The Synopsis - NRL Round 21

George takes his weekly look back at the week that was - NRL Round 21.

Roosters (66) vs Bulldogs (85)

Pre-match ratings showed that while the Roosters are error prone (16th), they rated fourth or better in 8 of the 12 areas. The Bulldogs were top 8 material in 9 out of 12 ratings.

The match between the Roosters and Bulldogs started with the high octane ‘tri-colour' combination scoring four tries in 24 minutes to lead 22 - 0. Daniel Tupou scored twice at the (5th) pouncing on a ‘grubber' and the (14th) after taking a bomb. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was too strong as he punctuated those tries with one of his own at the (11th minute). To prove the first three were no fluke James Maloney made it two try assists by pushing through the Bulldogs defensive line and passing to Michael Jennings who scored under the posts. Any observer, experienced or not, would have thought that the match was heading in one direction only, a Roosters win.

A mistake in the play the ball at the 26th minute gave possession to the Bulldogs and a series of four penalties and five sets turned the match on its head. After five minutes of pressure Shaun Lane scored for the Bulldogs (31st) getting one finger nail on a grubber kick, Josh Morris scored two minutes later using his strength close to the line and Corey Thompson (40th) scored as his wing opponent Brendan Elliot charged in to stop the ball, leaving Thompson an open run to the corner. 22 - 0 had become 22 - 16 at half time.

When Trent Hodgkinson scored after dummying his way through the line at the 51st minute the match was all tied up at 22 - 22 and history was in the making. No Bulldog team had ever come from 22 points behind and gone on to win. Momentum is a major force in modern day Rugby League and at the 55th minute when Roosters winger Brendan Elliot abandoned his wing position (again) Bulldogs 5/8th Moses Mbye saw him and passed to an unmarked Corey Thompson. The converted try took the Bulldogs to a 28 - 22 lead.

What happened to change the momentum is uncertain, but it's clear that Roosters forward leader Jared Waerea-Hargreaves started making ground and dragging his team along with him. At the 69th minute Roosters centre Blake Ferguson crossed for a try but the conversion missed and the Bulldogs still lead by 2. With four minutes left on the clock fellow Rooster Michael Jennings repeated his Grand Final 2013 miracle by touching down a bouncing ball 12 inches inside the dead-ball line with Bulldog winger Sam Perrett watching on in horror. The conversion took the score to 32 - 28 in favour of the Roosters but few were prepared to say this match was over. Sixty points had been shared between two of the quality teams of the 2015 NRL competition. When stand in dummy half Jackson Hastings scored under the black dot the Roosters had won by 10 but rival coaches would likely have seen chinks in their armour for future encounters. The Bulldogs, valiant in defeat, face the Broncos (R22) and Rabbitohs (R23) with their season (very much) on the line.

Tigers (137) vs Storm (83)

Pre-match ratings showed that the Tigers were rated tenth or worse in 10 out of 12 areas while the Storm were rated 8th or better in 8 out of 12 areas, particularly, making fewer errors per match than any other team.

Despite their team being in 16th position on the competition ladder, Tigers fans packed into Leichardt Oval and provided a vocal welcome for the Melbourne Storm on Friday night. They were quickly silenced by two tries to former Tiger, now Melbourne flyer Marika Koroibete (11th and 15th minutes). Both were examples of good passing from inside men and quality finishing by the winger. At the 29th minute Tigers Fullback James Tedesco took the second pass off a scrum 30 metres out and used blistering pace to score in the right hand corner. As usual Pat Richards converted the try. Almost before fans had stopped applauding the first try the Tigers were in again when Marika Koroibete failed to take a high kick and Dene Halatau touched down the bouncing ball. Pat Richards converted again and the underdogs were in front. When Tigers winger Kevin Naiqama scored, one minute from half time, his team, with the always reliable Pat Richards converting, led 18 - 10 going into the break. Given his reputation as a volatile coach I am glad I wasn't in the Storm dressing rooms for Craig Bellamy's half time talk.

Four minutes into the second half Melbourne forward Jesse Bromwich ran onto a lovely pass from Cooper Cronk to score for the Storm and at 18 - 16 the match hung in the balance. Melbourne would get no closer as (my) man of the match James Tedesco produced a no-look pass to put Pat Richards (53rd) over and although it was unconverted Wests led 22 - 16. Kevin Naiqama got a try assist when he gave the last pass for the David Nofoaluma try (61st) and then to finish off a stellar performance James Tedesco scored his second try in the 69th minute to push the score out to 34 - 16. The Storm had been considered one of the certain finalists but this loss allows Cronulla to overtake them. They welcome the Titans to Melbourne next Sunday afternoon and then travel to Shark Park (R 23) and play the Knights (R 24) at home. Two wins (out of three matches) will have them on a technically secure 28 competition points. Three should have them preparing for September. The Tigers face the Raiders, Monday week, the Knights (R 23) and the Sharks (R 24) and will be confident of avoiding that ‘spoon'.

Warriors (91) vs Sharks (103)

Pre-match ratings had the Sharks listed as 3rd in run metres but 9th or worse in 7 out of the 12 areas. The Warriors rated 6th or better in 7 out of the 12 areas. Their attack is particularly strong being 2nd in line breaks and 4th in tackle breaks. These teams had the smallest differential in ratings.

The first half of the match at Mt Smart was a steam roller like effort by the Warriors. With some huge backs and numerous 100kg forwards the Warriors were in charge of the match from the first kick. 62% possession and 85% completions made certain that the home team would lead at half time, the only issue was - by how much. Konrad Hurrell (returning from injury) scored at the 5^th minute and Captain Simon Mannering grabbed a try at the 38th minute. Only one try was converted creating a 10 - 0 half time score. Both tries were from kicks and it was obvious that the Warriors were missing the organisation and attacking ability of Shaun Johnson. However Tuimoala Lolohea, filling in at halfback for the rest of 2015 has oodles of ability and speed to burn. The Sharks made 100 more tackles than the Warriors (225 - 125) but missed only 6. The question was, would the extra work handicap the visitors in the second half.

Five minutes after the restart, we got our answer, with a 50 metre try that got the Sharks back into the match. Paul Gallen slipped a pass to Sam Tagataese and two passes later it was finished by Valentine Holmes scoring in the right hand corner. Holmes scored again (55th minute) finishing off a 60 metre movement with a chip, chase and score. The Warriors were back pedalling in defence which played right into the Sharks game plan. At the 70th minute from 20 metres out, a five pass movement down the left saw Ricky Leutele score in the corner. Unheralded for much of the match Michael Gordon (heading to Parramatta in 2016) kicked all three conversions from wide angles. Possession was rebalanced, finishing 55% - 45% to the Warriors and the home team were forced to make close to 200 tackles in the second half. The final score saw Sharks win 18 - 14 and, as they scored 18 points to 4 in the second stanza it seemed a fair result. Both teams are in the fight for a Top 8 position. Cronulla host the Cowboys next Saturday and the Storm (R 23). New Zealand host the Dragons next week and travel to Penrith (R 23).

Cowboys (53) vs Raiders (86)

The Cowboys were ranked 4th or better in 9 of the 12 areas monitored and compiled over the first 20 weeks. In fact in 8 of those areas they are in rated in the top 3. However, in two areas they were bested by the Raiders. The Canberra Team have made fewer errors and scored more points. But, the home team was much better in defence - missed tackles 3rd vs 12th and points scored against 6th vs 13th.

Raiders fans were excited by the late inclusion of Sam Williams at halfback, reuniting him and Blake Austin for their crunch match against the high flying Cowboys in Townsville. The first 10 minutes saw both teams go extraordinarily close to scoring. The period included an amazing 40/20 kick by Raiders Hooker Josh Hodgson which relieved pressure on his team and ended with fullback Jack Wighton scoring a try, silencing the home crowd and giving his team a 4 - 0 lead. When Edrick Lee (16th minute) scored untouched in the corner and then a ‘bomb' was tapped back by Jack Wighton to Sia Soliola and a converted try resulted (20th minute), the visitors led 16 - 0.

A 24th minute penalty to the Cowboys gave them possession and field position but no matter what they tried the Raiders defence held tight. At the 36th minute the Raiders landed a penalty to go to 18 - 0, but many pundits thought they should have kept the pressure on and gone for the try instead. Then as half time approached (39th minute) the Raiders dropped the ball inside their own ‘red zone' gifting the Cowboys an opportunity score. 5/8th Michael Morgan took the opportunity and at half-time the score was Canberra 18 - Nth Qld 4.

The second half was ALL Nth Qld. Gavin Cooper scored at the 48th minute reducing the gap from 14 to 8 points. Antonio Winterstein (58th), Jake Granville (60th) and Antonio Winterstein again (65th) crossed for three tries in 7 minutes to rip the heart out of the Raiders. An 18 point lead had turned into a 10 point deficit and Jonathan Thurston added to that twice with Penalty goals, (69th and 77th minutes) almost giving those who had taken 13.5 points start with the betting agencies (like my Pensioner Dad) heart failure. The last minute try to Canberra interchange player Kurt Baptiste left an 8 point gap but people (without lime green eyes) could see that this flattered Canberra.

Manly (133) vs Broncos (46)

This match pitted two teams with the largest differential in ratings against each other. Brisbane were rated 1st in four areas and 5th or higher in 10. As competition leaders these ratings are to be expected. Manly are rated 8th or worse in 10 of the 12 areas. 6 of these ratings are at 12 or lower. Clearly their performance up to round 20 has been sub-par and the announced sacking of Coach Toovey is one result, players sacked in significant numbers (14) is rumoured as another.

In a major shock the match in Gosford between Brisbane and Manly tipped form and position on the ladder, on its head. After 15 minutes Manly had had 75% of the possession, scored two tries (12th and 15th minutes) and competition front runners Brisbane had made 4 errors and missed 10 tackles. Like the Cowboys earlier today, the Broncos were being overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of their opponents. Twice more before half time Manly scored four pointers. At the 26th minute Jamie Lyon finished off an attacking raid to score and then with the half time bell almost ringing in his ears, he took a pass from Tom Trbojevic (who had caught the high kick from Daly Cherry-Evans) promptly kicked the ball across and into the in-goal area for interchange forward Jesse Sene-Lefao to score. (40th minute). At half time Manly led 20 - 0.

Three minutes into the second half Kieran Foran ran 50 metres after first Tom Trbojevic and then Jorge Taufua, starting from the 20 metre line had out sprinted Brisbane's left side defence. At 26 - 0 the only issue appeared to be, how many tries Manly would score in the next 37 minutes. Feleti Mateo (53rd) Justin Horo (64th) and Tom Trbojevic (74th) provided the answers and Brisbane had conceded 8 tries in their 30 point defeat. Final Score Manly 44 - Brisbane 14. Manly play Souths next Friday night while in Brisbane the home team take on the Bulldogs.

Dragons (99) vs Knights (115)

Newcastle leading the competition after 4 rounds find themselves with 9 / 12 ratings at 8th or worse as they approach round 21. They do concede fewer penalties than most (4th) and are strong in tackle breaks (6th). Similarly St George who led the competition after 12 rounds are rated 7th or worse in 9 areas before this week's match. They also concede comparatively few penalties (3rd), have a good kicking game (3rd) and have limited their opponents scoring chances (4th).

With his team receiving the ball at the kick off, experienced Newcastle forward Kade Snowden, spilt it on the second tackle and from the ensuing set, St George-Illawarra fullback Josh Dugan caught the ‘bomb' to touch down for a try (which with conversion) created a 6 - 0 lead after one minute. (Welcome to Coaching ranks Danny Buderus, who was made acting Newcastle coach after the sacking of Rick Stone earlier in the week). Eight minutes later hooker Mitch Rein swooped onto a bouncing ball in the Knights in-goal and St George was in front 12 - 0. In previous write-ups I noted how important momentum was in the modern game but more important, in every game since 1908, is confidence. The next ten minutes at Kogarah - Jubilee Oval demonstrated the the lack of confidence in the team with the ‘Big Red V'.

First Newcastle veteran Kurt Gidley crossed and with the conversion the score was 12 - 6. Then while running out from their own line, Dragon try scorer Mitch Rein dropped the ball and his hooking opponent Adam Clydesdale (within 6 tackles) crossed close the posts to make the score 12 - 12 and to top off a horror stretch a Benji Marshall pass was intercepted by Carlos Tuimavave and winger Jake Mamo scored in the right hand corner. His team now led by 4 points. Ten minutes later Newcastle winger Nathan Ross, making his debut at age 26 scored in the left hand corner to take his team out to an 8 point lead. The half finished with a further demonstration of Saints lack of confidence when they kicked a penalty goal (from 10 metres out) instead of attempting to score a try. At half time Newcastle 20 led St George 14.

Coach Paul (‘Mary') Macgregor must have given his team a magic elixir because they proceeded to score 32 points to 4 in the second half. One of the tries is almost impossible to describe in writing, it had to be seen to be believed.

First Gareth Widdop (45th) crossed then Tyson Frizell (54th) repeated the dose. Against the run of play Knights hooker Tyler Randall posted a try at the 58th minute. But then Benji Marshall (66th) scored ‘the most unlikely' try of the year.

This is how it unfolded. A ‘Bomb' was punched 20 metres by Gareth Widdop backward toward his own line, where it was collected by Benji Marshall, who, running toward the sideline faked a pass to Jason Nightingale, and continued down the touch line. He then passed inside to Gareth Widdop, who passed to Mitch Rein, who, as he was being rushed toward the sideline, threw the ball blindly back over his head for (guess who) yep Benji Marshall, to catch and score. At that stage (with conversion) Saints led 34 - 24. The Dragons crossed twice in the last 10 minutes, first Will Mathews (70th) and then Josh Dugan grabbed his second (79th). The final score St George 46 - Newcastle 24.

Rabbitohs (72) vs Panthers (129)

South Sydney ranked 6th or better in 9 / 12 areas. In fact they rated 1st in line breaks, 2nd in tackle breaks and were 2nd best in preventing missed tackles. Penrith on the other hand have been 15th or 16th in missed tackles all year are 15th in points scored, 14th with their kicking game and 13th in preventing errors. Remarkably they have ranked first in Offloads since round 1, but it doesn't seem to have helped their attacking game.

The match started with two converted tries to the Panthers, James Segeyaro (16th) and Bryce Cartwright (22nd) which, as we saw Friday at Leichardt Oval, silenced the home crowd. However they found their voice when Souths backrower John Sutton hit back (26th) and Alex Johnston (30th) crossed to even up the score at 12 - 12. The dour match continued with score unchanged until half time. 24 Errors and 15 penalties did not provide TV viewers or fans at the ground with a match they will remember.

After 25 minutes of stop start play, with only a penalty goal to Adam Reynolds (49th) the Rabbitoh's Dylan Walker managed to score and with the conversion they lead 20 - 12. With 7 minutes left Penrith threw caution to the wind. Running on the last tackle, Lewis Brown, on the end of a 60 metre run, where 5 players handled the ball, scored a try in the left hand corner. Jamie Soward' conversion attempt missed and although Penrith had a few more attacking sets, the score remained Souths 20 - Penrith 16, till the final whistle.

Titans (157) vs Eels (139)

I am sorry to report that I missed tonight's match between the Gold Coast and Parramatta. Both clubs have had seasons marred by injury and off field dramas. Their position on the competition ladder (with just 7 wins apiece) sees them one win ahead of Wests and Newcastle who are for now struggling over the wooden spoon.

Any mis-steps in the next 5 weeks could see the dreaded implement land in their lap so there is still much to play for. Parramatta (who defeated Manly in Round 1 and premiers Souths in Round 4) play Penrith (R 22) next weekend (in Darwin) and then face the daunting task of playing Roosters (R 23) and Manly (R 24). The Titans (who were in the top 8 after Round 14) travel to Melbourne (R 22) and then Canterbury (R 23) before returning home for their (R 24) clash with Canberra.

No one would be surprised if BOTH TEAMS lost all three but given what we saw this weekend - any NRL team can beat any other NRL team on their day.

Pre R 21 Ratings

Broncos 46

Cowboys 53

Roosters 66

Rabbitohs 72

Storm 83

Bulldogs 85

Raiders 86

Warriors 91

Dragons 99

Sharks 103

Knights 115

Panthers 129

Sea Eagles 133

Tigers 137

Eels 139

Titans 157