NRL round 20 preview

James Maloney. Photo / Richard Robinson.

A look at the key storylines for the latest round of the NRL.

1. Game of the week

All of them. Round 20 has thrown up a brilliant round of fixtures. Des Hasler takes his soaring Bulldogs back to Brooky to a face a wounded Manly; the Titans and Broncos clash in the southeastern Queensland derby; the Warriors' season goes on the line (again) against the resurgent Knights; the Rabbitohs look to keep surging against the Dragons; the Storm look to avoid an unthinkable fourth straight defeat against the Eels; the Sharks need to get back on track in Canberra; the Roosters try to recover from Monday night's kick in the nuts against the strife-torn Panthers; and the Cowboys and Tigers meet in a Monday night classic. Get that in ya.

2. Miracle of Allianz

Hmm, pretty crappy title for a miracle, that. Not exactly The Miracle at Mile High, is it? Oh well, the Rabbitohs' victory over the Roosters was still one of the most remarkable finishes to any game of sport - so we've been told. Hopefully, this column wasn't the only one to flick the telly off and head for bed once the Roosters had safely secured a short kickoff with two minutes to go. Bugger.

3. Muck-up of Allianz

It's hard to blame the Roosters for wanting to slink off the field after their capitulation to the Rabbitohs but their failure to stick around to collect the Ron Coote trophy (awarded to the team who wins on the aggregate of the two matches between the clubs) went down like a cup of sick with, among others, Ron Coote. The 67-year-old legend, who was left standing around with no one to give the trophy to, described it as "pretty ordinary".

4. Chin up, Jimmy

Goalkicking can be a thankless task, as James Maloney found out against the Broncos. However, that is small beer compared with the fate that befell Don Fox in the 1968 Challenge Cup final. Fox had already been named man of the match when he had the chance to win the match for Wakefield Trinity with a conversion from straight in front. Fox slipped and sliced his kick wide to leave Leeds 11-10 winners.

5. Slap another shrimp on the barbie, cobbers

Des Hasler can be a strange fish but he is capable of the odd lucid moment. Hasler insists he wants Manly fans to give it to him when he returns to Brookvale tonight for the first time since walking out - because he knows they will kiss and make up afterwards. "It'd be great [if they give it to me]," Hasler said. "That's what it's all about, it's the passion, the tribalism. But I'm sure if I turned up to their place on Sunday afternoon for a barbie, they wouldn't turn me away."

6. The cavalry are coming

Some big-name players return to the fray this weekend. Glenn Stewart should be back for Manly, Josh Dugan is in line to return for the Raiders and Gareth Ellis returns to the Tigers after three months out with a foot injury. However, Paul Gallen and Jeremy Smith aren't expected to be back for the Sharks and Brett Stewart is unlikely for Manly.