Welcome to “The Corner Post”, a new weekly run down on the main takes from around the NRL. Here at The Cumberland Throw, we love bringing you everything Parramatta Eels, but with so much news happening in the game, we’ve expanded our content.
Round 22 didn’t disappoint, as the NRL found itself consumed with club signing sprees, major milestones and big name returns.
DCE 300
This week saw Manly’s star halfback play his 300th NRL game. A milestone many players may never reach, this moment was absolutely massive for Daly Cherry-Evans, his teammates and his family.
In addition to Cherry-Evans being the 49th player to reach this milestone, he’s only the 7th to win on the occasion. Daly has also set the record for most games played in a single position, playing his entire 300 games at halfback.
Cherry-Evans
The Manly playmaker has enjoyed a decorated NRL career; being one of the most recent players to receive the Clive Churchill medal from the losing grand final side, playing 22 Origin matches for Queensland including 15 as captain, and representing Australia a total of 18 times.
Still a key figure at the veteran stage of his career, DCE will continue to lead his club as they pursue their finals dreams over the closing rounds.
Manly also celebrated Lachlan Croker’s 100th NRL game, and it was a rare win against the Dragons at WIN Stadium, Manly’s first in Wollongong since 2003.
Latrell Back In Action
The Taree Ferrari, Latrell Mitchell, returned from his troublesome calf strain in a Friday night clash with the Tigers. The same injury saw him miss Origin selection, and play a mere 13 out of 20 club games this year. South Sydney currently sit at a 53% win rate without him, so it’s no secret that they need him out on the field.
Surprisingly, the match turned into an absolute thriller. Although Souths finished with a comfortable 32-18 score line, proceedings were much closer around the 60 minute mark at three and four tries apiece. Latrell’s impact wasn’t as flashy as many would have expected, but his presence certainly benefited the team’s cohesion.
Big Latrell
Clocking up 171 run metres, with just under 50 post-contact and 11 tackle breaks, the fullback trampled the Tigers defence, and paved the way for a seamless South Sydney attack. The Bunnies completed at 80%, a 14% increase on their performance a week prior.
With Latrell back, and a relatively easy run home, I believe Souths sit poised for something special in September.
Rabbitohs Stick Solid
Souths also featured in this week’s signing news, extending the contracts of some of their best performers of the season. Origin Veteran Jai Arrow, NSW newbie Keaon Koloamatangi, enforcer Tevita Tatola and centre Campbell Graham made up the list of major talent locked in by the club.
Campbell Graham
Responding to recent criticism from the media, the Rabbitohs kept rival bidders at bay in ensuring that these key players will be part of future campaigns where they will be joined by Dally M winner Jack Wighton.
Though fringe players Liam Knight and Blake Taafe have found a new home, the Souths management hit a home run with the selective retentions. The swift and decisive deals were a nod to the culture and character of the club, and playing group that are Rabbitohs aspirational.
Bulldogs Spree
Unlike the Rabbitohs, the Dogs have developed a reputation under Gus Gould for a scattergun signing strategy to solve their performance and roster woes.
Over the last three years, the club has poached a host of players including former Australian schoolboys halfback Toby Sexton, Premiership winners Matt Burton, Villiami Kikau and Josh Addo-Carr, fringe Origin dummy half Reed Mahoney and former Sharks and Roosters half Kyle Flanagan.
This week, the club continued to create headlines with the acquisition of Liam Knight, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Jaeman Salmon and Blake Taafe. These additions will add depth and selection options, but whether they will change the fortunes of the club is debatable.
The Rabbitohs pairing of Liam Knight and Blake Taafe will have different arrival dates, with Knight linking immediately, and Taafe bringing his speed and skill in 2024.
The Fish!
As for the others, former Roosters prop Taukeiaho is expected to make his return to the NRL as soon as possible, pending a final fitness test, whilst Panthers utility and my pick of the quartet Jaeman Salmon heads to Belmore at the start of next season.
Apparently the Dogs are far from finished as they are looking to add the signatures of soon -to-be free agents Conor Watson and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
Their roster exodus has seen Matt Doorey, Andrew Davey, and Jake Averillo already find new homes, whilst reports suggest that English forward Ryan Sutton and club captain Raymond Faitala Mariner are also headed to the exit door.
Currently in 15th place in what is their 7th consecutive season without a finals appearance, the Dogs appear to be at the desperation stage in chasing a return to the glory days.
Broncos Kill Roosters Hopes
Despite the Roosters having the wood over the Broncos in recent years, they couldn’t get the job done last Thursday night, going down 32-10 as they attempted to keep their finals hopes alive.
A 66% completion rate, along with 13 errors and 44 missed tackles continued the 2023 woes for Trent Robinsons side. The Roosters slide from being one of the premiership favourites to one of the also-rans has been staggering.
Brandon Smith
The Tri-colours finals hopes are already relying on results to fall their way, and upcoming games against the Rabbitohs, Eels, Dolphins and Sea Eagles means that the Roosters will likely finish outside of the Top 8 for the first time since 2016 .
High profile signings like Brandon Smith and Nathan Brown, and elite talent such as Joseph Manu and Joseph Sua’ali’i, have failed to deliver consistent performances for the Roosters, with supporters facing another year of disappointment.
Lussick Comes Home
Despite the pain of defeat, there was a feel-good story in PARRAdise with Joey Lussick returning to Australia and rejoining his former team mates as they attempt to resurrect their premiership campaign.
Lussick last pulled on the number 9 jersey for the Eels in 2021, taking over from an injured Reed Mahoney and stemming the tide of four straight losses as Parramatta’ struggled to cope with life in the COVID restricted NRL bubble.
Lussick
Joey Lussick was crucial in reviving Parramatta’s season back then and played a key part in their upset victory over Melbourne which set the tone for their late push to finals footy.
A career ending neck injury to Josh Hodgson saw the Eels pursue Lussick’s signature as one of their three mid-season buys, joining Andy Davey as a returning player.
Lussick’s determination, creativity and darts from dummy half will be welcomed by a team on the wrong end of the scoreline three times in the last month. He’ll be better for his first hit-out but there’s minimal room for error for the Eels with just four games remaining.
Nat
Is Lussick a better choice than Hands in your opinion?
I would have kept Hands on the bench. He has utility value and is more familiar with the Eels plays
That’s a fair call. I’d agree, but I also think now that Hands has got someone to cover him he could use a rest. He’s played large minutes over almost all of our games and I think in the coming weeks we might see him playing off the bench.
I think with no RCG, Woody coming back from injury layoff and Matterson starting on an edge, BA needed an extra Middle on the bench
I think he’s got the experience we need to carry us through the next few games. He played us to finals in 2021 and has a great relationship with the rest of the team! Hands has been good but is still getting used to the length and physicality of first grade footy before.
At the moment I think so. He’s got the experience and chemistry with the rest of the team that Parramatta need to get them through to September. Lussicks speed and determination in the Melbourne game last week proved his eagerness to return to the NRL, and this week the Eels play in must-win circumstances. Hands has been exceptional for the team, and I believe that a rest is necessary for this round. After that, BA might try starting one and keeping the other on the bench!
Perhaps it will become horses for courses – determined by who they are playing.
Tks Nat. Re Mitchell. My dentist with his fingers in my mouth asked me what Mitchell, Turbo and Inglis had in common. Not being able to answer was OK as I had to think about it, so he answered his own question as they do. They’re all big, tall units and injury prone. Defenders hit them harder because of their threat and reputation, and they don’t have smaller, nuggety frames to absorb it over time. So, I just grunted and nodded.