Round 12 of the 2026 NRL season saw many highlights and lowlights as seven different clubs didn’t play due to having the bye.
BULLDOGS END LOSING STREAK
After five consecutive losses, the Canterbury Bulldogs heaved a sigh of relief as they ended their losing streak by overcoming an 18-6 halftime deficit to defeat the Melbourne Storm in wet and rainy conditions.
While it was far from a clinical win, it was just what the Belmore-based side needed as fullback Jacob Kiraz, five-eighth Matt Burton and centre Bronson Xerri all stood up.
Kiraz had 245 running metres, six tackle busts and a try while Burton (two line-breaks, 194 metres and nine tackle busts) and Xerri (226 metres and 13 tackle busts) were the standouts on Friday night.
“But what I understood about the last five weeks is we’ve been away from home a lot,” Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said.
“We’ve had the least amount of home games over this opening ten games so we were really excited to get home tonight and get a lot of energy from our fans and I think that was important for us.
“They got right behind us, even when we were getting those decisions that we had to challenge — every single time.”
BOOM 💥 pic.twitter.com/A2TpI0rWCT
— NRL (@NRL) May 22, 2026
NO TANAH, NO WORRIES FOR WARRIORS
The New Zealand Warriors may have been without quartet Kurt Capewell, Luke Metcalf, Mitchell Barnett and Tanah Boyd, but they remained as dominant as ever with a stunning 30-12 victory against the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Halves replacement Te Maire Martin scored a double and made five tackle busts, adding to the Dragons’ woes, who still remain winless heading into Round 13 – and don’t look like winning anytime soon.
“The boys kept on fighting all the way to the end, and that’s what I expect,” Dragons interim coach Dean Young said.
“I know they’re in a tough spot and we appreciate all the fans turning up tonight, where we’re sitting on the ladder and to have so many of those fans turn up, pay their hard-earned and sit in the pouring rain.
“We appreciate it, we’ve got a fan day tomorrow and all the boys are going to be thanking everyone that turns up tomorrow.
“So stay with us, we’re building.”
Khan-Pereira punishes the mistake! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QU2nsXevV3
— NRL (@NRL) May 23, 2026
A NEW STAR IS BORN IN BROOKIE
A new star was born at Brookvale Oval (commonly known as 4 Pines Park) as fourth-string option fullback Clayton Faulalo delivered a showing to remember with a try, one try assist and over 200 running metres.
Defeating the Gold Coast Titans by two points (12-10), Faulalo threw an outstanding pass to Blake Wilson, which saw him cross the line on the wing before he raced onto an inside ball from Ben Trbojevic to extend the lead in the second half.
“He’s been unbelievable,” interim Manly Sea Eagles coach Kieran Foran said.
“The performances he’s put in over the past month have been exceptional. He’s been near on our best player on the field for the past month along with plenty of others.
“I thought he came up with some special plays at important times.”
Oh, that was smooth 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Hl4VOoIwPw
— NRL (@NRL) May 23, 2026