Manly and the Broncos kicked off round 5 - in front of actual, made-from-human-stuff fans - with Manly fans sweating over Martin Taupau and Moses Suli's injury scans early on Friday morning.
And then there was Anthony Seibold's post-match spray .
Wghile we gear up for the rest of matches, we've done the rounds of Club Land to find the stories that won't make the front page - but could make you sound like an insider.
MORE: Everything you missed from Thursday's club updates
TIGERS NEWS: MAGUIRE PLEASED FOR PACKER RETURN
Wests Tigers forward Russell Packer will play his first NRL game in over 12 months on Saturday, after overcoming his battle with a foot injury.
It was rumoured that the 30-year old would be forced to medically retire earlier this year, but has now gone through rehab and will line up for the side against the Raiders.
Speaking to the media on Friday, head coach Michael Maguire expressed his happiness to see the former Kiwis prop lace up the boots again.
“He’s got his body in a really good position...it is the first time since I’ve been here when I’ve been able to see him do back-to-back sessions, train with the team," he said.
"He is going to be a great addition for us – I’m really happy for Russell, he has had to go away and get a number of operations.
"He is going to bring leadership on the field, and we’ve got a strong forward pack that he is going to be able to come in to and help add his experiences to that group."
Packer was one of many high-profile signings that former coach Ivan Cleary made, but has played just 25 games since arriving in 2018.
- Liam O'Loughlin
STORM NEWS: DOOR OPEN FOR VUNIVALU TO STAY IF RA DEAL FALLS OVER
With Rugby Australia’s future uncertain, Storm winger Suliasi Vunivalu has sought assurances from the Queensland Reds and Rugby Australia over his two-year deal to return to his schoolboy code.
If it all falls through, though, the Storm are more than happy to keep Vunivalu on the books.
“It’s a funny thing: I had a little bit of a chat with him about that this morning,” Storm coach Craig Bellamy said Friday. “We’d certainly be very, very interested if Suli wanted to stay.
“But at this stage, I’m not sure rugby union is quite sure of the position they’re in and what they can and can’t do… it’s going to take a little bit of time.
“Having said that if they can’t guarantee that they can honour Suli’s contract then we’d certainly be interested in looking at Suli staying here. I don’t know where that stands and what union are doing with their player contracts.
“We’d love Suli to stay and if we have that opportunity well look at that.”
Vunivalu signed a two-year with RA and the Reds, reportedly worth $1.8 million, in December 2019.
- Chris Danks
RABBITOHS NEWS: TAKEOFF DELAYED FOR JIMMY THE JET
South Sydney centre James Roberts won’t make his return against the Titans this Saturday amid concerns over his fitness.
Roberts took some time away from the club during the coronavirus shutdown to deal with mental health issues but was named to face Gold Coast.
Though, speaking to reports on Friday, coach Wayne Bennett said the 27-year-old wasn’t quite ready to go.
“James won’t be playing, we just weren’t happy enough with his fitness at the moment so we’ll probably give him another week,” Bennett said.
“I think he realised he’s not where he should be so we just thought we’d be better of waiting another week.”
The change sees Braidon Burns recalled to the Bunnies’ run-on side.
- Tom Naghten
TIGERS NEWS: MAGUIRE WARY OF FORMER WIGAN PRODUCT
Michael Maguire encountered many quality players during his time at Wigan - and on Saturday, his side will come up against one of their best.
Canberra Raiders halfback George Williams was part of the strong academy system in Wigan when Maguire was coach, and has set the NRL on fire since arriving this year.
Maguire says he has always been aware of the 25-year old's talent and admits his side will have to be on their game in defence.
“He was in some squads there as a young kid coming through. I was aware he was coming through and the quality, they’ve got a fairly good nursery there at Wigan," he said.
"They were able to build an academy there that has been able to produce quite a few good players, and he is another one that has come out of that crew.
"He is a quality player…no doubt we are going to have to be busy in defence tomorrow."
- Liam O'Loughlin
SEA EAGLES NEWS: DANNY LEVI CHARGED FOR DANGEROUS CONTACT
Sea Eagles rake Danny Levi could be facing a week on the sidelines after being hit with a grade-one dangerous contact head/neck charge.
Levi collected Broncos prop Matt Lodge high in the 74h minute of Manly’s come from behind 20-18 win over the resurgent Broncos.
Interesting one with Danny Levi charged for this contact on Matt Lodge while being tackled. Will avoid a ban with an early guilty plea. #NRL pic.twitter.com/bgbk28B7vH
— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) June 12, 2020
Levi has no similar or non-similar offences in the past two years, so hasn’t copped any loading and can line up for the Sea Eagles in round 6 if he takes the early plea.
If Levi decides against taking the early plea and wearing the 75 carryover points, he risks being found guilty and missing the match against the Raiders.
- Chris Danks
