Watch every game of every round of the NRL Premiership LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n So of course Luai\u2019s decision became a major talking point after the game.<\/p>\n But anyone saying what the Tigers dished up on Sunday was Luai\u2019s fault are kidding themselves.<\/p>\n Sure, when your star playmaker signs elsewhere, years in advance, on tax free dollars that blows every other club\u2019s salary cap out of the water, it\u2019s only human nature that it creates distraction and uncertainty.<\/p>\n But here\u2019s the reality: the problem isn\u2019t Luai.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the transfer system that allows players to sign long-term deals with rival clubs well before their current contracts expire.<\/p>\n And this is exactly the fallout that comes with it.<\/p>\n It puts players in impossible positions, fuels the constant speculation, and leaves clubs trying to worry about today while the future is already determined.<\/p>\n But blaming Luai is missing the point.<\/p>\n Yes, Luai\u2019s decision obviously had an impact on the Tigers.<\/p>\n But context also matters.<\/p>\n And don\u2019t forget the Tigers were also without star fullback Jahream Bula and hooker Api Koroisau.<\/p>\n In-form halfback Adam Doueihi then dislocated his shoulder scoring a try in the opening 10 minutes.<\/p>\n Sharks put the Tigers to the sword | 03:08<\/p>\n That\u2019s three-quarters of the Tigers\u2019 spine out of action.<\/p>\n Throw in that gun back-rower Samuela Fainu limped off with an ankle injury.<\/p>\n Then there\u2019s some key stats to consider.<\/p>\n Just 25 per cent of second-half possession. The Tigers forced to make 151 more tackles. A completion rate of just 66 per cent compared to Cronulla\u2019s 85.<\/p>\n Factor in that rookie Faaletino Tavana, in just his third game, was targeted relentlessly. And the 21-year-old simply didn\u2019t handle the occasion. It happens.<\/p>\n But again, don\u2019t hang this on Luai.<\/p>\n He\u2019s simply operating within a system that allows, even encourages, these early deals.<\/p>\n The Tigers now head to Melbourne to take on the Storm on Sunday, and they\u2019ll still missing Koroisau and Bula, while Doueihi is awaiting scans but highly unlikely to play.<\/p>\n Fainu could also be missing.<\/p>\n But guess what \u2014 that\u2019s not Luai\u2019s fault either.<\/p>\n Doueihi Try Ends in shoulder Injury | 00:28<\/p>\n GUS\u2019 FINGERPRINTS ALL OVER BULLDOGS\u2019 DEBACLE<\/p>\n We all know Phil Gould is a genius when it comes to rebuilding rugby league clubs and shaping premiership rosters.<\/p>\n But there\u2019s also no denying the biggest knock on Gus is that sometimes he can be guilty of outsmarting himself.<\/p>\n And right now, that criticism is again gaining momentum on the back of the Bulldogs slumping to their fifth defeat in six games.<\/p>\n The 28-12 loss to the Cowboys highlights a problem that\u2019s been building ever since <\/a>Canterbury made the call to get rid of Reed Mahoney and Toby Sexton last year.<\/p>\n What we\u2019re witnessing isn\u2019t bad luck, it\u2019s a problem of Gus\u2019s own making.<\/p>\n There is just no debate that the current spine simply isn\u2019t working \u2014 and Gus\u2019s fingerprints are all over it.<\/p>\n On a night where Mahoney came back to haunt his former club, the contrast between the Cowboys\u2019 attacking flair, and the Bulldogs\u2019 lack of it, was evident for all to see.<\/p>\n Mahoney controlled the game from dummy half with two try assists, his sharp service and constant probing.<\/p>\n He created the try for Scott Drinkwater with a clever shift across the ruck, then sealed the match when regathering his own grubber to set up Jake Clifford.<\/p>\n Mahoney even found time to rack up 52 tackles that included two key moments when forcing turnovers on Stephen Crichton and Leo Thompson.<\/p>\n “A Lot of Good in that first 60 minutes” | 03:38<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Bulldogs looked clunky and predictable.<\/p>\n Lachlan Galvin tried hard as he always does \u2014 with 14 runs for 99 metres that included a try and a try assist.<\/p>\n But effort isn\u2019t the issue with Galvin.<\/p>\n The reality is Galvin\u2019s been rushed into a role that he\u2019s just not ready for, or naturally suited to, and it sticks out like a dog\u2019s who-know-whats.<\/p>\n Alongside him, Matt Burton remains inconsistent and even looks confused at what his role is.<\/p>\n Bailey Hayward is also clearly struggling at dummy half.<\/p>\n Against the Cowboys, Hayward finished without a single run or a key attacking stat recorded against his name.<\/p>\n And when you put that all together that\u2019s why the alarm bells are ringing at Belmore.<\/p>\n The Bulldogs let Mahoney go. They let Sexton go.<\/p>\n Now they\u2019re scrambling for answers in the two key positions Mahoney and Sexton capably filled last year when the Dogs were leading the comp.<\/p>\n That\u2019s not misfortune \u2014 that\u2019s roster management.<\/p>\n And the buck stops with Gus.<\/p>\n Compounding the issue is that the game has sped up dramatically this year due to the surge in six-again calls.<\/p>\n And while Cameron Ciraldo is obviously a tremendous defensive coach, his team is struggling to adapt with its attack to the changes in the game.<\/p>\n The stats on Friday night told the story.<\/p>\n The Dogs had 43 red-zone play-the-balls for just two tries, despite dominating penalties (6-3) and set restarts (6-2).<\/p>\n They now take on the Dolphins on Thursday night, another team who love to chance their hand with so much attacking flair.<\/p>\n Gould and Ciraldo have understandably earned goodwill among Bulldogs supporters given where the club was before they arrived.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s fair to say the patience is wearing thin.<\/p>\n Ponissi endorses Bellamy to save season | 07:01<\/p>\n SLATER FACING HUGE MUNSTER ORIGIN CALL<\/p>\n A big call is looming for Queensland coach Billy Slater \u2014 and it centres on his captain, Cameron Munster.<\/p>\n At his best, Munster is Origin\u2019s ultimate big-match player.<\/p>\n The man the Maroons have learned to trust when everything is on the line.<\/p>\n But this season that version of the now 31-year-old is nowhere to be seen.<\/p>\n And with the Origin opener on May 27 fast approaching, Munster\u2019s form must be a massive headache for Slater.<\/p>\n The Storm\u2019s 28-10 loss to the Dolphins<\/a> made it seven straight defeats for the once mighty club, and once again Munster struggled to impose himself on the match.<\/p>\n He finished with five runs for 36 metres and offered no real spark.<\/p>\n Across the season, his numbers are just as concerning.<\/p>\n No tries, one line break, and only four try assists in total.<\/p>\n For a player of Munster\u2019s class, the stats are hard to comprehend.<\/p>\n And the concern for Queensland is that it isn\u2019t just Munster who is struggling, but Harry Grant as well.<\/p>\n While Grant is trying his heart out, the effort just isn\u2019t being rewarded.<\/p>\n Grant made some huge defensive plays against the Dolphins, but he only had five runs for 32m and had no real impact.<\/p>\n Is Cameron Munster no longer an Origin certainty.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n If the Storm\u2019s form doesn\u2019t turn quickly, Slater may be forced into a tough balancing act.<\/p>\n Can he carry both Munster and Grant into Origin if the Storm spine continues to misfire?<\/p>\n There are other options available for Queensland in the halves. <\/p>\n Ezra Mam is knocking on the door. <\/p>\n Sam Walker could also come into calculations, but would Slater even contemplate potentially shifting Tom Dearden to five-eighth?<\/p>\n Even Daly Cherry-Evans remains a fallback option _ but that would be a huge call for Slater to go back to the captain he dropped last year.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s be clear, there\u2019s not a chance in the world Grant or Munster will be dropped for Origin one.<\/p>\n But Slater showed last year he\u2019s not afraid to make the ruthless call when he axed DCE.<\/p>\n If Munster doesn\u2019t fire, could the same scenario unfold again?<\/p>\n For all his brilliance, Munster\u2019s form has turned from a strength into the major storyline in the countdown to Queensland\u2019s Origin campaign.<\/p>\n Holbrook praises ‘brave’ Knights victory | 06:23<\/p>\n WALSH AND PONGA ON A QUEENSLAND COLLISION COURSE<\/p>\n There\u2019s been plenty written and said about the fight for the NSW fullback spot this year between the in-form James Tedesco and Blues incumbent Dylan Edwards.<\/p>\n But just as fascinating will be the late charge to wear the Queensland No 1 jumper _ with Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga both back from injury and now on a collision course.<\/p>\n Despite a quiet first half in his return from a facial fracture, Walsh produced some inspirational moments to lead the Broncos\u2019 courageous second half fightback against the Roosters.<\/p>\n Walsh came up with a huge defensive play to save a certain try to Hugo Savala.<\/p>\n He also scored a crucial try to spark the Broncos\u2019 after they had trailed 30-0 early in the second half, before Walsh laid on another try with a touch of class for Jordan Riki.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Ponga was super impressive in his first game back from a hamstring injury in the Knights\u2019 heart-stopping 42-38 win over the Rabbitohs<\/a>.<\/p>\n The way he can turn an opposition defence line inside out in the blink of an eye never ceases to amaze you.<\/p>\n And the way the Newcastle skipper put his body on the line in what was ultimately an unsuccessful attempt to stop a rampaging Latrell Mitchell from scoring late also highlighted Ponga\u2019s underrated tougness.<\/p>\n No doubt if they both stay fit Walsh will and thoroughly deserves to start the series on the back of leading the Broncos to last year\u2019s premiership.<\/p>\n But having Ponga available and in form will not just keep Walsh hungry and honest, it will potentially provide Slater with serious X factor off the bench.<\/p>\n Knights hold off Latrell inspired Souths | 02:26<\/p>\n LATRELL\u2019S FLASHBACK TO GI<\/p>\n On a weekend when some of the game\u2019s biggest stars stood up and delivered, none were better than big Latrell Mitchell despite the Rabbitohs\u2019 gut-wrenching defeat.<\/p>\n Latrell caused havoc pretty much every time he touched the ball as the Rabbitohs staged a thrilling fightback from 22-0 down.<\/a><\/p>\n And that barnstorming power play when Latrell steamrolled Ponga to score in the corner in the final 10 minutes was a fair dinkum flashback of Greg Inglis at his rampaging best.<\/p>\n Then for Latrell to calmly nail the sideline conversion with the Newcastle fans absolutely giving it to him to claim the lead just showed incredible mental strength and focus.<\/p>\n Beast Mode.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n Unfortunately for Rabbitohs it was in all in vain as the Knights swooped on the Euan Aitken\u2019s loose carry, which opened the door for Dylan Brown\u2019s show-and-go to lay on the match-clinching try for young Trey Mooney.<\/p>\n Latrell had one last crack to save the game but couldn\u2019t keep control of the ball as he attempted to fight off five Knights defenders in a desperate finish.<\/p>\n Latrell\u2019s form has been getting better by the week this season, and in the countdown to Origin it\u2019s an ominous sign.<\/p>\n Both teams should be proud of putting on what was one of the most exciting games seen in years.<\/p>\n Even if you don\u2019t enjoy the big scoring results that are dominating the 2026 NRL season, that was unbelievable entertainment.<\/p>\n Walsh shows his class to set up try | 00:21<\/p>\n BUNKER HOWLER OVERSHADOWS MANLY\u2019S YOUNG GUN\u2019S ARRIVAL<\/p>\n It is just astonishing how much Manly has improved under the coaching of Kieran Foran.<\/p>\n And wasn\u2019t it great to see young Joey Walsh finally get a start in the absence of Jamal Fogarty.<\/p>\n It\u2019s going to leave Foran with a big decision to make moving forward with Luke Brooks when Fogarty returns.<\/p>\n But taking nothing away from Walsh\u2019s dazzling arrival in the hard fought 18-16 loss to the Panthers, the Bunker had an absolute howler when awarding the Lehi Hopoate try despite a clear obstruction on Nathan Cleary.<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s just farcical when a former champion playmaker the calibre of Cooper Cronk looks at that and says it\u2019s \u201c100 per cent no try\u201d.<\/p>\n But the \u2018try confirmed\u2019 still goes up.<\/p>\n If Cronk as well as Nathan and Ivan Cleary don\u2019t understand the decision, what hope do fans have?<\/p>\n Was this a clear obstruction on Cleary? | 00:21<\/p>\n HUMBLE RAMSEY \u2018AN INCREDIBLE HUMAN\u2019<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776909012_441_poster-fallback.png\"\/)
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