South Sydney survived a stirring second-half fightback from Penrith to score a victory and maintain their unbeaten start to the NRL season.

The jokes flowed after some unknown Cronulla Sharks players were recently accused of taking a performance-enhancing substance for horses.

The Titans outlined their potential as NRL finalists last night with this defeat of Manly.

An emotional Shane Flanagan has been reinstated as Cronulla coach, but the four other football staff members sacked by the besieged NRL club won't be getting their jobs back.

The Warriors might have hoped Cronulla could be a little vulnerable on Sunday, given the emotional drain of the past month with the drugs investigation across the Tasman, but all of that will go out the window if Shane Flanagan is back on deck.

Melbourne were fuming after NRL star Billy Slater was placed on report for kicking the face of teenage prop David Klemmer as he leapt for a high ball during their 22-18 win over the Bulldogs.

Warriors fans who are a little deflated by the fact their team are in the middle of a club-record 10-game losing streak should try to keep things in perspective.

Is the pressure of goal kicking too much for Shaun Johnson? Justis Kamu looks at the halfback's kicking woes and the other key issues in the NRL from the latest round.

A Wellington punter collected a $250,000 payout from the TAB after successfully picking eight second round NRL winners.

Coach Des Hasler says Ben Barba's welfare is more important than footballing considerations and he won't rush his superstar fullback into the Canterbury side to play Melbourne in Thursday's NRL grand final rematch.

South Sydney proved just why they remain a long way from being the finished product after labouring their way to a 14-12 win over Cronulla at ANZ Stadium in Sydney last night.