Round 17 was packed with excitement, featuring unexpected outcomes, thrilling finishes, and a particularly perplexing Raiders and Dragons match.
On Monday mornings, compiling 20 thoughts can be a challenge, but this past weekend made it easy with its abundance of twists and turns.
The Broncos suffered their seventh consecutive defeat, while the Dolphins celebrated their eighth straight victory. Concurrently, the Raiders managed to create some distance from the Dragons at the bottom of the standings.
Beyond the action of Round 17, we saw unexpected Origin selections, the first suspension since the Origin series began, and two outside backs switching teams.
Here are 20 reflections from NRL Round 17 and beyond:
1. Newcastle's resurgence in 2026 offers a glimmer of hope for teams like the Dragons and Titans. It also serves as a potential roadmap: hire a savvy coach and secure a strong halfback. While this seems straightforward, it often proves to be complicated in practice.
2. I was surprised to see Brian To'o left out of the Origin 3 lineup, although I had hinted it could be his last opportunity. The era of small wingers, regardless of their overall prowess, is nearing its conclusion. Jack Bostock's inclusion addresses a significant shortcoming the Blues faced in Origin 2. Jojo Fifita consistently outleaped the smaller To'o in Melbourne.
3. Laurie Daley's selections leave many scratching their heads. How could Liam Martin be chosen over Haumole Olakau'atu? The Manly powerhouse excelled in their victory over the Storm, while Martin struggled in a loss against the Cowboys. Since returning from injury, Martin has averaged only 68 run metres weekly, while Olakau'atu has been impressive with an average of 90 post-contact metres over his last four club matches.
4. In a fair world, Laurie Daley wouldn't clinch a victory next Wednesday. Nevertheless, New South Wales fans deserve a win for enduring this painful spell.