Round 8 of the 2026 NRL season saw plenty of highlights and lowlights, headlined by the Roosters’ demolition of the Dragons on ANZAC Day.
Dragons struggles continue under new coach
The St George Illawarra Dragons may have terminated head coach Shane Flanagan, assistant coach Michael Ennis and GM of Football Ben Haran earlier in the week, but that hasn’t stopped the club’s struggles from continuing.
Moving to eight consecutive losses to begin this year’s campaign and 12 straight defeats, the Dragons were demolished by the Sydney Roosters on ANZAC Day, losing to them by 46 points (64-16).
Halfback Sam Walker was awarded the ANZAC Day medal for being the best player on the field, while he and wingers Daniel Tupou and Mark Nawaqanitawase all crossed for double in front of a terrible, inconsistent defensive line.
“The first thing I did was ask them how they’re feeling and I’ve got a group of players that are embarrassed by the performance we tossed up today,” Young said.
“I need to get in there and change the way we’re doing things because what we’re doing at the moment is obviously not working, as you saw.
“I can’t predict the future, unfortunately. All I’m focused on is one day at a time at the moment and I’ve got to go back and review that.
“Then we’re going to have a really good review on Wednesday and make sure that we learn from it.”
Try ✌ for Sam Walker! pic.twitter.com/QTCI4eJybJ
— NRL (@NRL) April 25, 2026
Melbourne fall to six straight losses
What is happening at the Melbourne Storm? After reaching grand finals in back-to-back seasons, the club have now succumbed to their sixth straight loss which has seen coach Craig Bellamy looking everywhere for answers.
The Storm were embarrassed by a South Sydney Rabbitohs outfit that won their first-ever match in Melbourne, led by fullback Matthew Dufty and centre Latrell Mitchell.
Meanwhile, back-rower Tallis Duncan crossed for a hat-trick as he continue to put his name out there for a potential State of Origin debut in the coming years.
“Yeah, it does. Probably the most embarrassed I’ve ever been in my footy life to be quite honest,” Bellamy said.
“To play like that tonight and again, there’s obviously a few things that the off-field staff is doing wrong and I’m included in that. So obviously it ain’t doing my job as well as I should.
“And to come up with a performance like that, the opposition played really well, but to come up with a performance like that and a lack of effort like that on Anzac Day is embarrassing.
“It’s embarrassing and I can’t really say too much more than that…. at the end of the day some of those losses are probably four points or whatever.”
The tip on was smoooooth 👌 pic.twitter.com/sOfaM2BlrZ
— NRL (@NRL) April 25, 2026
Dylan Edwards makes Origin statement
The Penrith Panthers returned to their dominant selves on the weekend against the Newcastle Knights as fullback Dylan Edwards produced a seven-minute hat-trick and showed that he should still be in contention to represent the NSW Blues come State of Origin time.
While all the attention has been on James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters) recently, the former Clive Churchill Medallist was on fire against the Knights which saw him run over 250 metres from the back of the field, score three tries and provide a single try assist.
Dylan Edwards is everywhere! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/MXXHfvn1TH
— NRL (@NRL) April 26, 2026