2026 NRL – Round 21: A piece of rugby league poetry

 

 

A mini rave

Reece Walsh is a conundrum but when at the height of his powers he is imperious. What better character reference than that from last week’s opposing coach, Ivan Cleary, who was in awe of the fullback’s performance. The play that resulted in the match-winning try encapsulated it all. On the front foot following a quick play the ball, Walsh instinctively knew there was an opportunity on the short side. From dummy half he sent a no look, flat, bullet-like cut-out pass to the left. It tunnel-balled through the narrowest of channels, evading the defensive line to find Karapani in full flight outside his immediate opponent and over in the corner. Visionary in conception, immaculate in execution and devastating in effect. Rugby league poetry. Full marks to Karapani for his perfectly timed support and positioning to complete the play. Then, just to ice the cake, Walsh stepped up and drilled the conversion from the sideline in heavy conditions to give the Broncos a lead they held until the final whistle. Think what you will of Walsh but please acknowledge the brilliance, beauty and finesse of this particular play.

An Honourable Mention goes to The Hammer for his exquisite delayed pass to Isaako early in the second half which drew the defender past the line of play, allowing the winger cross untouched.

NRL Round 20

The Broncos broke their drought in the rain in Sydney with a Walsh masterclass, keeping their faintest finals fantasies alive for another week. See above for the highlight. The Sharks continued their good recent run but the Knights didn’t lose any fans in their gutsy comeback. Hynes was good again. The Roosters continue to build towards September while the Storm, still a mathematical chance, are gone with yet another key player, Warbrick, out for the season. The Raiders showed some of their 2025 form in a convincing win over the Rabbitohs but the loss of Young will be a blow to whatever chances they have of progressing too far. The Warriors got the rub of the green against the Dragons to stay second on the ladder but still can’t convince me that they can challenge the Panthers or the Roosters. The Dragons can only curse their wretched luck. The Bulldogs bullied the rabble playing as the Wests Tigers. Will Benji pull the pin and move on from Luai to commence a rebuild for 2027? The Titans played some exhilarating footy to down the Sea Eagles – why doesn’t this happen more often? And the injury curse strikes Turbo again – this time it’s the other leg. Talk about a brilliant career hamstrung! The Dolphins were 86 points better this week in an entertaining game against the Cowboys. Isn’t Farnworth a great player? I was impressed by Schneider’s game, playing an understated but calm and settling hand while the bigger names took advantage of his choice of plays. The return of Dearden (OMD) was the highlight for the Cowboys.

 

Round 21

The Eels host the Panthers tomorrow night to get the round underway. Smarting from their loss to the Broncos, expect the Panthers to show no mercy to the struggling Eels. The only question is the winning margin. Get on the Panthers. 

The Knights take on the Roosters in Friday’s twilight game and for all their improvement this season, I can’t see the Knights winning this one. By comparison, I see the Roosters building quietly and ominously towards finals footy and so I’ll go with them confidently. In the late game, the Rabbitohs meet the Storm, both last round losers. Injuries have hit Melbourne hard and I think it will be hard for them to build a winning score. The Rabbitohs may be enigmatic but they should have enough firepower to win this one.

On Saturday afternoon the resurgent Raiders host the imploded Wests Tigers in a game that can only go one way. Canberra. In possibly one of the matches of the round, the Bulldogs, who looked pretty good last weekend, meet the highflying but not totally convincing Warriors in a real test for both sides. The ladder suggests the Warriors but I’m going to stick my neck out and tip an upset with the Bulldogs in front at the final whistle. The great Queensland derby between the Cowboys and the Broncos is the match of the round. The Broncos simply have to win to stay alive in 2026 and their gutsy win over the Panthers suggests that they can do it again. The Cowboys need a win to maintain touch with the top eight, so they have plenty of incentive. Without any great confidence, I’ll tip Brisbane to keep their dream alive for another week. This should be a beauty, another chapter in the storied rivalry of these two clubs.

On Sunday afternoon the luckless Dragons host a revitalised Titans outfit. Can the Gold Coasters repeat their flair from last weekend? Can the Dragons get the rub of the green for a change? I’ll resort to a toss of the coin on this one – Dragons. The round is completed when the Sea Eagles play the Sharks at Brookie. The hosts have floundered somewhat in recent times while the Sharks have dined out on  everything in their way of late. Now Turbo-less again, I doubt that Manly have a winning score in them so I’ll be on the Sharks.

The Dolphins have the bye.

 

NRLW Round 3

The Raiders made the Roosters earn their win with a strong performance but the latter, being the champs they are, came away with the points. The Warriors continued to build momentum with a dominant win over the struggling Cowboys whose season is over already. The Bulldogs pulled off a surprise against the more fancied Sharks to make a statement of intent. The Titans produced their best effort thus far this season to run riot over the Eels. The Broncos continued on their relentless way against a disappointing Wests Tigers who I expected to put up more resistance. Upton delved into her seemingly bottomless bag of tricks to gift Lenarduzzi a surprise try on the stroke of half-time. And the Knights got back into full stride in dismissing a surprisingly underwhelming Dragons side.

 

Round 4

The Raiders take on the Sharks in the opening match of Round 4. The hosts are in good form while the visitors were less than impressive last time out. Let’s see how good Canberra are and whether or not the Sharks are up to the mark in 2026. I think I’ll go with the Raiders. In the second game, the Bulldogs are travelling rather better than the Dragons at this point. Will the Dogs turn out to be the surprise package of the season? The Dragons have to win to stay in the hunt but I can’t see them getting the points here, so I’ll tip the Bulldogs. Saturday’s final game has the disappointing Cowboys up against the in-form Titans where you’d have to think there can only be one outcome – Titans.

Sunday starts with the Eels at home to the Warriors where, again, form has the Warriors as hot favourites. That’s good enough for me. The match of the round has the premiership co-favourite Broncos up against perennial finalists, the Knights. Upton and Southwell meet their former teammates in what should be a torrid battle. I think the Broncos have more ability across the park and, in Southwell and Upton, have the keys to the match. I’ll be on the Broncos. Finally, the hot and cold Wests Tigers meet the relentless Roosters. Again, one of those games where the only question is the margin. Roosters.

Tipping

A respectable 6/8 this week – who picked either the Broncos and/or the Dolphins? Well done to you! At least I’m back on level terms with Prop by the Sea.

 

The Round

To see the who, where and when of NRL Round 21 click here.

To see the who, where and when of NRLW Round 4 click here.

 

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To see the full 2026 season draw for the NRL click HERE.

To see the full 2026 season draw for the NRLW click HERE.

 To see the details for State of Origin in 2026 click HERE.

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

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