The sixth round of the 2026 NRL season had plenty of highlights and lowlights, headlined by the Dragons keeping a winless record and moving to a record of 0-6.
Flanno’s future in doubt
Shane Flanagan could be facing the final two days as head coach of the St George Illawarra Dragons, as a board meeting on Tuesday is set to decide his future after beginning the 2026 season with no victories and a 0-6 record.
Already under immense pressure, the heat continued to be turned up on Flanagan this past week after the Dragons lost by ten points in a valiant effort to the Manly Sea Eagles in front of their home fans at WIN Stadium in Wollongong.
Leading by two points in the early stages of the second-half, the club were unable to turn their performance into a winning result as opposing Tom Trbojevic looked the goods and absolutely cooked the Dragons in defence.
Great vision from Tom Trbojevic! 👏
Telstra Moment of the Match pic.twitter.com/yxjVu6ypMO
— NRL (@NRL) April 10, 2026
Double blow for Penrith
Not only did the Penrith Panthers lose their first match of the regular season in Round 6, but they also lost star Origin and Kangaroos back-rower Liam Martin for an extended period of time due to an MCL injury.
Entering their match against the Bulldogs on Thursday night as ‘unbeatable’ and the clear favourites, they were stunned by the Belmore-based outfit with halfback Lachlan Galvin arguably having his best match for the club since he first arrived there from the Wests Tigers in the middle of last season.
While the Panthers lick their wounds and prepare for their upcoming match against the Dolphins, Cameron Ciraldo’s men were able to prove doubters wrong amid calls from fans and media pundits that they had become an inconsistent team surrounded by mediocre players.
The short ball to Preston! 🙌
Telstra Moment of the Match pic.twitter.com/nXFlPvxEYs
— NRL (@NRL) April 9, 2026
Tigers move to equal first
After claiming three wooden spoons in the past four seasons, the Wests Tigers have moved to equal first on the NRL ladder after a scintillating display against the Newcastle Knights on Sunday afternoon to cap off the end of the round.
Now level with the Penrith Panthers on points – they sit in second place due to point differential – and the rebuild under coach Benji Marshall is well and truly alive.
Even without the injured duo of Jarome Luai and Taylan May, the Tigers put on eight tries against the Knights with five of those coming in the opening 40 minutes. Sunia Turuva scored a hat-trick, Jahream Bula landed a double and Api Koroisau, Patrick Herbert and Terrell May all crossed over for one each.
Doueihi with an insane pass for Turuva's hat-trick! 🤩
Telstra Moment of the Match pic.twitter.com/4Mbn9dOTGj
— NRL (@NRL) April 12, 2026