round 20

The Panthers had to do it the hard way against a dogged Sharks side in miserable conditions last Saturday, and for the first time all year are presented with the motivation of facing an opponent who currently has the wood on them. 

The Eels have suffered two defeats at CommBank Stadium this year, while the Panthers have won in five of their seven visits to the venue, with one of those losses coming against Parramatta in 2020. 

Despite their current slump the Storm remain just two points adrift of the top four and have it all to play for, while the Warriors will be motivated to give their home fans something to cheer about in their second game at Mt Smart Stadium this year. 

The last time they met on Anzac Day the Storm scored 10 tries in the second half to run out 70-10 winners, and the Warriors haven't beaten Melbourne since 2015.

The Roosters' flyers were at their best with Joey Manu chalking up a try and 188 run metres on his return from injury and Daniel Tupou also crossing the line and carrying the ball for 203 metres.

An early dangerous tackle by Alfred Smalley on debut proved costly for the hosts as the Roosters opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a penalty goal.

Four minutes later the Roosters extended their lead when winger Daniel Tupou finished off some slick hands from Victor Radley, Luke Keary and Sam Walker to extend the lead to 8-0.

The Sea Eagles (9th) and Roosters (8th) are two of those sides along with the Raiders (10th) and Dragons (11th), so this showdown between the boys from Sydney's northern beaches and the Bondi brigade has massive ramifications.

It feels like an eternity since the Roosters downed Manly 26-12 in round two at the SCG, both sides battling injuries to star players and bouts of inconsistency since then but remaining well and truly in the hunt for September.

In the 37 meetings between the two sides in the NRL era, the Sea Eagles hold a slight 20-17 advantage.

The Hunters came out firing asking questions early on putting the Cutters under the pump.

It took 18 minutes for the Hunters to find the try line thanks to the work of halfback Watson Boas who created space out wide for Stargroth Amean to slice through and score.

The visitors hit back only four minutes later after a kick from Nicho Hynes found its mark in Yamba Bowie to fly over on the wing.

Boas was again involved in the Hunters next try this time sending in Israel Eliab to take the Hunters to 12-4.

The Hunters are now on 28 competition points after thumping the Easts Tigers 38-8 yesterday at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

From 18 games, the Hunters have won 12 games, 6 losses and 2 byes.

The Hunters will play the Ipswich Jets this Saturday at home at the National Football Stadium.

Kick-off is at 4pm.

The top 6:

Burleigh Bears (33), Redcliffe Dolphins (30), SP Hunters (28), Townsville Blackhawks (27), Easts Tigers (24) and Souths Logan Magpies (22).