Check out what happened in round 22 of the National Rugby League competition.
Review
Embed from Getty ImagesCanberra (36 points, +152) are still on top of the ladder, followed by Melbourne (34, + 228), Canterbury-Bankstown (34, +122), and the NZ Warriors (30, +26). Penrith (29, +83), Brisbane (28, +124), Cronulla-Sutherland (28, +43), and The Dolphins (26, +171) rounded out the top eight.
Brisbane’s Adam Reynolds became the second player in Australian rugby league history to pass 2,500 points (2,516), with Cameron Smith on 2,786. Reynolds kicked 10 goals from 10 against South Sydney and he passed the milestone after converting Jack Gosiewski’s try.
St George Illawarra broke Canberra’s nine-game winning streak at a wet and windy WIN Stadium. The game was poised at half-time when Matt Timoko’s second try tied the scores 10-10. But the Dragons scored the only second half try (Corey Allan) as the Raiders made too many errors to take advantage of the conditions. Kyle Flanagan kicked five goals from five attempts, including two first half penalty goals to put the Dragons ahead 10-4.
The Wests Tigers defied consistent rain to beat Canterbury at CommBank Stadium. Jeral Skelton scored a double as the Tigers led 20-0 after 34 minutes. Canterbury looked like coming back when Jacob Preston and Jacob Kiraz scored and Alex Seyfarth was sin binned. But Samuela Fainu sealed the win with 10 minutes left. Adam Doueihi scored 12 points (four goals and an 85-metre solo try). The Tigers win kept Canberra in outright first, two points ahead of Canterbury. Wests are now four points ahead of last-placed Souths and seem almost certain to avoid a fourth-straight wooden spoon.
Melbourne weathered a tenacious Parramatta at CommBank Stadium. Melbourne led 10-4 at half-time before Parramatta levelled the scores with 26 minutes left (a try to Charlie Guymer and penalty goal to Zac Lomax). Xavier Coates put the Storm up by six after catching a Cameron Munster bomb: yet another athletic try to add to Coates’ highlight reel. Melbourne kept their lead for the final 10 minutes, with Parramatta unable to capitalise on late attacking opportunities.
The Dolphins scored a last-minute try to beat the NZ Warriors at Go Media Stadium. Trailing 18-16 (after losing Herbie Farnworth to a hamstring injury), the Dolphins spread the ball on the last tackle, going from the left corner to the right corner, before Jeremy Marshall-King threw a double cut-out pass for Jamayne Isaako to score. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scored a first half double for the Warriors.
In other matches:
- Brisbane scored 10 tries (doubles to Ezra Mam, Deine Mariner, and Kotoni Staggs) to demolish South Sydney at Suncorp Stadium.
- There was plenty of drama in Penrith’s win over the Gold Coast at Cbus Super Stadium: Penrith led 24-0 at half-time, Phillip Sami scored two tries as the Titans led 26-24, Nathan Cleary tied the game with a two-point field goal, and Blaize Talagi scored the winning try in the 82nd minute.
- The Sydney Roosters beat Manly Warringah at 4 Pines Park, leading 12-4 at half-time.
- Ronaldo Mulitalo scored two tries in Cronulla’s win over North Queensland at Sharks Stadium.
Results
Melbourne Storm 16, Parramatta Eels 10 – CommBank Stadium (31/07/2025)
Melbourne Storm: Ryan Papenhuyzen (2 goals), Will Warbrick, Reimis Smith, Nick Meaney, Xavier Coates (try), Tyran Wishart, Jahrome Hughes, Tui Kamikamica (try), Harry Grant, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eliesa Katoa (try), Trent Loiero, Bronson Garlick, Joe Chan, Alec MacDonald, Nelson Asofa-Solomona. Jack Howarth (18th man – did not play)
Parramatta Eels: Clint Gutherson, Maika Sivo, Will Penisini, Morgan Harper, Zac Lomax (try, 1 goal), Dylan Brown, Blaize Talagi, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Brendan Hands, Junior Paulo, Bryce Cartwright, Ryan Matterson, J’maine Hopgood, Luca Moretti, Shaun Lane, Charlie Guymer (try), Joe Ofahengaue. Makahesi Makatoa (18th man – did not play)
New Zealand Warriors 18, Dolphins 20 – Go Media Stadium (1/08/2025)
New Zealand Warriors: Taine Tuaupiki, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (2 tries), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Adam Pompey, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Te Maire Martin, Tanah Boyd (3 goals), Jackson Ford, Samuel Healey, Marata Niukore, Kurt Capewell, Leka Halasima (try), Erin Clark, Jacob Laban, Freddy Lussick, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava. Edward Kosi (18th man – did not play)
Dolphins: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako (try, 2 goals), Max Feagai, Herbie Farnworth (try), Jake Averillo, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiya Katoa, Francis Molo, Jeremy Marshall-King (try), Felise Kaufusi, Connelly Lemuelu, Oryn Keeley (try), Kurt Donoghoe, Ray Stone, Aublix Tawha, Mark Nicholls, Josh Kerr. LJ Nonu (18th man – did not play)
Brisbane Broncos 60, South Sydney Rabbitohs 14 – Suncorp Stadium (1/08/2025)
Brisbane Broncos: Reece Walsh (1 try), Selwyn Cobbo (1 try), Kotoni Staggs (2 tries), Gehamat Shibasaki, Deine Mariner (2 tries), Ezra Mam (2 tries), Adam Reynolds (10 goals), Xavier Willison, Ben Hunt, Corey Jensen, Jordan Riki, Jack Gosiewski (1 try), Patrick Carrigan, Billy Walters, Kobe Hetherington, Tyson Smoothy, Ben Talty (1 try). Jesse Arthars (18th man – did not play)
South Sydney Rabbitohs: Jye Gray, Alex Johnston, Isaiah Tass, Tallis Duncan (1 try), Bayleigh Bentley-Hape (1 try), Lewis Dodd, Ashton Ward (1 goal), Jai Arrow, Ryan Gray, Sean Keppie, Euan Aitken, Jacob Host, Lachlan Hubner (1 try), Siliva Havili, Liam Le Blanc, Thomas Fletcher, Tyrone Munro.
Gold Coast Titans 26, Penrith Panthers 30 – CBUS Super Stadium (2/08/2025)
Gold Coast Titans: AJ Brimson, Jaylan De Groot, Brian Kelly (1 try), Jojo Fifita, Phillip Sami (2 tries), Kieran Foran, Jayden Campbell (1 try, 3 goals), Moeaki Fotuaika, Sam Verrills (1 try), Jaimin Jolliffe, Jacob Alick-Wiencke, Beau Fermor, Klese Haas, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, Josh Patston, Tom Weaver (did not play). Arama Hau (18th man – did not play)
Penrith Panthers: Dylan Edwards (1 try), Tom Jenkins (1 try), Izack Tago, Casey McLean (1 try), Brian To’o, Blaize Talagi (2 tries), Nathan Cleary (4 goals, 1 two-point FG), Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Lindsay Smith, Luke Garner, Isaiah Papali’i, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Brad Schneider, Liam Henry, Luron Patea. Daine Laurie (18th man – did not play)
St George-Illawarra Dragons 18, Canberra Raiders 12 – WIN Stadium (2/08/2025)
St George-Illawarra Dragons: Clint Gutherson, Tyrell Sloan, Mosese Suli, Mathew Feagai (try), Corey Allan (try), Lyhkan King-Togia, Kyle Flanagan (5 goals), Emre Guler, Damien Cook, David Klemmer, Luciano Leilua, Michael Molo, Jack de Belin, Jacob Liddle, Hamish Stewart, Hame Sele, Blake Lawrie. Jacob Halangahu (18th man – did not play)
Canberra Raiders: Kaeo Weekes, Jed Stuart, Matthew Timoko (2 tries), Sebastian Kris, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange, Jamal Fogarty (2 goals), Josh Papalii, Tom Starling, Joseph Tapine, Hudson Young, Zac Hosking, Corey Horsburgh, Owen Pattie, Simi Sasagi, Morgan Smithies, Ata Mariota. Danny Levi (18th man – did not play)
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 4, Sydney Roosters 20 – 4 Pines Park (2/08/2025)
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles: Lehi Hopoate, Jason Saab, Tolutau Koula (try), Tom Trbojevic, Reuben Garrick, Luke Brooks, Daly Cherry-Evans, Matthew Lodge, Jazz Tevaga, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Corey Waddell, Ben Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Jake Simpkin, Tommy Talau, Ethan Bullemor, Toafofoa Sipley. Clayton Faulalo (18th man – did not play)
Sydney Roosters: James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith (try), Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Hugo Savala, Sam Walker (4 goals), Naufahu Whyte, Benaiah Ioelu, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton (try), Siua Wong, Spencer Leniu, Connor Watson, Egan Butcher (try), Salesi Foketi, Victor Radley. Ethan King (18th man – did not play)
Wests Tigers 28, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 14 – CommBank Stadium (3/8/2025)
Wests Tigers: Jahream Bula (try), Sunia Turuva, Taylan May, Brent Naden, Jeral Skelton (2 tries), Jarome Luai, Adam Doueihi (try, 4 goals), Terrell May, Api Koroisau, Alex Twal, Samuela Fainu (try), Alex Seyfarth, Sione Fainu, Latu Fainu, Royce Hunt, Fonua Pole, Tony Sukkar. Tristan Hope (18th man – did not play)
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: Jacob Kiraz (try), Jethro Rinakama, Bronson Xerri, Stephen Crichton (goal), Enari Tuala, Matt Burton, Lachlan Galvin, Max King, Reed Mahoney, Samuel Hughes, Viliame Kikau, Jacob Preston (try), Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann, Harry Hayes, Josh Curran (try), Bailey Hayward. Mitchell Woods (18th man – did not play)
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 32, North Queensland Cowboys 12 – Sharks Stadium (3/8/2025)
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: William Kennedy, Sione Katoa (II), Jesse Ramien, Siosifa Talakai, Ronaldo Mulitalo (2 tries),
Braydon Trindall (try), Nicho Hynes (6 goals), Addin Fonua-Blake (try), Blayke Brailey, Oregon Kaufusi, Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton, Cameron McInnes (try), Daniel Atkinson, Jesse Colquhoun, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Thomas Hazelton. Billy Burns (18th man – did not play)
North Queensland Cowboys: Scott Drinkwater, Robert Derby, Zac Laybutt (2 goals), Jeremiah Nanai, Braidon Burns (try),
Jaxon Purdue, Tom Dearden, Harrison Edwards, Reece Robson, Griffin Neame (try), John Bateman, Coen Hess, Reuben Cotter
Interchange: Marly Bitungane, Kaiden Lahrs, Kai O’Donnell, Jamal Shibasaki. Jaxson Paulo (18th man – did not play)
