Round 5 saw a number of interesting clashes with the undefeated North Queensland Cowboys putting their record on the line against a hungry Sharks team. Also in Canberra the newly admitted Central Coast Bears went looking for their first win against the Raiders.
In a fiery class between two of the premiership heavyweights, the Brisbane Broncos have taken their chances better then the Sydney Roosters to run away 28-12 winners in front of a packed out Lang Park crowd. Craig Frawley was again one of the best on the park making a tone of meters out of dummy half as well as crossing the line on the end of a flowing Bronco backline movement.
Brisbane: Craig Frawley, Casey Macguire, Shane Webcke, Tonie Carroll, Tom Learoyd. Lockyer 4/5.
Sydney City: Chris Walker, Adrian Morley. Crocker 2/2.
PoM: Tonie Carroll 3, Craig Frawley 2, Casey MacGuire 1.
The Warriors today brought their 'A' game in an effortless 24-6 win away from home. The Warriors small men caused the big Knights pack all sorts of trouble today as both teams were looking for just their second win of the season. A man of the match performance by Thomas Leullai should see him push for a starting birth in next week’s lineup.
Newcastle: Ben Kennedy. Johns 1/1.
New Zealand: Clinton Toopi, Tony Martin, Manu Vatuvei, Thomas Leullai. Webb 4/6.
PoM: Thomas Leullai 3, Brent Webb 2, Stacey Jones 1.
Early surprise packets the Cowboys have underlined their class with a convincing 34-12 win over the Sharks. The Cowboys could have easily added another four tries were it not for some dubious video ref decisions. The win sees the Cowboys move into favoritism even at this early stage of the season. A man of the match performance by Glenn Morrison will go along way to reminding the NSW selectors’ he is ready for origin football.
North Queensland: Jacob Lillyman, Matt Sing 2, Glenn Morrison, Mitchell Sargent, Kevin Campion. Hannay 5/6.
Cronulla: Matthew Rieck, Paul Franze. Kimmorley 2/2.
PoM: Glenn Morrison 3, Josh Hannay 2, Matt Sing 1.
The Dragons were firing on all cylinders in today’s 48-8 demolition of the Wests Tigers. With star performers all over their park winger Reece Simmonds was lucky to get picked as the man of the match, with rake Mark Riddell's two try effort just coming up short. Meanwhile on the official ASNRL site you can vote in this weeks poll, "Is Roger Bossert the worst coach in All-Star History?".
St George Illawarra: Clint Greenshields, Nathan Blacklock, Ashton Simms, Reece Simmonds, Dean Young, Mark Riddell 2, Matt Cooper, Luke Bailey. Riddell 6/9.
Wests: Scott Prince, Bryce Gibbs. Hodgson 0/2.
PoM: Recce Simmonds 3, Mark Riddell 2, Justin Poore 1.
A woeful looking Storm outfit has put up little resistance in a 16-0 loss to a below average Panthers side. It was a game that neither side would really like to remember but a Trent Waterhouse's second try in the shadows of fulltime sent the Panthers fans into a frenzy. Meanwhile Storm wonder kid Billy Slater’s run of poor form and little luck continued with the QLD representative player picking up a niggling injury which will likely see him sit out at least a week.
Penrith: Luke Lewis, Trent Waterhouse 2. Girdler 2/4.
Melbourne:.
PoM: Trent Waterhouse 3, Luke Lewis 2, Craig Gower 1.
Paul Stephenson and Chris Hicks will be having nightmares for months after Bulldogs backs Ben Harris and Matt Utai ran in five tries down their flank of the field. The 20 point win by the bulldogs brought them back into the positive for and against as they look to make a charge up the ladder. While having a tough time in defense it was Stephenson who was the only Eagle to test the Bulldog defense. The final score ended up 36-16.
Canterbury: Matt Utai 2, Ben Harris 3, Johnathan Thurston. El Masri 6/7.
Manly: Anthony Wotnough 2, Steve Menzies. Walker 2/3.
PoM: Matt Utai 3, Ben Harris 2, Paul Stephenson 1.
The Parramatta Eels have come back from a four points down to record a strong 34-20 win over the Bunnies. The win sees the Eels just hang onto the last sport in the eight while the Bunnies have dropped down the ladder and will be looking for a win next week against Melbourne to try to stay in touch with the top eight sides.
Parramatta: Matthew Petersen 2, Jamie Lyon, Eric Grothe Jr., Nathan Cayless 2. Witt 5/8.
South Sydney: Ashley Harrison 2, Jason Death 2. Williams 2/5.
PoM: Eric Grothe Jr. 3, Matthew Peterson 2, Michael Witt 1.
In an entertaining clash in the nation’s capital, goal kicking has seen the Raiders home in a tight match over the Central Coast Bears. Halfway through the second half the Bears were looking at their first victory of the season but a late flurry of tries from the Raiders combined with a perfect record from Schifcofske has seen the Raiders home 30-20.
Canberra: Joel Monaghan, Troy Thompson 2, Jason Croker. Schifcofske 7/7.
Central Coast: Nate Smith, Jamie Goddard, Ben Fisher, Nigel Roy. McLean 2/4.
PoM: Nate Smith 3, Ian Hindmarsh 2, Brad Drew 1.
Table
North Queensland Cowboys,5,0,0,110,50, 60 , 10
St George Illawarra Dragons,4,1,0,129,52, 77 , 8
Brisbane Broncos,4,1,0,122,78, 44 , 8
Penrith Panthers,4,1,0,96,66, 30 , 8
Sydney Roosters,3,2,0,106,74, 32 , 6
Canberra Raiders,3,2,0,90,71, 19 , 6
Canterbury Bulldogs,3,2,0,89,80, 9 , 6
Parramatta Eels,3,2,0,102,104,-2 , 6
New Zealand Warriors,2,3,0,96,88, 8 , 4
Manly Sea Eagles,2,3,0,92,98,-6 , 4
South Sydney Rabbitohs,2,3,0,80,100,-20 , 4
Wests Tigers,2,3,0,66,118,-52 , 4
Melbourne Storm,1,4,0,68,107,-39 , 2
Cronulla Sharks,1,4,0,51,95,-44 , 2
Newcastle Knights,1,4,0,73,120,-47 , 2
Central Coast Bears,0,5,0,60,124,-64 , 0
Round 6 Draw
Bulldogs Vs Warriors
Sharks Vs Canberra
Brisbane Vs Nth Queensland
Melbourne Vs Sth Sydney
Dragons Vs Penrith
Parramatta Vs Manly
Sydney Vs Newcastle
Cent. Coast Vs Wests
