Manly 2-2 in Fozball era, Drinkwater stars in QLD Derby

James Hooper was joined by Darcie McDonald and Brandon Savage on Rugby League Insider to dissect a round six that delivered stunning upsets, a Warriors milestone, more Dragons heartache and the West Tigers cementing themselves as genuine finals contenders.

Flying and fizzing

McDonald opened with an unabashed celebration of the Bulldogs' 32-6 demolition of the Panthers, having not yet had the chance to bask in the glory on the podcast.

"No one gave them a chance in hell. The Panthers were unbeatable and the dogs come out 32-6. Specifically that right edge combination of Galvin and Preston — what they're forming there is really exciting. It was Nathan Cleary's 200th game but it was Galvin's 50th. Twenty years old and he delivered one of his best games in the NRL so far."

Savage flew the Warriors for ending an 11-year, 17-game hoodoo against Melbourne, while Hooper took aim at the Eels for being booed off their own ground and the Sharks for squandering a 16-nil lead against the Roosters.

McDonald's fizzing went to the Melbourne Storm.

"Each week on this losing run I keep thinking, no, they don't lose two in a row, they don't lose three in a row. And here we are, four straight losses. Absolutely manhandled by the Warriors. As Bellamy said in his presser, we worked on defence all week but we may as well have just gone to the pub and had some beers."

Fosball's second win - scrappy but important

Manly led the Dragons 16-nil in Wollongong before the Red V clawed back, only for the Sea Eagles to hold on under Kieran Foran's stewardship.

Hooper was particularly impressed by Haumole Olakau'atu's impact, describing him as the player who best epitomises what Foran has instilled in the short time he has been in charge.

"He's 6'4, 120-plus kilos, super fit, so destructive. One of those Billy Kickass style of players who can put a size 16 footprint on a game. He's playing nice and square, nice and direct, causing opposition halves nightmares."

McDonald praised the side's renewed energy and togetherness.

"They look revitalised, a hell of a lot more connected. This could have been a danger game - they were flying high after the big win over the Dolphins and up against a team with everything to play for. Manly could have gone back into their shells. They didn't. They got the job done."

Hooper revealed a board meeting at the Dragons the following day was shaping up as a pivotal moment for Shane Flannagan's future, with a clear split between supporters and detractors at board level.

"The losing run's going to continue. Ultimately I think Flanno's loyalty to his son is going to cost him his job. That might sound harsh but I just think that's the reality of the situation."

McDonald singled out Jacob Little as the Dragons' most important player, with Hooper agreeing emphatically.

"I remember Joel Caine saying to me when he was only a young player, hadn't hardly played any NRL at all, 'Mate, this bloke could have Cameron Smith-style qualities in terms of his ability to read the game.' By the time he finishes, I think he's going to have a very strong career."

Queensland Derby delivers again

The Broncos and Cowboys served up another thriller on Friday night, with Brisbane narrowly coming up short despite being without their three main guns. Tom Duffy impressed in Adam Reynolds' absence, while Scott Drinkwater carved up against the club that had given him permission to negotiate.

"He came out and just swept that to the side and completely carved Brisbane," Hooper said. "I don't know why you'd give him permission to test the market. You didn't have to."

McDonald was effusive about the Cowboys' trajectory.

"I am loving watching the Cowboys at the moment. I didn't think I'd be saying that. Todd Payton was the coach under the most pressure a few weeks ago. The way they've turned things around, they are flying. So much speed and X factor in their outside backs."

Hooper also gave a big wrap to Jason Taumalolo, who produced his best football in years against Payne Haas.

"I don't know if he's on a restricted training program or how the Cowboys have got him back to some of his absolute best football, but if they can continue to get that kind of output out of him, this four-game winning roll shows no signs of slowing down."

Savage made a thoughtful point on Scott Drinkwater's future: "I want to see Scott Drinkwater at another club because I think the Cowboys can move forward without him and move in a direction without him. I feel so bad saying it. I'd love to see him at the Dragons actually - I think it's a perfect landing spot."

Raiders find their mojo in Perth

Canberra ended a run of four straight losses with a victory in Perth, though it was far from comfortable, with Ricky Stuart repeatedly calling players in for quiet words on the sideline and some bizarre late-game decision-making threatening to derail proceedings.

McDonald put the run in context, noting the Raiders had conceded 28, 40, 14, 34, 32 and 34 points in their first six games - with the 14-point tally coming in wet conditions against the Bulldogs.

"Defensively they're just not jelling. Not aiming up. If they want to make a fist of it this year that's something they're going to need to fix up ASAP."

Hooper singled out Hudson Young and praised Savage for tipping him for Origin back in round one, while also noting the growing case for Chanel Harris-Tavita at the Warriors.

Warriors end the Storm hoodoo

Andrew Webster's side produced a dominant performance to beat Melbourne for the first time in 11 years, with Jackson Ford again outstanding and the halves combination firing.

McDonald found a damning statistical benchmark.

"This is the first time under Craig Bellamy that the Storm have conceded 25 points or more in three straight games."

Hooper noted Bellamy's uncharacteristic body language on the sidelines as one of the more alarming signs.

"He actually looks a little bit perplexed and concerned. He's taking accountability himself, saying I've got to have a look at myself. We've never seen this from the Storm before."

Cameron Munster was acknowledged as being well below his best, with Hooper suggesting a shortened pre-season after the Kangaroo tour may be a contributing factor. Both Eliesa Katoa and Tui Kamikamica were also mentioned as significant losses to the club's depth and culture - the latter confirmed by Harry Grant earlier in the week as making strong progress in rehabilitation.

Hooper also raised the Storm's worst-ever start to a season, with the side sitting 13th after six rounds.

"Traditionally Craig Bellamy's always rolled with gun key playmakers and then never been shy about putting young guns in. But you can't drop 17, 19 players."

Roosters roll Sharks - but questions remain

The Roosters came from 16-nil down to beat the Sharks, with Hooper identifying front-running as a legitimate concern for Craig Fitzgibbon's side.

"They're great front runners. This is now going to be the criticism that Cronulla have to accept, confront and handle."

The disallowed try to Robert Toia mid-game drew particular frustration, with the NRL subsequently issuing a reminder to match officials about not over-complicating the disruptor rule.

"That little love tap on Sam Stonestreet from Rob Toia was not what the disruptor rule was designed for. The pool noodle does more damage," Hooper said.

Blake Brailey was singled out as a standout in a losing side, with Hooper declaring him ahead of Reece Robson in the race for the New South Wales hooker spot.

Eels hit a new low

Parramatta were booed off their own ground after a listless performance against the Gold Coast Titans, with Jason Ryles making no secret of his frustration post-match.

"The spirit wasn't there," Hooper said, echoing Ryles' words. "I look at that roster and I see holes everywhere. I just see problems."

Savage revealed some reportedly eye-watering contract figures, including Junior Paulo at $975,000 and Ryan Matterson still on $700,000 while playing reserve grade. The panel also questioned why Jack de Belin was sitting in reserve grade given the investment required to sign him.

McDonald revealed a damning historical stat.

"Only the Cowboys in 2002 and the Knights in 2005 have conceded more points over the first six rounds in the NRL era. Their defence is woeful."

Jaden Campbell's try-scoring performance was a bright spot for the Titans, coming shortly after the birth of his first child, prompting a broader discussion from Savage about the statistical correlation between personal milestones and try-scoring form.

Tigers flying - and this time it feels real

The West Tigers' thumping win over Newcastle at Campbell Town - with Sia Taufa and Patrick Herbert outstanding - moved them to equal first on the ladder with Penrith.

Hooper was careful not to declare it a false dawn, pointing to Benji Marshall's defence-first mentality as the key difference from previous Tigers surges.

"Benji said last night after the victory that he wasn't happy with the last 15 minutes because they'd let themselves down defensively. That's not the standards the club has set for itself this season."

Herbert's story drew particular admiration - last seen working on an excavator after three seasons out of the NRL before a six-week training trial led to a full contract.

"He's this year's Gamut Shibasaki," Hooper declared. "He went all in on this."

The panel also agreed that Campbell Town being sold out is a tangible sign of the Tigers' growing connection with their community, with Hooper noting the western Sydney corridor now has more junior registrations than Penrith.

McDonald offered the only mild dissent of the segment, declaring the Tigers' claw celebration an ick.

"Grown men going..." she said, mimicking the gesture with visible discomfort.

Hooper disagreed instantly. "The kids love it. That's the key."