Round 7 of the NRL in the books and it could prove to be a pivotal weekend of action both in the competition and for a couple of coaches, too.
Bulldogs coach Dean Pay and Broncos counterpart Anthony Seibold could well be in the firing line after heavy losses over the weekend, the Brisbane boss, in particular, left with nowhere to hide after the fans booed his side from the field on Saturday.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the ladder, the Roosters are counting the cost of a unlucky night with injury on Friday. Both Sam Verrills and Victor Radley will miss the rest of the season after suffering separate ACL injuries at Bankwest Stadium.
Read on below to see how each of the eight games unfolded.
Jump ahead to a particular game.
Panthers vs. Rabbitohs
Storm vs. Warriors
Roosters vs. Dragons
Cowboys vs. Knights
Broncos vs. Titans
Eels vs. Raiders
Sea Eagles vs. Sharks
Bulldogs vs. Tigers
Thursday, June 25
Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 7:50pm (AEST)
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Josh Mansour 3. Dean Whare 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo
Reserves: 14. Matt Burton 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Moses Leota 17. Billy Burns 18. Mitch Kenny 19. Brent Naden 20. Jack Hetherington 21. Tyrone May
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Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Dane Gagai 3. Campbell Graham 4. Braidon Burns 5. Alex Johnston 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Jaydn Su'A 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Cameron Murray
Reserves: 14. Liam Knight 15. Bayley Sironen 16. Patrick Mago 17. James Roberts 18. Mark Nicholls 19. Hame Sele 20. Troy Dargan 21. Corey Allan
Result: This was an unhappy night for the Bunnies, who came crashing back to earth following wins over easy-beats the Titans and Warriors. Latrell Mitchell was just one of a number of Rabbitohs players who coughed up possession on multiple occasions, and only flattered the scoreline with Alex Johnston's late four-pointer. The Panthers, on the hand, capitalised on their opportunities and those presented to them by the Bunnies. The only real sore point was an unhappy night from the kicking tee for Nathan Cleary, who otherwise pulled the strings of the victory with class.
Score: Panthers 20-12 Rabbitohs
Tries
Panthers 4: Brent Naden 6', Stephen Crichton 27', Dylan Edwards 59', Nathan Cleary 76'
Rabbitohs 2: Bayley Sironen 49', Alex Johnston 78'
Conversions
Panthers: Cleary 1/4
Rabbitohs: Reynolds 2/2
Penalty goals
Panthers: Cleary 1/1
Click here for video highlights
Friday, June 26
Melbourne Storm vs. New Zealand Warriors, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 6:00pm (AEST)
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Justin Olam 4. Brenko Lee 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane
Reserves: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 18. Ryley Jacks 19. Nicholas Hynes 20. Max King 21. Paul Momirovski
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. David Fusitu'a 3. Peta Hiku 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Blake Green 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Karl Lawton 10. Lachlan Burr 11. Jack Murchie 12. Tohu Harris 13. Adam Blair
Reserves: 14. Chanel Harris-Tavita 15. Poasa Faamausili 16. Agnatius Paasi 17. Isaiah Papali'i 18. Gerard Beale 20. Adam Pompey 21. Josh Curran
Result: The Warriors started strong but in the end were no match for the Storm who poured on the points at Jubilee Stadium. Expertly led by Suliasi Vunivalu, the Storm showed why they are a premiership fancy, restricting New Zealand to just one try and scoring 50 points of their own in the process.
Score: Storm 50-6 Warriors
Tries
Storm 9: Paul Momirovski 12', Suliasi Vunivalu 24', Ryan Papenhuyzen 27', Paul Momirovski 31', Ryan Papenhuyzen 46', Suliasi Vunivalu 55', Suliasi Vunivalu 58', Brandon Smith 62', Josh Addo-Carr 73'
Warriors 1: Patrick Herbert 42'
Conversions
Storm: Cameron Smith 7/9
Warriors: Chanel Harris-Tavita 1/1
Click here for video highlights
Sydney Roosters vs St George Illawarra Dragons, Bankwest Stadium, 7:55pm (AEST)
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Angus Crichton 13. Victor Radley
Reserves: 14. Sam Verrills 15. Isaac Liu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Lindsay Collins 18. Sitili Tupouniua 19. Mitchell Aubusson 20. Ryan Hall 21. Lachlan Lam
Dragons: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Jason Saab 3. Euan Aitken 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Corey Norman 7. Adam Clune 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tyrell Fuimaono 13. Trent Merrin
Reserves: 14. Ben Hunt 15. Josh Kerr 16. Jacob Host 17. Jackson Ford 18. Korbin Sims 19. Tristan Sailor 20. Tim Lafai 21. Billy Brittain
Result: We said it was Winx going up against one of the Shetland ponies from the local carnival, and although the Roosters earned the two points, it was far from a procession. The Dragons were gallant on Friday evening, keeping the contest tight until Sydney stepped up their game in the final 15 minutes.
Score: Roosters 26-12 Dragons
Tries
Roosters 5: Brett Morris 4', Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 17', Brett Morris 50', Luke Keary 65', Brett Morris 75'
Dragons 2: Mikaele Ravalawa 23', Zac Lomax 26'
Conversions
Roosters: Kyle Flanagan 3/5
Dragons: Zac Lomax 1/2
Penalty Goals
Roosters: N/A
Dragons: Zac Lomax 1/1
Click here for video highlights
Saturday, June 27
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Newcastle Knights, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 3pm (AEST)
Cowboys: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-fidow 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O'Neill 4. Esan Marsters 5. Connelly Lemuelu 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Jake Clifford 8. Josh Mcguire 9. Reece Robson 10. Francis Molo 11. Mitchell Dunn 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo
Reserves: 14. Ben Hampton 15. Gavin Cooper 16. Peter Hola 17. Reuben Cotter 18. Tom Opacic 19. Shane Wright 20. Jordan McLean 21. Jake Granville
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Enari Tuala 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Kurt Mann 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Sione Mata'utia 13. Tim Glasby
Reserves: 14. Tex Hoy 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Herman Ese'ese 17. Aidan Guerra 18. Brodie Jones 19. Tautau Moga 20. Phoenix Crossland 21. Pasami Saulo
Result: The Cowboys came out firing against the Knights with Jason Taumalolo leading the way with his unstoppable charges through the heart of the defence. The Knights were blown off the park in the first half to the tune of 26-0 before mounting a fight back after the break. They'll need to improve both their defence and handling if they are to be taken seriously as premiership threats.
Score: Cowboys 32 - 20 Knights
Tries
Cowboys 5: Justin O'Neill 8' Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 19' Jake Clifford 23' Kyle Feldt 38' Coen Hess 44'
Knights 4: Tex Hoy 41' Hymel Hunt 52' Kurt Mann 57' Gehamat Shibasaki 74'
Conversions
Cowboys: Kyle Feldt 5/5
Knights: Kalyn Ponga 2/4
Penalty goals
Cowboys: Kyle Feldt 1/1
Click here for video highlights
Brisbane Broncos vs. Gold Coast Titans, Suncorp Stadium, 5:30pm (AEST)
Broncos: 1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Herbie Farnworth 4. Darius Boyd 5. Xavier Coates 6. Anthony Milford 7. Brodie Croft 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Issac Luke 10. Payne Haas 11. Alex Glenn 12. Tevita Pangai Junior 13. Joe Ofahengaue
Reserves: 14. Jamayne Isaako 15. Jamil Hopoate 16. Rhys Kennedy 17. Ben Te'o 18. Tom Dearden 19. Ethan Bullemor 20. Tyson Gamble 21. Richard Kennar
Titans: 1. Corey Thompson 2. Anthony Don 3. Brian Kelly 4. Dale Copley 5. Phillip Sami 6. Ashley Taylor 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Mitch Rein 10. Sam Lisone 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Keegan Hipgrave 13. Jai Arrow
Reserves: 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Tyrone Peachey 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Jarrod Wallace 18. Bryce Cartwright 19. Erin Clark 20. Beau Fermor 21. Tyrone Roberts
Verdict: The Broncos are in complete disarray after being outplayed by their little brother the Gold Coast Titans. Needing a win to silence the critics, the Broncos were never in the contest as a more enthusiastic Titans side ran them ragged. Ashley Taylor had one of his better games for the Titans, crashing over for their first try and leading them on to score four more.
Score: Titans 30 -12 Broncos
Tries
Titans 5: Ashley Taylor 6' Anthony Don 19' Sam Lisone 29' Anthony Don 40' Phillip Sami 75'
Broncos 2: Ben Te'o 48' Herbie Farnworth 57'
Conversions
Titans: Ashley Taylor 3/5
Broncos: Herbie Farnworth 2/2
Penalty goals
Titans: Ashley Taylor 2/2
Click here for video highlights
Parramatta Eels vs. Canberra Raiders, Bankwest Stadium, 7:35pm (AEST)
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Waqa Blake 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Nathan Brown
Reserves: 14. Ray Stone 15. Marata Niukore 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Brad Takairangi 18. David Gower 19. Daniel Alvaro 20. George Jennings 21. Jai Field
Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Curtis Scott 5. Nick Cotric 6. Jack Wighton 7. George Williams 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Iosia Soliola 11. Joseph Tapine 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh
Reserves: 14. Siliva Havili 15. Emre Guler 16. Ryan Sutton 17. Hudson Young 18. Bailey Simonsson 19. Dunamis Lui 20. Matt Frawley 21. Tom Starling
Verdict: The match of the round did not disappoint with the Eels winning a thriller in golden point extra time. Late in the second half Parramatta had built a comfortable 24-12 lead, but the Raiders scored back-to-back tries to level the scores with 90 seconds remaining. Into the second half of extra time Eels captain Clint Gutherson stepped up to kick his first ever NRL field goal to send the Eels back to the top of the NRL ladder.
Score: Eels 25-24 Raiders
Tries
Eels 4: Ryan Matterson 4' Ray Stone 52' Michael Jennings 62' Maika Sivo 67'
Raiders 4: Josh Papalii 18' Elliott Whitehead 29' Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 75' Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 76'
Conversions
Eels: Mitchell Moses 1/1, Clint Gutherson 2/3
Raiders: Jarrod Croker 4/4
Penalty goals:
Eels: Clinton Gutherson 1/1
Field goals
Eels: Clint Gutherson 1/2
Click here for video highlights
Sunday, June 28
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs. Cronulla Sutherland Sharks, Central Coast Stadium, 4:05pm (AEST)
Sea Eagles: 1. Brendan Elliot 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Brad Parker 4. Tevita Funa 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Lachlan Croker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Danny Levi 10. Martin Taupau 11. Joel Thompson 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic
Reserves: 14. Cade Cust 15. Jack Gosiewski 16. Sean Keppie 17. Taniela Paseka 18. Morgan Boyle 19. Abbas Miski 20. Haumole Olakau'atu 21. Toafofoa Sipley
Sharks: 1. Matt Moylan 2. Sione Katoa 3. Josh Dugan 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Bryson Goodwin 6. Shaun Johnson 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Jack Williams
Reserves: 14. Toby Rudolf 15. Braden Hamlin-Uele 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Royce Hunt 18. Scott Sorensen 19. Connor Tracey 20. Will Kennedy 21. Jackson Ferris
Verdict: Well, who saw that one coming? Sure, Manly didn't have Tommy Turbo and the Sharks were coming off a slim win against the Bulldogs, but Cronulla burst out of the gates and effectively won the game in the first half. They took the foot off the pedal in the second half and allowed Manly to score a few tries, but the Sharks secured a very good win, and in the process, a lot of confidence.
Score: Manly 22 - Sharks 40
Tries
Sea Eagles 4: Jorge Taufua 19', Addin Fonua-Blake 60', Addin Fonua-Blake 71', Tevita Funa 77
Sharks 7: Braden Hamlin-Uele 13', Sione Katoa 30', Jesse Ramien 37', Josh Dugan 41', Bryson Goodwin 49', Sione Katoa 53', Blayke Brailey 64'
Conversions
Sea Eagles: Garrick 2/4
Sharks: Johnson 6/7
Penalty goals
Sea Eagles: 1/1
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Wests Tigers, Bankwest Stadium, 6:30pm (AEST)
Bulldogs: 1. Will Hopoate 2. Reimis Smith 3. Kerrod Holland 4. Jake Averillo 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6. Kieran Foran 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Renouf To'omaga 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Adam Elliott
Reserves: 14. Jack Cogger 15. Dean Britt 16. Sauaso Sue 17. Ofahiki Ogden 19. Sione Katoa 20. Lachlan Lewis 21. Aiden Tolman 22. Nick Meaney
Tigers: 1. Adam Doueihi 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Joseph Leilua 4. Moses Mbye 5. Tommy Talau 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Luke Brooks 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Harry Grant 10. Oliver Clark 11. Luke Garner 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Matt Eisenhuth
Reserves: 14. Elijah Taylor 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Michael Chee-Kam 18. Benji Marshall 19. Chris Lawrence 20. Billy Walters 21. Reece Hoffman
Verdict: The Tigers were awesome in the first half against the Cowboys last week and they produced a similarly strong first stanza on Sunday. Only this time they didn't let the footy off the gas after the break. The Tigers led 16-6 at the break after conceding the first try and they rattled off four more four-pointers in the second half to heap more misery on the hapless Tigers. David Noafaluma grabbed a double in the 28-point hammering.
Score: Bulldogs 6-34 Tigers
Tries
Bulldogs 1: Smith
Tigers 7: Harry Grant 20', Tommy Talau 34', Joseph Leilua 38', Tommy Talau 43', David Nofoaluma 53' 60', Adam Doueihi 71'
Conversions
Bulldogs: Averillo 1/1
Tigers: Mbye 3/7