Check out what happened in round 21 of the National Rugby League competition.
Review
Embed from Getty ImagesCanberra (36 points, +158) stayed in first place after beating Newcastle at GIO Stadium, followed by Canterbury-Bankstown (34, +136), Melbourne (32, +222), and the NZ Warriors (30, +28). Penrith (27, +79), Brisbane (26, +78), Cronulla (26, +23), and The Dolphins (24, +169) rounded out the top eight.
Like the Parramatta game last weekend, Canberra dominated the second half against Newcastle, outscoring the Knights 26-0 to secure their ninth straight win. It was 18-18 after an intercept try to Fletcher Hunt right on half-time. Matthew Timoko scored two tries while Noah Martin scored his first try in his fourth NRL game.
Canterbury-Bankstown celebrated the 30th anniversary of their 1995 premiership in style. But it took until the 54th minute for Canterbury to break away from Manly at Allianz Stadium. Leading 12-4, the Bulldogs scored their last five tries in 21 minutes (doubles to Jacob Kiraz, Bronson Xerri, and Samuel Hughes) as Manly fell out of the top eight. Stephen Crichton kicked a perfect seven goals from seven.
Melbourne won a high-scoring game against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium. But the big headline was Jahrome Hughes’ dislocated shoulder early in the second half. The Storm scored six tries to five, with doubles to Melbourne’s Josh King and the Roosters’ Daniel Tupou. The Roosters led 30-28 with 15 minutes left before Stefano Utoikamanu (set up by a Harry Grant dummy-half run) put the Storm back in front.
The Gold Coast celebrated coach Des Hasler’s 500th NRL game with a win over the Warriors at Go Media Stadium. The Titans responded after last week’s loss to the Wests Tigers, with two tries each to Jojo Fifita and Phillip Sami. The Warriors – who needed a win to make their top four spot a little safer – led 10-0 after eight minutes, but the Titans dominated from there, scoring the next 24 points. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s try gave the Warriors hope with 18 minutes left, but the Titans hung on.
- North Queensland beat St George Illawarra at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, outscoring the Dragons seven tries to six (a double to Tom Dearden)
- Parramatta upset Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium: Zac Lomax scored 14 points (two tries and three goals) and Josh Addo-Carr scored his 150th NRL try.
- Penrith won their seventh straight game, beating the Wests Tigers at CommBank Stadium.
- Cronulla-Sutherland beat South Sydney at Polytec Stadium (Gosford).
Results
Sydney Roosters 30, Melbourne Storm 34 – 24 July 2025, Allianz Stadium
Sydney Roosters: James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou (2 tries, 8 points), Ethan King, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Sandon Smith, Sam Walker (5 goals, 10 points), Naufahu Whyte, Connor Watson, Lindsay Collins (try, 4 points), Angus Crichton, Salesi Foketi, Spencer Leniu, Siua Wong (try, 4 points), Zach Dockar-Clay (try, 4 points), Blake Steep, Egan Butcher. Tom Rodwell (18th man, did not play).
Melbourne Storm: Nick Meaney (try, 5 goal, 14 points), Xavier Coates, Grant Anderson, Jack Howarth (try, 4 points), Kane Bradley, Tyran Wishart, Jahrome Hughes, Stefano Utoikamanu (try, 4 points), Harry Grant (try, 4 points), Josh King (2 tries, 8 points), Shawn Blore, Eliesa Katoa, Trent Loiero, Joe Chan, Bronson Garlick, Ativalu Lisati, Tui Kamikamica. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown (18th man, did not play).
North Queensland Cowboys 38, St George-Illawarra Dragons 32 – 25 July 2025, QLD Country Bank Stadium
North Queensland Cowboys: Scott Drinkwater (1 try, 5 goals, 14 points), Robert Derby, Jaxon Purdue (1 try, 4 points), Zac Laybutt (1 try, 4 points), Braidon Burns, Thomas Duffy, Tom Dearden (2 tries, 8 points), Harrison Edwards, Reece Robson, Griffin Neame, John Bateman, Jeremiah Nanai (1 try, 4 points), Reuben Cotter, Karl Lawton, Kaiden Lahrs, Kai O’Donnell, Coen Hess (1 try, 4 points). Jaxson Paulo (18th man, did not play)
St George-Illawarra Dragons: Clint Gutherson, Tyrell Sloan (2 tries, 8 points), Mosese Suli, Mathew Feagai (1 try, 4 points), Corey Allan (1 try, 4 points), Lyhkan King-Togia, Kyle Flanagan (4 goals, 8 points), David Klemmer, Damien Cook, Blake Lawrie, Luciano Leilua, Jaydn Su’a, Jack De Belin, Emre Guler, Jacob Liddle (2 tries, 8 points), Hamish Stewart, Michael Molo. Nick Tsougranis (18th man, did not play)
Brisbane Broncos 20, Parramatta Eels 22 – 25 July 2025, Suncorp Stadium
Brisbane Broncos: Reece Walsh (Goal 1), Josiah Karapani, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Jesse Arthars, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds (Try 1, Goal 3), Xavier Willison, Ben Hunt, Payne Haas, Brendan Piakura, Jordan Riki, Patrick Carrigan, Billy Walters (Try 1), Kobe Hetherington (Try 1), Corey Jensen, Jack Gosiewski. Tyson Smoothy (18th man, did not play)
Parramatta Eels: Joash Papalii, Zac Lomax (Try 2, Goal 3), Will Penisini, Sean Russell (Try 1), Josh Addo-Carr (Try 1), Dean Hawkins, Mitchell Moses, J’maine Hopgood, Ryley Smith, Junior Paulo, Charlie Guymer, Jack Williams, Dylan Walker, Tallyn Da Silva, Luca Moretti, Matt Doorey, Sam Tuivaiti. Jordan Samrani (18th man, did not play)
New Zealand Warriors 16, Gold Coast Titans 24 – 26 July 2025, Go Media Stadium
New Zealand Warriors: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Adam Pompey (Try 1), Kurt Capewell, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Try 1), Chanel Harris-Tavita, Tanah Boyd (Goal 2), James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Jackson Ford, Leka Halasima (Try 1), Marata Niukore, Erin Clark, Te Maire Martin, Jacob Laban, Demitric Vaimauga, Tanner Stowers-Smith. Samuel Healey (18th man, did not play)
Gold Coast Titans: AJ Brimson, Jaylan De Groot, Brian Kelly, Jojo Fifita (Try 2), Phillip Sami (Try 2), Kieran Foran, Jayden Campbell (Goal 4), Moeaki Fotuaika, Chris Randall, Jaimin Jolliffe, Beau Fermor, Jacob Alick-Wiencke, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, Josh Patston, Sean Mullany. Arama Hau (18th man, did not play)
Penrith Panthers 36, Wests Tigers 2 – 26 July 2025, CommBank Stadium
Penrith Panthers: Dylan Edwards (try), Tom Jenkins (try), Izack Tago (try), Casey McLean (try), Brian To’o, Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary (6 goals), Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Lindsay Smith (try), Luke Garner, Isaiah Papali’i, Isaah Yeo, Brad Schneider, Liam Henry, Luron Patea, Liam Martin (try). Paul Alamoti (18th man, did not play)
Wests Tigers: Sunia Turuva, Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson, Taylan May, Starford To’a, Jeral Skelton, Jarome Luai, Latu Fainu, Terrell May, Api Koroisau, Alex Twal, Alex Seyfarth, Tony Sukkar, Adam Doueihi (goal), Tristan Hope, Jack Bird, Fonua Pole, Sione Finau. Krystian Mapapalangi (18th man, did not play)
South Sydney Rabbitohs 12, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 14 – 26 July 2025, Polytec Stadium, Gosford
South Sydney Rabbitohs: Jye Gray, Alex Johnston, Isaiah Tass (2 goals), Tallis Duncan, Tyrone Munro (try), Jack Wighton, Lewis Dodd, Tevita Tatola (try), Ryan Gray, Sean Keppie, Euan Aitken, Jai Arrow, Lachlan Hubner, Siliva Havili, Liam Le Blanc, Jacob Host, Ashton Ward. Thomas Fletcher (18th man, did not play)
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: William Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien, Chris Vea’ila, Ronaldo Mulitalo (try), Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes (3 goals), Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey (try), Oregon Kaufusi, Billy Burns, Teig Wilton, Cameron McInnes, Daniel Atkinson, Jesse Colquhoun, Toby Rudolf, Braden Hamlin-Uele. Hohepa Puru (18th man – activated)
Canberra Raiders 44, Newcastle Knights 18 – 27 July 2025, GIO Stadium
Canberra Raiders: Kaeo Weekes (try), Jed Stuart, Matthew Timoko (2 tries), Simi Sasagi (try), Xavier Savage (try), Ethan Strange, Jamal Fogarty (8 goals), Josh Papalii, Tom Starling (try), Joseph Tapine, Hudson Young, Zac Hosking, Corey Horsburgh, Owen Pattie, Noah Martin (try), Morgan Smithies, Ata Mariota. Manaia Waitere (18th man, did not play)
Newcastle Knights: Dane Gagai (3 goals), Dominic Young, Fletcher Hunt (try), Kyle McCarthy, Greg Marzhew (try), Tyson Gamble, Jack Cogger, Jacob Saifiti, Jayden Brailey, Leo Thompson, Jermaine McEwen, Kai Pearce-Paul (try), Phoenix Crossland, Jackson Hastings, Mat Croker, Tyson Frizell, Jack Hetherington. Thomas Cant (18th man, did not play)
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 42, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 4 – July 27, 2025, Allianz Stadium
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: Connor Tracey, Jacob Kiraz (2 tries), Bronson Xerri (2 tries), Stephen Crichton (7 goals), Enari Tuala (1 try), Matt Burton, Lachlan Galvin, Max King, Reed Mahoney, Samuel Hughes (2 tries), Viliame Kikau, Jacob Preston, Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann, Harry Hayes, Josh Curran, Bailey Hayward. Jethro Rinakama (18th man, did not play).
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles: Lehi Hopoate, Jason Saab (1 try), Tolutau Koula, Tom Trbojevic, Reuben Garrick, Luke Brooks, Daly Cherry-Evans, Matthew Lodge, Jazz Tevaga, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Haumole Olakau’atu, Ben Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Corey Waddell, Ethan Bullemor, Toafofoa Sipley, Gordon Chan Kum Tong. Tommy Talau (18th man, did not play).
