How about those crowds over the weekend?
Evidently there was some footy played over the weekend yet all everyone is talking about, for some reason, is the number of people in the stands ... more on this later.
We say goodbye to the Bunnies and Cowboys after they were eliminated, while the Panthers and Dolphins have their feet up this weekend after their wins.
Let's get straight into it as despite only four games, we had no concerns filling out this week's column.
Here are 20 thoughts from Round 1 of the 2026 NRL finals.
1. There was way too much concern over the weekend about crowd numbers. The NRL brought this upon themselves after moving the Sharks game, but seriously ... who cares? Truthfully though, most of the discourse is coming from those who attend games in the corporate areas.
2. Turns out that half priced chips and calling people "bad fans" for not attending a Week 1 finals game doesn't work. Who knew? Maybe reduce the ticket prices so it doesn't cost a kidney to take the family to a game that won't matter a week from now!
3. I was a little annoyed by those saying "yeah but fans turn out for preliminary finals" this week. Think about it, using the Cowboys as an example. Who drops $1,200 on a flights and hotels for a Week 1 game? Those are the kind of trips most can only make once. Of course you'll go to a grand final or preliminary final.
4. Scott Drinkwater turned in an all time stinker on Saturday night. It was to the point that Dragons fans are starting to second guess their team's million dollar purchase next season. For everything good he does, and there is a lot of good, he also produces a performance like this past weekend.
5. The above said, I have no idea how the Cowboys manage without his 22 + try assists each year. The Tom Dearden rumours won't go away either with his pregnant partner evidently moving back to Sydney. They've also lost a genuine rep winger in Murray Taulagi. Might be a drop off in 2027.
6. Mark Nawaqanitawase can just do things that other can't. The ease in which he completed a miracle intercept was enough to call that moment a huge play. He then was able to get up and run 40 metres, untouched, to score. Most don't make the catch. Almost no one else has the agility to be up and flying so quickly that opposition defenders couldn't get near.
7. Speaking of huge plays, the biggest play in the competition is quickly becoming slipping into high contact. The amount of times players are falling and copping "high" shots which lead to match changing penalties is a real worry for me. We will almost certainly see a grand final won one day on the back of someone being hit "high" despite being at hip height.
8. Saturday afternoon at Leichhardt Oval was footballing perfection. Those who didn't see the North Sydney Bears vs Newtown Jets final need to seek out the highlights right away. It was first-grade quality and provided one of the best finishes I've ever seen at that level.
9. Leichhardt Oval was perfect for Saturday's NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg Finals. That said, how that venue ever hosts an NRL game is far beyond me. People like to give Shark Park grief, but at least Shark Park has actual seats and some shade.
10. Souths spine is not good. They were expected to be the team outside the top four to do damage but their stars are playing in the middle and in the centres. Matt Dufty has a strong season, recording huge run metres, but he is not a finals fullback. They still don't have a halfback and Brandon Smith is a bench hooker now. Big questions ahead.
11. I'm not sure Souths can re-sign Cody Walker next season. He's 36 and coming off yet another calf injury. He was their best player, attacking wise, this season but at what point does father time win? I suppose a year to year deal doesn't hurt but it can't be on big money.
12. Bradman Best may be the ultimate, big game player. His performances in Finals and Origin deciders are flawless. I joked that if he only played Finals and rep hames he'd be the best centre in the game. Hard to remember a bad game, in a big game.
13. Over to the NRLW, the Sydney Roosters were crowned Minor Premiers on Thursday night. They went through the regular season without a loss. A huge effort, and the first time this has been achieved since the Roosters did it last year. The fact they lifted the trophy in front of 800 fans shows that perhaps the super team isn't good for the game.
14. I liked the introduction of the smaller ball for the Sharks/Dragons game on Saturday night. It will take some getting use to but overall I like it. I absolutely hate the "new" kickoff trial though. With a few minutes to go, the Dragons needed two/three tries. They crossed out wide, missed the kick and the Sharks took all the momentum out of the game but receiving the kick off. Dud rule. Scrap it!
15. Are the Dolphins the new title favourites? Obviously Penrith is the shout but the Phins can outscore anyone on any day. They have the best back five in the competition. A Penrith/Phins Grand Final would be the defensive wizards vs the attacking geniuses.
16. Sticking with the Dolphins, reports are that Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow wants $1.4 million a season. Someone will absolutely pay that. It needs to be the Dolphins. It would be an absolute shame to see him leave the club after becoming the face of the club.
17. Joey Manu looks like he may play some rugby league in 2027 before shifting to the Chiefs. It will be interesting to see if a team speaks to him right away or "waits" until mid season next year. There's no way the NRL will stand in the way, knowing he's coming back to the code full time. Watch this space,
18. I'm not one to shy away from highlight officiating errors but I have to admit I thought Chris Butler got the two big decisions in the Souths game right. It looked a lose carry from Alex Johnston and it looked pretty obvious that Dom Young stayed in. I'm not sure Wayne Bennett had the right to smash the Bunker like he did, especially where there were 100 howlers this year to focus on.
19. I also think the entire process re the Nathan Cleary incident was handled well. It was a penalty, absolutely a Sin Bin and absolutely not a suspension. Exactly as it has been officiated on most occasions. There's a few that lead to a suspension but it's been clear that there's some leniency come Finals time and they applied that here.
20. The Warriors absolutely, albeit in hindsight, got it wrong to keep taking the penalty goal on Saturday evening. I say this because it's not the way they've played all season. Why change it up now?
