Will EvansNRL Round 7 Recap
April 28th 2009 08:31
NRL Round 7 Recap
- The Broncos claimed outright first spot on the table dishing out a dominant 40-8 caning to an improved Parramatta. Spearheaded by Darren Lockyer and Karmichael Hunt, Brisbane ran in seven tries - three to Hunt, while Lockyer had a leading hand in five.
- Cronulla and Souths, two sides renowned for stingy defence, let the floodgates open on Friday night. The Rabbitohs prevailed 32-26 in a see-sawing affair at ANZ. The home side led 16-0 and 32-18 but repeatedly let the Sharks back into the contest. Souths' captain Roy Asotasi was the best on ground, a 40 metre try highlighting a superb performance.
- St. George-Illawarra kept pace with Brisbane as premiership favourites with a clinical 29-0 disposal of the Roosters in the traditional Anzac Day showdown. Jamie Soward was again exceptional for the Dragons, scoring two tries amongst 21 points, including a 90-metre solo try from a kick return.
- Golden-point couldn't separate Melbourne and the Warriors at Olympic Park in a tense and at times controversial clash. The Storm led 10-2 and 14-6, but a powerful Manu Vatuvei double saw the Warriors claw their way back into the match. Stacey Jones hit the post with one field goal attempt in extra-time, then fumbled in the lead-up to Lance Hohaia piloting one over in the last play of golden point. The video referee deliberated for an eternity before ruling a knock-on against Jones.
- Manly's premiership defence continued its downward spiral after the mid-week news that Brett Stewart would be sidelined with injury for up to three months. The Sea Eagles went down 26-12 to the Cowboys in Townsville. Jonathon Thurston put one hand on a Test jersey by continuing his form resurgence.
- Canterbury played from behind to carve out a 30-20 win over Canberra. Trailing 12-0 early on, a Michael Ennis-inspired outfit powered back with five tries. Ennis' premiership aspirations may have suffered a blow despite a virtuoso display after being put on report for a chicken wing tackle.
- The Tigers continued the theme of comebacks by storming back from 24-10 down to snatch a thrilling 26-24 victory over in-form Newcastle at Campbelltown. Benji Marshall was at his wizard-like best in laying on three tries in the final quarter, then kicking a sideline conversion to steal the win.
- Injury-hit Gold Coast fell victim to the individual brilliance of Michael Jennings and Jarrod Sammut as the Panthers ran 34-20 victors on Monday night. Sammut grabbed a brilliant first half double, one try from a spectacular chip and chase, while Jennings scored a sensational long-range try that drew glowing praise from John Cartwright and Scott Prince.
Players of the Round: It was a weekend for the maligned halves - Darren Lockyer turned in a five-star display after speculation his rep spots were in jeopardy, Jamie Soward confirmed he is the hottest player in the premiership despite critics calling for his dumping after Round 1, and Benji Marshall, still learning the halfback craft, turned the clock back to 2005 in a matchwinning display. Hat-trick hero Karmichael Hunt turned in one of his best-ever performances for the Broncos, while Panthers' centre Michael Jennings demanded selection for NSW with his sizzling contribution against the Titans. Special mention to tireless Warriors' workhorse, who smashed the NRL tackling record with 70 tackles in the extra-time thriller with the Storm.
- The Broncos claimed outright first spot on the table dishing out a dominant 40-8 caning to an improved Parramatta. Spearheaded by Darren Lockyer and Karmichael Hunt, Brisbane ran in seven tries - three to Hunt, while Lockyer had a leading hand in five.
- Cronulla and Souths, two sides renowned for stingy defence, let the floodgates open on Friday night. The Rabbitohs prevailed 32-26 in a see-sawing affair at ANZ. The home side led 16-0 and 32-18 but repeatedly let the Sharks back into the contest. Souths' captain Roy Asotasi was the best on ground, a 40 metre try highlighting a superb performance.
- Golden-point couldn't separate Melbourne and the Warriors at Olympic Park in a tense and at times controversial clash. The Storm led 10-2 and 14-6, but a powerful Manu Vatuvei double saw the Warriors claw their way back into the match. Stacey Jones hit the post with one field goal attempt in extra-time, then fumbled in the lead-up to Lance Hohaia piloting one over in the last play of golden point. The video referee deliberated for an eternity before ruling a knock-on against Jones.
- Manly's premiership defence continued its downward spiral after the mid-week news that Brett Stewart would be sidelined with injury for up to three months. The Sea Eagles went down 26-12 to the Cowboys in Townsville. Jonathon Thurston put one hand on a Test jersey by continuing his form resurgence.
- Canterbury played from behind to carve out a 30-20 win over Canberra. Trailing 12-0 early on, a Michael Ennis-inspired outfit powered back with five tries. Ennis' premiership aspirations may have suffered a blow despite a virtuoso display after being put on report for a chicken wing tackle.
- Injury-hit Gold Coast fell victim to the individual brilliance of Michael Jennings and Jarrod Sammut as the Panthers ran 34-20 victors on Monday night. Sammut grabbed a brilliant first half double, one try from a spectacular chip and chase, while Jennings scored a sensational long-range try that drew glowing praise from John Cartwright and Scott Prince.
Players of the Round: It was a weekend for the maligned halves - Darren Lockyer turned in a five-star display after speculation his rep spots were in jeopardy, Jamie Soward confirmed he is the hottest player in the premiership despite critics calling for his dumping after Round 1, and Benji Marshall, still learning the halfback craft, turned the clock back to 2005 in a matchwinning display. Hat-trick hero Karmichael Hunt turned in one of his best-ever performances for the Broncos, while Panthers' centre Michael Jennings demanded selection for NSW with his sizzling contribution against the Titans. Special mention to tireless Warriors' workhorse, who smashed the NRL tackling record with 70 tackles in the extra-time thriller with the Storm.
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