Storm brewing
A new star is born. Young gun Brodie Croft helped Melbourne to a 23-22 golden point win over the Cowboys with a calmly taken field goal. The 19-year old halfback showed maturity beyond his tender years to secure his side a close victory. In only his second NRL appearance, the country kid from Queensland had his first attempt rushed but he instead forced a goal-line drop-out.
Then he nailed his shot from 35 metres out to have the Storm smiling. All up Croft made sure Melbourne didn’t miss Cooper Cronk with an assured display. It was a nervy ending for the Storm as they led 22-14 with a few minutes to go but then Kane Linnett scored, with Kyle Feldt converting and then scoring a penalty, to send it into golden point. Up stepped Croft to earn hero status. The victory sees Melbourne stay at the top of the NRL ladder and open up a four-point gap between them and the second-placed Roosters.
Cool Cronulla
Daniel Mortimer – remember him? Once the next big thing at Parramatta, he played in a grand final with the Eels in 2009 and then won a comp with the Roosters as bench utility in 2013. He then ended up on the Gold Coast for a few seasons, heading into the wilderness, before a move down south to Cronulla this year. Mortimer has been languishing in the Sharks’ reserve grade side, not playing a minute in the NRL in 2017, until last weekend. But Mortimer made it count and set up the winning try as the defending premiers stole a 24-22 victory over a gutted Wests Tigers.
Without five State of Origin players, Cronulla were well down on troops but managed to open the scoring through Kurt Capewell. The Tigers responded through Elijah Taylor, and then Esan Marsters and Jacob Liddle crossed. Wests were in a comfortable position with a 16-4 lead. However the Sharks just don’t roll over ever and hit back with two tries. When Malakai Watene-Zelezniak scored the Tigers seemed safe again. But with just two minutes left Luke Lewis make a break, then Mortimer grubbered for Jason Bukuya to get the winner. It was brilliant vision from Mortimer and shows the hooker with the famous surname has still got it.
Bunnies show bite
Last week this column criticized South Sydney who have flattered to deceive this season, apart from Sam Burgess and Angus Crichton. The Bunnies appeared set for another defeat when they fell 12-0 behind against the Titans after just 19 minutes. But to their credit they bounced back, led by young firebrand Crichton. The forward grabbed a hat-trick and Alex Johnston a brace as Souths steamrolled the Gold Coast. Five tries came in the second half as the Bunnies ran away with it. They also did it without the injured Burgess, so take a bow Rabbitohs.
Disappointed Dragons
Clint Gutherson is the one that got away at Manly, the full-back who was let go because Brett Stewart and Tom Trbojevic were in front of him in the pecking order. The Sea Eagles’ loss has been Parramatta’s gain as Gutherson is emerging as one of the Eels’ best players.
Against the Dragons he inspired the blue and gold to a 24-10 win with a two-try haul. The custodian, who is so talented he can play anywhere along the backline, also nailed three conversions and ran for 214 metres in a dominant display. Gutherson will play representative football at some stage, mark my words.
