5 Big Things: Everything we learned in Round 18

A major week of football saw a shakeups across different areas of the ladder, including the top four and the edge of the top eight, as teams prepare for the pointy end of the season. Here are 5 Big Things we learned in Round 18.

Top four race heating up

Cronulla, Brisbane, and Parramatta all secured wins this weekend, whilst Melbourne and North Queensland came away with losses as effects felt from the Origin period are beginning to wind down. The second-place Cowboys are now just a single win ahead of the sixth-place Eels with seven games remaining. The Panthers are four wins clear atop the ladder but the remaining three spots of the top four are well and truly up for grabs. Watching the remainder of the season around this region of the table fold out will be fascinating; history shows that a top four finish is a necessity for those with premiership ambitions. Of the five teams fighting for the final three spots in the top four, the Cowboys and Sharks have the friendliest runs home, followed by the Storm then the Broncos and finally the Eels. The Cowboys and Sharks will both face four bottom eight teams in their final seven games, whilst Melbourne and Brisbane both three, and the Eels just one. The Eels will face the Broncos in rounds 19 and 24 in what shapes as a massive pair of clashes.

Marvellous Manu shines on the Central Coast

Few players have enjoyed as outstanding a 2022 as Roosters star Joseph Manu who put on a magnificent display in his side’s 54-26 win over the Dragons on Saturday afternoon. Filling in at five-eighth for the injured Luke Keary, Manu scored two tries, assisted on another two, made three line breaks, ran for 194 metres and broke 15 tackles. Manu has proven himself as a strike centre for the tricolours over the past half-decade but has enjoyed a tonne of success in both the one and the six jumper over the past 12 months. The win was a big one for the Roosters who leapfrogged the Dragons and pulled themselves within a win of the top eight. With seven weeks remaining, the Roosters find themselves facing an uphill battle to overtake Manly and finish in the top eight but, if Manu can continue his stellar run alongside the brilliance of James Tedesco and Sam Walker, anything is possible.

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Manly continue winning ways

Many wrote the Sea Eagles off when Tom Trbojevic was ruled out for the season, but Des Hasler’s men have reinvented themselves and look strong chances of playing finals football. They have won four of their past five games and lost only to a Cowboys side in the dying stages as their attack continues going from strength to strength and their defensive resolve continues to improve. A 42-12 win over rivals Newcastle capped off a perfect week for skipper Daly Cherry-Evans who assisted in three tries and kicked for 522 metres just three nights after a heroic Origin III performance. The Sea Eagles have been buoyed by rookies Christian Tuipulotu and Toluta’u Koula, as well as the improvements of the likes of Reuben Garrick, Lachlan Croker, and Josh Aloiai. Garrick ran for 233 metres from 19 carries, made two line breaks, and assisted on two tries as he continues to leave his mark in the number one jersey. Croker scored his fourth try of the season to go along with 35 tackles, whilst Aloiai ran for 136 metres and made 17 tackles.

Kikau’s huge year

Panthers star Viliame Kikau has enjoyed a sublime 2022 and looks well on his way to the second Team of the Year selection of his NRL career. His prowess was on full display in his side’s 16-12 come-from-behind victory over the Wests Tigers on Sunday. The hulking edge forward scored and assisted on a try, ran for 138 metres from 13 carries, and made 34 tackles as his Panthers extended their lead atop the premiership to eight competition points. The Fijian international this season has scored eight tries, assisted on nine tries and 13 line breaks and appeared in all 17 of Penrith’s clashes as the club eyes another run to the Grand Final. Whilst he may have only 10 games left in his Panthers career, it is clear the 27-year-old is fixated on bringing another premiership to Sydney’s West before he makes the move to Canterbury. Some of the Bulldogs faithful were unconvinced dedicating so much money to Kikau when news broke that he would be joining the club in 2023, however, he has been brilliant ever since and has done plenty to win sceptics over.

The Green Machine

The Canberra Raiders’ finals hopes are still very much alive after a massive 20-16 win over the Storm in Melbourne. In an eventful affair, Melbourne lost fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen to a fracture patella less than a quarter into the game and were unable to outlast a gutsy Raiders outfit. Joseph Tapine produced at his usual, superb level running for 171 metres from 17 carries and making 26 tackles, whilst Sebastian Kris ran for a team-high 176 metres to go along with a decisive intercept try. Adam Elliott also continued his strong run of form running for 136 metres from 16 carries and making 37 tackles. Melbourne, meanwhile, lost their third straight game for the first time in seven years as cracks are really beginning to show for the injury-decimated squad. Nick Meaney did an admirable job once shifting to fullback; he finished the game with a try, a game-high 188 metres, and five tackle breaks. Cameron Munster was also his usual, dangerous self running for 180 metres, with four tackle breaks, and two line break assists. The Raiders now find themselves just two points out of the eight and will face the Warriors and Titans over the next fortnight, whilst Melbourne have dropped out of the top three for the first time since Round 3.

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