Around the Grounds: Round 22

Author: Wests Tigers
Timestamp: Mon 16 Aug 2021, 10:11 AM

The race for the top eight is heating up with just one win separating six teams for the final position in the finals.

Wests Tigers moved to within two competition points of the top eight with a win over North Queensland on Saturday evening and they have now set a solid platform for the final three rounds.

With matches against the Cronulla, Penrith and Canterbury-Bankstown to close out the regular season, Michael Maguire’s men would need to win at least two games to have a chance of qualifying for the finals.

Top four teams Melbourne, Penrith, South Sydney and Sydney Roosters continued their winning ways in Round 22, while Manly Warringah kept their top four hopes alive with a huge win over Parramatta, who slipped to sixth on the ladder.

On Sunday, the Warriors were too good for the Bulldogs, while the Knights held on for a win against the Sharks.

2021 Match Highlights: Rd.22, Cowboys vs. Wests Tigers

ROUND 22 RESULTS

Melbourne Storm 26 def. Canberra Raiders 16
Penrith Panthers 34 def. St George Illawarra Dragons 16
Sydney Roosters 21 def. Brisbane Broncos 20
South Sydney Rabbitohs 36 def. Gold Coast Titans 6
Wests Tigers 24 def. North Queensland Cowboys 16
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 56 def. Parramatta Eels 10
New Zealand Warriors 24 def. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 10
Newcastle Knights 16 def. Cronulla Sharks 14

JUDICIARY CHARGES

Wests Tigers duo Jacob Liddle and Thomas Mikaele are set to miss next Saturday’s clash against Cronulla after being charged with Grade 1 Crusher Tackle offences.

The hooker and prop were cited for a tackle on Heilum Luke in the third minute of Saturday night’s game against North Queensland.

Liddle and Mikaele will miss just one match each if they accept early guilty pleas, however they risk a two-game suspension if they challenge the charges at the judiciary.

Liddle and Mikaele both charged with crusher tackle

Utility Michael Chee Kam has also been hit with a Grade 1 Dangerous Contact charge for contact on Valentine Holmes, however he can avoid suspension with a $1,150 fine.

Click here for a full NRL judiciary report.

Stefano giving his all to put Wests Tigers in the best position to win

LATEST INJURY NEWS

Sharks prop Andrew Fifita has suffered a "significant laryngeal injury" after being hospitalised for a knock to the throat in Cronulla's tense loss to Newcastle on Sunday.

Knights prop Daniel Saifiti also suffered a suspected medial ligament injury, with coach Adam O'Brien confirming afterwards that he expects the NSW prop to be out for at least a few weeks.

A fractured cheekbone that once almost cost Tom Trbojevic an Australian Test jersey has apparently saved him from suffering a similar injury as Manly gear up for a finals assault. Trbojevic copped a knock to his jaw as he spearheaded an astonishing 56-10 thrashing of Parramatta on Saturday, and has reported swelling and bruising from the injury afterward.

Click here for a full injury report.