NRL round-up: Newcastle heap misery on Canberra, Melbourne rack up 50 points & Panthers maul the Sharks
It was a week of headline-grabbing solo displays in round nine of the NRL.
League leaders Penrith extended their unbeaten start to the new season by routing struggling Cronulla 48-0.
Charlie Staines grabbed three of the Panthers’ eight tries at BlueBet Stadium, with half-back Nathan Cleary impeccable from the kicking tee.
Parramatta remain two points behind after edging Sydney 31-18, despite Roosters outside back Matt Ikuvalu grabbing a hat-trick.
Blake Ferguson, Bryce Cartwright (2), Tom Opacic and Dylan Brown all crossed for the Eels, while Mitch Moses added five conversions and a drop goal six minutes from the end.
Melbourne winger Josh Addo-Carr kicked off the weekend with a spectacular double hat-trick against South Sydney.
In doing so, he became the first player to score six tries in an Australian first-grade match in over seven decades. Jahrome Hughes, Brandon Smith and George Jennings (2) added further gloss as the Storm racked up a half-century of points against the scoreless Rabbitohs.
St. George Illawarra kept pace with the top five after defeating Canterbury 32-12.
Matt Duffy scored twice for the Dragons, while Corey Norman added a try and four conversions. The result leaves the Bulldogs two points adrift at the bottom of the NRL ladder.
Gold Coast survived a late Wests Tigers fightback to run out 36-28 winners in Campbelltown Stadium.
Phillip Sami (2), Tyrone Peachey, Brian Kelly, Beau Fermor and Tanah Boyd all got on the scoresheet for the Titans.
Manly moved level on points with eight-placed New Zealand Warriors after edging a 12-try thriller at Lottoland.
A second half hat-trick for Jason Saab helped the Sea Eagles recover from a 20-12 half-time deficit. Tom Trbojevic also crossed twice inside the opening 15 minutes.
Newcastle piled further misery on Canberra with a 24-16 victory away from home.
Phoenix Crossland, Kalyn Ponga, Tyson Frizell and Jayden Brailey all crossed in the second half as the Knights produced a stirring fightback from 16-0 down at the break.
Valentine Holmes kicked a late drop goal as North Queensland found a way past a stubborn Brisbane outfit in Townsville.
Trailing 18-12 heading into the final five minutes, Jason Taumalolo’s converted score levelled the contest before Holmes’ telling contribution in the final two minutes.
NRL round nine results:
South Sydney Rabbitohs 0-50 Melbourne Storm
Penrith Panthers 48-0 Cronulla Sharks
Parramatta Eels 31-18 Sydney Roosters
Canberra Raiders 16-24 Newcastle Knights
Wests Tigers 28-36 Gold Coast Titans
North Queensland Cowboys 19-18 Brisbane Broncos