Dragons coach Anthony Griffin has a big decision on his hands after Jayden Sullivan delivered a statement performance in his return from a shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, veteran winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak also returned to the field — and was forced to bide his time in New South Wales Cup.
Aaron Woods opened up on what Anthony Seibold wants to see from him following the Sea Eagles’ upset win over the Panthers and Roosters second-rower Sitili Tupouniua is back on the field.
Queensland Cup enjoyed the long weekend off, but there was plenty of action south of the border.
Read on for the latest Reserve Grade Wrap.
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Knights hold off Warriors at home | 02:31
ALL EYES WERE ON
Jayden Sullivan returned from a shoulder injury via NSW Cup with a statement performance that will give NRL coach Anthony Griffin plenty to think about.
Sullivan scored a try and set up four more. He also got four linebreak assists, three tackle busts and ran for 127 metres, while also making 17 tackles with three misses.
Even when Talatau Amone was cleared to play, 21-year-old Sullivan still retained the Dragons’ No.6 jersey in first grade. But when Sullivan suffered an AC joint injury ahead of Round 5, Amone was rushed in and helped steer the Red V to an upset over the Dolphins.
But with Sullivan back on the field — and thriving — Griffin will have a big decision to make come 4pm on Tuesday.
Roosters second-rower Sitili Tupouniua played his first game since rupturing his ACL last July. Tupouniua only played the first half but it’s understood there were no injury concerns — it was just part of the plan to ease him back in. The 25-year-old finished with a linebreak, two tackle busts, 98 running metres and 15 tackles with zero misses.
New Zealand international Dallin Watene-Zelezniak also returned to the field after a calf injury held him out of the first five rounds. Watene-Zelezniak couldn’t force his way into the NRL side with Marcelo Montoya and Edward Kosi both in great form so instead he ran amok in NSW Cup, scoring a try, setting up another, getting four linebreaks 12 tackle busts and running for 206 metres.
Warriors NRL coach Andrew Webster spoke about Watene-Zelezniak’s team-first mentality on Sunday night but didn’t reveal whether the performance was enough to get him into the 17 for Round 7.
“I told him the news and he said ‘whatever’s best for the team, I’ll do it,’ so I was pretty proud of him for that,” Webster said.
“Not only does he do that, but he goes out and has a cracking game in reserve grade. He can only go out and play well and he did that tonight.”
Titans take down dull Dragons | 01:59
It was a mixed bag for Parramatta’s Waqa Blake, who was dropped to NSW Cup over the weekend. Blake finished with 84 running metres and a linebreak assist against the Magpies but also had two passes — that could have led to tries — called forward.
Meanwhile, new Sea Eagles recruit Aaron Woods is edging closer to a call-up to first grade. His leadership helped feeder side Blacktown Workers produce the upset of the season in their 26-24 over the Panthers. Woods finished the game with a linebreak assist, 114 running metres and 19 tackles with three misses.
In a post-game interview Fox League, Woods said he needs to “come here with a good attitude and keep pushing the boys,” when asked what NRL coach Anthony Seibold wants to see from him.
“There’s times when you probably feel a bit disappointed if you’re not in the (NRL) squad but if we can just boost the morale… We train all week and put on the Penrith shapes for the boys to prepare them. It’s a team effort and when the time comes you’ll get a call,” he added.
STANDOUTS
Experienced outside back Braidon Burns played a key role in the Bulldogs’ 26-22 win over the Rabbitohs. Burns scored the Dogs’ first try, set up another, got a linebreak, two linebreaks assists nine tackle busts and 112 running metres, while also making 16 tackles with zero misses.
With Josh Addo-Carr set to miss the next eight weeks an opportunity has opened up on the left wing and Burns will likely get first shot at filling it.
Winger Blake Wilson also caused plenty of damage for the Dogs, scoring a try, getting three linebreaks, eight tackle busts and running for 189 metres, while prop Billy Tsikrikas had an impact on both sides of the ball, finishing with a try, a linebreak, 178 running metres and 31 tackles — no misses.
Young Rabbitoh Tallis Duncan was impressive in a losing side. The 20-year-old scored a try, set up another, got a linebreak, a linebreak assist, eight tackle busts and 110 running metres. He also made 34 tackles with two misses.
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Siua Wong continues to push for an NRL debut with another rock-solid performance for the Roosters in NSW Cup. Wong scored a try, got a linebreak, three tackle busts and 146 running metres, while also making 44 tackles with three misses.
The Roosters’ other feeder side, North Sydney Bears, went down to a spirited Dragons side that was steered by Sullivan.
Max Feagai also had a day out, bagging a double, getting three linebreaks, 12 tackle busts and 176 running metres. He also made 14 tackles with zero misses.
Front-rowers Zane Musgrove and Jaiyden Hunt also got through a mountain of work. Musgrove amassed 208 running metres and made 22 tackles with zero misses, while Hunt scored a try, got a linebreak, six tackle busts and made a team-high of 37 tackles with zero misses.
Livewire fullback Jake Toby carved up for Blacktown against his former club, Penrith. Toby — who has had his train-and-trial deal extended through to the end of the season — set up two tries, got a linebreak, two linebreak assists, three tackle busts and 148 running metres. He also came up with a try-saving tackle.
Blacktown’s makeshift five-eighth Dean Matterson was also on fire. The 25-year-old, whose preferred position is lock, set up a try, got a linebreak, two linebreak assists and ran for 165 metres.
Somehow no one binned in ALL-IN melee | 00:56
Although the Panthers were beaten, they did click into gear when hooker Luke Sommerton came onto the field. The train-and-tribalist straightened up Penrith’s attack and was rewarded with two tries. Meanwhile, young prop Liam Henry is going from strength to strength, scoring a try for Penrith, getting 155 running metres and making 37 tackles with two misses.
The Warriors put 54 points on the Knights with fullback Geronimo Doyle setting up two tries and getting three linebreak assists.
Halfback Ronald Volkman came alive too, finishing with a try assist, a linebreak and 155 running metres, while veteran forward James Gavet had an impact too with a try assist, a linebreak assist and 152 running metres.
Daine Laurie’s running game came alive for the Magpies with the fullback finishing with a game-high of 213 metres as well as two linebreak assists and four tackle busts in his side’s 10-6 loss to the Eels.
Meanwhile, opposing fullback Daejarn Asi’s fingerprints were all over the win. He set up both of his side’s tries.
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SPOTTED
Blacktown’s win over the reigning premiers is even more impressive given they only kicked one from six conversion attempts. Toby and winger Calyton Faulolo swapped duties a couple of times during the game with the latter finally getting one in the 70th minute.
“I’d like to blame the wind but I think we need a few more reps in at training — it’s not going too good is it?,” Toby laughed in an interview with Fox League.
