The Sydney Roosters have secured a crucial 24-18 victory over the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, a result that deals a devastating blow to Brisbane's slim finals aspirations. The match was overshadowed by injury concerns for Queensland prop Lindsay Collins, who was withdrawn at halftime with delayed concussion symptoms, casting doubt on his availability for the State of Origin decider.
Collins' Double Dilemma
Collins, a key front-rower for the Maroons, will face a nervous wait on two fronts. The 30-year-old was ruled out of the match at halftime after experiencing delayed concussion symptoms. Under NRL protocols, he will undergo recovery procedures while in Maroons camp. The mandatory 11-day stand-down period means Collins remains eligible to play in the Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium, provided he passes all concussion assessments. However, his situation is further complicated by being placed on report for a high shot on Brisbane lock Xavier Willison in the 10th minute. Willison left the field with a head knock and did not return, adding to the Broncos' injury woes.
Roosters halfback and Maroons playmaker Sam Walker, celebrating his 100th NRL match, delivered a standout performance. He scored a try, controlled the game, and made two try-saving tackles to propel the Tricolours to third on the ladder. Walker was also placed on report for a shoulder charge on Reece Walsh, though the incident appeared minor. Roosters centre Robert Toia, another Maroons representative, was penalised for a lifting tackle on winger Josiah Karapani.
Broncos' Historic Slump
The Broncos have now lost seven consecutive matches, making them the worst-performing defending premiers in NRL history. With only nine games remaining, they would need to win eight to have any chance of making the finals—a near-impossible task. Brisbane led 16-12 at halftime, capitalising on the Roosters' numerous errors. However, the Roosters' second-half resurgence proved decisive.
The match opened with Roosters winger Billy Smith scoring the first try after the Broncos failed to defuse a bomb. Walker then produced two try-saving tackles, one on prop Preston Riki and another desperate effort to deny hooker Cory Paix. The Broncos responded with a try from five-eighth Thomas Duffy, set up by a wonderful ball from second-rower Brendan Piakura, following a blatant forward pass by halfback Ben Hunt. Piakura then scored himself after an exquisite Duffy grubber, giving Brisbane a 12-6 lead. Roosters fullback James Tedesco replied with a lovely short kick for centre Robert Toia to equalise. Just before halftime, a loose Daly Cherry-Evans pass was intercepted by Broncos centre Grant Anderson, who raced away to score.
Roosters' Second-Half Dominance
Smith, despite making four errors in the first half, showed immense strength to score the first try of the second half. Walker extended the lead by starting and finishing a 50-metre attacking raid. Both sides exchanged penalty goals before a tense final seven minutes, but the Roosters held on for a vital win.
Bulldogs Down Titans
In Friday's other NRL clash, the Canterbury Bulldogs continued their resurgence with a 30-12 victory over the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium. Stephen Crichton's transition to five-eighth is proving a masterstroke, as the Bulldogs captain overcame an injury scare to guide his team to a third consecutive win.
Crichton, just six days after his field-goal heroics against Manly, showed the poise of a veteran playmaker in only his second NRL game in the halves. The Samoan international had three try assists and kicked five goals, playing on after reeling out of a tackle on Titans fullback Keano Kini late in the first half. Crichton, who missed game two of the State of Origin series with a shoulder injury, made it to halftime and then continued to lead his side in the second half.
"That's what we've been seeing at training when he's jumped into that position over the last couple of years," Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said. "He's got some really high-level skill that he can bring to that position, but he's learning very quickly on the run as well." Crichton confirmed after the game that he would be available for NSW State of Origin selection if called up by coach Laurie Daley, who names his team on Sunday.
The only injury concern for Ciraldo was winger Jacob Kiraz, who suffered a rib injury and was replaced by Bronson Xerri. "The boys have worked really hard to get ourselves back in a position where we're going to have a real crack at the second half of the season," Ciraldo said. "I think tonight, considering the guys we were missing, that was even more impressive."
Crichton was involved in both of Canterbury's first-half tries, creating space for centre Matt Burton to send Jethro Rinakama over on the left for a 15th-minute opener. The Bulldogs captain then showed deception to set up Josh Curran for his first try, giving Canterbury a 12-0 halftime lead. Phillip Sami crossed early in the second half for the Titans, but a try-saving tackle by Enari Tuala kept the Bulldogs ahead. After Rinakama scored his second off a crisp Bailey Hayward pass, Crichton came to the fore. He trapped Kini in-goal with a poked kick down the left, and on the ensuing set from the dropout, Crichton sent prop Max King over for a try on his 150th NRL appearance.
Sami scored two more tries to complete a hat-trick and cut the Bulldogs' lead to 12 points with seven minutes remaining. However, Crichton sealed the victory by assisting Curran for his second try, putting the Bulldogs in touching distance of the top eight and bringing the Titans back to earth after their shock win over Penrith last week. "We just played a little bit young tonight," Titans coach Josh Hannay said. "We searched for a moment to feel good because it wasn't feeling good out there."
