In the second week of the finals we saw the concussion protocols seemingly thrown out the window by the Sea Eagles, a dubious penalty try decision, and an old fullback prove that he is still one of the best.
Read on as we take a look back over some of the biggest hits and misses.
Two tackles, two concussions and two players who looked to be gone for the rest of the game. It certainly wasn't the start Manly were hoping for against the Roosters on Saturday night.
The Sea Eagles kicked off and the ball was fed to the returning Jared Waerea-Hargreaves who as expected started his run off the back fence. Three Sea Eagles charged forward to meet him, with centre Tolu Koula first to the collision. His head hit JWH's forearm or shoulder, and he reeled away, collapsing to the ground.
There followed a lengthy delay, which included a run from winger Dominic Young, which was called back because the ball wasn't played on the correct spot, but not before the Roosters winger was rocked in another ferocious tackle. Meanwhile, Koula was off to the bowels of Accor Stadium to fail his HIA.
The next hit-up, officially the second tackle of the match, saw a head clash between Jake Trbojevic and Roosters prop Lindsay Collins. Roosters dummy-half Connor Watson tried to push him clear of the ruck to allow the ball to be played, but Trbojevic's arms were stiff, his legs were jelly and he looked as though he had just been woken at 8am after a heavy night out.
The trainer was back out to attend to Manly's lock, heart and soul, and Trbojevic didn't look good as he was held up, staring directly ahead. He appeared unstable, and reluctant to leave the field of play, but it seemed certain that his night too was over. Usually anyone showing such obvious signs of concussion is ruled out for the rest of the game, regardless of how well they do in the HIA. as a quick recovery does not negate the damage already done. The key is to protect the player from further head knocks after his brain has already been rattled.
It was either through a miracle of modern medicine or a complete disregard for the rules concerning concussions, that Jake appeared on the sideline with a replacement card some 14 minutes later. He resumed his position as heart and soul of the team, but was unable to save the Sea Eagles from a convincing 40-16 defeat.
HIT
Sharks win it with first half defence
Ten minutes into the sudden death clash we saw a slick passing play from the Cowboys inside the Sharks' half. The ball found former New York Jets running back Valentine Holmes, who whipped up an ankle snapping sidestep that saw him momentarily in the clear. With the line less than 10 metres away Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes came across and scythed his legs out from under him.
It was a sign of what the rest of the first half would deliver, desperate Sharks defence snuffing out the Cowboys' best attacking efforts. The Cowboys had made the finals with a less than solid defence thanks to their ability to outscore opponents, but the Sharks were having none of that, jogging off for oranges with a convincing and ultimately unassailable 24-0 lead.
Winning the second half 18-2 would have been little consolation for the Cowboys, who finish the season ending Queensland's representation.
HIT
Tedesco proves yet again that he still has it
He might have lost his New South Wales job this year, but against the Sea Eagles, James Tedesco proved once again that he is still one of the best fullbacks in the game. When he wasn't setting up tries on Saturday night he was scoring them, all the while being safe under the high ball and solid in defence.
He may no longer be first in line for the Kangaroos job, but if injuries altered the options available, coach Mal Meninga would feel very comfortable in naming the Roosters star.
MISS
Klein puts away his whistle, but still delivers a shock(er)
The first points scored in the clash between the Sharks and the Cowboys was an Ashley Klein special, in that it was controversial and a 50-50 decision at best. After some scrambling play, Sharks five-eighth Braydon Trindall put a grubber kick through the line from 10 metres out, with the ball bouncing into the in-goal area. He was instantly leg tackled by the last Cowboys defender in the line, Reuben Cotter. Trindall and Tom Deardon appeared to be roughly equal distance from the ball, but Klein sent it to the bunker with his opinion being that Trindall would have won the race, if not tackled.
It was a big call, that the bunker could hardly overrule, as it was purely speculative whether or not Trindall would have won the race and grounded the ball. With so much distance to cover, it seemed as though there was enough doubt for a penalty and sin binning to be the appropriate decision.
It was a uncharacteristic performance from Klein, who hardly blew a penalty or a six again all night, almost as though he had been instructed to take a back seat to the players, and took it very literally.
HIT
Mesmerising Roosters' try leaves Sea Eagles standing
The Roosters scored their second try against the Sea Eagles in the 32nd minute with a brilliantly worked blindside play, which cut through the right-hand-side defence.
Connor Watson jumped out of dummy-half to the blind side, throwing a flat pass to Luke Keary, as James Tedesco looped around behind a decoy-running Joseph Suaali'i, who ran straight into Reuben Garrick. I have obviously lost track completely on what constitutes an obstruction, because it didn't look right to me, but neither did the scrum move Daly Cherry-Evans used against the Bulldogs a week earlier.
Tedesco fired a pass to Daniel Tupou who drew the fullback 10 metres out and passed it back inside to Tedesco who carried a defender with him over the line. With the conversion the score went to 14-0, and the Sea Eagles never recovered.
