SNAPSHOT OF ROUND NINE OF THE NRL SEASON
PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Angus Crichton has begun to hit form when it matters, the powerful back-rower scoring two tries in the Sydney Roosters' 40-18 away win over Brisbane. Crichton is recapturing the form which made him a State of Origin regular for NSW and, given he's off-contract, would only have increased his value on the open market.
QUOTE OF THE ROUND: "People get big man syndrome, they don't like little people talking up to them. Maybe that's their fault, not mine." - Diminutive Canterbury hooker Reed Mahoney after sparking a running battle with Alex Seyfarth, which led to the Wests Tigers forward going to the sin-bin.
TALKING POINT: Was Jason Demetriou's three-year contract extension, given to him late last year, the worst deal in the history of NRL coaching? Demetriou got the sack this week after a 1-6 start before the Rabbitohs fell to a 42-12 defeat to Penrith on Thursday. He only coached seven games of his deal and although Souths powerbrokers covered their backs with a payout clause, it invites further scrutiny over decision-making at Maroubra.
MAGIC MOMENT: Is there anything more emblematic of the Canberra Raiders than not leading for 77 minutes, trailing by 20 points away to Manly and then snatching a 26-24 win? No wonder Ricky Stuart looked like the cat who got the cream after Hudson Young's dramatic late try sunk a knife through Manly.
STAT THAT MATTERS: North Queensland's defence is deplorable and Todd Payten's men have now conceded 20 points or more in each of their last seven games. Only once (2010) have the Cowboys had a worse run of leaking that much (eight games).
CASUALTY WARD: Souths - Dean Hawkins (quad), Jye Gray (ankle), Cameron Murray (hip); Brisbane - Adam Reynolds (bicep), Jesse Arthars (jaw), Gold Coast - Tanah Boyd (wrist), Manly - Lachlan Croker (concussion), Warriors - Kurt Capewell (calf), Melbourne - Ryan Papenhuyzen (ankle), Sua Fa'alogo (knee), Jahrome Hughes (calf)
JUDICIARY WATCH: Canterbury - Sam Hughes (contrary conduct), Reed Mahoney (dangerous throw and contrary conduct), Wests Tigers - Aiden Sezer (dangerous contact), David Klemmer (contrary conduct), Alex Seyfarth (striking), Gold Coast - Chris Randall (high tackle), Melbourne - Joe Chan (dangerous contact), Dolphins - Felise Kaufusi (high tackle), North Queensland - Scott Drinkwater (dangerous contact), Brisbane - Deine Mariner (shoulder charge), Canberra - Emre Guler (high tackle), Morgan Smithies (crusher tackle), Manly - Nathan Brown (dangerous contact), Penrith - Izack Tago (dangerous contact), Souths - Jacob Host (dangerous contact).
UNDER PRESSURE: Just how much will Adam Reynolds' injury derail Brisbane's pursuit of premiership redemption? The club says the halfback could miss up to 14 weeks while 2023 grand finalists Brisbane are 5-4 to start the year. Jock Madden is about to become the most-scrutinised playmaker in the NRL.
Australian Associated Press
