WHAT HAPPENED IN WEEK THREE OF THE NRL FINALS

Canberra 16 bt South Sydney 10 at GIO Stadium on Friday

Sydney Roosters 14 bt Melbourne 6 at the SCG on Saturday

THEY SAID IT: “I think towards the end of his career, they dumbed it out of him, his skill level. He’s got such a high skill level.” – Wayne Bennett’s dig at previous Rabbitohs coaches after John Sutton’s career came to an end on Friday night.

MAN OF THE WEEK: Canberra forward Josh Papalii carried the ball for a team-high 179 metres, broke six tackles, offloaded twice, made 34 tackles, and scored the game-clinching try to power the Raiders over the Rabbitohs.

KEY MOMENT: Retiring Roosters halfback Cooper Cronk took destiny in his own hands when he produced two try-saving tackles on his line in the second half in their tense win over Melbourne, including one on big forward Kenny Bromwich.

TALKING POINT: Should Canberra co-captain Josh Hodgson have come off for a concussion test after appearing to stumble in the first half against South Sydney? In the following 15 minutes, he set up a try and prevented another to swing the contest in the Raiders’ favour.

STATS THAT MATTER: Canberra’s sold-out 26,567 crowd at GIO Stadium was the biggest home crowd in club history.

JUDICIARY WATCH: Raiders – Josh Papalii (grade one careless high tackle, attracts fine); Roosters – Luke Keary (grade one careless high tackle, attracts fine).

INJURIES: Raiders – Joey Leilua (calf); Roosters – Jake Friend (calf), Luke Keary (ankle), Mitch Aubusson (concussion); Storm – Felise Kaufusi (ribs), Ryan Papenhuyzen (concussion).

WHAT’S NEXT: The Sydney Roosters will defend their title in the grand final against Canberra at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.