Terrell May’s highly anticipated match against the Roosters lived up to expectations, as he played a pivotal role in the Tigers’ remarkable upset victory. After being released by the Roosters—a move that remains puzzling—May demonstrated his value by racking up 208 metres, the highest by any Tigers player, and securing a crucial late penalty that led to a 30-28 triumph.
This victory marked the end of a difficult six-game losing streak for the Tigers, occurring during a challenging period that saw the departure of talented young players, Lachie Galvin and Tallyn da Silva. Despite the Roosters being favoured, especially without their Origin stars, they found themselves in a shocking 20-0 hole early on, as the Tigers, led by coach Benji Marshall, launched an impressive ambush. Although the Roosters managed to score more tries, they fell just short on the scoreboard.
In other news, there is debate regarding Queensland’s selection for the upcoming Origin decider, particularly concerning veteran prop Josh Papali’i, who, at 33, may not be at his peak. In contrast, Corey Horsburgh has been consistently exceptional, showcasing his dominance with 170 run metres in a recent match against the Dragons, and many argue he would have been a better choice for the Origin team.
The Raiders continue their impressive form with a seventh consecutive victory, a feat they haven’t achieved since 2016, with eyes on the minor premiership. In Melbourne, the Storm’s depth was on full display as Nick Meaney excelled, stepping in at fullback due to Ryan Papenhuyzen’s injury. Meaney delivered an outstanding performance, scoring two tries and amassing over 250 metres in a tight 26-20 win against the Cowboys, highlighting his potential as a standout player under Craig Bellamy.
Lastly, Billy Walters has found renewed confidence under coach Michael Maguire at the Broncos. Once overshadowed by his father’s coaching, Walters has thrived in his role, particularly as a game-changing super sub. His recent contributions were vital in the Broncos’ impressive comeback, scoring a critical try and making significant line breaks to secure a 22-18 victory against the Bulldogs.
In a weekend of thrilling NRL action, both individual and team performances highlighted the unpredictability and excitement of the season, with players like May, Meaney, and Walters making significant impacts on their respective games.