Will EvansRound 24 - Finals picture no clearer
August 25th 2008 01:48
With one match remaining of an entertaining batch of Round 24 clashes, the eventual make-up of the NRL top-8 is just as cloudy as it was before the weekend. Results generally went according to plan, with the finals flames of the Titans and Tigers all but extinguished.
Brisbane 25 d. Gold Coast 21 (in golden point extra-time)
- The Southeast Queensland derby affirmed its status as one of Rugby League's finest drawcards with another golden point thriller in front an almost 40 000-strong crowd at Suncorp. The Titans brave effort was highlighted by diminutive fullback Preston Campbell - close to the best player on the field - playing on with a broken jaw for more than half the match. Gold Coast dominated the first half before the home side stormed back after the break. Captains Lockyer and Prince traded field goals to send the game into overtime, but Lockyer proved the difference, handling twice in a try from halfway to snatch victory and end the top-8 aspirations of the Titans.
Cronulla 20 d. Sydney City 0
- It was ugly but effective as the grinding Sharks executed a dour shut-out of the free-falling Roosters. Cronulla controlled proceedings from start to finish, sealing a spot in top-4 with two rounds to go. The Roosters' hopes of a home final are far less assured however. Their fifth loss in seven games sees the in-form Broncos, Dragons and Raiders just one win away from grabbing their spot.
Manly 48 d. Wests Tigers 16
- The Sea Eagles rebounded to a timely return to form and resigned Tim Sheens' troops to another early off-season. After a shock upset to Souths last start, Manly punished the home side nine tries to three, with Brett Stewart's double putting him alongside Brisbane's Denan Kemp on 17 tries at the head of the NRL tryscoring table. Sheens and star hooker/halfback Robbie Farah both expressed the need for a personnel cleanout after their third failed season in a row since winning the 2005 title.
Parramatta 26 d. Bulldogs 12
- The Bulldogs put in their best performance since the SBW drama erupted, but it was not enough to prevent the Eels from overcoming a halftime deficit to record a comfortable win and keep their finals chances flickering. Returning from injury, Luke Burt contributed 14 points for the victors.
Newcastle 38 d. North Queensland 24
- Brian Smith's Knights remained in finals contention with a solid win but the big story to come out of EnergyAustralia Stadium was the season-ending bicep injury to Leeds-bound club legend Danny Buderus. Newcastle will have to battle on without their inspirational skipper, who finishes with 220 appearances for his beloved club. The comfortable win was highlighted by the individual brilliance of Jarrod Mullen, who will assume greater responsibility in the absence of Buderus.
Canberra 40 d. South Sydney 25
- The Raiders' playing stocks continue to dwindle as they steamroll their way to the final series. On top of Tom Learoyd-Lahrs' season-ending suspension, Canberra will be without rookie half Marc Herbert and in-form forward Troy Thompson for the remainder of their campaign due to injury after overrunning Souths at ANZ. Trailing 19-6 at the break, the Green Machine blew the plucky Rabbits away in the second half with six tries. Five-eighth Terry Campese continued his electrifying form with a hand in four tries to go with six goals. Adrian Purtell grabbed a double to take his season tally to 14.
St. George-Illawarra 34 d. New Zealand 6
- On the back of a diabolical handling display, the Warriors were blitzed by the Dragons as the WIN Stadium faithful farewelled Mark Gasnier and Jason Ryles. In a scrappy affair, the visitors were the worst offenders, frequently losing the ball in an attempt to spread it wide. There was a remarkable spate of forward passes, while Jerome Ropati, previously in carerr-best form for the Warriors, had a nightmare afternoon with his hands. His opposite Mark Gasnier provided the game's highlights, laying on the final two tries with magical passes. Bright spots for the Warriors were a brilliant Sam Rapira pass to put Wade McKinnon away for their only try, and two late bone-jarring hits from rookie back-rower Ben Matulino. The Dragons comprehensive win keeps them in the hunt for a finsh in fourth spot - currently occupied by the Roosters, who they play in the final round. The Warriors finals chances hang by a thread, with the heavy defeat adding to an already disastrous points differential.
Brisbane 25 d. Gold Coast 21 (in golden point extra-time)
- The Southeast Queensland derby affirmed its status as one of Rugby League's finest drawcards with another golden point thriller in front an almost 40 000-strong crowd at Suncorp. The Titans brave effort was highlighted by diminutive fullback Preston Campbell - close to the best player on the field - playing on with a broken jaw for more than half the match. Gold Coast dominated the first half before the home side stormed back after the break. Captains Lockyer and Prince traded field goals to send the game into overtime, but Lockyer proved the difference, handling twice in a try from halfway to snatch victory and end the top-8 aspirations of the Titans.
Cronulla 20 d. Sydney City 0
- It was ugly but effective as the grinding Sharks executed a dour shut-out of the free-falling Roosters. Cronulla controlled proceedings from start to finish, sealing a spot in top-4 with two rounds to go. The Roosters' hopes of a home final are far less assured however. Their fifth loss in seven games sees the in-form Broncos, Dragons and Raiders just one win away from grabbing their spot.
Manly 48 d. Wests Tigers 16
- The Sea Eagles rebounded to a timely return to form and resigned Tim Sheens' troops to another early off-season. After a shock upset to Souths last start, Manly punished the home side nine tries to three, with Brett Stewart's double putting him alongside Brisbane's Denan Kemp on 17 tries at the head of the NRL tryscoring table. Sheens and star hooker/halfback Robbie Farah both expressed the need for a personnel cleanout after their third failed season in a row since winning the 2005 title.
Parramatta 26 d. Bulldogs 12
- The Bulldogs put in their best performance since the SBW drama erupted, but it was not enough to prevent the Eels from overcoming a halftime deficit to record a comfortable win and keep their finals chances flickering. Returning from injury, Luke Burt contributed 14 points for the victors.
Newcastle 38 d. North Queensland 24
- Brian Smith's Knights remained in finals contention with a solid win but the big story to come out of EnergyAustralia Stadium was the season-ending bicep injury to Leeds-bound club legend Danny Buderus. Newcastle will have to battle on without their inspirational skipper, who finishes with 220 appearances for his beloved club. The comfortable win was highlighted by the individual brilliance of Jarrod Mullen, who will assume greater responsibility in the absence of Buderus.
Canberra 40 d. South Sydney 25
- The Raiders' playing stocks continue to dwindle as they steamroll their way to the final series. On top of Tom Learoyd-Lahrs' season-ending suspension, Canberra will be without rookie half Marc Herbert and in-form forward Troy Thompson for the remainder of their campaign due to injury after overrunning Souths at ANZ. Trailing 19-6 at the break, the Green Machine blew the plucky Rabbits away in the second half with six tries. Five-eighth Terry Campese continued his electrifying form with a hand in four tries to go with six goals. Adrian Purtell grabbed a double to take his season tally to 14.
St. George-Illawarra 34 d. New Zealand 6
- On the back of a diabolical handling display, the Warriors were blitzed by the Dragons as the WIN Stadium faithful farewelled Mark Gasnier and Jason Ryles. In a scrappy affair, the visitors were the worst offenders, frequently losing the ball in an attempt to spread it wide. There was a remarkable spate of forward passes, while Jerome Ropati, previously in carerr-best form for the Warriors, had a nightmare afternoon with his hands. His opposite Mark Gasnier provided the game's highlights, laying on the final two tries with magical passes. Bright spots for the Warriors were a brilliant Sam Rapira pass to put Wade McKinnon away for their only try, and two late bone-jarring hits from rookie back-rower Ben Matulino. The Dragons comprehensive win keeps them in the hunt for a finsh in fourth spot - currently occupied by the Roosters, who they play in the final round. The Warriors finals chances hang by a thread, with the heavy defeat adding to an already disastrous points differential.
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