The first two games of the season are done and dusted, with the Knights and Bulldogs picking up wins to open the year in Vegas.
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Now, attention turns to the rest of round one and the NRL’s first full weekend of match-ups is full of intriguing storylines — starting with Parramatta’s battle with Melbourne transitioning from court to the field.
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From the message the Eels sent with their Lomax stance to a bold top-four call and question marks over the Roosters’ new-look halves pairing, these are the biggest talking points to follow in this week’s NRL action.
WARNING AFTER EELS SEND MESSAGE WITH HARDLINE LOMAX STANCE
Storm vs. Eels — Thursday @ 8pm (All times AEDT)
On the surface getting rid of an Origin and Test winger in Zac Lomax wasn’t going to make the Eels better on paper, but their hard line stance in the contract saga with the Storm could make their 2026 season.
The Eels took the Storm and Lomax to court and blocked their former star from playing in the NRL until 2028 at the earliest.
Matty Johns feels Ryles’ leadership and the club’s firm stand in the Lomax saga can push the club to greater heights, even without the star winger on their books.
“With some teams it can be on the field during the pre-season or off the field, whatever it is, you get a feeling you’re going to have a big year,” Johns said on Matty and Cronk.
“It comes back to the old Jack Gibson thing, winning starts in the front office. I think Parramatta, that club has shown a lot of backbone around the Zac Lomax situation, not being bullied by one of the biggest clubs in the Melbourne Storm.
“I just think that’s really good signs, particularly around Ryles, given the fact that he worked with and he’s mates with a lot of the Melbourne blokes there, and I think to an extent they probably thought that he’d gift him through, but he’s just stood his digs.”
Cooper Cronk agreed that the message Parramatta’s stance sends internally can’t be underestimated, warning it proves the Eels as a club are a force to be reckoned with.
“I agree with you,” Cronk said.
“I think the fact that Zac is a world-class player in our game, arguably in the conversation for the best winger in the game, Origin player, was unsure whether he wanted to commit to Parramatta or take whatever else was there, and Ryles said, no worries, see ya.”
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Paulo reacts to Lomax saga result | 07:18
Of course, there are plenty of other reasons to be optimistic about the Eels, with Johns predicting Mitchell Moses could be a runaway Dally M winner and while Cronk believes Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary will give him a run for his money, the former Storm halfback agreed with Johns’ broader point.
“I think Mitchell Moses is set for a tremendous year,” Cronk said.
“There was some real challenges in the early part of last year that I think Parramatta players and Ryles learnt a lot from.
“So I think they’re a big mover. I think they’re probably the team that sort of sits right on the edge of the eight. I really like it. I think for a culture point of view, it’s a good thing.
“And sometimes when a coach makes strong decisions like that, it almost ripples through the rest of the team.”
Former Eels star Kieran Foran has been mightily impressed with Ryles’ rebuild of the club and is tipping them to make the finals in 2026.
“I love what Rylesy has done since arriving at Parramatta,” Foran said.
“Having watched their games last year and the style of footy that they were playing, you could see significant improvement in them.
“And I can only imagine it’s going to go up another level, heading into the 2026 season. I’ve got them making the eight.
“I think they’ll be huge improvers, Parramatta. I don’t know Ryles on a personal level, but just from afar, it looks like he’s got a really good handle on that playing group.”
MORE NRL NEWS
SAGA OVER: Shock end to Lomax drama as Eels teammate’s fatal snub revealed
‘JUST FOUND OUT’: Ryles reacts to big Lomax call
Lomax saga ends with shocking outcome | 06:57
STORM STARS SEND CHEEKY MESSAGE AHEAD OF PEZET’S EELS DEBUT
Storm vs. Eels — Thursday @ 8pm
Since Craig Bellamy took over the coaching reins at the Melbourne Storm, the club have yet to lose in the opening round
From 2003, the Storm have won 23 consecutive matches to start their campaign and will be looking to extend it to 24 despite being without Eli Katoa, Shawn Blore, Xavier Coates and losing Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
While they defeated the Parramatta Eels by 38 points this time last year, their opponents will be looking to exact revenge and will unveil the prized new recruit, Jonah Pezet.
After spending the past five years in the Melbourne Storm system, Pezet will lead a rejuvenated Eels side in the halves and could be the missing link that Jason Ryles has been on the lookout for.
Why Matty thinks Parra are on the rise | 01:57
However, it won’t be smooth sailing for Pezet in his opening NRL match for the Eels as his former club prepares to target him.
“I messaged him the other day saying, ‘Get ready, hope you’ve got the shoulders strapped on,” Pezet’s former teammate Nick Meaney said in the lead-up to the clash.
“I think that’s like any young half, you know, game plans are always set up to attack them and put pressure on them.
“While he’s young, he’s experienced and he’s level-headed, so yeah, I’m sure he’ll be able to handle it.”
Pezet’s manager, Braith Anasta, said on NRL 360, “He’s loving it there. He and Mitch (Moses) get along really well cause they’re both just footy nuts. They’re both higher IQ (players) and they’re just really thriving.
“He’s still got a lot of work to do. He’s happy with his form and he’s excited to play alongside Mitch and he’s happy playing first-grade every week.”
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Jonah Pezet has made the switch from Melbourne to the Eels.Source: Getty Images
HOW NRL RIVALS COULD TARGET ROOSTERS’ NEW-LOOK HALVES
Warriors vs. Roosters — Friday @ 6pm
After 15 seasons and 352 matches with the Manly Sea Eagles, veteran halfback Daly Cherry-Evans will officially play his first NRL game this week for another team.
And while all eyes will be on him, wearing a new jersey and seeing if he can reclaim his form, the question on everyone’s lips is, can he and Sam Walker gel together in the halves?
“Sammy Walker’s a bloke who a lot of people think is on the cusp of being a really elite footballer, and Daly can potentially unlock that,” Brent Read said on NRL 360.
“I think that’s the way people see it. I’m not as convinced as a lot of other people. They need to win me over the Roosters because Daly didn’t have his greatest year last year.
“I think he struggled a bit with everything that was going on and I’m intrigued to see how him and Sam work.”
Despite both being halfbacks, the Roosters will unveil a bold new halves approach which will revolutionise the traditional spine structure.
Rather than the duo playing as a traditional 6 and 7, they will both share the responsibilities of a chief playmaker, allowing them to coexist.
‘Have to prove yourself all over again’ | 02:58
“For Daly at the Roosters, him and Sam have apparently formed a good combination,” Cooper Cronk said on Matty and Cronk.
“His influence on Sam Walker is going to determine a lot of whether the Roosters can go further than what they did last year.”
Cronk did, however, share a few “technical” concerns he has which will be key to determining whether the Roosters’ new-look halves work and, ultimately, if they can live up to expectations.
“There is not a single part of me that hopes that they fall over. I genuinely hope that the Roosters can achieve everything they deserve this year and I hope Daly’s front and centre of it. But there are a couple of technical things that he needs to improve on,” Cronk said.
“Defensively, they both need to aim up and from an attacking technical point of view, Daly and Sam have this tendency when they’re at first or second receiver to put their hips on a 45-degree angle and go overs.
“Now if you’ve got two halves going overs, overs, the sideline is your worst enemy. So technically, I think one of them (or) both of them need to improve and someone needs to hold up the attack, otherwise Tedesco’s going to run into a cul-de-sac.”
MORE NRL NEWS
PLAYER SWAP: What every club could offer for Lomax
‘CALLED WAYNE STRAIGHT AWAY’: Pros and cons list that decided Bunnies star’s future
Daly Cherry-Evans will partner Sam Walker in the halves.Source: Getty Images
WHY BRONCOS NEED A ‘STATEMENT GAME’ TO SILENCE OUTSIDE NOISE
Broncos vs. Panthers — Friday @ 8pm
There was no better player at the back-end of last year than superstar fullback Reece Walsh.
Taking his game to new heights in the second-half of last season, Walsh single-handedly helped the Broncos defeat the Canberra Raiders, Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm in the finals.
“Reece saved them those last three games. They don’t win without him,” Gorden Tallis said on NRL 360.
En route to claiming the 2025 Clive Churchill Medal, he showcased that he was on another level compared to every other player in the NRL. But can he continue this form for another season?
“What Reece Walsh did at the back-end of the year (showed) he’s got the ability to dominate the competition if he’s got that working desire to go again,” Cooper Cronk said on Matty and Cronk.
“And the great thing about Reece, talking to Madge about it, (is) he just loves football,” Matthew Johns said.
“It’s important to have physical assets and all those things but the thing that actually drives it is your love for the game and he’s got plenty of that.”
Walsh – ‘The Big Moments, I Want That’ | 01:13
Meanwhile, the reigning premiers will be eager to start the 2026 campaign where they left off in 2025 after a disappointing World Club Challenge performance that saw them go down to Hull KR.
“I think it’s a big game for Brisbane off the back of the World Club Challenge, off the back of the Payne Haas news (and) off the back of the rumblings around why Payne has left. It’s a huge statement game for the Broncos,” Michael Carayannis said on NRL 360.
Brent Read said he thinks the Broncos can win the premiership and win clearly make the top four, but conceded this week’s game is important for the defending premiers given the outside noise.
As an experienced coach like Michael Maguire would know, just a few losses is all it takes to only make that noise even louder.
“There’s already rumbling coming out of the palace and if they lose badly, those rumblings will get louder and louder and louder and the pressure intensifies,” Read said.
Reece Walsh will need to have a strong 2026 if the Broncos are any chance of going back-to-back.Source: News Corp Australia
THE TITANS’ ‘SECRET WEAPON’ AS HYPE PUT TO THE TEST
Sharks vs. Titans — Saturday @ 5.30pm
The Gold Coast Titans will be ushered into a new era this season under head coach Josh Hannay, but another off-field appointment could prove to be their ‘secret weapon’.
Attempting to return to finals contention, the club have made several changes to its roster, but the most important move could turn out to be the appointment of Brian McDermott as an assistant coach under Hannay.
In contention for the Newcastle Knights head coaching role before it was handed to Justin Holbrook, McDermott arrives at the club from the Hunter-region and has previously coached nearly 450 matches in the Super League, where he is commonly known for coaching Leeds Rhinos between 2011 and 2018.
While he has only been with the Titans for a matter of months, the defensive specialist coach has already transformed the club’s defensive structure.
“The way they defended the other night (was great). Brian McDermott who has so much experience in the game, won Grand Finals with Leeds, had a stint up at Newcastle,” Matthew Johns said on Matty and Cronk.
“He’s renowned as a top-line defence coach and you can see the desperation and physicality. That’s been a challenge the last couple of years.”
Matty & Gordy on Titans ownership | 02:43
Former Titans playmaker Kieran Foran agreed with the comments and believes his ex-club could be in for a big year if they can find consistency on the field.
“It’s been a younger squad, so being able to do it for one week has been okay but then trying to back that up week in, week out can be really hard to find that consistency,” Foran said.
“That’s been the challenge for the Gold Coast since I’ve arrived there three years ago – it has been that consistency.”
There is a lot of hype on the Gold Coast entering the 2026 season and while no real NRL football has been played, Foran said there were plenty of positive signs in the trials.
“A lot of their top liners didn’t play and there’s talent for days there but you look at that side that performed the other night, the majority were the bottom half of their squad and there was a gritty look about it,” the now retired five-eighth added.
“There was no nonsense. There wasn’t flair. They got through their sets and they rounded out the game. That was positive signs too.”
Brian McDermott has arrived from the Knights.Source: Supplied
PRESSURE AS ‘NERVOUS’ FOGARTY FACES FORMER TEAM
Sea Eagles vs. Raiders — Saturday @ 7.35pm
Months after leading the Canberra Raiders to the 2025 Minor Premiership, veteran halfback Jamal Fogarty will now come face-to-face with his former side to open up Round 1.
While his former side and ex-coach Ricky Stuart will be eager to get one over him, the “nervous” but experienced playmaker is looking forward to the challenge and show them that he deserves the high salary that he is currently on.
“Obviously excited to kick-off the season against the old club. A little bit nervous and anxious but also excited,” Fogarty said.
“It’s good to play them early. If it’s later on in the year, then it’s a lot more weeks of talking about so looking forward to Round 1 and cracking on with the season is probably the best way for it.
“They’ve obviously had a different pre-season. I’m in a different defensive and attacking system.
“If I just focus on what Manly’s trying to do defensively and attack and worry about the team, then hopefully we do a couple of good things in that early round.”
Manly’s new recruits ready for Raiders | 01:35
Fogarty not only enters Round 1 against his former team but also enters the club’s opening match under a ton of pressure and expectations.
In recent weeks, there have been several calls that the Sea Eagles could finish in last place following the exit of Daly Cherry-Evans and relying too heavily on the likes of Fogarty, Tom Trbojevic and Haumole Olak’atu.
While they have several current and former representative players on their roster, the depth of the squad could cost them if they pick up any injuries or suspension throughout the year.
“I think there are a couple of teams up the top there but in saying that I’m trying to focus on everything here and what we can do here as a club,” Fogarty said.
“If I focus on other teams and what they’re doing, then I’m going to lose more focus here and won’t play my best footy.
“For me it’s all about bringing my strengths to the team and trying to execute that every single weekend as much as possible.”
Who would you rather? DCE vs Fogarty | 03:53
EX-MANLY LEGEND’S OMINOUS TURBO WARNING
Sea Eagles vs. Raiders — Saturday @ 7.35pm
2026 shapes up as a huge season for the Sea Eagles.
Coach Anthony Seibold is on the hot seat and it’s the first season in 16 years that Daly Cherry-Evans isn’t the club’s halfback.
However, fear not Manly fans as your best player is ready for a massive season according to club legend Kieran Foran.
Foran, who is working under Seibold as an assistant coach in 2026, has seen Tom Trbojevic up close at Manly training and it’s fair to say that he’s very impressed.
“He’s flying at the moment. I don’t want to jinx him but he’s had a huge pre-season and is in tip top shape,” Foran said.
Instead of wanting to test himself on the open market, the loyal Manly junior signed an extension with the club until the end of 2027, putting end to an ugly contract saga.
Weeks later, he was named as the club’s new captain.
“I think getting the captaincy has taken him to a whole new level. He looks as good currently as I’ve seen,” Foran said.
Trbojevic is arguably a top five player in the NRL when he’s at his best but injuries have played havoc throughout his career.
What’s clear is that for the Sea Eagles to have any chance of playing finals, Trbojevic is going to have to play up to his terrific pre-season and keep missed games to a minimum as outside of him, there are a few question marks.
New Manly captain Tom Trbojevic is poised for a massive season.Source: News Corp Australia
BIG TOP-FOUR CALL AS DOLPHINS LOOK TO BURY KEY WEAKNESS
Dolphins vs. Rabbitohs — Sunday @ 4.05pm
Entering their fourth NRL season, the Dolphins have emerged as a serious contender for the premiership, with many pundits believing they will play finals football for the first time since the club’s inception.
On the verge of making it into the top-eight last season, they were hit with severe injury blows at the wrong times, which halted their form and momentum.
This included playing several matches without Queensland Maroons star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and English international centre Herbie Farnworth.
With the duo both available for the start of the season, as well as Tom Gilbert and Thomas Flegler returning from long-term injury lay-offs, Matthew Johns has backed them to make it into the top-four.
“I look at the Dolphins and if they get a decent run without injuries, they are definitely in the top eight,” Johns said on Matty and Cronk.
“Great outside backs, strong pack, terrific young players on the up and Isaiya Katoa. You look at all those things, this year they should be top-eight. In fact, I think they are a real chance of the top-four.”
Cooper Cronk added, “Fleger back, Gilbert back. You need those forwards to support that young half coming through. I don’t necessarily disagree with that.”
Phins boost: Flegler’s promising return | 01:19
Their first test will be against a rejuvenated South Sydney Rabbitohs on Sunday afternoon who have recruited David Fifita to play on the left-edge while Latrell Mitchell has made the permanent switch from fullback to the centres.
And although they are arguable one of the most entertaining teams in the competition when it comes to attack, the showdown against the Rabbitohs will be a great test to see if their defence holds up to NRL standards.
“We’ve worked hard on it [defence] through the pre-season. Everyone’s told us that a number of times, so we know it’s an area we need to improve,” coach Kristian Woolf told Fox League.
“If you look at last year, we had some games in particular around the middle of the year when we were playing well, our defence was a real strong point.
“But we weren’t consistent enough and we fell away and that’s something we worked hard at in the pre-season.”
Matty & Cronk’s Top 8 tips | 01:32