Injured Sydney Roosters hooker Jake Friend chasing a finals miracle
DEAN RITCHIE
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
SEPTEMBER 02, 2014 12:00AM
SYDNEY Roosters hooker Jake Friend is poised to go from intensive care to finals hero in a display of raw courage as he battles to win back-to-back premierships.
Friend has spent the past 48 hours inside the intensive care unit at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Randwick, battling a lung complaint.It’s understood Friend has leaking blood from the chest cavity.
But despite the seriousness of the injury, Roosters officials believe Friend can be back for week three of the finals.
If Friend does return he would join the likes of South Sydney legend John Sattler and Newcastle Immortal Andrew Johns in terms of bravery.
Sattler played the 1970 grand final with a broken jaw while Johns played the 1997 grand final with a punctured lung.
It would be a remarkable return for a player chasing another premiership and a possible Kangaroos jumper.
The Daily Telegraph has been told doctors were examining Friend on Monday for infections and possible bleeding.
He also had further x-rays and was moved to a ward on Monday afternoon.
The Roosters just want Friend nursed back to full health before footy.
But if the tough hooker can recover quickly, as they expect, he could be back for a grand final qualifier.
The Roosters issued a statement saying:
“Further to his diagnosis of a Haemothorax, Jake Friend underwent a surgical procedure on late Sunday afternoon to locate and identify a source of bleeding, and this was successful.
“Jake remains in hospital and has shown marked improvement in the past 24 hours.
“It is anticipated that Jake will be discharged within the next 48 hours.”
Asked when he could play again, Friend’s manager, Steve Gillis, said: “It’s too early to say.”
The Roosters would never clear Friend to play if he wasn’t 100 per cent but the club knows he wants to be back for his side’s premiership defence.
Friend was taken for x-rays after the Melbourne Storm game, complaining of shortness of breath.
He was later admitted to hospital and was diagnosed with a haemothorax.
Losing Friend will hurt the Roosters, who off-loaded utility Daniel Mortimer to the Titans during the season.
Back-up hooker Heath L’Estrange should be available for the big Souths game on Thursday night after sustaining a knee injury against Wests Tigers in round 23.
1. Anthony Minichiello (c)
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Michael Jennings
4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
6. James Maloney
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
9. Mitchell Aubusson
10. Sam Moa
11. Boyd Cordner
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Aidan Guerra
14. Heath L'Estrange
15. Isaac Liu
16. Dylan Napa
17. Rémi Casty
Coach: Trent Robinson
Rabbitohs
1. Greg Inglis
2. Alex Johnston
3. Dylan Walker
4. Kirisome Auva'a
5. Lote Tuqiri
6. John Sutton
7. Luke Keary
8. George Burgess
9. Issac Luke
10. Dave Tyrrell
11. Kyle Turner
12. Chris McQueen
13. Sam Burgess
14. Jason Clark
15. Ben Lowe
16. Luke Burgess
17. Thomas Burgess
18. Bryson Goodwin
19. Joe Picker
Coach: Michael Maguire STORM V BRONCOS - FRI 5 SEP, 7:45PM (LOCAL), AAMI PARK
Storm
1. Billy Slater
2. Sisa Waqa
3. William Chambers
4. Mahe Fonua
5. Marika Koroibete
6. Ben Roberts
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Jesse Bromwich
9. Cameron Smith (c)
10. Bryan Norrie
11. Kevin Proctor
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Ryan Hinchcliffe
14. Tim Glasby
15. Tohu Harris
16. Dayne Weston
17. Jordan McLean
18. Junior Moors
19. Justin O'Neill
Coach: Craig Bellamy
Broncos
1. Justin Hodges (c)
2. Daniel Vidot
3. Jack Reed
4. Dale Copley
5. Lachlan Maranta
6. Ben Barba
7. Ben Hunt
8. Josh McGuire
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Corey Parker (c)
11. Alex Glenn
12. Matt Gillett
13. Sam Thaiday
14. Jarrod Wallace
15. Martin Kennedy
16. Ben Hannant
17. Corey Oates
18. Todd Lowrie
Coach: Anthony Griffin
WESTS TIGERS V SHARKS - SAT 6 SEP, 3:00PM (LOCAL), LEICHHARDT OVAL
Wests Tigers
1. Jy Hitchcox
2. Pat Richards
3. Asipeli Fine
4. Chris Lawrence
5. Sitaleki Akauola
6. Blake Austin
7. Mitch Moses
8. Aaron Woods
9. Robbie Farah (c)
10. Matthew Lodge
11. Curtis Sironen
12. Bodene Thompson
13. Adam Blair
14. Sauaso Sue
15. Martin Taupau
16. Ava Seumanufagai
17. Cory Paterson
Coach: Mick Potter
Sharks
1. Michael Gordon
2. Sosaia Feki
3. Blake Ayshford
4. Ricky Leutele
5. Valentine Holmes
6. Daniel Holdsworth
7. Jeff Robson (c)
8. Tim Robinson
9. Michael Lichaa
10. Matt Prior
11. Tinirau Arona
12. Tupou Sopoaga
13. Chris Heighington
14. Pat Politoni
15. Junior Roqica
16. Sione Masima
17. Scott Sorensen
Coach: James Shepherd
RAIDERS V EELS - SAT 6 SEP, 5:30PM (LOCAL), GIO STADIUM
Raiders
1. Jack Wighton
2. Bill Tupou
3. Jarrod Croker (c)
4. Jeremy Hawkins
5. Edrick Lee
6. Anthony Milford
7. Mitch Cornish
8. Shannon Boyd
9. Glen Buttriss
10. Brett White (c)
11. Josh Papalii
12. Jarrad Kennedy
13. Joel Edwards
14. Josh McCrone
15. Matt McIlwrick
16. Dane Tilse
17. Paul Vaughan
Coach: Ricky Stuart
Eels
1. Jarryd Hayne (c)
2. Semi Radradra
3. William Hopoate
4. Ryan Morgan
5. Ken Sio
6. Corey Norman
7. Chris Sandow
8. Tim Mannah (c)
9. Isaac De Gois
10. Junior Paulo
11. Kenny Edwards
12. Tepai Moeroa
13. Joseph Paulo
14. Peni Terepo
15. David Gower
16. Darcy Lussick
17. Ben Smith
Coach: Brad Arthur
COWBOYS V SEA EAGLES - SAT 6 SEP, 7:30PM (LOCAL), 1300SMILES STADIUM
Cowboys
1. Michael Morgan
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Tautau Moga
4. Kane Linnett
5. Antonio Winterstein
6. Robert Lui
7. Johnathan Thurston (c)
8. Matthew Scott (c)
9. Rory Kostjasyn
10. Ashton Sims
11. Gavin Cooper
12. Tariq Sims
13. Jason Taumalolo
14. Ray Thompson
15. Scott Bolton
16. Glenn Hall
17. James Tamou
Coach: Paul Green
Sea Eagles
1. Brett Stewart
2. Jorge Taufua
3. Jamie Lyon (c)
4. Steve Matai
5. Peta Hiku
6. Kieran Foran
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Josh Starling
9. Matt Ballin
10. Brenton Lawrence
11. Anthony Watmough
12. Justin Horo
13. Tom Symonds
14. Jesse Sene-Lefao
15. Dunamis Lui
16. James Hasson
17. Jason King
Coach: Geoff Toovey
TITANS V BULLDOGS - SUN 7 SEP, 3:00PM, CBUS SUPER STADIUM
Titans
1. William Zillman
2. Kalifa Faifai Loa
3. James Roberts
4. Brad Takairangi
5. Anthony Don
6. Aidan Sezer
7. Daniel Mortimer
8. Luke Bailey
9. Beau Falloon
10. Matthew White
11. Mark Minichiello
12. Dave Taylor
13. Paul Carter
14. Mark Ioane
15. Tom Kingston
16. Steve Michaels
17. David Mead
18. Maurice Blair
Coach: Neil Henry
Bulldogs
1. Sam Perrett
2. Corey Thompson
3. Josh Morris
4. Tim Lafai
5. Mitch Brown
6. Josh Reynolds
7. Trent Hodkinson
8. Aiden Tolman
9. Michael Ennis (c)
10. James Graham
11. Josh Jackson
12. Tony Williams
13. Greg Eastwood
14. Reni Maitua
15. David Klemmer
16. Pat O'Hanlon
19. Moses Mbye
20. Harlan Alaalatoa
Coach: Des Hasler
PANTHERS V WARRIORS - SUN 7 SEP, 6:30PM (LOCAL), SPORTINGBET STADIUM
Panthers
1. Matt Moylan
2. Josh Mansour
3. Dean Whare
4. Jamal Idris
5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
6. Will Smith
7. Jamie Soward
8. Nigel Plum
9. James Segeyaro
10. Sam McKendry
11. Lewis Brown
12. Matt Robinson
13. Sika Manu
14. Kierran Moseley
15. Ben Murdoch-Masila
16. Sam Anderson
17. Tim Grant
Coach: Ivan Cleary
Warriors
1. Sam Tomkins
2. Ngani Laumape
3. Konrad Hurrell
4. Dominique Peyroux
5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Thomas Leuluai
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Jacob Lillyman
9. Nathan Friend
10. Ben Matulino
11. Ben Henry
12. Simon Mannering (C)
13. Sione Lousi
Ankle injury may end Manly Sea Eagles hooker Matt Ballin’s season
DEAN RITCHIE
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
SEPTEMBER 02, 2014 5:58PM
MANLY could be rocked by another season-ending injury.
Sea Eagles hooker Matt Ballin has an ankle injury with club officials fearing he may not play again this year.
There was talk in the Manly camp on Tuesday night that Ballin may have a broken bone in his ankle, sustained in the last-second win over Penrith on Sunday at Brookvale.
Ballin didn’t finish the game. He will be examined again on Wednesday.
Losing Ballin, should he be ruled out for the season, would be a huge blow for Manly with the NRL finals looking.
Manly’s depth is really being tested.
On Monday, Manly lost utility forward Jamie Buhrer for the year with an ruptured ACL.
Ballin is one of the toughest and most resilient hookers in the NRL.
Should he be ruled out, Manly coach Geoff Toovey would look at naming young Jayden Hodges in his pack.
Jayden, the cousin of Broncos and Queensland star Justin, is in the first of a three-year contract at Brookvale.
Ballin has been a rock in the Manly pack, helping the club to their 2008 and 2011 grand final wins.
Manly hope prop Brenton Lawrence, who missed last weekend’s game, will return for Saturday’s match against North Queensland in Townsville.
The Parramatta Eels have announced Peter Sharp has joined the club's football department to oversee squad list management. The former Manly and Northern Eagles head coach, and 2014 Cronulla interim coach, has previously spent time at Parramatta as an assistant coach in three separate stints. In his new role he will work alongside head coach Brad Arthur and head of football operations, Daniel Anderson, to oversee the list management for NRL, NYC and junior squads. "Having someone of Peter's experience joining our football staff is going to be invaluable for us," Eels CEO Scott Seward said in a statement. "He has a great rugby league mind and will bring a lot to our future recruitment and retention plans." Sharp will focus on recruitment and retention across the club's football programs, as well as coaching strategies with the junior grades, the club said. "I love the club, and I really think it's on the improve, and I'm excited to take this role on as a new career development for me," Sharp said. "I think the talent in the Parramatta area is fantastic and untapped, and I’m looking forward to getting straight into things."
NRL casualty ward: 112 players - enough to fill up almost half the NRL- currently unavailable
TOM SANGSTER
NEWS CORP AUSTRALIA
SEPTEMBER 03, 2014 3:52PM
THE 2014 NRL season could well be the most brutal on record – and here are the stats to prove it.
A total of 112 players are currently unavailable.
With 17 players taking the field each week for every club, that’s enough talent to fill almost seven NRL teams – or close to half the competition.
The combined results of injuries, suspensions and ASADA bans have been particularly hard on the Sharks.
They are missing 16 players, including top guns Paul Gallen, Andrew Fifita, Luke Lewis, Wade Graham and Beau Ryan.
The Panthers (13) have the next largest casualty ward, while the Titans and Eels (both 10) sit next in line.Check out the full injury list below.
ROUND 25 CASUALTY WARD
Adam Reynolds (Suspension, Finals week one) Sam Burgess (knee/hip, Round 26) Greg Inglis (Hip, Round 26) Chris McQueen (Eye/concussion, Round 26) Dale Finucane (Suspension, Finals week one) Mitch Rein (Suspension, Finals week one) Ben Creagh (Ankle, Season) Sam Thaiday (Suspension, Finals week one) Travis Waddell (Illness, Round 26) - pre-game Tyler Rendell (Concussion, Round 26) Korbin Sims (Concussion, Round 26) Ben Smith (Suspension, Season) Jake Friend (Chest, Indefinite) Luke Bailey (Neck, Round 26) - pre-game Greg Bird (Suspension, Season) Cody Nelson (Hamstring, Season) Brenton Lawrence (Knee, Round 26) - pre-game Matt Ballin (Broken ankle, Indefinite) Jamie Buhrer (ACL, Season) Kevin Kingston (Knee, Season) - pre-game Adam Docker (Suspension, Finals week two) Tinirau Arona (Hamstring, Round 26) - pre-game Michael Lichaa (Neck, Indefinite) - pre-game Kane Linnett (Suspension, Finals week one)
FULL NRL CASUALTY WARD
Brisbane Broncos
Sam Thaiday (Suspension, Finals week one) Mitchell Dodds (Knee, Season) Josh Hoffman (Ankle, Qualifying finals) David Stagg (Foot, Season)
Canberra Raiders
Jeff Lynch (Knee, Season) Shaun Fensom (ACL, Season) David Shillington (Pectoral, Season) Kurt Baptiste (Shoulder, Season) Brenko Lee (Hamstring, Season) Jordan Rapana (Skull fracture, Season) Brett White (Shoulder, Round 26) Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (Knee, Season)
Canterbury Bulldogs
Frank Pritchard (Pectoral, Season) Josh Reynolds (Suspension, Round 26) Jacob Loko (Knee, Season) Tim Browne (Skull fracture, Qualifying finals) Chase Stanley (Shoulder, Qualifying finals) Sam Kasiano (Ankle, Season) Dale Finucane (Suspension, Qualifying finals) Lloyd Perrett (Ankle, Preliminary finals)
Cronulla Sharks
David Fifita (Foot, Season) Jonathan Wright (Suspension, Season) Eric Grothe Jr (Back, Season) Siosaia Vave (Pectoral, Season) Andrew Fifita (Broken arm, Season) Sam Tagataese (Suspension, Season) Bryce Gibbs (Foot/hip flexor, Season) Wade Graham (Foot, Season) Luke Lewis (Knee/hamstring, Season) Jacob Gagan (Hamstring, Season) Anthony Tupou (ASADA ban, Season) Tinirau Arona (Hamstring, Round 26) Paul Gallen (ASADA ban, Season) Fa’amanu Brown (Knee, Season) Michael Lichaa (Neck, Round 26) John Morris (Neck, Retired) Beau Ryan (Neck, Retired) Nathan Gardner (ASADA ban season)
Gold Coast Titans
Greg Bird (Suspension, Season) Luke Bailey (Neck, Round 26) Cody Nelson (Hamstring, Season) Ryan James (Shoulder, Season) Ben Ridge (Shoulder/groin, Season) Kevin Gordon (Knee, Season) Dave Taylor (Neck/calf, Round 26) Matt Srama (Hip, Season) Caleb Binge (Knee, Season) Nate Myles (Shoulder, Season) Luke Douglas (ASADA ban, Season) Beau Henry (Knee, Season) Jamie Dowling (Knee, season) Albert Kelly (ASADA ban, Season)
Manly Sea Eagles
Glenn Stewart (Ankle, Season) Brenton Lawrence (Knee, Round 26) Jake Trbojevic (Ankle, Indefinite) David Williams (Betting suspension, Season) Jamie Buhrer (Ankle, Season) Matt Ballin (Broken ankle, Indefinite)
Melbourne Storm
Matt Duffie (ACL, Season) Slade Griffin (ACL, Season)
Isaac John (Achilles, Season) George Jennings (Dislocated elbow, Season) Peter Wallace (ACL, Season) Tyrone Peachey (Pectoral, Season) Elijah Taylor (ACL, Season) Bryce Cartwright (Ankle, Season) Shaun Spence (Concussion, Season) Brent Kite (Pectoral, Qualifying finals) David Simmons (Shoulder, Indefinite) James Segeyaro (Passing of father, Round 26) Isaah Yeo (Ankle, Semi finals) Kevin Kingston (Knee, Season) Jeremy Latimore (Suspension, Qualifying finals) Adam Docker (Suspension, Semi finals)
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Greg Inglis (Hip, Round 26) Adam Reynolds (Suspension, Qualifying finals) Cameron McInnes (Ankle, Indefinite) Ben Te’o (Suspension, Semi finals) Sam Burgess (Knee, ribs, shoulder, hip, Round 26) Chris McQueen (Concussion/eye, Round 26) Beau Champion (Wrist, Indefinite) John Sutton (Knee, Round 26)
St George Illawarra Dragons
Michael Witt (Knee, Season) Dylan Farrell (Pectoral, Season) Ben Creagh (Ankle, Season) Mitch Rein (Suspension, Season) Dan Hunt (Back, Season)
Sydney Roosters
Heath L’Estrange (Knee, Round 26) Jake Friend (Chest, Indefinite) Frank Paul Nu’uausala (Foot, Indefinite) Samisoni Langi (Ankle, Indefinite)
Wests Tigers
Keith Galloway (Shoulder, Season) Dene Halatau (Hamstring, Season) Keith Lulia (Neck, Season) Tim Simona (Knee, Season) Luke Brooks (Hamstring, Season) David Nofoaluma (ACL, Season) James Tedesco (Knee, Season) Braith Anasta (Bicep, Season)
The son of Roosters great Kevin Hastings, Jackson, will make his debut against South Sydney
JOSH MASSOUD EXCLUSIVE
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
SEPTEMBER 04, 2014 12:00AM
THE NRL’s oldest rivalry will be lit up by one of its brightest young stars, with 18-year-old prodigy Jackson Hastings to make his debut before a huge final round crowd at Allianz Stadium.
With the minor premiership and inner-city bragging rights at stake, Roosters coach Trent Robinson has shown great faith in the son of club great Kevin Hastings to handle the biggest occasion of the regular season.
While he was not named in the 17 on Tuesday, Hastings will start from the bench in place of Heath L’Estrange, who has been struggling with a knee injury.
The former Australian Schoolboy gets his opportunity because of an horrific scare for Jake Friend last weekend.
The regular hooker was rushed to Prince of Wales hospital with extreme breathing difficulty after his lungs filled with two litres of blood.
Friend was discharged yesterday, and club officials are growing more confident that he will recover in time to play finals football.
But for Thursday night at least the hooking duties will be shared between new No. 9 Mitchell Aubusson and Hastings.
The Illawarra junior signed with the Roosters last year after a spirited contractual battle involving the Dragons, Knights and Cowboys.
His father Kevin retired in 1987 with 228 appearances for the Tri-Colours — a club record at the time.
Thanks to that legacy, Hastings grew up supporting the Roosters but was developed through the Dragons system because he was raised with his mum on the south coast.
His playmaking talents were so immense that he graduated to Holden Cup as a 16-year-old.
Hastings has played the majority of his football in the halves, so Thursday night’s NRL debut at hooker will represent an even steeper challenge.
The Roosters had expected to blood him earlier in the year, with Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney the incumbent NSW Origin halves combination at the start of the season.
But their axing from the Blues left Hastings to bide his time in Holden Cup, where he’s made 13 appearances at halfback this year.
He’s also suffered a broken wrist, and since coming back has been elevated to open-age grade for NSW Cup feeder club Newtown.
In a sure-fire sign of Robinson’s willingness to test him in first grade, Hastings played two games for the Jets last month.
When L’Estrange suffered his injury, Hastings was then elevated to 18th man for the round 24 clash against the warriors in Auckland.
Friend, however, made a shock return from a hamstring injury, stretching his vigil for higher honours another two weeks.
NRL Late Mail: South Sydney’s Sam Burgess, Greg Inglis, Chris McQueen and John Sutton to play
TOM SANGSTER
NEWS CORP AUSTRALIA NETWORK
SEPTEMBER 04, 2014 1:31PM
THE Rabbitohs have received a massive boost heading into tonight’s clash against the Roosters, with four star players set to play despite injuries.
John Sutton (knee) has been cleared to return for his first match in six weeks, while Greg Inglis (hip), Sam Burgess (knee, hip, shoulder, cork) and Chris McQueen (concussion/eye) are also expected to take the field.
Thursday, Sep 4, Roosters v Rabbitohs, Allianz Stadium, 7:45pm
The Roosters are in the midst of a hooking crisis following the injury to Jake Friend (chest, indefinite).
Back-up hooker Heath L’Estrange (knee) was named on the bench on Tuesday, but has been ruled out.
Third choice No. 9 Mitchell Aubusson will start, while young gun Jackson Hastings comes onto the bench for his NRL debut.
No other changes expected.
The Rabbitohs are expected to be 1-17, with John Sutton (knee) to return.
Greg Inglis (hip), Sam Burgess (knee, hip, shoulder, cork) and Chris McQueen (concussion/eye) are set to play despite picking up knocks last week.
Friday, Sep 5, Storm v Broncos, AAMI Park, 7:45pm
The Storm have no injury concerns and expect to be 1-17, with Junior Moors and Justin O’Neill set to drop off the extended bench.
The Broncos will have one change, with Sam Thaiday (suspension) out.
Corey Oates will replace him in the back row, with Todd Lowrie to come into the 17.
Saturday, Sep 6, Tigers v Sharks, Leichhardt Oval, 3pm
The Wests Tigers are set to be 1-17, although Luke Brooks (hamstring) is a chance of being a late inclusion.
The Sharks have doubts over Michael Lichaa (neck) and Tinirau Arona (hamstring), but expect no other changes.
Saturday, Sep 6, Raiders v Eels, GIO Stadium, 5.30pm
The Raiders will be 1-17, with Brett White (shoulder) training all week and cleared to return.
Brenko Lee (hamstring) is no chance of being a late inclusion.Ben Smith (suspension) is out in the only change for the Eels.
He will be replaced on the bench by Pauli Pauli or Manu Ma’u.
The decision is dependent on the fitness of Ma’u (broken arm), who is aiming to return after a long lay-off.
Saturday, Sep 6, Cowboys v Sea Eagles, 1300SMILES Stadium, 7.30pm
The Cowboys expect to be 1-17, with Johnathan Thurston (leg) to shake off a knock and Kane Linnett (dangerous throw) free to play after taking the early guilty plea at the judiciary.
Matt Ballin (broken fibula) is out.
He will be replaced by young gun Jayden Hodges at hooker in what looms as Manly’s only change.
Richie Fa’aoso (broken neck) has been cleared to return, although it’s uncertain when – or if – he will play NRL this season. Sunday, Sep 7, Titans v Bulldogs, Cbus Super Stadium, 3pm
Dave Taylor (calf) trained with the rehab group on Thursday and is fighting an uphill battle to be fit.
However, retiring veteran Luke Bailey (neck) is set to take the field for his final NRL match.
The Bulldogs will be unchanged, with Josh Reynolds (suspension) to return.
Tim Browne (skull fracture) and Chase Stanley (shoulder) won’t be late inclusions – and both may also struggle for next week.
Sunday, Sep 7, Panthers v Warriors, Sportingbet Stadium, 6.30pm
Brent Kite (pectoral) has trained this week and is likely to be a late inclusion.
James Segeyaro (passing of father) is a certain starter after missing the last two weeks.
The Warriors expect no changes at this early stage, but don’t be surprised if 18th man Feleti Mateo sneaks into the 17 following a bumper showing in NSW Cup last week.
By Dan Walsh NRL.com 10:00pm Thu 04th September, 2014
Once maligned for his ability to perform on the big stage, Mitchell Pearce shone brightest amongst the galaxy of stars on show, leading the Roosters to a nerve-racking 22-18 defeat of arch-rivals South Sydney at Allianz Stadium on Thursday night.
For all the crash, bang, walloped delivered by the likes of Sonny Bill Williams, Sam Burgess and the behemoths that packed into the scrums alongside them, the brilliance of both backlines and future immortal Greg Inglis, it was Pearce who rose a class above as the Rabbitohs stormed home with three tries in 10 minutes and threatened to pull off one of the greatest escapes seen this side of the turn of the century.
Coming into the 209th game between two of the game's bitterest of rivals, the question everyone was asking was who would feel the loss of a key playmaker more; the Roosters without trusty regular rake Jake Friend, or the Rabbitohs down a pint-sized halfback by the name of Adam Reynolds.
Pearce, with the ball on a string and the Bunnies at his mercy answered it emphatically, with a hand in three Roosters tries and preventing another by rounding up a run-away Greg Inglis over 70 metres, delivering the Roosters a 22-6 lead with half an hour to play.
But with the match in their keeping the premiers took their foot off the pedal, and Souths gave them one hell of a fright through late tries to Dylan Walker, Alex Johnston and Lote Tuqiri.
The Chooks managed to hold on, locking them into a top two finish, though the high-quality finish to a bruising encounter should have rugby league fans salivating.
If Manly can bag a win over the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday night and secure their first minor premiership since 1997, the two foundation clubs will finish second and third, meaning we'll be back again next week, same time, same place, slightly different day to do it all again.
Earlier James Maloney and Issac Luke had traded pot-shots at the sticks to leave us tied up at 2-apiece after 14 minutes, and after a bit more of the customary to-ing and fro-ing Pearce sprung to life to cut the Rabbitohs’ middle defence to pieces.
Sliding into the backfield from 20 metres out, only to have opposite number Luke Keary rake the ball from his grasp with the try line in sight, Pearce juggled the ball inches above the sodden turf, then flicked it out the back and on its way to Daniel Tupou who went over for the first meat pie of the evening and an 8-2 lead for the home side.
On 27 minutes Williams slid through the Souths defence and fed Maloney with a pearler of a ball and a passage to the line, only for the nippy pivot to be collared in heavy defence by Inglis.
Three plays later Maloney was at it again, going agonisingly close from a Pearce short ball to again find himself belted into submission by Inglis, and the Bunnies No. 1 stuck it up the Chooks just that little bit more by collection a loose ball from a bat-back and belting 70 metres
downfield.
The massive effort was matched, and ultimately trumped by Pearce, who confirmed his status as one of the fittest footballers coach Trent Robinson has ever seen by running down the big man with a remarkable act of cover defence.
And that 30 second stretch just about summed up the first half for both sides.
The Roosters hammering the Bunnies’ line to no avail, with Souths then counter-attacking in impressive and entertaining fashion, only to come up equally empty handed.
Normally dishing them out, Williams was the gleeful recipient of a rip-snorting offload from big Sam Moa upon the resumption, and Kirisome Auva'a was given 10 in the bin for slowing down the resulting play the ball with the Rabbitohs’ line defence stretched.
With Maloney opting to bang over another two points, the Chooks claimed the maximum 90 seconds later from a similar play, Williams this time sending Pearce into the back field before he put Anthony Minichiello in for a farewell try in his final game in front of the Roosters faithful.
The premiers’ breathless start to the second stanza continued in the 50th minute, with Pearce again engineering the killer blow, this time with a fine grubber into the posts and then into the waiting hands of Maloney, stretching their advantage to 22-6.
A 64th minute intercept for Luke, who soon found a flying Walker on his outside, reduced the Roosters lead to two converted tries and kept the visitors in with a sniff, while Alex Johnston's touchdown eight minutes later after some fancy lead-up work in the middle from Inglis and returning skipper John Sutton reduced the deficit to 22-14 with nine minutes remaining.
When Sutton and Keary combined in the midfield, and then Walker pulled an in-and-away out of his bag of tricks to send Tuqiri over in the right corner, the Rabbitohs found themselves trailing by just four with five minutes remaining and a grandstand finish in the offing.
But a calming touch-finder from who else but that man Pearce cooled the jets of the firing Rabbitohs, and the Roosters were able to hold on for a thrilling and hard-fought triumph over their favourite sparring partner.
Sydney Roosters - 22 (D Tupou, A Minichiello, J Maloney tries; goals J Maloney 5 goals)
Defeated
South Sydney Rabbitohs - 18 (D Walker, A Johnston, L Tuqiri tries; I Luke 3 goals)
Melbourne Storm adopt another controversial strategy by deliberately conceding penalties
CHRIS GARRY
THE COURIER-MAIL
SEPTEMBER 05, 2014 12:00AM
THE Storm have come with another controversial strategy before their must-win clash with the Broncos by deliberately conceding penalties.
Melbourne have borrowed the Roosters’ premiership playbook and become the most ill-disciplined team in the NRL.
The Storm concede the most penalties (7.7 a game) in the league and are averaging 1.5 more each game than last season.
They prefer to defend with a set line and are willing to concede field position to do so.
The Storm, who remain the NRL’s best wrestlers, also lead the league in sin-binnings, with three of their players benched this season.
The finals hopes of the Storm and Broncos will be decided in this game.
The Broncos, who have never beaten the Storm under Anthony Griffin, are adamant they have the tactics to overcome the Storm’s slow ruck ploys.
In fact, Alex Glenn said the Broncos did not need to wrestle to win as they backed their fitness to set their line faster than most teams.
In the past month, the Storm’s penalty rate has rocketed to nine a game.In their past five matches Melbourne have conceded 47 penalties.
The Roosters surged to the premiership last season while conceding the most penalties in the NRL, but that was only 8.3 a game.
It could be argued that referees are cracking down on the Storm, who have always been pioneers in ruck tactics, but their increasing rate of penalties as the finals approach suggests otherwise.
There is a common feeling among NRL clubs that the Storm prefer to give away penalties in the ruck and when offside, rather than defend on the back foot.
Melbourne have three of the smartest men in rugby league in coach Craig Bellamy, captain Cameron Smith and playmaker Cooper Cronk.
They would not concede so many penalties by accident.
The Titans are also conceding 7.7 penalties a game but their rate has increased as their best players joined their lengthy injury list.
Glenn said while the Storm were excellent at wrestling in the tackle, the Broncos also trained in the controversial area.
However, Glenn feels the Broncos do not rely on slowing down the ruck like other clubs do.
“We have not stepped back from the wrestle,’’ Glenn said. “We have done a lot of wrestle work, especially in the pre-season.
“The structure of the game is so fast, we have belief in our team that we can let teams get up a little bit quicker.’’
Broncos co-captain Corey Parker said Brisbane would unveil fresh tactics to end Melbourne’s seven-game win-streak against them.
“We will come up with our own tactics,” Parker said.
“There are no surprises. It has been a battle for a decade with Melbourne.
“For whatever reason, they have had the wood over us.’’
NRL Late Mail: Brent Kite eyes early return from Pectoral Injury
TOM SANGSTER
NEWS CORP AUSTRALIA NETWORK
SEPTEMBER 04, 2014 1:31PM
BRENT Kite is set for a timely return for the Panthers, Manu Ma’u is only an “outside chance” and a forward reshuffle at the Broncos.
Check out all updates to Late Mail below.
Friday, Sep 5, Storm v Broncos, AAMI Park, 7:45pm
The Storm have no injury concerns and expect to be 1-17, with Junior Moors and Justin O’Neill set to drop off the extended bench.
The Broncos will have one change, with Sam Thaiday (suspension) out.
Corey Oates will replace him in the back row, with Todd Lowrie to come into the 17.
UPDATE 3.15pm Friday:
Ben Hannant is now tipped to start the match in place of Sam Thaiday (suspension), with Corey Oates to play from the bench.
“We have Hannant or Oates there, we’ll wait and see,” coach Anthony Griffin said.
“We’ll get down there and have a look at the weather and see if it’s bogged up or not.
It’s fine at the moment, Todd Lowrie is on the bench, but we’ll make a decision on game day.”
Saturday, Sep 6, Tigers v Sharks, Leichhardt Oval, 3pm
The Wests Tigers are set to be 1-17, although Luke Brooks (hamstring) is a chance of being a late inclusion.
The Sharks have doubts over Michael Lichaa (neck) and Tinirau Arona (hamstring), but expect no other changes.
UPDATE 2.41pm Thursday:
Michael Lichaa (neck) and Tinirau Arona (hamstring) have trained this week and are right to play.
Saturday, Sep 6, Raiders v Eels, GIO Stadium, 5.30pm
The Raiders will be 1-17, with Brett White (shoulder) training all week and cleared to return.
Brenko Lee (hamstring) is no chance of being a late inclusion.Ben Smith (suspension) is out in the only change for the Eels.
He will be replaced on the bench by Pauli Pauli or Manu Ma’u.
The decision is dependent on the fitness of Ma’u (broken arm), who is aiming to return after a long lay-off.
UPDATE 3.15pm Friday:
The Eels say Manu Ma’u is only an “outside chance” to return this week.
Saturday, Sep 6, Cowboys v Sea Eagles, 1300SMILES Stadium, 7.30pm
The Cowboys expect to be 1-17, with Johnathan Thurston (leg) to shake off a knock and Kane Linnett (dangerous throw) free to play after taking the early guilty plea at the judiciary.
Matt Ballin (broken fibula) is out.
He will be replaced by young gun Jayden Hodges at hooker in what looms as Manly’s only change.
Richie Fa’aoso (broken neck) has been cleared to return, although it’s uncertain when – or if – he will play NRL this season.
UPDATE 3.15pm Friday:
Matt Ballin has revealed his replacement Jayden Hodges won’t play the full 80 minutes.
He is likely to be spelled by one of Manly’s back row forwards, possibly Tom Symonds.
Sunday, Sep 7, Titans v Bulldogs, Cbus Super Stadium, 3pm
Dave Taylor (calf) trained with the rehab group on Thursday and is fighting an uphill battle to be fit.
However, retiring veteran Luke Bailey (neck) is set to take the field for his final NRL match.
The Bulldogs will be unchanged, with Josh Reynolds (suspension) to return.
Tim Browne (skull fracture) and Chase Stanley (shoulder) won’t be late inclusions – and both may also struggle for next week.
Sunday, Sep 7, Panthers v Warriors, Sportingbet Stadium, 6.30pm
Brent Kite (pectoral) has trained this week and is likely to be a late inclusion.
James Segeyaro (passing of father) is a certain starter after missing the last two weeks.
The Warriors expect no changes at this early stage, but don’t be surprised if 18th man Feleti Mateo sneaks into the 17 following a bumper showing in NSW Cup last week.
UPDATE 3.15pm Friday:
Brent Kite (pectoral) is firming to return, with Kierran Moseley the man set to make way.
By Will Botoulas, Melbourne Correspondent NRL.com 10:00pm Fri 05th September, 2014
It was every bit the tension-filled, finals-like spectacle it promised to be.
Despite temporarily losing captain Cameron Smith through injury, the Storm ran out 22-12 victors in a thrilling game of rugby league at AAMI Park on Friday night.
The result assures Melbourne of a finals spot, with the side within touching distance of a top four finish, while Brisbane now rely on defeats to the Warriors and Eels in what is sure to be a nervous weekend at Red Hill.
With 15 minutes to play scores were level and the game there to be taken, and Melbourne’s Mahe Fonua seized the opportunity.
The centre, born and bred in Victoria, scored off a sky-high Cooper Cronk kick and then made a dramatic intercept off a Ben Hunt pass to send the Storm through to yet another finals series.
They will be left to sweat on the fitness of skipper Smith however, who left the field 10 minutes before halftime with an ankle complaint.
Smith would emerge to help his side to the win but his injury will be monitored during the week.
The Broncos left AAMI Park empty handed but not for a lack of trying.
The visitors had more possession, metres and completed sets but fell agonisingly short.
Several errors in Storm territory, including three in the first half as well as two disallowed tries will leave the Broncos pondering what may have been.
Brisbane made the opening 10 minutes their own, completing three more sets with 68% possession and twice as many runs.
That dominance should have resulted in the game’s first points after eight minutes when the Lachlan Maranta crossed.
However Brisbane celebrations proved futile, with the final pass judged controversially forward.
That would soon become a double blow four minutes later.
The Storm were awarded a penalty just short of halfway and Cooper Cronk assembled his troops for a brief moment to call for calm – it worked.
Off the following set Ryan Hoffman collected a Smith pass 10 metres from home and danced through the Broncos line to cross for the game’s opener.
The Broncos may have started well but would find themselves 12-nil down after 20 minutes.
Justin Hodges’ slow start at fullback would see a Cronk grubber kick prove too hot to handle.
Hodges fumbled the football back into the path of his Maroons teammate who made him pay under the posts.
In need of a kick-start, Brisbane turned to their in-form playmaker.
On 24 minutes, Ben Hunt steamrolled Ben Roberts in a brilliant solo-effort to put the visitors on the board.
This was when the game would take an intriguing turn.
As the clock ticked over the half hour mark both captains would leave the field accompanied by physios, Corey Parker with an apparent knock to the head while Smith took a premature walk to the sheds with what appeared to be a lower leg injury.
On 32 minutes the Broncos could have made a solid case for their second try when Andrew McCulloch was held up on the line by Hoffman as replays showed the Storm veteran in an offside position.
There were claims for a penalty try but the visitors had to settle for a scrum feed 10 metres out.
They had been denied twice in the first half but wouldn’t a third.
Jack Reed was the beneficiary of a deft Justin Hodges pass for the Broncos’ next try.
Parker would return to the field in time to take the kick but failed to convert, leaving the score at 12-10 heading into halftime.
As the siren sounded the Broncos were dealt a blow with Reed dislocating his shoulder and would take no further part in the game.
Carrying what would appear to be a high ankle sprain it appeared it was night over for the Storm skipper.
Guess again, Smith would emerge less than two minutes after the restart.
In a game with no shortage of drama it would be the Brisbane skipper who levelled the scores with 30 minutes to play courtesy of a penalty goal.
It was pressure football that got to even the best of them as the ever-reliable Billy Slater dropped the football twice in the second half. With 15 minutes to play the game was there for the taking and Fonua proved to be the hero.
A hampered Smith was forced to hand the kicking duties to Will Chambers, who scuffed the kick leaving the score at 16-12.
Fonua would stand up yet again eight minutes later, intercepting Hunt’s pass to entrench the Storm in the eight and leave the Broncos’ finals chances hanging by a thread.
By Will Botoulas, Melbourne Correspondent NRL.com 11:46pm Fri 05th September, 2014
With a spot in the finals safely tucked away, all eyes will now turn to the fitness of Storm captain Cameron Smith.
Smith suffered a lower leg injury in Friday night’s 22-12 win over the Broncos and did not front for the post-match press conference.
The Storm skipper left the field 10 minutes before halftime with speculation at the break that his night may be over.
But two minutes after the restart Smith emerged, much to the relief of the Storm faithful, to lead his side to a crucial win.
The Maroons and Kangaroos captain is now in a race against the clock to be fit for the first week of the finals.
In Smith’s absence, coach Craig Bellamy was left to field questions surrounding his hooker’s wellbeing and did his best to bring light to the situation.
“I am not quite sure how bad it is, I don’t think it is something that is real minor. For him to come off it’s obviously a bit of an issue,” said Bellamy.
“Our physio tells me he is the best physio in the game so I am sure he will get him up for next week, that’ll put a bit of pressure on him.”
With Storm clinging to a 12-10 halftime lead, Melbourne left the 31-year-old to decide whether he would return.
“At halftime he said he was pretty confident he could come back on… he just wanted a couple of minutes on the sideline to make sure that he could run and stretch out a little bit,” said Bellamy.
“As soon as we got the thumbs up we put him back out there again. It’s not ideal to lose him but having said that these things happen and hopefully the physio can make good with his claims.”
By Will Botoulas, Melbourne Correspondent NRL.com 11:12pm Fri 05th September, 2014
The Broncos will now endure a torturous weekend as they wait to learn of their finals fate.
Brisbane were gallant but in the end leave Melbourne empty handed after falling to a 22-12 defeat in front of 20,032 fans at AAMI Park.
Brisbane burst out of the blocks, dominating 68% of possession in the opening 10 minutes but failed to make it count.
Melbourne made them pay with two tries by the 21-minute mark and despite scores being level for much of the second half, Brisbane could never gain the ascendency.
Broncos fans will be left to rue two disallowed tries with video replays doing their grievances no harm in either case.
But it would be their own missed opportunity – including three first half errors in Storm territory – that would leave coach Anthony Griffin despondent post-match.
“It was a really good, tough game of football but going back to that 12-point jump they got on us was probably the difference,” said Griffin.
“I thought from then we were well on top for a long period of that game but unfortunately a kick and an intercept and we end up with nothing.
“It was a really good effort by a really committed football team.”
The result may have drawn Griffin’s time as Broncos coach to an end, with defeats to the Warriors and Eels the only thing that can extend his stay.
It also marked eight-straight defeats at the hands of the Storm.
Mahe Fonua sunk the dagger in with two tries in the final 15 minutes, the centre intercepting a Ben Hunt pass for his second of the night.
Broncos captain Corey Parker was almost lost for words after the game with visions of those deciding plays ringing in his memory.
“It is a tough pill to swallow, now we’ve got to sit on our hands and hope for results,” said Parker.
“They showed on fifth play they can mount a bit of pressure.
“We did in patches but when you’re chasing your tail a bit you tend to play out of the groove a fraction and we are not a side that plays like that.
“They executed well on fifth play but if we are to be given an opportunity in the finals I’ve got full confidence.”
It is not the end of the line yet for the Broncos in 2014.
If the Raiders can defeat the Eels and the Panthers overcome the Warriors by four or more, Brisbane will sneak into the top eight.
By Dan Walsh NRL.com 4:52pm Sat 06th September, 2014
Three tries in ten minutes after halftime have delivered the Tigers a face-saving 26-10 win over the Sharks at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday afternoon to close out one of the most tumultuous periods in the club's history.
Having trailed a gallant Sharks side 10-4 at the break, four-pointers to Bodene Thompson, Blake Austin and Curtis Sironen between the 45th and 55th minutes brought the hardy 5,112 black and gold faithful to life and delivered their first win in six outings.
After another week of miserable squalor and persistent rain, Sydney's weather offered a handy little metaphor for the summation of the Tigers' and Sharks' seasons to the philosophical and the copywriter on deadline alike.
The sun broke through five minutes before kickoff only to be replaced by a dogged drizzle for the majority of proceedings beneath heavy cloud, much like the two club's 2014 campaigns.
The end is here, but the clouds remain.
The ASADA scandal still lingers around Cronulla, and the uncertainty over Shane Flanagan's future remains, while Mick Potter could still be left perusing the want-ads tomorrow with the newly-appointed independent directors on the Tigers board no sure things to hand him a clipboard for 2015.
For now though Potter can join his charges in singing their victory song at least one more time.
For Cronulla, they can again hold their heads high after a first half double to 19-year-old winger Valentine Holmes had them sniffing a consolation win of their own, despite having 17 regular first graders unavailable through injury and suspension.
The Tigers made all the running early and found their just rewards in the eighth minute when Mitchell Moses won the race to a Robbie Farah grubber for a 4-0 lead.
But Moses, standing on the try line rather than dead ball line, then undid all his good work when a misjudgement allowed the ensuing kick-off to bounce dead, and when Holmes crossed untouched in the corner almost immediately after, scores were back level after 13 minutes.
A litany of errors from both sides – the Sharks had contributed seven and the Tigers four by the 27 minute mark – saw the contest swing from end to end without the scorers being troubled, the visitors in particular guilty of squandering a number of long gallops downfield through shoddy hands.
After hammering the Tigers line for the majority of the back end of the opening 40 minutes, the Sharks hit the front for the first time when Holmes flew high for his second over the top of Blake Austin from a Daniel Holdsworth kick.
The right boot of Holdsworth again turned provider, with only Austin's own right hoof denying Michael Gordon a try after he looked to have won the race to a towering bomb that was allowed to bounce by the Tigers, ensuring the Sharks went into the sheds up by only a converted despite occupying Tigers territory for much of the contest.
Moses was denied by the video ref due to a back-bat that travelled forward three minutes after the break, but two minutes later Thompson barged his way over from dummy-half to draw the Tigers level.
As he had done twice already in the first half with clutch defensive plays, Austin again foiled the Sharks when they looked dangerous, swooping on an errant offload and then running 75 metres down the touchline to push the Tigers ahead, and when Sironen barrelled over from close range soon after the Tigers stretched them out to a 20-10 lead.
With Austin forced from the field by an ankle injury with 20 minutes to play, Cronulla hooker Michael Lichaa was denied after replays revealed he had touched down on a Holdsworth grubber from an offside position, before Thompson's second try for the afternoon sounded the death knell for the Sharks.
The sixth straight defeat for the Sharks leaves them with just five wins to show for their year, the second fewest they've recorded in a season alongside 2009 and 1969 campaigns that are also best forgotten for Cronulla fans.
Wests Tigers - 26 (B Thompson 2, M Moses, B Austin, C Sironen tries; B Austin 2, C Sironen goals)
Defeated
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks - 10 (V Holmes 2 tries; M Gordon goal)
By Ian McCullough AAP 7:41pm Sat 06th September, 2014
Ricky Stuart came back to haunt the club he guided to the wooden spoon last year as his Canberra side hammered the final nail in Parramatta's season with a 33-20 win to snuff out the Eels' flickering finals hopes.
Trailing 32-6 with 20 minutes remaining, Brad Arthur's side threw caution to the wind with three unanswered tries but it was a case of too little too late as the Raiders finished a poor campaign on a high with a third successive NRL win.
For the Eels it was a case of what might have been as they failed to build on a stirring come-from-behind win over Manly three weeks ago that catapulted them into the top eight.
Last Saturday's heavy loss to Newcastle took the Eels' fate out of their own hands and they needed to beat the Raiders then hope the Warriors lose to Penrith on Sunday to clinch a first top-eight spot since 2009.
The Raiders got off to a flying start when young centre Jeremy Hawkins touched down after Jarryd Hayne knocked on Anthony Milford's spiralled bomb in front of his own posts.
Chris Sandow's ninth 40-20 of the season put the Eels in great field position to hit straight back but the hosts defended successive sets and then broke downfield to score a second through Glenn Buttriss.
Jarrod Croker's penalty stretched the advantage to 14-0 before the Super League-bound Ken Sio cut the deficit with his 12th try in as many games this season.
However, the Eels were guilty of turning off in defence on the stroke of halftime as the giant Edrick Lee batted a Milford bomb to Croker who found Bill Tupou and the former Warriors winger lunged over the line.
Brad Arthur's side came racing out of the blocks after the restart but were unable to find a way past a determined Raiders defence and to add insult to injury the hosts scored two quickfire tries.
Paul Vaughan powered over in the 51st minute and Josh McCrone in the 56th with Croker adding his fourth and fifth goals of the game to open up a comfortable buffer.
But with his side's season on the line Hayne took it upon himself to almost inspire an unlikely comeback with a try on the hour mark and then set up Sio for his second a minute later with a fantastic pass.
But crucially Sandow failed to kick the extras for either try from the sideline and although Hayne started and finished the move for his second four-pointer it proved to be his side's final try of the season.
The Raiders held firm under huge pressure to hold out the desperate visitors before the Brisbane-bound Milford had the final word with a late field goal.
By Steven Ross, North Queensland Correspondent NRL.com 9:45pm Sat 06th September, 2014
North Queensland have added another scalp to the collection, dispersing of the Manly Sea Eagles in a 30-16 domination on Saturday night.
It was party time for the final 15 minutes as the Cowboys' season-best crowd of 22,521 made season-best noise as their team claimed another big scalp ahead of next week's finals series.
North Queenslanders far and wide will gather in front of their television sets at around 6.30 on Sunday evening as they eagerly await the outcome of the Panthers-Warriors clash at Sportingbet Stadium.
A Warriors win would hand the northerners their second-ever top four finish, while a win to Penrith would see the Panthers grab fourth spot and a crucial second chance in the finals.
Regardless of how the top eight finishes up, the Cowboys will take some well-earned confidence into the business end of the season having now beaten six of the eight NRL finalists in 2014.
Manly missed the impact of star fullback Brett Stewart, who failed a fitness test on Saturday for a rolled ankle suffered in their final training session, with Clinton Gutherson called into the side.
In a first half owned by Cowboys props Matt Scott (89 metres) and Ashton Sims (73), Manly were put under the pump just two minutes in when Thurston placed a perfect bomb 1 metre in from both the touch and try lines, with Antonio Winterstein forcing Peta Hiku into the in-goal.
After Thurston gave the home side an early two-point lead with a penalty goal following an Anthony Watmough ruck infringement, it was the visitors who registered the game's first try.
Signs were indeed ominous for the Cowboys early when Manly ran their first left-side raid to perfection.
Armed with double block runners, the left edge that proved so fruitful last time these two faced off in Round 7 (when all of their 26 points came on the left) looked to have not missed a beat in the absence of injured lock forward Jamie Buhrer.
Foran at first receiver threw a double cut-out ball to replacement fullback Clinton Gutherson who found an unmarked Matai for the easiest of tries.
The Cowboys would then take over the first half, building pressure after Daly Cherry-Evans sprayed a torpedo bomb from the 40-metre line out on the full.
With the Cowboys on the attack, Taufua didn't help his side's cause when Lui hoisted a skyscraper, overrunning it and knocking on in the red zone.
There was no doubting the intensity from either side – or that of Manly coach Geoff Toovey, who had his right fist to the glass window of the coaches' box by the 12-minute mark.
But the Cowboys lacked a touch of polish early on with Thurston uncharacteristically blowing two chances with long cut-out balls to winger Winterstein.
But it was third time lucky for Winterstein, with the Cowboys this time working it through hands.
Out of dummy half, Kostjasyn drifted left, holding to Thurston who cut out Scott, before the ball went through hands for an easy put-down and a career-best 15 tries in a season for Winterstein.
Ten minutes later it was deja vu from the Round 7 meeting, this time facilitated by right-side half Lui.
A booming bomb had Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt channelling AFL star Buddy Franklin in to mark uncontested over the goal line.
And another 10 minutes later Linnett showed the benefits of a 6'4", 103kg frame by busting through a desperate covering effort by Cherry-Evans in the right corner to have the home side up 18-4 at the break.
Thurston's conversion racked up his 204th point of the campaign and another record was added to his storied career – a personal best for points scored in a season.
The home side built pressure again straight out of the sheds after an ill-disciplined Manly ruck penalty on the first set.
Feldt then bagged a second try on a great right side shift. Out of dummy half, Thompson played one-two with Scott, cutting out Lui and Moga, making the easy pass to Feldt sprinting for the corner.
Manly kept themselves in the contest on a simple Foran simple short ball for Horo who barged over, but Robert Lui's solo effort calmed the nerves of the near-capacity crowd.
Going right, Lui got to the outside of a slow-sliding Manly defence and put on a vicious right foot step to split a flatfooted Lyon and Horo for a simple try to the right of the sticks.
Manly's effort was never in question for the duration of the contest, and they were rewarded with a consolation try just two minutes before full-time, with Jorge Taufua breaking clear down the left flank before finding Gutherson for a length-of-the-field effort.
North Queensland Cowboys - 30 (Feldt 2, Winterstein, Linnett, Lui tries; Thurston 5 goals)
