In the same week the Toyota Cup witnessed a terrible injury, it produced an inspiring comeback. Matt Russell looks at both in his weekly Toyota Cup wrap. This week's television games also including the National Youth Competition's hottest team.<br><br><b>Feel good story</b><br><br>Chris Marlborough made an emotional return to Newcastle's Toyota Cup team on Monday to complete his comeback from a broken neck.<br><br>He suffered the injury with his first tackle against Melbourne on August 17 last year and amazingly completed four more tackles and two hitups, unaware of the serious damage in his neck.<br><br>Marlborough was eventually replaced but not correctly diagnosed until mid-week when scans produced a frightening find and swift response.<br><br>Told he was still a chance to be paraplegic, Marlborough was rushed into surgery and the long recuperation began.<br><br>Under the guidance of Knights' sports doctor Neil Halpin, neurosurgeon Richard Ferch and professor John Yeo, Marlborough has worked hard ever since and was eventually cleared to make a rugby league comeback.<br><br>After a return in the Newcastle competition, he completed the comeback by appearing in the triumphant Toyota Cup team on Monday.<br><br>The Knights downed Manly 28-10.<br><br>Marlborough is held in high esteem at Newcastle and not just because of his rugby league ability.<br><br>The support of his parents is obvious.<br><br>Mum, Linda says her son has told her he wanted to play for the Knights since age four.<br><br>Even a broken neck can't stop him.<br><br><b>Hard luck story</b><br><br>Life can be cruel... just ask Parramatta's Keith Wicks.<br><br>He made his debut for the Eels Toyota Cup team on Saturday and did a great job.<br><br>Wicks flew high to score from a cross-field kick as his side kept pace with the Roosters.<br><br>Minutes later he contested a kick in his own in-goal and landed awkwardly, snapping his leg.<br><br>The ugly injury will mean he won't play again this year.<br><br>Everyone hopes there are no complications and we see him back in 2011.<br><br><b>Close... but not close enough</b><br><br>It's hard not to feel sorry for Parramatta's Toyota Cup team.<br><br>The Eels are set to finish with the wooden spoon but are trying until the end.<br><br>Their last two defeats - against top eight teams the Bulldogs and Roosters - have been by two points.<br><br>They should have beaten the Dogs after leading 22-0 at halftime.<br><br>They should have beaten the Roosters, who were given a try to Jacob Miller despite the fact he didn't ground the ball properly.<br><br>Instead they've been beaten seven times by six points or less.<br><br>Given some luck, Parra could well damage Gold Coast's finals bid at Skilled Park on Friday.<br><br><b>What could have been</b><br><br>Like Parramatta, the Sharks are cursing another close call.<br><br>The 14-10 loss to the Tigers on Saturday was their eighth by six points or less.<br><br>The Tigers winning try from Liam Ayoub came in the 78th minute,<br><br>Cronulla is another team on the 2010 scrapheap more than capable of shaping the top eight.<br><br>The Sharks host the Warriors on Saturday.<br><br><b>One for the boys in stats</b><br><br>What is fasted hat-trick in rugby league history, in terms of time before the first and third tries?<br><br>Matt McIlwrick scored in the 66th, 69th and 71st minutes against Melbourne as the Raiders won 50-22.<br><br>That's basically try, kickoff, try, kickoff, try, in the space of five minutes, with only one bloke involved!<br><br>The win lifts the Raiders to equal fourth.<br><br>They host Penrith on Monday night and should win.<br><br>The 2008 premiers and 2009 finalists are well placed again.<br><br><b>Tough for some</b><br><br>How would Beau Henry have felt against Brisbane last week?<br><br>He scored three tries and the Dragons still lost 20-18.<br><br>The 2009 Toyota Cup Player of the Year is off to Newcastle next season and may not get to play finals footy this year.<br><br>The Dragons and Broncos are on 20pts each and have to keep winning.<br><br><b>You're hot</b><br><br>Fox Sports viewers get to see the form team of the Toyota Cup on Sunday when the Bulldogs travel to Newcastle.<br><br>The Dogs have now won 11 of their last 12, most recently 25-12 against the strong South Sydney combination.<br><br>No bad for a side that didn't win during the first seven rounds.<br><br>The only loss since April 23 was against Gold Coast 34-28, where the Dogs had prop Martin Taupau sent off just before halftime.<br><br>Big Marty is back now as part of an imposing pack.<br><br>Newcastle found impressive form to beat Manly on Monday and still rate their top eight chances.<br><br>Join myself and Cam Smith on Sunday for all the action from 11.30am EST.<br><br><b>High Five</b><br><br>We look forward to seeing Dane Chisholm in the Melbourne Storm team again on Saturday.<br><br>He has played only three Toyota Cup games this season but is back in the Under 20 ranks to tackle Manly.<br><br>I still remember his blinding speed in the first week of finals where he scored five tries against South Sydney.<br><br>Melbourne took a point from first placed North Queensland the last time they were on television and will be primed for something similar again.<br><br>Halfback Maipele Morseau was the star that day and is back for more on Saturday.<br><br>Join myself and Stuart Raper for all the action as part of Super Saturday on Fox Sports 2.<br><br><b>Order restored</b><br><br>The Cowboys are outright leaders again after making it five unbeaten weeks with victory against Penrith 38-18.<br><br>North Queensland had six different try scorers and Kyle Feldt nailed six from six.<br><br>Hooker James Segeyaro is back from suspension and it is no coincidence North Queensland won only one of six while he was out.<br><br>This week's challenge is a Queensland derby against the Broncos.<br><br><b>The Fish that got away... finally</b><br><br>Glen Fisiiahi must have been happy to score in the Warriors 30-14 win against Gold Coast on the weekend... but not before more embarrassment.<br><br>Earlier in the game he dived for the try line early hoping to skid over, only to have the ball come free on impact.<br><br>It came a week after his premature celebration against Souths that allowed Josh Starling to knock the ball free in-goal.<br><br>Luckily he DID score eventually against the Gold Coast and the celebration was subdued to say the least.
You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content
National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.
