ROUND 6 of the NRL dished up another week of upsets and blown out scorelines, yet every game had its highlight! Let’s take a look.
Bulldogs v Panthers.
The Bulldogs pulled off the upset of the round – and maybe the year thus far – with a dominant display against the high-flying Panthers winning 32-16. Nobody (except Dogs fans) saw this coming. For the Bulldogs Jacob Preston and Lachlan Galvin were excellent, as was recalled centre Bronson Xerri. For the Panthers ‘the Milky bar kid’ Tom Jenkins scored another double to take his tally to 14 tries scored this season.
Dragons v Manly.
The Dragon’s woes continued last Friday night when their season went from bad to worse with a 28-18 loss to Manly making it a 0-6 start to their season. And counting their last 4 games in 2025 that’s zero wins from their past 10 games! At time of writing the Dragons have a hastily convened board meeting where the future of coach Shane Flanagan remains fragile.
Broncos v Cowboys.
In an entertaining QLD contest ‘little brother’ North Queensland got the job done 35 to 31. Ironically in our game’s 117 year history that’s the first time that scoreline has ever been registered. The Cowboys have now won 4 in a row and sit in 4th spot. This, after their coach Todd Payten was considered the first coach to face the chopping block after an 0-2 start to the year. For the Broncos, their significant injury toll was evident yet they still nearly prevailed.
Rabbitohs v Raiders.
For the first of the ‘double-headers’ in Perth, the Raiders scored the try of the season when fullback Kaeo Weekes went the near length of the field a metre out from his own goal line to score in the 64th minute. The 36-34 win to the Raiders was much needed as the Rabbits staged a mighty comeback whilst trailing 24-4 at halftime.
Sharks v Roosters.
In the second of the Perth matches, the Roosters took on the Sharks with the winner finding themselves in the top 8 after the completion of the round. That was the Roosters, taking the spoils 34-22. Although in a losing team, Sharks Blayke Brailey was superb, doing everything he could to get his team the victory. But the Sam Walker, Daley Cherry-Evans, and James Tedesco trio proved too good for the Sharks who now sit 10th, while the Chooks are 8th.
Storm v Warriors.
I reckon most league lovers never saw the Melbourne Storm losing 4 games in a row this season coming! I know I didn’t! But after being spanked 38-14 by the NZ Warriors, it’s officially panic stations in Victoria as Craig Bellamy’s men sit in 13th position on the ladder after 6 rounds. NZ’s prop Jackson Ford continues to impress and now leads the Dally M’s again.
Eels v Titans.
The injury ravaged Eels seemed to make that as their excuse for their worst performance of the season. It wasn’t just the loss and by how many to the lowly placed Titans (losing 52-10) that caused the most worries, it was in the manner they capitulated that is the drama for Eels fans and their coach Jason Ryles. Conceding 9 tries and 43 missed tackles is all about effort, and Parramatta gave zero! Keano Kini and Jayden Campbell were excellent for the Titans.
Tigers v Knights.
In what was anticipated as a ‘top of the table’ clash, only one team turned up. And that was the home team, the Tigers. Winning comfortably, they’re now sitting atop the premiership table with Penrith on 10 points after 6 rounds. The 42-22 scoreline probably flattered the Knights who quite simply were outplayed in every facet.
The Tigers next game this Saturday night against the Broncos is must see and you’d expect nothing but a sell-out!
MG (random Westie) OAM
