![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n
One team fighting to stay in touch with the top eight is the Tigers and they have found themselves in the headlines for the wrong reasons.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs, on the other hand, are on an upwards trajectory after a drama-filled start to the year. Buw how sustainable is their success? <\/p>\n
Read on for a full preview of the Round 19 action in our latest NRL Talking Points!<\/p>\n
\u2018HE\u2019S BEEN MISSING\u2019: WHY PRESSURE IS ON TIGERS\u2019 $1.2M MAN<\/p>\n
Wests Tigers v NZ Warriors, Friday 8pm @ Campbelltown Stadium<\/p>\n
It\u2019s time for Jarome Luai to do what he\u2019s paid to do.<\/p>\n
The four-time premiership winner was brought to the Wests Tigers to lead them to the finals for the first time since 2011, and on Friday night he\u2019ll be under plenty of pressure to deliver in a must-win game against the Warriors at Campbelltown.<\/p>\n
That is only even more true after Thursday night\u2019s bombshell news<\/a> that he is expected to leave the club at the end of the year.<\/p>\n Luai to leave Tigers 12-months early | 04:22<\/p>\n The Tigers were touted by some as a top-four side after they won five of their first seven games to kick off the season, but the wheels have fallen off since.<\/p>\n They\u2019ve won just two of their past nine games and have dropped from second to 12th on the ladder.<\/p>\n A 24-10 loss last week to wooden spoon favourites St George Illawarra was one of their worst performances of the season.<\/p>\n Speaking on NRL 360, journalist Dave Riccio slammed the Tigers for missing a golden chance to secure a win against the lowly Dragons.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought they let their fans down terribly last week against St George Illawarra. This is a club that\u2019s trying to keep their finals chances alive and I thought their attitude was poor,\u201d Riccio said.<\/p>\n \u201cBenji (Marshall) talked about how, tactically, they just played side-to-side footy and failed to play direct.<\/p>\n \u201cThey looked lost at times in attack, and arguably over the last two weeks, if it\u2019s not for Adam Doueihi, it\u2019s basically no-one.\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 Adam Doueihi of the Tigers looks dejected. (Photo by Brett Hemmings\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n Riccio put the pressure on Luai to return from a concussion layoff and justify his $1.2 million-a-season pay cheque.<\/p>\n \u201cJarome Luai returns to this team to tackle the Warriors at Campbelltown. If we don\u2019t see some type of fight in this Tigers team, I\u2019ll be stunned because they\u2019ve got no other choice,\u201d Riccio said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have to fight for everything this weekend and it\u2019s now on Jarome Luai. This is the million-dollar man.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been missing for a number of games this year and this is the game where he\u2019s paid to stand up and deliver to keep the Tigers\u2019 hopes alive.\u201d<\/p>\n The Tigers sit two wins outside the top eight and play at home only three more times in the final eight rounds, finishing the season against Penrith at CommBank Stadium.<\/p>\n Along with Penrith, they play only two other sides who are currently in the top eight, so there\u2019s a real opportunity for the Tigers to finish the season as strongly as they started it.<\/p>\n They need to win at least six of their final eight games to break their finals drought.<\/p>\n But it won\u2019t happen if they continue to make schoolboy errors, according to journalist Paul Crawley, who compared the Tigers to the Rabbitohs, saying both clubs struggle to get the fundamentals right.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat lets the Tigers down is their discipline. All those penalties add up, and the dropped balls,\u201d Crawley said.<\/p>\n \u201cBlokes are getting paid $400,000 and $500,000 a year and can\u2019t play the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n Can crocked Tigers revive finals hopes? | 03:37<\/p>\n \u2018HONEST\u2019 QUESTION GOES TO HEART OF BIGGEST SHARKS PROBLEM<\/p>\n Dolphins v Cronulla Sharks, Saturday 3pm @ Kayo Stadium<\/p>\n There aren\u2019t many hotter teams in the NRL at the moment than the Sharks, yet it\u2019s fair to say that they aren\u2019t receiving the respect they deserve.<\/p>\n Cue the eye rolls from Cronulla fans. A lack of respect has been par for course for this club over the past few years.<\/p>\n A tough team to gauge at times, the Sharks have won five of their last six games to sit sixth and just two points behind the second-placed Warriors.<\/p>\n At the moment, their form is hard to knock, but what we\u2019ve learned about this side is that a poor performance or shock loss is just around the corner.<\/p>\n Hence, they simply aren\u2019t taken seriously as premiership threats. <\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s be honest, they\u2019re trying to earn respect from everyone. Does anyone think they can win a comp?\u201d NRL 360 host Braith Anasta asked the show\u2019s Monday night panel.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are difficult to get a read on. Because they have a great win and then they don\u2019t turn up. It\u2019s very frustrating,\u201d journalist Brent Read replied.<\/p>\n \u201cAt their very best, they can give the good teams a shake but the fact is you\u2019ve got to be at your best in September for three weeks in a row. That\u2019s the challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n Nicho Hynes was in a mood against the Broncos. In that sort of form, the Sharks will be ateam that\u2019s hard to beat.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n The eye test suggests that they are a little bit off the likes of Penrith, but this weekend will provide a great litmus test.<\/p>\n Cronulla will take on the Dolphins in a Saturday afternoon blockbuster. A win could elevate them into the top four. <\/p>\n After the Dolphins though, the run home looks very favourable for the Sharks. <\/p>\n Their final five games of the season are all against teams currently below them on the premiership ladder. <\/p>\n If they finish with a flurry like they probably should, the all-important spine will be key.<\/p>\n Nicho Hynes was sensational against Brisbane, taking the line on and setting up two tries. <\/p>\n He\u2019s crucial to Cronulla\u2019s success, but it\u2019s clear his role has \u201cshifted\u201d in the past season or so as The Daily Telegraph\u2019s Michael Carayannis noted on NRL360.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s obviously been a shift and it\u2019s slowly happened over the past season or so but Braydon Trindall is their premier playmaker now. Forgot the numbers on the back, Trindall is running the side,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut if the Sharks are going to do anything in this competition, Nicho has to play like he did against the Broncos. I thought he was outstanding. It was easily his best game of the season,\u201d Anasta added.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you\u2019re a half and out of form, it is running the ball because often when you run as a big half like Nicho is, you attract two or three defenders and that\u2019s when the gaps open up.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen he\u2019s playing well, Brailey playing well, Trindall playing well, they\u2019re a really dangerous football team. If they\u2019re not in the top tier, they\u2019re just below that top tier.\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 Fitz praises dominant Sharks halves | 04:22<\/p>\n THE BULLDOGS ARE BACK… BUT THERE\u2019S A BIG QUESTION TO BE ASKED<\/p>\n Bulldogs v Canberra Raiders, Saturday 5:30pm @ Accor Stadium<\/p>\n Cameron Ciraldo\u2019s continuous tinkering with his spine has caused all sorts of debate in rugby league circles this season but can his current, unconventional, formation really take them towards a premiership?<\/p>\n The Bulldogs have heavily reshuffled their spine in 2026 to address their struggling attack.<\/p>\n After losing seven of eight games, they turned a corner after moving Stephen Crichton to five-eighth while Matt Burton shifted to the centres.<\/p>\n The captain is a genuine centre, but his natural ability has seen him fit in well at five-eighth. With four wins from their past five games, the Bulldogs have given themselves a shot at sneaking into the finals.<\/p>\n Fox Sports commentator and former State of Origin hooker Michael Ennis said Canterbury\u2019s recent form has also coincided with a return to their tenacious defence.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no doubt that we\u2019re starting to see that real quality energy shift in their defensive line again, which I think was pivotal to their improvement over the last couple of years under Cameron,\u201d Ennis said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the evidence is that their defence is as good as any in the competition when they\u2019re on.\u201d<\/p>\n Crichton has impressed since making the move. (Photo by Jason McCawley\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n The Bulldogs bottomed out in Round 13 when they sat 14th on the ladder, but Crichton\u2019s move to the halves has helped them shoot back up to 10th, just one win outside the top eight.<\/p>\n \u201cCrichton going to six, as much as I don\u2019t think it\u2019s a long-term thing, it\u2019s definitely got him closer to the footy,\u201d Ennis said.<\/p>\n \u201cSome of his variation and the attacking raids that he\u2019s put together over the last few weeks have been really impressive.\u201d<\/p>\n Ennis questioned if the current spine of Connor Tracey, Crichton, Lachlan Galvin and Bailey Hayward would remain for the rest of the season.<\/p>\n \u201cThe challenge for the Dogs is the seven and six. The creativity close to the line is what\u2019s separating those top sides and the Dogs,\u201d Ennis said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m still not sure that that\u2019s their best spine come finals time if they\u2019re able to get there. I still think Matt Burton is their best option at five-eighth.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will be interesting to see where they transition, towards the finals as they try to make their run.\u201d<\/p>\n Critta at 6 continues Dogs win-streak | 02:24<\/p>\n Despite the renewed form since Crichton partnered Galvin in the halves, Ennis says there\u2019s one big question mark hanging over Canterbury\u2019s premiership credentials.<\/p>\n While he praised their defence, only the Dragons have a worse attack than the Bulldogs, who have scored just 18.4 points per game this season.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just whether their attack can be potent enough to upset the top sides in the big games,\u201d Ennis said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe thing that gives you hope is that they did do that against Penrith. So it\u2019s just a matter of whether they can consistently do that or whether that\u2019s just going to be looked back on this year as a one-off.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the question mark, I suppose, that is around the Dogs at the moment because of the rotating of their spine.\u201d<\/p>\n Star backrower Jacob Preston has been named on an extended bench this week after suffering a fractured arm in Round 12.<\/p>\n Prior to that, he and Galvin were forming a lethal combination on the right edge.<\/p>\n \u201cHe (Preston) was right in selection for State of Origin and cruel injury got him at a rough time of year,\u201d Ennis said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe runs a great line and he seems to really straighten up Lachie Galvin on that right-hand side of the field.\u201d<\/p>\n Canterbury plays Canberra at Accor Stadium on Saturday.<\/p>\n Where does Xerri departure leave Burton? | 07:57<\/p>\n BABY EELS EAGER TO EMPLOY RYLES\u2019 DEFENSIVE BLUEPRINT<\/p>\n Sydney Roosters v Parramatta Eels, Saturday 7:35pm @ Allianz Stadium<\/p>\n \u2018Trust the process\u2019 has become something of a throwaway phrase in modern rugby league vernacular, but it is holding increasing merit at Parramatta as the season wears on.<\/p>\n Amid one of the worst injury tolls in the competition, there\u2019s an argument to say Jason Ryles\u2019 unwavering patience as coach is beginning to bear fruit with two wins in the Eels\u2019 past three games, as well as crucial game experience for the squad\u2019s emerging players.<\/p>\n However, a major test looms in the Eels\u2019 Round 19 clash against the Roosters on Saturday.<\/p>\n According to Fox League\u2019s Luke Keary, the game of patience at the Eels is a worthwhile one regardless of short-term results.<\/p>\n \u201cI think everybody\u2019s finding it difficult to kind of judge where they\u2019re at. No one\u2019s really been too critical of them because of the turnover and the injuries, and I think Ryles made it pretty clear when he got there that he was going to go with a youth policy and they needed time,\u201d the former Roosters playmaker said.<\/p>\n More than anything, it is the Eels\u2019 defence which is proving the difference in their successful games. Ryles would have been happy with his side\u2019s fortress-like structures during a frenetic opening 20 minutes from Manly last week.<\/p>\n According to five-eighth Ronald Volkman, defence has been a tangible focus throughout much of the year including the pre-season.<\/p>\n \u201cIt has come from our coach, Jason Ryles,\u201d Volkman said. \u201cHe\u2019s really big on defence, he\u2019s really big on effort, and I think we\u2019ve been showcasing that throughout the season this year.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s always said that our fight and effort will always keep us in the games but sometimes it won\u2019t win us the games. Sometimes we make errors and things like that, but I bring it back to our defence: we take pride in that and that\u2019s something that we want to hold onto moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n Eels shock Manly in major upset | 03:20<\/p>\n The defensive mindset is summed up nicely in Jonah Pezet\u2019s return to first grade. The 23-year-old hadn\u2019t played an NRL game since Round 5, and according to Ryles it was Pezet\u2019s defence and kicking that needed to improve before he found his way back into the starting side.<\/p>\n \u201cHis big focus \u2013 obviously he\u2019s had a bit of time out and he\u2019s had to work really hard to get himself back \u2013 was to defend well and to kick well. He\u2019s done that,\u201d Ryles said of Pezet following his breakout performance against Manly.<\/p>\n Volkman said that by improving his individual defensive efforts via Ryles and Eels defensive coach Sam Moa, he was able to build his game and offer more confidence in attack \u2013 a statement that you could argue is representative of the entire Eels side.<\/p>\n \u201cThe defence stuff over the past few weeks, we\u2019ve really doubled down on it and Sammy Moa has been a big part of that in the wrestle room \u2013 pulling boys aside showing them how to do things,\u201d Volkman said.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t talk highly enough about this guy, he has helped me a lot with confidence in defence. I still need to get some technique right, I\u2019m still going up there trying to put a shot on with no technique. But he has helped me a lot, he\u2019s one of those guys that puts confidence in myself.\u201d<\/p>\n Interestingly, the Eels spine that took on Manly last week boasted just 116 NRL games between them ahead of the match \u2013 less than Manly half Jamal Fogarty individually (131 games).<\/p>\n Pezet had a blinder in his first game back, while Volkman \u2013 whose long-term future beyond October remains unclear \u2013 proved once again why his services should remain in the NRL. Or more specifically, at the Eels.<\/p>\n While the Eels have been granted some grace for 2026, Keary argued they need to get their skates on for recruitment ahead of 2027 \u2013 already losing Pezet to Brisbane, and with no landmark signings confirmed for next year.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d probably be more inclined in 12 months\u2019 time, let\u2019s see where they\u2019re at. I think everyone will know if they have improved… is this club is moving in the right direction and have they invested in the right people? Because at the moment it\u2019s hard to see what it\u2019s going to look like in six months, let alone 12,\u201d Keary said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re going to have to sign some players for next year. They\u2019ve got to. There\u2019s obviously not enough there to compete.\u201d<\/p>\n The Eels had a big win last week. Picture: NRL Photos,Source: Supplied Source Known<\/p>\n NRL THROWS A MAMMOTH PARTY FOR JAI<\/p>\n South Sydney Rabbitohs v Newcastle Knights, Sunday 2pm @ Accor Stadium<\/p>\n As a player, it is said that Jai Arrow had your back like few other teammates.<\/p>\n Now, the NRL world is getting ready to have his, with an anticipated 30,000 people planning to help celebrate the star\u2019s 31st birthday following his recent motor neurone disease (MND) diagnosis.<\/p>\n The league is throwing The World\u2019s Biggest Birthday Party for Arrow when the Rabbitohs host the Newcastle Knights on Sunday at Accor Stadium. <\/p>\n The event will serve as the centrepiece to the ongoing \u201cStand with Jai\u201d initiative<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fans are being encouraged to attend the Round 19 fixture, which will include a half-time show by the Wiggles and a rare opportunity for fans to take to the field after the match.<\/p>\n