New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\nRead on for that and more in the latest edition of NRL Talking Points!<\/p>\n
WHY BENJI\u2019S BIG CALL ACTUALLY PUTS MORE HEAT ON DOUEIHI<\/p>\n
Wests Tigers vs Parramatta Eels, Sunday 4.05pm @ CommBank Stadium<\/p>\n
The Tigers have had to wade through more turmoil than any team in the NRL over the past few years. <\/p>\n
Now, Benji Marshall and Adam Doueihi have seemingly kissed and made up after Doueihi withdrew from the Tigers\u2019 clash against Canberra last weekend.<\/p>\n
But it will be interesting to see how the star halfback responds after being recalled to play the Eels in the No. 7 jersey.<\/p>\n
It is an intriguing move from coach Marshall.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s understood Doueihi wasn\u2019t pleased with Marshall\u2019s suggestion to play lock against Canberra to accommodate young gun Javon Andrews.<\/p>\n
Speaking before teams were announced on Tuesday, premiership winning half Cooper Cronk believed Marshall should\u2019ve held firm in his decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I\u2019m Benji Marshall, I\u2019m picking him at 13 again this week,\u201d Cronk said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe wouldn\u2019t have lasted in the cultures I was in, but if there was some type of coming back to the fold, I\u2019m putting him straight back into 13 and saying \u2018let\u2019s go to let\u2019s go do it together\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
Naming Doueihi at lock again was a sentiment that Fox League\u2019s Matty Johns agreed with, believing that the halfback role puts more pressure on the 27-year-old.<\/p>\n
\u201cI actually think that would have been common sense. If I was Benji and I was in that meeting I would have said, \u2018Look Adam, I need you to play this 13 role\u2019,\u201d Johns said on SEN radio.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, Adam going to seven actually puts a lot of pressure on Adam this week because the perception is he got his way.<\/p>\n
\u201cRegardless of what took place in the meeting, that is the perception so Tigers fans will rightfully sitting in the stands this week going, \u2018OK, you show us what you\u2019ve got\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
Benji: “We’ve Sorted Things Out” | 11:42<\/p>\n
During their press conferences on Wednesday morning, Marshall admitted there was a difference in opinion about a number of issues at the club while a contrite Doueihi apologised for leaving his coach and team high and dry.<\/p>\n
Importantly though, both reaffirmed how much they love the club and respect each other, with Doueihi refuting reports he wants out before his deal ends in 2029.<\/p>\n
So, now that this latest saga is seemingly over with, will the Tigers be able to put it behind them and turn their form around?<\/p>\n
Finals are no longer possible after a promising start to the season but if the club can finish the year strong following a torrid rough patch, it\u2019ll put smiles on the club\u2019s diehard fanbase.<\/p>\n
Ex-NRL prop Tim Mannah is confident Doueihi will be able to make amends on the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cKnowing Adam, there\u2019s every chance he goes out against the Eels and blitzes them,\u201d Mannah said on NRL Tonight.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s the type of player who can block out the noise.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has confidence and he\u2019s sure of himself and I think he\u2019ll have a great game this Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the dilemma appears to be sorted for now, these past few days took a toll on Marshall.<\/p>\n
Since taking over the top job, he has shown at times that he has what it takes to be a successful coach in the NRL.<\/p>\n
Adam Doueihi and Benji Marshall pictured attending a training session at Concord Oval on Tuesday morning. Picture: Nathan SmithSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n
However, as he noted on Wednesday, things haven\u2019t been easy for him.<\/p>\n
In addition to the Doueihi saga, he\u2019s had to deal with the Lachlan Galvin mess, Jarome Luai\u2019s early departure, board room dramas as well as questions about his suitability to the role.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think anyone has had this baptism of fire to start their career but I knew it\u2019d be challenging and it has been,\u201d Marshall admitted.<\/p>\n
One of the big questions that remain is what Marshall has to do, if anything, to turn things around at the Tigers.<\/p>\n
There have been some promising signs in 2026 but it seems all that good work has been undone over the past three months.<\/p>\n
The Tigers\u2019 struggles on the field coupled with the numerous off-field problems led to one reporter asking if Marshall needs experience around him.<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t throw any of his staff under the bus but his answer was interesting. It seemed to indicate it\u2019ll be something he considers this off-season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s probably a good question but I have a fair bit now with Brett Hodgson and John Morris. I don\u2019t feel like it\u2019s an issue and it wasn\u2019t after ten rounds, but given the last few weeks it probably looks like it is.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s easy to make these assumptions on how we\u2019re going now but I feel like we\u2019ve made improvements, although it doesn\u2019t look like it now. We just need to get back to having a good performance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crawley says Tigers ‘an embarrassment!’ | 01:32<\/p>\n
HOW CLEARY PUT PANTHERS STARS \u2018ON NOTICE\u2019 WITH BOLD MOVE<\/p>\n
Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders, Saturday 5.30pm @ Glen Willow Oval<\/p>\n
The Panthers may be sitting pretty at the top of the table with another minor premiership potentially locked in, but Ivan Cleary isn\u2019t getting complacent.<\/p>\n
In fact, Penrith\u2019s coach has sent a statement to the rest of the playing group according to Matty Johns after dropping five-eighth Blaize Talagi.<\/p>\n
Penrith\u2019s left edge has been consistently targeted by opposition teams for two years now, with the Panthers conceded 23 tries down that side this season. <\/p>\n
Only the Roosters have conceded more, with the 16 tries down their right edge on the other hand being the fewest in the league.<\/p>\n
It has prompted Cleary to act, bringing back the more experienced and dependable Jack Cogger in Talagi\u2019s place. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think Ivan has run out of patience,\u201d Johns said on SEN\u2019s The Run Home with Joel and Fletch.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey would have been working really hard on Blaize from the moment he got in there and at the moment that edge, they can\u2019t shore it up… I\u2019m not surprised by it. <\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of us were saying it\u2019s just this little period after State of Origin, they\u2019re just treading water a little bit and fatigued but they\u2019ll come good. I think this is Ivan putting all the players on notice. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think this is evidence there is a little bit of concern and he\u2019s going to put fire under them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blaize Talagi has been pushed back to the six-man bench. Picture: NRL imagesSource: News Sport Network<\/p>\n
It may have been a different story if Talagi was setting the world on fire in attack, but he has also at times been indecisive and lacked execution on that side of the ball too.<\/p>\n
Of course, it is far from panic stations given Talagi is just 21 years old, although it does present an interesting dilemma for Penrith long-term as he is off-contract at the end of next year.<\/p>\n
Talagi is one of several high-profile Panthers without a contract beyond 2027, leaving the club facing a delicate balancing act given he is likely to command plenty of interest on the open market. <\/p>\n
Now, the Panthers can still believe in him long-term while also thinking this is the right move both for the team right now and Talagi in getting his confidence back.<\/p>\n
Panthers great Greg Alexander held that view when asked by foxsports.com.au whether he thinks Talagi will return to first grade before the finals.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure he will be. Blaize has had a very good year. I think it\u2019s just Penrith have gone through a difficult period through Origin… I think it\u2019s just Ivan\u2019s way of just taking a bit of pressure off the team and Blaize,\u201d Alexander said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has become sort of the focal point and I think just relieving that pressure, getting him to have a run in New South Wales Cup, get a bit of confidence back, play at a bit slower pace… that makes sense. I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll see Blaize back in the side.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ivan Cleary made a tough call. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Johns though said one of the trickier parts of coaching is making sure you are holding underperforming players accountable, so as to send the right message to those fringe players on the verge of an NRL recall.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019ve got so much depth in the squad if someone is struggling a little bit, eventually you\u2019ve got to put another bloke in,\u201d Johns said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re going to break blokes\u2019 hearts below them if basically blokes are struggling and there\u2019s no change. Eventually you\u2019ve got to make that change or you\u2019re going to lose them.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the case of Cogger there is no threat of that at least, with the veteran half contracted to the Panthers until the end of the 2028 season.<\/p>\n
Ivan reflects on ‘first comeback’ win | 06:54<\/p>\n
\u2018WENT THROUGH THE ROOF\u2019: THE FORGOTTEN PART IN TEDESCO\u2019S RISE<\/p>\n
North Queensland Cowboys vs Sydney Roosters, Thursday 7.50pm @ Queensland Country Bank Stadium<\/p>\n
Who is the most important player in the Roosters team?<\/p>\n
Generally it\u2019s the halfback, particularly when the No. 7 is a State of Origin half.<\/p>\n
But that\u2019s not the case at the Roosters despite the fact their halves pairing of Daly Cherry-Evans and Sam Walker are past and current Queensland halfbacks. <\/p>\n
In fact, Matthew Johns has labelled \u201celements\u201d of the Roosters attack \u201creally inconsistent\u201d and said a lot of it comes back to the fact both their halves are \u201cvery unorthodox\u201d and \u201creactive\u201d players.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnpredictability sometimes can really work for you, but other times it makes it difficult for teammates,\u201d Johns said on the Matty & Cronk podcast. <\/p>\n
That\u2019s why Cooper Cronk thinks Roosters champion fullback James Tedesco is the most important player at the club. <\/p>\n
He said it was noticeable in the narrow win over the Storm when Tedesco was watching from the sidelines.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe game against the Melbourne Storm highlighted the importance of Tedesco,\u201d Cronk said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey had enough field position, enough attacking sets, but when you don\u2019t have halves that don\u2019t engage the line consistently enough, defenders just sit there and slide off and count the numbers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Tedesco gets the ball, everyone\u2019s worried about Tedesco running. And that causes defences to do things.\u201d<\/p>\n
James Tedesco has gone to another level. NRL PHOTOSSource: The Daily Telegraph<\/p>\n
Johns described Tedesco\u2019s running game as \u201cfreakish\u201d, while Cronk even claimed Tedesco has reorganised the way fullbacks play.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe gets to first receiver in around midfield, and then he\u2019s got the ability to get a couple of passes wider,\u201d Cronk said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo he\u2019ll attack you from anywhere, and he is absolutely key because if the Roosters halves don\u2019t engage the line or play a little bit sideways before they should, (Victor) Radley and Tedesco are the two players that will take the line on.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeano Kini was doing it, where he\u2019ll get to first receiver off the fifth play. There\u2019s either a little shift to create momentum or they run to get a quick play-the-ball for the kick to happen on the last play, but then they\u2019re still throwing the cut-out pass to the winger in the red zone. Tedesco\u2019s doing it all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Braith says DCE should quit Roosters | 01:07<\/p>\n
But the most impressive part of Tedesco\u2019s game is the fact he is only getting better with age where with most players, their effectiveness \u2014 especially as a pure runner \u2014 diminishes the older they get. <\/p>\n
It has in many ways been the opposite for Tedesco and for Cronk, it is evidence of how the Roosters fullback transformed his game \u2014 both on and off the field \u2014 since leaving the Tigers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you go back to his Tigers day he had some big injuries to the point you thought is he ever going to get to the level or potential (he should)… he arrives at the Roosters at the same time as me,\u201d Cronk said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got Trent Robinson and Travis Touma, guys who really put a lot of time and effort into preparation and his professionalism, from my understanding, went through the roof. <\/p>\n
\u201cNow all of a sudden he\u2019s hardly ever missed a game, he\u2019s 30-odd getting better, to the point that most people slow down at the age he\u2019s at. If anything, he\u2019s held his level.\u201d<\/p>\n
‘Know we won’t have him forever!’ | 04:36<\/p>\n
AXED STAR\u2019S HUGE RESPONSE AS COWBOYS FACE INJURY HEADACHE<\/p>\n
North Queensland Cowboys vs Sydney Roosters, Thursday 7.50pm @ Queensland Country Bank Stadium<\/p>\n
If you had told Cowboys fans at the start of the year that Tom Dearden would potentially play just 11 games, it would have been safe to assume this season would be a write-off.<\/p>\n
But the form of Jake Clifford, along with the emergence of Jaxon Purdue, still has North Queensland fans hoping for a deep finals run.<\/p>\n
And in the case of Clifford, one of the NRL\u2019s more improved players this season deserves plenty of credit for the way he responded last week in North Queensland\u2019s win over Brisbane. <\/p>\n
Despite his form this season, Clifford was benched against the Dolphins in Round 20 to accommodate the return of Dearden, who was available for the first time in months after recovering from an ankle injury.<\/p>\n
Instead of a Dearden\/Clifford halves pairing, Purdue played in the halves alongside last year\u2019s Wally Lewis Medallist. <\/p>\n
The Cowboys were outplayed that day in a 36-16 loss.<\/p>\n
Cowboys coach Todd Payten quickly conceded his error and recalled Clifford for the Broncos clash.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately for North Queensland, Dearden\u2019s poor injury luck continued.<\/p>\n
Just 24 hours before kick off, Dearden was ruled out of the Queensland Derby because of a fresh injury blow. <\/p>\n
Dearden suffered a muscle avulsion tear in his leg, which will keep him sidelined until Round 26 at least. <\/p>\n
Instead, Clifford partnered Purdue in the halves against Brisbane and led the Cowboys to a much-needed win against a desperate opponent.<\/p>\n
Fox League\u2019s Matty Johns praised the way Clifford responded to the adversity, while Cooper Cronk compared it to the Adam Doueihi saga at the Tigers.<\/p>\n
Clifford is back in the fold. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cWell done to Jake Clifford,\u201d Johns said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI thought, oh, how\u2019s he going to react to this? He didn\u2019t whinge he just got on with it and came back and was sensational.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfairly dropped in my opinion. I thought that was really tough what Toddy did on him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe could have done exactly the same thing (as Doueihi). He could have done exactly the same thing,\u201d Cronk added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat point around him being dropped, I thought, \u2018oh that\u2019s unfair\u2019. But he didn\u2019t spit the dummy out. He didn\u2019t go to the coach and say, \u2018I\u2019m not playing this weekend\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cHe took his medicine, he got his chance the next week, and has just repaid the Cowboys.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clifford has stood up sans Dearden on several occasions this season, so being this team\u2019s chief playmaker isn\u2019t foreign to him.<\/p>\n
His form even led to chatter of a potential Maroons jersey.<\/p>\n
However, with Dearden in doubt of being back in time for the finals, Clifford won\u2019t be able to put much of a foot wrong. <\/p>\n
He\u2019ll need to do all the basics really well. Kicking and tackling. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe needs to be in the halves for the Cowboys going forward,\u201d Cronk said. <\/p>\n
\u201cJake Clifford, some of his long kicking games, he turns an average set into a good one because of the depth of his kick.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe scored that try before halftime, but the bigger play, he chased down Reece Walsh, he didn\u2019t stop and watch. He took off and tackled him into touch.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cowboys firming for 2026 finals spot | 04:09<\/p>\n
STORM ENTERING \u2018MOST CHALLENGING ERA\u2019 SINCE THEY FORMED<\/p>\n
Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Friday 8pm @ AAMI Park<\/p>\n
The once bombproof Melbourne Storm are about to face one of the most important periods in their 28-year history as a number of key decisions need to be made.<\/p>\n
That starts with the future of superstar five-eighth Cameron Munster, who has been linked with a potential move to the PNG Chiefs at the end of next season \u2014 and that is just the start.<\/p>\n
For the first time in what feels like a long time, questions are also being asked of just how quickly the Storm can turn things around with the club on track to miss the finals for the first time in 16 years. <\/p>\n
Munster, Harry Grant, Xavier Coates and Eliesa Katoa among others will return from injury while Jamayne Isaako\u2019s arrival will bolster the backline, but Matty Johns believes the Storm are about the enter \u201cthe most challenging era since they came to the comp in 1998\u201d.<\/p>\n
Cooper Cronk described the Storm\u2019s season as \u201cstrange\u201d and while they\u2019ve been cruelled by injuries to key players like Katoa and Coates, they\u2019re carrying mental scars that have been too hard to overcome. <\/p>\n
\u201cLosing back-to-back grand finals mentally hurts,\u201d Cronk said. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou can get yourself back off the canvas after one, but after two, it would take a lot of resilience and a lot of mental strength to be able to do that. So I think that hurt them at the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Storm are struggling. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
The loss of edge back rower Katoa has also had dramatic effects when it comes to the side\u2019s on-field structure.<\/p>\n
Cronk explained why inexperience in the back row is a killer blow for footy teams. <\/p>\n
\u201cMelbourne Storm have always based their success around defence and the two crucial parts around a good defensive team is the back row position and the centre,\u201d Cronk said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe reason why the back row is crucial is because it connects the middle forwards to the edge. And if that back row defends well, that determines what your edge does.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then you move to their centre position. That\u2019s crucial because they\u2019re the ones that make the decision. We\u2019re either going to go outside-in and stop the ball, or we\u2019re going to go backwards and lay off.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not only Munster\u2019s immediate future that\u2019s in question.<\/p>\n
Coach Craig Bellamy is no guarantee of coaching on after it was revealed earlier this year he had been diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder. <\/p>\n
Cronk revealed he advised Bellamy to retire a few years ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was my advice,\u201d Cronk said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause there\u2019s nothing else to prove. He kept coaching because he loved having influence on young men about their football career and life.\u201d<\/p>\n
While some have predicted Bellamy\u2019s medical diagnosis will see him finish up coaching at the end of this season, Cronk has taken the opposite view. <\/p>\n
\u201cAll of a sudden, with his health situation, I would encourage him to go on because being around young guys with energy, he still gets something out of it, and it\u2019s motivating,\u201d Cronk said. <\/p>\n
Storm top 8 hopes fade losing to Souths | 03:04<\/p>\n
THE BIG PONGA \u2018CHALLENGE\u2019 FOR INJURY-HIT KNIGHTS<\/p>\n
Brisbane Broncos vs Newcastle Knights, Saturday 7.35pm @ Suncorp Stadium<\/p>\n
Whatever happens from here, the 2026 season will be a success for Newcastle.<\/p>\n
Justin Holbrook has restored pride in a town that didn\u2019t have much of it at the end of last year when the Knights slumped all the way to the wooden spoon.<\/p>\n
The arrival of a marquee recruit like Dylan Brown brought elevated expectations, but Holbrook has more than matched them in his first year in charge.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, any hope of a deep finals run appears all but gone after the Knights lost both Brown and gun back rower Dylan Lucas to season-ending injuries.<\/p>\n
Add in the injury cloud hanging over Kalyn Ponga, even if he has been named this week, and it looks like a promising year may well come to a somewhat underwhelming end.<\/p>\n
\u201cNewcastle have done all the right things up until this point. Now, there\u2019s a question mark whether they can get to September because you take Dylan Brown and Lucas out of there with Kalyn, all of a sudden they\u2019re vulnerable,\u201d Cooper Cronk said on \u2018Matty and Cronk\u2019 this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cDylan Brown is more than two points to that team. Dylan Lucas is more than two points to that team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Horror injuries ruin Newcastle’s season | 02:15<\/p>\n
While Ponga is back and as long as he is healthy will add some much-needed spark to Newcastle\u2019s attack, the challenge will be finding someone to step up alongside him.<\/p>\n
In the past the big problem for the Knights has been their over-reliance on Ponga, particularly in attacking territory.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year it was all wherever Kalyn is, double team him and force someone else to win the game, right?\u201d Cronk said. <\/p>\n
\u201cDefences are now going to do exactly the same thing. But all the good stuff that Kalyn was doing was because Dylan Brown was doing a lot of good stuff to help him with the space.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s going to be a real challenge for Newcastle to get to September now, simply because I think teams will double team Kalyn from here on out.\u201d<\/p>\n
That is the question mark once again moving forward, although Johns said this is now a \u201cbig opportunity\u201d for the dynamic Fletcher Sharpe to stand tall in Brown\u2019s absence.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s he and Kalyn\u2019s side now,\u201d Johns added. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"All eyes will be on Adam Doueihi in his return, but have the Tigers put more attention on…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":833132,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[43,44,85,41,39,42,40],"class_list":["post-833131","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-headlines","tag-headlines","tag-news","tag-sports","tag-top-news","tag-top-stories","tag-topnews","tag-topstories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/833131","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=833131"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/833131\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/833132"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=833131"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=833131"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=833131"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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