KEY POINTS:
Refereeing errors, score-settling and brawls were the order of the day in round two of the NRL, with the judiciary reviewers facing a busy day today.
Among the hits looked at will be one from Karmichael Hunt who high-fived his Broncos teammates after breaking Braith Anasta's nose as
Brisbane won 20-14 in Sydney.
Kiwis wing Shaun Kenny-Dowall was denied a try by the video ref Russell Smith in what might have been a game-turning moment, the English ref appearing confused by the offside and obstruction laws. The Broncos appear to have settled on their halfback, Peter Wallace again good, steering the team before captain Darren Lockyer came on at 13 minutes as he continues a gradual return after a knee injury.
Manly prop Josh Perry is on report for a headbutt that turned fortunes the Knights' way late in the game at Newcastle, the home team taking the penalty and the ball and forging on to a 13-12 golden point victory. Perry hit Danny Wicks as a scrum went down. Richard Fa'aoso scored for the Knights with three minutes to go to level things then three minutes into extra time Scott Dureau slotted a field goal.
The judiciary may also concern itself with events in Townsville, where there were two major brawls, one sparked as a result of the ill-feeling between Cowboy Luke O'Donnell and Tigers Liam Fulton and Bronson Harrison who he blamed for ending his season last year with a leg-ripping tackle. So when O'Donnell scuffled with Fulton, Harrison ran in and punched him and was sin-binned. Later, Tigers fullback Brett Hodgson was taken out with a high shot. Tigers hooker Robbie Farah was too good for the home team ruck defenders, leading his side to a 30-10 victory.
Raiders fullback William Zillman proved his worth with an 80-metre try on kick-return as Canberra beat Penrith. Then he did his knee, the same one reconstructed last year, and his 2008 season is over. Penrith killed themselves with errors, Raider Marshall Chalk scored the only try of a dour second half.
St George host the Gold Coast tonight, the only match in Sydney over Easter Weekend, the other seven clubs shunning the holiday because of traditionally low crowds and the NRL having granted the Dragons' request for Monday night.