NRL 2022

Sitting third on 28 competition points, the Sharks play the sides coming 11th, 15th, 10th, 12th and 14th in the final five games so a home final at PointsBet Stadium beckons. 

The Dragons hit a major hurdle on Sunday when they were totally outplayed by the Cowboys and their misfiring attack must be a huge concern to coach Anthony Griffin.

Given that Cronulla boast the third best defensive record in the NRL the Dragons will need to find a whole lot more with ball in hand if they are to topple the Sharks for the first time since round five, 2020.

The loss of star playmakers Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai leaves a huge hole for Penrith and Ricky Stuart's men get a golden opportunity to knock off the tallest poppy and announce themselves as genuine contenders.

There's plenty like about the way the Raiders are playing their footy at the moment but they will be aware they need to go up another couple of notches to beat a side that has only two games all season.

With matches against heavyweights the Eels, Panthers, Cowboys and Roosters to come after this weekend's assignment the Rabbitohs can't afford to slip up  against a team that took them to the wire in Magic Round.

The Rabbitohs led 26-6 at half-time in that match at Suncorp Stadium but clocked off to concede four tries in 15 minutes and almost let the victory slip away.

Finals are out of the question for the Warriors but they'll happy play spoiler to any contenders who dare take them lightly.

Maika Sivo scored twice inside the opening eight minutes to get Parramatta, who were without injured halfback Mitchell Moses, off to a flying start at 4 Pines Park, but it soon became a contest where the lead changed on numerous occasions as both side's enjoyed periods of dominance. 

Trailing 20-14 with 28 minutes to go, the Eels powered back with tries to Waqa Blake, Gutherson, Will Penisini and Dylan Brown, to put the result beyond doubt. 

Munster, who played predominantly as a fullback for the first four seasons of his NRL career, was a late inclusion at the back as cover for the injured Nick Meaney and didn't disappoint, scoring 20 points all up thanks to his three tries and four conversions. 

Hughes, who suffered the injury late in the first half and played through to the break before being taken from the game, will have scans on Saturday, while the Storm will also wait to see what comes of Brandon Smith being placed on report for a hip-drop style tackle on 28 minutes. 

The blue and golds are walking a little taller after upsetting the Panthers on Friday while Manly endured a tough night against the Roosters with seven key players missing the game for personal reasons.

When these sides met at CommBank Stadium in round 11 it was the Eels squeaking home 22-20, with Manly losing Tom Trbojevic for the season to a shoulder injury.

Des Hasler's men will be hoping for better luck on home soil as they look to avenge that defeat and get on a roll towards the finals.

A top-four finish will be the focus for Melbourne who face a tough run home with games against the Panthers, Broncos, Roosters and Eels after this weekend.

The Titans are out to restore pride after a horror season and if they are to rattle the Storm's cage much will depend on David Fifita and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui laying a foundation for AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell to work off.

Led by star five-eighth Luke Keary, who scored a try and laid on two of his side's five others, the Roosters put themselves within two points of the top four and with a chance of leapfrogging South Sydney into seventh place.

Roosters enforcer Victor Radley also played a starring role in the win after being forced from the field to have six stitches inserted in a cut above his left eye following a head clash with Jake Turpin and returning to inspire his team-mates.  

A shock loss to the Wests Tigers last start has Kevin Walters' men under pressure with the Storm and Eels level with the Broncos on 26 competition points going into round 21.

The Roosters are in eighth spot on points differential, slightly ahead of the Raiders who take on a depleted Penrith side. 

Trent Robinson labelled the side's attack in their recent win over the Sea Eagles as a bit rushed with the side coming up with 18 errors despite claiming the two points.

The decision came after a 90-minute hearing by the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night.

It means the Broncos will be without Carrigan until the last week of the regular competition. But it means Carrigan will be free to play assuming the Broncos make the finals.

Brisbane is currently fifth on the NRL ladder. 

Carrigan had pleaded guilty to a dangerous contact charge for an incident in the 73rd minute of Brisbane's shock 32-18 loss to the Tigers last Saturday night. Hastings was bent back over Carrigan, with his ankle twisting underneath.