StandOffHalf

I find Russell Watson very grating and harsh as a singer, but I'm overjoyed that Boston and his team-mates were out there getting applause from the both the Wigan faithful and visiting fans. He seemed so spritely and enthusiastic.

Thought Brisbane looked off and lacking in clinicality. Titans had them a bit on the ropes at six behind, but Foran's over-the-top ball that was intercepted released the pressure they were mounting. I thought it was a pretty poor game, especially in the first half.

Poor Piakura bounces his head twice off the ground and the video ref ruled he didn't re-grip from left to right. Not sure I agree with the Bunker there. He had both hands on it, then took away his left hand, and brought it down with his right. It wasn't solely left hand initially. I thought that could have been given. He got it down okay with his right. Nasty burns and grazes on the right side of his visage after hitting and sliding on the turf.

I can't see Munster being ousted by Dearden. I suppose there's a chance that Munster may opt out of travelling overseas in order to have a full off-season. If he travels though, I think it's a shootout between Cleary and Dearden to partner him. I think the Queensland partnership has a good tick in the box after what happened mid-week.

So frustrating watching that second half from the Cows. Something like 15 errors. Dropping a ball every few minutes. Not putting anything together. The Dogs were solid in defence, but that handling by the home team was abysmal. It just kept releasing any pressure.

Radley over under the sticks off a flat ball from Tedesco to seal a Chooks win, and then he makes for the camera and gives it a bit of jubilant verbals and a slap. Victor Radley Try | NRL.com

Some poor defence and poor reffing. That try down the left was well taken by the French, despite the flimsiness of the tackling. The cross-field kick that he dived at to attempt to score was just too near the ground. I had to look at it a couple of times, but I think he dropped it as he dived short of the line. Tough one to take with it dipping. Maybe he could have let the ball bounce, but it probably would have rolled on too quickly. Thanks for the link to watch, @NRLandSL!

That stepping run up the middle from Farnworth is a dazzling illustration of his strength as a centre. A 17-stone man really has no right to be as nimble and athletic as that. An astonishing try from one of the game's star players.

Hi there, Graham! Flick a coin on several of these, especially Cowboys vs Doggies and Sharks vs Dolphins. I'm tipping the Knights for the upset. SHARKS, KNIGHTS, EASTS, COWBOYS, WARRIORS, PANTHERS, BRONCOS 294 points 4 home wins 4 teams to score 30 plus Good luck to everyone.

Good luck to Menzie. Always enjoyed watching the Jukebox play. Good on him!

I don't think so. Getting carded would carry a stigma among his peers and fans, and would serve as a deterrent. Just an idea anyway.

Absolutely. I'd have been seriously tempted to come over to Tottenham. An incredible stadium. As it is, I'll watch them on the Beeb here in Ireland.

That's why I specifically said lying prone after high contact, i.e. suspected of being knocked out.

Surely the point of having a protocol is that there is a baseline where any incident that meets that results in the same outcome. We have been told that lying prone for a certain amount of time after high contact means an automatic stand-down period.

Lying prone for some time on the ground after high contact is, it would seem, an automatic stand-down from the next weekend. That is why Lewis won't be playing this weekend. I think that rubs a player out unnecessarily if it is an incident of play-acting to sell the contact.

In my hypothetical scenario, the question would obviously only be posed if they bounce up as Mikey did. If they are dazed or stumbling, then it's obvious that they are off in the hands of the medical staff. Play-acting: here's a yellow card for you. Prone or still on the ground for a while: looked after by medical staff and sitting the following week out.

I was suggesting a yellow card for admitted play-acting versus missing the following game under the HIA protocols. I suppose if there wasn't a game the following week the player might go off even if he was feigning. Honesty is in short supply!

If the doctors see something to be concerned about, then get him off by all means. He passed his HIA and the only reason they rushed on was because he was staying still. I don't want players with concussions endangering themselves.

If the medicos see reason to take a player off, that's good. If there is no concussion, a question from the ref could stop a non-injured player from missing a game the following week. I don't want players with concussions out there endangering themselves, but I also don't want players who are fine to be unnecessarily missing games.

Lewis knows whether or not he was milking it. The only reason the KR medicos rushed on to get him off was the fact he was staying still. Quick question from the ref would sort it out there and then, if it was play-acting.

He shouldn't have lifted the legs but kicking an opponent between the legs is a grubby act. The Hammer should have been off for an early bath IMO.

I don't know. Origin does seem to carry a lot of weight in selections.

I think he could have been asked by the referee whether he was milking it and, if so, simply shown a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct. If he isn't concussed I'm not keen on him having to miss another game the week after. It looked suspiciously as though he was just looking to sell it by staying motionless for a short time. Glad he seems to be okay, anyway. Hopefully it's lesson learned, if there was a bit of play-acting.

For me, doubts linger over Cleary at rep level. Tonight was his time to grab it by the horns and shout out that he is the best half in the game, and he failed miserably. I also think Dearden would probably go better in British conditions.

He's the captain of a stacked team who have let themselves down embarrassingly at home. Not a reflection on him as a man, but that NSW showing merits the booing.