Trent Robinson, head coach of the Roosters, has issued a stark warning to clubs vying for the remaining spots in the NRL top eight. Following a triumphant 20-4 win over Manly, where halfback Sam Walker showcased his talents just four matches after returning from a lengthy knee injury, Robinson asserted, “he will pull you apart”.
In less-than-ideal weather, Walker played a pivotal role, contributing two assists and demonstrating his exceptional kicking game, which proved too much for Manly to handle. Remarkably, despite standing as one of the smaller players on the field, Walker’s defensive efforts were equally commendable, successfully completing 16 of his 19 tackle attempts.
Meanwhile, the Wests Tigers face a critical situation with utility player Adam Doueihi, who is off-contract and being “advised” by controversial agent Isaac Moses. The Tigers must act decisively to reassure Doueihi about his future with the club, given his standout performance in a recent match against the Bulldogs.
In another noteworthy encounter, the Dragons revealed a promising future with centres Mathew Feagai and Moses Suli, who effectively outperformed their counterparts from the Raiders to halt Canberra’s nine-game winning streak.
The Panthers experienced a disturbing turn of events in their golden point victory over the Titans, marked by them missing a staggering 49 tackles. Despite their success, questions linger regarding whether Nathan Cleary, who failed to tackle effectively, continues to struggle with injuries.
A thrilling finish saw the Dolphins clinch a dramatic win against the Warriors, albeit with a heavy cost. Star centre Herbie Farnworth suffered a hamstring injury early in the match, even though he managed to register three line breaks in just 18 minutes of play—a testament to his skill level.
The Storm, battling without key player Jahrome Hughes, narrowly emerged victorious against the Eels. Although they managed to secure a 16-10 win, their performance raised concerns: they had only one line break despite holding 54% possession and completing 84% of their plays. Coach Craig Bellamy may need to address these issues if they are to contend with stronger teams in the playoffs.
As the season progresses, the pressure mounts on teams to tighten their strategies and performances, with the top eight spots still very much up for grabs in a highly competitive landscape.