Around the Grounds: Round 23

Author: Wests Tigers
Timestamp: Mon 23 Aug 2021, 10:28 AM

Another round is in the bag following the completion of Round 23 — leaving just two weekends of the regular season remaining before the NRL Finals.

Melbourne have all but secured the minor premiership after beating Gold Coast on Thursday night — equalled the biggest winning streak in league history with a 19th straight victory.

Penrith are likely to finish the regular season in third position following a win over the third-ranked Rabbitohs.

Sydney Roosters held on to their top four place with a win over thee Dragons, however wins to Manly Warringah over Canberra and Parramatta against North Queensland kept the race for fourth wide open.

Seventh-placed Newcastle opened a four-point gap to eighth with triumph over the Bulldogs, while Cronulla moved into the top eight with a big win over Wests Tigers.

Brisbane closed the weekend with a two-point victory over the Warriors, whose finals hopes have all but ended.

2021 Match Highlights: Rd.23, Wests Tigers vs. Sharks

ROUND 23 RESULTS

Melbourne Storm 34 def. Gold Coast Titans 20
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 19 def. Canberra Raiders 18
Penrith Panthers 25 def. South Sydney Rabbitohs 12
Cronulla Sharks 50 def. Wests Tigers 20
Newcastle Knights 22 def. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 16
Parramatta Eels 32 North Queensland Cowboys 16
Sydney Roosters 40 def. St George Illawarra Dragons 22
Brisbane Broncos 24 def. New Zealand Warriors 22

Already have an NRL Account?

Not sure? Learn more about an NRL Account .

JUDICIARY CHARGES

No Wests Tigers players were charged following the side’s loss to Cronulla on Saturday afternoon.

Bulldogs prop Luke Thompson's season is over unless he beats a crusher tackle charge at the judiciary.

Thompson is one of three players facing suspensions following a review of Saturday's matches.

His Bulldogs teammate Corey Waddell and Knights prop David Klemmer are also looking at time on the sidelines.

Click here for a full NRL judiciary report.

LATEST INJURY NEWS

Wests Tigers had five-eighth Adam Doueihi leave the field late in the match with a knee issue but coach Michael Maguire said his No.6 "should be OK" to play in next Sunday's clash against Penrith.

Scans have confirmed Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo suffered a broken jaw during Cronulla's 50-20 win over Wests Tigers in Rockhampton on Saturday.

Broncos winger Xavier Coates will undergo assessment on a shoulder/elbow issue that left him writhing in pain after he and Euan Aitken fought for a critical in-goal grounding in Sunday's thriller.

Warriors back-rower Josh Curran also copped a head knock and will need to pass mandated protocols to play next week, as will Rooster Adam Keighran, who failed his own HIA against the Dragons.

In another blow for the Roosters, forward Nat Butcher left the field early in the second half with a knee injury. Roosters coach Trent Robinson said Butcher would require further examination.

A blow for the Eels on Saturday night with winger Maika Sivo suffering a knee injury when he was bent over awkwardly in a tackle trying to bring the ball out of the red zone.

Click here for a full injury report.