Radical Brailey replacement floated; Ponga reveals gruesome injury<\/a><\/p>\nWHY DOLPHINS ARE THE NRL\u2019S \u2018SLEEPING GIANT\u2019<\/p>\n
Cowboys v Dolphins, 5:30pm Saturday @ Queensland Country Bank Stadium<\/p>\n
It was another slow start to the season from the NRL\u2019s 17th team, but the Dolphins have responded nicely in the last two months to sit pretty at the midway point of the season.<\/p>\n
Entering Round 14, the Dolphins are in seventh, but just one win outside of the top four.<\/p>\n
They\u2019ve won their past four, including victories against three teams who made the top four last season.<\/p>\n
In the two games prior, they lost to the top two teams on the ladder \u2013 Penrith and NZ Warriors \u2013 by a combined three points.<\/p>\n
Their ability to score points has never been questioned. It\u2019s been their defence which has really come on in 2026.<\/p>\n
As of this moment, only three teams in the league have conceded less points than Kristian Woolf\u2019s men.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they play finals. As long as defensively they\u2019re strong, I think they can score points against anyone,\u201d NRL legend Cooper Cronk said.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no doubt about it. On paper, the Dolphins have a team that should have them competing for a premiership.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s talent all over the park. <\/p>\n
The Dolphins were one of the most well-represented team in Game I of the Origin series.<\/p>\n
Max Plath, Tom Flegler, Selwyn Cobbo and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow all featured while the emerging Kulikefu Finefeuaki was named in the squad as 20th man. <\/p>\n
Maroons legend Brent Tate believes that the Origin experience these players bring back to the Dolphins should make them a formidable force in the second half of the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they\u2019re a sleeping giant, the Dolphins. They had a really slow start of the year, but they\u2019ve certainly found some form the last few weeks,\u201d Tate told foxsports.com.au. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe guys that they\u2019ve got playing Origin will get plenty of confidence coming back to the club. I think they\u2019re an absolute threat and if they can keep everyone fit and healthy, they\u2019re a dangerous team come finals time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tate also commented on a couple of players who won\u2019t feature in the Origin arena.<\/p>\n
Kodi Nikorima and Jeremy Marshall-King may not get the plaudits some of their other teammates receive, but both will be crucial to any success the Dolphins have this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s one of these guys who goes about their business and no one talks about them, but they\u2019re so vital to their team, and when they\u2019re out their team\u2019s performance suffers,\u201d Tate said on Nikorima.<\/p>\n
\u201cJeremy Marshall-King\u2019s another one of those guys in that team. Him and Kodi are world class \u2026 they have a huge bearing on their team.\u201d<\/p>\n
After four straight wins, the Dolphins are lurking ominously.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
THE \u2018UNCOMFORTABLE\u2019 TRUTH IN COWBOYS\u2019 COACHING DILEMMA<\/p>\n
Cowboys v Dolphins, 5:30pm Saturday @ Queensland Country Bank Stadium<\/p>\n
The only full-time coach in the NRL that remains unsigned for next season is North Queensland\u2019s Todd Payten.<\/p>\n
Payten\u2019s job security was shaky entering 2026. It was even shakier when the Cowboys lost two to start the season, but they\u2019ve won eight of 11 since.<\/p>\n
Only two teams in the comp have more wins than the Cowboys at the midway point of the season.<\/p>\n
On that alone, you\u2019d think Payten would have his future at the club locked in, but it appears as if the Cowboys are willing to see how the season pans out.<\/p>\n
According to ex-NRL star Luke Keary, it\u2019s an astute decision by the club. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think what the Cowboys are doing is very, very smart. I think he\u2019s had six seasons, he\u2019s made the finals twice, missed three times,\u201d Keary told foxsports.com.au. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou look at any business anywhere in the world, when you make a decision about who\u2019s going to be your boss and can they win you a premiership and can they make you successful? That\u2019s a very, very hard decision, especially in our game where there\u2019s only one winner. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think they should take all the time they want and need as you gather all the information. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd to be honest, Todd\u2019s got the right to go and speak to whoever he wants too. He\u2019s off-contract If Todd and his management want to go and explore their options, they\u2019re more than welcome to talk to other clubs, talk to Super League, talk to rugby union \u2014 whatever he wants to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s off-contract and the Cowboys shouldn\u2019t be forced or pressured into making decisions just because people want to decide that they have to. I don\u2019t understand in our game why people have to be signed up a year in advance. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think this has brought the best out of him and he said it himself about how he stopped chasing perfection and just has shown the boys who he is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy can\u2019t we just be uncomfortable for a while? Why do we always have to sign people six months before? <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy can\u2019t they wait until the end of the season. Why can\u2019t they wait to see if he makes the finals? Why can\u2019t they wait until after and see if he can win a grand final? Why can\u2019t we be uncomfortable, why can\u2019t the club wait until they want to do it?<\/p>\n
\u201cI just feel like the Cowboys have all the leverage in the world. There\u2019s only 17 jobs and they\u2019re all taken except the Dragons. Why do they have to be forced into making the decision in June?\u201d<\/p>\n
‘Passive & Attitude’: Payten’s message | 03:13<\/p>\n
\u2018STAGGERING\u2019 PREMIERSHIP WINDOW REALITY FOR BRONCOS<\/p>\n
Broncos v Titans, 7:35pm Saturday @ Suncorp Stadium<\/p>\n
What is going on with the Broncos?<\/p>\n
In recent years, at one point or another during the season, the Broncos end up in a puzzling funk and are heavily scrutinised.<\/p>\n
This time last season, Brisbane were sitting in 12th.<\/p>\n
In 2024 \u2013 the year after making the grand final \u2013 they missed the top eight altogether which led to Kevin Walters\u2019 firing.<\/p>\n
At this stage of the season, they are 11th and off a convincing loss to the previously winless Dragons. <\/p>\n
Because of their standing in the competition as the NRL\u2019s biggest club and the names on their roster, the expectations are naturally higher.<\/p>\n
They\u2019re also the defending champions.<\/p>\n
But even with a tough injury toll, their position at the moment is a massive shock. <\/p>\n
Wins aren\u2019t handed out in the NRL but with the team the Broncos fielded last Sunday, they simply shouldn\u2019t have lost to the Dragons. <\/p>\n
It was their fourth straight and puts them in danger of missing the eight.<\/p>\n
A top four spot, which is so crucial to winning the premiership, appears an impossibility according to foxsports.com.au\u2019s Paul Crawley.<\/p>\n
Can Adam Reynolds and Michael Maguire turn this around like they did last season? There are doubts they can.Source: Supplied Source Known<\/p>\n
\u201cThey had every reason in the world to turn up with the right attitude. They\u2019d lost their previous three games,\u201d Crawley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo hear Madge say after the game that we got beaten by the Dragons\u2019 attitude, that\u2019s the most concerning thing for me. <\/p>\n
They\u2019re at the crossroads of their season, where they at least have to win eight of their last 12 games. To make top four they\u2019ve got to win 10 of the last 12, and they\u2019ve just dropped a game to the Dragons, the team running last. They\u2019ll rue that come the end of the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cHistory says you can\u2019t win the comp if you don\u2019t make the four. They\u2019re not going to make the four. They\u2019re not going to win 10 of their last 12 again. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey climbed the mountain last year and I know the Panthers have done it and the Roosters did it in \u201818-\u201819, but it\u2019s a huge effort, and you just don\u2019t see it in them at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
While their record is in a similar position to what it was this time last season, journalist Dave Riccio believes it\u2019ll be tough for them to mount a serious challenge.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re not going anywhere near as good as what they were at this point in time last season. I know that they\u2019re in the same position, but as far as their ethics and their form and the way the individuals were performing, they were going better,\u201d Riccio said.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, (five-eighth) Ezra Mam has been dropped. Let\u2019s not run away from it. He\u2019s missed the most amount of tackles in the NRL. He sits at 57 tackles missed and (his axing) is a statement from Michael Maguire.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walsh answers questions on form slump | 09:46<\/p>\n
As mentioned earlier, the Broncos are an NRL powerhouse. <\/p>\n
Anything short of a finals finish is considered an abject failure, no matter the circumstances.<\/p>\n
With that said, there is some uncertainty next season with Adam Reynolds retiring and the club\u2019s best player Payne Haas off to Souths.<\/p>\n
For those reasons, it led NRL360 host Braith Anasta to wonder whether the Broncos\u2019 premiership window is closing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt could be about to shut. That\u2019s why this year is so important to them. They\u2019re losing key players, and it makes it even more important that they get back on track,\u201d Anasta opined.<\/p>\n
However, Riccio disagreed with that statement, referring to Brisbane\u2019s powerhouse status.<\/p>\n
\u201cI find that sentence with the Broncos staggering,\u201d Riccio said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a football club that has the greatest nursery of talent and production line of talent in the game. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen players are sitting down to decide whether they\u2019re going to one club over another, if it\u2019s the Broncos or another club I reckon they\u2019ve got one foot in the Broncos camp already. \u201cThey have everything at their disposal this football club. This is a club that\u2019s been valued at 120 million as a brand. It\u2019s one of the biggest franchises in the game, and they have Origin players and international players.<\/p>\n
\u201cNever in their in their future going forward should you have to ask whether their premiership window is closed. It should be open every single year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Next up on the docket is a QLD derby against the NRL\u2019s second worst team, the Titans.<\/p>\n
If the Broncos drop that one, the alarm bells will really start to go off. <\/p>\n
DEAN YOUNG \u2018WANTS\u2019 THE DRAGONS JOB. HAS HE EARNED IT?<\/p>\n
Sharks v Dragons, 4:05pm Sunday @ Ocean Protect Stadium<\/p>\n
It has been a torrid 2026 for the Dragons, so it was nice to see some well-deserved smiles on the faces of their passionate fan base following a major upset win over the Broncos.<\/p>\n
It broke a winless run of 15 games while providing the club with its first victory of the season.<\/p>\n
It also put Dean Young\u2019s future at the club in the spotlight.<\/p>\n
In the same week that Kieran Foran\u2019s interim tag was shed at Manly, Young has faced questions about what his future holds beyond this season.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Nine\u2019s 100% Footy, Young declared \u201cI want the job\u201d.<\/p>\n
Two months ago, the Dragons\u2019 gig may have been one that wasn\u2019t viewed that fondly, but the club\u2019s recruitment drive since has been outstanding.<\/p>\n
The Red V have only won the one game this year, but in addition to the star recruits set to arrive next season and the club\u2019s burgeoning forward pack which includes the Couchman brothers and Hamish Stewart, this is now a tantalising position.<\/p>\n
Hence, there will be no shortage of interested candidates, Young included.<\/p>\n
But has he earned it after just one win against quality opposition?<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I understand out of the Saints\u2019 hierarchy is they are on a process and yes, the win was fantastic but did it expedite things? No, not really,\u201d journalist Dave Riccio revealed on NRL360.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid it help Dean? Sure. But it didn\u2019t really change anything \u2026 you have to put yourself in their shoes. For more than a decade now they\u2019ve been in a mire of dysfunction so are they just going to rush straight into appointing Dean? No. They want to do their due diligence and get through the process.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s understandable. <\/p>\n
Since the Dragons parted ways with Shane Flanagan, Young is 1-4 as the interim coach, with several heavy defeats included.<\/p>\n
Granted, their run of opponents has been a murderers row, but it\u2019s been tough to watch at times.<\/p>\n
Foxsports.com.au\u2019s Paul Crawley has always been vocal in his defence of Young, believing the coach was set up to fail taking over at the Dragons. <\/p>\n
Crawley said that despite the state of the roster and dire situation the Dragons were in when Young assumed control, the interim coach deserves to be in the box seat to win the full time gig.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Dean Young walked into that job it was potentially career-ending for him if it didn\u2019t go right, but he said he was not going to walk away. He said he was going to show his children and players that you don\u2019t walk away from a challenge, you walk towards it and we can see the improvement in these young guys at the moment,\u201d Crawley said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact he put his balls on the line and went forward with the club because he loves the club and because he wanted to be a part of this, to me puts him at the top of the pile. <\/p>\n
I can\u2019t see a better candidate. Ben Hornby loves the club too and he\u2019s a champion from that club but they won\u2019t know after an interview whether he\u2019s going to do a better job.\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>\nFlanagan facing uncertain Dragons future | 01:17<\/p>\n
THE WORDS THAT WILL \u2018HAUNT\u2019 GALVIN \u2014 AND NONE OF IT IS HIS FAULT<\/p>\n
Bulldogs v Eels, 4pm Monday @ Accor Stadium<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s the best teenage footballer I\u2019ve ever seen.\u201d<\/p>\n
They are the famous words from Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould and the ones that Lachlan Galvin will \u201cforever be haunted by\u201d according to Dean Ritchie. <\/p>\n
The 20-year-old has been in the headlines since he made his NRL debut for the Tigers back in 2024 and the interest in Galvin was only intensified by Gould\u2019s comments.<\/p>\n
That preceded an ugly mid-season divorce which saw Galvin leave the Tigers to join the Bulldogs last year and the aftermath of that still lingers given the halfback\u2019s treatment in last week\u2019s game against his former side. <\/p>\n
While Galvin may be the one copping all the boos, it is only because he is an easy and visible target. In reality, the 20-year-old is just a young man finding his way in the world \u2014 both in a rugby league sense and in life in general. <\/p>\n
Whether it is Gould\u2019s comments, the actions of his agent Isaac Moses or the associated media storm surrounding his Tigers exit, a lot of it is either beyond his control or comprehension at a young age. <\/p>\n
Braith Anasta has been vocal in his criticism of the Bulldogs this season, but he has been just as consistent in emphasising that Galvin is not the problem at the club. In fact, he thinks the talented halfback is a big part of the solution. <\/p>\n
He just isn\u2019t playing in the right position, and the glare of the spotlight on Galvin isn\u2019t helping. It is a problem Anasta knows all too well \u2014 and it is why he thinks Gould\u2019s comments about Galvin two years ago won\u2019t be forgotten.<\/p>\n
Braith publicly backs Galvin | 01:46<\/p>\n
\u201cAs much as I love Gus, those comments he made about him wouldn\u2019t help and I know that too because the first article about me on the backpage of the Telegraph was the next Brad Fittler and it never goes away,\u201d Anasta said on \u2018NRL 360\u2019. <\/p>\n
\u201cPeople never forget about it. What happens is they compare him to you for the rest of your career, just like they talk about Lachlan Galvin saying he\u2019s the best young prodigy that\u2019s ever come through, so I don\u2019t think that\u2019s helped as well. Hopefully over time that will help.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Ritchie made a similar point on Monday night, he wasn\u2019t suggesting that Galvin isn\u2019t first-grade material. No one is. This entire season there has been an overwhelming praise for Galvin\u2019s performances alongside a criticism of the role he has been forced into at the club.<\/p>\n
Both things can be true at the same time. <\/p>\n
And for Ritchie, he sees a \u201cvery good footballer\u201d in Galvin. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut I don\u2019t see a Thurston, a Johns, a Fittler or a Daley,\u201d he added, which takes us back to Gould\u2019s comments. <\/p>\n
\u201cI see a bloke that is going to develop into a fine player, but not the most gifted, so I think Gus\u2019 words will haunt Lachie Galvin.\u201d<\/p>\n
It isn\u2019t Galvin\u2019s fault his own GM put high expectations on him. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Premiership-winning halfback Cooper Cronk said on \u2018Matty and Cronk\u2019 that he believes a lot of the attention around Galvin this season has been \u201cquite unfair\u201d and has called for patience.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe kid is working through developing into a good halfback,\u201d Cronk said.<\/p>\n
\u201cComing through the first two years as a halfback, you have some good days, you have some bad days, you have some shocking days and you are up and down like a yo-yo. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere is enough to him. You can see it with the way he plays, especially the way he combines with Preston, some of his decision-making against Penrith \u2014 there is enough there to says you have to stick with this guy and invest time in him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ultimately, just as impressive as Galvin\u2019s performances on the field this year has been the way he has handled all the outside noise.<\/p>\n
Gakvin not affected by negative noise | 00:31<\/p>\n
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo is obviously protective of his players. His press conferences this year have been proof of it. <\/p>\n
It may be a different story behind closed doors, but publicly Galvin has shown maturity beyond his years and Anasta believes he has the resilience to come out of it a better player and person.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s going to be fine. I think he\u2019ll turn into a 10-year first grader at five-eighth,\u201d Anasta said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou watch him and he\u2019s just so energetic, he plays on the ball as much as he can, he tries his hardest, he loves the game of rugby league. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been a young gun coming through so he\u2019s got the pedigree and has done the work. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis has been a tumultuous, tough and exhausting period and he\u2019s still turning up, he\u2019s still putting the effort and energy in every week when a lot of guys would have gone out the back door pretty much straight away with the s*** that he\u2019s copped. <\/p>\n
\u201cEven the booing, it takes a toll. A lot of people don\u2019t experience what he\u2019s been through \u2026 this scale is even bigger and I went through quite a bit too and I look back at it and I let it get to me too much. I think it impacted my career. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still very proud and happy of the career I had but I definitely let the outside noise get to me. It concerns me about him but I think he\u2019s resilient and he\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Galvin has shown great resilience. (Photo by Darrian Traynor\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
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