NRL Round-Up: Dally M darkhorse, top four bolters and the record that might have become unbreakable

abc.net.au - 29/07
As the business end of the season approaches the rugby league action is heating up. Here's everything you need to know about Round 21 of the season in this week's edition of the NRL Round-Up.

As the business end of the season approaches the rugby league action is heating up with the finals race growing more dramatic with every passing week. 

  • Friday: Warriors handle Tigers, Storm cruise past Eels 
  • Saturday: Seibold calls for HIA overhaul following Manly woes
  • Sunday: Johnston injured as Raiders romp past Rabbitohs

Here are the biggest talking points from every game of round 19.

1. Koroisau is producing the ultimate captain's knock 

Api Koroisau became one of the NRL's top dummy halves during his second stint with Penrith and played a major role in the club's back-to-back premierships but, unlike many of Wests Tigers big name buys over the years, his legacy should only be enhanced by what he's doing at the joint venture. 

The 31-year old leads from the front every single week for Benji Marshall's battling side, trying every trick he knows in an effort to inspire his side to victory. 

This game against the Warriors was no exception — Koroisau started the game at halfback, brought the Tigers back to life once he was able to switch to hooker and was constantly at the heart of almost everything they did well. 

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His effort to push up in support of the impressive Latu Fainu to snag a try in the final seconds typified his effort, which is constant no matter the odds. 

This was a listless defeat for the Tigers and there will be further disappointments on the long road back to respectability but when they do eventually turn it around, one can only hope Koroisau is still playing well enough t enjoy because few deserve it more. 

ABC Player of the year votes: 

3 - Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors)

2 - Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors) 

1 - Isaiah Papali'i (Tigers)

(Votes are compiled by the ABC Sport radio commentary team after each match)

2. Melbourne are already good but they still might be great 

Cameron Munster is not the kind of player who is easily forgotten but you could have been forgiven for doing so just a little given Melbourne's success without him this season. 

The talismanic five-eighth missed seven matches with his recent groin injury and Melbourne won six of them. He made a solid comeback on Friday night against Parramatta — his role in Ryan Papenhuyzen's try, where he skipped across field to find a rampaging Eli Katoa, showed plenty of his old magic — but the Storm are going well enough that Munster can take his time regaining full fitness. 

Munster made his return after ten weeks on the sidelines in Melbourne's win over Parramatta.(Getty Images: Brendon Thorne )

They already have Jahrome Hughes playing the football of his life, Harry Grant redisco...
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