2025 NRL: Round 16 Recap

Check out what happened in round 16 of the National Rugby League competition.

Review

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Two bye points helped Canterbury-Bankstown (28 points, +98) stay on top of the ladder after round 16, followed by Canberra (26, +100), Melbourne (24, +172), and the NZ Warriors (24, +25). Brisbane (18, +50), Cronulla-Sutherland (18, +20), Sydney Roosters (18, +16), and Penrith (17, +1) rounded out the top eight.

Canberra beat the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. The Raiders led 16-0 after 25 minutes, with Jed Stuart scoring on debut. Alex Seyfarth and Starford To’a cut Canberra’s lead to four points with 26 minutes left, but the Raiders’ defence held on from there. The Tigers could have taken the lead in the 67th minute through Samuela Fainu, but the pass from Terrell May was forward.

Ryan Papenhuyzen kicked a Golden Point field goal as Melbourne beat South Sydney at Accor Stadium. Alex Johnston scored four of Souths’ five tries: with 206 tries, he’s now just seven from Ken Irvine’s try-scoring record. Melbourne led 12-0 after six minutes before Johnston sparked Souths’ comeback.

Brisbane came from 28-12 down to beat Cronulla-Sutherland at Suncorp Stadium. Gehamat Shibasaki and Josiah Karapani both scored doubles as the Broncos scored the last 22 points in 18 minutes. William Kennedy scored a double for the Sharks while Nicholas Hynes scored 12 points (a try and four goals).

An understrength Penrith beat the NZ Warriors at Go Media Stadium, with Penrith’s five Origin players (Dylan Edwards, Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o, Liam Martin) rested. While the Warriors led 12-8 after 48 minutes, Penrith scored the next three tries (including a double to Scott Sorensen) to enter the top eight. Paul Alamoti scored 12 points (a try and four goals).

Bradman Best scored two tries in Newcastle’s win over The Dolphins at Perth’s HBF Park; the Sydney Roosters had a comfortable win over North Queensland at Allianz Stadium (doubles to Billy Smith and Mark Nawaqanitawase); Will Penisini scored two tries as Parramatta beat the Gold Coast at CommBank Stadium (Alofiana Khan-Pereira scored a double for the Titans).

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Results

Wests Tigers 12 lost to Canberra Raiders 16 (Campbelltown Sports Stadium, 20/6/2025, 20:00)

Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Heath Mason 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 15. Sione Fainu 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 10. Fonua Pole 14. Tallyn Da Silva 16. Latu Fainu 17. Jack Bird 18. Tony Sukkar

Players cut from final squad: 20. Charlie Staines 21. Kit Laulilii 22. Izaac Tu’itupou 19. Charlie Murray

Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota 18. Noah Martin

Players cut from final squad: 20. Danny Levi 21. Ethan Sanders 22. Pasami Saulo 19. Chevy Stewart

Referee: Adam Gee
Bunker: Kasey Badger

New Zealand Warriors 18 lost to Penrith Panthers 28 (Go Media Stadium, 21/6/2025, 15:00)

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Moala Graham-Taufa 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Marata Niukore 11. Leka Halasima 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Samuel Healey

Players cut from final squad: 20. Bunty Afoa 21. Tanah Boyd 23. Eddie Ieremia 22. Edward Kosi

Panthers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 17. Luke Garner 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Matt Eisenhuth 14. Trent Toelau 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 19. Jack Cole

Players cut from final squad: 20. Mavrik Geyer 21. Preston Riki 22. Austin Dias 23. Harrison Hassett 24. Jaxen Edgar 18. Luke Sommerton

Referee: Todd Smith
Bunker: Ashley Klein

Dolphins 20 lost to Newcastle Knights 26 (HBF Park, Perth, 21/6/2025, 17:30)

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 16. Ray Stone 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe 10. Mark Nicholls 14. Harrison Graham 15. Connelly Lemuelu 20. Aublix Tawha 18. Sean O’Sullivan

Players cut from final squad: 17. Josh Kerr 21. Trai Fuller 22. Peter Hola 19. Max Feagai

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 18. James Schiller 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Mathew Croker 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland 14. Brodie Jones 15. Thomas Cant 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Elijah Leaumoana 19. Jackson Hastings

Players cut from final squad: 5. Greg Marzhew 21. Kyle McCarthy 22. Jack Hetherington 20. Fletcher Hunt

Referee: Grant Atkins
Bunker: Kasey Badger

South Sydney Rabbitohs 24 Melbourne Storm 25 – Golden Point (Accor Stadium, 21/6/2025, 19:35)

Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 4. Isaiah Tass 11. Euan Aitken 5. Tyrone Munro 3. Jack Wighton 7. Jamie Humphreys 10. Davvy Moale 9. Siliva Havili 19. Keaon Koloamatangi 8. Jai Arrow 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Ryan Gray 15. Sean Keppie 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Tevita Tatola 6. Lewis Dodd 22. Jacob Host

Players cut from final squad: 18. Salesi Ataata 20. Cody Walker 21. Campbell Graham

Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Grant Anderson 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 20. Sualauvi Faalogo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 10. Josh King 9. Harry Grant 16. Tui Kamikamica 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 15. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 19. Alec MacDonald 17. Bronson Garlick

Players cut from final squad: 5. Xavier Coates 18. Ativalu Lisati 22. Lazarus Vaalepu 23. Keagan Russell-Smith 24. Kane Bradley 21. Joe Chan

Referee: Peter Gough
Bunker: Chris Butler

Brisbane Broncos 34 defeted Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 28 (Suncorp Stadium, 22/6/2025, 14:00)

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Xavier Willison 17. Jack Gosiewski 18. Tyson Smoothy

Players cut from final squad: 19. Selwyn Cobbo 20. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Blake Mozer 23. Ben Talty 21. Deine Mariner

Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Toby Rudolf 19. Hohepa Puru 18. Billy Burns

Players cut from final squad: 10. Oregon Kaufusi 20. Niwhai Puru 22. Chris Veaila 21. Jayden Berrell

Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Bunker: Adam Gee

Sydney Roosters 42 defeated North Queensland Cowboys 8 (Allianz Stadium, 22/6/2025, 16:05)

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Salesi Foketi 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Zach Dockar-Clay 16. Blake Steep 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Ethan King

Players cut from final squad: 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Tom Rodwell 22. Chad Townsend 23. Xavier Va’a 24. Jake Elliott 21. Taylor Losalu

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 22. Braidon Burns 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 19. Karl Lawton 16. Griffin Neame 11. John Bateman 20. Kai O’Donnell 15. Sam McIntyre 10. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 14. Harrison Edwards 23. Thomas Duffy 17. Thomas Mikaele

Players cut from final squad: 4. Viliami Vailea 9. Reece Robson 13. Reuben Cotter 21. Kaiden Lahrs 24. Marly Bitungane 18. Jake Clifford

Referee: Ashley Klein
Bunker: Chris Butler

Parramatta Eels 36 defeated Gold Coast Titans 20 (CommBank Stadium, 22/6/2025, 18:15)

Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Joash Papali’i 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Jack Williams 18. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 14. Dylan Walker 15. Matt Doorey 19. Charlie Guymer 17. Jordan Samrani

Players cut from final squad: 20. Dan Keir 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Samuel Loizou 16. Wiremu Greig

Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Jojo Fifita 4. Phillip Sami 5. Allan Fitzgibbon 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 16. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 17. Moeaki Fotuaika 21. Tom Weaver

Players cut from final squad: 18. David Fifita 20. Sean Mullany 22. Brian Kelly 19. Tukimihia Simpkins

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Bunker: Liam Kennedy

BYES: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, St George-Illawarra Dragons, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

Match Review

Jeral Skelton (Wests Tigers), Grade 1 Contrary Conduct. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders), Grade 1 Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1800 fine.
Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders), Grade 1 Striking. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1500 fine.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (New Zealand Warriors), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
Scott Sorensen (Penrith Panthers), Grade 2 Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – 2 match.
Scott Sorensen (Penrith Panthers), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1800 fine.
James Schiller (Newcastle Knights), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $3000 fine.
Lachlan Hubner (Dolphins), Grade 1 Contrary Conduct. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1800 fine.
Ronaldo Mulitalo (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Grade 1 Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1800 fine.
Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters), Grade 1 Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1800 fine.
Karl Lawton (North Queensland Cowboys), Grade 3 Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – 2 matches.
Ryley Smith (Parramatta Eels), Grade 2 Dangerous Throw. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – 2 matches.
Will Penisini (Parramatta Eels), Grade 2 Dangerous Throw. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – 3 matches.