Wayne’s Latrell masterstroke; ‘big time’ DCE fallout hits as Cleary cops fresh twist — Furnace
Welcome to The Furnace!
In this weekly preview, foxsports.com.au will dissect every game by looking at each team’s burning question.
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From how closely we should read into early season form to the biggest stars with the most to prove, here is what we will be watching for in Round 6!
THURSDAY
Dolphins vs Penrith Panthers, 7.50pm AEST at Suncorp Stadium
Dolphins’ burning question: Can the apprentice Katoa get one over master as spine hunts consistency?
Isaiaya Katoa helped the Dolphins break their losing streak last week and now he will try and extend Nathan Cleary and his former club’s losing streak to five.
The Dolphins finally found their mojo in attack against the Titans in a 36-10 victory, but Matty Johns believes the key was playing more direct.
“The Dolphins got Jeremy Marshall-King more involved and Katoa was running more than passing,” Johns said on Matty and Cronk.
Cooper Cronk agreed the Dolphins spine clicked on the back of a renewed focus on winning the middle of the field.
“We spoke about Katoa, but the rest of the spine haven’t had an impact, but they had their best game of the year,” Cronk said.
“Hammer was very quiet and Kodi had a great year last year, but hasn’t backed it up as much this year.
“But the forwards started to dominate the ruck and the spine started to shine.”
Johns heaped praise on Katoa for his ability to ball play late into the line better than anyone in the game.
“Old school playmaking where you go up to a defender and then delaying an extra half a second and that half a second can feel like an hour,” Johns said.
“I think Isaiya Katoa is probably the best in the league at it at the moment.”
“The principles of it are basically going fast to slow, so if you get to your target defender as quick as you can and then you slow down,” Cronk explained.
“You go fast and get in his eyesight and then you stop and lean in and that pause makes the defender lunge and it gives them the bait.”
Panthers’ burning question: Can Cleary and Talagi tweak Panthers’ predictable attack?
Injuries to Jack Cole and Mitch Kenny will put even more pressure on Nathan Cleary and his new halves partner Blaize Talagi to end the Panthers’ four game skid.
Cronk believes the Panthers have been found out in one of their stock plays and need to play more what is in front of them against the Dolphins, as opposition sides start to mimic the four time champions.
“I reckon there is one thing hurting Penrith at the moment,” Cronk explained.
“In our game we follow trends and Penrith with their attack have been turning a lot of players back underneath to find that pocket of space near the ruck where defenders don’t come up.
“They had a lot of success with that, but other coaches are copying that now and when Penrith go back inside, they are saying to their defenders go forward instead of sideways.”
However, Johns believes the Panthers will work it out and get back to their best once they settle in to their new home ground of CommBank Stadium.
“They have started the season a little bit slow, but they are going for five in a row, so there has to be some effect,” Johns said.
“Once the season starts to form I’m so confident they are going to pick up. Combinations will start to form.
“The change of home ground is a big one. When you went out to Penrith Park it was a furnace. It is a hard place to win.”
Roosters axe new recruit Chad Townsend | 01:37
FRIDAY
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Gold Coast Titans, 6pm AEST at WIN Stadium
Dragons’ burning question: Can the Dragons’ spine repay their coach’s faith?
For the second time this season the Dragons lost from a winning position after their halves failed to ice the game in the 23-22 loss to the Eels.
Shane Flanagan has kept faith with Lachlan Ilias at halfback and Kyle Flanagan at five-eighth, but interestingly young playmaker Lyhkan King-Togia is in the reserves and could get a late call-up to the side or on the bench.
Ilias is under immense pressure to lead the Dragons to some wins after struggling to close out the games against the Rabbitohs and Eels.
If Ilias struggles against the Titans it might be time to move Flanagan to halfback and bring in King-Togia to provide some spark.
Titans’ burning question: Can the Titans fill their big Tino void?
The Titans have built their two wins this season around starring displays from skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who will miss the Dragons clash through suspension.
It is up to Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Moeaki Fotuaika to step up and fill in for their captain, to set the platform the Titans need to be successful.
Their new look spine features running halves in Jayden Campbell and AJ Brimson, so they need the defence to be going backwards to capitalise with their running game.
David Fifita also needs to step up in Fa’asuamaleaui’s absence given his form has been lukewarm at best to start the year.
Brisbane Broncos vs Sydney Roosters, 8pm AEST at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos’ burning question: Can the Broncos fill Reynolds void if he is a late scratching?
The Broncos showed against the Tigers that their halves pairing of Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt is starting to click and that is helping Reece Walsh find form.
However, while Reynolds has been named to play the Roosters, Michael Maguire would be mad to risk his captain if he is not 100 per cent and Jock Madden is on standby.
Johns believes Reynolds and Hunt were the difference against the Tigers and the Broncos showed how much they missed Reynolds last year, as they missed the finals to finish 12th.
“What separated the Broncos and the Tigers last week was Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt, the experienced playmakers,” Johns said.
“Once the heat came the senior playmakers took control,” Cronk added.
“Adam Reynolds slotted the two-point field goal before half-time and then the chip and chase try straight after and was just in total control.”
If Reynolds is not there it might upset the Broncos’ rhythm and Hunt would need to step up and take ownership of the side.
Roosters’ burning question: Will the Roosters’ halves shake-up work?
Sitting in 16th place with just one win from five games, you can’t blame Trent Robinson for shaking up his halves.
The Roosters have not scored a try from a kick all season and Hugo Savala has been picked in place of Chad Townsend to add more to their attacking kicking game.
Townsend no doubt is out of form, but replacing a premiership winner with a rookie in his first starting game has the potential to backfire on the Roosters.
The Roosters are desperately missing the attacking kicking game of Sam Walker and can’t get him back on the field soon enough, although there are murmurs he could miss the whole season.
If the Roosters aren’t in the DCE race they would want to start making a few phone calls because their attack looks atrocious at the moment.
Easy solution to solve sin bin confusion | 02:35
SATURDAY
Cronulla Sharks vs Manly Sea Eagles, 3pm AEST at Optus Stadium, Perth
Sharks’ burning question: Can the Sharks halves find their groove?
The Sharks halves have copped their share of criticism, but it will keep coming unless they can play smarter and ice the tight games down the stretch.
Cronk had a handy piece of advice for Sharks five-eighth Braydon Trindall, on how he could have better handled the latter stages of the Sharks’ heartbreaking loss to the Raiders.
With three minutes remaining, and the Sharks up 20-18, Trindall took the tackle on the last, handing the ball over to the Raiders, a few metres out from their line.
“Trindall and the Sharks did the right thing, but I’ll argue there is something better you can do here,” Cronk said.
“They ran it into the corner and gave the Raiders 100 metres to run and score the match winning play.
“But if you run the ball and get tackled that is tackle zero. If Trindall puts in a grubber and the Raiders dive on it and Trindall jumps on him, that is tackle one.
“The Raiders went down the field and scored on the fifth play, so they have handed them an extra play and they would have been 15 metres further away from the tryline.”
Sea Eagles’ burning question: Will Manly rise or implode amid the DCE contract saga?
There are doubts around Manly’s ability to handle the ongoing Daly Cherry-Evans contract saga.
Johns believes the Sea Eagles’ 48-24 thrashing at the hands of the Storm could have been worse.
“They saved face at the end there Manly with three late tries because it was on its way to being 60 points,” Johns said.
Cronk believes it’s too early to say what sort of impact the Cherry-Evans situation will have on Manly, but believes it is up to the halfback and captain to lead from the front.
The Sea Eagles have had a win over Parramatta, and a loss to the Storm since the DCE news broke.
“We talk about the DCE noise and I would give Manly four to six weeks,” Cronk said.
“We are going to find out if Daly has got the ability to handle what is going on personally and galvanise a group that have the potential to be top four and win more games.
“They played at home where they are a 10 point better team and still got beaten comprehensively, so I think there is still some stuff to play out on the impact of what Daly is doing at the moment and we are about to find out big time.”
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs North Queensland Cowboys, 5.30pm AEST at Optus Stadium, Perth
Rabbitohs’ burning question: Can Latrell’s five-eighth switch keep Gray in the team?
The injury to Cody Walker could be a blessing in disguise as it gives Latrell Mitchell more touches and involvement at five-eighth, without the in form Jye Gray dropping out of the team.
Cronk has applauded Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett for keeping an open mind on where to play Mitchell.
Mitchell returned in the centres for the Bunnies against the Roosters, producing the match-winning play, and has been named at five-eighth to take on the Cowboys, with Cody Walker out with a hamstring injury.
Bennett’s flexibility with Mitchell has allowed fullback Gray to stay in the team.
“I really like what Wayne did, a lot of people said Latrell should be fullback, but Jye Gray is whole-hearted,” Cronk said.
“I’d put Latrell at No.6 because the way you keep Jye Gray in the team is you have to find a spot for Latrell.
“When the game was in the balance against the Roosters Latrell moved to five-eighth.
“If Latrell plays centre and gets 10 touches he will do something six out of 10 times. If you give him 30 touches at five-eighth you are going to double his input.
“I think five-eighth is a good way to give Latrell more responsibility and keeping Gray in the team, while giving Latrell the chance to have more of an input on the contest.”
Cowboys’ burning question: Can the Cowboys spine find consistency?
The Cowboys earned a confidence-boosting victory over premiers Penrith in the last round.
But they’ll be looking for more consistency from their spine of Scott Drinkwater, skipper Tom Dearden, Jake Clifford and Reece Robson.
The Cowboys have won their last two, but that came after suffering a three-game losing streak to start the season.
Cronk believes the key for the Cowboys is to not try and play too sideways towards their outside backs and direct their attack down the middle of the field.
“There were gaps in Penrith’s defensive line and the Cowboys took advantage of it,” Cronk said.
“(Centre Jaxon) Purdue, Drinkwater and Robson were very direct in the way they played and it helped them.”
The Rabbitohs are ripe for the picking with a number of injuries in key positions, so it up to the Cowboys’ experienced spine to exploit their opposition, especially in the halves.
Parramatta Eels vs Canberra Raiders, 7.35pm AEST at TIO Stadium, Darwin
Eels’ burning question: Can the Eels cover for Lomax blow?
As if things weren’t already bleak for the Eels, the man that kicked the golden point field goal to break their losing streak is now out for six weeks.
Zac Lomax fractured his foot against the Dragons and now won’t play again until Origin, joining Mitchell Moses on the sidelines.
The Eels have options to replace Lomax in Bailey Simonsson and Joash Papalii, but they don’t offer Lomax’s threat in attack, his commitment on both sides of the ball and his goal kicking.
However, Johns believes a mid-season signing is the key to the Eels’ success and unlocking out of form five-eighth Dylan Brown, who improved in the win over the Dragons.
“I think Dylan Walker is going to be a great signing for them,” Johns said.
“I thought they were struggling and their attack was clunky and when he came on the field operating through that centre, you saw the change immediately.
“Almost immediately the tempo picked up because he has got a great run threat, his pass decision is very good and he is going to be invaluable for Dylan Brown and Dean Hawkins and Mitchell Moses when he returns.
“And when Dylan Walker came onto the field, Dylan Brown started to find his best football.”
Raiders’ burning question: Can the Raiders win away from home amid horror schedule?
The Raiders have had a brutal schedule going from Las Vegas to Townsville and back and now venture to Darwin to take on the Eels.
But the fact remains they haven’t won a game away from home since Vegas and they have to start showing more on the road to be a legitimate top eight team in 2025.
The comeback 24-20 win over the Sharks was their third of the season and showed this team has plenty of fight.
But a clash with the injury-hit Eels is a game they should win and have to if they want to push for the finals this season.
Alarm bells ringing as Hammer eyes Samoa | 06:32
SUNDAY
Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors, 2pm AEST at AAMI Park
Storm burning question: Can the Storm spine be stopped?
The Storm have the best spine in rugby league and they showed it in a stunning 48-24 away win over the Sea Eagles last week.
Jahrome Hughes showed how much the team missed him after making a shock return from a broken hand and Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Ryan Papenhuyzen just play off the back of him.
“The Storm were absolutely incredible against Manly,” Johns said.
“Like against the Eels in Round 1, when it is a dry track and their world class spine is healthy, they are almost impossible to beat.”
It is hard to believe the Storm could only score eight points in a loss to the Dragons, but if they can keep their star players on the field, the 2025 title is theirs to lose.
Warriors’ burning question: Can the Warriors break their losing streak against the Storm?
The Warriors will be fresh coming off the bye after a win over the Tigers, but they face a huge battle to beat their bogey team the Storm at AAMI Park.
Rocco Berry returns to the centres meaning the Warriors are almost at full strength, with the exception of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, but they come up against a Storm side who thrashed Manly and are high on confidence.
The Dragons showed the blueprint to beat the Storm is to get in the physical battle and the Warriors have the forwards led by Mitchell Barnett and James Fisher-Harris to make them uncomfortable.
The Warriors also have plenty of strike in their backline, but if they don’t win the battle in the middle of the field it will be a long afternoon and their losing streak against Melbourne will continue.
Newcastle Knights vs Wests Tigers, 4.05pm AEST at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights’ burning question: Can the Knights overcome their injury crisis?
The Knights’ 20-0 loss to the Bulldogs was compounded by an injury crisis with Jack Cogger (finger), James Schiller (concussion), Jacob Saifiti (calf) and Adam Elliott all ruled out of their clash with the Tigers.
Phoenix Crossland gets the nod at halfback and needs to recapture his form from the team’s charge to the finals last year at No.7, while Jayden Brailey is a solid inclusion at hooker.
Both will need to help provide some much needed spark to stop the Knights relying on Kalyn Ponga and Fletcher Sharpe to do the bulk of the work in attack because they become predictable and easy to defend.
Replacing Saifiti and Elliott could prove difficult, with Kai Pearce-Paul due for a big game returning form suspension and Tyrone Thompson will be one to watch on debut.
Tigers’ burning question: Can the returning star trio get the Tigers’ back in the winners circle?
The Tigers were brave against the Broncos and could have led 18-6 if they kicked their goals, but ultimately went down 46-24.
Johns believes the performance would have made Tigers fans proud, but the gulf between their halves and the Broncos proved too big to overcome.
“The Tigers without Jarome Luai really had a dig,” Johns said.
“The Tigers tried hard and came up with a game plan early on to score tries off kicks and Galvin and Bula got amongst it.
“But the longer the game went on they were just outclassed by Hunt and Reynolds.”
With Luai, Jeral Skelton and Samuela Fainu back on deck, the Tigers are almost at full strength and against the depleted Knights, this is a game they should and must win if they want to be a finals team in 2025.
Bye: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
