NRL 2023: Ricky Stuart, Raiders, Jarrod Croker, Broncos extend Adam Reynolds, Eels injuries, Brad Arthur, Anthony Milford, Dolphins, Round 13 Talking Points

The Raiders have copped it over a controversial Ricky Stuart decision, while Broncos officials are sharpening their pens to extend one of their best players.

Anthony Milford wound back the clock for the Dolphins, while Eels coach Brad Arthur got the win but has more headaches to solve.

Read below for all the Talking Points from Round 13!

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CRONK BLASTS RAIDERS FOR CROKER MILESTONE PLOY

Cooper Cronk has blasted the Raiders for their decision to rest Jarrod Croker from their Round 14 clash with the Tigers so that he can play his milestone 300th match at home.

Ricky Stuart confirmed after his side's 33-26 win over the Rabbitohs that he would not pick his captain against the Tigers to allow him to bring up 300 in front of the Canberra faithful.

However, Cronk believes that is a mistake and Croker should be playing every game he can amid the team's winning run.

"In terms of Jarrod Croker being sat out for game 300 I can't agree with that," Cronk said.

"You scrap, you fight and you claw and the Raiders have done that to get their season back on track, winning the big bulk of games when Jarrod has been there and that whole character we are in it together mantra, I believe runs through no matter what game you play.

"A wise old man once said, don't count your games, make your games count.

"And for me he should be playing against the Tigers. He should win that. He should celebrate that and then he should go back to Canberra and celebrate that one because 301, 302, 305, they will continue on until he finishes up."

Mal Meninga noted that the Raiders’ season turnaround coincided with Croker's recall, so not playing him is a risk against the Tigers.

"The irony of it is he came back into first grade right back when they played the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium and that's when the run started," Meninga said.

"They had five wins, one bye and they didn't play well last week, but again they found a way to win tonight through just their sheer character and toughness.

"It is very noble, but I’m not sure if noble is a good thing or not I’m not quite sure. If they win next week against the Tigers without him then it is the right decision."

RED-HOT REYNOLDS ON BLUES STANDBY

Broncos officials are sharpening their pens to extend Adam Reynolds beyond 2024, with the veteran halfback in arguably in career-best form.

Former NSW players Matty Johns and Byran Fletcher believe Reynolds is playing better than when he represented the Blues and could slot in this series if Nathan Cleary gets injured.

Reynolds played two games for his state in 2016 and on current form the Broncos playmaker is the second-best halfback in NSW.

Brisbane missed their captain dearly in recent losses to the Storm and Panthers and Reynolds returned in style against the Warriors on Saturday.

The 32-year-old came back from concussion and orchestrated the upset victory on the road for the Broncos who were without their five Origin stars.

Reynolds finished with 82 run metres, five tackle busts, a linebreak, a linebreak assist, a try assist and 10 points off the boot.

"They went over there without their Origin stars, playing the Warriors in New Zealand, slippery conditions that don't really suit the type of football that the Broncos like to play," Johns said.

"You see Reynolds pull everything back a little bit, they were a lot more controlled, I thought it was a really strong performance from him."

That assessment prompted fellow former Blues player Fletcher to ask Johns a question.

Fletcher: If Nathan Cleary went down, fingers crossed he doesn't, would you have any hesitation putting Reynolds in?"

Johns: You wouldn't would you, he's just so composed.

Fletcher: I think he's playing better now than when he represented New South Wales.;

Johns: I think he is too.

‘REBORN’ STAR EVEN MORE PROOF OF ‘WITCH DOCTOR’ WAYNE’S MAGIC

Wayne Bennett doesn't like to offer up too much and after Thursday's win against the Dragons, he wasn't keen to talk up five-eighth Anthony Milford.

"You can write the headlines," the Dolphins coach told reporters post-game.

So, we will. It's only one game but Milford made the most of the opportunity Bennett gave him in what was the 28-year-old's first starting game since injuring his hamstring in round five.

Milford finished the game with a try, try assist and 429 kick metres but what would have pleased Bennett most was the way he consistently took the line on with intent.

The five-eighth ran six times for 54 metres, eventually breaking through the Dragons’ defence to score a relatively simple try as a reward for his persistence.

"He started to get his running game going," Gorden Tallis said after the game on ‘The Late Show With Matty Johns’.

"When he's at his best he sort of runs first, passes second and kicks third. His kicking game was pretty solid tonight but to me it was his running game. He came up against the young halves of the Dragons and he didn't overplay his hand.

"Sometimes Milf can try the miracle play or just run out of ideas but he was just really solid."

It is not just Milford though. Bennett has also helped bring the best out of another former Bronco in Jamayne Isaako, who celebrated his 100th NRL game in style with a double.

Isaako, who is currently the competition's leading points (138) scorer, arrived at Brisbane with plenty of hype when he first debuted in the top grade back in 2017.

Isaako stayed put at Red Hill for another six seasons before dropping down the pecking order, left "extremely disappointed" as his time at the Broncos came to a premature end.

But reuniting with his former Brisbane coach has seen Isaako rediscover his best form, with Bennett declaring earlier in the week that the 26-year-old is "reborn".

"It is a bit hard to say who has been our best player but he has been in our top three players every week," Bennett said at the time.

"But I am more proud of the way he has come back. He was in a pretty bad place the last couple of years.

"The Jamayne we saw at 19 years of age we hadn't seen for quite a long time and he was one of the first players I recruited when I came here because I knew if you put him in the right environment, he would flourish and that's what he's done.

"He has got the confidence back, he's in a happy place and is enjoying what he is doing."

Isaako finished Thursday's game with 110 run metres and two linebreaks to go with his pair of tries. Matthew Johns called him "one of the most improved players" in the league.

Johns even went as far as to ask on SEN Radio if Bennett is a "witch doctor", such is the veteran coach's track record in transforming players on the fringe of first grade.

"He came to the Broncos because of me and was someone everyone wanted at the time because he was a schoolboy star," Bennett said of Isaako on Thursday night.

"We have a good relationship but he wasn't going to let the boys rain on his own parade tonight. He took the game by the scruff of the neck."

Even Kodi Nikorima, another Dolphin who previously played under Bennett at Brisbane, has proved a handy pick-up for the NRL's newest team.

Nikorima has helped fill the void in the halves this season as injuries piled up before shifting to fullback on Thursday, with Bennett calling him a "rare breed" earlier in the week.

"He is a football player and football players can play any position," the Dolphins coach added.

Bennett's Dolphins continue to surprise this season but really it should be no surprise at all as he finds success getting the most out of a few revitalised former Broncos players.

EELS’ INJURY WOES AS SILVER LINING EMERGES

Someone at the Eels must have walked under a ladder because the club is going through an injury crisis that must make fans sick — but there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

Parramatta headed into Friday's game without all of the forwards who lined up in last year's grand final due to injury, Origin duty and players having moved on.

They have battled bravely with back-rowers Shaun Lane, Andrew Davey and Ryan Matterson all unavailable.

But they are being stretched to the limit with new recruit Joe Ofahengaue lasting just 10 minutes before he succumbed to a calf injury.

While the severity of his injury remains unknown, Brad Arthur would have been tearing whatever hair he had left out.

But while the Eels aren't getting the rub of the green when it comes to injuries, they have a big month looming.

Rugby league legend Greg Alexander explained how the Origin period could make or break Parramatta's season.

"The Eels started the season 1-5 and they only picked up that one win against the Panthers, but when you have a look at how close those games were and who they played, they had a brutal start to the competition," Alexander said.

"They were on the wrong end of it, but it is now five wins from eight... and they are without their two starting front rowers.

"But this is the Origin period, you have got to bank your wins... the Eels have put themselves in a position now to make a move."

"This Origin period can set up or spoil your season and if you look at the next month for Parramatta, they’ve got two byes," Yvonne Sampson added.

Over the next month Arthur's side enjoy two byes and face the Bulldogs, Sea Eagles and the Dolphins.

A mouth-watering draw considering the start of the season Parramatta were handed, facing the Storm, Sharks, Sea Eagles, Panthers and Roosters.

They also played three teams coming off the bye.

Alexander said the next month could be crucial to the Eels’ finals charge, with players also returning in weeks to come.

"We aren't saying those games are givens, but that's not a bad month and a bit... there's 10 points up for grabs," Alexander said.

"They finish with 10 grabs they are banging on the top four."

‘BIG RED’S’ STATEMENT PERFORMANCE

Corey Horsburgh found out two weeks ago that he wasn't going to be picked for the State of Origin opener in Adelaide, but his performance against South Sydney might have Queensland coach Billy Slater wondering if he made the wrong choice.

The man they call ‘Big Red’ shaved his wild mane of hair after what he said was his very own ‘Britney Spears moment", but he didn't lose the ferocity that has made him one of the best forwards in 2023.

His aggression is perfectly suited to the Origin arena while he's also worked on his passing and has improved his fitness this year.

Plenty of good judges thought he’d be picked to make his Queensland debut, but Horsburgh couldn't break into a forward pack brimming with big-game experience.

"I kind of knew that I wouldn't be picked," he said.

"They won last year and there are a lot of people in form in my position.

"I’ve got to keep playing good footy and keep getting better. If I ever do get the call then I get the call, but I’m not kicking stones. I’m just happy that I’m playing footy and I’m not injured.

"I think I’m playing well enough (to be picked) but Queensland is big on loyalty, especially in the forwards. They had a great series last year and they’re all playing really well this year.

"If I get my chance then that’ll be great, but I just hope they go out and win. I’m a proud Queenslander so I never want them to lose."

Horsburgh is no stranger to Origin footy having represented Queensland twice at under-20s level, and it's only a matter of time until he gets picked by Slater.

The Maroons coach spoke with him two weeks ago but it won't be long until Horsburgh gets a very different phone call.

"I’ve talked to him once," said Horsburgh, who plans on wearing his Maroons jersey and eating a couple of pizzas on Wednesday night.

"He seems like a really good fella from the one conversation we had and he told me what I’m doing well and what I need to work on.

"He seemed happy with the way that I’m playing but he told me that my position is stacked and that I’ll get my crack eventually. I’ve just got to keep playing my style of footy and I’ll force my way in.

"If I’m talking to him then I’m doing the right thing.

"I had a chat (with Raiders coach Ricky Stuart) after the teams came out. Sticky is pretty good with that.

"He told me that everyone is really happy with how I’m playing and that the right people are happy. There's not much you can do when everyone else is playing well.

"I’ll get my crack one day but I’ve got to keep playing better and better to force my way in."

Stuart was particularly pleased with Horsburgh's performance against South Sydney on Saturday night, with the middle forward switching to an edge and starring in the 33-26 win.

The 25-year-old scored a try, had two line-breaks and four tackle busts in the first half, while he also came up with a couple of plays that wouldn't look out of place in Origin when he leapt on loose balls to win his side possession.

"I’ve never really played there before. I’ve only had to fill in when someone's been injured in the past. It was a new experience and I was just happy to get through it," he said.

"I felt good out there, but then in the second half I kept getting gassed and then I’d come good and then get gassed again because I haven't played there much before. I had fun out there and it was good to have some joy early."

- Martin Gabor, NCA Newswire