Eels cleanout looms after 'embarrassing' loss

Referees have clearly had enough of Reed Mahoney's niggling tactics in the lead-up to the finals - but that may not be such a bad thing for the Bulldogs star.

Wide World of Sports named Mahoney as the game's biggest serial pest last month - and clearly the refs agree.

Whistle blower Adam Gee gave Mahoney a tongue lashing just before half time of Saturday's meeting with the Dolphins after a clash with Tevita Pangai Junior.

READ MORE: Sharks comeback could end Knights' finals hope

READ MORE: Cornes takes issue with 'laughing stock' Rachele act

READ MORE: Winger's season over as careless tackle halts epic comeback

The Bulldogs hooker was told if he crossed the line again, he would end up in the sin bin.

Mahoney heeded the warning, stuck to football, and shone as the Dogs scored a convincing 30-10 win.

It could be a lesson well learned for Mahoney - stick to playing football, put aside the rubbish, and the results will come.

Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Hunt leading competition for selfless act

There's a Dally M statue for the top point-scorer and top try-scorer every season.

But there is no reward for perhaps the most telling stat in rugby league - try assists.

And leading the way in 2024 is Dragons' magician Ben Hunt, who took his tally to 26 as he steered the Red V to a vital 32-16 win over the Titans in Wollongong.

Hunt's ability to control a game - and put teammates over the tryline - is the big reason the Dragons look set to play finals footy next month.

The Maroons' Origin star is in career-best form - even though he is yearning for a return home to Queensland.

It's a testament to Hunt's professionalism that despite his differences with the club over the past couple of years, he has been so dominant on the field.

The 34-year-old is shaping up as one of the real danger men of the final series.

Holmes caps challenging week with hat-trick

Rarely does a champion player have two bad games in a row - so it was fairly predictable that Val Holmes would shine against the Raiders on Saturday night.

The Cowboys star had a busy week, producing a shocker against the Broncos seven days earlier before signing a three-year deal with the Dragons.

With the pressure of his future off his shoulders and with a point to prove, Holmes cut loose in the 42-4 thrashing of the Raiders.

Holmes scored a hat trick, made numerous line breaks and booted seven goals from seven attempts for a personal tally of 26 points.

The Cowboys look destined to finish in the bottom half of the top eight - but with the strike power of Holmes out wide, could go deep into September.

Mass exodus threat in Ryles rebuild

Some of the Parramatta players who have all but given up on the 2024 season will want to be careful their attitude doesn't come back to bite them.

The Eels hit a new low against the Roosters in bog-like conditions at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.

On such a terrible surface, the game should have been close and tight - but the Roosters breezed to a 38-14 win.

Parramatta missed an embarrassing 57 tackles - and watching it all was coach-elect for 2025, Jason Ryles.

Ryles has already shown he is willing to clear the decks for next season, with several players being told they are free to look around for new employment despite being contracted to the Eels.

And it would be very surprising if, after witnessing the demolition job the Roosters did to his new team, he doesn't tap a few more on the shoulder in the coming weeks.

Munster finding form despite groin complaint

Was Cameron Munster's manager Braith Anasta 'foxing' when he declared in the lead-up to the Strom's massive clash with the Panthers that his star client's groin was well short of 100 per cent?

Because in only his third starting game after a long layoff with the injury, Munster was outstanding on Thursday night.

The star five-eighth had 16 runs for 146 metres and produced a try assist and a linebreak assist as the Storm edged out the reigning premiers.

Not bad for a bloke with a chronic groin problem!