Ryan Papenhuyzen despatched an damage scare via the Melbourne camp however fortune has lastly smiled on the NRL’s unluckiest participant.
The Storm went down however in some ways it felt like a win for the guests at QCB Stadium as North Queensland racked up a 38-30 victory over their vastly depleted opponents.
Craig Bellamy rested eight common first-graders to make sure they’re contemporary for the finals with Papenhuyzen solely enjoying as a result of he had missed a lot time earlier within the season on account of damage.
1. Papenhuyzen limps off however nothing too critical
The Storm camp and the collective NRL universe held their breath when Papenhuyzen was taken from the sphere after simply 14 minutes of Thursday evening’s tussle within the tropics.
He had sprinted again to disclaim a 40/20 kick and been introduced down in a innocent trying deal with after scurrying out of his in-goal space.
For a participant who has damaged his leg twice and spent a 12 months out with a shattered kneecap in current seasons, no person deserves a change in luck greater than the 2020 Clive Churchill Medallist.
The Storm medicos took the protected choice by ruling him out for the remainder of the sport though it seems prefer it was only a dangerous bruise to his knee.
Papenhuyzen might even get a full week’s relaxation within the ultimate spherical as a substitute of enjoying the Broncos to be proper for the finals.
“It’s on the aspect of his knee,” Bellamy stated.
“The medical employees don’t appear to assume it’s too dangerous however he’ll go for a scan tomorrow.”
2. Creaky Cowboys declare essential win
North Queensland id sufficient to get the 2 competitors factors however nowhere close to sufficient to show they will make a dent within the finals.
The tone was set early once they conceded a mushy attempt to rookie Storm prop Lazarus Vaalepu earlier than responding through Kyle Feldt.
A Murray Taulagi strike put the hosts up however Alec Macdonald and Tyran Wishart confirmed extra need in assault than the Cowboys may muster in defence for a 16-12 lead.
Feldt, who introduced in the course of the week he’s off to St Helens to complete his profession, put the Cowboys up at half-time earlier than Valentine Holmes touched down quickly after the restart for an eight-point buffer.
From there the Cowboys ought to have run away with the end result towards a Storm aspect that was a shadow of its typical self however Wishart locked the scores up with a penalty and transformed attempt.
Cowboys hooker Reece Robson capitalised on a Storm fumble to determine a 30-24 margin on the hour mark and one other in-goal error gifted Jeremiah Nanai the match-winner with 10 on the clock.
3. Fifth spot has its benefits
The Cowboys journey to Homebush subsequent Saturday to face the Bulldogs subsequent Saturday in what might be a shoot-out for fifth spot.
There’s normally not numerous distinction between fifth and sixth with every crew getting a house ultimate in spherical one however this 12 months getting the upper rank will certainly have its benefits.
The crew that finally ends up sixth is all however sure to face the damaging Sea Eagles and any aspect with Tom Trbojevic placing from the again will likely be formidable.
Ending fifth means you get to play whoever emerges from the seize bag of persistently inconsistent mid-table group of the Dragons, Dolphins, Broncos, Knights and Raiders.
If the Cowboys play like they did towards the Storm, they may find yourself in sixth and at the very least be at dwelling once they match up with Manly.
As a consequence of Canterbury having a a lot better for-and-against than the Cowboys, they might nearly seal fifth spot in the event that they knock off the Sea Eagles this Friday evening, which means the Accor Stadium sport subsequent Saturday evening will likely be nearly meaningless for the Cowboys and the Canines as effectively until the Roosters, Sharks or Panthers slip up of their respective matches over the ultimate two rounds.
Murray Taulagi scores a attempt. (Picture by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Photographs)
4. Storm quickly replenish depth
When the Storm kicked off final season with out Jesse and Kenny Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi and Brandon Smith, their depth seemed uncharacteristically shallow.
It took lower than a season for Craig Bellamy to point out that they might have the ability to soldier on with a mixture of contemporary faces coming via the membership’s pathways and some key recruits.
Names like Tyran Wishart, Alec Macdonald, Grant Anderson and Joe Chan are actually established first-graders though they’re by no means assured a spot within the game-day 17.
And when the Storm’s stars are having a relaxation, they get a uncommon likelihood to shine because the go-to guys.
Wishart was dynamic in a uncommon begin in his favoured place of hooker, booting a 40-20 and darting over for one try to exhibiting nice instincts so as to add one other.
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Macdonald additionally touched down after cleverly maintaining his forearm off the bottom to keep away from a double motion.
For among the gamers getting an opportunity to step up on Thursday evening, it was their NRL debut as was the case for Keegan Russell-Smith, Tristan Powell and Ativalu Lisati, who will find yourself being the following reinforcements who turn out to be regulars in 2025 and past.
And for some it was a possibility to make sure their spot within the aspect for the playoffs and the best way the Storm are monitoring, that can imply enjoying in a Grand Remaining and probably even ending the 12 months with a premiership ring.
5. Extreme blow for Seve
You’ve received to really feel sorry for Marion Seve.
The veteran Samoan worldwide has been plying his commerce at NSW Cup stage, caught behind Nick Meaney and Jack Howarth in Melbourne’s pecking order, not even getting a look-in even after Reimis Smith switched to the Tremendous League mid-season.
Bellamy offers his stars a relaxation for the penultimate spherical of the 12 months and Seve lasts simply 16 minutes earlier than struggling a syndesmosis damage whereas he was tackled attempting to attain.
Including insult to damage, the putdown was dominated a knock-on.
His season is now over. And not using a contract for 2025, his forty seventh look at NRL stage might be the ultimate one of many 29-year-old journeyman’s profession.
Canterbury Bulldogs
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Manly Sea Eagles
NRL : Head To Head
Fri, 30 Aug 2024, 18:00
Penrith Panthers
v
South Sydney Rabbitohs
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Fri, 30 Aug 2024, 20:00
Parramatta Eels
v
St. George Illawarra Dragons
NRL : Head To Head
Sat, 31 Aug 2024, 15:00
Dolphins
v
Brisbane Broncos
NRL : Head To Head
Sat, 31 Aug 2024, 17:30
Cronulla Sharks
v
New Zealand Warriors
NRL : Head To Head
Sat, 31 Aug 2024, 19:35
Newcastle Knights
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Gold Coast Titans
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Solar, 1 Sep 2024, 14:00
Sydney Roosters
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Canberra Raiders
NRL : Head To Head
Solar, 1 Sep 2024, 16:05
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The Kick: Cowboys’ defence stuffed with holes
If the Melbourne Storm’s second-stringers can shoot holes within the Cowboys’ defence, think about what the full-strength finals sides will do.
“You’ll be able to’t flick the swap in September.” Billy Slater warned on 9 commentary. And he’s proper.
The Cowboys have been a doubtful defensive conveyance all season.
“It’s a lack of focus. We’ve seen all of it 12 months,” Andrew Johns added.
Worryingly and never surprisingly, it’s not only one space of their defence which is regarding – it’s all of them.
They drop off tackles in the midst of the ruck, their edge defenders make haphazard reads they usually have the NRL’s shakiest fullback relating to stopping tries in Scott Drinkwater.
Jeremiah Nanai conceded two tries on his personal with defensive lapses within the first half alone towards the Storm because the Cowboys coughed up 9 line breaks in all.
Seven years in the past the Cowboys squeaked into the finals and went on an astonishing run to the GF.
Historical past received’t be repeating.
