Magic, upsets and injuries sum up chaotic round of NRL

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Magic, upsets and injuries sum up chaotic round of NRL

HOW ROUND 26 OF THE NRL PLAYED OUT:

* QUOTE OF THE ROUND: “I don’t want to be rude, but I’ve had enough. Thank you.” – Shane Flanagan before walking out of his press conference following St George Illawarra’s loss to Parramatta. Flanagan had earlier labelled his team’s first half “disgraceful” and apologised to sponsors and fans.

* STAT THAT MATTERS: The Dragons’ 44-40 loss to Parramatta marked the highest score in history by a losing team. Those points mean nothing to St George Illawarra, who have gone from eighth to virtually out of finals contention.

* MAGIC MOMENT: Shaun Johnson’s last touch in the NRL resulted in a match-winning try for the Warriors against Cronulla. With the Warriors down 28-26, Johnson took control in the last set and sent a two-man cut-out ball wide for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to score. Last plays don’t get much better than that.

* TALKING POINT: How much have injuries just changed the finals? Tom Trbojevic suffered a grade-three AC ****** tear in Manly’s win over Canterbury, but the Sea Eagles expect him to be ready for the start of the finals. The Sydney Roosters also look like losing Sam Walker (knee), Brandon Smith (knee) for the finals following their 14-12 loss to Canberra.

* MAN OF THE ROUND: Jarome Luai. He sparked Penrith back to life following a shaky month of form, recapturing the attacking nous that had characterised his stint at halfback earlier in the season. In the 34-12 defeat of South Sydney, he threw the last pass for 100-gamer Luke Garner’s try, threaded a kick through the line for Brad Schneider to cross and stormed away on the line break that helped Sunia Turuva complete a double.

* CASUALTY WARD: Storm – Marion Seve (ankle) Ryan Papenhuyzen (bone bruising); Sea Eagles – Jason Saab (ankle), Tom Trbojevic (shoulder); Bulldogs – Matt Burton (concussion); Broncos – Kotoni Staggs (quad); Roosters – Sam Walker (knee), Brandon Smith (knee), Victor Radley (shoulder), Nat Butcher (concussion); Raiders – Jordan Rapana (cheekbone).

* JUDICIARY WATCH: Bulldogs – Bronson Xerri (dangerous contact); Dolphins – Felise Kaufusi (dangerous contact); Broncos – Xavier Willison (high tackle); Raiders – Elliott Whitehead (dangerous contact twice)

* UNDER PRESSURE: Kevin Walters. Brisbane have gone from within minutes of a premiership last year to missing this year’s finals. It will go down as one of the most disappointing seasons in the club’s history, with Saturday’s 40-6 loss to the Dolphins their worst ever to a Queensland rival.

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#Magic #upsets #injuries #sum #chaotic #NRL

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