Tuesdays Expert Wrap - Round Four

Penrith mentor Matthew Elliott would come last in an award for most popular coach in the league and Tuesday's Expert now understands why.

After seeing his top seventeen last Friday night, it is evident Elliott's obsession with playing outside backs in the backrow has hit new heights. Adrian Purtell and Timana Tahu, who are more adept in the centres than in the pack (although some would argue Purtell's best position is left right out), were both selected on the interchange bench for the clash with the Broncos.

And in the era of the super-sub, their contribution was embarrassing. Purtell was on the field for just 12 minutes and touched the ball twice, while Tahu played a more respectable half an hour but only made 6 runs for 35 metres. Hardly figures that would have any opposition quaking in their boots.

Elliott would be far better served with a bench forward or two to ease the workload on an already burdened Petero Civoniceva and Luke Lewis. Tuesday's Expert's fingers are crossed but he's not holding his breath.

Another selection heads-cratcher is the Raiders' persistence with an unfit, off the pace and generally ordinary Matt Orford in the halfback position. Granted, if they didn't have any better options it would be acceptable. However, talented youngster Sam Williams is waiting in the wings. After his confident performance in Round One, he could be the spark for Canberra if Dave Furner is willing to shelve one of the club's biggest off season purchases.

Tuesday's Expert would like to give a shout out to Warriors' coach Ivan Cleary for running the blow torch through his team after a very ordinary opening three weeks. Cleary demoted Lance Hohaia and Brett Seymour amongst others while promoting the likes of Glen Fisiiahi and Ukuma Ta'ai in a fairly massive shake up.

Aside from changing the names, the move achieved its purpose of refocusing the attitude of the team. Although the seventeen named may not be the Warriors' best side at full strength, Cleary's crystal clear message was that bad performances will not escape punishment and that 100% commitment is what is required to prosper.

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Chris Sandow (1 Conversion, 1 Penalty Goal)
2 Points - Kieran Foran
1 Point - Dylan Farrell (3 Tries)

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Corey Parker (1 Conversion, 2 Penalty Goals)
2 Points - Jharal Yow Yeh (1 Try)
1 Point - Nafe Seluni

CANBERRA RAIDERS (22)
Tries: Dane Tilse, Joel Thompson, Jarrod Croker, Daniel Vidot
Conversions: Jarrod Croker (3/4)

GOLD COAST TITANS (23)
Tries: Greg Bird, Anthony Laffranchi, Brad Meyers, Bodene Thompson
Field Goals: Greg Bird (1/1)
Conversions: Greg Bird (1/2), Preston Campbell (2/2)

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Greg Bird (1 Try, 1 Conversion, 1 Field Goal)
2 Points - Luke Bailey
1 Point - Dane Tilse (1 Try)

PARRAMATTA EELS (22)

Tries: Luke Burt (2), Etu Uaisele, Ryan Morgan
Conversions: Luke Burt (3/4)

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (20)
Tries: Ashley Graham, Willie Tonga, Kalifa Fai-Fai Loa (2)
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (2/4)

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Johnathan Thurston (2 Conversions)
2 Points - Luke Burt (2 Tries, 3 Conversions)
1 Point - Kalifa Fai-Fai Loa(2 Tries)

'Luke Burt breaks hearts and records in Eels win'

CRONULLA SUTHERLAND SHARKS (18)
Tries: John Williams, Wade Graham, Jeremy Smith
Conversions: John Williams (3/3)

NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS (26)
Tries: Krisnan Inu, James Maloney, Glen Fisiiahi (2)
Conversions: James Maloney (4/4)
Penalty Goals: James Maloney (1/1)

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Jacob Lillyman
2 Points - Glen Fisiiahi (2 Tries)
1 Point - Paul Gallen

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (18)
Tries: James McManus, Chris Houston, Cory Paterson
Conversions: Kurt Gidley (3/3)

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (20)
Tries: Matt Cooper, Darius Boyd, Jason Nightingale
Conversions: Jamie Soward (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Jamie Soward (1/1)

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Ben Creagh
2 Points - Kurt Gidley (3 Conversions)
1 Point - Jason Nightingale (1 Try)

'Dragons withhold Knights surge'

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (24)
Tries: Todd Carney, Anthony Minichiello, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Martin Kennedy
Conversions: Braith Anasta (3/4)
Penalty Goals: Braith Anasta (1/1), Mitchell Pearce (0/1)

WESTS TIGERS (6)
Tries: Aaron Woods
Conversions: Benji Marshall (1/1)

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Martin Kennedy (1 Try)
2 Points - Shaun Kenny-Dowall (1 Try)
1 Point - Todd Carney  (1 Try)

'Strong Roosters defence tames hapless Tigers'

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Billy Slater
2 Points - Cooper Cronk
1 Point - Adam Blair

'Methodical Melbourne claim Canterbury scalp'