KEY NARRATIVES TO WATCH FOR IN ROUND FIVE OF THE NRL

MANLY SOAP OPERA ROLLS ON WITH TRBOJEVIC INJURY

Manly made it through a week of headlines about Daly Cherry-Evans' desire to leave the club but the drama is continuing with another injury to Tom Trbojevic in the 26-12 defeat of Parramatta. The injury-stricken fullback hurt his knee on return from a minor hamstring issue as the Sea Eagles were turning their minds to the possibility he could be fashioned into a half in 2026 and beyond. But it's his immediate future that is of more pressing concern.

SHOULD WE BE WORRIED ABOUT THE PANTHERS?

Four-time reigning premiers Penrith head into round five on the back of their first three-game losing streak since 2019, most recently falling to a South Sydney side missing Cam Murray and Latrell Mitchell. The Panthers have reinforcements back for Friday's clash against North Queensland, with at least Nathan Cleary returning. Their track record needs no elaboration, but drop that game against the Cowboys and Penrith will be 1-4 in pursuit of a fifth straight title.

DOGS HAVE THEIR DAY

Elimination finalists last season, Canterbury have started a season with a 4-0 record for the first time since 1993 - so long ago that only one member of the current squad (Kurt Mann) was alive at the time. The ladder-leading Bulldogs got the job done against Cronulla even without a handful of injured stars headlined by Matt Burton, who are all due back after this week's clash with Newcastle. Just how good can they become?

WHAT DOES LATRELL MITCHELL'S RETURN MEAN FOR SOUTHS AND JYE GRAY?

The Rabbitohs' talisman is set to return from his hamstring injury for the round-five grudge match with the Sydney Roosters and will displace Jye Gray from the fullback spot. But given Gray's brilliant start to the season, will there be another place for him in the 17? And can Mitchell elevate the Rabbitohs to even loftier heights after their already surprisingly start to the year?

WHERE IS A FIRST WIN COMING FROM FOR THE DOLPHINS AND PARRAMATTA?

The Eels and Dolphins are the only winless sides through four rounds, though both have shown improvement across the opening month under new coaches. In round five, Parramatta face a plucky St George Illawarra riding high after upsetting Melbourne while the Dolphins are up against local rivals Gold Coast, who are on a two-game winning streak.