KEY NARRATIVES TO WATCH FOR IN ROUND SIX OF THE NRL

ROOSTERS UNDER PUMP TO SAVE SEASON

After a 1-4 start, Trent Robinson may be forced to make changes as the Sydney Roosters bid to keep their season alive with a challenging away trip to face Brisbane. The Roosters are expected to welcome back Victor Radley, but he alone won't fix their dramas. The form of halves duo Chad Townsend and Sandon Smith has left a lot to be desired.

PERTH TRIP LOOMS WITH EXPANSION ON BRINK OF COLLAPSE

The NRL heads to WA for the first time in 2025 on Saturday, with Manly facing Cronulla and Souths taking on North Queensland at Optus Stadium. But the westbound jaunt comes at a time when hopes of adding an NRL team in Perth are fading. Can a showcase reignite talks and ensure the NRL has a permanent west coast presence in the years to come?

CAN THE WARRIORS PROVE THEY ARE THE REAL DEAL?

The Warriors slipped into a bye round with a gutsy win over Wests Tigers to claim a 3-1 start. They return to action against Melbourne on Sunday. While the Storm always have the Warriors' measure, there has never been a better time to spring an upset.

IS IT GETTING CLOSE TO NOW-OR-NEVER FOR PENRITH?

Teams have recovered from 1-4 starts to make the finals before, but Penrith face the greatest challenge of their dynasty. A loss to the Dolphins would leave serious questions over how much energy they will need to burn to make finals, before they even get to September.

HAVE PARRAMATTA BREATHED NEW LIFE INTO THEIR SEASON?

No team looked more relieved than the Eels in round five after their golden-point win over St George Illawarra. They have Canberra and Wests Tigers in the next fortnight before a bye and Mitch Moses' return, allowing the chance for some genuine positivity after their horror start.