Check out what happened in round 20 of the National Rugby League competition.
Review
Embed from Getty ImagesCanberra (34 points, +132) are still top of the ladder, ahead of Canterbury-Bankstown (32, +98), Melbourne (30, +218) and the NZ Warriors (30, +36). Brisbane (26, +80), Penrith (25, +45)+, Manly Warringah (24, +60), and Cronulla-Sutherland (24, +21) rounded out the top eight.
Canberra’s 24-point win over Parramatta at GIO Stadium didn’t reflect how competitive the Eels were. Trailing 12-0 after seven minutes, the Eels led 16-12 at half-time, with tries to Charlie Guymer, Zac Lomax, and Sean Russell. It took Canberra until the 52nd minute to score again, then the floodgates opened, with doubles to Jed Stuart and Owen Pattie securing Canberra’s eighth straight win.
A Jethro Rinakama try in the 77th minute sealed Canterbury’s win over St George Illawarra at Accor Stadium. The Bulldogs led 16-8 at half-time (tries to Jacob Kiraz, Lachlan Galvin, and Reed Mahoney), but didn’t score again until Rinakama’s match winner, with Moses Suli and Sione Finau giving the Dragons the lead after 55 minutes.
Manly Warringah beat Melbourne at AAMI Park, despite a Xavier Coates hat-trick. It was another eventful chapter in the “Battle of Brookvale” rivalry, with a field goal attempt in the 77th minute from Luke Brooks proving decisive. With the scores tied 16-16, Brooks took a shot from 40 metres out. Manly used their Captain’s Challenge and were awarded a penalty as Harry Grant contacted Brooks’ leg after the kick. Reuben Garrick’s penalty goal (his third goal of the night) gave Manly a match winning 18-16 lead. Coates’ second and third tries helped Melbourne come from 16-6 behind at half-time.
Leka Halasima scored a last-minute try as the NZ Warriors beat Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium. There was high drama in the final two minutes: firstly, Jackson Hastings was penalised for not being square at marker, but Tanah Boyd missed the match-winning penalty goal. Then, with seconds left, Boyd’s field goal attempt was charged down, only for Halasima to regather and run 45 meters to score. A Jack Cogger one-point field goal put the Knights ahead 15-14 with six minutes left.
The Dolphins defeated North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium (two tries each to Jake Averillo and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow).
Cronulla-Sutherland defeated the Sydney Roosters at Sharks Stadium, with Nicholas Hynes scoring 14 points (a try and five goals).
Dylan Edwards and Casey McLean scored two tries each in Penrith’s win over South Sydney at CommBank Stadium.
An Adam Doueihi field goal gave the Wests Tigers victory over the Gold Coast at Leichhardt Oval.
Embed from Getty ImagesResults
Dolphins 43, North Queensland Cowboys 24 – 17 July 2025, Suncorp Stadium
Dolphins: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (2 tries), Jamayne Isaako (1 try, 7 goals), Max Feagai, Herbie Farnworth, Tevita Naufahu, Jake Averillo (2 tries), Isaiya Katoa (1 field goal), Francis Molo, Jeremy Marshall-King, Aublix Tawha, Connelly Lemuelu, Oryn Keeley (1 try), Kurt Donoghoe, Harrison Graham (1 try), Ray Stone, Josh Kerr, Peter Hola. Kenneath Bromwich (18th man, did not play)
North Queensland Cowboys: Scott Drinkwater (1 try, 4 goals), Jaxson Paulo, Braidon Burns, Zac Laybutt, Murray Taulagi (2 tries), Jaxon Purdue, Tom Dearden (1 try), Thomas Mikaele, Reece Robson, Griffin Neame, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai, Harrison Edwards, Karl Lawton, Kaiden Lahrs, Kai O’Donnell, Coen Hess. Robert Derby (18th man, did not play)
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 31, Sydney Roosters 18 – 18 July 2025, Sharks Stadium
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: William Kennedy (1 try), Sione Katoa (II), Siosifa Talakai, Chris Vea’ila (1 try), Ronaldo Mulitalo, Braydon Trindall (1 field goal), Nicho Hynes (1 try, 5 goals), Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Oregon Kaufusi, Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton (1 try), Cameron McInnes, Jesse Colquhoun, Toby Rudolf, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Billy Burns (1 try). Daniel Atkinson (18th man, did not play).
Sydney Roosters: James Tedesco (1 try), Daniel Tupou (1 try), Billy Smith, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Chad Townsend, Sam Walker (3 goals), Naufahu Whyte, Connor Watson, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton (1 try), Salesi Foketi, Victor Radley, Zach Dockar-Clay, Blake Steep, Egan Butcher, Spencer Leniu. Ethan King (18th man, did not play).
Penrith Panthers 30, South Sydney Rabbitohs 10 – 18 July 2025, CommBank Stadium
Penrith Panthers: Dylan Edwards (2 tries, 5 goals), Tom Jenkins, Paul Alamoti (1 try), Casey McLean (2 tries), Brian To’o, Blaize Talagi, Brad Schneider, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Lindsay Smith, Scott Sorensen, Luke Garner, Isaiah Papali’i, Liam Henry, Luron Patea, Matthew Eisenhuth, Jack Cole. Mavrik Geyer (18th man, did not play)
South Sydney Rabbitohs: Alex Johnston (1 try), Isaiah Tass, Tallis Duncan, Euan Aitken, Tyrone Munro, Jack Wighton, Jamie Humphreys (1 goal), Tevita Tatola, Siliva Havili, Keaon Koloamatangi, Jacob Host, Jai Arrow, Lachlan Hubner, Peter Mamouzelos, Sean Keppie, Lewis Dodd, Liam Le Blanc (1 try). Thomas Fletcher (18th man, did not play)
Canberra Raiders 40, Parramatta Eels 16 – 19 July 2025, GIO Stadium
Canberra Raiders: Kaeo Weekes, Jed Stuart (2 tries), Matthew Timoko, Sebastian Kris, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange (1 try), Jamal Fogarty (6 goals), Josh Papalii, Tom Starling, Joseph Tapine, Hudson Young, Zac Hosking (1 try), Corey Horsburgh, Owen Pattie (2 tries), Simi Sasagi (1 try), Morgan Smithies, Ata Mariota. Chevy Stewart (18th man, did not play)
Parramatta Eels: Isaiah Iongi, Zac Lomax (1 try, 2 goals), Bailey Simonsson, Sean Russell (1 try), Josh Addo-Carr, Joash Papalii, Dean Hawkins, J’maine Hopgood, Ryley Smith, Junior Paulo, Charlie Guymer (1 try), Jack Williams, Dylan Walker, Tallyn Da Silva, Jordan Samrani, Matt Doorey, Sam Tuivaiti. Dan Keir (18th man, did not play)
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 20, St George-Illawarra Dragons 18 – 19 July 2025, Accor Stadium
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: Connor Tracey, Jacob Kiraz (1 try), Enari Tuala, Stephen Crichton (2 goals), Jethro Rinakama (1 try), Matt Burton, Lachlan Galvin (1 try), Max King, Reed Mahoney (1 try), Josh Curran, Viliame Kikau, Jacob Preston, Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann, Harry Hayes, Bailey Hayward, Sitili Tupouniua. Kurtis Morrin (18th man, did not play)
St George-Illawarra Dragons: Clint Gutherson, Tyrell Sloan (1 try), Mosese Suli (1 try), Corey Allan, Sione Finau (1 try), Lyhkan King-Togia, Kyle Flanagan (3 goals), David Klemmer, Damien Cook, Michael Molo, Luciano Leilua, Jaydn Su’A, Jack de Belin, Emre Guler, Jacob Liddle, Blake Lawrie, Hamish Stewart. Nick Tsougranis (18th man, did not play)
Melbourne Storm 16, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 18 – July 19, 2025, AAMI Park
Melbourne Storm:
Nick Meaney (2 goals), Grant Anderson, Jack Howarth, Joe Chan, Xavier Coates (3 tries), Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Josh King, Harry Grant, Tui Kamikamica, Shawn Blore, Eliesa Katoa, Trent Loiero, Stefano Utoikamanu, Tyran Wishart, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Ativalu Lisati. Bronson Garlick (18th man, did not play).
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles: Lehi Hopoate, Jason Saab (1 try), Tolutau Koula (1 try), Tom Trbojevic, Reuben Garrick (1 try, 3 goals), Luke Brooks, Daly Cherry-Evans, Matthew Lodge, Jazz Tevaga, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Corey Waddell, Ben Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Jake Simpkin, Tommy Talau (DNP), Ethan Bullemor, Toafofoa Sipley. Aaron Schoupp (18th man, did not play).
Wests Tigers 21, Gold Coast Titans 20 – 20 July 2025, Leichhardt Oval
Wests Tigers: Sunia Turuva, Charlie Staines, Taylan May, Starford To’a, Jeral Skelton (2 tries), Jarome Luai, Latu Fainu, Terrell May (1 try), Tristan Hope, Alex Twal, Tony Sukkar, Jack Bird, Adam Doueihi (2 goals, 1 field goal), Api Koroisau (2 goals), Alex Seyfarth, Sione Fainu, Fonua Pole. Krystian Mapapalangi (18th man, did not play).
Gold Coast Titans: AJ Brimson (1 try), Jaylan De Groot (2 tries), Brian Kelly, Jojo Fifita, Phillip Sami (1 try), Kieran Foran, Jayden Campbell (2 goals), Moeaki Fotuaika, Sam Verrills, Jaimin Jolliffe, Chris Randall, Beau Fermor, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Alofiana Khan-Pereira (did not play), David Fifita (II), Klese Haas. Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui (18th man, did not play).
Newcastle Knights 15, New Zealand Warriors 20 – 20 July 2025, McDonald Jones Stadium
Newcastle Knights: Dane Gagai (1 try, 1 goal), Dominic Young, Fletcher Hunt (1 try), Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew (1 try), Jackson Hastings, Jack Cogger (1 field goal), Jacob Saifiti, Jayden Brailey, Leo Thompson, Kai Pearce-Paul, Jermaine McEwen, Phoenix Crossland, Tyson Gamble, Mat Croker, Tyson Frizell, Thomas Cant. Jack Hetherington (18th man, did not play).
New Zealand Warriors: Taine Tuaupiki, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Adam Pompey (1 try), Kurt Capewell, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Tanah Boyd (4 goals), James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Jackson Ford, Leka Halasima (1 try), Marata Niukore, Erin Clark, Te Maire Martin, Jacob Laban, Demitric Vaimauga (1 try), Tanner Stowers-Smith. Samuel Healey (18th man, did not play).
