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Matt Burton and Daly Cherry-Evans came up clutch, South Sydney's resurgence continued, and Cronulla sputtered to another defeat in round 18 of the NRL season.
SNAPSHOT OF ROUND 18 OF THE NRL SEASON
PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Jack Wighton. Simply huge for a South Sydney side daring to dream of finals. The Rabbitohs' star recruit scored two tries in the 32-16 win over Parramatta - the Rabbitohs' fifth in a row - and is finally looking comfortable next to Cody Walker on his move back to the halves.
QUOTE OF THE ROUND: "We wouldn't be where we are on the table if it wasn't for him." Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy is under no illusions that halfback Jahrome Hughes is in career-best form for the ladder-leading Storm, the New Zealander starring in a 40-28 defeat of Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.
TALKING POINT: Where to next for Brisbane? Jock Madden's hamstring injury in the loss to Penrith has left the 10th-placed Broncos down to third-choice halfback Josh Rogers as they fight to keep pace with the top eight. Adam Reynolds (biceps) is still three weeks from returning, and the Broncos need to face St George Illawarra and Canterbury, both higher on the ladder, in that time. Drop their next three games and finals will be looking far away at 7-12.
MAGIC MOMENTS: Matt Burton and Daly Cherry-Evans each slotted field goals to get their sides home in extra time. Burton's boot was the difference for the second straight week, icing Canterbury's 13-12 defeat of the Warriors. Cherry-Evans, meanwhile, kicked Manly into the top eight by sealing a 21-20 upset win over North Queensland on the road.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves became the most-capped Sydney Roosters player in the club's 117-year history when he ran out in the red, white and blue for the 307th time. Waerea-Hargreaves usurped Mitch Aubusson as the most prolific Rooster, and was at his brutal best in the 42-12 thrashing of St George Illawarra.
CASUALTY WARD: Rabbitohs - Latrell Mitchell (foot); Warriors - Tohu Harris (wrist), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (calf), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (head knock), Marcelo Montoya (groin); Sea Eagles - Ben Trbojevic (head knock); Bulldogs - Jaeman Salmon (jaw); Storm - Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hamstring), Bronson Garlick (back); Panthers - Daine Laurie (hamstring); Broncos - Jock Madden (hamstring); Raiders - Hudson Young (groin); Eels - Junior Paulo (foot); Roosters - Victor Radley (head knock); Knights - Enari Tuala (calf).
JUDICIARY WATCH: Sharks - Siosifa Talakai (high tackle); Bulldogs - Jaeman Salmon (dangerous contact).
UNDER PRESSURE: Cronulla's form is quickly becoming a matter of concern, with a 20-16 loss to Gold Coast marking their fifth defeat in six matches. Slow starts are costing the Sharks, who have now lost Siosifa Talakai to a one-game ban and are relying on star halfback Nicho Hynes to recapture some form and confidence.
