The sixth edition of the NRL’s Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium delivered the customary level of carnival atmosphere and rugby league goodwill that has made it a bucket list event for every fan of the game.
There was also certainly enough quality footy and dramatic finishes (albeit with a few blowouts) to keep the purists happy.
Canterbury bounced back, Penrith and Newcastle produced timely big wins, and Canberra and the Warriors have been promoted from surprise-packet status to top-four contenders.
No home state advantage
Queensland fans had the shortest commute, but they took the least enjoyment out of the weekend’s results in Brisbane as the Dolphins, Cowboys, Titans and Broncos came up empty.
The Dolphins trailed Sydney Roosters 32-8 after 50 minutes before showing some late fight, eventually going down 36-26. Similarly, North Queensland were overrun 28-12 in the first half by the Warriors; a searing comeback fell agonisingly short 30-26.
The southeast Queensland teams were dustier than the revellers in the stands backing up for their third day and night on the bounce.
Gold Coast has powered ahead as favourite in the Most Losses market ($2.60) after a 38-18 defeat to Canterbury – the Titans’ fifth straight, conceding 30-plus points in each as their long-running Achilles heel comes home to roost again.
But the most disappointing team of Magic Round was unquestionably Brisbane, scoring the first try against Penrith but barely firing a shot thereafter in a 32-8 loss that rattled the Broncos’ title credentials (though they remain on the third of betting at $8) as they struggle for week-to-week consistency.
Blues contenders stake claims
With the State of Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium just three weeks away, a host of NSW hopefuls used the same venue as their platform to pitch for a call-up.
Deposed Blues legend James Tedesco produced a compelling case for a recall with 271 metres, two line-breaks and two try assists in the Roosters win over the Dolphins on Friday. But No.1 incumbent Dylan Edwards provided a reminder of his class as the Panthers doused the Broncos.
Melbourne’s Ryan Papenhuyzen and Canterbury’s Connor Tracey underlined how flush NSW is for fullbacks.
Tedesco sits third in the Dally M Medal count, while second-placed Terrell May continues to demand a debut after yet another powerhouse performance in the front-row as Wests Tigers outlasted St George Illawarra.
NSW’s winning 2024 halves duo, Mitch Moses (in Parramatta’s loss to Cronulla) and Jarom Luai (in the Tigers’ win over the Dragons), both put in strong showings as they battle to partner Nathan Cleary this year. Api Koroisau turned up the heat on hooker incumbent Reece Robson with another great game.
If the Blues need a winger – with Brian To’o and Zac Lomax both currently injured – they could do much worse than handing a jersey to Jacob Kiraz, who scored a hat-trick and was arguably best on ground as the Bulldogs overwhelmed the Titans.
Newcastle’s return to form gave blockbusting Bradman Best a chance to press his incumbency claims as Blues selectors grapple with picking a week-to-week specialist centre, or a proven utility star like Latrell Mitchell or Tom Trbojevic.
Second-row bolter chance Jacob Preston was the hard-luck story of Magic Round, facing a three-to-four week ban on a crusher tackle charge.
The Blues are the narrowest of $1.94 outsiders to start their defence of the Origin shield with a win in enemy territory.
Metcalf arrives
During the Warriors’ first seven games, newly anointed No.7 Luke Metcalf provided enough sporadic big moments to give the club’s fans hope he can be the team’s long-term linchpin…with enough missteps to keep them wondering if he can get to the level required.
But the lightweight playmaker was brilliant in the Warriors held on for a gutsy, nerve-shredding 30-26 victory over the Cowboys.
Everything Metcalf touched turned to gold in the Warriors’ first-half blitz, making two line-breaks and delivering two line-break assists in scoring two tries and laying on another. Meanwhile, he finished the game with 162 running metres and pulled off magnificent try-saving cover tackle in the second half.
Along with halves partner Chanel Harris-Tavita, Metcalf is also looking more comfortable providing calm control and direction for a Warriors team that is sailing along in equal-second – and has shortened to $1.50 to make the Top 8.
Among the Warriors’ other standouts were buy-of-the-year contender Erin Clark and 19-year-old sensation Leka Halasima, who proved he has the motor to go with his irresistible destructive impact in a mighty 80-minute effort.
Cleary, Panthers sound warning
Nathan Cleary sent a shudder down the spine of 16 NRL coaches – and Queensland mentor Billy Slater, for that matter – with an all-round performance of the highest order in Penrith’s 32-8 beatdown of Brisbane.
The incomparable Cleary literally kick-started the Panthers’ comeback from an early 8-0 deficit, via an inch-perfect kick for Izack Tago’s try and a 40/20.
A solo try eerily reminiscent of his 2023 grand final match-winner against the same opposition put the Panthers right on top before the break, while he finished with 100-plus running metres, 20 tackles, and kicked the Broncos to death in the most Panthers-like performance of a tricky title defence so far.
Still only 3-6 and with an arduous Origin campaign just around the corner, the Panthers still have plenty of work to do just to reach the playoffs.
But for a dynasty with little left to attain other than adding to their run of premierships, becoming the first team to triumph from the bottom half of the Top 8 since 1995 could be their most impressive singular achievement yet.
Real deal Raiders
They needed an ounce luck to get the job done, but good teams make their own, as they say, and Canberra’s thrilling 22-20 golden point win over premiership favourite Melbourne was another stepping stone on the club’s path from dark horse to genuine contender.
Trailing 14-0 after 25 minutes, the Raiders grafted their way back into the contest and refused to buckle in a tense second stanza.
Quicksilver fullback Kaeo Weekes’ late leveller – a kick-and-chase special in the rain – must be in the frame for the greatest try scored in a Magic Round, before Jamal Fogarty’s 84th-minute penalty goal gave the underdogs their first lead of the game and their seventh win of the season.
The Raiders have come in to $15 for the title – and get another statement opportunity when they host the competition-leading Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Storm have blown 14-point leads twice in the space of three games…after doing so just once in the previous 80 games they have led by that margin.