5 Big Things: Everything we learned in Round 17

Across a shortened weekend, several teams found some big wins whilst others missed golden opportunities to climb up the league table in the leadup to Origin III. Here are 5 Big Things we learned in Round 17.

Melbourne’s uncharacteristic slump

The Melbourne Storm have lost four of their past seven for the first time since mid-2015 after succumbing to the Cronulla Sharks 28 points to 6 in the Shire behind a Jesse Ramien hattrick. With Cameron Munster, Felise Kaufusi and Harry Grant joining the likes of Xavier Coates, Christian Welch, and Reimis Smith on the list of unavailable players, the Storm were no match for a Cronulla side full of vitality and running in front of a boisterous crowd of locals. The Sharks leapt out to a 20-nil first-half lead and never looked back as they earnt their fourth-straight win. Ramien crossed for his first career hattrick and also managed a try assist, eight tackle breaks and 137 metres, whilst newly re-signed five-eighth Matt Moylan assisted on a pair of tries and put his boot to good use in the absence of Nicho Hynes. Centre Connor Tracey led all players in run metres with 173 to go along with four tackle breaks as he continues to push for a full-time spot in Cronulla’s 17, whilst Braydon Trindall did what he could to fill the hole left by Hynes, assisting on two tries and kicking for 380 metres.

Walker runs rampant in fiery showdown

Cody Walker’s two tries and three try assists helped to propel South Sydney to a 40-28 win over the Knights in Newcastle. Despite missing Cameron Murray, Damien Cook, Jai Arrow and Campbell Graham, the Rabbitohs managed to erase a 10-point first-half deficit to capture their fourth win in five weeks. Captain Latrell Mitchell laid on a pair of try assists and busted six tackles in just his second game back from injury, whilst Thomas Burgess took 21 carries for a game-high 201 metres in 71 minutes off the bench. For Newcastle, Edrick Lee assisted on two tries and scored his ninth try in five games, whilst Anthony Milford assisted on two tries of his own and kicked for 412 metres. Both sides came to blows in final minutes of the match, with Keaon Koloamatangi and David Klemmer grasping each other’s collars and exchanging words. Moments later, some elbow work courtesy of Klemmer ignited another push-and-shove leading to the veteran prop being sent from the field as the siren sounded. Unfortunately, the sides are not slated to meet each other again this season. The win was a big one for South Sydney, who created a two-point gap on the league table between themselves and the eighth-place Sea Eagles.

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Parramatta come from behind to avoid upset

The Wests Tigers looked well and truly up for the fight against an inconsistent Parramatta outfit at Leichhardt, jumping out to a 12-nil lead in the opening half-hour. An Eels flurry, however, dragged momentum back the way of the blue-and-golds who came out 28-20 winners in front of a passionate crowd. Debutant Justin Matamua was binned following a late shot on kicker Mitchell Moses leading to a pair of Eels tries. Former Wests Tiger Moses scored a try, assisted on another, broke nine tackles and kicked for 269 metres, whilst Wests Tigers-bound edge forward Isaiah Papali’i ran for a team-high 154 metres and made 28 tackles without a miss. Second-game prop Fonua Pole was superb off the bench for the Wests Tigers, running for a game-high 167 metres from 17 carries and making 17 tackles without a miss. Joe Ofahengaue, meanwhile, continued his strong run of form, running for 139 metres, breaking four tackles, and making 38 tackles. With the loss, the Wests Tigers slumped to 16th on the league table with the Titans enjoying a bye. Still coach-less, they are in serious danger of finishing with the first wooden spoon in the joint venture’s history.

Baby Broncos deliver blow to Dragons’ finals hopes

A Broncos side minus a plethora of their first-choice 17 has come away with a major 32-18 victory against St. George Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium. Tariq Sims was binned twice in the opening 25 minutes and, whilst his side held on reasonably well, it showed in the second-half. Kobe Hetherington was arguably Brisbane’s best forward, running for 142 metres and making a team-high 42 tackles, whilst recalled fullback Tesi Niu ran for a team-high 171 metres, scored a try, assisted on two others and broke seven tackles. Kotoni Staggs made inroads down the Dragons’ left edge for much of the afternoon carrying the ball nine times for 136 metres, breaking five tackles, making three line breaks and scoring two tries. Brisbane’s biggest weapon, however, was Adam Reynolds who showed poise as a kicker and game manager against an inexperienced Dragons spine. For the visitors, Cody Ramsey impressed in a losing side, crossing for a double for the first time since his debut in late-2020, running for 145 metres from 11 carries, breaking six tackles and making two line breaks, whilst Blake Lawrie ran for a game-high 173 metres from 19 carries and 36 tackles without a miss in 48 minutes. This loss may have boosted Ben Hunt’s Dally M credentials more than any win this season; his side looked lost without him and blew what was much-needed win. The Dragons now find themselves two competition points outside of the top eight and will face the likes of the Roosters, Sea Eagles, Cowboys, Sharks, Raiders and Broncos in the run home.

The Niu conundrum

Tesi Niu played his first game since Round 6 in Brisbane’s 32-18 win over St. George Illawarra on Sunday and was one of the most productive players on the ground. He ran for a team-high 171 metres, was involved in three tries, broke seven tackles and looked generally likely for much of the afternoon. His call-up, however, came only because of an injury to incumbent fullback Te Maire Martin who has enjoyed a wildly impressive 2022 campaign after a three-year NRL hiatus. Niu’s place in Brisbane’s backline moving forward is surrounded in unsureness; Martin has done more than enough to keep his spot at the back, whilst Corey Oates, Selwyn Cobbo, and Kotoni Staggs have each spent time in their respective Origin camps this season. Herbie Farnworth’s season-ending injury has opened up a spot at left centre, however, Brenko Lee will be eager to make that spot his own moving forward. Reece Walsh is set to re-join the fold next year and, health willing, there is little chance Niu finds himself in Brisbane’s 17. The 20-year-old is physical and eager and has shown a tonne of raw potential in his brief career, however, he may have to look elsewhere if he wants regular first-grade minutes.

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