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<\/p>\n
For the Sharks, his year feels like a \u2019final chapter\u2019 of sorts. With a brutal stretch upcoming, the next few weeks are critical.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Maroons sure could have used Reece Walsh on Wednesday night. Here\u2019s why the Origin snub will \u2018ignite\u2019 the Broncos superstar. <\/p>\n
Read on for the key Talking Points ahead of Round 13.<\/p>\n
MANLY TOPS NRL IN KEY STAT AMID \u2018SPECIAL TURNAROUND\u2019<\/p>\n
Sharks v Sea Eagles, Friday 8pm @ Ocean Protect Stadium<\/p>\n
The Sea Eagles can lay claim to being one of the NRL\u2019s most complete teams under Kieran Foran.<\/p>\n
Their attack is airborne, with Manly the fourth highest scoring side in the comp, but that\u2019s not the reason for their stunning resurgence. <\/p>\n
Since Anthony Seibold was fired after a 0-3 start, the Sea Eagles are seven from eight and averaging just 13.5 per game. That\u2019s the lowest figure during that span. <\/p>\n
\u201cSince Kieran took over, Manly are the best defensive team in the comp. Manly and Penrith are significantly better defensively than everyone else,\u201d Matty Johns said on Matty and Cronk.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe change has been substantial but it\u2019s real. It\u2019s not been on sand.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were under immense pressure at the start of the season and are now a chance of making a prelim final,\u201d Cooper Cronk added.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a very special turnaround.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are several key players who are enjoying quite the revival in 2026.<\/p>\n
Playmaker Luke Brooks was a non-factor over the first three games.<\/p>\n
Whatever Foran has instilled since taking over the top job is working on Brooks. He\u2019s playing career best footy at the moment. <\/p>\n
Jake Trbojevic\u2019s career is in its twilight, but there were fears that form would force him to retire early. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s fair to say that two months ago, Trbojevic signing an extension for next year was long odds. <\/p>\n
However, Foran has got the veteran forward turn back the clock a few years.<\/p>\n
The play of Haumole Olakau\u2019atu and Tolu Koula has spiked significantly as well, so much so that both started for the Blues on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, that pair won\u2019t be on deck against Cronulla following a brutal Origin opener.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is so much momentum and positivity,\u201d Cronk said. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s use a couple of examples Luke Brooks wasn\u2019t playing well at all, to the point where you thought Joey Walsh might be a chance of playing. Brooks is playing career best football. He\u2019s creating, running the ball<\/p>\n
\u201cJake Trbojevic looked like he wouldn\u2019t get through the end of the season but he\u2019s signed an extension for next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cOlakau\u2019atu wasn\u2019t Origin ready in the first three games but he is now NSW edge backrower and potentially, could be the guy who is a point of difference for the Blues.\u201d<\/p>\n
It seems that every player on the Manly roster has either regained some of their best form or improved sharply under Foran.<\/p>\n
One of those is Clayton Faulalo, who has been outstanding since Foran moved him to fullback.<\/p>\n
The 26-year-old has mostly plied his trade in reserve grade, but he\u2019s taken full advantage of the injury to Tom Trbojevic. <\/p>\n
According to Cronk, it\u2019s set up a luxury for Foran and the Sea Eagles.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Tom was out, we were saying that Manly are no chance but they\u2019ve won games without him,\u201d Cronk said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow they can look at maybe managing the load of Tom Trbojevic so he is cherry ripe at the back end of next year. He is not having to have the 20 carries and be the creator, you could play him in the centres at times.\u201d<\/p>\n
Inside the Maroons sheds after Game One | 04:29<\/p>\n
WHY THIS IS THE \u2018LAST CHANCE\u2019 FOR SHARKS AS BRUTAL MONTH LOOMS<\/p>\n
Sharks v Sea Eagles, Friday 8pm @ Ocean Protect Stadium<\/p>\n
This always felt like a last dance of sorts for this version of the Cronulla Sharks.<\/p>\n
Entering the season, eight of the 19 players named to face the Titans were without a contract beyond this year.<\/p>\n
That roster reality had already started to hit home before this week, with Siosifa Talaki signing with the Perth Bears while Cameron McInnes confirmed he is off to the Super League.<\/p>\n
But then it was also announced that outside backs Sione Katoa and Jesse Ramien would be heading to North Queensland, further outlining just how different the Sharks could look next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re now watching the final chapter of what it (this team) is,\u201d Code Sports reporter David Riccio said on \u2018NRL 360\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s their last chance in terms of this team to do something special together. Talakai, McInnes, Katoa, Ramien, Hiroti \u2014 they\u2019re all leaving the club. When teams turn over, you\u2019ve got that one chance and you\u2019ve got to go after it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s where the Sharks are at.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maybe it won\u2019t be such a bad thing given results this year have hardly been a ringing endorsement for the roster as it stands, with the Sharks struggling for any consistency in 2026.<\/p>\n
While Cronulla have not quite taken the step towards being genuine contenders in recent years, this season Craig Fitzgibbon\u2019s team has at times barely even looked worthy of a top-eight finish.<\/p>\n
The numbers speak to the wild variation in form from the Sharks this year, who are the only team to have every game this season decided by double figures.<\/p>\n
Their wins this season have been by an average of 26 points, while their losses have been by an average of 19.<\/p>\n
It has veteran Fox League caller Matt Russell urging the real Sharks to stand up this week, and the next month may give us a better idea on just how much of a threat Cronulla can be in the premiership race with Manly, the Warriors and Roosters on the draw.<\/p>\n
\u201cI call their first game against the Gold Coast where they put 50 on the board. They looked like a million dollar team and you thought, \u2018Hang on the Sharkies have had an off-season here and they\u2019re set for a good year\u2019 but no sooner had they put 50 on the Titans they got beaten the following weekend,\u201d Russell told foxsports.com.au.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve been up and down week in, week out. I\u2019m craving some consistency from them. I know Craig Fitzgibbon has spoken about that as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt starts with this run ahead, three games where they will have to be really good to win and if they win them and emerge from Origin in a month and a bit inside the top eight you\u2019ll think maybe they\u2019ve found their way through this but right here, right now you couldn\u2019t say they have found anywhere near the consistency they need to be a threat through September.\u201d<\/p>\n
Inside the Blues sheds after Game One | 06:33<\/p>\n
THE \u2018CONDUCTOR\u2019 WHO HOLDS THE KEY FOR TIGERS<\/p>\n
Wests Tigers v Bulldogs, 5:30pm Saturday @ CommBank Stadium<\/p>\n
The Tigers haven\u2019t won a game since Round 8.<\/p>\n
After a stellar start to the season, losses to the Sharks, Storm and Sea Eagles have been a bitter pill to swallow for fans enjoying their team\u2019s rise to the top.<\/p>\n
But something has been missing in their recent outings.<\/p>\n
No, it\u2019s not a camera crew following the squad and coaches around to capture their every move for a documentary titled \u2018Tales of Tiger Town\u2019.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s their diminutive No. 9 Api Koroisau, who has been labelled the merger club\u2019s \u201cconductor\u201d by respected commentator Matt Russell, as he prepares to return from a three-game suspension.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey get Apisai Koroisau back this weekend and that to me is the real test,\u201d he said to foxsports.com.au.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is such an influence, controlling out of dummy-half but also a senior voice, experienced and knowing exactly what to do. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe is their conductor. Api, in my mind, is their most significant piece in that spine \u2026 this week against the Dogs I give them a chance because of Apisai Koroisau returning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Koroisau embodies everything that has the Tigers in a strong position to push for finals football at the near-halfway mark of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s near impossible to predict what he will do next, he loves to run the ball and is one of the most creative spine players in the game.<\/p>\n
Throw into the mix an ability to create points from anywhere on the field, and Benji Marshall\u2019s outfit are truly one of the most entertaining teams to watch.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love their attack and their free will and the fact that they\u2019ve been empowered by Benji Marshall,\u201d Russell said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey seemed a fitter, more resilient Tigers team than I\u2019ve seen in the years past and from that they earned the right to have some confidence and attack Benji Marshall style.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Russell, their attacking threat has only been earnt by doing the tough work \u2014 which began in pre-season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt comes back to that hard edge that I think was bred over the off-season,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat famous video of Benji Marshall on day one saying, \u2018Right we\u2019re getting serious if you\u2019re not ready for that there\u2019s the door\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love that because it then showed in the first month they had that tough edge back and from that they built some confidence, they won some games, they attacked well and they were rolling. <\/p>\n
\u201cThen all of a sudden the fans jumped on board and they were everyone\u2019s second favourite club virtually because the Tigers had been downtrodden not making finals since 2011.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Tigers were enjoying some strong momentum after the first eight rounds, sitting in third with only one loss to their name.<\/p>\n
But that momentum was halted when Koroisau was handed a suspension and Jahream Bula suffered a shoulder injury in back-to-back games.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a fair bit of momentum and unfortunately we know in rugby league it only takes a few injuries and a few losses to suck that momentum out,\u201d Russell said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd that\u2019s what happened but they can get it back. It\u2019s a long season, they just need these senior players on the field and luckily they banked enough wins early to be 5-5, sitting on the edge of the top eight.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo if they get Api back and the rest of the spine in relatively quick time I can see them challenging for finals footy still.\u201d<\/p>\n
ORIGIN NEWS<\/p>\n
BLUES MIRACLE: NSW stun QLD to make history in Origin\u2019s \u2018greatest escape\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018FEELS LIKE HE COST THEM\u2019: Shattered Ponga\u2019s \u2018classy\u2019 Billy act<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018I BLEED BLUE, BUT…\u2019: Maroons superstar SENT off in \u2018outrageous\u2019 controversy<\/a><\/p>\n Klein argues with Bunker & QLD over shot | 01:09<\/p>\n THE \u2018NOTICEABLE\u2019 CHANGE IN BULLDOGS \u2026 AND WHY BURTON IS THE KEY <\/p>\n Wests Tigers v Bulldogs, 5:30pm Saturday @ CommBank Stadium<\/p>\n As if it was scripted, Saturday\u2019s game marks one year to the day since Lachlan Galvin was officially released by the Tigers to join the Bulldogs.<\/p>\n It was a big story at the time and still is considering Cameron Ciraldo\u2019s team has only gone backwards from that point on.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s hard to put any of the blame on Galvin. The Bulldogs\u2019 powerbrokers were the ones who decided to bring him to the club mid-season and go away from what was working at the time.<\/p>\n Whether it would have continued working is another question entirely, and one we will never get the answer to.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not only that though. In a maddening year for Bulldogs fans, the one real clarity this season has provided is that Galvin is a key part of their future \u2013 irrespective of whether that is at six or seven.<\/p>\n Terrific wins against the Panthers and Storm have sandwiched a worrying five-game losing streak. <\/p>\n At their worst, they look disjointed and out of sorts both in attack and defence as Cameron Ciraldo\u2019s roster and line up changes have come under the microscope.<\/p>\n Last weekend though, they gave their passionate fan base hope that this season isn\u2019t lost.<\/p>\n The Storm were missing Cam Munster and Harry Grant but it was a spirited effort to fight back from an 18-6 half time deficit. <\/p>\n \u201cThe thing that I saw change with the Dogs on the weekend, and I say this with respect, but they started to mouth off again. There was that attitude back,\u201d foxsports.com.au\u2019s Paul Crawley noted on NRL360.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Bulldogs play their best football when they\u2019ve got that intimidating factor about them \u2026 They were right into Melbourne.\u201d<\/p>\n You can point fingers at several players for why the Bulldogs are languishing in 13th nearing the halfway mark of the season.<\/p>\n Matt Burton is probably one of those. <\/p>\n A real barometer for this side, Burton hasn\u2019t had the impact in games he would\u2019ve liked in 2026, but against the Storm, he enjoyed his best outing in quite some time, running for 213 metres (15 runs) and recording two line breaks and nine tackle busts. <\/p>\n It proved that when Burton is in the mood and is intent on attacking the defensive line, good things happen for the Bulldogs. <\/p>\n There\u2019s no doubt that performance helped earning him selection on the Blues\u2019 six-man bench for Origin I after Mitch Moses was ruled out. <\/p>\n \u201cI was just mesmerised by Matt Burton and I was sitting on the lounge watching this thinking why haven\u2019t we seen this? Where has this been?\u201d Fox League\u2019s Matt Russell told foxsports.com.au.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know he\u2019s a great ball runner. There are experts saying run the ball. Now I realise it\u2019s not just as easy as that but if he could seemingly flick a switch against Melbourne, why can\u2019t Burto flick a switch again this week against the Tigers? <\/p>\n \u201cSurely he will run the ball again, surely he\u2019ll be a robust member of this Canterbury team.\u201d<\/p>\n As damaging Burton can be with ball in hand, his point of difference is his booming left boot. <\/p>\n His towering bombs and dangerous spirals generally wreaks havoc more often than not, but the knock is that we probably don\u2019t see it often enough as Russell noted.<\/p>\n \u201cI also hope that we see those towering kicks. I\u2019m not talking about five a half but give me one at least per half,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI want the opposition fullback thinking, \u2018Oh no it\u2019s coming to Burto. Is he going to hit the stars again?\u2019 At least put that doubt in their minds, get one away.\u201d<\/p>\n Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/p>\n Kiraz full-time fullback at Bulldogs? | 04:27<\/p>\n HOW ORIGIN SNUB COULD \u2018IGNITE\u2019 WALSH<\/p>\n Broncos v Dragons, Sunday 2pm @ Suncorp Stadium<\/p>\n It was the most contentious decision made by Queensland coach Billy Slater, but it could be exactly what both Reece Walsh and the Broncos need.<\/p>\n The electric fullback was left out of the team for the series opener by Slater and while it is hard to argue that Newcastle\u2019s Kalyn Ponga didn\u2019t deserve the call-up, Walsh could have been an X-factor option off the bench instead of teammate Ezra Mam.<\/p>\n Instead, Slater opted for Mam given he already had Gehamat Shibasaki as cover for the outside backs and while it was disappointing for Walsh, veteran Fox League caller Matt Russell believes it could \u201cignite\u201d the Broncos fullback to life at club land.<\/p>\n Walsh only recently returned from a facial fracture and there had been some suggestions that may have played a role in Slater\u2019s decision, with Russell agreeing it may \u201ctake a bit of time\u201d for the 23-year-old to \u201cget past\u201d it.<\/p>\n Once he is his usually confident self, however, Russell reckons Walsh could immediately return to top form at Brisbane and even push for a recall at a later point in the series.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure it\u2019s going to ignite him. He\u2019s sort of bloke who\u2019s a competitor. He\u2019s confident. I don\u2019t think he\u2019s the sort of type to shrink inside his shell and sulk. He\u2019s going to be as effervescent as ever,\u201d Russell told foxsports.com.au.<\/p>\n \u201cI expect him to be bouncing around the field and I think it will only light a fuse under Reece Walsh rather than anything else. Maybe he\u2019s nursing a bit of an injury. Maybe that facial fracture is going to take a bit of time just to get past. It might be something so simple as that weird and wacky piece of head gear distracting him a little but Reece Walsh will bounce back.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t rule out that he\u2019ll play some part in the Origin series. I expect him to be it is explosive best against the Dragons. It really is set up for Reece Walsh to come out and just remind everyone that I might not be in the Origin arena, but watch me go.\u201d<\/p>\n Given Brisbane\u2019s injury woes this season, having both Walsh and front rower Payne Haas available for selection at the moment could help the defending premiers surge up the ladder just in time to push for an all-important top-four berth.<\/p>\n The Broncos have slipped up in recent weeks, dropping three straight games and losing all three by 13 points or more while conceding 30-plus points.<\/p>\n It has been a concerning defensive slump, but the Broncos can take some confidence from the fact they had a similar losing stretch midway through last year before hitting their stride at the end of the season.<\/p>\n The next fortnight is also a perfect springboard for the Broncos to return to form, with games against the lowly Dragons and Titans while even the following fixture against South Sydney is more than winnable.<\/p>\n It gets tricky beyond that point though, with the Roosters, Sharks, Cowboys, Knights, Dolphins and Warriors on the cards. <\/p>\n “C’MON!… WOW”: Walsh taken off for HIA | 00:47<\/p>\n THE \u2018CATCH\u2019 AS DRAGONS FACE BIG DEAN YOUNG CALL (done)<\/p>\n Broncos v Dragons, Sunday 2pm @ Suncorp Stadium<\/p>\n There\u2019s several opinions around what the Dragons should do when it comes to naming their next full-time head coach.<\/p>\n Dean Young was given the interim title in the wake of Shane Flanagan\u2019s departure, but it\u2019s fair to say he was handed a poisoned chalice, with several holes in the roster. <\/p>\n Young hasn\u2019t fared any better than his former mentor. The Red V are 0-4 under Young with an awful points differential of -120. To give the Dragons some grace though, it\u2019s worth noting that those four losses have come against teams sitting 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th on the ladder.<\/p>\n There are plenty of growing pains this season, but the Dragons are set to improve sharply next year with some talented recruits coming aboard.<\/p>\n Despite the rocky start to his tenure, will Young still be given the chance to lead this team beyond this season?<\/p>\n Journalist Dave Riccio says the club have to make a decision quickly. <\/p>\n \u201cThe catch is they\u2019ve got to make the decision on Dean Young and whether they think he\u2019s the head coach for Keaon Koloamatangi, Scott Drinkwater, Luke Metcalf, Phil Sami and the recruits coming,\u201d Riccio said. <\/p>\n \u201cDo they believe Dean can move this team forward with a better roster?\u201d<\/p>\n Foxsports.com.au\u2019s Paul Crawley has always been in Young\u2019s corner, believing that other coaching candidates such as Ben Hornby and Brad Arthur wouldn\u2019t be having success with this team either, nor would the legendary Craig Bellamy.<\/p>\n \u201cRemember when we interviewed him the night after he got the job and one of the things that stuck out in my mind then and now is he said you want your kids to see you walk towards a challenge, not away from one. He definitely has done that but he\u2019s inherited a roster which is just not up to the standards required to win games of NRL football,\u201d Crawley said.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately, Young took on the job and it will affect his chances but I don\u2019t think it should. I think the people within the club will know if they want him or not and ultimately that is what they should be making the decision on.\u201d<\/p>\n When struggling teams make the call to move on from their coach, we can often see an uptick in standard. <\/p>\n That hasn\u2019t been the case for the Dragons, which Gorden Tallis has called a blessing in disguise.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m half happy they haven\u2019t had a sugar hit because there is a lot more at that club that needs to be fixed and now with the guys really hitting rock bottom they know there is a lot of work to be done and that\u2019s with their pathways and recruitment \u2026 if they won a few games it might have been glossed over,\u201d Tallis explained.<\/p>\n As well as the recruits coming next season, there is some green shoots Red V fans can be excited about. <\/p>\n Their forward pack at the minute are young and raw, but there\u2019s plenty of ability in that engine room.<\/p>\n Fox League\u2019s Matt Russell noted this, and like Crawley, he thinks that Young has been put in a tricky spot as he attempts to make a case to become the club\u2019s full time coach.<\/p>\n I like their pack. Loko Pasifika-Tonga, the Couchman twins, Dylan Egan, Hamish Stewart. There was a bit of a local feel there and it was generation next on show. They haven\u2019t been up to it in terms of winning games but I like the way he\u2019s looking to the future,\u201d Russell told foxsports.com.au.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know what they do with Dean Young going forward because I reckon he can coach. I know that he\u2019s a great rugby league man. <\/p>\n \u201cWould any coach be getting wins out of this team right now? That\u2019s the question you\u2019ve got to ask yourself. Would any coach be able to get the Dragons up over the line? I\u2019ve got my doubts at the moment.<\/p>\n \u201cDean\u2019s got a couple of interesting balances to make \u2014 winning games right now, putting his best foot forward for the job full-time but also building for the future should he get the job full-time. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a very tough scenario.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n CRAWLEY: Gutho move Dragons must make; Gus move backfires<\/a><\/p>\n TALKING PTS: Dogs\u2019 fresh spine shock as Bellamy gets \u2018filthy\u2019 at Storm<\/a><\/p>\n