NRL round 16 snapshot
* Quote of the Round
"They were the best team on the day - they worked hard to get what they got done. The ability to win when you're not even at the races is a pretty good art." - Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson praises an injury-hit Melbourne following his side's thrilling win against the Storm in Adelaide.
* Man of the Round
Sydney Roosters playmaker Mitchell Pearce shook of the heartbreak of NSW's State of Origin II loss to boot the winning field goal in his side's come-from-behind win over a depleted Melbourne.
* Stat that Matters
St George Illawarra winger Jason Nightingale collected his 99th, 100th and 101st career tries with his third hat-trick of 2017 as the Dragons stormed home to pip Newcastle
* Magic Moment
Kyle Feldt flew high to score a 79th-minute try before Ethan Lowe nailed a sideline conversion as a Thurston-less North Queensland upset Penrith 14-12 in a thriller.
* Talking Point
With nine players failing to back up after game two, the case is mounting for the NRL to implement more than just one stand-alone State of Origin game next year.
* Judiciary Watch
Nil
* Casualty Ward
North Queensland - Johnathan Thurston (shoulder); Brisbane - Darius Boyd (thumb), Korbin Sims (groin); Sydney Roosters - Boyd Cordner (calf); Canterbury - Brett Morris (knee); Isaah Yeo (ankle); Warriors - Kieran Foran (quad); St George Illawarra - Paul Vaughan (calf); Newcastle - Luke Yates (shoulder), Cronulla - Jayden Brailey (jaw); Manly -Curtis Sironen (pectoral).
* Under Pressure
Following their loss to a depleted Brisbane, Ricky Stuart's Canberra are four points outside the eight and have a big fight in front of them to make the top eight despite being highly fancied going into the season.
