The Mole: A Complete Overhaul Required for Struggling Cowboys, the League’s ‘Major Disappointments’

After two rounds, the Cowboys are quickly becoming the team to watch for all the wrong reasons this season.

A squad packed with offensive talent struggled to find their groove for a full 80 minutes against the Sharks in their home game on Saturday night.

Couple that with their dismal performance in Round One against Manly, and it’s clear the Cowboys need a serious defensive overhaul after conceding a staggering 78 points in just two games.

Heading into the match, the odds were in favour of the Cowboys—the Sharks were potentially suffering from a Vegas hangover, being the only US team to travel last weekend, and were dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak that sidelined multiple players.

Despite halves Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall putting in average performances, the Sharks always maintained their edge.

On a brighter note, Jason Taumalolo is expected to return from injury next week, but expecting him to resolve this shaky start single-handedly is a tall order.

In their first home match of the year against Cronulla, the Cowboys were anticipated to rectify their poor showing against the Sea Eagles in their opener.

However, they may have even underperformed, and coach Todd Payten must consider making significant changes ahead of what looks to be a critical clash with the unpredictable Broncos next Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.

Catch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Déjà Vu for the Tigers

Twenty years ago, a stellar spine including halves Scott Prince and Benji Marshall, fullback Brett Hodgson, and hooker Robbie Farah propelled Wests Tigers to an astonishing premiership win.

Starting the season with 150-1 odds, the Tigers made history with an unforgettable triumph.

It’s been a tough road since then, but now the Tigers have stumbled upon a spine reminiscent of their glory days back in 2005.

Halves Lachlan Galvin and Jarome Luai, hooker Api Koroisau, and fullback Jahream Bula were instrumental as the Tigers convincingly defeated a sluggish Parramatta 32-6.

With this dynamic quartet leading the charge, the Tigers showcased an impressive style of attacking football, echoing the strategies used by Tim Sheens two decades ago.

Hooker Making a Case for a New Deal

A somewhat underappreciated hooker, Tom Starling, is poised to compel the Raiders to secure him a new contract for 2026.

With the Raiders having signed Knights rake Jayden Brailey for the upcoming season and looking to groom rookie Owen Pattie as his backup, Starling is making his performances count.

His outstanding play in the recent wins over the Warriors and Broncos has undoubtedly caught attention, leading to speculation he’s bound for a new deal in Canberra. If the Raiders overlook him, plenty of other clubs will be eager to snap him up.

Dally M Rookie of the Year Contender

Mark Nawaqanitawase should be considered an early frontrunner for the Dally M Rookie of the Year award.

The 24-year-old, a convert from rugby union, was pivotal in the Roosters‘ remarkable victory over the Panthers on Friday night.

In only his third NRL match, Nawaqanitawase delivered an impressive performance against an aggressive Penrith backline, scoring a try and contributing to two others in the Roosters’ surprising win, which is already being touted as the upset of the year.

“We weren’t entirely sure if he could adapt to centre, but we know he can now,” said Roosters recruitment chief Daniel Anderson to Wide World of Sports.

When he joined the Roosters two years ago, some compared Nawaqanitawase to dual international Israel Folau—a comparison that seemed ambitious at the time. Yet Folau would have been proud of Nawaqanitawase’s performance at CommBank Stadium on Friday.

Wayne’s Costly Shake-Up

Wayne Bennett has never been one to shy away from tough decisions, and his unflinching approach is a big reason the Rabbitohs find themselves at the top of the NRL ladder after two rounds.

While most coaches would have felt compelled to hand the expensive recruit Lewis Dodd the halfback role to start the season, Bennett took a different path—he opted for little-known budget pickup Jamie Humphreys, who has stepped up to the plate.

Humphreys, who had only one prior NRL appearance with the Sea Eagles before this season, emerged as the match-winner against the underperforming Dragons on Saturday, nailing a crucial field goal that made the difference.

For Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf, Friday night’s clash with Manly was perhaps the most pivotal encounter of his career to date.

Following a rough outing against the Raiders in Vegas, Metcalf faced pressure with Te Maire Martin hot on his heels.

However, Metcalf demonstrated he has what it takes to fill Shaun Johnson’s shoes, delivering a brilliant attacking performance against the Sea Eagles, scoring a try, setting up two others, and assisting with two line breaks.

Sharpe’s Scramble Against the $14m Star

Fletcher Sharpe likely entered Round Two feeling the weight of considerable pressure—perhaps more than any other player in the NRL.

This past week, headlines have been dominated by Dylan Brown’s eye-watering 10-year contract with the Knights, slated to play in the number six jersey from 2026 onward.

That position is currently held by Sharpe, who built upon his strong performance against the Tigers in Round One with another solid outing against the Dolphins despite a challenging lead-up.

Aside from the outstanding Kalyn Ponga, Sharpe was arguably the most impactful player on the field during the 26-12 victory over the Dolphins. Should his form continue, he could very well force Brown into the halfback role next season.