Check out what happened in round 26 of the National Rugby League competition.
Review
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Canberra Raiders (44 points, +186) sealed the minor premiership after beating the Wests Tigers at GIO Stadium. Melbourne (40, +228) and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (38, +138) are locked into second and third, with Brisbane (34, +156) in fourth. Cronulla-Sutherland (34, +91), the NZ Warriors (34, +22), Penrith (31, +87), and the Sydney Roosters (30, +102) rounded out the top eight.
Three players scored hat-tricks: Mark Nawaqanitawase (Sydney Roosters – four tries), Jacob Preston (Canterbury – three tries), and Ronaldo Mulitalo (Cronulla – three tries). Craig Bellamy celebrated his 600th NRL game as coach, but it wasn’t the result he wanted, with the Sydney Roosters beating Melbourne 40-10.
While not as dramatic as the Miracle in Mudgee last Friday, Canberra did enough to win the minor premiership – their first since 1990 – infront of a sold out home crowd (with the J.J. Giltinan Shield presented after the game). After last weekend’s heartbreak against the North Queensland Cowboys, the spirited Tigers stuck with Canberra for most of the game (Jahream Bula and Jeral Skelton scoring two first half tries). GAME BREAKER: Leading 12-10 at half-time, Canberra’s second half defence was perfect, keeping Wests scoreless and allowing Simi Sasagi and Ethan Strange to seal the win.
Canterbury secured third spot with a win over Penrith at Accor Stadium. With 16 first graders resting for Penrith, the Bulldogs were expected to win comfortably, though the “Baby Panthers” weren’t disgraced. Their one try to Paul Alamoti came from a beautiful cut-out pass from Daine Laurie. GAME BREAKER: Jacob Preston’s hat-trick, including tries either side of half-time (33rd minute and 47th), helped Canterbury take control early in the second half.
Mark Nawaqanitawase scored four tries as the Sydney Roosters beat Melbourne at AAMI Park. While Melbourne rested a handful of players, they still led 10-0 at half-time. But it was all the Roosters from there, winning the second half 40-0. Nawaqanitawase’s four tries took him to the top of the Ken Irvine Medal leaderboard (20 tries). GAME BREAKER: Nawaqanitawase’s second, third, and fourth tries extended the Roosters’ lead from 12-10 to 28-10.
Brisbane reached the top four after beating North Queensland at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Gehamat Shibasaki scored a double for the Broncos, while Reece Walsh scored 14 points (a try and five goals) and Semi Valemei scored a double for the Cowboys. GAME BREAKER: Trailing 24-22 early in the second half, Brisbane put the game away with tries to Shibasaki (his second), Billy Walters, and Payne Haas.
- Parramatta continued their promising late-season form, beating the Warriors at Go Media Stadium. Isaiah Iongi (Parramatta) and Leka Halasima (Warriors) both scored doubles.
- Manly Warringah Sea Egles beat St George Illawarra at Jubilee Stadium. Corey Waddell scored a double and Daly Cherry-Evans scored 16 points (a try and six goals).
- Cronulla defeated Newcastle at Sharks Stadium, with a hat-trick to Ronaldo Mulitalo.
- The Dolphins beat the Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium, scoring six tries to five (a double to Tevita Naufahu).
Results
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 28, Penrith Panthers 4 (Accor Stadium, 28/08/2025)
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: Connor Tracey, Jacob Kiraz, Bronson Xerri, Stephen Crichton (1 try, 1 goal), Marcelo Montoya, Matt Burton (1 try, 3 goals), Lachlan Galvin (1 try), Max King, Bailey Hayward, Samuel Hughes, Josh Curran, Jacob Preston (3 tries), Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann, Sitili Tupouniua, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Reed Mahoney, Enari Tuala (18th man – did not play)
Penrith Panthers: Daine Laurie, Jesse McLean, Sione Fonua, David Fale, Paul Alamoti (1 try), Jack Cole, Brad Schneider, Luron Patea, Luke Sommerton, Austin Dias, Zac Lipowicz, Mavrik Geyer, Matthew Eisenhuth, Soni Luke, Preston Riki, Riley Price, Billy Phillips, Jaxen Edgar (18th man activated)
New Zealand Warriors 22, Parramatta Eels 26 (Go Media Stadium, 29/08/2025)
New Zealand Warriors: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Adam Pompey (1 try), Rocco Berry, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (1 try), Chanel Harris-Tavita, Tanah Boyd (3 goals), James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Kurt Capewell, Marata Niukore, Erin Clark, Demitric Vaimauga, Te Maire Martin, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Leka Halasima (2 tries), Samuel Healey (18th man – did not play)
Parramatta Eels: Isaiah Iongi (2 tries), Zac Lomax (5 goals), Will Penisini, Sean Russell, Josh Addo-Carr (1 try), Joash Papalii, Mitchell Moses, J’maine Hopgood, Ryley Smith, Junior Paulo, Kelma Tuilagi, Jack Williams (1 try), Dylan Walker, Tallyn Da Silva, Matt Doorey, Charlie Guymer, Jordan Samrani, Toni Mataele (18th man – did not play)
Melbourne Storm 10, Sydney Roosters 40 (AAMI Park, 29/08/2025)
Melbourne Storm: Ryan Papenhuyzen (1 goal), Kane Bradley, Marion Seve, Grant Anderson (1 try), Will Warbrick, Cameron Munster, Tyran Wishart, Stefano Utoikamanu, Bronson Garlick, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Shawn Blore (1 try), Joe Chan, Trent Loiero, Alec MacDonald, Jonah Pezet, Ativalu Lisati, Lazarus Vaalepu, Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown (18th man – did not play)
Sydney Roosters: James Tedesco (1 try), Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith, Robert Toia (1 try), Mark Nawaqanitawase (4 tries), Sandon Smith (6 goals), Hugo Savala, Spencer Leniu, Benaiah Ioelu, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Victor Radley, Naufahu Whyte, Connor Watson, Egan Butcher, Siua Wong (1 try), Blake Steep, Ethan King (18th man – did not play)
Canberra Raiders 24, Wests Tigers 10 (GIO Stadium, 30/08/2025)
Canberra Raiders: Kaeo Weekes, Savelio Tamale, Matthew Timoko, Simi Sasagi (try), Jed Stuart (try), Ethan Strange (try), Jamal Fogarty (4 goals), Josh Papalii, Tom Starling, Joseph Tapine, Hudson Young, Zac Hosking, Corey Horsburgh (try), Owen Pattie, Morgan Smithies, Ata Mariota, Noah Martin, Danny Levi (18th man – did not play)
Wests Tigers: Jahream Bula (try), Sunia Turuva, Taylan May, Starford To’a, Jeral Skelton (try), Jarome Luai, Latu Fainu, Terrell May, Api Koroisau (goal), Fonua Pole, Samuela Fainu, Sione Fainu, Alex Twal, Heath Mason, Royce Hunt, Charlie Murray, Tony Sukkar, Tristan Hope (18th man – did not play)
St George-Illawarra Dragons 24, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 40 (Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 30/08/2025)
St George-Illawarra Dragons: Clint Gutherson, Christian Tuipulotu (try), Hayden Buchanan, Mathew Feagai, Tyrell Sloan, Lyhkan King-Togia (try), Kyle Flanagan (4 goals), Emre Guler (try), Damien Cook, David Klemmer, Jacob Halangahu, Jaydn Su’A, Jack De Belin, Jacob Liddle (try), Luciano Leilua, Hame Sele, Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Corey Allan (18th man – did not play)
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic, Jason Saab, Tolutau Koula (try), Tommy Talau (try), Lehi Hopoate, Luke Brooks, Daly Cherry-Evans (try, 6 goals), Matthew Lodge, Jake Simpkin, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Corey Waddell (2 tries), Ben Trbojevic, Jazz Tevaga, Aaron Schoupp (try), Caleb Navale (try), Ethan Bullemor, Toafofoa Sipley, Joey Walsh (18th man – did not play)
Melbourne Storm 10, Sydney Roosters 40 (AAMI Park, 29/08/2025)
Melbourne Storm: Ryan Papenhuyzen (1 goal), Kane Bradley, Marion Seve, Grant Anderson (1 try), Will Warbrick, Cameron Munster, Tyran Wishart, Stefano Utoikamanu, Bronson Garlick, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Shawn Blore (1 try), Joe Chan, Trent Loiero, Alec MacDonald, Jonah Pezet, Ativalu Lisati, Lazarus Vaalepu, Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown (18th man – did not play)
Sydney Roosters: James Tedesco (1 try), Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith, Robert Toia (1 try), Mark Nawaqanitawase (4 tries), Sandon Smith (6 goals), Hugo Savala, Spencer Leniu, Benaiah Ioelu, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Victor Radley, Naufahu Whyte, Connor Watson, Egan Butcher, Siua Wong (1 try), Blake Steep, Ethan King (18th man – did not play)
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 40, Newcastle Knights 16 (Sharks Stadium, 31/08/2025)
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: William Kennedy, Sione Katoa (II), Mawene Hiroti (try), KL Iro, Ronaldo Mulitalo (3 tries), Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes (6 goals), Addin Fonua-Blake (try), Blayke Brailey, Toby Rudolf, Billy Burns, Teig Wilton, Jesse Colquhoun, Hohepa Puru, Siosifa Talakai (try), Thomas Hazelton, Braden Hamlin-Uele (try), Jayden Berrell (18th man – did not play)
Newcastle Knights: Dane Gagai, Dominic Young, Bradman Best, Fletcher Hunt (try), Greg Marzhew (try), Phoenix Crossland, Jack Cogger (2 goals), Jacob Saifiti, Jayden Brailey, Leo Thompson, Jermaine McEwen, Kai Pearce-Paul, Tyson Frizell, Jake Arthur, Mat Croker, Thomas Cant, Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana (try), James Schiller (18th man – did not play)
Dolphins 36, Gold Coast Titans 30 (Suncorp Stadium, 31/08/2025)
Dolphins:
Trai Fuller (try), Jamayne Isaako (6 goals), Jake Averillo, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (try), Tevita Naufahu (2 tries), Kodi Nikorima (try), Isaiya Katoa (try), Francis Molo, Jeremy Marshall-King, Felise Kaufusi, Connelly Lemuelu, Oryn Keeley, Kurt Donoghoe, Aublix Tawha, Ray Stone, Mark Nicholls, Josh Kerr, LJ Nonu (18th man – did not play)
Gold Coast Titans:
AJ Brimson (try), Jaylan De Groot (try), Brian Kelly (try), Jojo Fifita, Tony Francis, Kieran Foran (try), Jayden Campbell (try, 5 goals), Moeaki Fotuaika, Sam Verrills, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Chris Randall, Beau Fermor, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Keano Kini, Klese Haas, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, Josh Patston, Cooper Bai (18th man – did not play)
