In season 2024, if you blink you’re going to risk missing the drama, controversy or excitement that accompanies every match in the NRL.

Disappointment, joy, excitement, outrage, despair – the gamut of emotions was felt by fans as Round Five and then its aftermath unfolded. Some teams are teetering on the precipice of disaster, whilst others begin to build momentum.

Time to dive into where it all went right, or wrong, for teams and players over the last week.

The Prediction

In last week’s column, I singled out the Tigers vs Dolphins game as the one to watch.

The Dolphins halted a late Tigers comeback, winning 26-16 to register their third consecutive victory and retaining their spot at the top of the ladder. With both teams completing at over 80%, the match was full of quality football.

For the Tigers, Latu Fainu made his debut as they continue to showcase the players who will drive their future.

Josh Schuster

Manly made headlines after granting Josh Schuster permission to find a new NRL club immediately.

Despite extending the enigmatic utility to 2027 on a deal reported to be around $800,000 a season, the northern beaches club has determined that it’s best to cut ties even before the new contract kicks in.

Yet to play a game in 2024, Schuster faces the prospect of languishing somewhere that he’s not wanted if there’s no interest from other clubs. However, the word is that he may land at the out of form Titans under old Manly coach Des Hasler. With the injury-struck Kieran Foran approaching the end of his career, the opportunity to lock down a five-eighth spot could be found on the Gold Coast.

 

RTS vs CNK

Talk has sparked about a potential positional swap between Charnze-Nicoll Klokstad and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

In the lead up to the Warriors clash with Manly, CNK has even acknowledged that he’s heard the fans calling for the returning RTS to play fullback.

Charnze enjoyed a stellar 2023 season, placing himself atop the list of the season’s best fullbacks, and setting him up for an exciting 2024. Unfortunately, the incumbent fullback’s 2024 campaign began a little later than anticipated, being set back by a lingering leg injury.

CNK has declared that he is excited to have Roger back at the club, and he’s aware that fans favour returning the former Dally M Medal winner’s return to the custodian role.

Despite such sentiment, Andrew Webster has no intention of making Tuivasa-Sheck the permanent fullback, even after his successful performance against Newcastle in round 4.

 

Jason Demetriou

It’s impossible to say Souths have returned to NRL headlines this week when they have never truly left them.

The Bunnies began their week with Lachlan Ilias suffering a serious knee injury in NSW Cup, leaving him on the sideline for at least the next 6 months. Dean Hawkins, who was viewed by many as only a temporary fix to Souths’ halves dilemma, will now play out the majority of the season in the top grade.

Drama then emerged when internal debate surrounding the weekly vote for Jason Clark Medal was leaked to the media.

The Medal is a club award rewarding effort and and attitude, Coach Jason Demetriou praised Latrell Mitchell for his hit on Josh Addo-Carr which was later charged as careless and consequently left JAC unconscious before half time.

It has been reported that at least one senior player within the Rabbitohs top 30 side questioned the praise and acknowledgement of Latrell in award discussions, with the issue being the alleged preferential treatment towards Latrell Mitchell. Of course, the star fullback has already attracted no shortage of flak for perceived lack lustre efforts.

Souths continued to attract attention on Team List Tuesday when Jason Demetriou shocked fans with his decision to axe Damien Cook and Tallis Duncan. 

The whispers of the coach’s demise are growing to a roar, with predictions of his dismissal to follow the Rabbitohs’ round 6 clash with the Sharks.

Mal Meninga has emerged as the frontrunner for the job, with Ben and Shane Walker entering discussions by nominating themselves.

If Demetriou departs, It will be South Sydneys’ first mid-season coaching change in 20 years. With the club currently languishing in 17th place, any appointment will have a massive task in turning around this nightmare season.

 

Parradise Lost?

Here in the golden west, things aren’t so, well, golden.

Parra slumped to a humiliating loss against the Raiders, and though it’s early in the season, supporters are demanding answers as the club faces another two months without Mitch Moses.

Eels players, administrators, and coaches are all under fire, and the temperature shows no sign of cooling with the club facing the in form Cowboys this Saturday

Selection options seem bare for Brad Arthur who made the big call of axing winger Maika Sivo. The Fijian star is on a lucrative deal at Parra, and the club would be loathe to have big coin spent on any player running around in curtain raiser matches.

The Eels must be grateful that the Bunnies are deflecting some of the heat. Without the Souths woes, the media frenzy would be draped in Blue and Gold.

 

Jennings Controversy

Michael Jennings’ return to the NRL stirred controversy this week with NRL CEO Andrew Abdo declaring that the NRL would not be honouring the 35 year old’s 300th NRL game.

The NRL boss announced that Jennings milestone game against the Knights would not be receiving any special acknowledgement due to “past conduct”.

The Roosters decided to celebrate regardless and Coach Trent Robinson spoke out against the NRL stating he felt that recognising Jennings’ milestone was not disrespectful, and that the club would celebrate internally.

Many current and former players from the Roosters and Eels organisations have congratulated Jennings on his achievement, given that only 50 players (including Jared Warea-Hargeaves) have reached the 300 game mark. 

Good News Week

It hasn’t been all drama and controversy across the NRL. Though signing and movement news might be rare at this time of the season, a number key players across the league inked lucrative contract extensions with their clubs this week.

* Panthers dummy half Mitch Kenny secured a 3 year extension in Penrith. He has been an exceptional replacement following the departure of Api Korisau in 2023.

* Storm utility Nick Meaney has agreed to remain at Melbourne until the end of the 2026 season. Since moving to the storm, Meaney has played 52 games scoring 24 tries, and is a crucial part of their squad.

* Roosters front rower Lindsay Collins has signed a two year extension following the announcement of Jared Warea-Hargeaves’ exit in 2025. Collins was already contracted until 2026, but the club wanted to sorted his future for the next four years.

* Raiders flyer Matt Timoko will stay in the nation’s capital until 2026, with the option for a further two seasons after that.

 

Game Of The Week

Time now to look ahead to this week.

My selection for the Round 6 match game of the week goes to the Broncos and Dolphins clash on Friday night.

This newly established Battle for Brisbane clash puts some of the NRL’s fastest outside backs on centre stage at Suncorp, whilst the young lions in the Broncos pack and the experienced warhorses in the Dolphins fight it out for supremacy through the middle.

Last year’s round 4 edition of this rivalry resulted in a six point Broncos victory. A 77th minute Kotoni Staggs try and declaration of “this is our home” (insert colourful language) left fans screaming for more and was a portent to the Broncos exciting charge to the grand final.

At the time of last year’s contest, both teams sat at the top of the table with the Broncos leading the competition, and the Dolphins following closely in second place.

For this year’s instalment, the Dolphins currently lead the NRL, whilst the Broncos are way down in 11th.

Regardless of ladder placings, I have the feeling that the capacity crowd will get value for money in this one.

 

Whether your team sits in 1st, 9th or 17th place on the ladder, I hope that you once again enjoy the feast of footy coming your way in Round 6 of the NRL.

Nat