SNAPSHOT OF ROUND 19 OF THE NRL SEASON
PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Jayden Campbell/Jaydn Su’A.
QUOTE OF THE ROUND: “S**thouse, embarrassing (and) disappointing” – Adam Doueihi’s blunt assessment of Wests Tigers’ 58-6 flogging from Cronulla.
TALKING POINT: Where is the NRL at on referee contact from players? Cronulla were left scratching their head after Will Kennedy was hit with a grade-two contrary conduct charge for colliding with Adam Gee in the win over Wests Tigers. He is the fourth player charged with referee contact this year, and second to face a ban,
MAGIC MOMENT: Lehi Hopoate’s magical pass for Tommy Talau in Manly’s 44-6 thumping of Newcastle. The teenage Manly winger sprinted onto a Luke Brooks kick, caught and passed back inside in one motion to put his centre over.
STAT THAT MATTERS: The gap is slowly widening, but only six points still separate fifth from 15th on the ladder with eight rounds to play.
CASUALTY WARD: Dolphins – Euan Aitken (pectoral); Tigers – Api Koroisau (calf); Sharks – Jesse Colquhoun (knee, TBC); Brodie Jones (concussion).
JUDICIARY WATCH: Sharks – Will Kennedy (contrary conduct).
UNDER PRESSURE: Brisbane. How are last year’s grand finalists in the situation they are in? Only for-and-against stops them grand finalists from being the lowest-placed Queensland team after six straight losses. The 30-26 loss to St George Illawarra means the Broncos now need an almighty run to even make the finals.