Winless after the opening six matches of the season, it may be time for the St George Illawarra Dragons to finally push the button and unveil a new halves pairing.

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A day after Daniel Atkinson and Kyle Flanagan led the Dragons to their sixth consecutive loss, the halves pairing of Lykhan King-Togia and Kade Reed dominated in reserve-grade.

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Continuing to put pressure on the incumbent halves, the pair combined for 24 points, two tries, three line-breaks, one line-break assist and five try assists in only 80 minutes as they put on 52 points against the Manly Sea Eagles.

This has further put the Dragons recruitment in the spotlight, especially when it comes to the development of young halves at the club.

“I’m sympathetic because they threw (Atkinson) into a job that he couldn’t do… that’s the problem with the Dragons. You can beat around the bush every way you want,” foxsports.com.au’s Paul Crawley said last week on NRL 360.

“Their halves situation has been a problem under Shane Flanagan. It traces back to the fact they had Kyle there, Kyle has been extended.

“They let Lachie Ilias go, people might say he wasn’t the answer. Well guess what? Shane signed him. Jonah Glover was another kid who didn’t get his opportunity.

“And it all comes down to their recruitment over the last three years, it hasn’t been up to scratch.”

Meanwhile, a Storm rookie has inched closer to making his NRL debut and a former Dragons fullback is potentially in line to make a remarkable comeback to first-grade after his career looked done for.

Could the Storm fullback be in line for an NRL debut this week?Source: Supplied

ALL EYES WERE ON…

While his NRL squad fell to their fourth consecutive defeat, Hugo Peel is one step closer to making his first-grade debut for the Storm after a scintillating performance in the NSW Cup saw him finish with a hat-trick of tries.

He also made one line-break, 176 running metres and two try assists as he edges closer and closer to being named by Craig Bellamy.

Don’t be surprised if Shawn Blore, Josiah Pahulu and Lazarus Vaalepu also find themselves on the cusp of being selected by Bellamy.

A major reason behind the Storm defeating the Warriors 32-24, the trio led from the front, running for a combined 237 metres and making 80 tackles.

A two-way shootout has emerged to replace Jye Gray if he is unavailable to take on the Dragons on Saturday afternoon after picking up an AC joint injury in Perth.

Former Dragon Matthew Dufty scored his fifth try in five matches, while Edward Kosi scored a hat-trick after being named among the reserves for the club’s previous match against the Cowboys.

Ethan King has emerged as an option to be Drinkwater’s successor at the Cowboys.Source: News Corp Australia

They may both be members of the Cowboys squad, but young fullbacks Ethan King and Mason Barber went toe-to-toe with each other in an exciting match in the QLD Cup as they look to become the club’s long-term fullback of the future.

King had nine tackle busts and ran for over 220 metres, while Barber (who has recently been used in the centres) made 132 metres but provided two try assists.

Everyone may have been fixated on the duo of Trai Fuller and Karl Oloapu when the Redcliffe Dolphins faced the Sunshine Coast Falcons but instead, it was another former NRL player who took centre stage.

Arriving at the club ahead of this year after a stint with the Penrith Panthers, Riley Price – the son of NRL and Queensland icon Steve Price – scored a double for the Dolphins.

This comes as he looks to make an impression with two more teams set to enter the NRL over the next couple of years.

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NSW CUP STANDOUTS

The Bulldogs may have lost by 32 points to the Panthers, but Fijian flyer Jethro Rinakama continues to shine after returning to the field from injury.

Making two line-breaks, Rinakama made 183 running metres and was a handful to defend on the wing.

In the same match, Jack Cogger was outstanding, showing that there is a massive difference between an NRL and NSW Cup halfback.

Cogger had two try assists and scored two of his own after being a late addition to the squad.

With two minutes on the clock and scores tied, future Sharks halfback Riley Pollard showed that he has the composure and patience to one day be a star of the NRL after slotting a field goal off the post to hand Newtown the win against the Roosters.

Pollard iced the match with a field-goal.Source: The Daily Telegraph

Meanwhile, it was the ‘Rodwell Show’ at Henson Park with Toby (halfback) providing two try assists and Tom (wing) making three line-breaks and running over 200 metres.

Across town at North Sydney Oval, Daine Laurie may have been sent to the sin-bin, but the utility back was in fine form during the Raiders’ loss to the Bears, scoring three tries and making three line-breaks.

However, it was enough to defeat North Sydney, who put on 40 points, with Titans halfback Thomas Steadman leading the way in attack with three try assists and two line-break assists.

As Starford To’a departed the field for the Magpies after just 66 minutes, two weeks after making his return from injury it was five-eighth Javon Andrews who stood up during the match.

The 2025 Under-19s man-of-the-match provided two try assists and two line-break assists against the Knights, showing that the Tigers will have a plethora of great young halves to choose from in the future.

Crowd ERUPTS for Insane Herbert pass | 01:31

QLD CUP STANDOUTS

Regarded as the Cowboys’ long-term No.9, Xavier Kerrisk continues to put pressure on Reed Mahoney and Soni Luke with a stunning performance for the Mackay Cutters in their 18-all draw against the Northern Pride.

Kerrisk scored a double and made two line-breaks and 18 tackles in just 38 minutes on the field.

Don’t be surprised to see him come under consideration this week if Mahoney is ruled out with a concussion.

Two tries from Matthew Milson weren’t enough for the Norths Devils as they lost to the Central Queensland Capras 26-18 after two try assists each from halfback Radean Robinson and hooker Trey Brown.

A former Under-19s Queensland representative, Zach Lamont arguably had his best game since returning to Queensland after a stint with the Panthers.

Zach Lamont was previously at the Panthers.Source: Getty Images

Lamont had two try assists as the Brisbane Tigers – a feeder team of the Perth Bears – won by 16 points against the PNG Hunters.

Centre Kai Pere and fullback Zacariah Miles also looked class during the encounter as they try and add to their resume and attempt to secure a deal with the Bears in the coming years.

On a train-and-trial contract with the Broncos, utility forward Mason Teague looked the goods against the Ipswich Jets.

Playing in the dummy-half role, the Cook Islands international controlled the ruck with ease and led the tackle count with 48 showing that he deserves another shot in the NRL.

Elsewhere, Zane Harrison continues to showcase why he is one of the most talked about young halves in rugby league with a double in the Tweed Seagulls 36-12victory against the Souths Logan Magpies.

Meanwhile, teammates Tim Carson and Lindon McGrady were both unstoppable in the win. Carson had 195 metres and two try assists, while McGrady had two try assists and three line break assists as Harrison’s halves partner.