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Source: Photosport
1. Warriors' season all over?
After Sunday's thrashing at the hands of the Dragons, the Warriors need to win ALL six remaining games to make the playoffs.
Dream late runs have been a feature of the Warriors during recent seasons but this year the boys just don't look like winning.
2. Fien classy in Auckland return
Cast-off Warrior Nathan Fien made his much-hyped return to Auckland wearing St George Illawarra colours to meet his former side.
But there was no bad blood from him, proving classy in post-match interviews despite what happened behind closed doors.
"You just have to move on with it. I was given a great opportunity to go over to the side that's running on top of the ladder. From my point of view, it's just trying to work hard and trying to earn my stripes."
3. Who can stop the Dragons?
Now four points clear at the top of the NRL ladder, can anyone haul in the hot favourites for the minor premiership.
Wayne Bennett has unveiled a diamond in a club that has underperformed during recent years. If they keep going the way they are, Bennett could add a title in his first year in charge.
4. Rift rumours played down
Romours have been floating around about a rift between coach Neil Henry and captain Johnathan Thurston.
While Thurston has denied that, something certainly is going wrong at the club who are barely clinging on to eighth spot.
5. Thank goodness for the cavalry!
The Broncos have lost six of their last seven games in a horror run that could see them miss the playoffs.
But after being forced to practically play a B team in round 20, Brisbane are poised to reclaim the services of Darren Lockyer (knee), Karmichael Hunt (cork), Sam Thaiday (ribs), Peter Wallace (hamstring), Nick Kenny (knee) and enforcer Tonie Carroll (knee).
NRL round 20 snapshot (courtesy of AAP)
THEY SAID IT: "I don't think I've got one hand on anything right now." St George Illawarra coach Wayne Bennett playing down the Dragons' minor premiership hopes after they moved four points clear at the top of the NRL ladder with a 29-4 win over the Warriors.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Six tries in 21 minutes. After going down by 14-0 early, Manly blew Newcastle away with a points blitz either side of halftime on their way to a 44-20 win on Friday night.
MAN OF THE ROUND: Gold Coast halfback Scott Prince. The crafty playmaker was all over Brisbane on Friday night - setting up all four first-half tries before going over for one himself in the second to cap a dominant display.
MAGIC MOMENT: While it came in the final minute of a heavy loss, Justin Hodges' no-look, behind-the-back flick pass from dummy half to set up Dale Copley for a try had to be seen to be believed.
TALKING POINT: What's going on at the Cowboys? Their upset home loss to Penrith on Saturday night left them clinging to eighth spot and did little to dispel talk of a rift between coach Neil Henry and skipper Johnathan Thurston.
JUDICIARY WATCH: Tigers - John Skandalis (high tackle); Storm - Jeff Lima (crusher tackle)
UNDER PRESSURE: Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak. The injury-hit Broncos have lost six of their last seven and their points differential has copped a hammering. Another loss to Canberra next week and there may be no coming back.
KEY INJURIES:
Sharks - Trent Barrett (concussion), Matt Wright (back), Johnny
Mannah (back)
Titans - Mark Minichiello (knee), Ashley Harrison (rib
cartilage)
Cowboys - Michael Bani (concussion), Scott Bolton (concussion)
