3 minute read
The logjam of teams fighting for spots in the NRL's top eight continues to grow, with Brisbane now firmly among the pack after a fourth straight loss.
SNAPSHOT OF ROUND 17 OF THE NRL
PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Te Maire Martin. Led the way as the Warriors fought back from a 66-6 drubbing on the Gold Coast to a superb 32-18 home win over Brisbane. Martin was in everything, setting up four tries and scoring one himself.
QUOTE OF THE ROUND: "We were on the wrong side of the guessing game again. They're just guessing, those six-agains, they just guess. I give one away here, one away there." Ricky Stuart hits out at the NRL's referees after his side's 16-6 loss to Melbourne.
TALKING POINT: How long of a ban is former Queensland State of Origin prop Corey Horsburgh facing? He was sent off in Canberra's NSW Cup match against the Warriors for punching, after an alleged headbutt. Horsburgh was fighting to get back into the Raiders' NRL team after an injury. Now he's waiting on Monday's NSWRL charge sheet.
MAGIC MOMENT: Matt Burton's field goal from almost 40 metres out to sink the Sharks. Burton went wide with two previous long-rage attempts, but his golden-point kick means Canterbury are still very much in the race for a top-four spot.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Of the 34 players who featured in State of Origin last Wednesday, only 12 backed up to play in round 17. Six had byes, while 16 were injured or rested.
CASUALTY WARD: Cowboys - Jack Gosiewski (arm), Storm - Xavier Coates (hamstring), Dolphins - Jeremy Marshall-King (foot), Dragons - Mat Feagai (shoulder).
JUDICIARY WATCH: Cowboys - Jaxon Purdue (tripping), Chad Townsend (high tackle); Tigers - Apisai Koroisau (dangerous throw and contrary conduct), Adam Doueihi (hip-drop tackle) John Bateman (high tackle); Roosters - Nat Butcher (cannonball tackle).
UNDER PRESSURE: Brisbane. They're back out of the top eight after four straight losses and in something of a freefall. They were without their State of Origin stars against the Warriors, but still look nothing like last year's grand finalists. Adam Reynolds is still another month away from returning from a bicep rupture, and his comeback can't come soon enough.
