Eight talking points from NRL Round 7 A Set the default text size A Set large text size
Replay A Set the default text size A Set large text size
Just when it looked like it may never come, upsets began to rear their head in what was a fascinating weekend of footy. Here are my NRL talking points from Round 7.
The Raiders could miss the top eight
I’m not going to call this a certainty – it’s far from it. The Raiders still have more than enough talent to turn things around as the season picks up pace.
But even the most optimistic of Raiders’ fans would agree at this point the form line is worth worrying about.
Dylan Edwards (hand) and
Api Koroisau (wrist) will return against the Knights but the pair won t be risked if they aren t ready.
Edwards slotting in at fullback would solve a headache for Cleary, who could then move
Stephen Crichton back to the centres to replace
Paul Momirovski after he was suspended by the judiciary on Tuesday night.
Titans winger
Phil Sami (concussion) has been named on an extended bench to face the Rabbitohs and is a chance of playing.
Former Storm star
Will Chambers has been brought straight onto Cronulla s extended bench for the clash with the Bulldogs but the veteran outside back could have a run for feeder team Newtown to improve his match fitness.
St George Illawarra s Adam Clune isn t the NRL s biggest name but one thing that can t be questioned is his on-field work ethic.
In four matches this season - deputising for the suspended Corey Norman in round one and then for the injured Ben Hunt over the past three games - Clune has racked up the most kilometres of any player twice and finished second on another occasion, per Telstra Tracker data.
Clune is one of three players to tally 10km or more in a game this year having posted 10.08km in round four against the Knights. Parramatta s Clint Gutherson (10.29km, round three) and Rooster Sam Walker (10.07km, round four) are the others to reach the mark.