The Rabbitohs and Panthers played out an eerily similar game to the NRL contest with the Bunnies scoring with the last play of the match to steal an 18-16 win over Penrith to kick off Anzac Round.
Elsewhere, the Newtown Jets piled on 28 unanswered points to down the Bulldogs, while a Junior Pauga hat-trick helped the North Sydney Bears to a comfortable win over Newcastle.
In Queensland, the Brisbane Tigers prevailed 32-28 in a high-scoring contest against the Western Clydesdales, an understrength Sunshine Coast Falcons made light work of Souths Logan Magpies, and Cody Hunter scored half of the Dolphins’ 40 points in their victory over the Ipswich Jets.
Meanwhile, Matthew Milson ran for a game-high 219m and crossed for two tries in Wynnum Manly Seagulls’ 28-8 result over Northern Pride.
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Ronald Volkman
Ronald Volkman steered the New Zealand Warriors to a big 48-4 win over Parramatta that resulted in them claiming top spot on the ladder, with the playmaker scoring half of his team’s points.
Volkman scored in the dying stages of each half to cap an impressive performance for the side who proved to be far too good for the Eels as they notched 40 or more points for the fourth time so far this season.
NSW Cup Highlights | Warriors v Eels - Round Eight 🎥#NSWCup #KOECup pic.twitter.com/Yd5rOATq56
— The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup (@NSWCup) April 23, 2023
As well as getting on the scoresheet twice, Volkman also had a try assist, linebreak assist and linebreak while being perfect from the boot after landing all eight of his conversion attempts.
Jayden Sullivan
There was plenty of interest in Sydney’s clash with the Dragons on the weekend after halfback Sam Walker was dropped down into reserve grade.
However, it was his opposite half, Jayden Sullivan, who had the better game as St George recorded a 30-18 victory at Wentworth Park.
Sullivan registered four try assists and made two linebreaks, as he continues to press his claims for a recall into Anthony Griffin’s NRL side.
NSW Cup Highlights | Roosters v Dragons - Round Eight 🐔🐉#NSWCup #KOECup pic.twitter.com/CnVRsFmpkG
— The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup (@NSWCup) April 24, 2023
Daine Laurie
After being cut from the interchange bench for Tim Sheens’ side, the veteran coach implored Daine Laurie to make the most of his opportunity at playing in the halves in reserve grade for the Western Suburbs Magpies.
He responded by being just about everywhere for the Magpies in their 24-16 win over Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles.
He set up two tries, had two linebreak assists and two linebreaks of his own, to go with a game-high 23 carries of the footy for over 200m.
The Wests Tigers remain winless in the NRL but this match should act as a huge confidence boost for Laurie after enduring a difficult campaign to date.
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Robert Derby
Lindon McGrady kicked a penalty on the siren to give Tweed Seagulls a 28-26 win over Townsville Blackhawks, however it is Robert Derby who caught the eye in a losing side.
The winger proved impossible to contain for Tweed, as he ran in a double, made a linebreak and busted through eight tackles.
He also ran for a game-high 253m with 81m coming post-contact as the Blackhawks ultimately fell just short in Townsville.
Jacob Alick
The Burleigh Bears cruised to a 46-20 victory over the PNG Hunters with Jacob Alick claiming two of his side’s nine tries.
The backrower crossed for one of five tries the Bears scored in a blistering first 20 minutes which essentially ended the game as a contest, before claiming his double in the second half.
MORE: Justin Holbrook responds to Gold Coast's second half capitulation
Alick also laid on a four-pointer for a teammate, made two linebreaks and ran for 168m from his 15 carries, while busting through nine tackles.
