Parramatta's 38-0 shellacking at the hands of a rampant Rabbitohs has added a new layer of intrigue to the premiership race, with Wayne Bennett's men now on a five-game winning streak and riding a 94-16 aggregate scoreline over their opponents in the past fortnight.
It leaves Brad Arthur to pick up the pieces of what was a horror effort that earned the ire of some league greats, while it wasn't all smooth sailing for Souths, with star man Latrell Mitchell sidelined with an ugly looking hamstring injury.
Thursday night's match has given us plenty to mull over, while off the field the NRL news cycle continues to tick over.
Jack de Belin will officially go to trial in November over alleged sexual assault after it was revealed this morning his pre-trial challenge was denied. While his club the Dragons have drawn a line in the sand with wantaway young gun Jason Saab, refusing his release at season's end unless the club gains compensation in the form of a player or money.
Meanwhile, the shock 'cancer' comments leveled at Anthony Seibold by a key Broncos shareholder have finally been addressed in the wash-up to the coach's exit from Red Hill.
Behind all the big news there's still plenty going on at clubland, and we've shed light on some of those stories below.
MORE: The untold stories from Thursday's press conferences | Confirmed team lists for round 16
CLEARY LOOKING TO MOVE ON FROM KISS AHEAD OF TIGERS CLASH
Ahead of the latest clash between the Wests Tigers and Penrith Panthers, Ivan Cleary is firmly trying to put his infamous 'kiss' behind him.
Cleary has been the flashpoint for the NRL's newest rivalry since he headed to the foot of the mountain, with the former Tigers coach blowing kisses to his old side after the Panthers round eight victory.
Cleary admitted that whilst he regretted his actions, he was refusing to back down ahead of Saturday's clash.
“Yeah, probably about eight weeks ago I was sick of that footage," he said.
“I did it so that’s the reality. I made my comments on it afterwards and I wish it didn't happen but it did.
“Since then, I’ve exchanged emails with the bloke so it’s all good.
“Of course I do, I made my comments clear at the time and I don't want to add more fuel to any fire that may be brewing heading into this game,
“I think I’ve probably up to my quota in promoting this game from the past so I’ll leave it there at the moment.”
Whilst the fan forgave him, Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe is yet to, labelling his behaviour as 'disrespectful' whilst speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald.
When asked about Pascoe comments and whether they would eventually makeup, Cleary said: "As I said, I’m not going to talk about that.”
- Nathan Williamson
JOHNSTON 'FILTHY' TO MISS OUT ON RABBITOHS TRY-FEST
While Alex Johnston is on the sidelines with a concussion, Campbell Graham is happy to cherry-pick tries on his teammate's favoured left-wing.
Graham bagged a double in the 38-0 win over Parramatta, filling in for Johnston and reaping the rewards of a faltering Eels' right-edge defence.
It's seen him bridge the gap on Johnston as the club's leading tryscorer and though he's still six tries behind his injured teammate, Graham is looking forward to spending more time on the wing with Johnston expected to replace the injured Latrell Mitchell at fullback.
"I think AJ's a bit filthy that he'll be missing out on that left-wing spot for a game and a half because we've bagged about five tries since he's been off that left-wing," Graham said.
"AJ's been hogging that wing all year, hopefully he can stay at fullback and I can hang out there and keep bagging a couple more and start chasing him.
"He'd be leading try-scorer now but it was good (for me) to bag a few."
- Ed Chisholm
MURRAY: SOUTHS FORM FOLLOWING BENNETT'S BAN NO COINCIDENCE
South Sydney's blistering form over the past fortnight coinciding with Wayne Bennett's NRL-enforced two-week COVID-19 hold may not be a coincidence, according to star lock Cameron Murray.
"It might have been a nice little freshen up for Wayne might've been good for us too," Murray joked.
"As soon as he's come back we've strung together those two performances.
"I can't put my finger on why we put these two performances on the park as opposed to a few other performances throughout the year."
The Rabbitohs carried over their eye-gazing attacking display from the 56-18 win over Manly last week, slaughtering the Eels 38-0 on Thursday night to announce themselves as a potential premiership threat a month out from the finals.
Souths' form may have come as a surprise to most fans and the rest of the NRL, but Murray says it hasn't come "overnight" and that he's seen glimpses of it throughout the year.
"I still don't think we've fully hit our strides yet and I don't think we've put our best performance on the park," he said.
- Ed Chisholm
ANOTHER BABY SHARK ENTERS THE FRAY
Back in the 17 for the first time since round 12, it’s been a big week for New Zealand’s Test edge backrower Briton Nikora.
Named in the starting side to take on the Cowboys on Saturday night, Nikora became the second Shark in the space of a week to welcome a new baby, with his partner giving birth to boy overnight.
“He’s rapt,” Shark coach John Morris said Friday. “He’s one of those players, an international player, that was out of the team – I think Sifa Talakai was the main reason Briton was kept out with how good he was going – but with Sifa back on the interchange bench to get him in the middle.
“Now that he’s just had a baby boy last night, another baby Shark, he’s bounced into training this morning nice and happy.”
- Chris Danks
