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The Penrith Panthers grip on their NRL crown is starting to slip after a third successive loss, this time 28-18 to South Sydney Rabbitohs on Thursday.
On Friday, the Gold Coast Titans scored a 30-12 away win over Sydney Roosters while the Brisbane Broncos triumphed 20-12 over the Redcliffe Dolphins in a cross-town derby.
On Saturday, St George-Illawarra Dragons defeated Melbourne Storm 14-8 at home and the North Queensland Cowboys defeated the Canberra Raiders 30-20 in Townsville.
In a departure from home ground form on the Saturday, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks lost to the visiting Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 20-6.
On Sunday, Manly Sea Eagles defeated the Parramatta Eels 26-12, having heard earlier in the week that Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans won’t be at the club next season. The win was the club’s third of the season and the Eels’ fourth straight loss. NRL.com.au reports that fullback Tom Trbojevic had to be sent for scans on a suspected MCL injury.
The Warriors were able to hold out the West Tigers in Sydney 26-24 in a see-sawing contest played in rain. The Tigers suffered a setback in the warm-up when centre Adam Doueihi was ruled out with a groin strain.
SOME JUDICIARY NEWS
Dragons prop Emre Guler faces a three-to-four match suspension while Bulldogs forward Sitili Tupouniua is set to miss his side’s next match after he was sinbinned on fulltime.
Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney and Raiders prop Josh Papali’i were both hit with multiple charges but can avoid suspensions after being among eight players charged with 10 offences on Saturday, NRL.com.au reports.
Other players charged with Grade 1 offences include Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney (high tackle and dangerous contact), Raider prop Josh Papali’i (high tackle, contrary conduct), Sharks pair Toby Rudolf (high tackle) and Sam Stonestreet (crusher tackle), Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai (high tackle) and Raiders forward Corey Horsburgh (dangerous contact).
Broncos back-rower Jordan Riki and Dolphins lock Tom Gilbert are both facing suspension.
Riki was charged over a high tackle on Jack Bostock and is facing a two-game ban with an early guilty plea; Gilbert was also hit with the same charge for his tackle on Kotoni Staggs in the 54th minute.
