Rugby League Resurgence: Bulldogs Shine, Broncos Struggle, and Pryce Debuts
In the aftermath of the State of Origin series, the NRL fixtures this week offered plenty of excitement and drama to keep fans engaged. The Canterbury Bulldogs, led by just one player backing up from Origin, delivered a statement victory over the third-placed Cronulla Sharks in a golden point thriller. Meanwhile, the Warriors returned to form with a resounding win over the struggling Brisbane Broncos, who are now officially in freefall.
The standout performance of the week came from Mitch Moses, the Lebanon halfback who was the star man for New South Wales in the Origin series. Moses backed up his stellar Origin display with two tries and an assist, almost single-handedly leading the Parramatta Eels to the edge of victory against the Newcastle Knights. While the Eels ultimately fell short, Moses’ masterclass was a sight to behold.
Elsewhere, the Newcastle Knights’ win over the Eels was highlighted by the NRL debut of Will Pryce, who shone in the victory. The sight of Leon, Steve Menzies, and Scott Dureau in the crowd added to the occasion, and the x-rated post-match interview from Pryce in pure Bradford dialect was a hit with fans.
On the downside, the Canberra Raiders have had a tough run of late, with the loss to Melbourne this weekend potentially expected given their recent form. The absence of the experienced Corey Horsburgh, who was sent off in the NSW Cup for a brain explosion, has been a significant blow for the Raiders.
As the NRL marches on, the focus is shifting to the expansion plans, with Perth seemingly a lock for the first new team and discussions around a potential team in Papua New Guinea and other locations. However, the voices of Papua New Guineans have been largely absent from these discussions, raising questions about the true impact and benefits of an NRL team in the country.
Amidst the excitement and controversies, the upcoming return of Tom Trbojevic to Manly’s lineup is a crucial moment for the Sea Eagles’ season. Trbojevic’s shift to the centers could be a bold move to manage his injury-prone hamstring, and Manly will hope to get quality over quantity from their star player as they navigate a crucial stretch of their campaign.
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