NRL round 12 review

By Stephen Gallagher

Tigers 19 Broncos 18

Well, here’s a surprise! What’ll super coach Wayne Bennett blame his sides loss on now?

Perhaps the posts need to be wider apart, and Ben Hunt would’ve been able to kick a field goal to send it in to Golden Point?

It took Brisbane only ten minutes to score the opener through Greg Eden – but after that the Tigers got the better of the two sides.

Tigers forwards were strong, didn’t let the weakened Broncos try overpower them.

And rookie winger Josh Addo-Carr had a day, with his best Tigers performance yet.

Also an intersting stat here:  Wests Tigers are 1-7 and -107 with Farah this season. 4-0 +31 without him.

Dragons 14 Cowboys 10

This was always going to be an uphill battle for the Cowboys – with plenty missing the action due to Origin selection, a near full-strength Dragons side took the two points.

It was another fast start, in every match the dragons have scored a try – they’ve scored first: this time through Jason Nightingale.

More possession meant more points and a 10-0 scoreline.

The Cowboys were gutsy in defeat, nailing a try just before and just after half time.

Composure was there for both sides, but the Dragons patience was rewarded with a late try and a win. Much to the relief of the coach.

Raiders 32 Bulldogs 20

It was a comeback and a thrilling performance from Canberra that led this game to be one of the best of the season.

Canterbury Bankstown hit the lead early through debutante Reimis Smith who finished with a double.

The Raiders never gave up, despite some poor attacking sets and soft defence leading the Bulldogs to a ten point lead not long after half time.

Joseph Tapine led the comeback with his sensational footwork and nailed a double too.

The Raiders support play was sensational, and the Bulldogs could only watch as the game slipt away from them paws.

Eels 20 Knights 18

Well it looked to be another whitewash of the Knights, as they quickly trailed 10-0.
I was surprised at what happened next, as they brought out some much needed creativity which led to confidence and three tries and a 14-10 half time lead.

Seems half time was the turning point at Newcastle never really hit their stride again like the first half.

The Eels snuck home with a 20-18 win but I think this was the Knights best performance of the season despite the loss.

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