Didn’t catch up with all the 2024 Anzac Day NRL action? Well here to review the games in the quickest possible time is our collection of one minute Match Reviews for Round 8’s Anzac Day clashes.
GOLD COAST 27 d NZ WARRIORS 24
The Titans have won their first game of 2024, beating the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium. It was a big occasion for the Wahs: their first home ANZAC Day game since 2015 (also against the Titans) and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad’s 100th NRL game. While the Warriors raced to a 12-0 lead (with CNK scoring in his milestone game), the Titans dominated from there: converted tries to AJ Brimson, Tanah Boyd, David Fifita, and a field goal to Tanah Boyd, giving them a 19-12 half-time lead.
Alofiana Khan-Pereira scored soon after the break to push the Titans’ lead to 23-12, then the Warriors were disallowed a try to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck when Wayde Egan knocked on at dummy half in the lead up. The Titans seemed to put the game away when AJ Brimson scored in the 54th minute. But the Warriors fought back: tries to Addin Fonua-Blake (his second) and Rocco Berry getting them within three points. Berry nearly scored again, but the try was disallowed with a knock on from Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. The Titans weathered the Warriors’ attack in the final 15 minutes to hang on to the win.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS 60 d ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 18
The Sydney Roosters have destroyed St George Illawarra in the ANZAC Day clash at the SFS. The Dragons had a horror start with Moses Suli knocked out in the first tackle. Will it spark a new debate about kick-off rules? While the Dragons scored first through Jaydn Su’a, Eastern Suburbs dominated from there: the game was over at half-time, with the Roosters leading 30-6.
Sam Walker was a deserved winner of his second Ashton Collier Spirit of Anzac Medal: he scored a try (penalty try), kicked 10 goals from 10 attempts, had 370 kicking metres, and two try assists. His 24 points passed Jamie Soward’s 21 in 2009. Joseph Manu and Nat Butcher both scored doubles for the Roosters. It was the Roosters’ biggest win and highest score in ANZAC Day games.
MELBOURNE 54 SOUTH SYDNEY 20
Melbourne rounded our ANZAC Day by thumping Souths at AAMI Park. The Storm won their 10th ANZAC Day game from 13 attempts, and their sixth straight ANZAC Day win. Xavier Coates only played the first 34 minutes due to a hamstring injury, but still scored a first half hat-trick. Ryan Papenhuyzen also scored a double.
Melbourne looked comfortable leading 36-4 early in the second half: then Souths scored through Jacob Gagai (his second), Taane Milne, and Cameron Murray to give themselves a sniff at 36-20 with 20 minutes left. But Melbourne shut the game down with tries to Cameron Munster and Tyran Wishart. Melbourne then brought up the 50 with Joe Chan’s first NRL try. The game had an ugly finish when Taane Milne made an unnecessary low tackle on Cameron Munster with seconds left and was sin binned. There could be massive repercussions for Souths and Milne over this moment of stupidity.
Match Summary above courtesy of Not Six Again – NRL Fanatics & Banter from Gurgler contributor Andrew Pelechaty. For more NRL Banter and Views please follow the link below.
FINAL THOUGHTS
- The triple header works for Anzac Day, giving New Zealand a deserved game on home soil on the special day and avoiding a Melbourne based loss every year. Plus the three games have a good mix for the neutral fan. May the NRL continue it every year.
- The popular juggernaut that was the Warriors has run out of a bit of steam, and it’s a shame. Hopefully they get back on track soon to take advantage of the uncertainty of Origin period, which should affect them less.
- Two premiership heavyweight flexed their muscles on Anzac Day, and the competition needs them to follow through to give the competition some real quality come finals time, rather than being Panthers fodder.
- Given the game was in Melbourne, where Souths have never won, no one would have expected the Rabbitohs to win, and they were beaten by a red-hot side. But for Jason Demetriou to say their season is salvageable is a long bow. Sacking a coach isn’t always the answer, but Souths need to do something. Perhaps long-suffering captain Cameron Murray is the only player who is playing better this season out of the entire squad.
- Taane Milne should never play first grade for Souths again.
Courtesy of nrl.com
WARRIORS v TITANS
- Warriors have won just two of 15 Anzac Day clashes. All but two of those Anzac Day clashes were in Melbourne against the Storm. And lost all three of the Thursday games.
- It’s 9 losses in a row now on Anzac Day.
- Titans are now 2/2 on Anzac Day, both against the Warriors.
- Gold Coast have now won four of the last five games v Warriors.
DRAGONS v ROOSTERS
- H2H for Anzac Day Clashes overall is St George Illawarra 12 Roosters 11. At the Sydney Football Stadium it is St George Illawarra 10 Roosters 8.
- Dragons have lost all three of their games at the Sydney Football Stadium on a Thursday. They have won only three of their last 14 at the SFS on any day.
- The Roosters 60 points scored is the second best tally behind Melbourne’s 70 points score in 2022. The game’s total points of 78 scored is two short of the total record from the same Melbourne game.
- Melbourne averaged 52 points scored from their last five Anzac Day clashes.
- Melbourne haven’t lost an Anzac Day clash since 2011.
STORM v RABBITOHS
- That’s now 19 losses in 19 games in Melbourne v Storm for South Sydney. A truly magnificent stat. Olympic Ground (7 losses) and AAMI Park (12 losses).
- Melbourne have never lost to anyone on a Thursday at home too (18 games).
- Melbourne have won all ten games v Sydney clubs anywhere on a Thursday.
- Melbourne have all three Anzac Day clashes on a Thursday.
- Melbourne like Thursdays.
- Since 2022 South Sydney have lost 5/6 Thursday away games.
FOR MORE STATS WHY NOT FOLLOW THE BELOW
