State of Origin Game 3

• New South Wales’ Key To Victory

  • The Right To Score

• Queensland’s Key To Victory

  • Harry Houdini

New South Wales’ Key To Victory

The Right To Score

There isn’t much to be said about the New South Wales Blues attack through two games.

They offered little until playing with an extra man in Game 1. An error from the kickoff gifted them a try in Game 2 before they scored another in garbage time. However, digging through the games and in searching for opportunities to improve, I expect the Blues to look to their right edge. It’s their most dangerous edge with James Tedesco floating to link up with Stephen Crichton and Mark Nawaqanitawase.

Nawaqanitawase scored an excellent try in Game 2 which offers some insight into their most dangerous actions:

They asked “how has he scored that?!?” in commentary. A question we’ve all asked plenty of times already throughout Nawaqanitawase’s brief but brilliant rugby league career. His no-try earlier in the match helps to answer that question while also preparing for Game 3.

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NRL Film Room - Round 18 Highlights

Quick Hits

Whack! As a long-time Jake Averillo truther, I was up and about after he used a lethal right foot to break into the backfield and lay on a try.

What A Ball The old boy Dylan Walker has still got it. He’s proving to be a key part to the Eels attack off the bench. Especially when playing without Mitchell Moses.

The Feature Reel: Try of the Week

The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks attack to cues better than any team in the NRL. They don’t always create the cues they want against the very best defensive teams in the competition, but if there is one in front of them, they’ll take it.

Sione Katoa’s try is a prime example of how everybody knows how to respond to the look of the defence in front of them.

The first comes as the Sharks were their way out of yardage; four defenders from the middle of the field.

Nicho Hynes executes his role to perfection. He takes the ball on the advantage line and bounces into the B defender. Importantly, Billy Burns knows the line to run. He doesn’t take the space away from Hynes to bounce out and hits the space in behind the turned-in three-man to break into the backfield.

Broncos fullback Hayze Perham is forced to make a tackle at fullback, and that’s the next cue for the Sharks to act on.

Not only is Perham left in the tackle for there to be nobody home behind the defensive line, the Broncos left edge is slow back to their ten. They’re not able to provide enough resistance for the kick-chase, who are on their bike as soon as Hynes takes possession.

There is no hesititaion from anybody wearing blue.

Sure, it takes a nice bounce, but fortune favours the brave, and Katoa is rewarded for pushing up in support of the first break and into position to latch onto the kick.

Round 18 NRL Notes

Panthers v Rabbitohs

Edwards In Defence: After covering the struggles Isaiah Iongi faced when setting his numbers against a flipping Cody Walker in Round 17, I payed particularly close attention to Dylan Edwards this week.

He’s a master of setting a defensive line. It’s not a coincidence that the Penrith Panthers have played with historically good defensive numbers over the last five years.

Awarded a penalty in good ball and an opportunity to execute on a scripted set, the Rabbitohs get to work. So does Edwards.

He’s stalking Walker, first sending an extra man to the long side as the Rabbitohs five-eighth floats around the back of the ruck on the first tackle. As Souths get to their point just outside the right post on play-two, Edwards plugs himself in the longside this time. He gives the Panthers a thick seven-man line from the far post which keeps a lid on the Rabbitohs shift.

Walker is really wide out the back of the Keaon Koloamatangi lead and that is likely by design, but with a thick line inside him, Paul Alamoti is able to get high and spook Ashton Ward into playing short.

It isn’t a lost play for the Bunnies, though. They still generate momentum with Koloamatangi bringing the three-man into the tackle, but Edwards is quick to respond.

He identifies the threat early, and with Billy Philips caught around the legs and not likely to get back to the line, calls Liam Henry from the longside and puts himself into B on the shortside.

His speed off the line hurries Ward’s pass and allows Brian To’o to make a play which ultimately ends in a forward pass.

There are no supercoach points and no highlight reel moments for Edwards, but it’s fullback defence at its best.

Dragons v Wests Tigers

Doueihi Swinging: This is a good look for Adam Doueihi near the line.

He’s a big unit for a halfback, but when playing the more central halfback role, isn’t always able to use his size and strength which makes his running game in space so dangerous.

With Jock Madden playing as the middle service and using a drop to hold up the four man with a lead inside two, the Wests Tigers get Doueihi running down hill at a lone winger with a player outside him.

He has the skill to make the read and pass at speed, or the sheer strength, as we see here, to barge over himself.

State of Origin Notes

Early thoughts on State of Origin Game 3 before diving deeper for Premium subscribers on Wednesday:

Maroons In Yardage: The Blues boast an elite forward pack. They have the metre-eaters to get up the field even following the inexplicable dropping of Brian To’o¹ .

In contrast, Queensland has the speed on the edge to make their way into New South Wales territory. They went to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow early in Game 2 where he had success both getting outside Kotoni Staggs, or taking off his inside shoulder with a sharp left-foot step. Their first try came on the back of some ad-lib football on the last tackle, but they were only in position to make an attacking play thanks to a shift to Tabuai-Fidow crossing halfway.

Daley has already made a team list change. Stephen Crichton on the right side would likely help to contain Queensland’s longer shifts in yardage. Still, I expect to see more of the same from the Maroons as they look to move up the field and make the big Blues back travel.

NRL Analysis: How To Get The Defence To Travel

Those carries in yardage might not always look like much, but each can have a massive impact in a set if it all goes to plan.

Daley’s Bench Rotation: How Laurie Daley rotated his bench in Game 2 is still difficult to understand.

ICYMI: It’s a guessing game trying to pick what Daley and the Blues will do for the decider, but I have a few ideas:

• Murray needs to play more. If long minutes are an issue for Olakau’atu (who I’d be recalling), Murray can spend a lot more time on the field between the middle and edge, if not the full 80 minutes.

• Ethan Strange was bought onto the field to bring a spark, but that could instead be Addin Fonua-Blake’s footwork at the back end of the first half. A spark doesn’t need to be scoring the try or throwing the final pass. The momentum Fonua-Blake can generate through the middle can be just as influential on a match.

• Reece Robson has come along as more of a threat out of dummy half this season but, again, if Daley was looking to create moments, working Api Koroisau into the game had to be the play. Whether it’s Koroisau or Blayke Brailey in Game 3, the Blues need more out of dummy half.

Blues Baiting: I’ve not noticed Harry Grant getting in the ear of referees, but it’s not something I look out for either.

Still, the Blues have spoken about their aim of improving at the art form. Reece Robson, in particular, made mention of perhaps providing the referee with some advice on Wednesday night:

“I think the whole Queensland side the last couple of games have been better playing that side of the game.

“That’s something we need to improve. Some people seem to get away with stuff, others don’t.

“Sometimes it can benefit you going after the penalties. It’s something they do really well.”

It’s not something that is likely to work. In fact, there is every chance it backfires and costs them an extra 10 metres. The ref mics seem to be exceptionally loud on the Channel Nine broadcast, so I’ll be listening out for how the Blues “improve” in “going after penalties.”

The Pipeline - Mark Tuialii, Canberra Raiders

Looking beyond the bright lights of the NRL to the lower grades, one player caught my eye this week.

If the Canberra Raiders want to add some more spark to their attack, Mark Tuialii is on the list.

The 20-year-old will instantly bring comparisions to BJ Leilua when he debuts in first grade and the commentators see his left-arm fend into right-arm flick pass for the first time. This try assist isn’t a fluke:

The Raiders aren’t flush with undroppable outside backs. Simi Sasagi has been their best player this season, and while he suited up in the centres last week, he’s at his best further in-field.

With Canberra on the cusp of falling out of finals contention and ‘playing for next season’ possibly on the horizon, Tuialii could be the beneficiary.

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NRL Film Room - Round 17 Highlights

Quick Hits

Just Give Him The Ball Sometimes footy is as simple as giving it to the big kid near the line. Haumole Olakau’atu provides the game-breaking ability a team could use in the toughest series in the sport…

Best For The Win This is a good time to revisit the importance of a consistent kick chase. It only took the Tigers left edge to be a second behind where they needed to be for the Knights to score the winner.

The Feature Reel: Try of the Week

Welcome back, Jeremiah Nanai.

He’s had a disrupted 2026 NRL season, but you know Nanai is back to his best in attack when he’s scoring tries like this:

The kick is pin-point-perfect for a start. That allows Nanai to time his run and do so without taking his eyes off the ball for a second. He’s the bigger body and wins the contest in the air. Still, to be able to land with the ball off the ground before reaching out to score is a lot more difficult than it looks.

Round 17 NRL Notes

Eels v Rabbitohs

Classic Bunnies: The South Sydney Rabbitohs have struggled for consistency in every regard to start the season. In their performance, ability to get the best team on the field, and in results. But when they start doing this…

…you can start to get excited.

A shift for a shift. Cameron Murray playing through the middle. Cody Walker taking the ball and making decisions at speed.

If the Rabbitohs are to reach their full potential in 2026, that is how it will look.

Eels v Rabbitohs: How Both Teams Targeted The Fullback

Titans v Bulldogs

Galvin In Control: Lachlan Galvin is touching the ball more than any non-hooker in the NRL at the moment. For better or worse, he is the indicator. Everything in the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs attack runs through him.

Stephen Crichton finished the match with three try assists as the five-eighth, but Galvin deserves credit for how those tries came about.

Zane Harrison was the star for the Titans in Round 16, but the Bulldogs made him a target in defence in Round 17. Crichton consistently found himself either using a lead inside Harrison or burning into the half himself. Those opportunities don’t come by accident.

If we look into the set up and execution of the last try, we can see how Galvin played the Bulldogs to their points, and their best attacking players in positions to succeed.

It starts with Galvin dropping his backrower back under. It looks like a nothing play, but there is likely to be more behind it. My guess is he’s dropping back at Sam Verrils to generate momentum. But when Jaemon Salmon bounces across and into the Titans four-man, Galvin flips.

 

The target has become the middle now defending at four-man with the inexperienced half outside him.

With Moeaki Fotuaika struggling to get back to the line and back off it, Galvin is able to bounce straight across him and into the four-man with a lead inside three.

Again, Crichton is credited with the try assist and it’s a magnificent pass, but he’s not in a three-on-two situation with space to play without Galvin setting things up through the middle.

This new-look halves pairing will again be a major focus of the round when the Bulldogs return after the bye.

Broncos v Roosters

Scrum Watch: This Sydney Roosters scrum went straight into the notebook. Especially after we got two looks at it following a false start on the first.

The Roosters set up with a 5-and-1 split, but Mark Nawaqanitawase swings as the ball is feed into the scrum. While the Broncos try to mirror Nawaqanitawase’s movements, there is only so much ground they can cover.

Nawaqanitawase is able to get straight into the defender off the scrum which, effectively, gives the Roosters five to the Broncos’ four out wide.

It’s always difficult for that mirroring defender to keep up with the attacking player well enough to get into a position early enough for the defensive line to adjust their position and spacings.

Kotoni Staggs does a great job to read the overlap and shut it down, but it’s a scrum setup to watch in the coming weeks.

The Pipeline - Gabriel Satrick, Melbourne Storm

Looking beyond the bright lights of the NRL to the lower grades, one player caught my eye this week.

He played 10 matches for the North Sydney Bears in 2025, but in 2026, Gabriel Satrick led the Melbourne Storm reserve grade side to a shock win over his former club.

You’d think if any team was going to have ‘shortsides and burrows over on the line’ on the tip sheet, it would be the Bears.

Satrick is a weapon down shortsides. There isn’t a channel too narrow for him to take. He’s dangerous behind momentum to have the most try assists (8) of any dummy half in the NSW Cup.

With just one NRL appearance to his name, we might see him again soon with Harry Grant on State of Origin duty.

Member Mailbag

Finally, I have the vision to add to the notes I took in real time during Eels v Rabbitohs on Thursday night.

The influx of six again infringements³ have taken out a lot of the set play and patient elements of the game this season.

Games so often come down to runs of momentum and who can pile up the most points with it. However, as the expected impact of the rule changes over the off-season plays out on the field, and the response by those at home trends similarly to 2021, we’re starting to see a change and an overall reduction in infringements waved² .

Despite this being a Gerrard Sutton-officiated game, we managed to see it flow at times. Both teams were able to play to their points, manipulate the defensive line, and get the looks they wanted.

For the Parramatta Eels, that look consisted of Jye Gray defending around the ruck on the goal line. He was a clear target throughout the first 40 minutes. The diminutive fullback was asked to make 11 tackles in his 63 minutes on Thursday night. He’s not made more than seven in a game all season.

He’s not an uncommon target on the goal line for attacking teams. While brave, Gray is at a disadvantage when big bodies are running straight at him with no grass in behind. But while he might present as a cue, he shouldn’t always be the cue.

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NRL Film Room - Round 16 Highlights

Quick Hits

Too Smart The Penrith Panthers are always cooking something. As we will see soon in the Try of the Week, they’ve done similar to isolate the defensive winger in this one.

Origin, Anyone? What a peach of a pass out of dummy half. Laurie Daley will make changes to his Game 3 squad, and should at least consider Wayde Egan.

The Feature Reel: Try of the Week

Kick the ball to Will Warbrick on the last tackle.

You don’t need to be a genius to come up with this plan.

However, the devil is in the detail. What happens before the kick and the shape the Melbourne Storm use to setup Warbrick is how they’re able to get him the best possible look at a catch. They did it multiple times throughout the game.

I’ve covered how teams try to defend attacking kicks in the past. While the referees now have a more keen eye for escorts, the players are still trying to clog up the space. If a centre can run the attacking player slightly off the ball or hold up their run, they provide the defensive catcher with a much easier attempt.

To counter this, the Storm have Warbrick on the touchline with almost 20 metres between him and his nearest teammate. That teammate running the lead inside Matt Timoko in the centres is how Warbrick is presented with a clean run to the spot and jump for the ball.

Timoko doesn’t have time to check the lead and get around the ball to where it will likely land. By the time he turns and tracks towards the corner, it’s too late.

Warbrick is a weapon in the air on the wing, but simply kicking him the ball isn’t always enough. Here, the Storm planned and executed on the play to give him the best shot against a winger who has often struggled to defend in these positions.

Round 16 NRL Notes

The Bulldogs Spine

With “taking a little bit of responsibility off him for a bit and just allow him to just enjoy his footy” in mind, Cameron Ciraldo made a change to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs spine.

It wasn’t what I had in mind, though…

You could hear the Eels defence name dropping “Galvin!” in the broadcast throughout their Round 14 game. He’s recording the most touches per game of any halfback in the competition. Where Galvin goes, you can trust that the ball is going there more often than not. - The Indicator To The Bulldogs Attack

Instead, he moved Stephen Crichton to the centres for Matt Burton.

I considered the idea that less might be more for Galvin; allow him to use more of his best skills by doing less of the traditional halfback role. That isn’t to say ‘move him to five-eighth’. Just perhaps don’t play with him leading the NRL is touches per game among all non-hookers.

Still, Galvin finished with 69 touches for the match - roughly his average for the season - and the Bulldogs again struggled to penetrate the defence.

It’s only one game with the new-look halves pairing and they’ve been named to run out again in Round 17, but there is still room to find a better balance.

Titans v Panthers

Harrison Under The Radar: The Gold Coast Titans aren’t known for their development of halfbacks. Plenty have come through the system and quickly exited. Some, like Tanah Boyd, Jamal Fogarty and Toby Sexton, have left and kicked on elsewhere. The lack of expectation that has created for those wearing #7 at the club might be working in Zane Harrison’s favour at the moment.

There will be no hiding from the hype following his match winning field goal to beat the top-of-the-table Penrith Panthers on Saturday night.

But I want to roll it back 11 minutes to when Harrison played a leading role in putting the Titans in front to really highlight his role in the win.

The smarts and composure he showed down the shortside is particularly encouraging for a 20-year-old halfback with the game on the line.

Jayden Campbell’s carry generates the momentum for the Titans to play behind while also bringing Dylan Edwards into the tackle to further scramble the defensive line. The Panthers are one of the better teams in the NRL at getting their fullback out of the tackle and into the line, but it cost them here as the markers and A around the ruck are scrambling.

Where some young halves might get a bit too excited here, Harrison holds his nerve. He takes the ball flat and fast over the advantage line, holds his line for long enough to engage Nathan Cleary at marker and Izack Tago at A, but most importantly, preserves the space on the edge. Rather than taking space away and bringing the sideline into play as a defender, Harrison forces Paul Alamoti into a decision.

It’s a lovely try assist in a clutch moment, but how he did it will leave Josh Hannay hopeful that he’s found his #7 of the future.

Stadium Chat

I’ve not clicked on a speculative expansion article for a very long time - they’re boring. However, having spent Sunday at Christchurch’s brand new One NZ Stadium, it’s safe to assume that it will be factor in any expansion decisions.

It’s incredible.

The detail throughout the stadium is well thoughtout. Unlike others where the facilities for players and staff have been an afterthought as though they aren’t a key part of the game day experience, the One NZ Stadium has been designed with the players in mind. None will have been left wanting from either team before or after the game with warmup and recovery areas all top-shelf.

For the fans, the location is excellent for pre- and post-game festivities and once you’re inside, the noise doesn’t stop. It took a Warriors win to reach the pinnacle, but a full-house stadium singing the team song is a memory that will last a long time. The gate of the grandstand leaves everybody inside close to the action, too.

A flash stadium isn’t all that will be considered, but with the time zone on offer for broadcasters and the hype around the country for rugby league in New Zealand, Christchurch has to be in the running.

Round 17 Notes

Seigwalt & Duncan: I obviously need to pay closer attention to the South Sydney Rabbitohs centres. Tallis Duncan needs to be in the team, but I’m surprised to see Moala Graham-Taufa continually being named in the extended squad, but failing to make it on game day.

Joash Papalii: He’s unlucky not to be in the 17 every week. His work rate at fullback was superb and I think he’s strong enough defensively to be in the front line. Still in the 19 for this week, I’m curious to see how he’s used, if at all.

Galvin’s Touches: As covered last week and above here, his touch count is a focus as well as the effectiveness.

Tom Trbojevic Trick Shot: The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles captain returned in Round 16, but at times looked like a player who’d been out for two months. He will be better for the run and needs to be against an improving Melbourne Storm side. The positive for the Sea Eagles is how well they played without Trbojevic. To add him to the side without the need for being the standout focal point will allow Kieran Foran to cook up a few trick shots, like we’ve seen a few times already in his stint as head coach.

Sasagi Returns: Ricky Stuart hinted at injuries being a major issue for the Canberra Raiders following their loss to the Storm last week¹ . While they don’t help, and Simi Sasagi was one of the form players in the NRL before going down, it’s only a valid excuse if you come out and perform when healthy. Given the trajectory of the Raiders and recent improvements out of the St George Illawarra Dragons, this bottom-of-the-table clash could be a ripper.

Doueihi Returns: Similar to Sasagi at the Raiders, the Wests Tigers are desperate for Adam Doueihi to have an instant impact. Was their early-season form a blip, is Doueihi really that impactful, and can they restart their season before finals football starts to slip away?

Player Spotlight - Kodi Nikorima

It doesn’t feel like Kodi Nikorima gets the credit he deserves over the time he’s been at the Dolphins.

The 2026 NRL season has been stop-start for the 32-year-old, but there is little doubt that the Dolphins have been at their best with him on the field.

He’s the perfect partner for Isaiya Katoa in the halves. Where Katoa will fix defenders and use changes in tempo to engage the line through the middle, Nikorima flies onto it on the edge.

He can take the ball as speed on the second layer, and unlike other speedsters around the competition, can make the pass without slowing down.

Nikorima is 13 seasons and 233 matches into his NRL career but doesn’t seem to be losing anything physically. If anything, the game is slowing down around him and allowing him to play a leading role in one of the most dangerous attacking outfits in the competition.

The Pipeline - Riley Pollard, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Looking beyond the bright lights of the NRL to the lower grades, one player caught my eye this week.

The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks might have a decision to make in the near future.

Niwhai Puru jumped up to make his NRL debut in the absence of Nicho Hynes in recent weeks. In his place for the Newtown Jets, Riley Pollard has put his hand up.

The 20-year-old knows how to get a team around the field and make the right pass. His running game is dangerous and links up well with Liam Ison floating around from fullback. Pollard is gutsy in defence, too.

On the occasions the Newtown Jets have wanted Pollard, Puru, Ison and Taj Ford all on the field, Pollard has been trusted to defend in the middle where he didn’t look out of place.

Puru is the first drop halfback at the moment, but Pollard might have a case for the spot next season if he continues on his current trajectory.

Member Mailbag

What's on the watchlist this week?

• State of Origin Game 2

  • That Bench Rotation…

  • Another Scrum Try

• (Premium) NRL Analysis: The Indicator To The Bulldogs Attack

State of Origin Game 2

We’re going to a decider in the 2026 State of Origin series. As a neutral, it’s all I could really ask for if we’re going to decimate the NRL competition for two months.

Again, the New South Wales Blues struggled to impress. Mark Nawaqanitawase’s on-brand debut produced points, but they otherwise struggled to excite with the ball as a team. The Queensland Maroons, on the other hand, piled them up in the second half after talking the sting out of the game in the first.

The Blues dominated field position throughout the opening exchanges. We heard more than once from commentators of the blue persuasion that they were “on top” across most of the first half. However, the Maroons will have gone into the sheds with far more confidence only 12-8 down despite 57% of the first 40 minutes being spent in their own half.

As the possession and territory evened up, the Blues didn’t have an answer as the Maroons made it look easy at times on their way to an emphatic 44-24 win.

Two things stand out as key takeaways from Game 2 with Game 3 in mind:

That Bench Rotation…

What can be said about Laurie Daley’s New South Wales Blues rotation on Wednesday night has already been said.

Playing Mitch Barnett 24 minutes including a stint of four minutes, Cameron Murray only 43 minutes with an eight-minute stint, and Addin Fonua-Blake nine minutes in total is mind-boggling. This all came after the strange decision to drop Haumole Olakau’atu in the first place.

The Blues always have such a talented squad. Getting the right combination on the field for the most effective amount of time seems to be their issue.

It’s a guessing game trying to pick what Daley and the Blues will do for the decider, but I have a few ideas:

• Murray needs to play more. If long minutes are an issue for Olakau’atu (who I’d be recalling), Murray can spend a lot more time on the field between the middle and edge, if not the full 80 minutes.

• Ethan Strange was bought onto the field to bring a spark, but that could instead be Addin Fonua-Blake’s footwork at the back end of the first half. A spark doesn’t need to be scoring the try or throwing the final pass. The momentum Fonua-Blake can generate through the middle can be just as influencial on a match.

• Reece Robson has come along as more of a threat out of dummy half this season but, again, if Daley was looking to create moments, working Api Koroisau into the game had to be the play. Whether it’s Koroisau or Blayke Brailey in Game 3, the Blues need more out of dummy half.

I can’t rule New South Wales out for Game 3. Whether or not Daley is putting players to sleep before games or not, the 19 players won’t need any motivating. The squad will still be stacked regardless of the reactionary changes he makes and playing in a decider in Brisbane provides more energy than any pre-game speech.

Rugby league is determined by momentum more than ever, and if the Blues can start well and hush the Suncorp crowd, it won’t matter what is coming down on the radio from the coaches box.

Another Scrum Try

Where the Blues struggle for ideas, Billy Slater is cooking up scrum plays.

To be fair to Nathan Cleary and Kotoni Staggs, they couldn’t have defended this much better themselves. Still, the understanding and execution on the Queensland side paints a picture.

Cleary puts the sort of pressure on Sam Walker that would put an end to the play if it was just about any other halfback in rugby league. Meanwhile, Staggs does a good job to get off the lead and force Ponga sideways. He’s not able to make the tackle as Ponga beats him for speed, but he’s not helped by Mark Nawaqanitawase on his outside either.

It’s another example of how the Maroons all seem to be reading from the same sheet as the Blues struggle for cohesion. We saw them play to points and target cues in Game 1, they created a moment of magic from a set piece in Game 2, and will no doubt have something up their sleeve for Game 3.

State of Origin Game 2 Preview: The 20 points scored is the main takeaway, but it came through patience, being well-organised and prepared to capitalise on cues.

NRL Analysis: The Indicator To The Bulldogs Attack

This isn’t a Lachlan Galvin hit piece. I, for one, see enough in him to be a potential long term #7 at the club.

What appears to be an issue in the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs attack right now is the predictability and lack of cohesion. The Parramatta Eels are the worst defensive team in the NRL at the moment, and are on track to be considered one of the worst ever without significant improvement over the second half of the season. Still, they limited the Bulldogs to only 14 points despite mountains of possession for Cameron Ciraldo’s side.

You could hear the Eels defence name dropping “Galvin!” in the broadcast throughout their Round 14 game. He’s recording the most touches per game of any halfback in the competition. Where Galvin goes, you can trust that the ball is going there more often than not.

Consistently setting the defence for one player makes it easy to defend the line. So much of how a team defends a particular play comes down to defensive splits. How may either side of the ruck, should the fullback plug in, do we need four down the shortside or can we add one more to the long side.

One particular sequence, where you can hear that Galvin is the focus for the Eels, sums up the stale nature of the Bulldogs attack.

What's on the watchlist this week?

• State of Origin 2 Notes

  • Stange In The Backrow?

  • Queensland Attack

  • Nawaqanitawase On Debut

• Premium Member Analysis: Why Nikora Is In The Team

State of Origin 2 Notes

Stange In The Backrow? Ethan Strange impressed in his State of Origin debut in Game 1, but with Mitchell Moses back from injury, reverts to the bench for Game 2. I’ve already covered my thoughts on Moses being recalled, but in summary: With the Blues on the backfoot as they were in Game 1, they could have used Moses’ experience and kicking game to stop the bleeding. Give Moses an extra man in attack and the front foot football you get on the back of it, and he can produce plenty in attack too.

In ways only Laurie Daley can cook up, he’s not simply kept Strange on the bench as halves cover and potential outside back cover if they’re desperate, but has mentioned, despite already carrying five players who can rotate through the backrow spots, that the Canberra Raiders five-eighth will “probably play the back row”.

He’s mentioned elsewhere the possibility of Strange playing in the middle, too.

It’s most ideal for the Blues that he doesn’t get on at all, but as a neutral cheering for chaos, I’m curious. Strange won’t be a prolific line runner, but could produce some of the best 12-block actions we’d ever see. Although, my mind goes straight to the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles when I think 12-block…

Round 5 Review: Block Plays On The Last

If Strange picks up an interchange card and we see a genuine forward walking off the field to make way, I’ll be on the edge of my seat.

Queensland Attack: We can only really speak to the Queensland Maroons attack in Game 1 up until Kalyn Ponga was given his marching orders. They looked excellent up to that point. The 20 points scored is the main takeaway, but it came through patience, being well-organised and prepared to capitalise on cues.

Their third try is a great example of it all.

They first shift to the left through Cameron Munster, looking to use a Kurt Capewell lead and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s speed to get on the outside. However, as the Blues solve one shift, Munster and the Maroons plot another.

Getting the ball to the middle on the following play, Munster is back. This time, however, he’s instructed the two players outside him to flatten up.

Munster signals for a flatter shape¹ when he sees James Tedesco on the long side. With Adin Founa-Blake struggling to get back and into the line, the Blues edge has no choice but to fly off the line and look to close down the pass.

Using their desperation to get up against them, Munster rolls one in behind for Queensland to score another well-designed try.

They’ll need to be just as good in Game 2, if not better. They’re unlikely to get the field position gifted to them in the series opener. If there is one thing we can be sure of, it’s that the Blues, especially Brian To’o, won’t make so many yardage errors in the opening exchanges.

Opportunities will be harder to come by overall. But should the game play out as a grinding arm wrestle and the Blues aren’t able to make the most of their overall skill advantage, the Maroons have the patience and organisation to find a winner late.

Nawaqanitawase On Debut: Who knows what we’re going to get out of Mark Nawaqanitawase in his State of Origin debut. He’s capable of the most freakish things you’ll ever see on a rugby league field.

2025 Tries Of The Season Contenders

But with risk comes room for error, and Nawaqanitawase’s ideas don’t always come off.

He can step into spaces nobody else can see him fitting through, throw offloads teammates don’t expect, or come up with high ball errors he’s still not all that familiar with from his time in Rugby Union.

As a neutral, this is one of my most anticipated State of Origin debuts for a long time.

Analysis: Why Briton Nikora Is In The Team

There is always a lot of conversation around State of Origin team selections. Fans are often scratching their heads, unable to see what a coach is seeing when naming their squad.

Billy Slater has told us his philosophy around selections in the past:

“I look for consistent actions. Specifically, the actions we want to see from players in a Queensland jersey.

If players are performing those actions consistently in the club environment, they’re in the best position to be able to perform in the pressure cooker environment that is Origin.

I watch our Queensland players very closely, and there are lots of actions under that umbrella that I look for. It’s the consistency that affords you the opportunity to wear the Maroon jersey.”

Consistent “actions.”

Not tackle breaks, tries, try assists, offloads etc. Slater pays a close attention to the details. The small actions most at home won’t notice. A lot of the time, given the camera angles of the broadcast, most won’t even get to see.

Briton Nikora is one of those detail players.

Who is on the watchlist this week?

• John Radel

• Reece Foley

• Vena Patuki-Case

• Jett Liu

Reserve Grade Round

It’s Reserve Grade Round in the NRL this week. The intrigue around potential debutants and unknown players adds just enough interest to a weekend of footy that otherwise struggles to excite.

As a regular viewer of the New South Wales and Queensland Cup, I can give some insight into a few of the players who are lined up to make their NRL debut in Round 15.

John Radel

John Radel is on the bench for the South Sydney Rabbitohs this week, but isn’t unfamiliar with the first grade scene. He’s featured in four NRL preseason games going back to his run for the North Queensland Cowboys in 2024¹ .

John Radel Prop · South Sydney Rabbitohs
Appearances	11
Tries	2
Tackle Breaks	15
Offloads	2
Tackle Efficiency	96.54%
Avg Running Metres	103

The 23-year-old has picked up opportunities at Wynnum-Manly, Mackay and South Sydney on the back of his work rate. He’s always moving and in the game. You won’t see Radel make too many highlight reels. He has a strong carry, but more through post-contact than tackle busting runs. In defence, he will be a reliable piece in the line.

It’s likely that the less he’s noticed by the general rugby league fan on Thursday night, the better he played in the eyes of Wayne Bennett.

Reece Foley

Named to play in the centres, Reece Foley is a fifth-eighth. This looks like some classic Team List Tuesday shithousery with Hugo Savala surely switching with the rookie.

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NRL Film Room - Round 14 Highlights

Quick Hits

Eyes Up On The Inside You have to expect anything when Kalyn Ponga gets the ball and Jacob Saifiti did just that, holding his run, catching a dodgy pass and finding an offload for Fletcher Sharpe to score.

Kini For The Win “Special players do special things.” - Titans coach Josh Hannay

The Feature Reel: Try of the Week

The Try of the Week was bound to come from the Penrith Panthers on volume alone. When they produced one from a scrum, it shot towards the top of the list¹ .

So many of these scrums can look so simple and often the same as most others. However, it’s in the subtlety that the best teams make the most of these opportunities.

Penrith have a plan: Get Nathan Cleary into the three-man with a lead inside two to create a two-on-one for Casey McLean and Tom Jenkins on the edge.

It’s how they get Cleary into the three-man that is the difficult part.

Typically, the defensive line will try to get high and take the time away from Cleary to get into his man. He needs the grass in front of him to make his move, and by getting up eight, nine or ten metres out wide, the Panthers halfback wouldn’t have the time and space to get there.

The key is in the drop play which holds up Api Koroisau and allows Dylan Edwards to skip across him.

You can see Koroisau change his speed once he identifies the ball is still in Edwards’ hands. He wants to apply pressure on the fullback to stop him from getting into Kai Pearce-Paul but is too late. Instead, Edwards is able to turn Pearce-Paul enough for Cleary to sit Jock Madden, it’s through the hands for another Jenkins try.

*I’d love a full eagle shot of the scrum but, for some reason, broadcasters are obsessed with the end-on or corner close up shots in which you can’t actually anything at the moment.

Round 14 NRL Notes

Storm v Knights

How Ponga Used The Storm Slide Against Them: The Melbourne Storm have been fairly consistent in how the defend over the years. They slide across the field, using the sideline as an extra defender, ushering attackers towards it until they’re forced to cut back in.

It’s proven successful. They’re happy to concede a few extra metres, but trust that the space will run out on the edge before those metres are an issue. However, when you have somebody with the speed and footwork of Kalyn Ponga, that approach is put to the test.

There are a lot of players who possess a notable step. Few can do so off both feet in the various ways Ponga can, though.

Knowing the Storm edge will turn out, Ponga used his footwork to square them up.

As Manaia Waitere identifies the danger of Ponga getting to the outside of Jahrome Hughes, he straightens his hips. In doing so, he loses his momentum to slide out onto Fletcher Hunt who is given free passage through the Storm line. Even if Waitere could make an attempt on Hunt, it’s unlikely he has the power through his legs to solve the shift on his own.

Ponga did similar on the other side of the field shortly after halftime, too. Again, he bounces, squares up Cameron Munster and, at the same time, turns Joe Chan back in. As the defender turns, Ponga makes his pass and the centre and winger - on the right edge this time - are presented with a two-on-one.

Bulldogs v Eels

A Lack Of Cohesion: The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs attack is really struggling. Everybody can see that. But why?

Despite playing a lot of football together, there seems to be a lack of cohesion between the spine and the rest of the team.

Whether it’s Bailey Hayward darting out of dummy half with no support because the cue is out wide, Matt Burton running it on the last with nobody ready to do the same outside him, Connor Tracey running into a dead end before putting in a grubber for nobody, or Lachlan Galvin running into teammates pushing up around the ruck, it doesn’t look like the Bulldogs are reading from the same tip sheet.

One positive: The forwards did a great job of getting the Bulldogs spine players up the field. Other teams have had success by putting the Parramatta Eels middle under pressure. The Bulldogs, for the most part, did that through their own pack. However, unlike others who have turned this Eels defence into one of the worst in NRL history right now, the Dogs couldn’t find the points on the back of it.

The Final Moments: Where the halves did go wrong came at the end of the match and it can again be attributed to a lack of cohesion. With the game on the line and in position to at least attempt a field goal, Lachlan Galvin and Matt Burton failed to get themselves in position before being bailed out with a late penalty.

Cameron Ciraldo was fairly clear in his post match press conference when asked if he’d like to have seen Galvin step up and manufacture an opportunity to kick the winner.

“Yes".

Player Spotlight - Mitchell Moses, New South Wales Blues

It’s a bit strange to have a bloke here who hasn’t played since Round 11, but Mitchell Moses is a big talking point this week. He’s expected to take back his spot in the New South Wales Blues halves despite Ethan Strange playing a leading role in their Game 1 win.

The general consensus I’ve seen is that it’s the wrong decision by Laurie Daley.

The Blues won, so Strange should stay.

However, there is more to winning than the scoreboard. It’s important to consider how the Blues won, and you can’t do that without conceding the fact they did so on the back of Kalyn Ponga being sent from the field.

What I imagine Daley and the Blues staff have factored into their decision is how they found themselves 20-0 down in the first place, and how best they can avoid doing the same in Game 2.

Strange is a super attacking five-eighth. He’s lethal behind a quick play-the-ball and thrives behind a dominant middle. But with the Blues on the backfoot as they were in Game 1, they could have used Moses’ experience and kicking game to stop the bleeding. Give Moses an extra man in attack and the front foot football you get on the back of it, and he can produce plenty in attack too.

Daley is taking a risk by changing things. Regardless of how the Blues won, there is a benefit in the 80 minutes they played together as a squad. Nonetheless, promoting Moses back into the starting side might not be the right call, but keeping him out simply based on the Game 1 result is the wrong argument.

The Pipeline - Zakauri Clarke, Penrith Panthers

Looking beyond the bright lights of the NRL to the lower grades, one player caught my eye this week.

The brother of Melbourne Storm rookie Cooper Clarke, Zakauri is putting together a fine season for the Penrith Panthers in the New South Wales Cup.

He’s dangerous with the ball. The 21-year-old runs hard lines and catches well in contact to break through, often getting his arms free to find an offload. He’s an always-popular goal kicking backrower, too.

But it’s in defence where he can stand out. He’s physical. Clarke will shoot out of the line to put a shot on, much like you might see from Liam Martin in the first grade side. He puts doubt into opposition halves and seems to strike a nice balance between defending in and out of the line.

Penrith have a strong squad of backrowers, but in the Top 30 and playing consistent footy in the Cup side, it might not be long before Clarke is makes his NRL debut.

Member Mailbag

In the Cronulla game, What was the reasoning for Ronaldo Mulitalo to not be on his wing throughout the game ? It was like a roaming role however he seemed to get no ball.. Billy Burns seemed to be playing right ring and reaped the awards scoring two tries.

The Sharks do like to have Ronaldo Mulitalo roam around the field a little bit. He loves to get in off his wing in yardage to take a carry, sometimes tracking beyond the far post from his wing to get into dummy half.

But when it comes to this Billy Burns try in which Mulitalo is in the middle of the field ready to take Blayke Brailey offload…

…Mulitalo is likely there to compete on a mid-field bomb.

When the Sharks complete a set just beyond halfway, you’ll sometimes see him come in off his wing to compete on the last play kick in the middle. Given the clock situation at the time of this try, my guess is he was looking to do similar on what he thought would be the last kick off the half before Brailey took the space on offer.

• Marker Policies On The Line

• Round 13 Notes

Marker Policies On The Line

Following on from a couple of responses to Hudson Young’s work down the shortside list week, I wanted to cover some differences in marker systems close to the line.

I don’t think the idea that first marker the first marker goes to the threat¹ is all that common in first grade. The threat constantly changes. Who decides what the threat is? What if there is more than one?

Instead, we see most teams send their first marker to the long side and second marker down the shortside.

The Newcastle Knights offered a prime example of what that looks like when defending this last play against the Wests Tigers:

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NRL Film Room - Round 13 Highlights

Quick Hits

Puru On Debut I introduced Niwhai Puru before his NRL debut on Friday night, and it took only eight minutes for the 24-year-old to score his first try.

After The Siren You can’t take a play off in this game. Not even when the halftime siren has already sounded in the background.

The Feature Reel: Try of the Week

There are more highlight-reel-worthy tries from Round 13, but the design and execution of this one by the Sydney Roosters had me watching it over and over.

None of what happens is an accident.

Daly Cherry-Evans and Nat Butcher trigger the action by swinging around to the long side late. Having forced the Melbourne Storm to set their numbers for them down the short side, the pair flip to create an extra one on the long side.

They know Alec Macdonald will want to apply pressure on Sam Walker at first reciever, but with Butcher hanging off his hip on the inside, the Storm middle can’t afford to go too early.

With Macdonald accounted for, Walker is able to get into his target with a lead inside the four-man.

Cherry-Evans swinging puts the edge under pressure and forces a difficult decision from the three- and two-man. Note Cherry-Evans’ early pass. Rather than digging in deep and making the decision to jam easier for the defence, he quickly puts Tedesco into three.

Jahrome Hughes holds his nerve. He starts to slide across, but as he does, Manaia Waitere jams on the overlap. It’s not really the wrong decision. Waitere is close to shutting the play down only for the hands of James Tedesco to beat him.

Hugo Savala backs up Tedesco’s brilliance with some of his own to beat Will Warbrick jamming, and the Roosters are over in the corner.

Round 13 NRL Notes

Sharks v Sea Eagles

Fogarty’s Boot: Jamal Fogarty’s boot is irreplaceable in this Manly Warringah Sea Eagles side. The Cronulla Sutherland Sharks did an excellent job themselves, returning the ball well from yardage and working hard in chasing kicks of their own, but Fogarty’s boot kept the Sea Eagles in the game when it could have otherwise got away from them.

He repeatedly kicked it deep, landing it inside the opposition 10 metre line from inside his own half to save the Sea Eagles in yardage sets they had lost up to that point.

Manly played with only three tackles inside the opposition half for the first 20 minutes of this match. Without Fogarty’s boot, it’s quite likely we’d have ended up chalking this match up to another fatigue-fuelled thrashing.

Storm v Roosters

Super Sua: It’s fair to say that Sua Fa’alogo has exceeded my expectations as the week-to-week fullback at the Melbourne Storm. No doubt an excitement machine, my concerns came around his style not aligning well with what I’d consider a Craig Bellamy fullback. It still doesn’t, but it’s working for the Storm nonetheless.

In a season they’ve struggled for consistency, not had the production from the forwards and therefore, not made the most of the Jahrome Hughes, Cameron Munster and Harry Grant combination, Fa’alogo has been the consistent threat.

He’s good for a long kick return every week. His footwork is a nightmare for scrambled defensive lines and he’s improving as a facilitator out the back of shape. In attack, he’s filling the fullback role well despite it not looking the same as what they played with Ryan Papenhuyzen at the back.

But it’s in defence that he has put the most focus, and it’s paying dividends. He made a number of big plays and try saving tackles, but it’s the back-to-back efforts that are the mark of a good fullback defensively.

As the Storm edge jams, it’s up to Fa’alogo to sweep to the sideline in cover. He’s in the right spot at the right time here, slows his feet to make the tackle without getting stepped back inside, and gets out of it at speed.

You can see Harry Grant tap him to communicate he will fill in at marker. With the defensive line scrambled following the linebreak, Sam Walker spots some space through the middle…

It isn’t there for long. From the corner after making a tackle, Fa’alogo doesn’t stop moving, continues tracking across the field, and is in position to make the most of a friendly bounce to save the day.

Broncos v Dragons

The Recipe: While I wasn’t brave enough to tip the St George Illawarra Dragons in the familiy tipping comp, Premium subscribers weren’t too surprised to see them make a game of it against the Brisbane Broncos:

The Broncos rank dead last in the NRL in possession this season. We know they don’t need a lot to pile up points, but the recipe for an improved performances is there for the Dragons.

Keep hold of the ball, get into an arm wrestle, and put a team that has a habit of compiling errors under pressure.

The Dragons, while not winning, have been producing improved periods throughout games. Against the Broncos, they were able to take their promising start against the Warriors a week prior and extended it for a longer period, putting pressure on a team that, as we know, can put it on themselves when forced to chance their arm.

Raiders v Cowboys

What Is Hudson Seeing? Some players just see the game differently to others. They notice cues some players miss, or don’t assess the risk and reward in anywhere near the same way. Hudson Young is the prime example among fowards.

He managed to orchestrate two tries down the shortside against the North Queensland Cowboys.

Young is always taking on the shortside in the first. He only has eyes for the single defender down the narrow passage and waits for Savelio Tamale to notice the same while engaging both markers and offloading the football.

It takes a bit of luck from the defelection for the Raiders to turn it into points, but it’s not the last time Young made a play from dummy half.

Who knows what he is seeing in this one…

The Cowboys have numbered up. Perhaps it’s Scott Drinkwater at second marker that interests Young given the likelihood he tries to cheat across the field on the last tackle.

Still, Young makes something out of nothing, taking Drinkwater out of the action at marker which allows Ethan Strange to apply his left foot step into the available space in behind.

No matter where you are on the field or what tackle the referee is yelling, you can’t assume anything with Young on the ball.

Panthers v Warriors

This Is The Footy The People Want: Fittingly, the RLPA released their expected findings from a player survey shortly after the Penrith Panthers and New Zealand Warriors played out a tight, high-intensity, arm wrestle-dominant 80 minutes (nearly 60 minutes in-play) and one of the best games of the season.

Unsurprisingly: The Rugby League Players Association will push for the NRL’s contentious 2026 rule changes to be wound back after 84 per cent of leading players said they believe referees are having a greater impact on results and two-thirds fear they are more susceptible to injury in the high-octane modern game.

Player Spotlight - Clayton Faulalo, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Clayton Faulalo is quickly becoming one of the most valuable players in the NRL.

As rules change, injuries impact teams and the new bench rotation adds more opportunities, his versatility and ability to chime in across the field has been crucial in how the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have navigated a few injury-outs already this season.

He once again slotted in for Tom Trbojevic at the back in Round 13 and produced another impressive performance.

This comes after spells in the centres and on the win already this season.

Injuries to outside backs during games - especially early - have played a big part in results across recent seasons. Regardless of where he starts a game, having Faulalo in the 19 helps Kieran Foran cover a number of positions.

Don’t expect to see him fall out of the 19-man game day squad any time soon.

The Pipeline - Solomone Saukuru, Wests Magpies

Looking beyond the bright lights of the NRL to the lower grades, one player caught my eye this week.

Luke Laulilii is off to the Perth Bears next season, but the Wests Tigers have another winger waiting to take his spot.

Solomone Saukuru scored four tries for the Wests Magpies in Round 13 of the New South Wales Cup competition and showcased his skilset throughout the lot.

The 21-year-old produced a strong finish through traffic to score his first before showing great speed to break through two would-be defenders with ease for his second.

He was the beneficiary of a poor Newtown Jets kick defuse for his third and produced a clutch defensive play with the game in the balance, returning an interception to the house for his fourth.

The 185cm and 115kg outside back dominated this one from the wing, but has experience in the centres. His versatility could soon see him in the mix for an NRL debut if the opportunity arises.

Member Mailbag

What's on the watchlist this week?

• NRL Debut: Niwhai Puru

• Eels Reinforcements

• Dragons In Possession

NRL Debut: Niwhai Puru

You know when somebody describes a player you’ve never seen before as “crafty”?

Everybody seems to know what that looks like from one word alone.

That’s Niwhai Puru.

His NRL debut is a long time coming. The 24-year-old has made 88 appearances in the NSW Cup across stints with the Penrith Panthers and Newtown Jets.

At 178cm and 91kg, Puru is on the smaller side. That doesn’t stop him from throwing his body into tackles, though. While he might record technical misses and no doubt be a target in the line defensively, he’s not afraid to act as a speed bump until his teammates around him join the tackle.

But it’s with the ball he will have his biggest impact for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.

Puru can play as a traditional halfback, providing middle service while digging deep into the line. He’s an ideal backup half in this Sharks side who runs their halves based on what is happening in front of them at the time. With Braydon Trindall likely to take on that role against the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, we will see Puru more on the second layer where his tempo and hands translate into the right play more often than not.

It the pass isn’t on, Puru is dangerous back on the inside, often showing and going on defenders who have overchased from inside.

Given some more freedom, it won’t be a surprise to see him strike up a partnership with Will Kennedy. The Sea Eagles markers need to be cautious of Puru stepping back inside and playing Kennedy back in behind the markers. If the opposing fullback is deep and the Sharks are chasing the game, Puru will be plotting a chip and chase to himself or a tipped up teammate.

Puru has the experience, tempo, skills and smarts to be a first grade contributor from day one.

We often see players go into their shell a little bit on debut, but don’t expect that from Puru. He’s done his time in reserve grade and will want to make the most of his opportunity to play in the shop window.

Eels Reinforcements

The Parramatta Eels are desperate for reinforcements and have a few coming back for their clash with the Newcastle Knights on Saturday.

Game 1 of the 2026 State of Origin series is here, and I’ve got a few things to keep an eye on when the New South Wales Blues host the Queensland Maroons at Accor Stadium tonight:

• Fullback Battle

• Moses Out/Strange In

• Maroons Left Edge Defence

• Referee Chat

Fullback Battle

A lot needs to go right in front of them for Kalyn Ponga and James Tedesco to dominate the game, but their contrasting styles suggest we’re in for an exciting head-to-head battle should the game flow as we hope.

James Tedesco lost his spot to Dylan Edwards for Game 2 of the 2024 series, and while much of the media retired him from State of Origin football at the time, he’s once again the first-choice fullback for the New South Wales Blues. His recall comes on the back of impressive form at club land and his reliability in the Origin arena.

Tedesco brings a power game and relentless pressure. His carries are strong enough to start yardage sets with a punch, or end them with a quick play-the-ball to kick from - sometime both. His push in support keeps the defence in two minds and doesn’t allow them to turn in early on any ball player at any time.

His best work comes through the middle in support and into the backfield. Kalyn Ponga, on the other hand, will do most of his damage on the edges.

The idea that ‘he’s playing like a halfback’ isn’t entirely true. He’s touching the ball more through the middle of the field in an occasional pivot role for the Newcastle Knights, but his point of difference and the best use of his skillset comes on the second layer out wide.

The Queensland Maroons gameplan is, typically, to play the long game. Set the game up early to win it late, and take your chances when they appear. They completed at 100% in the first half while building a 20-0 lead in the decider last year. Queensland can create from anywhere with Ponga on the field, particularly with the speed looming around him.

He’s excellent when weighing up decisions as a ball player out the back of a lead. If the defence turns out to early in anticipation of a pass, his speed, footwork and strength are difficult for any single defender to handle. His mere presense can often create opportunities for others as he becomes such a focus for the defence.

Despite what we’ve seen in the NRL this season, I hope we see a game that comes down to the dying stages where one of these two is likely to act as the decider.

Moses Out/Strange In

Mitchell Moses being ruled out of Game 1 changes the look of the Blues. While Ethan Sanders is a fine replacement, he brings a different role to the side.

With fewer games and those that are played not always offering reliable analysis on a team, I’ve only got a few notes on Round 12 of the NRL season. Instead, I’ll spend my time on State of Origin content to be sent to Premium subscribers on Wednesday.

Raiders v Dolphins

Raiders Pick On The Rookie

With Brian Pouniu named to make his NRL debut, the Canberra Raiders circled him as an early target. It makes sense to test the young fella in the opening exchanges, particularly when he’s lining up next to a five-eighth he won’t be too familiar playing beside.

Brad Schneider isn’t known for express pace and the Raiders used that to put pressure on Pouniu in their first attacking set of the match.

With a lead inside three to hold up Schneider, Daine Laurie asked the 18-year-old to make a difficult defensive decision.

He made the wrong one by turning out onto his opposite man to leave an open passage for Laurie to set up the opening try. It’s not a trend that continued, though. Pouniu found his feet as the match went on to produce a solid NRL debut in the end.

Dolphins Tighten Up The Line

Where the Raiders looked to shift from wider field positions in good ball, the Dolphins did their best work through the middle. They compressed the defensive line to consistently leave four Raiders defenders from the post - often tighter.

Their first try came on the back of a regulation Felise Kaufusi hitup. Another one of those seemingly nothing plays. However, with five Raiders defenders bunched between the posts, Isaiya Katoa gets the look he wants.

The halfback is able to get into the four-man all too easily, and with the lead inside Laurie at three-man, creates the three-v-two out wide for Schneider to nail.

The Dolphins scored one similar later in the match, once again from the middle with five Raiders between the posts. Canberra are even shorter this time, too.

Matt Timoko can feel the overlap building in front of him and tries to shut it down by jamming in on Kulikefu Finefeuiaki. There is an argument for obstruction, but where the Bunker got the decision wrong on the Penrith Panthers in Round 9, this one is correct for mine.¹

Regardless, it further highlights the trend of the tight Raiders line and Dolphins ability to expose them on the edges.

In a season where tries are scored too easily and too often, this footy is worth covering; scripted sets, playing to points and exposing weaknesses. The game hasn’t always been getting into a long enough grind for these scenarios to play out this season.

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Cowboys v Rabbitohs

Rabbitohs Left Edge Defence

The South Sydney Rabbitohs left edge defence is on the watchlist. It seems to be a bit of a target for the opposition attack, and the North Queensland Cowboys didn’t waste any time in getting there on Sunday afternoon.

The Cowboys got them again late in the first half when Scott Drinkwater swang behind a lead inside Walker to put Thomas Chester over, too.

There are a few things their defensive struggles can be put down to with the rotation of players we’ve seen down that side of the field. Still, the lateral movement has been on my watchlist - even at full strength - and will remain so in the coming weeks as Latrell Mitchell and David Fifita return.

Limited Minutes Lolo

He’s not playing the big minutes he did in the prime years of his NRL career, but Jason Taumalolo is impressing in those he is out on the field.

His impact is imense. To generate 174 metres in 46 minutes through the middle is one thing, but the momentum he is generating for the Cowboys halves is crucial to their attack all the way up the field.

Taumalolo’s carriers are putting Jake Clifford’s monster kicking game into better positions to end yardage sets, and his quick play-the-balls and destruction to the defensive line are creating opportunities in good ball.

Approaching his 300th game at 32 years old, Taumalolo still has a lot to offer the Cowboys and Todd Payten is using him well to ensure he’s still a contributor through 2027 when his 10-year deal comes to an end.

Content Offloads

Articles & stray links worth consuming.

• Tolu Koula to make Origin debut at stadium where his parents competed in Sydney Olympics

• “You can’t apply it one week and not the next” 🚨 Ricky fumes at officiating | Press Conference - Once a supporter of the rule changes, even Stuart is changing his tune. When these voices in the game start to make noise we can start to expect changes.

• Charting State of Origin, 2026

• How to Watch Rugby - Growing up watching rugby union before seeing the light, I don’t know what I’m watching any more with the 15-man version. The game has changed and I’ve not kept up. This helped and can loosely apply to the superior code.

• Peter V’landys set to be interim NRL chief executive following Andrew Abdo resignation - If I didn’t laugh, I would cry.

• Highlights | Castleford Tigers v St Helens | 2026 Betfred Super League, Round 12 - Not only did Castleford Tigers thump St Helens, Jason Qareqare held a promising audition for Fiji in the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.

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NRL Film Room - Round 11 Highlights

Quick Hits

Something For The Dragons There isn’t a lot to write home about for the Dragons right now, but between Christian Tuipulotu and Moses Suli, they have some strike on the edges.

Storm Spine Linking Up There isn’t anything more Storm than the 9, 6, 7 and 1 all comibing to score. There might be hope for finals football yet.

The Feature Reel: Try of the Week

A few journalists are throwing around “Foz Ball” as though it’s a unique style of play. If it is, I’m not seeing it yet. Instead, he’s making excellent use of the tools at his disposal. He’s finding something in the opposition every week, and drawing up a play to expose it.

We’ve been here before when he drew up backrower block plays to the edge on the last tackle against a deep Dolphins winger. A week later, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles took advantage of Valentine Holmes taking the kickoff to score a long-range try.

This one is a little bit more subtle, but almost certainly something they had planned for against this Wests Tigers defence, in particular.

The first play out of the scrum looks like nothing, but it’s all by design. That’s Tigers fullback Heath Mason in the white head gear defending in the line, and the Sea Eagles make him a target.

Bringing Mason into the tackle with Latu Fainu does a few things. It generates momentum for a start - neither are dominant defenders. Both are smaller bodies who don't make a lot of tackles in the front line. From there, it throws the line organisation. Terrell May, in particular, is all over the place. He ends up at the ruck, heads to on the long side and, eventually find himself at A on the shortside - late.

With May not able to get up and apply pressure on Luke Brooks, the Sea Eagles five-eighth is able to quickly skip into the three-man with a lead inside two. Ben Trbojevic’s fade helps to bring Patrick Herbert out of the line, too.

A scrum doesn’t need to be inside the opposition 20-metre line to be an attacking opportunity and the Sea Eagles proved, once again, how valuable they are to the smartest teams in the NRL.

Round 1 NRL Notes

Sharks v Bulldogs

Bulldogs Attack Notes: Once again, there aren’t a lot of positive notes. In fact, one note on a missed opportunity just about sums up the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs attack at the moment.

Hayward nice dart out of dummy half in yardage down the right edge. Left edge nowhere to be seen.

The dart wasn’t about to lead to points, but what could have been a strong momentum play up the field leading to at least an attacking kick, ended with an error which soon turned to a Sharks try.

Without trotting out “they need to play eyes up” and bemoaning systems in attack as though a system - flow, whatever you want to call it - isn’t crucial to becoming a consistent and successful attacking team, the Bulldogs seem to be playing within theirs too much.

Every team plays to points on the field. They all have shapes and cues they’re looking for at those points. However, the best attacking teams are those that can pounce on opportunities regardless of when they present themselves within the flow of a set. Right now, it looks like the Bulldogs are playing a tackle ahead, and missing chances in the meantime.

Bulldogs Defence: It’s in defence that the Bulldogs have fallen short of expectations most, and this try captures their shortcomings:

They first lose the tackle. It’s too quick and they aren’t able to set their line with Jacob Preston late back. Even then, Connor Tracey sends him to the long side as Will Kennedy swings to the short side. The Cronulla Sutherland Sharks will have previewed Tracey in these spots to know he’s not a completely genuine A defender. That allows Braydon Trindall to get into the three-man all too easily, and it’s a three-v-one for Kennedy on the edge in the end.

Rabbitohs v Dolphins

How The Dolphins Used Their Speed: The Dolphins’ attack stalled to start the NRL season, but with Jeremy Marshall-King and Kodi Nikorima back together alongside Isaiya Katoa, they’ve started to click into gear. Their dismantling of the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Friday night captures the Dolphins attack at its best.

Marshall-King’s service from dummy half is a key factor. He’s excellent in firing the long pass from dummy half to hit his halfback on the advantage line. From there, Katoa and his spine can play on the front foot.

To the left, Nikorima’s feet and hands offer quick service to the outside backs. Knowing Ashton Ward is on the smaller size and likely to shrink in on leads to protect his inside shoulder, the Dolphins threw Nikorima out wider.

By taking the ball wide in behind the lead, Nikorima is able to get into the two-man with ease.

On the right side, it’s more about Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s speed. Swinging wide and fast, he’s able to burn past Cody Walker to put his outside men on the outside of their defenders - a defensive edge not known for its lateral quickness.

Teams have had success in jamming on the Dolphins this season. Katoa has adjusted along the way by not always digging so deep into the line, giving time for the edge to get up. But when the defensive edge stays tight and flat as the Bunnies did in Round 11, the Dolphins look unstoppable with the ball in hand.

Player Spotlight - Matt Croker, Newcastle Knights

I covered Alex Twal’s rise two weeks ago, and if not for Twal, I think Matt Croker would be spoken about a lot more as a Most Improved candidate.

He doesn’t have the traditional counting stats a lot of people look for in a player over the years, but his passes per game has nearly doubled in each of the last three seasons. It’s been a massive part of the Newcastle Knights attack to start 2026.

He threw two in an excellent sequence for Fletcher Sharpe to score on Sunday afternoon.

Tipping Trey Mooney into the middle of the field, Croker backs it up down the short side. He has another middle outside him, and with the back rower sinking the two man, Sharpe is too quick and finishes in the corner.

To see the late man back, get into the four-man without going too deep and taking time and space away for Sandon Smith and, eventualy, Sharpe, is elite-level ball-playing from a middle forward I’ve not ever had in that conversation before.

The Pipeline - Hugo Hart, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Looking beyond the bright lights of the NRL to the lower grades, one player caught my eye this week.

It might not be this season, or even the next, but Hugo Hart is a first-grader in the making.

He doesn’t boast big numbers in the NSW Cup, but the eye test provides a clear indication of his skillset and likely future in the NRL.

Hart has spent most of his time in the backrow, but lined up in the centres against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 11. He jammed well in on ball-players, showing smarts and speed to make the right read. Up against arguably the most destructive centre in reserve grade over the last three years in Moala Graham-Taufa, Hart made strong one-on-one tackles to keep him relatively quiet near the line.

At only 19-years old, having navigated a unique path to rugby league, and in only his second season of rugby league, Hart is one to keep an eye on.

This Manly youngster played against future NFL stars. Now he's trying to crack the NRL

Member Mailbag

“A few months ago the concept of a Walsh/Munster/Ponga spine was inconceivable, now it's being tossed up as a genuine (albeit still less likely) option for the Maroons. Is there merit to the idea and how do you think it would look in practice?”

Billy Slater has since left Reece Walsh out entirely, which surprises me more than a Walsh/Munster/Ponga combination would have if selected.

The concern around Kalyn Ponga in the halves comes in defence, but any more than Sam Walker? I don’t think so. Both would be targets for the Blues to generate momentum and, in the case of Ponga, take some juice out of him.

In practice, I think the Maroons would lack direction which is probably how Slater landed on Walker. There has been some chat around Ponga “playing like a halfback” this season, and while I don’t think that’s entirely accurate, he is popping up in some more unique spots than traditional fullbacks. There wouldn’t be any fullbacks in the competition slotting into middle service roles in good ball at quite the rate Ponga is this season.

In the minority with Daly Cherry-Evans at halfback in my team once Tom Dearden went down, the Munster/Walker/Ponga spine is the next best bet. Although, I’d find room for Walsh in the side given the flexibility afforded to coaches with the six-man bench.

What's on the watchlist this week?

• Sharks v Bulldogs

  • Mulitalo & Ramien Return

• Tigers v Sea Eagles

  • Madden, Luai, Fogarty & Brooks

• Roosters v Cowboys

  • What To Expect From Liam Sutton On Debut

Sharks v Bulldogs

Mulitalo & Ramien Return

Ronaldo Mulitalo and Jesse Ramien have both been named to return for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks this week. They will provide a massive boost for a Sharks attack that has struggled for consistency - hanging 52 on the Wests Tigers in Round 9 before slumping to only 12 points against an understrength South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 10.

However, it’s on the defensive side of the ball the returning pair can have their biggest impact.

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NRL Film Room - Round 10 Highlights

Quick Hits

Dolphins Clicking The Dolphins played with the best attack in the NRL last season, and appear to be hitting their straps in 2026 when scoring tries like this one.

A Few Things To Like About This One Wakeham’s vision, Faulalo giving it the “goodbye” arm raise after the pass, Mam’s speed, Koula’s ease. What a try.

The Feature Reel: Try of the Week

“This team looks genuinely good” - Round 9 Review

The Newcastle Knights looked good again in Round 10, and while it came against what is an historically bad St George Illawarra Dragons team at the moment, Justin Holbrook has this group dominating with repeatable actions.

I covered Dylan Brown’s influence last week. Given his relative lack of counting stats and the marriage a lot of people are in with their pre-season opinions about his ability as a #7, we’re still a few weeks away from him being recognised as an in-form half.

But, once again, his work in a very halfback-like spot through the middle created a linebreak on the edge. Brown’s speed across the field allows him to get into the four-man with a lead inside three.

Brown is there to back up on the inside, but as he’s reeled in by the Dragons defence, the rest of the Knights quickly get in position for the following play.

We so often see confusion and indecision from teams in these spots. The ball finds its way into the hands of the wrong player, the play is wasted, and the defence is allowed to set.

Not here…

Everybody knows where the ball is going. It doesn’t seem to matter who is where on the field, they’re all on the same page, and it ends with Greg Marzhew over in the corner for his first of five tries for the afternoon.

Round 10 NRL Notes

Dolphins v Bulldogs

The Bulldogs Halfback Situation: If Cameron Ciraldo and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs had any intention of playing Lachlan Galvin as a five-eighth at all this season, we’d have seen it in this one.

While there might be some debate around Galvin’s best position, Sean O’Sullivan is a genuine halfback but played second-fiddle for the most part in good ball.

The Dolphins’ domination in the second half makes it difficult to get a read on the touches. Galvin and O’Sullivan finished with a relatively even split, but with so few coming inside their attack half after the break, the first 30 minutes is all we really have to go on.

I did sit up in my seat, pen at the ready when the Bulldogs were presented with an attacking scrum early on.

It’s clunky, but the Bulldogs put some work into the defence, stretching them across both sides of the field before Galvin gets the look he wants. The drop gets Stephen Crichton into the three and four man which forces a middle to travel. As a result, a relatively small Max Plath is isolated in the middle with a fair amount of space either side of him.

You can see Galvin motion for the double lead before taking possession.

It’s a well-worked and smart play from Galvin to get them on the board. A lot of their positives in attack ended there, though. The clunkiness of that try-scoring set remained and they couldn’t overcome it with a moment of quality as they did on this occasion.

It seems as though Galvin wants to be the halfback; get his hands on the ball, accumulate touches and pass his team around the field. His desperation to get in on the ball following Jacob Preston’s line break, in which the better option might have been to hold width and look for the cues out wide before taking possession, is another example.

Galvin is still very young. Unfortunately for him, and Ivan Cleary nailed it last week when speaking about Joey Walsh and the cycle of overhype and hate, he more than likely still faces more rough patches than good. But based on Round 10, it seems as though he’s locked into the halfback position for the foreseeable future and I’m curious to see how he continues to develop under pressure.

Premium Members got this one on Friday. Sign up here for exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox and for more on Isaiya Katoa’s wizardry in this one.

NRL Notepad: 3 Things From Dolphins v Bulldogs

Dragons v Knights

Time To Cook Dinner: One benefit of a game being over at halftime is that you can get an early start on dinner and not miss any of the next. The numbers after 40 minutes are all you really need to see of this one:

Standing Tackle For Points: It’s been a point to keep an eye on since covering standing tackles ahead of Round 9, and this one stood out as soon as Jacob Saifiti played the ball.

Anybody constantly counting numbers when watching the game, and when the camera angle allows it, could see what Dylan Brown and company were seeing here:

‘Four from 50’

With Saifiti walking through the tackle to leave the third man in behind, the Dragons can’t fill up their line and they’re left with four defenders from the middle of the field (50%).

Brown knows exactly where he wants to get in the line, and it’s the same as the try covered above: Into four with a lead inside three.

That puts Kalyn Ponga on the outside of the three-man, and the right edge does the rest.

We regularly hear about “eyes up footy” and everybody seems to have a different definition of what it actually is. Seeing the cue in the line and playing to it, at speed, as Brown did here is mine.

NRL Analysis: How To Watch Rugby League

Storm v Tigers

Repeatable Actions: The Melbourne Storm will take a win in any form right now. Blessed with a Wests Tigers team ravaged by injury in front of them at AAMI Park in Round 10, Craig Bellamy’s side made the most of the opportunity.

The positive to take out of the result is how well they executed on planned actions.

The first try came from a nicely disguised reverse block with Shawn Blore acting as the ball player to Sua Fa’alogo out wide. It always felt like a game primed for Harry Grant to dominate against the Tigers middle, and when you’ve got him breaking into the backfield with the other three spine players pushing in support, you know the Storm are on.

But Melbourne’s second try is my favourite. Not only because of how well it was drawn up, but with how quickly they sprung into action when the opportunity presented itself.

The cue is Heath Mason being involved in the tackle. Fa’alogo follows a Grant scoot out of dummy half with another to force Mason up into the line. Now watch Jahrome Hughes and Nick Meaney…

Meaney starts the play wide, but in order to best isolate Will Warbrick onto the smaller Luke Laulilii, he needs to tighten up and Hughes tips him up to the play. It tightens the centre up with the three-man in defence leaving Laulilii on an island.

Warbrick knows what’s coming though. He holds his width and swings to chase a kick from the moment the ball leaves Grant’s hands at dummy half.

With a running start against a smaller man running backwards, Warbrick collects the pin-point Hughes kick to score a beauty. This is the Storm how we know them.

Player Spotlight - Jason Taumalolo

His 159 running metres per game this season is his highest output since putting up 207 metres per game in 2020.

While Taumalolo’s yardage numbers aren’t jumping off the page like they once used to, the eye test tells us he’s playing some of his best football from the last five or six years. Take his numbers from Friday night against the Parramatta Eels:

They aren’t outrageous, but watching the game, you could see the stress Taumalolo put in the defensive line, the shrinking of the middle and the opportunities it created for his edges.

Taumalolo right now strikes fear into the defensive line. With fear comes indecision. The North Queensland Cowboys have surprised a few people and exceeded expectations to start the NRL season, and it starts with Taumalolo’s uptick in health and form.

The Pipeline - Faaletino Tavana

Looking beyond the bright lights of the NRL to the lower grades, one player caught my eye this week.

A horror six-error display in Round 9 saw Faaletino Tavana dropped from the Wests Tigers NRL side to instead line up for the Wests Magpies in Round 10 of the New South Wales Cup.

You want guys on the fringes of first grade to stand out in reserve grade. They should look too good for the game, and Tavana did at times.

He finished with 166 running metres and returned the ball strong. His footwork is a constant danger for the defence and he added another good finish in the corner to his portfolio.

However, the five errors are what will stand out for Benji Marshall and the Tigers coaching staff. He’s a talented young winger who can seem to do it all with the ball, but until he can hold onto it more reliably, we might see him in Magpies black and white for a little while yet.

Member Mailbag

The Dolphins recaptured their attacking best to kick off Round 10 of the NRL season to earn an emphatic 44-12 victory. The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, however, continued to struggle as their form on both sides of the ball from 2025 alludes them.

• The Bulldogs Halfback Situation

• Katoa’s Counting Stats

• This Isn’t It, Peter

3 Takeaways From Dolphins v Bulldogs

The Bulldogs Halfback Situation: If Cameron Ciraldo and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs had any intention of playing Lachlan Galvin as a five-eighth at all this season, we’d have seen it in this one.

While there might be some debate around Galvin’s best position, Sean O’Sullivan is a genuine halfback but played second-fiddle for the most part in good ball.

The Dolphins’ domination in the second half makes it difficult to get a read on the touches. Galvin and O’Sullivan finished with a relatively even split, but with so few coming inside their attack half after the break, the first 30 minutes is all we really have to go on.

I did sit up in my seat, pen at the ready when the Bulldogs were presented with an attacking scrum early on.

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NRL Film Room - Round 9 Highlights

Quick Hits

From The Back Fence And they wanted to remove kickoffs from the game…

Take A Bow, KL Iro We see plenty of wingers pull off the unthinkable to score in the corner, but KL Iro managed to produce a contender for Try Assist of the Season here.

The Feature Reel: Try of the Week

The Dolphins are struggling to score points in the same way they did last season, but showed a few positive signs in Round 9.

Morgan Knowles, in particular, seemed to have more influence on how the Dolphins moved the ball across the field. His pass under pressure is excellent and sets Isaiya Katoa up to play Kulikefu Finefeuiaki through half a gap.

The general concensus seems to be that Knowles has disappointed since his arrival to the NRL, but having proven himself as a strong defender through the middle, is finding his feet - and hands - in attack. It might be what the Dolphins need to unlock Katoa’s deception out wide where there is less risk of the defence jamming outside him.

Finekeuiaki can’t quite get over the try line here, but the damage to the Storm defensive line has already been done.

Melbourne is left with a prop at three-man down the shortside, the winger at two, and five-eighth tight.

Katoa shapes to go to the open side. It’s likely to be part of the Dolphins flow to head back to the long side behind a tight block around the ruck - especially on the last tackle. However, seeing the signs, Katoa flips late, holds his depth to invite the jam, and puts Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow one-on-one with a desperate Cameron Munster.

NRL 2026 Four Point Focus: Defending Katoa's Deception

The Four Point Focus breaks down a try from every round of the 2025 NRL season, highlighting the context, shape, trigger and the lessons learned.

Round 9 Super Sunday Notes

Knights v Rabbitohs

“Ponga Is Terrorising Them!” Kalyn Ponga returned for the Newcastle Knights in Round 9, and this team looks genuinely good. I wasn’t ready to say as much following their early-season wins, and didn’t think I would get here so quickly upon Ponga’s return, but here we are…

As well as Ponga played, Dylan’s Brown’s influence seems to get glossed over when his fullback is causing so many problems for the defence out wide. Jake Duke’s claim that “Ponga is terrorising them” isn’t wrong, but that space in which he was allowed to do so came from a very halfback-like play from Brown.

With three middles in front of him, Brown is able to skip across the B defender and use a drop to hold him up. With it, Brown is into C with a lead inside Cody Walker at three-man.

Brown’s work puts Ponga into a three-v-one situation on the edge with plenty of room to move. While the Knights weren’t able to turn the shift into points on that play, the chaos it caused in the defensive line help to score on the next one.

Sharks v Tigers

Sharks Jam In Defence: The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks struggled against the North Queensland Cowboys swing attack in Round 8. Siosifa Talakai, in particular, had his lateral movement tested a few times.

Wests Tigers had similar success early on, with both tries coming from breaks either side of the makeshift centre. However, when the Tigers lost Adam Doueihi to a shoulder injury, the Sharks were able to make the adjustments to the more direct style Wests play with Jock Madden on the field.

It’s Jarome Luai here, but the trends rang true throughout the game on both sides. When the Tigers put a lead inside the three man, and with Sunia Turuva wide on the block out the back, the Sharks edges were agressive in their jamming defence.

A lot of the Tigers’ best work this season has come from a direct approach through the middle. Madden straightening for Douehi out the back. Douehi’s threat as a runner shrinking the defence for Luai on the second layer. But now nine weeks in and with plenty of video for opposition teams to break down before a game, we might see more teams jam on the Tigers. Especially with Doueihi looking set for a stint on the sidelines.

Panthers v Sea Eagles

That Obstruction: Ivan Cleary said exactly what I was thinking at the time, so I’ll let him explain it.

It’s not Wyatt Raymond’s fault that he isn’t across the finer details of the defence, and the specific approach the Penrith Panthers take to defending the edges. His claim that the obstruction “had no bearing on the try being scored” reflects, not only his lack of understanding, but the ridiculousness of him being expected to have it to make a decision.

Nathan Cleary being - quite clearly - impeeded stops him from applying pressure on Luke Brooks, and influences the decision of the two defenders outside him.

Centimetres end up determining whether or not Lehi Hopoate scores in the corner, and Cleary being able to get across the field would have likely closed that gap.

Right decision or not¹ , there is far too much pressure on officials to understand the intricaies of the game if they’re determining the impact on a defensive line while coming to a decision. We once had former players providing that IQ in the Bunker, but they became a cost-cutting measure and have never returned…

Obstructions will never be consistent. Even people well-versed in the details of the game will disagree on some. However, “no bearing” in this case is wrong and having officials make those calls will only promote more inconsistency in the decisions.

Another Cleary Quote: This time on Joey Walsh following his first grade debut.

Player Spotlight - Alex Twal

Who saw this coming from Alex Twal in his age 29 season…?

Benji Marshall has worked wonders to take one of the most consistent, but no frills middles in the NRL, and turn him into a genuine lock forward fit for the current era.

Twal is passing through the middle, but not before he threatens the line by carrying the ball himself for 50 more metres per game than he did in 2025. He’s breaking more tackles, and if the defence doesn’t win the contact, Twal has let go of 18 offloads in eight games already this season after throwing 22 in 23 games in the last one.

The Tigers are one the up thanks to the development of the youngsters, but it’s the veteran who has taken the biggest and most unexpected leap this season.

The Pipeline - Jordan Miller

Looking beyond the bright lights of the NRL to the lower grades, one player caught my eye this week.

Jordan Miller has only played two NRL games and those came back in 2024, but he’s memorable for his size. At 131 kg and 192 cm he’s a mountain of a man, particularly at Jersey Flegg level.

Sacked by the Wests Tigers, the 21-year-old has found himself at the Parramatta Eels where he’s using his size to dominate near the line.

It remains to be seen whether or not he can kick on and add to his two NRL appearances. The speed of the current game won’t help his chances. Still, he’s in the mix for Parramatta’s reserve grade side with a couple of games there this season already.

But having just seen him in person and how difficult he is to handle with the ball, he’s worth keeping an eye on as an injury bug seems to hit Parramatta every week.

Member Mailbag

Highlight reels are made up of tries from a kickoff, wingers diving over in the corner and props breaking into the backfield.

What happens before a highlight reel play is often glossed over, if it features in the reel at all. But if you look out for it over the weekend, you’ll see just how many of the most dangerous actions in the game come following a standing tackle.

Standing Tackles Kill

Standing tackles can be just as bad for a defence as a missed tackle. They scramble the line, generate momentum and impact numbers and spacings. There is often a third man in the tackle who isn’t able to finish his job around the legs, making it difficult for the markers to get set and for the third man himself to get back into the line.

I covered how standing tackles kill after Stefano Utoikamanu walked four Canberra Raiders defenders underneath their own posts before the Melbourne Storm scored in the corner.

His standing tackle on Friday night compressed the Raiders defence around the posts to make the shift to Will Warbrick on the edge all too easy.

It allows Jahrome Hughes to skip across the four-man and into three to create the numbers advantage on the edge to score. - Round 7 Review

Standing tackles are incredibly dangerous for an defending team. Just how missed tackles aren’t an accurate measure of defence, making a tackle isn’t always an accurate positve measure either.