Round 10

Panthers bounce back to overpower Storm

The clash of the co-competition leaders had been billed as the match of the season but Melbourne lost Kiwis halfback Jahrome Hughes before kick off with a calf injury.

With star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen and strike centre Reimis Smith already out their attack was stifled.

Rookies Cooper Johns and Tyran Wishart were called up to replace Hughes and Papenhuyzen, but the sons of former Kangaroos, Matt Johns and Rod Wishart, had a tough night as Penrith roared to their ninth win of the season.

Titans snatch golden point win over Dragons

Little separated the two teams in a gripping contest but after it looked like St George Illawarra were finishing the strongest, Gold Coast prop Jarrod Wallace crashed over for a try to force the game to extra time and Isaako scored the match winner.

 

Rabbitohs survive big scare to beat Warriors in thriller

Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker was on fire early, putting aside some criticism earlier in the week around his own personal form to deliver three first half tries as the 2021 grand finalists racked up a 26-0 lead. 

However, their healthy advantage was narrowed in the second half as the Warriors got into a groove and dominated field position as the Rabbitohs began to lose control of the match.

Storm v Panthers: Wishart to fullback; Sorensen back on deck

With both sides boasting 8-1 records and sitting first and second on the ladder the hype will build throughout the week before the last two premiers square off on Saturday night.

For 2020 champions Melbourne, the injuries to star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen and centre Reimis Smith leaves a couple of big holes to fill but such is their depth that few expect them to miss a beat.

Titans v Dragons: Campbell returns; Sullivan starts for Red V

The Dragons traditionally have strong support in Brisbane and they'll be hoping a large Red V contingent can help them return to the form that carried them to three wins on the trot before Sunday's loss to the Storm.

The Titans were in the hunt early in the second half when they trailed 24-16 but four tries in 15 minutes to the James Tedesco-inspired Roosters consigned them to a fifth loss on the trot.

Seven heaven: Reynolds runs riot as Broncos maul Manly

The Broncos No.7 laid on two tries for Selwyn Cobbo with pinpoint kicks and scored one of his own as Kevin Walters' men made it four wins on the trot.

Reynolds set the tone for the night when he clean bowled Tom Trbojevic with the kick-off to get the ball back for his team and two minutes later he set up Cobbo for the game's opening try.

The Sea Eagles launched an air raid of their own in the 14th minute when Tom Trbojevic flew high to bring down a Kieran Foran bomb and looked certain to score but desperation defence by Billy Walters denied the superstar fullback.

Clune strikes late to help Knights sink Bulldogs

The return of halfback Adam Clune proved pivotal as the playmaker iced the victory with a sharp solo try in the 76th minute.

The Knights opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Kalyn Ponga knocked over a penalty goal after Paul Vaughan was pinged for a dangerous tackle.

Ponga was heavily involved again eight minutes later when he went down a short side and found Bradman Best who put Edrick Lee over in the corner and the Knights led 6-0.

Sea Eagles v Broncos: Olakau'atu, Davey boost; Haas, Capewell return

Manly are coming off an impressive win of their own against the Wests Tigers at 4 Pines Park with a dream starting debut for Ben Trbojevic alongside his brothers Tom and Jake. 

Both sides have only played each other once in the past three seasons for a 2-1 split in favour of the Sea Eagles. They pummelled the Broncos 50-6 in the corresponding clash last year with Tom Trbojevic scoring a double.

Bulldogs v Knights: Patolo comes onto bench; Barnett, Clune return

Regardless of where both these sides sit on the ladder, an intriguing clash awaits for two proud clubs who have endured different storylines to start the year but manage to find themselves languishing behind 14 other teams.

The Bulldogs were always going to take time to gel as a unit with a host of new recruits at the club and despite not getting the result against Canberra last start, there are signs Trent Barrett's side are on the rise, albeit slowly.

Vipers Fire Up

Sipa said the training is targeted at areas of improvement such as their deference and attack in the field.

After winning straight four matches on home turf in Port Moresby, Coach Sipa says the boys are working hard on their defense and attaching skills in preparations for the Gurias attack.

 “Training is mainly targeted at areas of improvement such as the defense and attached in the field,” said Sipa.

Joe who stepped in to coaching the Vipers in round six of the Digicel cup competition, saw the boys take out the last four wins under his leadership.