specially-designed kits and flexed their muscles again.

The Panthers made it seven wins out of seven when they saw off the challenge of the Knights, but the game of the round was undoubtedly Gold Coast taking on Souths. The Titans were in front for most of the game after a David Fifita hat-trick but a late resurgence from Souths, led by Benji Marshall, earned them a sixth successive victory. The Eels continued their good form with a resounding win over the Broncos, before the Bulldogs finally got off the mark with their first victory of 2021, defeating the Sharks away from home. There was a shock in Queensland as the Cowboys narrowly got past the Canberra Raiders on Saturday. Then, on Anzac Day, Manly got their second straight two points after they thrashed Wests, before Sydney and Melbourne earned big results, beating St George and the Warriors respectively.

Round Seven Results
Penrith Panthers 24-6 Newcastle Knights
Gold Coast Titans 30-40 South Sydney Rabbitohs
Parramatta Eels 46-6 Brisbane Broncos
Cronulla Sharks 12-18 Canterbury Bulldogs
North Queensland Cowboys 26-24 Canberra Raiders
Wests Tigers 6-40 Manly Sea Eagles
Sydney Roosters 34-10 St George Dragons
Melbourne Storm 42-20 New Zealand Warriors

This means that the Panthers are still top with a 100% record, ahead of the Eels and Souths, who are both on 12 points. The Storm and the Roosters have ten, with the Dragons on eight. The Titans and Warriors round off the playoff places, on six points, along with the Warriors, Knights, Manly and the Cowboys. The Sharks have four, while after Canterbury's maiden win, they join Wests and the Broncos on two points.


Top Five Players of the Round

5) Benji Marshall (Souths)
36 years old and playing out of position, Marshall rolled back the years with a vintage performance to help Souths come from behind to defeat the Titans.

4) David Fifita (Titans)
The reason Souths were behind for so long was the beast that is David Fifita. His second hat-trick of the season, as well as three line breaks and eleven tackle busts.

3) Tom Trbojevic (Manly)
What a difference Tommy Turbo has made to this team. Line breaks galore, constantly finding spaces and having the presence of mind to send people through.

2) Jahrome Hughes (Storm)
Hughes absolutely ran the show in the first half for Melbourne, laying on assists for four tries and after his slow start to 2021, reminded us all of how good he is.

1) Sam Walker (Roosters)
It's fair to say that the Roosters have unearthed a gem here. The 18-year-old Englishman has the ability to unlock any defence with his running and passing game.


Top Five Tries of the Round

5) Brian To'o (Panthers)
The best winger in the world with a breathtaking one-handed finish here.


4) Daly Cherry-Evans 2nd try (Manly)
Tom Trbojevic's line-breaking run is supported by DCE - these two had a telepathic understanding this weekend.


3) David Fifita 2nd try (Titans)
This strength is unbelievable. To emerge from the challenges of seven Souths defenders with the ball and to ground it is crazy.


2) Alex Johnston (Souths)
Cameron Murray gets Benji Marshall away and the legend pulls off an astounding pass, which Johnston takes to the line and scores. What a try.


1) Jamal Fogarty (Titans)
This is a ludicrous run from Corey Thompson, one of the most elusive and tricky wingers in the competition, as he uses footwork to beats numerous defenders before setting up Fogarty for a walk-in.



Team of the Round

Full-Back: Tom Trbojevic (Manly)
The man who makes Manly tick. Their attack is devastating with him in it - he finds gaps and exploits them. Manly are a different team now that he's back.

Winger: Maika Sivo (Eels)
A hat-trick for Sivo as the Eels picked up another big victory. Three strong finishes but it was more than that - five line breaks and 217 metres.

Centre: Reimis Smith (Storm)
Two tries for Smith after running great lines and drawing his man. Five tackle busts and 156 metres for the 23-year-old.

Centre: Benji Marshall (Souths)
He's still got it. Playing out of position, Marshall was the architect of Souths' comeback. Two tries of his own as well as brilliant hands to set up two others.

Winger: Brian To'o (Panthers)
He gets in this team pretty much every week but that's a measure of his consistency. A flying finish for another try on Thursday and - I'm not even kidding here - 337 metres.

Stand-Off: Jahrome Hughes (Storm)
A deadly performance from the half-back, whose running and passing game caused all sorts of problems for the Warriors. Four assists and three line breaks.

Scrum-Half: Sam Walker (Roosters)
Another sensational performance from the youngster, who is running the show for the Roosters. A try, an assist and four tackle busts. His passing and kicking game was marvellous.

Prop: Luke Thompson (Bulldogs)
It has been a tough start to life in Australia for the Englishman, who hasn't really go going since leaving St Helens. But this was a great display as the Bulldogs got their first win of the year. 80 post-contact metres and 36 tackles.

Hooker: Reed Mahoney (Eels)
One of the most effective hookers in the league with his distribution and pass selection. Two assists and 42 successful tackles.

Prop: Payne Haas (Broncos)
The Brisbane prop had a great game in defeat, making a phenomenal eight tackle breaks, 34 tackles and 80 post-contact metres.

Second Row: David Fifita (Titans)
The man is a wrecking ball and he has been unstoppable this season. Three tries again and a staggering eleven line breaks.

Second Row: Isaiah Papali'i (Eels)
A line break, three tackle busts, a try, 151 metres - 48 of which were post-contact - in a superb display from the second rower.

Loose Forward: Bryce Cartwright (Eels)
An outstanding lock performance. A try, an assist, five line breaks, two tackle busts, zero missed tackles and 129 metres made.


Next Time Out...
A massive clash on Thursday sees the Canberra Raiders host the Souths, while Friday has the Storm taking on the beleaguered Sharks. Gold Coast will be looking to bounce back with a win in Brisbane, while the Panthers are going for eight wins in a row when they face the rejuvenated Manly. The Bulldogs have a tough task to replicate their success of this week, as they face the test of the Eels. Sydney Roosters make the short trip to Newcastle on Saturday. Sunday has four teams who lost this weekend - the Warriors hosting the Cowboys and Wests travelling to the Dragons.


@ALooseWire

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