Holmes caps challenging week with hat-trick

Rarely does a champion player have two bad games in a row - so it was fairly predictable that Val Holmes would shine against the Raiders on Saturday night. The Cowboys star had a busy week, producing a shocker against the Broncos seven days earlier before signing a three-year deal with the Dragons. With the pressure of his future off his shoulders and with a point to prove, Holmes cut loose in the 42-4 thrashing of the Raiders. Holmes scored a hat trick, made numerous line breaks and booted seven goals from seven attempts for a personal tally of 26 points. The Cowboys look destined to finish in the bottom half of the top eight - but with the strike power of Holmes out wide, could go deep into September.

Holmes manager's judiciary request

Val Holmes' manager has called for the NRL to adopt an NFL-style judiciary system after his star client was rubbed out for four weeks for a high shot.Holmes was given the lengthy suspension for a dangerous tackle on Titans fullback Jayden Campbell, which also saw him sent to the sin bin - a factor that contributed to the Cowboys' upset defeat that has left them in danger of missing the finals."In the NFL, it's all about the fans and getting to see their heroes every weekend," manager Gavin Orr told Wide World of Sports."So for all but the most extreme acts of violent play, players are fined and allowed to play the next week."I think it should be the same here - now Cowboys fans are robbed of seeing one of their marquee players in three (four) crucial games that could decide their finals fate."The lengthy suspension is also odd because Jayden didn't even go off for a HIA."So that would indicate that the hit, while it was high, was not that bad."

Origin star's promise to teammates

Val Holmes made a promise to his Cowboys team-mates to have a big game in the crucial clash with the Sea Eagles at Brookvale on Saturday night after having a rare shocker in Origin III last Wednesday.And Holmes was true to his word - the classy centre ran for nearly 200 metres, came up with a wonderful try assist for Reuben Cotter and also made a line break in the Cowboys' 19-8win at Brookvale.Holmes was as good as anyone on the field in a tough old school game in which Manly were up for the fight but just couldn't convert their chances into points.In a vital game before their home fans, Manly were a major disappointment and are in danger of missing out on finals footy.