As it so often does, last weekend's NRL action threw up plenty of surprises.
Key injuries, gut-wrenching on-field calls, more Broncos anguish - round eight had it all and with that comes plenty to address heading into round nine.
For all the news and views from Tuesday's NRL press conferences, we've compiled the best little bits below.
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Ferguson 'not worried' yet - but is hoping to break tryscoring drought soon
He's regarded as one of the best wingers in the NRL today - so it would come as a surprise to many that Eels star Blake Ferguson is yet to score a try in the 2020 season.
The NSW Origin representative crossed for 10 meat pies last season, but things aren't going his way so far this year on a tryscoring front.
Compare that to the record of fellow winger Maika Sivo, who has 8 tries for the year and scored four on Friday night, and things aren't looking great for Fergo.
Not that it is worrying him - not yet anyway.
“I don’t really care about scoring tries. Obviously Maika has been doing a bit of scoring - I’m happy to win and get us out of trouble," he said.
"If I get an opportunity to score I will get one. I’m not too fussed – everyone else is talking about it, not me.
“A nudie run? No, you don’t want to be doing nudie runs when you’re a winger. I’m sure I’ll get one in a couple weeks or this week…but I don’t really care about them to be honest.
“We don’t game-plan just to go to the left side. Everyone in our team has a role to play, and obviously Maika has scored some outstanding tries. It’s the way the game flows."
- Liam O'Loughlin
'Nervous' Hetherington sought approval from Tamou over Warriors loan move
Jack Hetherington admits he was anxious about his loan move to the Warriors last week, and sought the opinions of teammates before signing off on it.
The 2018 Panthers Rookie of the Year linked up with the bruised and battered Warriors last week, and made his debut in Saturday's win over Brisbane.
But he revealed to reporters on Tuesday he initially sounded out Penrith skipper James Tamou about the brief change of clubs.
"I was talking to the captain James Tamou and told him I was really anxious about it and just wanted his thoughts about it," Hetherington said.
"I was definitely out of my comfort zone and I just wanted to get some of the boys' opinions about it.
"They were all supportive they just said 'at the end of the day it's what's best for yourself and the team and it'll be healthy for you to do it'."
- Ed Chisholm
Viliame Kikau has 'no idea where those dance moves came from'
Cameras inside the team sheds have captured some big moments so far this season and added another one to the record books with Viliame Kikau's flailing-limbs dance moves on Saturday night.
Fans would've been excused for thinking Ivan Cleary treated his players to a bit of Khe San on the speakers after their gritty 19-12 win over the Tigers, so extravagant were Kikau's moves.
"I have no idea where those dance moves came from, I was just enjoying the team song," Kikau sheepishly said.
"I wouldn't say I'm the best dancer. Those dance moves were actually ugly, to be honest. I'm not a good dancer, I back my singing."
With the way they're are playing, more celebration awaits for Penrith. But will we see those moves from Kikau again?
"I was actually regretting doing that. After I came into the locker room and checked my phone I was tagged in all that stuff on social media... I had no idea the camera was on behind me," he admitted.
Kikau carving up the dance floor 🕺 🔥
📺 Stream #NRLTigersPanthers: https://t.co/ewnAUpCe4a
📝 Live Blog: https://t.co/bBKGwt2EQs
📱Match Centre: https://t.co/ggBTeipR9r pic.twitter.com/Qbid9dYqGJ
- Ed Chisholm
Adam Reynolds looking for one more showdown with his childhood idol, Benji Marshall
Adam Reynolds, like the rest of us, is a Benji Marshall fan.
But does he check the team lists every Tuesday – especially this week – to see if the Kiwi great has been named?
“I love Benj; he was an idol of mine growing up,” Reynolds said Tuesday before team lists were announced.
“Anytime I get to play against him, I just love the challenge. It’s been unfortunate not to see him play some footy in recent weeks: I thought he was playing some good footy.
“Take nothing away from their halves at the moment; they’re playing real good and obviously Madge has his reasons [for not playing Marshall].
While Reynolds would love to face the mercurial pivot again, if he doesn’t he’s well aware that’s just part of the business – especially considering they’re a similar vintage.
“I suppose that’s just part of the game: You get old and my time is running out too. He’s done a lot for the game and a lot for the Wests Tigers and certainly wouldn’t be out of place if he was named.”
- Chris Danks
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Gagai: There’s a fire inside Latrell since footy returned
A 3-2 run, with losses to Penrith and Melbourne the only blights, has certainly helped, but, according to his fellow Rabbitohs backs, Latrell Mitchell is settled as a fullback now.
“People questioned whether he should be playing fullback or not, but once we came back after our five weeks off, I just noticed this fire inside Latrell; the way he came back and started training, he just hit the ground running,” teammate Dane Gagai said Tuesday.
“I was actually excited to watch his first game back at fullback after our little break because with the way he was training, I knew he’d take that out onto the field and he’s only going to get better.”
While the Rabbitohs’ backline did what was needed against the Bulldogs on Sunday, they know they’ll have to be better to win on Friday night.
“It’s just working on combinations; I need to work on my timing and how he [Latrell] works from out the back. There are things we need to work on but it’s exciting to see him enjoying his footy.”
- Chris Danks
Gower 'proud' to rack up 100 games for Eels
Parramatta Eels veteran David Gower will bring up his 100th game for the club this weekend - a milestone which makes the 34-year old feel 'proud'.
The front-rower joined the club in 2014, but has continued to be rewarded with short-term contracts and is now entering the twilight of his NRL career.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday afternoon, Gower looked back on the journey and thanked the club.
“100th NRL game for Parramatta which is nice. I ticked off 100 games a couple of years ago now – it’s been a bit of a journey for me in the NRL," he said.
"It is something I have treasured and I really enjoy every year and every game I get to play - particularly for this proud club.
"It’s something I will look back on when it’s all said and done and be very proud of.
"To use an old cliché though, it’s all about our performance first and foremost."
Parramatta will take on Newcastle in round 9, with both sides sitting inside the top four of the NRL ladder.
- Liam O'Loughlin
