Terrell May had been eagerly anticipating Sunday’s showdown against the Roosters, and he certainly made his presence felt.
The player released by the Roosters for reasons that remain unclear made his former team pay dearly, taking charge in the Tigers’ incredible upset victory.
May racked up 208 metres – the highest by any Tiger – and earned a crucial late penalty that ultimately secured his team’s remarkable 30-28 triumph.
Terrell May faced off against his former club. Getty
This victory snapped a dismal six-match losing streak for the Tigers during a challenging period following the departures of rising stars Lachie Galvin and Tallyn da Silva.
Even without their Origin representatives, the Roosters were considered strong favourites but found themselves trailing 20-0 early as Benji Marshall’s side launched a fierce assault.
The young Roosters made a spirited comeback, outscoring their rivals in tries, but fell just short on the scoreboard.
DID BILLY MAKE THE WRONG CHOICE WITH HIS PROP?
Have the Queensland selectors erred in their choice of Canberra prop for Wednesday night’s Origin decider in Sydney?
Josh Papali’i has been a crucial player for the Raiders and Maroons over the years, but at 33, it’s clear his peak performance is behind him.
Josh Papalii. Getty
Meanwhile, the dynamic Corey Horsburgh is in prime form, tearing through the Dragons with 170 run metres – a tally that outstrips Papali’i’s performance for the entire season.
‘Big Red’ also carries an intimidating presence that the Blues will want to avoid facing, making a strong case for the Maroons to select him over his teammate for the big decider at Accor Stadium.
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The Raiders have extended their winning streak to seven matches for the first time since 2016.
Many pundits are waiting for them to stumble – but Ricky Stuart’s squad is charging towards the minor premiership.
STORM’S UNSUNG HERO STRIKES AGAIN
The Storm are full of under-the-radar achievers – especially during Origin time.
With several star players either occupied with Origin duties or sidelined due to injury, Craig Bellamy headed to Townsville over the weekend hoping for the less heralded players to step up.
Nick Meaney did just that – and more.
Nick Meaney celebrates with a TikTok-inspired dance. Getty
Moved from centre to fullback to fill in for the injured Ryan Papenhuyzen, Meaney delivered an outstanding performance in the narrow 26-20 victory over the Cowboys.
In what was arguably his career-best game, he scored two tries, converted five goals, ran over 250 metres, and made three line breaks.
His undeniable skill made a significant impact on a humid night, and he continues to flourish under Bellamy’s guidance.
WALTERS THRIVING UNDER MADGE
It’s often challenging to play with your father as coach – just ask Billy Walters.
He faced plenty of criticism during his dad Kevin’s tenure at the Broncos, but he’s now playing the best football of his career under Michael Maguire’s leadership.
Walters has found his niche as the Broncos’ super-sub, coming off the bench and injecting urgency into the play.
He played a key role in the exceptional late comeback from 18-0 down to secure a 22-18 victory at the Bulldogs on Friday night, bringing renewed energy to a team that was lacking direction.
The occasionally underrated hooker scored a crucial try and made two line breaks as the Broncos pulled off their impressive late resurgence.
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