Plus, are the Titans close to solving a big headache that has haunted the club for over a decade?<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n
Read on for that and more in the latest edition of NRL Talking Points!<\/p>\n
THEORY BEHIND BULLDOGS\u2019 SHOCK MOVE<\/p>\n
Titans v Bulldogs, Friday 6pm @ Cbus Super Stadium<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs\u2019 decision to name Stephen Crichton in the No. 6 jersey should only be a stop-gap option according to a pair of former NRL halves.<\/p>\n
The Dogs\u2019 halves make-up has been a storyline of much debate this season and coach Cameron Ciraldo threw another spanner into the works when he shifted Crichton to five-eighth against Manly. <\/p>\n
It meant Matt Burton played centre. <\/p>\n
While there were still a few attacking woes, the Bulldogs won thanks to Crichton\u2019s match-winning field goal.<\/p>\n
Ciraldo has decided to keep Crichton at six, with Burton named in the centres for the clash against the Gold Coast. <\/p>\n
Crichton is by no means a natural playmaker, but premiership winning halfback Cooper Cronk can understand why Ciraldo made the call.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere seems to be, and this is why I think the change happened, Connor Tracey, Hayward, Burton, and Galvin… there\u2019s not a true, genuine communicator, right? I feel like sometimes they might get a little bit lost,\u201d Cronk said on Matty and Cronk.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho\u2019s their best talker? Crichton. Move him close to the ball for a couple of weeks. Just to get people in the right position.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the spine are an extension of the coach when it comes to the attacking system. They get the game plan and they call it and execute it and I feel like Crichton is probably their best talker and communicator. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve just moved him close to the ball to make sure that all those things that have been practicing during the week get done.\u201d<\/p>\n
‘They are NOT a semi-final team’ | 03:54<\/p>\n
\u201c(I like it) for the short-term. I certainly don\u2019t see it as a long-term (option). I\u2019d be surprised if he\u2019s still there in a month,\u201d Fox League\u2019s Matty Johns added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I liked about their game is they\u2019ve sort of given up trying to prove to people the Galvin thing. I they think returned to what got them to the top of the hill last year for a while, and that was an attitude of high completions and a focus on defence.\u201d<\/p>\n
The switch may light a fire under the Bulldogs\u2019 muddling season as they prepare for a late season run towards the top eight.<\/p>\n
However, there are some concerns with the decision according to Panthers legend Greg Alexander, who has watched Crichton closely since his early days at Penrith.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes they won, yes Crichton\u2019s a star. But there were a couple of passes that Burton would have iced better last week. There were definitely a couple of kicks that Burton would have iced better,\u201d Alexander said on \u2018NRL 360\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d be very surprised if they get to the back end of the year and Crichton is playing half the games at six.\u201d<\/p>\n
Critta ICES winner against Manly | 03:09<\/p>\n
IT HAS TAKEN SOME TIME…BUT TITANS HAVE THEIR SPINE <\/p>\n
Titans v Bulldogs, Friday 6pm @ Cbus Super Stadium<\/p>\n
It may have taken them longer than other NRL teams, but the Gold Coast Titans have finally found their long-term spine.<\/p>\n
After cycling through several different combinations over the past few seasons, the pieces now appear to be falling into place.<\/p>\n
Since Josh Hannay took over the coaching reins, he has provided greater clarity on the Titans\u2019 direction, making several key decisions regarding the club\u2019s spine.<\/p>\n
So who is the long-term fullback?<\/p>\n
In what was once a three-way battle between AJ Brimson, Keano Kini and Jayden Campbell for the No.1 jersey, Kini has emphatically made the position his own.<\/p>\n
Keano Kini. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
One of the competition\u2019s most exciting young fullbacks, the New Zealand international is a genuine game-breaker and is capable of turning a contest on its head in a matter of moments.<\/p>\n
His performance against the Brisbane Broncos a few weeks back was the perfect example, as Kini single-handedly took control of the game with his attacking ability.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever he wants price-wise, you cannot let Keano Kini go,\u201d Cooper Cronk said on The Matty and Cronk Show.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s fought hard for it because there was an argument that Campbell or Brimson was going to be the fullback. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe had a serious injury he had to get through last year. He is a genuine star.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zane Harrison had his moment. Picture: Matt Roberts \/ NRL PhotosSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n
Moving into the halves, the Titans appear to have finally settled on a combination of Jayden Campbell and Zane Harrison.<\/p>\n
Campbell has flourished since transitioning into the halves, while Harrison, a two-time Under-19s NSW representative, has looked increasingly comfortable at NRL level despite just being six matches into his first-grade career. <\/p>\n
\u201cKeano Kini is a star. Jayden Campbell is a good, good player,\u201d Cronk told foxsports.com.au. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s found his mark in the number six where he can float a bit between the fullback mindset, but also have a little bit of ball playing art to his craft.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Zane Harrison in the six games looks like he\u2019s got um all the aspects a young halfback needs to have.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a competitor, he\u2019s got a good kicking game, he\u2019s played some short passes and long passes at different stages and he\u2019s set up some tries.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Titans have been searching for a long-term halfback for a while now.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n
A local product, Harrison has impressed Titans club officials so much in his short time at NRL level that the club are already moving to secure hig long-term future.<\/p>\n
It is understood that the club have opened talks with the highly-rated youngster over a three-year extension as he prepares to hit the open market on November 1.<\/p>\n
If Harrison is indeed the answer it will be a welcome relief for a Titans team that has cycled through names at halfback since Scott Prince left for Brisbane.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe other thing you want to see in the young half is a good temperament because whether the game\u2019s chaotic or easy, you want to see someone that can handle themselves under pressure,\u201d Cronk added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact that you know he\u2019s still up in that field goal moment just shows that there are a couple of bits and pieces in the last three games that says the Titans are on the right path with their spine, which I don\u2019t think you could say about the Titans too often.\u201d<\/p>\n
With their fullback and halves locked down for the foreseeable future, they are now set to turn their attention to the dummy-half position.<\/p>\n
Titans rookie Oliver Pascoe has impressed in the No. 9 jersey this season.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Although they haven\u2019t recruited a star No.9 just yet, Oliver Pascoe has done a tremendous job since being handed the opportunity and taking over from Sam Verrills.<\/p>\n
The rake has brought energy, toughness and consistency in every appearances he has made during this year\u2019s campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether you\u2019re a halfback, front rower or fullback, when you\u2019re young kid coming in, you just want to see some glimpses of brilliance, some glimpses of understanding of the game,\u201d Cronk added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey don\u2019t need to set up 10 tries and score 10 in the first 20 games, but you just need to see bits and pieces of you know what\u2026the Gold Coast Titans have found what their spine might look like for the next period of time.\u201d<\/p>\n
‘They are NOT a semi-final team’ | 03:54<\/p>\n
BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR DOLPHINS AS LEGEND MAKES HUGE KATOA CALL<\/p>\n
Dolphins v Warriors, Saturday 3pm @ Suncorp Stadium<\/p>\n
The Dolphins have won their past seven matches, but according to Cooper Cronk, their biggest challenge still lies ahead.<\/p>\n
While their red-hot run of form has them sitting in third place on the NRL ladder and has strengthened their claims as a genuine finals contender, Cronk has raised questions about whether their lack of finals experience could hold them back.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Matty and Cronk, the former premiership-winning halfback suggested that while the club has a well-balanced roster made up of talent and attacking spark, they lack the \u201creal game\u201d experience that other clubs possess. <\/p>\n
For example, the other teams in the top four – Panthers, Warriors and Roosters – are familiar with September football, having all featured regularly in recent finals campaigns, and their playing group understands the difference between finals footy and the regular season.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Felise Kaufusi stands out as the only player at the Dolphins who has genuine finals experience, having featured in multiple deep finals runs during his time at the Storm.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are well balanced, they\u2019re a good team, they have individual brilliance… but are they a team that lacks enough real game, genuine experience to win a comp over someone that\u2019s been there four times like Penrith?\u201d Cronk said on Matty and Cronk.<\/p>\n
\u201cFelise Kaufusi is the only one that has really, truly done it a number of times. <\/p>\n
\u201cI hope I\u2019m wrong because I don\u2019t believe in this theory that you have to lose one to win one, but do they have enough experience to walk into Penrith in a prelim final or grand final and get a 10 out of 10 performance?\u201d<\/p>\n
NRL 2026 RD02 Dolphins v Gold Coast Titans – Connelly Lemuelu \/Source: Supplied<\/p>\n
However, Cronk hopes his assumption is wrong.<\/p>\n
And believes that if one team is to surprise the Penrith Panthers in the NRL Finals series, it could very well be the Dolphins who have the ability to score in rapid bursts.<\/p>\n
In their last six matches, they\u2019ve averaged 38 points a game, scored seven tries per game and made eight line-breaks per game while conceding just 15 points per outing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there is a team\u2019s attack that can break down the best defensive team in Penrith,\u201d Cronk added.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause let\u2019s be fair, if you want to win this competition, you have to beat Penrith at some stage, they do have it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have this attack that can literally tear you apart in quick succession.\u201d<\/p>\n
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 12: Isaiya Katoa of the Dolphins kicks the ball during the round 15 NRL match between Dolphins and Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium, on June 12, 2026, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
This comes as both Cronk and Matthew Johns made a startling call on their halfback, Isaiya Katoa.<\/p>\n
Johns described him as a \u201clot older than his birth certificate\u201d while the former Queensland Maroons half predicted that \u201cone day he\u2019ll be the smartest player in the competition\u201d.<\/p>\n
Their glowing assessment of Katoa highlights the extraordinary rise of the young halfback who has established himself as one of the NRL\u2019s best halves despite still being at the start of his career.<\/p>\n
Only 22 years of age, he is already carrying the responsibility of steering the Dolphins around the park and his composure, intelligence and kicking game has drawn a ton of praise throughout the rugby league world.<\/p>\n
ONE \u2018CONCERN\u2019 FOR SEA EAGLES IN FINALS<\/p>\n
Sea Eagles v Storm, Saturday 7:35pm @ 4 Pines Park<\/p>\n
In 2025, Jamal Fogarty was in career-best form as he helped lead an inexperienced Canberra Raiders roster to the Minor Premiership<\/p>\n
A season later, he brought the same steady influence to the Manly Sea Eagles and has formed a steady halves partnership alongside Luke Brooks, which has seen them rise to the top of the ladder.<\/p>\n
While his playmaking ability is underrated and he possesses one of the most reliable kicking games in the competition, questions have continued to linger around his ability to deliver in clutch moments.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s had a great year for Manly. One of the knocks on Jamal was late last year for Canberra (with) icing matches and winning big games,\u201d Braith Anasta said on NRL 360.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always said this year, even him and Brooks have been incredible for Manly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut my concern is when they get to the finals, do they have the X-factor and the nous and the ability to get them over the line in big games, and especially close ones.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jamal Fogarty struggled to ice the game. (Photo by Jason McCawley\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
That concern was brought into focus in the Sea Eagles\u2019 loss to the Canterbury Bulldogs last week when Fogarty failed to have ample opportunities to ice the game but couldn\u2019t execute when it mattered most.<\/p>\n
This included a late field-goal chance that went begging despite the halfback being directly in front of the posts and the Bulldogs applying little pressure.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought they waited too late,\u201d Greg Alexander said on NRL 360.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought in a game where tries were pretty tough to come by they could have taken a field goal when they were in position well before the mad rush (to kick a field goal). <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen they did get themselves in a position to kick a field goal, they didn\u2019t actually get themselves \u2014 the individuals \u2014 in a position… they should have clinched the game before fulltime.\u201d<\/p>\n
Could Brooks be the answer?Source: Supplied Source Known<\/p>\n
Yet to consistently show his ability to ice a contest, his failures in those big moments go back to last year\u2019s finals series when Canberra exited in straight sets.<\/p>\n
In those matches, Fogarty was far less influential than in the regular season and failed to stand up and deliver – something that has followed him to the Northern Beaches.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s too obvious where it was going. Luke Brooks was there. He\u2019s kicked more field goals in his career than Jamal Fogarty,\u201d Code Sports reporter Brent Read said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you knew Luke Brooks wasn\u2019t getting that ball. That ball was always going to Jamal Fogarty. That\u2019s execution, right? <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve just got to set up that play better where the defence thinks Luke Brooks is an option because that buys you a little bit more time.\u201d<\/p>\n
‘Needed to get out of Brisbane’ | 03:49<\/p>\n
CANBERRA\u2019S \u2018CRAZY\u2019 FALL FROM GRACE LAID BARE<\/p>\n
Raiders v Dragons, Sunday 2pm @ GIO Stadium<\/p>\n
Stunningly, 12 months after collecting a shock minor premiership, the Raiders are set to miss the top eight entirely. <\/p>\n
Unless Canberra can pull off a miracle and win nine of their last ten games, the Raiders will be on the outside looking in this September. <\/p>\n
NRL360 host Braith Anasta has labelled it a \u201ccrazy fall from grace\u201d.<\/p>\n
While it\u2019s far from the only reason, the halves have to cop some blame for the club\u2019s regression.<\/p>\n
And it\u2019s perhaps unfair given halfback Ethan Sanders is effectively in the midst of his rookie season, but it\u2019s clear that without Jamal Fogarty, the Raiders haven\u2019t looked nearly as polished.<\/p>\n
It begs the question: did the Raiders make the right call letting Fogarty go?<\/p>\n
While the early results in the Sanders era haven\u2019t been ideal for Canberra, legendary halfback Cooper Cronk thinks there\u2019s enough to suggest the Raiders made the right call in replacing Fogarty with a young talent like Sanders.<\/p>\n
It\u2019ll just mean Raiders fans will have to deal with a little pain before seeing some gain.<\/p>\n
The Raiders have struggled this year. (Photo by Daniel Pockett\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cWe saw another rookie halfback Zane Harrison kick a game-winning field goal last weekend. Ethan Sanders did something similar in Round 1 right? So there\u2019s enough in his game in terms of managing, he\u2019s got a good kicking game, he shows and runs the ball,\u201d Cronk told foxsports.com.au.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe way that Canberra were playing, he was playing like a Nathan Cleary style attack where he\u2019s playing both sides and sometimes running around a bit chaotic can throw you out of your rhythm a little bit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s probably more upside to Sanders in two to five years than there is in Jamal Fogarty. So I can understand (why they went with Sanders).<\/p>\n
\u201cBut look, winning is everything, and I think Sanders has it. I think Sanders has enough there that says Ricky Stuart can mentor this young half and turn him into something.\u201d<\/p>\n
The halves may be one factor, but according to Cronk and Fox League\u2019s Greg Alexander, another reason for Canberra\u2019s stunning fall is due to several young players taking a step back in 2026 after overachieving last season.<\/p>\n
Kaeo Weekes was sensational last season but hasn\u2019t been as consistent this year.<\/p>\n
In addition, a lot went right last season but in 2026, injuries have played their part and they\u2019ve lost a few close contests.<\/p>\n
Ricky irate after blown Raiders lead | 05:56<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been some players that have just gone off the boil a little bit,\u201d Alexander said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Jamal Fogarty factor, whether you think that has affected the side, obviously it has. All those little things added up. <\/p>\n
\u201cPlayers playing on other different sides, Ethan Strange playing on the right for a good chunk of the year not with Hudson Young, that\u2019s probably had an effect. <\/p>\n
\u201cKaeo Weekes finds it hard to get himself involved in the game, yet he\u2019s one of the most dangerous ball runner we\u2019ve got. He sits on the left side of the field, doesn\u2019t get involved in anything else. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you add that all up the competition\u2019s too close and you take away those little percentage things out of the Canberra game, that\u2019s why they\u2019re sitting where they are.<\/p>\n
Cronk said: \u201cIt\u2019s obviously disappointing… They want to be higher up the ladder than what they are, but I don\u2019t think that\u2019s because of the halfback. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s because defensively they\u2019ve dropped their game, but individually they all had career best seasons last year and unless you\u2019re willing to work harder than the year before. I\u2019m not saying that they\u2019re not working harder, it\u2019s just a challenge for young players to improve on what was already a career best year.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Raiders\u2019 stunning fall from grace has been laid bare while one NRL great has offered his take…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":757902,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[568],"tags":[64,63,761,762,158,85],"class_list":["post-757901","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nrl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-national-rugby-league","tag-nationalrugbyleague","tag-nrl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/757901","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=757901"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/757901\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/757902"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=757901"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=757901"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=757901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}