Round 13 of the 2026 NRL season saw many highlights and lowlights headlined by the Dragons ending their 295-day losing streak.
BLUES, MAROONS SUFFER MASSIVE INJURY BLOW
Days after the opening match of the 2026 State of Origin series, the New South Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons have both been dealt major injury blows, which could have significant ramifications.
On Friday night, Cronulla Sharks and Blues dummy-half Blayke Brailey suffered a broken arm, which has subsequently ruled him out of Game 2.
And then a couple of days later, Patrick Carrigan suffered an ankle injury for the Brisbane Broncos which has also ruled him out for the Maroons for Game 2.
“I probably have to chat to the doctors. Some sort of ankle sprain, they’ve got all sorts of names these days with an ankle,” Broncos coach Michael Maguire said.
“I have to go wait and see. Patty felt he was okay to go back out there and they assessed him and strapped him up.
“But you could just sort of sense he was struggling a little bit with us and that’s what this group does for each other.”
DRAGON END 295-DAY LOSING STREAK
The St George Illawarra Dragons have officially ended their 295-day losing streak by causing the upset of the 2026 NRL season against the Brisbane Broncos.
Breaking a 15-match losing streak that dated back to August last year, the Dragons got off to a red-hot start against the reigning premiers and they didn’t lift their stronghold on the game until the final 20 minutes.
Putting on 30 points with Valentine Holmes at his clinical best, the Dragons managed to withstand a late comeback from the home side who had all their stars such as Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds and Payne Haas playing.
“Very disappointing. Missed the start and we weren’t able to build pressure,” Broncos coach Maguire said post-match.
“We knew exactly what we were walking into. Had a good prep, but we didn’t match their intent, that was the disappointing part.
“The commitment in areas of our game that we hold pretty high, we didn’t hit the mark today.
“That’s something that we as a group, myself, everyone need to find that really quickly because there is a talented team there and we all know that “That’s my role now with the senior leaders and everyone involved to find it.”
PENRITH REMAIN ON TOP
An outstanding performance by NSW Blues and New Zealand Kiwis representative Casey McLean has allowed the Penrith Panthers to defeat the New Zealand Warriors in a top-of-the-table clash.
Despite being without Brian To’o, Isaah Yeo and Nathan Cleary, the Panthers looked as ruthless as ever and were too much for the visiting side, who lost their first match in seven games, ending their winning streak.
McLean scored a spectacular try in the opening half, to go with another try in the fifth minute but it was his ability to completely destroy his opponents on both ends of the field that caught the attention of fans.
“In terms of what he did (tonight) he was probably the difference. He was outstanding… He was the last standing for us tonight” coach Ivan Cleary said.
“I was hoping after Wednesday night that he would get a little extra momentum, which is kind of what it looked like.
“I think he likes playing against his Kiwi mates, so he was awesome.”