Bunnies backflip as Bennett warms to signing De Belin

The Rabbitohs have renewed their bid to sign Dragons veteran Jack de Belin after he put Wayne Bennett's Dolphins to the sword on Sunday.

The Rabbitohs expressed interest in de Belin weeks ago but then dropped off due to salary cap issues.

But the powerhouse prop gave incoming Bunnies coach Wayne Bennett a close-up look at his strength and class at Kogarah.

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The 33-year-old was the best front-rower on the field as the Dragons downed Bennett's Dolphins 26-6.

De Belin scored a try and made valuable yards up the middle to strengthen his case for a deal at Souths.

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But his hopes will depend on the cap – and whether Souths can offload halfback Lachlan Ilias, who has been given permission to negotiate with rival clubs.

The Dragons are still keen to re-sign de Belin, while there is also interest in his services in Super League.

WHY CULT HERO IS ONE OF THE GREATS

When it comes to ranking players in the toughest game of all, longevity is a key factor.

And for that reason, veteran Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt will go down in history as one of the all time greats.

The 32-year-old scored the opening try in North Queensland's upset 16-6 win over the Panthers on Sunday with one of his trademark dives.

And as he did so, he wrote his name into the record books.

It was the ninth straight year that Feldt has scored at least 10 tries – putting him in rare company.

Since 1908, only two players have managed to emulate Feldt's feat – all-time tryscoring record holder Ken Irvine and Warriors legend Manu Vatuvei.

Feldt is a beloved figure in Cowboy territory – with his last gasp try instrumental in their lone grand final win – and he had a fine game in the surprise win over the Panthers.

MADGE FACES CENTRE CONUNDRUM

Bradman Best has put the heat squarely on Blues coach Michael Maguire in the lead-up to the Origin decider after his stunning display against the Eels on Saturday night.

Best gave the most devastating display by a centre all season, scoring two tries, laying on two more and running for 357 metres as the Knights outlasted the Eels in a thriller.

Best played one game for the Blues last season, scoring two tries, and looked right at home.

Stephen Crichton and Latrell Mitchell were both great in Melbourne as the Blues levelled the series last Wednesday night.

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But Best will keep them honest in the lead-up to the decider and he is the type of player the Maroons would much prefer watches the game from his lounge room in two weeks.

STORM FIND MUCH NEEDED BACK-UP

Bronson Garlick isn't one of the Storm's big names, but with Harry Grant missing, he rose to the occasion in the gritty win over Canberra on Saturday night.

Garlick produced his best performance in the top grade to date, coming up with two try assists and topping the Storm tackle count in heavy conditions.

It was just the effort Craig Bellamy was looking for – and gives the Storm a handy back-up for Grant, who is certain to miss more footy between now and the finals.

FINALS RACE HEATS UP AFTER WAHS WIN

The Warriors are right back in the hunt for finals footy after a win over a weakened Broncos side – and boast arguably the most destructive bookends in the race for the eight.

Props Addin Fonua-Blake and Mitch Barnett were outstanding as the Wahs won the battle up front in heavy conditions, combining for 337 metres between them.

The pair will prove a handful for any team in the crucial games to come and both have size, speed and the ability to offload.

They set the stage for a desperately needed win after last week's disaster on the Goldy, coming up with 248 metres in the first half.

That gave the Wahs the momentum – and it was enough to ensure they claimed a vital two points.

UNBELIEVABLE STAT THAT PROVES BURTON'S ABILITY

Matt Burton's booming left boot has the Bulldogs well and truly on track for an unlikely finals berth in 2024.

Burton has the biggest kicking game in the NRL and he terrorised the Sharks with a series of massive torpedo punts on Friday night… as well as kicking the winning field goal in golden point.

Burton came up with a phenomenal 693 kick metres for the match, constantly forcing the Sharks to bring the ball back from deep inside their own territory.

The star utility back has now kicked nearly 5000 metres for the season and his bionic left boot will be a danger weapon for the Bulldogs in the next couple of months… and hopefully the finals.

The win over the Sharks was a massive one in a tough, slogging affair and a finals berth now appears Canterbury's to lose.