Half’s classy statement shows ‘petulant’ Tiger how it should be done

Round 21, 2026 will forever be remembered as the tale of two very different playmakers.

Adam Doueihi, of course, stole all the headlines by his petulant decision not to play in Canberra on Saturday as his Tigers copped a dreadful hiding.

But forgotten in all that is the story of Jake Clifford, who was surprisingly dropped by the Cowboys the week before.

Clifford could have “done a Doueihi” and kicked stones all week - but instead knuckled down, earned his place back - and showed coach Todd Payten his worth with a five-star display in the fine win over the Broncos on Saturday night.

Two very different players, two vastly different attitudes.

Doueihi’s decision to desert his teammates will follow him for the remainder of his career, an albatross around his neck.

And there is no coming back for the talented utility, his relationship with coach Benji Marshall and his teammates now untenable. 

Read more

‘Individual mindset’ slammed amid latest Tigers ‘debacle’

With Doueihi at home on the lounge, all eyes were on Jarome Luai and debutant Javon Andrews.

And sadly, they just weren’t up to it as the Green Machine romped home 56-10 in front of a delirious crowd in Canberra.

The pair missed 12 tackles between them and didn’t come up with a single try assist as the Raiders ran riot. 

Whether Doueihi was cheering every Canberra try, we will never know… but I’d say it’s a safe bet he was. 

Dogs finally nail the missing piece

The halfback jigsaw puzzle that has been threatening to derail the Bulldogs’ finals hopes all season has finally been solved.

And the Dogs, with five wins from their last six games, again look finals bound as a result.

Many thought Cameron Ciraldo was shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic when he paired Lachlan Galvin with specialist centre Stephen Crichton a few weeks back.

But the pair have formed a lethal combination and were the big difference between the teams as the Bulldogs scored an upset win over the Warriors on Saturday night.

In a gritty, old-style battle, Crichton scored the opening try and Galvin laid one on for his go-to man Jacob Preston - and that was all the Bulldogs needed to keep their finals hopes alive.

The Warriors were a major disappointment, coming up with little creativity in attack, with their lone points coming in the final minutes from a chip kick by prop Mitch Barnett. 

Robbo’s best trait keeps Roosters in the hunt

If there was a prize for which coach gives the best half time speech in the NRL, Trent Robinson would be a short-priced favourite.

Robbo’s Roosters have trailed at half time 10 times in 2026 - yet come back and won half of those games, including Friday night’s thriller in Newcastle.

That’s the most fightbacks from any team in the league, and shows the cool, calculated manner in which Robinson coaches his football team.

There were times when the Roosters looked in plenty of trouble in Knights heartland, but they kept their composure and when the scores were levelled with moments to go, worked play downfield perfectly for Daly Cherry-Evans to slot home the decisive field goal.

Full marks to the Knights - they showed plenty of grit to keep fighting despite losing two of their best players - Dylan Brown and Dylan Lucas - to injury.

Laurie’s present to the Panthers

Laurie Daley may have done Penrith’s title quest a massive favour by dropping star winger Brian To’o for Origin III earlier this month.

To’o hadn’t been enjoying the best season by his high standards but certainly seemed to take his omission from the Blues team as a kick up the backside.

And To’o played like a man with a point to prove in Thursday night’s hard-fought win over arch rivals Parramatta.

The nuggety winger was outstanding, running his team out of trouble time and again, making 100 more metres than his next best Panthers teammate.