The Synopsis - Round 4

Concussion is the topic that confounds many in NRL circles these days, with commentators basically falling into two camps -

• (1)The, "I don't know what they are on about" camp, which usually has a version of, "In my day..."
• (2)The "this is serious and player welfare is at stake" camp.

I'll say upfront that I am in the 2nd group and I will follow that up with the observation that players are in the worst position to make decisions about the extent or degree of their injury.

The result in Monday night's match (Cowboys 18 - Storm 17) was I would argue heavily influenced by one possible concussion incident in the 12th minute. Melbourne winger Young Tonumaipea, when falling in a tackle, was hit in the side of the head by a defenders knee. The impact was so great, he dropped the ball and lay on the ground for 60 seconds. He finally got to his feet and the trainer manipulated his jaw, chatted to him for about 30 seconds and sent him back to his position. At the time of the tackle, his team lead 6 nil, but with possession changing hands, four rucks later the Cowboys winger Antonio Winterstein easily outsmarted his opponent (Tonumaipea) to score in the corner. The Storm winger was a passenger for the next 40-60 minutes. His participation was much diminished, his role as a support for his fullback was limited and his defensive decisions poor. Cowboys Winger Antonio Winterstein scored a similarly easy try in the 60th minute sparking his team's comeback from a 4-16 deficit. (Still no one mentioned the impaired performance of Young Tonumaipea.) In previous matches (on average) he carried the ball on 15 occasions for a gain of 170 metres. After that tackle he carried the ball 6 more times for around 70. I am not in any way blaming the player. He should have been removed from the field and tested professionally to decide on whether he could continue. The Melbourne team paid a heavy price for that tackle. What price the player pays cannot be known; hopefully it will be minimal.

Of course there were 7 other matches over the weekend and anyone who thought that by Round 4 league followers should be able to recognise stability in the competition needs to rethink that idea.

Friday night's first result, Parramatta 29 South Sydney 16 was completely unexpected - the Eels were described by a TV commentator as "despised outsiders", but never played that way. They competed well throughout. The Rabbitohs seemed to be in charge in the first half, despite two tries to Eels debutante John Folau, but were two points adrift at the break. Except for Parramatta diehards, commentators and spectators alike, still expected South's to overwhelm the Eels and continue on their winning way.

However, Eels half, the mercurial Chris Sandow, had a fantastic second half and with the crowd cheering them on, the home team never gave up their lead. With a late field goal and then a try Sandow led the Eels to a well-earned win. The Rabbitohs looked professional all night but were out-enthused by the Eels.

Over at ANZ Stadium, after a first half with scores locked at 6-6, the Wests Tigers and the Canterbury Bulldogs then played a match of two 20 minute periods. The Tigers surged with tries at the 45th, 48th and 55th minutes. The Bulldogs hit back with tries at the 58th, 66th and 76th minutes, taking the match into Golden Point extra time. A field goal to Canterbury's Moses Mbye, saw the Bulldogs win 25-24. Sitting with supporters from both teams, all agreed, the Tigers may rue the "one that got away".

Super Saturday, started with the Knights vs Panthers at Hunter Stadium. Newcastle were 3 for 3 and the stats told me Penrith weren't travelling too well, despite having won 2 of their first 3. They were in the bottom two for errors and missed tackles. I recorded this game so could I watch it closely and see if the stats were a reliable guide. Did they matter? Well the Panthers missed 33 tackles and made 13 errors. Many of those missed tackles were in the first half and after 19 minutes they were behind 18 nil. Despite trying hard over the last 60 minutes the Panthers increasingly acted like a team playing catch-up. The final score Knights 26 - Panthers 14 flattered the mountain men as the Knights never looked like being caught. The stats also show that the Panthers kicking game is well under par and without Jamie Soward, coach Ivan Cleary has problems in the next two weeks, with matches against North Queensland and Manly.

Over at Remondis Stadium, the Sharks and Titans were both searching for their first win. Neither team has shown much in attack and it was figured that the Sharks home ground advantage and superior defence might just be the difference. It was not to be. One error each by three experienced Sharks players gave the Titans a win, they probably didn't deserve.

First, hooker Michael Ennis, needlessly interfered with a defender giving the referees cause to disallow a try that would have seen the Sharks lead 20 - 6 (instead of 14-6) at half time.

Second, fullback Michael Gordon, failed to shepherd or kick dead a rolling ball in his in-goal area allowing Titans speedster James Roberts to race past him, grab the ball and score a try.

Third, 5/8 Wade Graham, at the 75th minute while in possession, his team leading by 4 points and in the Titans half, threw an un-necessary pass that was snatched by Titans speedster James Roberts who ran 65 metres to score a try that with the conversion saw the Titans win the match 24-22. Obviously all three players will make significant and positive contributions to their teams 2015 season, but none will want to be reminded about this match.

I missed most of the last match on Saturday night due to another contest that was being played out on our TV screens (the State Election) but by all reports the Dragons 12 v Sea Eagles 4 victory at Win Stadium was a dour affair. Manly were handicapped by injuries (pre-match) to Steve Matai and during the match to captain Jamie Lyon, ball playing forward Feleti Mateo and replacement prop Josh Starling, leaving Coach Geoff Toovey to reshuffle his attacking unit. (Unsuccessfully as it turned out). Amazingly, Manly only had possession twice in the first 14 minutes and with that start St George were able to lead 10-0 at half time via a converted try and two penalty goals. Although Manly replacement centre Brayden Wiliame scored a try in the 60th Minute, a St George penalty goal, giving them their 8 point victory, was the only other change to the half time score.

Sunday's matches were as far apart competitively as they were geographically.

The midday match, in New Zealand between the Warriors and Broncos left commentators, me included, scratching their collective heads. The Warriors had started impressively against the Eels last week and were expected to do well (as they had in the past) in front of their home crowd at Mt Smart Stadium. Brisbane had other ideas. After a tight first 10 minutes, the Broncos scored in the 11th, 17th and 39th minutes to lead 16 nil at half time. The second half saw a Warriors fightback with tries at the 45th, 64th and 70th minute locking the scores up at 16 -16. A Corey Parker Penalty Goal broke the deadlock and a late try to Hooker Andrew McCullough gave Brisbane an 8 point win, 24-16. Clearly the NZ Warriors cannot expect to win matches if they spend much of the time worrying about whether their Cricket Team will win the World Cup final, (or any other distractions) instead of playing football.

Meanwhile back in Sydney at ANZ Stadium the visiting Canberra Raiders were never in the match as the Sydney Roosters ran in six tries to one and had at least three more, denied by referring decisions on forward passes, that while understandable, could easily have gone the other way. The 34-6 score flattered the Raiders who were praised for their defence in rounds 1 and 2 but have averaged more than 30 missed tackles in round 3 and 4. Raiders Coach Ricky Stuart was full of praise for the Roosters and their roster who he hoped to emulate as he rebuilds his squad.