Poor ... Hindy says the Eels' performance would have earned them a spray from Ricky Stuart. Source: AAP
In his weekly column, Fox Sports expert and Canberra assistant coach Brett Kimmorley offers his thoughts on round seven of the 2013 NRL Premiership season.
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Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels, Centrebet Stadium
Nathan Hindmarsh: The Eels boys would be disappointed. Some simple missed tackles weren't ideal and they'll have to go again next week. I'm sure Ricky Stuart would have given them a blast after the match. It's our local derby so it's a really disappointing result. But hats off to the Panthers on a superb victory over their rivals. Young fullback Matt Moylan on debut, I thought he was spectacular.
Gorden Tallis: Penrith copped criticism a couple of weeks ago about what Gus was doing, but this win shows that all the young kids coming through could produce big for them. Penrith have got a big future if they can hold on to their kids, who looked full of energy and enthusiasm against the Eels.
Sydney Roosters v St George Illawarra Dragons, Allianz Stadium
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St George Illawarra came prepared to play and they made that clear by scoring the first try of the game. Anzac Day always brings the best out of these teams with the match fast paced and of a high intensity. But within a 10 minute period the Roosters sent out a timely message as to why they are a force to be reckoned with this year. They scored some fast tries off the back of their mobile and athletic forwards. I don't think Michael Jennings has received much praise this season but he was outstanding and looks like he has his pace back. He is certainly living up to his expectations as a try scoring machine who seeks out the ball at any opportunity. Despite the score line, the Dragons certainly put in the effort for their coach who re-signed with the club on the same day.
Melbourne Storm v Warriors, AAMI Park
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This little derby wound up becoming a crackerjack game with an atmosphere to match its intensity. The Warriors have a habit of lifting against Melbourne and Anzac Day was no different. The game was marred in controversy with a 40/20 call going against the Warriors in strange circumstances. It was a gutsy decision for the touch judge to rule the ball had hit one side of the line and then after being questioned by Billy Slater he changed his mind. The next set of six it led to a try and Matt Elliott and his players would have been heartbroken about that call. The Warriors genuinely threatened the massive winning streak the Storm are on and should be very proud of their performance. Cameron Smith took control of his side and led them around, ultimately the Storms' class came to the fore and they handled the pressure better than their opposition.
Manly Sea Eagles v South Sydney Rabbitohs, Brookvale Oval
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I feel like this win is an enormous one for South Sydney. Prior to the bye weekend, they had lost in Melbourne and wouldn't have wanted to lose to another top four side. It is never an easy task to play Manly at home and the Sea Eagles threw a lot at them physically in what was a faced paced match. Richie Fa'aoso is likely to be dealt a lengthy suspension for his two dumping tackles on Greg Inglis. A two nil score line at halftime resembled the class of both sides' defence but Adam Reynolds showed maturity in the second half and Inglis came up with some big plays, in particular a try straight after half-time. Sam Burgess dominated the middle of the field and Bryson Goodwin deserves a massive wrap for his defensive efforts on a very physical Steve Matai. Despite what the score might have you believe, the Sea Eagles were never really allowed in the game. The Rabbitohs were certainly the stronger side.
North Queensland Cowboys v Canberra Raiders, 1300SMILES Stadium
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The difference in these two sides came down to the class of Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen. I didn't think the Cowboys were overly impressive. There were a lot of errors from both teams at a slower tempo game to the others over the weekend. Both sides were simply hoping to find a victory. The Cowboys were down in confident while the Raiders had been on a roll in recent weeks. Positive for the home side was Tariq Sims' return to form and Bowen showed that age is just a number. There has been some doubt surrounding his playing future but he showed that not only does he still have his pace but the finesse to put the finishing touch onto everything he does. Matt Scott and James Tamou did an effective job in leading a team under pressure. Canberra will be disappointed with their effort when the game was there to be won, poor defence and handling errors cost them dearly.
Wests Tigers v Brisbane Broncos, Campbelltown Stadium
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There's an overused cliché that 'it was a game of two halves' but this match typified that statement as truth. The Broncos first half was outstanding and without being able to predict the injuries that eventually happened to the Wests Tigers, the Broncos made their intentions clear in the opening half. Justin Hodges and Matt Gillett have been in form for a number of weeks now and continue to cause headaches for their opposition. The halves combination of Scott Prince and Peter Wallace is also gelling nicely. Brisbane are playing a lot straighter and when they do that it opens space out wide for Corey Norman to chime into the backline. I can see that combination becoming very damaging with the club tightening their defence more and more as the weeks go by. It was disappointing for the Tigers and especially Tim Moltzen with an ACL injury. With a host of players sidelined, I feel for coach Mick Potter who will struggle to put a football side together.
Gold Coast Titans v Newcastle Knights, Skilled Park
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I believe you need to ignore the score line in this match because the Titans were very dominant for a side with just one player on their bench. You couldn't help but feel for them, losing Luke O'Dwyer, Matt Srama and Ashley Harrison all in the opening 20 minutes. John Cartwright will be extremely proud of his side despite the score. Newcastle produced a typical Wayne Bennett coached performance, very professional with a high completion rate. Defensively they were strong and have won five games of football with a completion about 70 percent and on Sunday above 80. James McManus was very good, bagging two tries while Akuila Uate is the equal fourth highest try scorer in the Knights history alongside Robbie O'Davis.
Cronulla Sharks v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Blue Tongue Stadium
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This was a match where two sides were desperate and while Des Hasler won't be thrilled with how they won; the two points will ease some pressure while they wait for some of their stars to return. The Bulldogs had two weeks to prepare for this match and the star attraction was the State of Origin audition of Todd Carney going head-to-head with Josh Reynolds. NSW coach Laurie Daley has made no secret that the Blues five-eighth role is up for grabs. Reynolds' greatest strength is his competiveness and winning man of the match was a nice reward. These two men are very different players. Carney is a freaky adlib footballer where Reynolds is an Origin style, gritty, competitive player who can break the game open. The Bulldogs outside backs were very solid and their efforts were rewarded with tries. Cronulla fans should hold their heads high with their performing under adversity with ASADA interviews starting this week they put the effort in but at 12-8 lacked the class to score points.
