Confirmed squads, every positional change, Round 5 form, projected markets and the key battles across all four games.
Round 6 opens with the Bulls trying to answer their first loss since Round 3, then brings a difficult assignment for South Coast against a Sydney side coming off 38 points. The Monday program pairs Central with the ladder-leading Renegades before Melbourne meets an in-form Northern side.
Predictions and projected markets use results and statistics through Round 5. The Pirates and Bulls team sheets were not included with the submitted Round 6 squads and are marked as awaiting confirmation.
Brisbane Pirates
Western Sydney BullsConfirmed Round 6 team sheets for Brisbane and Western Sydney were not included in the submitted team-list package. This guide will not assume that either club is unchanged from Round 5.
No confirmed changes available. Brisbane used Jacob Morrison, AJ Brimmo, Tikka Boom, Jacob Gilbert, Big Danno, JJ Keanz, Sione Mata'Uce, Jordan Lewis, Tim James, Kratos Kamikamica, Baron Akeman, Leni'I Prakali'I and James Sedgyfurgo in Round 5.
No confirmed changes available. Western Sydney used Rapydh Rivaz, Chaz Dingo, Treylan Bula Ka'ili, Ethan Pengelly, Barry Beefslab, Chad Johnson, Matthew Harris, Kayne Chapman-Kenny, Rayban Mops, Ned Houkamau, Killa Boom, Bec Pengelly and Daniel Punch in Round 5.
Brisbane was held to 16 points by Northern despite completing 23 of 25 sets. Western Sydney scored five tries in a 38 to 28 loss but gave the Wedgetails 56 percent possession and made nine errors. The Bulls still carry the stronger season profile, while the Pirates need their completion rate to produce more line breaks and field position.
James made 36 tackles and 70 passes in Round 5. Mops answered with 68 passes and 28 tackles. Their control around the ruck will decide which side gets its strike runners into space.
Sedgyfurgo produced 189 metres and five line breaks. Dingo exploded for 342 metres, eight line breaks and two tries. Brisbane must contain the round's most damaging runner.
Both are central to territory and goal kicking. Keanz kicked for 236 metres against Northern, while Harris supplied four conversions in the Sydney shootout.
South Coast Stingrays
Sydney WedgetailsThe same 13 players return. Gabe Walsh moves from No. 5 to No. 2 and Tyrone Clay moves from No. 2 to No. 5. Ashton Crutcher shifts from No. 9 to No. 6, with Nigel Thundershaft moving from No. 6 to No. 9.
Sydney has retained the same players in the same order after its 38 to 28 win over the Bulls. Calare Burton remains captain at No. 9.
South Coast completed only 17 of 22 sets and conceded 63 percent possession in its 34 to 6 loss to New Zealand. Sydney arrives after completing 28 of 30 sets, making just two errors and gaining 1,218 metres against the Bulls. The Stingrays' positional switches are designed to improve control, but the Wedgetails have the cleaner current form.
Crutcher moves into No. 6 after 66 passes, 29 tackles and 144 kick metres last round. White scored a try and kicked six conversions in Sydney's win.
Jayy scored South Coast's only Round 5 try. Burton was player of the match with five line breaks, 19 tackles and a try.
Allen remains an important yardage runner, while Kiwaal produced 310 metres and a try against the Bulls. Their carries can set the tone for each side.
Central Thunder
New Zealand RenegadesCentral has retained the same 13 in the same positions after beating Melbourne 30 to 18. Mark Lee remains captain, while player of the match Luke Malkus stays at No. 8.
The same 13 return, but Jye McCartney moves from No. 9 to No. 6, captain Ryzhen Rivaz shifts from No. 6 to No. 7 and Aka Tank moves from No. 7 to No. 9. Rohky Rivaz remains at No. 8.
This is the round's headline contest. Central beat Melbourne with 53 percent possession, 31 line breaks and 1,240 metres. New Zealand was even more dominant against South Coast, holding 63 percent possession and gaining 1,292 metres. The Renegades deserve narrow favouritism on their four-game winning run, but an unchanged Thunder side has the yardage and finishing power to turn this into a final-possession match.
Malkus delivered 242 metres, four line breaks and a try. Rivaz produced 221 metres in New Zealand's dominant Round 5 win.
Driscoll scored, kicked five conversions and supplied 118 kick metres. McCartney scored twice, made 18 tackles and distributed 89 passes as player of the match.
Black scored two tries for Central. Keen returned 211 metres, four tackle breaks, three line breaks and a try for New Zealand.
Melbourne Kings
Northern MarlinsMelbourne retains the same 13 but changes six positions. Ayrton O'Callahan moves from No. 5 to No. 2, Brad Pengelly from No. 4 to No. 3, Michael Leasi from No. 3 to No. 4 and Ratoua Retikeke from No. 2 to No. 5. Kobe Kelly and Charlie Rossini swap No. 7 and No. 6.
Northern keeps the exact 13-player order that beat Brisbane 34 to 16. Jack Cahill remains captain at No. 1, with Lucas Duse and Bailey Mansour-Wilson retained at No. 6 and No. 7.
Melbourne's 25 completions and seven errors were respectable against Central, but it conceded 31 line breaks and was outgained by 132 metres. Northern produced six tries, 30 line breaks and 1,180 metres in beating Brisbane. The Kings' reshuffle could sharpen their attack, but the Marlins enter with the stronger middle and the more convincing Round 5 form.
Kelly moves to No. 6 after supplying 22 passes and three conversions against Central. Wilson produced 81 passes, 23 tackles and five tackle breaks as Round 5 player of the match.
Oliver ran for 230 metres and scored against Thunder. Henry led Northern with 246 metres in the win over Brisbane.
Leasi shifts to No. 4 after scoring in Round 5. Cahill scored twice from No. 1 and remains the Marlins captain.