More effective than an interim coach, on a worse losing streak than the Dragons, in training for the next mascot race, and trying to work out how Kurt Capewell aka Captain Plod is a starting second rower for Queensland, it’s time for some Rugby League tips and opinion from The Gurgler’s NRL Donkey. The NRL Donkey provides his NRL Donkey’s 2026 NRL Round 12 Expert Tips as well as offers an alternative, slightly unhinged view full of sass of the world of rugby league and beyond for another week.
The NRL Donkey’s 2026 NRL Round 12 Weekly Opinion
You do have to wonder why the NRL are even bothering with this weekend.
From the highest high of Magic Round filled with eight big games, fans from all over the place proudly wearing their team’s kit, and strangely some Western Reds ones, some good games – I think the Cowboys v Roosters was good and who didn’t enjoy the Wahs win on Sunday. Well, probably that Broncos fan on the social media going the punch. Until the Temu Tino came and broke it up. One does wonder what Ray Stone would make of it all. Safe to say, he’d probably hate it.
But there was the Mascot race which is always welcome, and funny. But it was a case of less is less. Mascot give so much, 80 minutes plus of pure, selfless entertainment, and all we can give them over eight games at one venue is a quick, cheat-filled run of about thirty seconds. They deserve more, and no doubt the fans want more. And need more. The UK Magic Round equivalent, which is actually the original, had an entire program of Mascot Olympics, which is the bare minimum they deserve, and on the lower end of what fans should demand to see. There should be various mascot activities in the half time and between game breaks of every match. With points awarded and a trophy handed to the winner.
A mascot Olympics won’t stop the punching in the grandstand, but it gives those behaving something else to watch.
Talking of trophies, last week I suggested that the biggest loser of the Magic Round weekend should win a trophy called the Crusher Cup and be excluded from next year’s Magic Round. Looking back on the 2026 results, this season’s Crushers Cup would be “won” by the Broncos. Under our rules the Broncos would be out for Magic Round, which has been recently locked in for Brisbane for the foreseeable future. How funny if the Broncos weren’t playing. Probably not funny for old mate punching in the stands but perhaps given those shenanigans maybe the Broncos should have a year off.
The crowd all seem to enjoy themselves too, with the Caxton a short walk or long crawl away, fans can warm up, and kick on, all with a party atmosphere. Or they can wait and pay 20% more at the bars at the ground. Thier choice. Suncorp Stadium doesn’t have pokies or a TAB, it should. At least one of each.
One down side is Magic Round does need a dress up theme day. So that’s something to work on. The only thing funnier than hundreds of people dressing up, is mascots doing stuff, especially mascots fighting. Although talking of funny and fighting, I must admit that I enjoy when pre boxing bout media calls end up in a fight.
But all those good things have disappeared, and the reality of the NRL for the next two months sinks in.
It’ll be all about State of Origin, which for me means that it is much harder to avoid Billy Slater. Normally we tune into Fox League so to ignore Channel Nein’s muppet coverage of rugby league, but State of Origin means Slater will be on the nightly news, if not more frequently. Although, give him his credit, Slater didn’t announce a player from 20 years ago and from another state like Laurie Daley did. I would have liked seen Billy Slater not announce Captain Plod aka Kurt Capewell in the starting side or at all.
But really, what is the point of these five games. All these teams except the Dragons have Origin players on duty, and given they’ve lost a million in a row it would be hard to justify picking one of their players.
Bulldogs v Melbourne sees two teams that have won three games in two and a bit months between them, and they’ve lost players to Origin. But at least it doesn’t kick off on Thursday and really ruin the weekend. Other games could be good on paper but after the high of Magic Round it just doesn’t offer the same buzz.
I could complain about all the games, and I have, just a bit further down.
And that buzz won’t be around for a long time yet. Until Origin is over the NRL becomes Temu NRL as injuries pile up, Origin players pull out late, and interest fades.
I’ve advocated in the past, present and future if I’m allowed, that Origin needs to be over three weekends, with the competition taking a break for four weeks, with a Pacific Nations knockout or tournament to fill in the gaps.
Taking three weekends off for a better Origin and better NRL is surely better than the half arsed version we’re going to have to suffer for the next few months.
But no one listens to a donkey. Although they should.
Talking of half arsed versions, here is my expert tips for whatever is left of Round 12.
The NRL Donkey’s 2026 NRL Round 12 Expert Tips & Match Analysis
THURSDAY 7:50PM – CANBERRA v DOLPHINS
You have to wonder about State of Origin selections for this game, where the Dolphins lose one of the more mediocre players in Selwyn Cobbo who feels 50% at best whether he’s going to catch a bomb cleanly, but get to keep Kulikefu Finefeuiaki because he’s 20th best and not in the top 19? Happy for Max Plath to make Origin, even happier knowing this gives Ray Stone more game time. The Hammer’s Origin selection brings the most silver of linings as Tramplin’ Trai Fuller gets a rare start at the back. He will shine, he always does. For Canberra they lose two of their best in Ethan Strange and Hudson Young. Great news for Dolphins who are due to put at least 60 minutes of good football together sometime soon than the current 20-40 minutes.
Dolphins by 20
FRIDAY 8PM – BULLDOGS v MELBOURNE
What a dreadful game this will be. It would have been bad enough on both of their recent form, but then there’s players from these sides that made it to Origin? No wonder NRL bosses are allowing New Zealand and English players to join in.
Winner: no one.
SATURDAY 5:30PM – ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA v WAHS @ Kogarah
Oh dear, imagine being on a losing streak that people can count in hundreds of days, and then after being ok against the all-dominating Panthers their reward playing one of the other massively in-form teams in the Warriors. You do have to start wondering when they will win a game, or that when might be too generous. Then you check the remaining games for 2026 for the Dragons and see they have the Wests Tigers twice in the next month or so. So at least they’ll win one game. Just not this week. And how good are the Wahs going? Anyone who doesn’t get on board with their success hates rugby league. So won’t be surprised if Buzz Rothfield doesn’t cheer for the Wahs.
Warriors by 12
SATURDAY 7:30PM – MANLY v GOLD COAST
Perhaps Kieran Foran is the greatest rugby league magician ever. He has sawed the Sea Eagles’ season into two, with Anthony Seibold’s effort the half with just the legs and rear end. He hasn’t quite pulled a rabbit out of the hat yet, mainly because they haven’t played Souths yet, and Souths are the Rabbitohs which isn’t actually a rabbit but a person, so even harder to do. But Kieran Foran and his Fozball revolution can certainly make the Gold Coast Titans 2026 season disappear – if the Titans lose they will need to win 10 of their last 13 which ain’t gonna happen.
Manly by 18
SUNDAY 4PM – NORTH QUEENSLAND v SOUTH SYDNEY
Ahh, the Cowboys. Win when you don’t expect them and lose when you do. They are a frustrating team. Their coach must be pulling his hair out. It’s not that I’m against them winning, only when I don’t tip them correctly, which is often. As for Souths, they were disappointing at Magic Round. Where was the 86+ total match points I was expecting with them playing the Dolphins? The Cowboys win against the Roosters will give their head coach one more game to enjoy before everyone else slaps the next sacked badge on him. Again.
Souths by 2
PREVIEW & REVIEW GEAR
NRL ROUND 12 BEST BETS
NRL ROUND 12 NRL DONKEY OPINION AND EXPERT TIPS
NRL ROUND 12 TIPS
NRL ROUND 12 RATINGS
NRL ROUND 11 TEAM OF THE WEEK
NRL ROUND 11 STATS AND ONE MINUTE MATCH REPORTS
READ MORE: THE GURGLER’S FULL NRL 2026 GEAR
We’ve been working hard for you to bring you the 2026 NRL Season Previews from every angle and angel possible. But never Jo Angel.
NRL DONKEY’S 2026 SEASON PREVIEW
BOLD NRL 2026 SEASON PREDICTIONS
CAPTAIN HINDSIGHT’S SENSIBLE NRL 2026 SEASON PREDICTIONS
WHY YOUR TEAM CAN’T WIN THE 2026 NRL PREMIERSHIP
NRL 2026 RATINGS PREDICTIONS
2026 NRL JERSEY RATINGS WITH AI GREK NORMAN
2026 NRL DRAW ANALYSIS
2026 NRL DRAW ANALYSIS – TEAM BY TEAM
THE A TO Z OF THE 2025 NRL SEASON
