The Mole: Selection dilemma facing Michael Maguire amid Selwyn Cobbo's perfect record
Are the Broncos a better team without Reece Walsh and with Selwyn Cobbo at fullback in 2025?
The question has to be asked in the wake of Thursday night's stunning 42-18 defeat of the premiership-leading Bulldogs.
Walsh is a brilliant player at his best but has been hot-cold all season, with some of his errors costing the Broncos big time.
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Selwyn Cobbo was relentless at the back for the Broncos. NRL Imagery
After gifting the Warriors a golden point win last week, he was diagnosed with a knee injury that will see him sidelined for at least a month.
The versatile Cobbo was shifted to fullback in his absence and was more consistent than Walsh has been, playing a key role in the Broncos' impressive stampede.
Cobbo has now started three games at fullback - and the Broncos have won all three!
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
BIG RED FORCING BILLY'S HAND
Corey Horsburgh is playing as well as any front-rower in the league and is forcing Billy Slater's hand to pick him for Origin I.
The red-haired firebrand was considered too hot-headed to play big time footy in the past and has played just one Origin to date despite his undoubted ability.
Corey Horsburgh is back in form this season. NRL Imagery
But Ricky Stuart has worked hard on Big Red's discipline - after the pair had a much publicised falling out - and both are on the same page now.
Horsburgh was outstanding as the Raiders came back from a 28-10 half time deficit to stun the Dolphins 40-28 on Sunday and his form is a big reason why the Green Machine is top four material.
LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT COWBOYS YOUNG GUN
Look up Jaxon Purdue's profile on the official Cowboys website and it will say he is a specialist halfback.
And that's what makes the 19-year-old's efforts this season playing in the centres quite special.
Jaxon Purdue playing against the Rabbitohs. NRL Imagery
With Jake Clifford and Tom Dearden firmly entrenched in the two halfback spots, the teenager has re-invented himself as a centre - and wow!
The local junior from Mackay has scored six tries in his past six games - and it was his try against the Titans that broke an 18-all deadlock and put the Cowboys on track for a big win.
The rookie also made two line breaks on Saturday night and looks to be improving with every game.
ROOSTERS PLAN BEARING FRUIT
What do you do if you have the smallest junior league in the league world? You manufacture a junior league… and the Roosters' new hero Sandon Smith is the first product of that.
In a brilliant manoeuvre several seasons ago, club officials formed a merger with the massive Central Coast juniors - and the Central Coast Roosters were born.
Smith is the first player from the merger to make the grade and boy, did he make it in style on Anzac Day.
On the big stage at a packed Allianz Stadium, the youngster totally dismantled the Dragons and put the Roosters on track for a superb win.
The game will be remembered as the day a star was born - and Smith will gain massive confidence from his man-of-the-match display.
PENRITH'S BIG LOSS EXPOSED
Of all the players the Panthers have lost over the past five seasons, Jarome Luai's departure seems to have hurt the most.
Jarome Luai has been a big loss for the Panthers. Getty
His spirit and adventurous play have been sorely missing this season and placed extra pressure on Nathan Cleary.
Blaize Talagi is a promising kid but is a long way short of Luai at the moment.
In the upset loss to the Sea Eagles on Saturday night, Talagi missed five tackles and made two errors as the Panthers fumbled their way to outright last spot.
SIGNING OF THE SEASON FOR WARRIORS EMERGES
Over the summer, Warriors coach Andrew Webster decided his pack needed more grunt in 2025 after the disappointments of last year.
Enter Erin Clark, the former Titan and one of the most under-rated hard men in the NRL.
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
The 27-year-old journeyman, who began his career with one solitary game for the Warriors in 2017, has been a standout for the Kiwi club in his return to arms.
Erin Clark has been a steal for the Warriors. Getty
Clark topped the Warriors' tackle count in the easy win over the Knights on Friday night and also ran for over 150 metres.
With James Fisher-Harris missing, Clark has become a key man in the Warriors' forward armada, and he led the troops in fine style in Christchurch.
STORM'S INCREDIBLE RECORD AFTER LOSSES
Eliesa Katoa is developing into the most dangerous back-rower in the league.
The Storm colossus scored a spectacular try and ran for over 150 metres in Friday night's Anzac night win over Souths and was a constant menace with his wide running.
The Storm's 24-16 win should not come as a shock - it's now 15 games in a row that the Storm have come up with a victory after losing the previous week.
Craig Bellamy also has his men well and truly pumped every Anzac Day - they've won the last nine games they have played on this special day.
