Friday night lights: Sea Eagles v Dragons; Panthers v Bulldogs
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The Sea Eagles remain an outside chance of sneaking into the top eight and the first part of the equation will be taking care of business against the Dragons.
With a 5-6 record at 4 Pines Park in 2026 the Sea Eagles owe their loyal fans a big win over the last-placed in their final home game for the season.
From there we head across town to CommBank Stadium where the Bulldogs also find themselves in a scrap to try and secure a finals position.
The task confronting Cameron Ciraldo's men is a massive one to roll the high-flying Panthers and move to 30 competition points ahead of a Round 27 clash with the Broncos.
Follow all the action from Round 26 of the NRL Telstra Premiership on NRL.com's live blog.
Sea Eagles v Dragons at 4 Pines Park
Match: Sea Eagles v Dragons
Round 26 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
10th Position
away Team
Dragons
17th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Sea Eagles v Dragons: Round 26
Late Mail
Sea Eagles: No late changes on game day. Tolu Koula suffered a moderate grade syndesmosis injury against Newcastle and will only play again this season should Manly sneak into the finals. Josh Feledy starts at centre and 19-year-old playmaker Onitoni Large has been added to the interchange for his NRL debut. Manly’s 1996 premiership-winning team will be honoured at 4 Pines Park on Friday night.
Dragons: The Dragons are 1-19 with no late changes. A big moment for Connor Muhleisen as he joins the bench for his first NRL game since Round 27, 2024 against the Raiders. The 25-year-old has played four games back in NSW Cup across August after recovering from an ACL rupture suffered in last year's NSW Cup grand final. Damien Cook starts at hooker with Muhleisen as his back-up after Jacob Liddle suffered a calf injury last week.
Numbers Game
- The Sea Eagles have won six of their last eight games against the Dragons at 4 Pines Park.
- The Dragons have won only two of their last 18 away games.
- Sea Eagles winger Jason Saab has scored five tries in his last four games at 4 Pines Park.
- Dragons winger Tyrell Sloan has scored six tries in seven games against the Sea Eagles.
- Sea Eagles forward Nathan Brown will make his 200th NRL appearance.
Panthers v Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium
Match: Panthers v Bulldogs
Round 26 -
home Team
Panthers
2nd Position
away Team
Bulldogs
9th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Panthers v Bulldogs: Round 26
Numbers Game
- The Panthers have won nine of their last 11 games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs have lost seven of their last eight games at CommBank Stadium.
- Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored six tries in his last eight games against the Bulldogs.
- Bulldogs back-rower Jacob Preston has scored six tries in his last four games against the Panthers.
- Panthers second-rower Isaiah Papali’i will achieve his 200 NRL game milestone.
