A rugby league social media content creator has quit his page after a temper tantrum on Saturday night.
As a dedicated Gold Coast Titans fans, the creator of Snarky’s Footy Opinions was already in a bad mood after the Titans’ heavy defeat to Cronulla.
That mood became worse when he posted a summary of the game to his Facebook and Instagram pages.
The majority of his followers took great delight in sinking the boot in and making ‘Snarky’ (who wished to keep his real identity anonymous) even more angry.
“I got in trouble with the missus, skipped dinner, and went to the pub to let off some steam.”
But the social abuse didn’t let up as ‘Snarky’ kept reading comments while trying to watch the other Saturday night games. With his bad mood even worse, ‘Snarky’ decided to pull the pin with one last post when he got home.
Right! I’ve had it with you Muppets! I’ve poured my heart and soul into building this page for THREE YEARS and all I get is abuse and garbage in return! And for what? I make NO MONEY from this page, I lose my weekends, and my misso gets the s***s with me because I’m watching footy all weekend! Well, I’m done! This is the LAST post on Snarky’s Footy Opinions! You can go and find another page to abuse and be d***h****s to! I’M NOT TAKING THIS C**P ANYMORE!!!!
With that, ‘Snarky’ deleted all his Snarky’s Footy Opinions social media pages, made up with his wife, and had the best night’s sleep in ages.
The following morning, ‘Snarky’ woke up refreshed and was relieved he didn’t have to check his phone for footy news out of habit.
“The misso and I have made a deal: I can watch all the Titans games, but the rest of the weekends are free to do whatever we want to or need to. We even looked into joining a Saturday afternoon running club,” said ‘Snarky’.
“I started this page because I wanted to show my passion for footy and talk about it with people. It was fun for the first two years, but then it got more and more abusive. Looking back, I even had second thoughts about even coming back this season, but I didn’t want to let down my followers. Now they can all get f****d and I can have a life again!”
Missed all the hype of the latest NRL Round and need and/or want to catch up in the quickest way possible? Well The Gurgler has you covered for the latest Dolphins game with our 2026 NRL Round 1 Dolphins v Rabbitohs – One Minute Match Report.
Our popular One Minute Match Reviews offer up just enough facts and figures and opinion to make it through the waiting for an Uber or Monday morning coffee catch ups, fifty cent train rides or carpools. This one is specifically designed to follow all the Dolphins NRL games in 2026, and to praise Ray Stone where possible. Or else.
For The Gurgler’s One Minute Match Reviews for all games, kindly follow this link…..
Wet weather and Ticketek may have stopped a huge crowd for the opening weekend of the season, but that didn’t stop the points as the Dolphins and Rabbitohs shared 70 at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
Both teams had horror injury tolls in common in 2025, and both teams have welcomed back most of their talent, and while the Dolphins still have a few top liners out, the South Sydney players hit the ground running better than the Dolphins to start 2026.
A loss isn’t the end of the world for the Dolphins, they had four of them to start 2025 and were finals contenders to September. Nor are the panic buttons being hit for a slightly underwhelming performance, and they have a great chance against the Gold Coast to kick start 2026.
The Dolphins looked reasonably flat for a first game of the season at home, but were keeping pace with Souths in the first half, although one of their tries was a length of the field intercept. But a quick burst to end the first half, including a try for Alex Johnston just seconds before the siren really snatched the momentum away. The Souths winger moved within two tries of the all-time try scoring record, and with some luck, and perhaps a little more help from his team mates when he was at least twice unmarked near the line, he could have sealed the deal at Suncorp Stadium. Perhaps it works better doing it in front of his people in Sydney next weekend. Given the Rabbitohs form this weekend, he’s a chance.
Down 28-10 at the break, the Dolphins eventually woke up, and we did see a little of their exciting rugby league that made so many friends in 2025 as they closed the gap. But a key turning point was a 40-20 kick from Cody Walker, which set up the field position and led to tries for Lachlan Hubner and Latrell Mitchell.
The Dolphins at least made the ending interesting by spending multiple sets in the Rabbitohs 20 metre zone, but only ended up with a try to Jamayne Isaako to show for it. Their decision to take the two points for a penalty in the dying seconds when down by 12 points was odd. As was the long, long delay getting Trai Fuller on the field. The Dolphins needed a spark before half time, and if you are going to play him off the bench, that was the perfect time. As it was the Dolphins conceded two tries between the 35th and 40th minutes, so bringing on Trai Fuller could have meant the Dolphins were scoring and not conceding. There may be games where Trai Fuller isn’t suited to come off the bench, but today wasn’t one of those, and he should have been let loose much earlier.
Hopefully the Dolphins can get a hooker back on the park soon. Brad Schneider is a great half option, but he is no hooker. Brent Woolf must have started the season as sixth string hooker, but to give him credit he did well in his opportunity on NRL debut.
And as ever, it’s needless to say this game needed Ray Stone, as all games do. But the Dolphins could have done with that grunt, and Ray Stone understated magic that he brings. It would have lifted the crowd’s spirits too, shivering from the wet and windy conditions.
Much has been said about South Sydney before the season about potential, from the recruitment of Daivd Fifita, the shifting of Latrell Mitchell to centres, Jye Gray getting a proper go at fullback, the return of Camrron Murray, and full fitness of their squad. Safe to say after their first game of the season, that signs are good. The Rabbitohs scored 40 points and could have scored more through disallowed tries with little margin. If they stay fit and firing, then they could do anything in 2026, and best of luck to them and foundation coach Wayne Bennett.
It’s not the end of the world for the Dolphins after one game, nor is it a premiership for South Sydney, but it certainly was differing quality in performances.
NRL Round 1 Dolphins v Rabbitohs Match Stats
Courtesy of nrl.com
NRL Round 1 Dolphins – Best of Match Stats
South Sydney’s win broke a run of five straight losses at Suncorp Stadium.
Dolphins v South Sydney games at Suncorp Stadium average 66 points a game from three games.
It was the Dolphins first loss at Suncorp Stadium on a Sunday v Sydney teams (3 games).
Keaon Koloamatangi’s 253 run metres was a big effort in the wet, and was the most of any forward in Round 1.
There were five fewer errors in this than the Broncos-Penrith clash on Friday at the same ground.
Dolphins had half of the tackle breaks of the Rabbitohs.
There were only 33 kicking metres from players other than Isaiya Katoa. Maybe the Dolphins need to share that around a bit, and potentially Katoa having a few more different kicks rather than the bomb.
NRL Round 1 Dolphins Player Stats
Here are the choicest cuts of stats from the Dolphins latest match.
Looking for a way to get into this weekend’s NRL action, but don’t have the time to examine the form guide, Facebook pages, Fox Sports website, or watch the Channel Nein Sports news to help with your selections? The Gurgler website is nothing if not helpful, so to help the keen NRL punter we offer up our 2026 NRL Round 2 Bets & Best Bets.
We’ve done the math and the homework of all our stats and offer up just our favourite suggested bet in each game. Then roll them up in a mega multi at the end.
2026 NRL Round 2 Bets & Best Bets
Here is our one betting special for every game this weekend.
Odds courtesy of Sportsbet.
THURSDAY 8pm – BRISBANE v PARRAMATTA
Parramatta Line +12.5 Points @ $1.86
Parramatta won this fixture last season at Suncorp Stadium and Parramatta have won four of the last five games v Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium. Parramatta have scored at least 22 points in each game of that run. Brisbane won only one of four games at Suncorp Stadium last season on a Friday v Sydney teams. But are Parramatta safe enough for the win bet? Probably not.
FRIDAY 6pm – WAHS v CANBERRA
Total Match Points Under 46.5 @ $1.89
Seven of the last eight games between Warriors and Canberra have seen 41 points or less. Friday is Canberra’s lowest scoring day on average since 2000 at 20 points, which is the same average points on a Friday for the Warriors.
FRIDAY 8pm – ROOSTERS v SOUTH SYDNEY
Roosters to Win @ $1.83
The Roosters are 10/10 against South Sydney at the Sydney Football Stadium on a Friday in the NRL era. Roosters have won also five of the last six games v South Sydney anywhere. Roosters have won five of the last six games v South Sydney at the Sydney Football Stadium on any day, including the last three.
SATURDAY 3pm – WESTS TIGERS v NORTH QUEENSLAND @ Leichhardt
Alternative Total Match Points Over 53.5 Points @ $2.29
The last six games between these sides have averaged 71 points. The last four games between these sides at Leichhardt average 72 points.
SATURDAY 5:30pm – ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA v MELBOURNE @ WIN Stadium
St George Illawarra +8.5 Start @ $1.83
St George Illawarra have won the last two games v Melbourne. Melbourne lost three of four games last season on a Saturday to Sydney clubs. The Dragons have lost their last three to Melbourne at WIN Stadium, but only by an average of eight points. They won the three games v Melbourne at WIN Stadium before that.
SATURDAY 7:30pm – PENRITH v CRONULLA @ Bathurst
Cronulla Under 16.5 Total Points @ $1.80
Penrith have won five in a row v Cronulla and nine of the last ten games. Cronulla have scored zero three times in that run. Games at Bathurst average 38 points per game, and the last three just 26 points per game.
SUNDAY 4pm – MANLY v NEWCASTLE
Manly to win @ $1.57 or Dominic Young 1+ tries @ 1.83
Despite Newcastle’s Las Vegas heroics, Manly have a great record at home v Newcastle (W14 D1 L2 from the last 17 games), plus Newcastle have a dreadful Sunday away game hangover from 2025 and 2024.
Dominic Young has scored eight tries in seven games v Manly since 2022.
SUNDAY 6:15pm – DOLPHINS v GOLD COAST @ Suncorp Stadium
Dolphins to win @ $1.37
Dolphins are W5 L1 v Gold Coast, Gold Coast have lost their last seven away games on a Sunday v all teams. Dolphins still managed 30 points last weekend while not playing very well.
2026 NRL Round 2 Bets MMMMMega Multi
Add all the specials together for turning $1 into plenty. But gamble responsibly, by betting within your limits and ignoring our tips all together.
Angrier than a room full of Fox League writers, ducking for cover like a Melbourne Storm Assistant Coach, trying his best to not lash out at kids at NRL games while wondering what he’s done wrong not to be a current NRL mascot, sitting on the extended bench and not expecting to play for the good of the team, and getting the full support of the board, it’s time for the weekly Rugby League rant from The Gurgler’s NRL Donkey. The NRL Donkey provides his NRL Donkey’s 2026 NRL Round 2 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 2 Weekly Opinion
Ahh, so good to get that first full round of rugby league done and dusted. And as ever rugby league are jumping to conclusions about legacies, and premierships, and which team looks the most busted arse, and why no team from the Gold Coast can ever do anyth……
SIX AGAIN
Hmmm, that’s a bit annoying. I was in the middle of giving the Gold Coast a piece of my mind, more so in regret for why on earth I’d pick them to beat the Sharks. But despite a new coach, and a decent squad full of good players, even Origin quality players, it looks like the same kind of underwhelming season lies ahead.
It wasn’t a great first round for Queensland in general, and when I say not great I mean no wins and an overall combined score of
SIX AGAIN
Ok, this is getting more annoying. The combined loss of Queensland sides was 144-58. Which sounds more like an AFL score than a rugby league one. The disappointment factor from the Queensland teams is aligned with the amount of points they scored, making the Broncos 26-0 loss the most underwhelming. The most fight shown by the Broncos was in a fight under the grandstands after the game. Perhaps Broncos coach Michael Maguire will jot down the names for later in the season if they run out of players or they want protection.
SIX AGAIN
Right, at least I was ready for that one. But one final point was…
SIX AGAIN
Bloody hell, this is getting ridiculous. I can’t even remember what the final point was. Maybe there wasn’t one, like the Broncos.
But what a shame that the post weekend social media banter about the NRL is about how Peter V’landys, or Man of Feathers as he is known in some circles, and it could also be a native American name, maybe it is, it could explain the haircut, and how the six again has ruined the game. The problem is with Six Agains is..
SIX AGAIN
Exactly. They were excessive and led to the game more and more resembling rugby union. Which is not what anyone wants. With the possible exception of Zac Lomax. If rugby league did become more like rugby union, then Zac Lomax could take rugby league to court to say it is no longer rugby league but a hybrid, and as such could then re-join an NRL club because of a legal loophole based on the fact the Six Agains have fundamentally changed the sport into a…..
SIX AGAIN
Maybe if Zac Lomax wins the court case he could go to Melbourne and sit on the extended bench, given they barely looked like they needed him last weekend. But in fairness, if given the choice of sitting on a rugby league bench and not playing versus playing rugby union, I’m sure 99% of sporting stars would make the right choice. And I guess Zac Lomax playing rugby or rugby league or hybrid rugby league or rugby union in Melbourne doesn’t matter, because they all call it rugby anyways.
So….
SIX AGAIN
It could be worse though. At least the NRL haven’t stuffed their sport to the degree that Formula One have.
Whilst the Six Agains are annoying, and….
SIX AGAIN
There’s way too many of them, at least it hasn’t fundamentally changed the sport like the new regulations have in F1.
So far the complaints about Round 1 of the NRL have come from disgruntled fans, media, and probably Buzz Rothfield if he’s still alive, which I don’t care enough to check, not as much from the players themselves.
Unlike F1 where the drivers themselves are comparing the new rules to MarioKart. And there are a lot of parallels on that. They now have boosts like the Mushrooms on offer, Mercedes have that invincible mode, and some drivers just crash into the wall for fun. Although not fun for the millions of Australian fans.
SIX AGAIN
Talking of fans, this weekend could see South Sydney star Alex Johnston break the try scoring record. He could have had it in Round 1 if not for a large dose of ball hogging from Latrell Mitchell. But that should be cured this weekend as Latrell has played his good game for the month of March and will be looking to pass for the remaining games. If only he…
SIX AGAIN
But the fans should be allowed to enter the field when he does that, or at the end of the game. It’s a historic moment that demands the appropriate celebration and player hoisting.
If permission isn’t granted, then the fans should organise, at least 10,000 of them. Mainly Rabbitohs fans, but even if Roosters want to be well-wishers too. Of course this would be hard to get 10,000 fans to rush the field of a Titans game, but luckily no one will hang around long enough or score enough tries to break any records. But back to the…
SIX AGAIN
pitch invasion. If say 10,000 people throw in $100 dollars each that’s a pool of a million dollars which will cover at least 70 fans potential fines. If 10,000 fans run onto the field at once, the powers that be won’t be catching more than 50, so the remaining bail money can be spent on beers for anyone who entered the field. Of course you’ll need to trust the person holding a million dollars, we offer up the Rabbitohs mascot. He’s trustworthy as, and can’t move very fast, so is perfect for the job.
Talking of moving fast…
SIX AGAIN
It’s time for the expert tips and match by match thoughts for the weekend ahead.
The NRL Donkey’s 2026 NRL Round 2 Expert Tips & Match Analysis
GAME BY GAME
THURSDAY 8pm – BRISBANE v PARRAMATTA
Hard to tell which of these teams were more embarrassing last weekend. Probably the Broncos as they had a bigger crowd. Parramatta were in Melbourne after all. Surely the Broncos can’t play as bad this week.
Brisbane by 10
FRIDAY 6pm – WAHS v CANBERRA
Is this the rugby league neutral’s favourite game? Anyone who hates either of these teams is not a real rugby league fan. It’s almost un-Australian, but then I note that one of the teams is from New Zealand.
Wahs by 8
FRIDAY 8pm – ROOSTERS v SOUTH SYDNEY
It is set up so nicely. One of rugby league’s biggest rivalries. Ex Rooster Latrell Mitchell at his confident best in Round 1 and ready to give it to Roosters fans. Alex Johnston on the verge of a try scoring record. A genuine Friday blockbuster. And we do hope that the fans invade the pitch to celebrate. Just remember, they can’t arrest 10,000 of you at the same time, so stick together and enjoy the moment, and pool the cash to pay for the unlucky ones. As long as you don’t go full Celtic-Rangers. That’s not cool. In Australia.
Souths by 4
SATURDAY 3pm – WESTS TIGERS v NORTH QUEENSLAND @ Leichhardt
These games usually average about a million points a game, so that will be expected once again.
Wests Tigers by 8
SATURDAY 5:30pm – ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA v MELBOURNE @ WIN Stadium
Melbourne don’t like teams who can bored them to death, so who better than the Dragons to try and upset the Storm through boredom. Much like the boredom of sitting through a Fox League commentary of a Dragons game. Stats wise, St George Illawarra have won the last two too, so maybe the upset is on. Talking of upset, it will be funny to keep an eye on Craig Bellamy if it happens.
Dragons by 2
SATURDAY 7:30pm – PENRITH v CRONULLA @ Bathurst
Both teams flogged underwhelming Queensland teams last weekend. Penrith’s record at Bathurst isn’t great, and even Newcastle beat them there last season. But Cronulla’s record against Penrith is even worse.
Penrith by 6
SUNDAY 4pm – MANLY v NEWCASTLE
As long as they replay that Mark Carroll v Paul Harragon mega tackle over and over again, I don’t really care about the result. But I guess we’ll see if Newcastle’s first win was a fluke. Probably was. Newcastle lost every Sunday game last season, perhaps it’s a religious thing.
Manly by 12
SUNDAY 6:15pm – DOLPHINS v GOLD COAST @ Suncorp Stadium
Somehow the Dolphins didn’t play that well last weekend and still scored 30 points. They also didn’t win. They play the specialists in that category the Gold Coast Titans, who the Dolphins have a very good record against. But the game needs more Ray Stone. Or else.
Dolphins by 30
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.
So rugby league is back, and Round One had so much to offer: loads of points, set restarts, golden point games, standard first round Melbourne Storm victories, premiership dreams dashed, bottom four reality sinking in. The only thing it didn’t offer was points for the Broncos. Talking of a lack of points, our 2026 NRL Round 2 Tips Predictions & Stats Preview could hardly be accused of that, with loads of barely interesting stats and visuals to keep you in the game.
Each week this season we will offer up a quick preview glance for each match, throw in a bunch of barely interesting stats, and mix in a pinch of opinion, plus throw in our weekly predictions like chicken salt on hot chips and you have something that seagulls and humans will fight over.
2026 NRL Round 2 Tips
Here are our tips for the week ahead. How did we get to here? By going through all the visuals and stats below.
BRISBANE by 10
CANBERRA by 2
ROOSTERS by 6
WESTS TIGERS by 10
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA by 4
PENRITH by 8
MANLY by 12
DOLPHINS by 26
Our famed barely interesting stats all in the one place for you convenience and arguments.
THURSDAY 8pm – BRISBANE v PARRAMATTA
Parramatta won this fixture last season at Suncorp Stadium. That broke a run of six straight losses for games in Queensland.
Parramatta have won four of the last five games v Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium. Parramatta have scored at least 22 points in each game of that run.
Brisbane’s win rate is 42% v Sydney teams at Suncorp Stadium since 2020. Overall it is 50%.
FRIDAY 6pm – WAHS v CANBERRA
Canberra have won the last three games v Wahs.
Warriors lead the H2H v Canberra at Mt Smart Stadium by 13-7, but Canberra edge the H2H on a Friday 2-1.
Canberra have won their last five Friday games.
Canberra have won their last four away games on a Friday too.
Since returning to Mt Smart after Covid in 2022, the Warriors record at the ground is W9 L7 on a Friday.
Warriors haven’t won back to back home games at Mt Smart since Round 7 last year.
Seven of the last eight games between Warriors and Canberra have seen 41 points or less.
FRIDAY 8pm – ROOSTERS v SOUTH SYDNEY
Roosters have won five of the last six games v South Sydney.
Roosters have won five of the last six games v South Sydney at the Sydney Football Stadium, including the last three.
Roosters have won six of the last seven games v South Sydney on a Friday.
The Roosters are 10/10 against South Sydney at the Sydney Football Stadium on a Friday.
Roosters have won 12 of their last 13 at the Sydney Football Stadium on a Friday.
South Sydney lost all five away games on a Friday last season, and both of the away Friday games in 2024 too.
SATURDAY 3pm – WESTS TIGERS v NORTH QUEENSLAND @ Leichhardt
North Queensland have won the last five games v Wests Tigers.
North Queensland have won the last two, and three of the last four games v Tigers at Leichhardt.
The last six games between these sides have averaged 71 points.
The last four games between these sides at Leichhardt average 72 points.
Wests Tigers record at Leichhardt for the last two seasons is W5 L3.
Wests Tigers have won their last three games at Leichhardt on a Saturday v Qld teams.
North Queensland were W3 L6 v non Qld opposition away last season.
SATURDAY 5:30pm – ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA v MELBOURNE @ WIN Stadium
St George Illawarra have won the last two games v Melbourne.
Melbourne have won the last three games v St George Illawarra at Win Stadium.
Melbourne lost three of four games last season on a Saturday to Sydney clubs.
Melbourne have won nine of their last 11 games v Sydney teams away.
It is four in a row away on a Saturday too.
St George Illawarra are W9 L10 at Win Stadium since 2023.
SATURDAY 7:30pm – PENRITH v CRONULLA @ Bathurst
Penrith are W6 L5 at Bathurst. That improves to W6 L4 on a Saturday.
It’s W2 L2 v Sydney teams at Bathurst.
The last three games at Bathurst have been 31 points or less.
Penrith have won five in a row v Cronulla and nine of the last ten games. Cronulla have scored zero three times in that run.
Penrith have won their last five Saturday games, and 42 of their 51 Saturday games since 2020.
Penrith are on a run of seven straight home wins v Cronulla, with the last two not at Penrith Stadium.
Cronulla were W4 L2 away on a Saturday last season.
Cronulla have won their last four Round 2 games, the longest streak of teams.
SUNDAY 4pm – MANLY v NEWCASTLE
The record for team that played in Las Vegas in Round 2 in 2024 and 2025 is W5 L3.
Manly’s record v Newcastle as the home side is W14 D1 L2 from the last 17 games. At Brookvale since 1998 it is W12 L4. On a Sunday at Brookvale it is W8 L2.
Manly are W3 L2 at home on a Sunday last season.
Newcastle have lost their last eight away games on a Sunday.
Newcastle have lost all seven away games on a Sunday v Sydney teams across 2024 and 2025. They lost the 2025 games by a combined 26-126.
SUNDAY 6:15pm – DOLPHINS v GOLD COAST @ Suncorp Stadium
Dolphins are W5 L1 v Gold Coast, but their only loss has come on a Sunday at Suncorp Stadium.
Dolphins have won three of their last games at Suncorp Stadium v Qld opposition as the home side.
Dolphins are W4 L7 overall at Suncorp Stadium v Qld sides as the home or away side.
Gold Coast have lost their last seven away games in Round 2.
Gold Coast are W5 L10 away to Qld teams since 2020. At Suncorp Stadium it is W4 L5. And W4 L3 on a Sunday v Qld teams away.
Gold Coast have lost their last seven away games on a Sunday v all teams.
Bonus Round 2 Stats
Not as interesting as Round 1 Stats, but still interesting enough.
More Stuff
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.
A new season, new cars, new technology, new dominant drivers, and some same old disappointments. Plus plenty of action in between. Talking of action, our 2026 Australian F1 Grand Prix Result Summary will hopefully do the first Grand Prix weekend of the season justice.
This 2026 Australian Grand Prix Result, Laps that Matter summary, Review & Ratings gives you just enough to catch up with. With just a hint of cynicism, bias, opinion and colour. The perfect bite sized review for those who couldn’t be bothered, or don’t have enough time.
Didn’t see the race live? Don’t have time to watch the whole race? Here’s where we capture the laps where stuff happened. We write these live as we go, sort of like a minute by minute for the football, but marginally more interesting.
Setting the scene – QUALIFYING
AI Grek Norman has joined the F1 Race Review team to give you a one picture summary of Qualifying.
And ultimately, it’s all about Mercedes and their sandbagging as the silver cars. The other big news is Max Verstappen spinning out of qualifying as something broke as he approached turn one on his first flying lap. Back of the grid start for him. Other themes are McLarens aren’t as fast as they were, Ferrari look to threaten pace without following through, Arvid Lindblad did a stellar job in his Racing Bulls car. Aston Martin are in disarray, but somehow Fernando Alonso almost made it out of Q1.
GRID AFTER Q3 – RUS ANT HAD LEC PIA NOR HAM LAW LIN BOR — VER (20th)
Setting the scene – RACEDAY
Raceday is dry with a huge crowd looking forward to a semi-competitive Oscar Piastri. Which turns out to be a real shame. Because…..
CRASH! Oscar Piastri has binned it into the wall going from the pitlane to grid……unbelievable. Simply shocking and hard to grasp. It’s between turns four and five, a slowish section but fast enough with a close wall to destroy the front suspension, and the hopes of the home crowd at the track and those at home meant to be enjoying a rare daytime Grand Prix. There is no way they fix that car for the race.
Nico Hulkenberg may join Piastri in the non-starters as he is still in pit lane and not on his 11th grid slot. He has a seventh 7th place to go for at Albert Park this weekend.
Lap 1 – Pole sitter George Russell has a long, long wait on the grid in this new era, waiting for everyone to charge their batteries a bit, and when the red lights go out there are fishtails a plenty as the drivers try and put the power down in this new era. Charles Leclerc does it best from 4th on the grid to take the lead from George Russell at the first corner. Further around at turns 3/4 Hadjar keeps his third place, but the Racing Bulls of rookie Arvid Lindblad is up to 4th from 8th and a few corners later is up to third passing Hadjar. Lewis Hamilton is up to 5th, then 4th as he quickly passes Lindblad, and so does Hadjar. Battery power looking all important on this first lap. By the way, front row sitter Kimi Antonelli is back to 7th already, he had no battery apparently, which hurts. Other stars of the first lap are Fernando Alonso up to 10th from 16th in his Aston Martin wheelbarrow, and Max Verstappen is 16th from 20th. Liam Lawson the biggest loser going from 7th to 18th. Not a great day for those from the southern hemisphere.
ORDER – LEC RUS HAM HAD LIN NOR ANT OCO GAS ALO
Lap 2 – George Russell hunts Charles Leclerc around the second lap, and he hits the battery power at the right time and takes the lead. These two are over seconds in front of third placed Lewis Hamilton.
ORDER – RUS LEC HAM HAD LIN NOR ANT OCO GAS ALO
Lap 3 – Charles Leclerc stalks George Russell and swings by him in the ultra-fast sweepers at the back of the circuit to re-take the lead. They are averaging a lead change every lap so far. Lewis Hamilton is catching up all the time too.
Lap 5 – Kimi Antonelli is up to 5th now after dealing with Norris and Lindblad on consecutive laps. Further back and gaining is Max Verstappen in 12th. Sadly Fernando Alonso’s heroics in the Aston Martin have started to decline, as he is down to 14th now.
Lap 6 – George Russell is on the charge, figuratively and literally, and he has half a look into the corner after the long straight. Leclerc cuts him off, and predictably George Russell is on the radio to complain about it, for his team and the FIA’s attention we presume. Classic George.
Lap 8 – Russell and Leclerc jostle back and forth going into turn three, looking like Scalextric slot cars from the aerial TV camera angle. Russell brakes late and best for the lead. But Charles Leclerc isn’t done yet, and he gets pass Russell again into the ultra-fast sweepers. If all the bullsh!t with new technology means we get multiple laps of lead changing, then we guess the changes are paying for themselves.
Lap 9 – George Russell goes for a huge lunge into turn one, locks up, runs wide and almost goes off. His brief lead is gone as he mows the first corner grass and now is under pressure from Lewis Hamilton who is right on the Mercedes tail. Russell might have a nice big, fat flat spot on his tyres now too. In non front-running news, Kimi Antonelli is up to 4th and Max Verstappen has a point in 10th. Also, the two Cadillacs are ahead of Lance Stroll, amazing effort. (From the Cadillacs – never Stroll).
ORDER – LEC RUS HAM ANT HAD LIN NOR OCO GAS VER
Lap 11 – Smoke from the back of the Isack Hadjar Red Bull, his hard work goes up in smoke literally. Shame, a 3rd qualifying effort and 5th in the race is one of the better returns from a Red Bull number two driver in a long time. Virtual Safety Car is called, cars dive for the pit.
VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR ACTIVATED
Norris, Gasly, Ocon and other lower cars all pit. Half a lap later the Mercedes pit, but the Ferraris do not. Interesting a split in strategy. Although, a split in strategy with Ferrari going one way and other cars the other usually means Ferrari are wrong. Lewis Hamilton agrees with us, if a radio message is to be believed.
VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR ENDS
Lap 14 – The race resumes, with now strategy added to the exciting racing thanks to Ferrari’s refusal to pit.
ORDER – LEC HAM RUS LIN ANT VER BEA BOR NOR OCO – Notable Perez 14th.
Lap 15 – Fernando Alonso retires his Aston Martin. Was quite the effort really to be running as high as 10th at one stage and to be ahead of any other car, other than his teammate.
Lap 16 – Kimi Antonelli overtakes Arvid Lindblad for 4th and is six seconds behind George Russell. Talking of seconds, radio comms from Lewis Hamilton is discussing how surprised he was to know George Russell is only ten seconds behind.
Lap 18 – Valtteri Bottas has stopped on the grass near the pit lane entry in what looks like mechanical failure. It’s apparently dangerous enough a landing spot for the Virtual Safety Car. Bottas was instructed by the team to stop immediately.
VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR ACTIVATED
Lindblad, Verstappen, Bearman and Bortoleto all make their first stops. Will Ferrari? Surely they do this time. Nope, the stewards close the pit lane, so even if they wanted to pit, they can’t.
VIRTUAL SAEFTY CAR ENDS
Lap 20 – Virtual Safety Car ends and Lindblad and Verstappen have a nice little scrap down the pit straight and around the 20th lap.
ORDER – LEC HAM RUS ANT NOR LIN VER BEA OCO GAS
Lap 21 – Lewis Hamilton declares over the radio that “tyres are fine, do not pit me at the same time”. Fair enough. We’ll see what happens. They’ll need to stop soon. It may not be before George Russell gets past him, Russell is only five seconds behind Hamilton and catching.
Lap 24 – The stewards launch a couple of investigations for some racing incidents. Happily they are between two sets of drivers who don’t particularly like each other – Ocon v Gasly and Perez v Lawson. We say let them fight it out on track for our amusement. Meanwhile Russell closes the gap on Hamilton to three seconds, and they lap the Cadillac of Sergio Perez, which is a fine effort. For Cadillac. It looked after early testing that they could be lapped plenty of times.
Lap 26 – Charles Leclerc pits from the lead and takes on the hard tyres he needs to get to the finish without stopping again. He rejoins in fourth behind Antonelli. Who knows about the other cars on hard tyres that pitted a long time ago. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso has un-retired from the race, and is back on track. What a warrior he is.
Lap 28 – George Russell quickly catches, then quickly overtakes Lewis Hamilton for the lead of the Australian Grand Prix. That demotion is good enough for Ferrari to decide it’s time for a Hamilton pitstop. He rejoins 4th.
ORDER – RUS ANT LEC HAM NOR VER LIN BEA BOR GAS
Lap 32 – For fun a little further back, Max Verstappen is catching Lando Norris and priming to overtake. Meanwhile lead F1 commentator David Croft just chalked up his tenth dig about UK viewers having to get up early. At the front George Russell is six seconds in front of Kimi Antonelli, who is almost eight seconds in front of Charles Leclerc in third. But they may have to make another stop.
Lap 34 – Virtual Safety Car activated due to debris on the track, the parts flying off the Cadillac along the fast sweepers. It doesn’t last long and the race resumes. Sergio Perez is doing well to continue plugging away. He is third last but crucially ahead of the Aston Martins. He’s 33 seconds behind Sainz in 15th, but a huge 44 seconds in front of Lance Stroll behind.
Lap 35 – Lando Norris pits for new tyres just Max Verstappen looks like he will get past. Convenient for both.
Lap 38 – The Aston Martin drivers are put out of their misery and the cars are retired.
Lap 39 – Lando Norris breezes past the Haas of Oliver Bearman for 7th, and a lap later gets past Lindblad for sixth. He is flying on those new tyres.
ORDER – RUS ANT LEC HAM VER NOR LIN BEA GAS BOR
Lap 41 – Great battle for 7th between Oliver Bearman and Arvid Lindblad, which ends up in Bearman’s favour. More position swapping news, Bortoleto passes Pierre Gasly for 9th.
Lap 42 – Max Verstappen pits for new tyres to give himself some fun until the end of the race. He rejoins behind Lando Norris in 6th, just under four seconds behind. Meanwhile this duo is over 30 seconds behind fourth placed Hamilton. So a pecking order is being established for 2026 here.
ORDER – RUS ANT LEC HAM NOR VER BEA LIN BOR GAS
Lap 46 – Overheard radio comms for George Russell on the TV broadcast announces the George Russell is going to the end without stopping. Good times, can the Ferrari take advantage with newer tyres?
Lap 50 – Max Verstappen is on Lando Norris’ tail but is struggling to get past. They are racing for 5th place. At the front Mercedes are comfortable in front with George Russell six seconds in front of his teammate, who is ten seconds in front of Charles Leclerc. Mercedes are cruising towards this win now.
Lap 54 – Lando Norris and Max Verstappen using all their skills and new technology to keep racing, with Norris doing a good job under pressure.
FINAL LAP – A quiet end to the race sees the Mercedes duo cruise to a 1-2 that we had to get used to when the rules changed two times ago. Behind them Ferrari are putting their hand up to be next best, and thankfully for the fans Lewis Hamilton spends the last lap trying to catch and pass Charles Leclerc, and just falls short. Lando Norris takes fifth and Max Verstappen takes Fastest Lap. Notable points for Oliver Bearman and Audi’s first with Gabriel Bortoleto. Notable finish for Sergio Perez and Cadillac.
FINAL ORDER (Across the line) – RUS ANT LEC HAM NOR VER BEA LIN BOR GAS
Here we go through the field and highlight the very best (Great) of the race, and the plodders, the over-ambitious, the out of luck, and simply hopeless (Grape).
These points get added to our Driver of the Season scores. 5 points for a great nomination, and -5 for the worst or grapest driver in the pack. Then it is +2 /-2 for honourable or dishonourable mentions.
THE GREAT-EST – GEORGE RUSSELL
Took pole with plenty of daylight to non-Mercedes cars and had his team mate covered. Took the win on race day……
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
ARVID LINDBLAD – His practice efforts were good enough for a rookie. His qualifying in P8 was even better as a rookie in a Racing Bulls. And his jumping into the top three in the early laps was simply sensational. Then to continue running among the top cars as the race settled down was top shelf. Points on debut is a great reward for a great drive and weekend.
FERNANDO ALONSO – Heroics as ever from Alonso. Almost made it out of Q1 on the Saturday, and ran 10th in the early stages of the race. Retired after 15th, which may or may not be pre-planned. Then he un-retired and gave it another go for the good of the team. What a pro, he’s still got it, despite reservations over Honda. Hopefully Honda get it soon too.
KIMI ANTONELLI – Recovered from a FP3 accident, with thanks to his team for rebuilding his car qualified second, and finished second on the Sunday, despite dropping back badly at the start.
CHARLES LECLERC – Looked fast enough all weekend, but his tart and racing in the early laps gives hope this will be the year he gets the mechanical luck to go with his considerable talent.
MAX VERSTAPPEN – A rare problem in qualifying saw him ends up in the barriers and out of Q1 in qualifying. Made very steady progress during the race to end up with a bag of points at the end of the race.
LEWIS HAMILTON – An indication of how bad his 2025 Ferrari season was, is that this above average effort this weekend is close to his best work over a weekend since joining the Italian giants.
CADILLAC – Did much better than initially feared in the off season. Will be, and should be, wrapped to run as high as Perez did early, and in front of the Aston Martins, when they were in the race.
OLIVER BEARMAN – Solid enough weekend ends with points.
GABRIEL BORTOLETO – Solid enough weekend ends with first points for Audi.
THE GRAPE-EST – OSCAR PIASTRI
Anyone who beats Aston Martin to worst performance of the weekend has done very well. Or bad as it turns out. Crashing on the lap from the pits to the grid before the race is pretty bad. Sure, there’s new technology that may contribute, but still. Grape.
DISHONOURABLE MENTIONS
LANCE STROLL – It’s easy to pick on Lance Stroll, so we will. Ran around in last. Where he belongs.
WILLIAMS – Thoughts from boffins they may kick on from their best of the rest in 2025 did not happen in Melbourne. A completely invisible weekend.
LIAM LAWSON – Qualified a handy 7th but lost places at the start and travelled around towards the back of the pack thereafter. Meanwhile, his first race rookie team mate impresses.
Was it a good race, loads of action, a tense ending, a surprise result or DNF, or just a big, fat, snooze-fest?
We rate the big race itself, so we know which races to go back and watch in the off season or one to simply remember the winner for the post season quiz nights.
PRE RACE ACTION (FP, QUAL, SPRINT, OFF TRACK etc) – 5 / 5
New season, new technology to not understand fully, establishing pecking order with every session. Yeah, it’s an easy 5/5 at Albert Park.
ON TRACK ACTION (RACE) – 8 / 10
The new toys and combinations worked a treat early as there was multiple lead changes every lap. The start was not as chaotic as originally predicted, but more chaotic than previous seasons. And there was racing down the field and mixed up positions in the early part of the race. The action did die down a lot, as strategy kicked in a little. But safe to say, the new regulations are off to a good start.
ANY SURPRISES? – 4 / 5
Mercedes winning was no surprise given all the pre-season talk. Oscar Piastri throwing it into the wall before the race starts is quintessential surprise.
SEASON IMPORTANCE – 4 / 5
Sandbags are off and Mercedes are a clear front runner. And now have a target on their back. Important too for the back-of-the-grid strugglers Cadillac getting some miles, and Aston Martin’s dire situation.
ENDING – 1 / 5
A bit dull really, but can’t have it all.
OVERALL RATING – 22 / 30
A lot going early, one of the biggest moments before the race even started. The new regs appear to have worked with some good racing. The novelty will hopefully not wear off, and starts remain a little chaotic, and Mercedes don’t get too far out in front.
2026 F1 Season Preview Gear
In case you haven’t got enough with the above. Here’s the best of 2026 in advance……
A local cat has fallen in love with their new present: an Officeworks paper bag.
Misty has been the beloved and luxurited housecat of her two favourite humans for the past three years.
But last Saturday was the best day of her life when she received her special present.
“The humans had gone out and I was busy dozing in my favourite sunny spot near the window: it’s warm enough to soothe me but not so hot that it’s uncomfortable,” she said (and yes, Everyday News staff can talk to animals.).
“The humans came home, pulled something long and box-y out, and put the paper bag on the kitchen table. They were so busy playing with their box that they didn’t notice me inspect the new bag. And it was love at first sight! I don’t know how to explain it so humans will understand, but the texture, feel, and weight were perfect! I settled down for a nap and was out for five hours! Most human paper bags are too flimsy and you’re lucky to get one decent nap on them before they fall apart. I was so happy that I had another five-hour nap on Sunday. And it was just as good! I’ve made sure to rub my scent all over the bag so my sisters know it’s mine and nobody else’s!”
Adam, one of Misty’s humans, was surprised how much she loved the bag.
“I usually like to get rid of bags as soon as possible, but he didn’t have the heart to get rid of it after seeing how much Misty loved it. And she’s been napping on it every since. I guess we have to keep it now.”
Sarah, Adam’s wife and Misty’s second human, has spent the last few days taking videos of Mitsy sleeping on the bag, being careful not to wake her.
“I’ve been sharing them on Tik Tok and Insta and my views are through the roof! Everyone loves an adorable cat video!”
Missed all the hype of the Australian start of the 2026 NRL Season? Forgot to set the alarm for one or all of the matches this weekend? No, of course you didn’t. But if you genuinely did, or you need/want more or less, The Gurgler has you covered for the with our 2026 NRL Round 1 Results & Stats – One Minute Match Reports.
Our popular One Minute Match Reviews offers up just enough facts and figures and opinion to make it through the awkward chats the next morning on public transport, or something to talk about when ringing into the local ABC breakfast show of your choice. Or just enough level of interest so you don’t have to make eye contact with that jerk in the office you really don’t want to have to be nice to.
Regardless of how you spend your time, the One Minute Match Report has you just about covered.
2026 NRL Round 1 Results & Stats
Melbourne Storm 52 Parramatta 4
Match Thoughts
Like Jerry Springer, but for rugby league.
Melbourne are like the various Terminators from the movie, and unrelenting machine designed to eliminate oppositions. Just when they had their most unsettled off season in some time, with star players leaving and others signed up to leave for other clubs in 2027, and some folk think they are more vulnerable than ever, they pull out a 52-4 win in Round 1.
Whilst a win was expected given their incredible record of no losses in Round 1 since 2001, a statement win like this over a team that ended 2025 well wasn’t. Giving Melbourne a little smile after dropping a chunk of change in the court case with the Eels over Zac Lomax. Some questioned why they wanted him that badly. A lot more will question that more after tonight.
They are hard to beat with their stand out 6, 7 and 9, who were excellent again. Looks like they lose nothing with Sualauvi Faalogo at fullback instead of Ryan Papenhuyzen. But as ever it is all the names that the neutrals know less about that, or the new players in the never-ending Melbourne Storm production line that slot in and get the job done.
A few sour notes though. Harry Grant came off injured, and will be a loss if out for any time on tonight’s form. And the sin-binning of J’maine Hopgood looks a little harsh at the time, but didn’t stop the Eels taking the lead with 12 players on the field, giving hope for them that the Round 1 dominance could be broken. It didn’t last long, and the Storm ran away with it in the second half.
One Minute Big Stats Summary
Most of the stats you need, and just a few you want.
The Points of Interest
Melbourne still haven’t lost a Round 1 clash since 2001 – 24 wins in a row now.
Melbourne have now won 21 out of 21 home games on a Thursday.
It was the fifth time since 1998 that a team scored 50 points or more in a Round 1 clash. Although Melbourne and Brisbane did it last season too.
Parramatta played the Storm in Round 1 last season too, and the combined score from the last two Round 1 clashes between the sides is 108-22.
Warriors 42 Roosters 18
Match Thoughts
Like Jerry Springer, but for rugby league.
Good news for New Zealand rugby league fans and neutral alike as the Wahs open up the season with a win over the Roosters, who continued their below average Round 1 record.
When Captain Plod aka Kurt Capewell is charging through your line at pace to score the third Warriors try of the match, you probably need to improve. The try after made it 20-6 at half time, and the Warriors were really looking like they were enjoying themselves.
If James Tedesco put as much energy into his game as he did complaining to the referee the Roosters might have got a little closer to the Warriors. But that’s a bi unfair, Tedesco was still plenty good.
As for the DCE experiment, jury is still out. Tanah Boyd may not be as high profile or well paid, or as safe in his position as DEC with Luke Metcalf to return soon, but Boyd was the better playmaker of the two on Friday night.
The Roosters threatened a second half comeback with two quick tries to make it 28-18 with 25 minutes to go, but that was as close as they got.
A word for the jerseys used, both teams looked great.
One Minute Big Stats Summary
Most of the stats you need, and just a few you want.
The Points of Interest
Warriors are now unbeaten in four games in four games v Roosters on a Friday.
Roosters Round 1 form isn’t great with four wins from their last 14 Round 1 games. And they have lost their last four Round 1 games away.
Warriors have now won two in a row v Roosters after losing the preceding nine clashes.
Brisbane 0 Penrith 26
Match Thoughts
Like Jerry Springer, but for rugby league.
What a terrible first half, sh!t we’d call it. Which is a shame given it was the premium clash of the weekend. Broncos seemed to be on commission for each dropped bomb, and Penrith felt generous enough to give them ball back just as much. With the Broncos equally as helpful to Penrith in general as well.
Brisbane did well to be only 18-0 down at half time as they had limited ball and even more limited time in their attacking half. Although, the Broncos only conceded their third try right on half time, it was a pretty lame effort to defend, and really wasn’t the most fluent attack from Penrith either that set, which summed up the first half.
Reece Walsh going biblical with the Samson analogy of losing his strength without his hair. His kicking the ball up the arse of Xavier Willison on the fourth tackle in their own half summed up his effort. Dylan Edwards by contrast lacks the headline flair of Walsh, but did the job as he usually does for Penrith.
The game did/didn’t really pick up in the second half, in fact it could be argued it was either just as bad or worse. A game that if you were watching on delay you’d fast forward to the tries and check the final score. I guess if you are a fan of big hits causing many knock-ons it was the game for you, for many it isn’t. Nathan Cleary going for penalty goal in the 60th minute to make it 20-0 was as good an admission that his team weren’t playing well.
One thing for the Broncos looking forward, they are going to seriously miss Payne Haas when he leaves for Souths in 2027, almost as much as they probably won’t miss Adam Reynolds.
MAN OF THE MATCH – DAN GINNANE – for keeping the game upbeat despite itself.
One Minute Big Stats Summary
Most of the stats you need, and just a few you want.
The Points of Interest
Going back to 2017, only Melbourne in 2018 has won the first game of the season after playing in the World Club Challenge.
Brisbane become the eighth team since 1998 to score zero points in a first round match. Penrith did it in 2024 and went on to win the title.
Penrith have won ten of the last 12 games v Brisbane.
Penrith have won seven of their past eight games v Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
It was the second time the Broncos have been held scoreless at Suncorp Stadium, the last time was in 2021 v Souths.
Of the top four Run Metres effort in Round 1 of any season since 2021, Dylan Edwards has three entries.
Cronulla 50 Gold Coast 10
Match Thoughts
Just when you thought that the fortunes of these teams may change in 2026, like the Sharks over-achievement in the last few seasons catching up with them, and a new coach on the Gold Coast turning things around, this happens. A 50-10 thrashing by Cronulla over the Gold Coast.
Not many teams would come back from a 34-0 half time deficit, especially one as historically win-shy as the Gold Coast, and of course the Gold didn’t, but at least they held their own in the second half.
The first was a brilliant display from the Sharks for early season rugby league, with Brayden Trindall the stand out, going full ex Prince Andrew with a hand in just about everything. Rugby league’s nicest man Nicho Hynes also contributed well, and will enjoy not being blamed for losing for a while. FRom the back William Kennedy chimed in when needed, and to complete the usefulness of the Cronulla spine, Blayke Brailey topped the tackle count. The Sharks have power elsewhere too with Addin Fonua-Blake topping the run and post contact metres, and try scorers Jesse Ramien Sione Katoa.
You do wonder after this weekend, how long a season it will be for the Gold Coast. We’d say it won’t involved much other than Bali in September.
One Minute Big Stats Summary
Most of the stats you need, and just a few you want.
The Points of Interest
Cronulla have won 13 of their last 14 games v Gold Coast going back to 2018.
Sharks have won their last eight games at Shark Park.
It’s four straight wins v Qld sides at home for Cronulla.
Since 2022, the Titans are W4 L21 away to Sydney teams.
Gold Coast have won just one of their last seven Round 1 games. And just two of Round 1 games v Sydney teams.
At this stage of the weekend, Queensland sides have lost 3/3 by a combined 104-28.
Manly 28 Canberra 29
Match Thoughts
It only took until game five of the second part of Round 1 for the NRL to produce a close, hard fought game of reasonable quality.
On a wet and miserable night in Sydney, conditions which some unfairly said should suit Canberra because it’s a terrible place to live, it looked like a miserable night for Canberra when Manly skipped out to an early lead.
But Canberra came back as they are so capable of doing, scoring five unanswered tries to have sealed the game. Or so they thought. Two quick tries, ensured a draw after 80 minutes, and of course Jamal Fogarty was heavily involved in the Manly fightback, scoring the last try and nailing the penalty goal just before full time.
Then as that narrative was playing out, the Raiders match winning hero was the man who has replaced Fogarty – Ethan Sanders, a player who has been kept on ice by Ricky Stuart since his arrival. And well worth the wait given his contribution to the Raiders win.
Just as people wrote off the Raiders as wooden spoon material in 2025, the same people would probably scoff at Canberra going back to back for Minor Premiers, but there’s no suggestion from Saturday that they can’t.
One Minute Big Stats Summary
Most of the stats you need, and just a few you want.
The Points of Interest
Saturday night’s win for Canberra was their 10th win away to Manly at various grounds, mainly Brookvale, from 23 games going back to 1998.
Despite the rain, there were half the errors in this game (16) as there were in the Broncos-Penrith game the night before (32).
Dolphins 30 South Sydney 40
Match Thoughts
Wet weather didn’t stop the points as the Dolphins and Rabbitohs shared 70 at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
Much has been said about South Sydney before the season about potential, from the recruitment of Daivd Fifita, the shifting of Latrell Mitchell to centres, Jye Gray getting a proper go at fullback, the return of Camrron Murray, and full fitness of their squad. Safe to say after their first game of the season, that signs are good. The Rabbitohs scored 40 points and could have scored more through disallowed tries with little margin.
Both teams had horror injury tolls in common in 2025, and both teams have welcomed back most of their talent, Dolphins still have a few top liners out. But South Sydney’s players hit the ground running to start 2026.
The Dolphins looked reasonably flat for a first game of the season at home, but were keeping pace with Souths in the first half, although one of their tries was a length of the field intercept. But a quick burst to end the first half, including a try for Alex Johnston just seconds before the siren. The Souths winger moved within two tries of the all-time try scoring record, and with some luck, and perhaps a little more help from his team mates when he was at least twice unmarked near the line, he could have sealed the deal at Suncorp Stadium. Perhaps it works better doing it in front of his people in Sydney next weekend. Given the Rabbitohs form this weekend, he’s a chance.
Down 28-10 at the break, the Dolphins eventually woke up, and we did see a little of their exciting rugby league that made so many friends in 2025. But a key turning point was a 40-20 kick from Cody Walker, which set up the field position and led to tries for Lachlan Hubner and Latrell Mitchell.
The Dolphins at least made the ending interesting by spending multiple sets in the Rabbitohs 20 metre zone, but only ended up with a try to Jamayne Isaako to show for it. Their decision to take the two points for a penalty in the dying seconds when down by 12 points was odd. As was the long, long delay getting Trai Fuller on the field. The Dolphins needed a spark before half time, and if you are going to play him off the bench, that was the perfect time. As it was the Dolphins scored two tries between the 35th and 40th minutes, so bringing on Trai Fuller could have meant the Dolphins were scoring and not conceding. There may be games where Trai Fuller isn’t suited to come off the bench, but today wasn’t one of those, and he should have been let loose much earlier.
Hopefully the Dolphins can get a hooker back on the park soon. Brad Schneider is a great half option, but he is no hooker. Brent Woolf must have started the season as sixth string hooker, but he did well in his opportunity on NRL debut.
It’s not the end of the world for the Dolphins after one game, nor is it a premiership for South Sydney, but it certainly was differing quality in performances.
One Minute Big Stats Summary
Most of the stats you need, and just a few you want.
The Points of Interest
South Sydney’s win broke a run of five straight losses at Suncorp Stadium.
Dolphins v South Sydney games at Suncorp Stadium average 66 points a game from three games.
It was the Dolphins first loss at Suncorp Stadium on a Sunday v Sydney teams (3 games).
Keaon Koloamatangi’s 253 run metres was a big effort in the wet, and was the most of any forward in Round 1.
There were five fewer errors in this than the Broncos-Penrith clash on Friday at the same ground.
Dolphins had half of the tackle breaks of the Rabbitohs.
Overall First Round Stats
Queensland sides lost all four games, by a combined 144-58. This is the third time that all Queensland teams have lost the Round 1 fixtures going back to the Titans joining the NRL. The other times are 2015 and 2021.
Parramatta and Gold Coast already can’t win the competition, due to the law of conceding 50 points in a game in a season.
The 370 points scored this season in Round 1 seems a lot, but 2025 saw 376 points scored.
Stay tuned for the other games this weekend. Or read below……
Looking for a way to get into this weekend’s NRL action, but don’t have the time to examine the form guide, Facebook pages, Fox Sports website, or watch the Channel Nein Sports news to help with your selections? The Gurgler website is nothing if not helpful, so to help the keen NRL punter we offer up our 2026 NRL Round 1 Bets & Best Bets.
We’ve done the math and the homework of all our stats and offer up just our favourite suggested bet in each game. Then roll them up in a mega multi at the end.
2026 NRL Round 1 Bets & Best Bets
Here is our one betting special for every game this weekend.
Odds courtesy of Sportsbet.
THURSDAY 8pm – MELBOURNE v PARRAMATTA
BET – Melbourne to Win @ $1.43
You can argue with Melbourne’s Round 1 record. We won’t. They are also unbeaten at AAMI Park on a Thursday.
FRIDAY 6pm – WAHS v ROOSTERS
BET – Warriors – Pick Your Own Line +8.5 start @ $1.58
Warriors have a perfect Friday record v Roosters, and the Roosters are not great in Round 1, but that’s still not enough to bet on the Warriors outright.
FRIDAY 8pm – BRISBANE v PENRITH
BET – Penrith to win @ $2.23
Going back to 2017, only Melbourne in 2018 has won the first game of the season after playing in the World Club Challenge.
SATURDAY 5:30pm – CRONULLA v GOLD COAST
BET – Nicho Hynes to score 1+ Tries @ $3.45
Four tries in five games v Titans for Nicho Hynes, and the Sharks have such a good record v Titans.
SATURDAY 7:30pm – MANLY v CANBERRA
BET – Reuben Garrick to score 1+ Tries @ $2.90
Eight tries in six games v Canberra and Manly at home.
SUNDAY 4pm – DOLPHINS v SOUTH SYDNEY @ Suncorp Stadium
BET – Over 43 points scored @ $1.85.
The four games between these sides average 55.5 points per game, and the two games at Suncorp Stadium have seen 128 points scored in total.
2026 NRL Round 1 Bets MMMMMega Multi
Add all the specials together for turning $1 into plenty. But gamble responsibly, by betting within your limits and ignoring our tips all together.
Been too distracted by the Zac Lomax court case or worried how Craig Bellamy will react to losing his first ever Round 1 clash? Do you need some last-minute NRL tipping advice? Or simply want something else to blame when the tips go wrong? Either way, The Gurgler’s 2026 NRL Round 1 Ratings and Late Mail is here to deliver a little help.
In addition to our huge stable of NRL stats and tipping gear, we have used all the stats we have, smashed them against each other like atoms, and come up with a H2H rating as dangerous to the outside world as Chernobyl.
We include lots of things, and add to it as the season progresses, come up with a magic number for each team, then slice up the scores out of 100% between the two sides. The bigger the percentage, the more likely to win.
And always, Win Early, Win Often.
2026 NRL Round 1 Ratings
Here are the latest H2H ratings and winners for the big weekend of NRL action ahead.
2026 NRL Round 1 Late Mail
THU – MELBOURNE 62% v PARRAMATTA 38%
To be honest, we thought Melbourne would be further ahead on the ratings. Given two special stats.
Melbourne last lost a Round 1 clash in 2001, a mere 23 wins in a row.
Melbourne’s home Thursday record can’t be beat, and it hasn’t. 20 wins from 20 games.
Parramatta did finish 2025 strongly and did well in the pre-season. Parramatta do lead Melbourne 3-2 in the Thursday night H2H but all five of those games were at CommBank Stadium.
Melbourne could be unsettled with the Zac Lomax court case loss, and with the exit in the off season of big name players Ryan Papenhuyzen, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, and Eli Katoa’s unfortunate long-term absence, plus a few of their key players looking to move on at the end of the season. But then again, Craig Bellamy wouldn’t allow distractions. Xavier Coates is also out this weekend, giving Parramatta one of the best chances to break the Storm Round 1 record.
Parramatta have smart additions to their team – the hard working Jack De Belin and former Storm backup half Jonah Pezet. Sean Russell replaces the injured Josh Addo-Carr
FRI – WARRIORS 42% v ROOSTERS 58%
Roosters strongly favoured according to our ratings, but Warriors not without hope.
Roosters have won nine of their last 10 games v Warriors, but not the last game in 2025 where the Wahs won 14-6 on a Friday. Fridays are a good day for the Warriors to play the Roosters, they are unbeaten in three games. Roosters Round 1 form isn’t great with four wins from their last 13 Round 1 games. And they have lost their last three Roun 1 games away.
Big team news for the game is DCE’s debut for the Roosters, and hard to tell if this is going to work out for either player or club. Given Sandon Smith’s form for Newcastle last weekend, maybe there’ll be some regret. Origin player Connor Watson has been overlooked as starting hooker for Benaiah Ioelu, although neither would start if new recruit Reece Robson was fit.
Both Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita have been named despite injury concerns. Marata Niukore is officially out through injury. Tanah Boyd is named at halfback, but needs to convince more to nail down that position.
FRI – BRISBANE 53% v PENRITH 47%
Our ratings surprised us here leaning towards the Broncos.
Maybe it’s Penrith’s obscure poor away Round 1 record. Penrith have won only one of their ten Round 1 away games, that was in 2006. Brisbane’s 50-50 record at home for Round 1 is better.
Penrith have the upper hand with recent H2H as since Covid in 2020, Penrith are W9 L2 v Broncos. But then the Broncos have won six of the last eight games v Penrith at Suncorp Stadium on a Friday.
At home the Broncos finished the season with a W7 L1 record from June, going on to win the competition.
For Brisbane Jack Gosiewski replacing the injured Brendan Piakura is a notable change. And the hooker Roulette continues into 2026 with Cory Paix selected as starting hooker ahead of Ben Hunt. Broncos will need to get over the travel and disappointment of the World Club Challenge loss against Hull KR, hopefully better than Hull KR got over the win and having to travel to Las Vegas.
For Penrith Luke Garner replaces Liam Martin, and new recruits Jack Cogger, Kalani Going and Freddy Lussick are all named on the bench.
FRI – CRONULLA 74% v GOLD COAST 26%
The most lop-sided game of the weekend according to our ratings, as is likely a mixture of Cronulla’s strong home form to finish 2025 and the Titans woeful away record in Sydney.
Sharks have won their last seven games at Shark Park and won all three home games v Qld sides in 2025 by a combined 110-46. They also have an outstanding H2H v Gold Coast as they have won 12 of their last 13 games v Gold Coast going back to 2018.
Gold Coast were W1 L5 away to Sydney teams in 2025. Since 2022, the Titans are W4 L20 away to Sydney teams. Gold Coast have won just one of their last 10 games away to Sydney teams on a Saturday.
Both teams Saturday Round 1 form isn’t great though, Gold Coast have won 1/7 Round 1 games on a Saturday. Cronulla have lost their last four Round 1 clashes on a Saturday.
Sharks are almost as you were from last season where they made it to the second last week of the finals. Ronaldo Mulitalo is the big name missing, which given he rubs people the wrong way may not be missed by non-Sharks fans. The Titans off season half recruit Lachlan Ilias gets a chance to restart his career on the Gold Coast, like a few before him. Another new face Max Feagai means it’s a different backline to last season. Maybe that’s a good thing. The Titans looked good in pre season, and this weekend could be the start of big seasons for players like Arama Hau and Cooper Bai.
SAT – MANLY 50.5% v CANBERRA 49.5%
The first of two 50-50 games according to our Ratings.
Manly’s home form last season went under the radar a bit and may have helped their ratings here – Manly finished the season by winning five of their last six home games.
Manly also finished the season by winning six of their last seven at home on a Saturday. Their first round record hasn’t been to bad recently. Manly have won their first round clash, which has been at home, for the last three seasons.
Canberra’s first round record may not have helped with Canberra having lost their last six Round 1 away clashes on a Saturday.
The 50-50 theme continues though, It’s six wins piece on a Saturday between these sides. And it’s three wins a piece at Manly on a Saturday.
On the team front it is coincidental and very interesting to see Jamal Fogarty make his Manly debut, the former Raider replacing the long term Manly half Daly Cherry-Evans at halfback. Haumole Olakau’atu plays after missing the pre-season games through injury. For Canberra Jayden Brailey being selected instead of Owen Pattie is a talking point, and the injured Matt Timoko is a loss.
SUN – DOLPHINS 49.5% v SOUTH SYDNEY 50.5%
Another 50-50 between two teams where Wayne Bennett has been the bread and the meat of the sandwich.
The H2H is two wins each so far since the Dolphins entered the competition, staying within the theme of 50-50.
The Dolphins have the upper hand at Suncorp and Sunday with Dolphins having a decent W8 L3 record at Suncorp Stadium v Sydney teams. It’s 2/2 on a Sunday v Sydney teams. Meanwhile South Sydney have lost their last five games at Suncorp Stadium, with a last win in 2023, and Souths have won just two of their past ten games on a Sunday.
The Dolphins get a stack of forwards back for Round 1 with Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert the big names, but they still have injury concerns with Jeremy Marshall-King, Max Plath and Ray Stone all out, meaning the Dolphins can’t call upon three of their hooker options. Brad Schneider gets the nod as backup, but he wasn’t overly convincing in pre season as a hooker, great half option though. UK recruit Morgan Knowles was, and has made the starting side at lock.
Souths big team news is loaded with potential through new recruit David Fifita selected in the second row and Latrell Mitchell shifting to the centres, leaving the impressive Jye Gray to play full time at fullback. Cameron Murray is named and will hopefully enjoy an injury free 2026 unlike 2025. Like the Dolphins, Souths had a lot of injuries last season, so will be excited at getting close to their full strength. Hopefully Alex Johnston gets closer to the try scoring record.
Other 2026 NRL Round 1 Preview Stuff
Here’s the best of our wrap ups of last weekend and look forward to this weekend.
