SUNDAY MAY 5 2019 SPORT 59 Mitchell ROOSTERS 42 in a class TIGERS 12 Manly in ROOSTERS Tries: L Mitchell 3, D Tupou, L Keary, of his own N Butcher, B Cordner Goals: L Mitchell 7 STEVE ZEMEK TIGERS Tries: R Matterson, R Farah Goals: E Marsters 2 LATRELL Mitchell has shak- salute to en off uncertainty about his fu- ture to deliver one of the most- dominant individual performances of the year in the Sydney Roosters’ 42-12 thrashing of the Wests Tigers. All week, Mitchell was dog- Hasler ged by headlines that the club was worried about arch rivals South Sydney going all out for SCOTT BAILEY half, he really stepped up and his signature when he came off that’s what he needed to do.” contract at the end of 2020. DES Hasler hadn’t set out to Manly, close to wooden If he was fazed by the make a point in Manly’s 18-10 spoon favourites before the speculation about his future, win over his former NRL club season such was their form and he didn’t show it as he ran in Canterbury, but he might have roster, have won five of their three tries and set up another anyway. past six matches. two in the seven-tries-to-one In his first dealing with the They also lost five-eighth win last night at the SCG. Bulldogs since reaching an Lachlan Croker to a hamstring The Roosters scored their out-of-court settlement with injury in the win, while prop seventh win on the trot to stay the club, Hasler again showed Addin Fonua-Blake played on in top spot as they eyed off a why he was the perfect fit at with a knee injury but would showdown with Canberra dur- the Sea Eagles. need scans. ing Magic Round next week- Without Daly Cherry- Making matters worse, end in Brisbane. Evans at No.7 and Tom Trbo- other back-up option Trent Mitchell showcased his jevic at the back, Manly were Hodkinson is also missing with skill, power, kicking prowess gritty, tough and exemplified a knee issue. as well as scoring two long- every Hasler trait in last night’s “In the overall scheme of range tries, finishing with 169 win over the Bulldogs. things, two points like that run metres and a 26-point Rookie winger Reuben when it’s on a knife’s edge, you haul. With Luke Keary back in Garrick scored all 18 of want to get them,” Hasler said. the side after missing last week Manly’s points but halfback “It wasn’t pretty, but it will with a concussion, the Roost- Kane Elgey was the star, set- do us.” ers’ left side clicked into gear. ting up both of his team’s tries The in-form No.6 fed Mit- as he bamboozled the Bull- MANLY chell into open space and he dogs’ left-edge defence. 18 ran 60m to score, finishing the It came just a week after play with a diving put-down. Hasler made the call to drop BULLDOGS The 21-year-old then rag- Elgey, before he rebounded 10 dolled Esan Marsters and Matt with two long cut-out balls for SEA EAGLES Eisenhuth, broke into the tries to Garrick in the opening Tries: R Garrick 2 backfield and put in a perfectly 15 minutes. Goals: R Garrick 5 weighted grubber which “For him personally, it was a BULLDOGS bounced up for Keary to make really good result,” Hasler said. Tries: R Smith 2 Goals: R Martin it 18-6 at halftime. The Roosters' Latrell Mitchell on his way to setting up a try against the Tigers Picture: PHIL HILLYARD “He was really good in the first Ponga has half thought Bush beckons Thompson Pay can have his way NEWCASTLE star Kalyn move his star playmaker back MANLY back-rower and the Forbes Magpies before the CANTERBURY coach Dean Holmes, recruitment manager Ponga has refused to shut the to his natural fullback position. proud country boy Joel Canberra Raiders signed him Pay has been given the Warren McDonnell and door on his five-eighth exper- Ponga is enjoying his return Thompson says there is a in 2008. ultimate vote of confidence pathways performance iment, saying he doesn’t think to the No.1 jumper but he groundswell of support from Thompson believes country with the Bulldogs sacking four manager Andy Patmore he played that poorly in the hasn’t ruled out a return to current NRL players to finish clubs are crying out for NRL high-profile staff, including moved on as early as this week. position. five-eighth at a later stage, cit- their careers with a stint in the players to return to regional club legend Andrew Farrar It was a set-up largely Ponga, 21, has shifted back ing Darren Lockyer’s much- bush. areas and pass on their which will enable Pay a greater inherited by Pay when he to fullback after spending the heralded shift from fullback to Thompson is weighing up knowledge. say on his support staff. joined the club last year but the opening three rounds in the five-eighth at the Broncos as a joining the English Super “I think it is great for players The Bulldogs’ decision to changes will now allow Pay to halves. 27-year-old. League next season. to go back and play in the extend Pay’s contract by a have greater control at his The Knights flyer produced “I wouldn’t say it isn’t an op- But he also has aspirations bush,” Thompson said. further 12 months last month club. mixed form at five-eighth, tion,” Ponga said. of playing in the country when “Whenever I finish paved the way for Canterbury The quartet were told of the which prompted criticism. “In the past, players that he retires. professional footy I’d like to go to revamp its off-field staff news on Friday. Some were on The pressure forced New- have moved to five-eighth The Ivanhoe-born forward and captain-coach a country which will see team manager hand to watch the Bulldogs play castle coach Nathan Brown to have been a bit older.” played his junior football with team.” Farrar, head of football Gareth Manly yesterday afternoon. Raiders win in NRL carnage RACING PENRITH pair Viliame Kikau already without Jordan Ra- the way into the season. and Isaah Yeo, and Canberra pana and lost key centre Jo- Coach Ivan Cleary has just SUNDAY star John Bateman, might be seph Leilua pre-game to a neck two wins from their opening COME DOWN TO AVAILABLE FOR sidelined for a lengthy period issue. two months since his contro- THE TRACK FUNCTIONS after an afternoon of NRL car- They also had to overcome versial return to the foot of the Great entertainment so bring the whole nage in Wagga Wagga. the first-half sin-binning of mountains. family along or a group of mates AND PARTIES James Maloney could also Charnze Nikoll-Klokstad, who No side has won a premier- be looking at some time out bounced back with a crucial ship from such a lowly pos- after being put on report for second-half try. ition. lifting as the Panthers’ dismal Hudson Young sealed the TEAR THIS RAIDERS VOUCHER OUT FOR season continued yesterday win with his maiden four- ONE FREE ADULT afternoon with a 30-12 defeat. pointer late, lifting Ricky Stu- 30 ENTRY ON ANY Kikau (leg) and Yeo (shoul- art’s side into second spot PANTHERS RACE NIGHT. der) both exited inside an hour, provisionally above Mel- 12 while winger Malakai Watene- bourne and the Sydney Roost- RAIDERS Zelezniak also succumbed to a ers. Gates open from 4pm. UpUp to 11 races on the program.program. Tries: M Oldfield, J Wighton, C 8984316789843167 suspected rib injury. For the disappointing Pan- Nicoll-Klokstad, H Young Enjoy a meal at the Raceway Restaurant with an extensive menu to Bateman was taken to hos- thers, it is another crushing de- Goals: J Croker 7 pick from. How about booking a table in our club room, just sit back 15 HOOK ROAD pital with a possible fractured feat that has left their PANTHERS and relax with friends and enjoy the action on and off track. Bar/Tab WINNELLIE eye socket. It was a gutsy vic- campaign on life support de- Tries: N Cleary, J Tamou service available from 5.00pm with the Raceway Restaurant taking Email [email protected] tory for the Raiders, who were spite only being one-third of Goals: N Cleary, J Maloney orders from 6.00pm. for more details V1 - NTNE01Z01MA.