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Malcolm Knox<\/a>Journalist, author and columnist<\/p>\nMay 25, 2026 \u2014 7:30pm<\/p>\n
May 25, 2026 \u2014 7:30pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n From the outside, the NRL often resembles an outsized dysfunctional family, complete with prodigal sons, mysterious rich uncles, little dictators, wayward hangers-on, estranged step-siblings and warring in-laws.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a general common purpose but endless bickering and rivalry about how to get there, jealousy, secrecy and shifting alliances.<\/p>\n Like such families, rugby league also has an underlying unity in the face of a real crisis, and the best side of the rugby league family has been brought out by the response to Jai Arrow\u2019s diagnosis with motor neurone disease.<\/p>\n To see the emotion and care coming out of players and officials when sending Arrow their messages, the $50,000 raised in one afternoon by Cowboys fans<\/a>, and many other actions is to see how, while the politics and hostility dominate the everyday news, the fundamental shared value is love.<\/p>\n Never mind the quality, feel the grit<\/p>\n Five tough, gritty games over the weekend, no blowouts. Maybe the world hasn\u2019t come to an end.<\/p>\n There was no discernible change in the way the games were refereed, with the usual penalties and six-agains as relentless and confusing as they\u2019ve been all year.<\/p>\n So what was different (aside from the absence of Origin representatives)? There were many errors in slippery conditions, and arguably a lower overall standard of play.<\/p>\n So here\u2019s the Sophie\u2019s choice for league today: high-skill, high-pace, frictionless try-fests and blowouts, or scrappy, error-strewn arm-wrestles?<\/p>\n Ratings and attendances will be the final measure, and so far the numbers \u2013 although they are always a lagging indicator \u2013 are on the league\u2019s side.<\/p>\n To watch St George Illawarra in 2026 can seem like a welfare check on its fans. Are you OK, Dragons?<\/p>\n Against a below-par Warriors on Saturday<\/a>, the team again mixed dogged defence with timid, uncertain and often plain dreadful attack.<\/p>\n To squeeze some juice out of the loyal thousands who turned up, the ground announcer urged, \u201cCome on, Dragons fans, make some noise.\u201d Dragons fans replied: \u201cBoo!\u201d<\/p>\n Maybe Shane Flanagan wasn\u2019t the beginning and end of their problems.<\/p>\n Wizard of Foz<\/p>\n By the same logic, maybe Anthony Seibold\u2019s coaching really was the problem at Manly.<\/p>\n A lot of the commentary around \u201cFozball\u201d has focused on Kieran Foran\u2019s inspiring personality and the But the tactical change in Manly is visible. The middle forwards, led by Taniela Paseka and Ethan Bullemor, are running hard and straight. Jake Trbojevic is running as well as tackling. Simple game for simple people.<\/p>\n Their plan against the Titans on Saturday was conservative and basic and lasted 80 minutes; they won exactly the type of game<\/a> that Seibold\u2019s overcomplicated, spasmodic Manly usually managed to lose.<\/p>\n The secret of Fozball is that there is no secret. It might not be a premiership-winning formula, but in a top-eight system, a good season just depends on winning games you should win.<\/p>\n Wondering if the Bulldogs\u2019 win over Melbourne on Friday was a turning point for their season, I was reminded of the Wallabies\u2019 victory over the British and Irish Lions in their third Test match last year.<\/p>\n Sometimes teams work themselves into a frenzy and go a bit mad for 80 minutes. The Dogs came out with extreme intensity and passion and bashed the Storm up, playing the game as if it was their last.<\/p>\n If Matt Burton was a racehorse, he would be swabbed and his jockey would be interrogated over whether he had a battery in his whip.<\/p>\n It was, like that Wallabies resurgence, impressive. But it was also based on an emotional intensity that is hard to reproduce week on week. The mess of the Dogs\u2019 last 12 months can only be cleaned up if they do this again. And again. And again \u2026<\/p>\n Culture war won\u2019t decide Origin winner<\/p>\n Brad Fittler\u2019s article in these pages<\/a> about the background of the Blues Origin players, and the variety of different New South Wales cultures and regions they are representing, is well worth reading.<\/p>\n It was an expanded version of that cute thing they do before run-on in Origin matches when each player names their junior club. It has just one caveat.<\/p>\n Every Queensland player has a similar story about their own junior club and community, and they are representing all of their State every bit as much as each Blues player is.<\/p>\n No community is inherently better than another, whatever side of an arbitrary colonial border they stand on.<\/p>\n The actual result of the game is determined by minute margins, the bounce of the ball, refereeing interpretations and little spontaneous outbreaks of magic.<\/p>\n Much as we love how Origin pretends to be a clash of cultures, Fittler\u2019s tribute shows how, when it comes to community, it\u2019s not a contest. The communities that produced the players have a heart and soul, both sides of the border. The rest is just pantomime.<\/p>\n News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n![\"North](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ef5e6387453d6fc18e3c9bac00c99969720f8e21.jpeg\")
North Queensland fans presented South Sydney CEO Blake Solly with a cheque for $50,000 raised for motor neurone disease.NRL Photos<\/p>\n![\"Matt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/013a6b1872c8c69eb2d9469022f980b24e72f100.jpeg\")
Matt Burton had his best game of the season so far in the gritty win over Melbourne.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ce51ffb9d697bee9333530697cded484bad3cb64.jpeg\")
The Warriors celebrate a Te Maire Martin try against the Dragons on Saturday.Getty ImagesDragons drive their fans to boos<\/p>\n
players wanting to win for him personally.<\/p>\n![\"Run](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/d9df40fb79ef6e45955330cd42efaf0aabd27970.jpeg\")
Run it straight: Taniela Paseka against the Titans.Getty Images<\/p>\n
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