Dominic Brock is Desk Editor at the Sydney Morning Herald
Daly Cherry-Evans was booed all night but didn’t mind as his Roosters side overturned a first-half deficit to notch a big win.
Brisbane fought back from 14-0 down at half-time to topple the Storm in Melbourne and earn their first win of the 2026 season.
Alex Johnston has scored twice to Ken Irvine’s all-time try-scoring record at Allianz Stadium.
It’s the first Friday night football of the 2026 season, defending premiers Brisbane hosting the powerhouse Panthers.
For the ninth straight season – in a campaign that began with roughly $4 million in talent walking out the door – the Roosters are finals-bound.
A four-try haul from former Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase inspired the Roosters to a 40-10 comeback win over Melbourne to put them in the box seat to play finals football.
The Bulldogs’ best performance in months ended in defeat and they’ll most likely saddle up for the NRL’s toughest road trip in the finals as a result.
Kiwi prop Naufahu Whyte led from the front with a double and Daniel Tupou scored a hat-trick as thet Roosters belted the Bulldogs on Friday night.
Tom Trbojevic is back at fullback and Manly are in a tight contest against Canberra, after Penrith smashed Newcastle. Follow the action.
Melbourne are the new NRL leaders after Brisbane lost Adam Reynolds, Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo to injuries – with both halves going down on the same play.