leadPicToggle();

By Chris Boyd
foxsports.com.au
May 19, 2009

Like any week in the life of the NRL premiership, round 10 had off-field drama, on-field heroics, and always something to talk about in between.

The Dally M Darling: Kurt Gidley certainly has nothing left to prove at club level after his performance against Sydney Roosters on Saturday night. The Knights fullback ran for 257 metres - comfortably the furthest by any player in round 10 - made 11 tackle busts, two line breaks, and had a field day kicking for goal to reiterate why many believe he is the man to save New South Wales from State of Origin ridicule.

Didn't See That Coming: Melbourne Storm re-igniting their attacking game. Melbourne have now won their past 14 matches against Canberra since 2002, so it wasn’t the result that surprised. It was the manner in which the Storm silenced their critics and put the spark back in their attack that really shocked in their crushing 46-6 win. Their eight-try romp over the Raiders at Olympic Park saw the men in purple eclipse their highest total of the season so far – last week’s 28 points against the second-bottom team on the ladder, Sydney Roosters. With Billy Slater, Cam Smith, Cooper Cronk, Ryan Hoffman and Greg Inglis playing starring roles, Craig Bellamy looks to have his team of old back on the paddock.

The Golden Moment: The SCG miracle. South Sydney and Wests Tigers were deadlocked at 22-all on Sunday when Craig Wing received the ball with only seconds remaining. In the face of the fast-approaching Tigers defence, Wing frantically passed to Nathan Merritt, a man known more for his fast feet than his kicking ability. But the Rabbitohs winger coolly slotted the match-winning field goal from 20 metres out, from an acute angle, to become the unlikely hero for the Bunnies.

The Biggest Flop: Fresh after the bye, and with an almost fully fit playing roster, Warriors fans could have been forgiven for expecting their side to return to form against North Queensland. Instead, the Warriors deployed a strategy of dropped ball, ill discipline, and ineffective grubber kicks, turning the once-feared fortress of Mt Smart Stadium into a playground for Johnathan Thurston and his entourage.

Spray Of The Week: Kevin Moore - and who could blame him? The Bulldogs coach pulled no punches in the post-match press conference on Friday night after video referee Steve Clark's  no-try ruling denied his team a certain victory. Moore assumed the role of dictator when asking everyone in the room to raise their hands if they thought the Bulldogs' no-try was legitimate. Buoyed by the desired "yes" response, Moore summed up his thoughts: "I think it's one of the worst I've ever seen, full stop". But he didn’t stop there; targeting Dragons pivot Jamie Soward for his actor-like performance. "Jamie Soward conned the video referee, he backed into Greg Eastwood … he made a bigger attempt to get to the referee at the end of the field to complain."

Watch This Space: The NSW five-eighth puzzle could take an interesting twist when selectors name their team next Monday night. After 10 rounds it seems we are no clearer to knowing who will play in the pivotal position. Early-season favourite Terry Campese's chances have been harmed by Canberra's poor form while Sydney Roosters' Braith Anasta has been shown the representative door. Cronulla's Trent Barrett remains in contention, as he has done the job before, while Newcastle Knights' Jarrod Mullen looks favourite at this stage. However, with Jamie Lyon's imperious form for Manly, NSW selectors might opt to chuck the Sea Eagles centre into the No.6 jersey - where he won a premiership with Manly last season. Lyon's shift would free up an extra position in the hotly contested Blues' backline, making room for bolters like the Michael Jennings, Joel Monaghan and  James McManus. You never know.

The Last Laugh: You couldn't blame Brett Finch for cracking a cold, bittersweet brew this week and having a chuckle about his former Parramatta coach Daniel Anderson. The Eels were hammered by Manly on Sunday, with new halfback Kris Keating suffering a broken jaw. One month after releasing Finch to head "in a different direction", the loss of Keating is sure to test Anderson's seemingly bottomless pit of ballplayers. Maybe he could have kept Finch just a little longer after all.

Wouldn't Want To Be You: No suprises here - Steve Clark. You know when your boss doesn't stick up for you that it's time to assign 'job hunt' back into the favourites browser. NRL referees boss Robert Finch took less than 24 hours after Friday night's events to assure Bulldogs fans that they were indeed robbed. Maybe Clark's best defence at this point of the saga is to claim that his finger slipped. If Bulldogs coach Kevin Moore has his way, the only decision Clark will have to make this weekend is what do with his newly found spare time.

What's His Name Again He Had A Belter: Zeb Tai is one of several unheralded Newcastle Knights players who are responsible for the club's surge up the NRL ladder this season. Tai was at his explosive best against the Roosters, making seven tackle busts and crossing for two tries. Brian Smith recruited the former Eels backrower not long after making his own move up the F3 in 2007. The 24-year-old runs as hard as anyone in the NRL.

You Never Know, It Could Happen: Disenchanted by his side's inability to make line breaks, Roosters coach Brad Fittler becomes the first first-grade player-coach since Wally Lewis (Gold Coast Seagulls 1991-1992) to lace on the boots. Not content with sparking a Roosters revival, Fittler completes his rugby league comeback after answering an SOS from NSW coach Craig Bellamy to play in the series-deciding State of Origin game three at Suncorp Stadium.

The key number: 1 – The number of people who thought the Bulldogs' disallowed try was an obstruction.