The Cowboys have lastly clicked into gear and produced a “defining” efficiency which will simply be the “turning point” of their season.
It’s a distinct story for the reigning premiers, who edging nearer to the hardest level of their season — the Origin interval.
And talking of Origin, Ricky Stuart believes considered one of his star forwards has all of the elements for the brutal area.
Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs have been declared “competition favourites” and the Dolphins proceed to unearth some hidden gems.
Read on for all the greatest speaking factors from Magic Round.
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HORSBURGH HAS ALL THE INGREDIENTS FOR ORIGIN
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has thrown his help behind Corey Horsburgh because the calls develop louder for the fiery ahead to make his State of Origin debut.
A couple of weeks in the past Queensland legend Billy Moore singled Horsburgh out as a “special” participant that’s acquired “Origin written all over him” and the 25-year-old confirmed that in Friday’s win over the Bulldogs.
Horsburgh completed the sport with 148 working metres — essentially the most of any ahead on the sector — in addition to 4 deal with busts, a linebreak help, an offload and 26 tackles with zero misses in 62 minutes.
He admitted after the sport he’d “love” to drag on a Queensland jersey however he’s not getting forward of himself.
Stuart, nonetheless, was requested if Horsburgh is prepared for Origin and didn’t hesitate along with his reply.
“Yep (he’s ready for origin),” he stated.
“There’s a class footballer and there’s an Origin footballer — he’s got both.”
Horsburgh has been in red-hot type all season and Stuart stated it’s come all the way down to him having a “really good off-season.”
The coach was somewhat anxious his feedback may be “taken the wrong way” however he believes Horsburgh is within the “form of his career.”
“He’s been so consistent with his form,” Stuart stated.
“It’s very easy to get excited after a win, sit here and be all cocky and happy — which I am — but I don’t want my comment to be taken the wrong way.
“He’s had a really good off-season, he was in a bit of rehab for a period but he could run.
“When his season has been inconsistent with his form it’s been because he’s been in rehab for most of the off-season.
“He’s had a really good off-season, he’s started the season (well), he’s been getting really good minutes — he could’ve played 80 tonight and probably could’ve played 80 last week — but I’ve got three middles on the bench.
“Corey Horsburgh’s form has been consistent and it’s the best form of his career. He’s a big part of our middle and helping us win games of footy. I don’t think anyone would see that as an over the top comment if they saw the game tonight. He was class.”
Raiders skipper Elliott Whitehead echoed his coach.
“He’s a quality player and like Ricky said he’s probably in the form of his career,” he stated.
“Hopefully he can keep that form and hopefully he gets selected for Origin because he deserves it at the moment.”
Horsburgh is a Caboolture product that joined the Raiders in 2018. The 25-year-old has performed 69 NRL video games since making his debut in 2019.
He began the season on the bench however was promoted to the beginning facet in Round 6, punching out 71 minutes in that recreation and backing it up with a 70-minute effort and 71-minute effort within the weeks following.
Green Machine clinch Magic Rd opener | 03:03
WALSH’S ORIGIN BID CONTINUES
Reece Walsh has been electrical in his first 9 appearances for the Broncos and his type has caught the attention of Maroons coach Billy Slater.
The 20-year-old has scored 4 tries and assisted a staggering 13 four-pointers to go along with eight linebreaks and 15 linebreak assists.
At solely 18, Walsh was in line to make his Origin debut for he suffered a hamstring harm which dominated him out.
Now the gun fullback is locked in a battle with incumbent Kalyn Ponga for the No.1 jersey and Slater has an enormous headache on his palms.
Ponga delivered a matchwinning efficiency within the collection decider in 2022 and that show might see him stay at fullback based on rugby league legend Corey Parker.
“Reece is in terrific form, there’s no two ways about it,” Parker stated.
“I thought last week was his quietest game of the season to be fair. He only had a couple of runs in a game we were all on the edge of our seats for the match-up with Latrell.
“He redeemed himself this evening. He’s still very young in terms of his NRL career and what he’s doing.
“I’ve got no doubt whatsoever Reece Walsh will play for QLD if it’s not this series. I just don’t see how he dislodges Kalyn Ponga after Ponga’s performance last year in Game 3 where he was man of the match and won QLD the game.”
Ponga was sidelined for a number of weeks after an unpleasant head knock within the Knights’ Round 2 conflict towards the Tigers.
Newcastle’s marquee man travelled to Canada for neurological testing which yielded optimistic outcomes and Ponga returned in Round 8.
Question marks have been raised about Ponga’s capability to play at fullback at Origin stage after making a change to five-eighth below Adam O’Brien.
But Parker as soon as once more emphasised Queensland’s loyal choice mentality.
“I thought he’d (Ponga) be given every opportunity to take his place again in the team,” Parker stated.
“No doubt Reece will be in the squad, but he’s not a player you put at 14 because Harry Grant stays in that position.”
“He’s in a really good spot at the moment and hearing Reece talk post-game, he is a real student of the game.
“He watches a lot of football, watches a lot of video analysis on his own game and other people’s games which is terrific because the role that he has for the Broncos is crucial.”
Eight-time NSW hooker Michael Ennis additionally revealed Slater might have a trump card up his sleeve if Ben Hunt or Harry Grant endure an harm.
While the dummy-half duo will put on the No.9 and No.14 jerseys, Walsh might be the subsequent utility in line.
“QLD have a luxury at the moment in their spine. The fact is that Ben Hunt or Harry Grant have been so good together,” Ennis stated.
“There’s still a couple of weeks to go so if anything happens to Hunt or Grant, I think Reece does become the 14. He’s the next in line.
“When you’ve got Ben Hunt there who has the ability to play multiple positions, and plays multiple positions better than most blokes starting in that position.
“Munster, DCE, Ponga, they are proven and love playing together at that level so it’ll be tough for Reece Walsh to get in unless there’s an opportunity.
“The fact that Billy brought him in a year or two ago, means he’s on the radar.”
“He’ll go into camp, but barring injury, I don’t see how he takes Ponga’s place,” Parker added.
Reece Walsh explains pre recreation throw up | 03:11
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DOLPHINS UNCOVERING NRL GEMS
Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins now sit with six wins and 4 losses, belting the Sharks 36-16 in Magic Round.
Cronulla have been heavy favourites coming into the conflict, however Bennett’s rag-tag NRL newcomers got here up trumps with a scintillating show, holding a 30-0 lead after 33 minutes.
Prior to their entry into the competitors, criticism was levelled towards the Dolphins’ recruitment after they did not land a marquee star.
Bennett and recruitment guru Peter O’Sullivan remained steadfast they wouldn’t pay overs for any participant, regardless of their stance within the recreation.
The Dolphins missed out on an extended listing of names, together with Cameron Munster and Reece Walsh, as a substitute slowly signing gamers on the fringes of their respective groups together with veteran forwards Kenny Bromwich, Jesse Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi.
During the Dolphins’ Magic Round show, one factor grew to become clear — Bennett has a watch for expertise.
Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King has been glorious in his quick Dolphins profession after Bulldogs bosses signed Reed Mahoney as his alternative.
While the 27-year-old was in effective type for the Canterbury membership in 2022, he has taken his recreation to a brand new stage below Bennett and orchestrated the primary attempt of the night time on Saturday.
“Seven try assists for Marshall-King, 11 tries they have been able to score through that middle third, the best in the competition,” Parker stated.
“It is quite a feat for a man who was replaced by Reed Mahoney at the Bulldogs, Wayne saw something in him and gave him an opportunity.
“He has been electric out of dummy-half.”
Jamayne Isaako, who departed the Broncos for the Titans in a mid-season change final yr, was undesirable within the Gold Coast and has been one of many NRL’s in-form wingers.
Connelly Lemuelu managed solely 24 video games throughout three seasons on the Cowboys.
The 24-year-old has been glorious within the again row below Bennett, scoring three tries and never lacking a minute since Round 3.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has additionally scored 10 tries in 10 appearances, returning to his type which earned the flying fullback a Queensland jersey in 2021.
He additionally discovered himself enjoying off the bench below Todd Payten, with Scott Drinkwater claiming the fullback spot.
Commentator Dan Ginnane additionally highlighted Euan Aitken’s return to type after he sparked the Dolphins’ second attempt.
“The wonderful stories of second chances and resurrections,” Ginnane stated.
“Stories like Isaako, he has had a wonderful season. Players that have grown here Connelly Lemuelu.
“But none more so than Euan Aitken, he has once again become the player that many thought he was in his early days at the Dragons when he was knocking on the door of Origin selection.”
Why we play – Wholesome debut scenes! | 02:29
SQUAD SOLIDARITY ROCKETS SOUTHS TO TITLE FAVOURITISM
South Sydney have overwhelmed the Panthers, Broncos and Storm in three consecutive weeks to cap a five-game successful streak that has rocketed them into title favouritism.
The Rabbitohs’ 28-12 win over the Storm, who they’ve traditionally struggled to problem, confirmed have far this group has come.
Interestingly, Souths didn’t make any signings from final season, however they’re beginning to reap the advantages of preserving the majority of their squad collectively for an extended time frame and it has put the competitors on discover.
Greg Alexander believes Souths had a troublesome begin with fixtures, however some tight contests steeled them for the success they’re now having fun with.
“I was a bit surprised by the start that they had, but they had a very difficult start,” Alexander stated.
“They played some of the big teams, went down narrowly to a couple of them… pre-season, my grand final was Souths and Penrith.
“One of the reasons I thought Souths were going to improve even though they didn’t add anyone to their roster, was the improvement in the individuals.
“Lachlan Ilias, (Keaon) Koloamatangi, Campbell Graham. Lachy Ilias is a better player than he was last year.
“Koloamatangi is a better player, Campbell Graham is a better player… they’ve improved their side even though they didn’t bring players into their roster.
“Improvements around those players just make their best players even better. Tatola another year under his belt.
“I think they have got the ingredients to be a grand final team.”
Cooper Cronk believes Souths have leapfrogged the Panthers and the Broncos into title favouritism after beating the calibre of opposition they’ve within the final three weeks on the again of their defence.
“They are competition favourites right now,” Cronk stated.
“The Broncos are on top two points clear after their win in Magic Round, but what South Sydney have done in their five match winning streak has been outstanding.
“They have been dominating teams on the scoreboard. They have been able to hold in contests. They have been able to fight back. But against the Storm defensively they were so strong.
“Their left side was electric with five tries down that side. It was three in the second half and two to Johnston.
“But the goal line defence and the ability to repeatedly repel the Melbourne Storm. It was four linebreaks to nil. That’s how good South Sydney defended.
“Both the tries Melbourne Storm scored came form a kick and dummyhalf. Defensively Souths were very strong.”
Cronk believes Souths are all the time going to get brilliance out of their stars Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker, however it’s their pack that’s dominating to provide their playmakers the possibility to shine.
“When South Sydney win Cody Walker is the headline maker,” Cronk stated.
“He had a try and two try assists. Latrell Mitchell again not many runs, but two try assists. He impacts the scoreboard every time he plays.
“But it is about time we start wrapping up the South Sydney forward pack. They were so strong. They were committed. They were all working together in unison.
“They are just rock solid through the middle third and it allows the likes of Damien Cook, Cody and Latrell to do their thing.
“I thought Jai Arrow was great, Tatola, Burgess. They were all terrific and they had a really strong overall performance.”
Mitchell magic steers Souths to victory | 02:17
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PANTHERS PHYSICALLY DRAINED AS TEAMS HUNT DEFENDING PREMIERS
They say defending a premiership is the toughest factor to do in rugby league, however the Panthers are discovering out simply how exhausting it’s to defend back-to-back titles.
Penrith are up towards it to realize a uncommon three-peat as a result of each week they get most effort from their opposition and it’s draining their gamers bodily and mentally.
The Warriors gave it completely every thing in Magic Round with Nathan Cleary calling Penrith’s 18-6 win his facet’s hardest recreation all yr.
Greg Alexander believes the Panthers have an enormous problem to get their group prepared for the bodily onslaught every week.
“I think the Panthers were physically drained again,” Alexander stated.
“They came off the field against Newcastle and said they hadn’t played a tougher game than that one.
“Cooper Cronk you know plenty about being defending premiers and what opposition sides do. They have got to be physical right from the start if they are going to beat the defending premiers.
“That’s what Penrith are facing at the moment. Sides are coming out and ripping in.
“This was a great game of footy because the Warriors are a good side this year. We are in the 10th round now and the Warriors have not let themselves down all year in terms of their effort, how smart they play.
“They do the things that need to be done to win football games. I thought the opening was a classic, great footy, big hits and big defence.”
The Panthers subsequent face the Roosters and the Broncos earlier than the powerful Origin interval, with plenty of their gamers anticipated to play for the Blues.
Alexander believes the Panthers have been crying out for reinforcements of their pack.
“It is a tough period,” Alexander stated.
“They got Spencer Leniu and James Fisher-Harris back today, so they will be better for the run.
“Liam Martin is still to return and he is a week to week proposition. He could be back next week or it could be the week after.”
However, Cooper Cronk believes the Panthers don’t must win the minor premiership and will goal to peak on the pointy finish of the season and get their gamers wholesome and recent for a September cost.
“The thing about Penrith trying to win three premierships in a row, what they do now isn’t really going to determine what happens,” Cronk stated.
“I think they have got to have their best players available and healthy and they have got to get through Origin.
“They know how to play. Still the best defensive team in our competition. If they can have their best players healthy and their energy high, they don’t need to be minor premiers.
“They could win this from anywhere. That’s the key for Ivan Cleary and his men to have a healthy list and have them energetic enough to do it all over again.
“If they are going to win they are going to have to put two months of good football together against the best teams.”
Mal Meninga believes Ivan Cleary might want to plan to relaxation gamers and prioritise the 80 minutes every weekend moderately than the coaching in the course of the week.
“He has to work on the workload of the players,” Meninga stated.
“Physically they are drained after the Warriors game again.
“Ivan and his staff do a fantastic job and it is around their workload and how much he gets out of them each week for the games.
“It is basically about the games. Preparation is important, but it is about what you do through the week to get you up for game day.”
Panthers pounce on Warriors to assert win | 02:09
‘TURNING POINT’ FOR COWBOYS AFTER PAYTEN’S CHALLENGE
Braith Anasta believes the Cowboys’ 20-6 win over the Roosters “could be a defining moment” and a “turning point” for the facet that had solely managed three wins previous to that recreation.
The Cowboys sat sixteenth heading into Magic Round and appeared a shadow of the facet that went inside a attempt of the grand closing final season.
Adding much more stress was the very fact they copped a 44-6 shellacking from the Sharks in Round 9.
But they tailored to the moist circumstances higher than the Roosters and had management of the sport for the complete 80 minutes.
Greg Alexander believes the Cowboys will need to have had an trustworthy dialog following the Sharks loss to show it round in every week.
“I think they’ve all had a bit of an honesty check throughout the week,” he stated.
“When a side hits its lowest point — and I think it was the Sharks last week, they were dreadful against them — there must have been a fair bit of chat up in Townsville with a couple of their key men.”
Cowboys coach Todd Payten shrugged off the suggestion they particularly had an ‘honesty session’ in his post-game press convention however did reveal he “challenged” his facet.
“Bit of an understatement, it was a tough week,” Payten conceded.
“I challenged our players, I challenged our character off the back of last weekend. I said this month is going to be character-revealing and I like what I saw (in) every minute of training and the same as that contest then.
“Off the back of last week I thought we got punched in the face a couple of times and we just didn’t do anything about it.
“As a coach I can cop losing if we’re in the contest fighting hard, but I just thought with 20 minutes to go we were just trying to get through the game. It was a different team there tonight.”
Skipper Chad Townsend — who was one of many Cowboys’ greatest — burdened how necessary it was for the facet to reply Payten’s problem.
“As a player when your character gets challenged and your team gets challenged it’s not a good feeling and you want to respond to that,” he stated.
It was the Cowboys’ most full efficiency of the season and Michael Ennis believes that would have one thing to do with the group coming collectively.
“I feel like watching the Cowboys this year, a number of those young guys had breakout seasons, made representative teams and went on the World Cup,” he stated.
“I know there’s been a lot of talk about the shortened pre-season but there’s been a lot of players that went on that World Cup that have come back in great form.
“I think maybe they’ve had their eyes just a little focused on themselves rather than the team, looking towards playing Origin and other individual achievements that come throughout the year.
“It looked like today they brought their focus back to what the team needed, they competed hard for each other and every single one of them improved today.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au