Cleary puts Storm on notice as NRL finals race narrows

PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Nathan Cleary. The two-time Dally M medallist put on a clinic in his first game back alongside halves partner Jarome Luai since round 10, scoring three tries and setting up two more to power Penrith to a 46-10 win over St George Illawarra. With the Panthers' preferred halves pairing purring again, runaway leaders Melbourne have officially been put on notice. 

QUOTE OF THE ROUND: "There aren't many games we haven't led at halftime but find a way in the second half to let it all fall apart" - coach Wayne Bennett was unimpressed after his limp Dolphins capitulated to Gold Coast, relinquishing a 14-point lead for the second week in a row.

TALKING POINT: Has the NRL got its concussion protocol right? Manly were left scrambling to find outside backs after losing Jason Saab and Reuben Garrick to head injuries. Currently, coaches can only activate their 18th man in response to a failed head injury assessment, limiting flexibility. Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold and captain Daly Cherry-Evans called for the ability to activate any four players on the interchange after a concussion diagnosis. In all, six players had their games cut short after failing HIAs across the round.

MAGIC MOMENT: Canterbury's scintillating team try in their 41-16 demolition of Brisbane. The Bulldogs look a side enjoying every minute of their surge up the NRL table, throwing the footy about all parts of Suncorp Stadium. The highlight came in the 25th minute when Viliame Kikau threw a 25m no-look pass to hooker Reed Mahoney after a Matt Burton pass was allowed to bounce. Mahoney chipped the ball cross-field for centre Jacob Kiraz to grab in one hand and fire out to Jeral Skelton on the wing to score.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai became the fastest player in the Origin era (since 1980) to record 100 wins, bringing up the milestone in just 122 games.

CASUALTY WARD: Panthers - James Fisher-Harris (groin), Daine Laurie (head knock); Dragons - Mat Feagai (head knock); Cowboys - Jason Taumalolo (cheekbone), Reuben Cotter (head knock); Sea Eagles - Reuben Garrick (head knock), Jason Saab (head knock), Josh Aloiai (shin), Lehi Hopoate (face); Broncos - Deine Mariner (knee); Tigers - Luke Laulilii (head knock), Starford To'a (hamstring); Warriors - Jackson Ford (knee); Rabbitohs - Alex Johnston (achilles), Cody Walker (hip flexor).

JUDICIARY WATCH: Roosters - Michael Jennings (high tackle), Sitili Tupouniua (dangerous contact); Sea Eagles - Corey Waddell (high tackle); Bulldogs - Kurtis Morrin (dangerous contact); Broncos - Kobe Hetherington (dangerous contact), Blake Mozer (dangerous contact); Tigers - Alex Seyfarth (dangerous contact); Dragons - Toby Couchman (crusher), Mathew Feagai (high tackle), Raymond Faitala-Mariner (hip-drop tackle); Dolphins - Tevita Pangai Junior (dangerous contact).

UNDER PRESSURE: Brisbane. After snapping a six-game losing streak last weekend, last year's finalists are back in the losers' circle with a 41-16 defeat to Canterbury. Four points adrift of the top eight, the Broncos have their work cut out for them to even make the post-season.

Australian Associated Press