The Armchair Expert - Round 16

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Performance of the Round

In a weekend full of thrilling finishes and some quality football, I can't go past the defence effort on Sunday by the Broncos. Pitched on their on line for what seemed like the entire match, the Melbourne Storm threw everything they had, and then some, at the Broncos who somehow managed to keep them out.

For a team to make nearly 400 tackles and still walk away with two points is almost unheard of in rugby league. Even Craig Bellamy admitted at the end of the game that they had enough possession "to win three games". It's not just the possession, but also where they had it. The Storm had just under 70 tackles in the Broncos 20m zone and forced them to kick a line drop out a staggering 11 times. If Brisbane can keep this defensive resolve and sneak through the last part of the origin period fit and healthy, than not just the top four, but the minor premiership will be at their mercy.


Paul Carige Award for the Worst Performance of the Round

I feel like it's hard to give the award out this week, because every team had chance to walk away with victory. So I'll split it up into two mini awards

The Titans get a share of the spoils for inexplicably clocking off in the second half against the Warriors. They seemed to be control of the match and then out of nowhere they let Shaun Johnson run amuck on the glitter strip.

And the Knights for a similar second half fade against the Sharks, although they still had chances to win. Kudos to Ben Barba though, coming off the bench early in the second stanza, the livewire lit the fuse for the Sharks to score three tries in six minutes.


Surprise Packet

Most people have already sung the praises of Curtis Rona but I have refrained for a couple of reasons. First of all, many people jumped on the bandwagon when his scintillating form was only two or three weeks in. Second of all I thought he was being made look good by the blokes inside him. It isn't bad getting try assists from the Morris twin and Trent Hodkinson every week. So for these reasons I wasn't fully convinced. I am now.

Rona has pushed into the top echelon of finishers in the game, as well as developing into a great all-round winger. Strong under the high ball, hard to handle when running the Steeden and defensively sound, Rona is quickly chasing down Blake Austin as buy of the season.

For those that missed his try against the Panthers over the weekend, his 16th try in 14 games this year, do yourself a favour and watch it below. It's brilliant.

Russell Packer Award for WTF Moment of the Week

The disrespectful grubs that were shouting during the minute of silence before the State of Origin in Melbourne should be publicly humiliated. It was a time of honouring a man who had contributed so much to our country as both an athlete and politician. For thugs to scream out "Quueennsslaannderrr" and "Gallen is a wanker" during that time was just plain disgraceful. Ron Clarke deserved better.


Around the Social Media Traps

This week Corey Parker congratulates some fellow sporting champions and Shaun Kenny-Dowall celebrates making history.

https://instagram.com/p/4OvrKNG5RE/

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