NRL Round 19 Review: Wests Tigers Robbed By Most Controversial Bunker Call Of The Year

What a weekend in the NRL!

Let’s check out all the action from Round 19.

Brisbane Broncos 36 – 14 Parramatta Eels

All Eels fans felt like Rob Schneider in ‘The Waterboy’ on Thursday night – “Oh no! We suck again!”

Parramatta were handed a huge reality check by the Broncos, who were close to clinical in their six tries to three win. Once again we find ourselves questioning the Eels spot come finals time.

Payne Haas returned from injury with a bang for Brisbane, running the most metres from either side with 225, and bulldozed his way from the 20m line over for a try. Adam Reynolds was instrumental, scoring a try, having a hand in another two and kicking all his six conversion attempts.

It was a long night for the blue and gold. They made 16 errors including an embarrassing mix up from the second half kick-off, a sin binning, as well as a disallowed try that many would have given. The loss sees the Eels slide down to sixth, while the Broncos are loving life snuggled nicely in the top four.

St George Illawarra Dragons 20 – 6 Manly Sea Eagles

Oh Ben Hunt, is there anything you can’t do?

The Red V’s backbone was at it once again on Friday night, putting in another dominant performance and getting himself two tries and in his sides’ 14-point victory against the Sea Eagles. 

Despite losing fullback Cody Ramsey after 10 minutes when his leg tried to bend the wrong way, the Dragon’s regrouped and put in a much better effort than they showed during their embarrassing loss to the Roosters last week. Blake Lawrie was solid up front and hooker Andrew McCullough made a massive 43 tackles without missing one.

It was always going to be a hard slog for the Manly side, going into the match missing Jurbo, Andew Davey and Lachlan Croker thanks to Covid. It was amplified when Jurbo’s brother Burbo left after 17 minutes from a head knock, and Sean Keppie not long after with a shoulder injury.

Reuben Garrick and DC did their best to try and get the Sea Eagles into the game, along with Josh Aloiai who got his side on the board in the 43^rd minute.

The loss sees the Sea Eagles slip out of the top eight, with the Dragons now two spots behind them in eleventh.

Sydney Roosters 42 – 12 Newcastle Knights

The Roosters are on a mission to get make this year’s final series and are starting to tick all the boxes, jumping back into eighth spot after a 30-point thumping of the Knights on Friday night.

Captain Teddy was once again everywhere, running for over 300m, setting up two tries and getting one for himself. The tricolours welcomed back Luke Keary after missing the past 5 rounds thanks to concussion protocols and put in a solid effort with 124 running meters as well as a four pointer.

As for Newcastle, their horror season continues. Sitting in 14^th, they may as well start booking their end of season trip. The bad run of injuries continue after fullback Kalyn Ponga was gone in the eighth minute, failing yet another HIA after copping a high shot from the Roosters Matt Lodge and seemingly hitting the deck hard on landing. Rumours suggest he has played his last game for the season.

Centre Dane Gagai also caused headaches for his side, with the Roosters running in three quick ties while he was in the sin bin for mouthing off at the referee. After the Storm’s Brandon Smith received three weeks suspension doing the same Gagai can expect a similar spell.

Canberra Raiders 26 – 14 New Zealand Warriors

Hope you Raiders fans didn’t switch off at half time!

After starting the match with two tries in under eight minutes, and going to the break leading 4-0, the Warriors looked like causing an upset. But the Green Machine turned it on in the second stanza, scoring 26 unanswered points for an important win to boost their finals chances.

The Canberra halves were in fine form, and both huge with their boots. Jack Wighton’s game kicks were vital, including a pair of 40-20’s that led to two tries, and Jamal Fogarty kicked 5/6 goals and have a hand in two more if his side’s four pointers. Joseph Tapine had another monster performance, along with fellow hard man CHN who scored two tries coming off the bench.

The Raiders are still in tenth but are on the same points as the two teams above them, and the Warriors slip to 13^th, a long way from where they would like to be.

Penrith Panthers 20 – Cronulla Sharks 10

I think we just discovered rugby leagues newest rivalry!

In the highly anticipated battle between 1^st v 3^rd on Saturday night, emotions and expectations were high. After a solid start from the Sharks, the Panthers looked rattled. But as they always do, they stuck to the game plan knowing that it would get them out of trouble. The Premiers eventually came back from a ten-point deficit to win by ten in front of their home fans.

While not the most clinical effort from both sides, with errors and missed tackles piling up thanks to the rain, it certainly was entertaining, especially for the neutrals. A new hatred seems to have emerged between the two fan bases, with Penrith supporters blowing up about both Sharks treis being awarded, as well as a Dale Finucane tackle that went wrong on Stephen Crichton that left him with a lacerated ear and requiring plastic surgery. It never resulted in a penalty and of course, Cronulla fans saw nothing wrong with anything. 

The result didn’t affect the ladder placings, with the Panthers still in first and the Sharks still in third. But it has given Penrith a ten-point buffer in front of the second place Cowboys, all but sealing another minor premiership for the side.

South Sydney 24 – 12 Melbourne Storm

I don’t even know what planet we are on anymore.

Up is down, black is white, and the Storm continue to lose. Going down to the Bunnies five tries to two on Saturday night, Melbourne sunk to their fourth loss in a row, which hasn’t happened for seven years.

Cam Munster and Jahrome Hughes did their best to steer the Melbourne ship, and both kicked 40/20’s to try and spark something. Marion Seve ran for over 214m and got his side on the board just before the second half. But the team are full of injuries and low on form, and the season is looking bleak.

Souths fans had plenty to celebrate about, with their side securing their fourth win on the trot. Keaon Koloamatangi had a massive game, opening the scoring early and having his hand in another. Alex Johnston grabbed himself a double and remains at the top of the try scoring leader board. Tom Burgess made a huge impact from the bench and Latrell Mitchell continues to dominate since his return from injury.

The loss sees the Storm slide down to fifth, with the Bunnies right behind them on sixth. While many sides would give anything to be in fifth spot, the men in purple would be hating it. With things appearing to unravel, Coach Craig Bellamy admitted after the match the he wasn’t “confident in turning it around.”

Canterbury Bulldogs 36 – 26 Gold Coast Titans

The Bulldogs have added to the mounting pressure on Titan’s coach Justin Holbrook, handing the Gold Coast their 15^th loss of the year. For a game that had no impact on the finals, it was still full of passion and entertainment, as well as a bit of spite which is always fun to watch! Pride was on the line, and everyone was looking forward to Big Tino and Matt Burton facing off after their Origin three fight!

The Foxx was on fire during his side’s ten-point win, scoring a hat-trick with two tries coming from intercepts. He also notched up a try assist, four tackle breaks and ran for a monster 317m. Belmore’s new favourite son Burton also had a great day out, grabbing himself a double, having a hand in another, as well as kicking 6/7 goal attempts.

It was clear from the moment Big Tino stepped on the field that he was public enemy number one. Things got heated when he and Tevita Pangai Jr came together, after TPJ promised to look after Burton against the Titan’s captain today. Tino found himself on report for a shoulder charge on the Bulldogs, and also ended up with a poke in the eye from Corey Waddell, who also placed on report.

Canterbury have moved up to 12^th, while the Titans remain in 15^th and hope to avoid the wooden spoon.

North Queensland Cowboys 27 - 26 Wests Tigers

What was that?!

The Bunker once again caused major headaches, including awarding a controversial penalty goal in the dying seconds sealed the match for the Cowboys, who were pushed to the limit by the last placed Tigers. In a game was expected to be a whitewash ended up going down to the wire, with many questioning if the better team lost.

Tom Dearden crossed in the first minute for the Cowboys, but the Tigers hit back with the next three. The Cowboys levelled the score then snuck in front by three points with a Val Homes field goal.

The exciting game turned again, when the Tigers looked to have caused an upset by scoring a try in the final minute and taking a two-point lead. But a short kick off with a second on the clock resulted in an escort penalty being award to the Cowboys. Time Machine Val Holmes kicked the goal to secure a one-point victory, that broke the hearts of Tigers fans everywhere.