Just as it looked as though the Broncos would deliver the statement of the round, the Sydney Roosters have produced a display to eclipse their title rivals.
The ease in which the Roosters dismantled a desperate Manly side, in front of a huge Brookvale home crowd no less, was a pleasure to watch.
For the league leaders it was a case of no JWH, no Pearce, no Jennings … no worries.
James Maloney is in supreme form while his rookie halves partner Jackson Hastings has proven in his short career that he is not going to be overawed by the occasion.
Although Pearce is due back some time in the finals, Roosters fans can rest easy that if there are complications, young Hastings will be able to deliver.
Sam Moa’s return went a long way to easing the pain felt by the season-ending injury suffered by JWH.
Boyd Cordner and Aidan Guerra are arguably in the best form of the season, which is saying something given the way they began their season.
Then there is the true ace in the Roosters pack, their dynamic fullback.
Neural fans could be forgiven for raising to their feet as RTS burned the Manly defence in the final minutes of last night’s “contest” to set up one of the tries of the season.
Not only did the Roosters end Manly’s chances of playing finals football, but they announced themselves as dead serious title contenders.
To think they could do that to a side who were playing in front of their home crowd, where they were fighting for their season, and to send a club legend out a winner, sans three major stars, is scary.
Looking at the Roosters side, much like the Broncos, there are no noticeable weaknesses.
They have an amazing back five, two brilliant halves, a talented number nine, a big and talented forward pack, and a bench chock full of impact.
The Roosters can wrap up their third straight minor premiership next Friday Night with a win over bitter rivals the Bunnies.
On last night’s performance, you’d be a braver man than I betting against them.
[polldaddy poll=904724]
On Thursday night the Broncos delivered a heated serve, and last night it was the Roosters who returned serve with interest.
I’m not willing to count the Cowboys, or the Storm/Sharks/Bulldogs etc, out just yet, but they’ve got a fair way to go to match the might of the Broncos and Roosters.
Wade’s milestone came quick
Today’s game between the Sharks and the Eels will see Sharks second rower Wade Graham notch up his 150th NRL game.
Although Graham has been a regular fixture for the Sharks, and the Panthers before him, I can’t believe how quickly the mile stone has come up.
At only 24 years of age, Graham could very well be on track for a very special career in terms of games played.
It’s not beyond the realms to suggest that he play for another ten seasons, which would see him add another 250+ games.
Brought to the Sharks as a raw youngster who plied his tried in the halves, Graham has matured into one of the competition’s most dangerous wide-running back rowers.
His importance to the Sharks is now arguably on par with the likes of Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis.
With the ability to make plenty of metres, find a hole or create space for his outside men, there isn’t much that seems beyond the Blacktown junior.
With Paul Gallen about to enter the final year of his NRL career, its likely Graham will be handed the reigns as captain in the Shire.
Without putting the mock on the Shark star, his name will be right there when it comes to Origin selection next season.
After recently extending his stay at the Sharks, and reportedly turning down big interest from the Bunnies, it’s highly likely that Wade Graham could become one of the Sharks genuine superstars.
The shoulder charge message isn’t getting through
Fresh off Issac Luke’s brain snap last night, Willie Mason has again proven that players have not taken the shoulder charge warning on board.
Incredibly, after just returning from a two-week suspension due to a shoulder charge, Mason was penalised and put on report for yet another shoulder charge in the very first tackle of the game.
His Manly Sea Eagle’s career is probably done, and having not yet secured a contract for 2016 and beyond, may have exited the game.
I just don’t understand why he would run the risk of facing another suspension.
The shoulder charge is done and dusted. Time to let it go.
NRL fans on the ball, again
The Daly Telegraph’s fan poll results have been released and once again NRL fans have proven to be on the ball.
The highlight, which I obviously agree with, were: