2025 NRL: Round 7 Recap

Check out what happened in round 7 (Easter weekend) of the National Rugby League competition.

Review

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Canterbury-Bankstown (14 points, +98) stayed undefeated and on top of the ladder after round 7. The Bulldogs have opened up a four-point gap on Melbourne (10, +70), Canberra (10, +46) and the NZ Warriors (10, -18). Brisbane (8, +54), Cronulla-Sutherland (8, +41), St George Illawarra (8, +20), and South Sydney (8, -36) round out the top eight.

Canterbury won their first Good Friday game since 2017, breaking South Sydney’s six-game winning streak in this fixture. Embiggened by a 65,000+ pro-Bulldogs crowd at Accor Stadium, Canterbury led 20-0 at half-time (tries to Josh Curran, Max King, and Sitili Tupouniua).

Canberra came from 16-0 down to beat the Gold Coast at Cbus Super Stadium. The Titans made the most of a warm and sunny Easter Sunday afternoon, with tries to Beau Fermor, Jojo Fifita, and AJ Brimson in the opening 20 minutes. The game turned a few minutes later when Tom Starling forced a knock on from Reagan Campbell-Gillard. Canberra capitalised on the momentum shift, scoring four tries in 16 minutes either side of half-time (Savelio Tamale, Hudson Young, Ethan Strange, and Sebastian Kris). Allan Fitzgibbon scored his first NRL try to get the Titans within two points (and nearly had a second) before Young scored his second to push Canberra’s lead beyond a converted try.

Luke Metcalf kicked a Golden Point penalty goal against Brisbane at Go Media Stadium. Tied 18-18 at full-time, the NZ Warriors earned a penalty at the start of Golden Point when Reece Walsh sent the kick-off out on the full: Metcalf nailed the 50 metre penalty shot. With Brisbane trailing 18-6 after 64 minutes, Jesse Arthars and Walsh scored (both converted by Adam Reynolds) to send the game into Golden Point.

The 24,000+ Easter Sunday crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium didn’t worry Cronulla-Sutherland, leading Newcastle 16-4 at half-time. Samuel Stonestreet scored a double for the Sharks.

St George Illawarra started the Easter long weekend with a win over Manly Warringah at 4 Pines Park. Tyrell Sloan scored a double as the Dragons led 14-0 early in the second half.

The Dolphins won their third straight game – with a Good Friday victory against Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium (their first NRL win over the Storm). After destroying the Warriors last weekend, Melbourne looked on track for another big win, leading 16-2 after 20 minutes. But the Dolphins scored 40 unanswered points in 44 minutes, with a double to Ray Stone. Kane Bradley scored a double for Melbourne.

Penrith won their second game for 2025 (and their first game in Australia) – beating the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium. After five straight losses, the Panthers finally found their mojo, avenging their 38-32 loss to the Roosters in round 2. Paul Alamoti scored both of Penrith’s tries as they led 12-6 at half-time. Nathan Cleary kicked seven goals and passed Ryan Girdler (1,572) as the Panthers’ greatest pointscorer.

Parramatta won their Easter Monday clash against the Wests Tigers at CommBank Stadium. Isaiah Iongi and Josh Addo-Carr scored doubles for the Eels. Parramatta scored three tries in six minutes to turn a 10-10 half-time deadlock into a 26-10 lead.

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Results

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 18 lost to St George-Illawarra Dragons 20 (4 Pines Park, 17/4/2025, 19:50)

Sea Eagles: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 9. Jazz Tevaga 17. Toafofoa Sipley 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nathan Brown 16. Ethan Bullemor 18. Clayton Faulalo 21. Caleb Navale

Players cut from final squad: 8. Josh Aloiai 19. Aaron Schoupp 20. Jakob Arthur 22. Michael Chee Kam

Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 12. Jaydn Su’A 17. Dylan Egan 13. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Hamish Stewart 18. Sione Finau

Players cut from final squad: 19. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 20. Finau Latu 21. Lyhkan King-Togia 22. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga

Referee: Peter Gough
Bunker: Chris Butler

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 32 defeated South Sydney Rabbitohs 0 (Accor Stadium, 18/4/2025, 16:05)

Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 11. Josh Curran 12. Jacob Preston 23. Viliame Kikau 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Jack Todd 17. Bailey Hayward 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita

Players cut from final squad: 19. Blake Taaffe 21. Jake Turpin 22. Lipoi Hopoi 20. Blake Wilson

Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Campbell Graham 3. Euan Aitken 4. Jack Wighton 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Latrell Mitchell 7. Cody Walker 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Lewis Dodd 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Davvy Moale 18. Liam Le Blanc

Players cut from final squad: 19. Salesi Ataata 20. Thomas Fletcher 21. Declan Casey 22. Joshua Schuster

Referee: Grant Atkins
Bunker: Ashley Klein

Dolphins 42 defeated Melbourne Storm 22 (Suncorp Stadium, 18/4/2025, 20:00)

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 13. Max Plath 15. Mark Nicholls 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 10. Felise Kaufusi 14. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Josh Kerr 18. Ray Stone 19. Sean O’Sullivan

Players cut from final squad: 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 20. Kenny Bromwich 22. Junior Tupou 21. Francis Molo

Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 5. Xavier Coates 3. Jack Howarth 4. Grant Anderson 19. Kane Bradley 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 17. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 18. Joe Chan 2. Sualauvi Faalogo

Players cut from final squad: 9. Harry Grant 20. Keagan Russell-Smith 21. Stanley Huen 22. Lazarus Vaalepu

Referee: Todd Smith
Bunker: Wyatt Raymond

New Zealand Warriors 20 defeated Brisbane Broncos 18 – Golden Point (Go Media Stadium, 19/4/2025, 17:30)

Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Edward Kosi 3. Kurt Capewell 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Jackson Ford 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Bunty Afoa 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Te Maire Martin 20. Tanner Stowers-Smith

Players cut from final squad: 18. Tanah Boyd 21. Samuel Healey 22. Freddy Lussick 23. Morgan Harper

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 14. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 12. Jordan Riki 16. Xavier Willison 13. Kobe Hetherington 9. Cory Paix 11. Jaiyden Hunt 15. Corey Jensen 17. Tyson Smoothy 18. Deine Mariner

Players cut from final squad: 19. Martin Taupau 20. Jock Madden 21. Benjamin Te Kura 22. Blake Mozer

Referee: Chris Butler
Bunker: Kasey Badger

Sydney Roosters 12 lost to Penrith Panthers 40 (Allianz Stadium, 19/4/2025, 19:35)

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Nat Butcher 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 15. Salesi Foketi 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 16. Blake Steep 17. Spencer Leniu 22. Taylor Losalu 20. Chad Townsend

Players cut from final squad: 11. Angus Crichton 18. Ethan King 19. Makahesi Makatoa 21. Tom Rodwell

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Luke Garner 4. Casey McLean 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 16. Liam Henry 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 10. Lindsay Smith 14. Brad Schneider 15. Isaiah Papali’i 17. Izack Tago 18. Daine Laurie

Players cut from final squad: 19. Luron Patea 20. Mavrik Geyer 21. Luke Sommerton 22. Jack Cole

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Bunker: Wyatt Raymond

Gold Coast Titans 20 lost to Canberra Raiders 30 (CBUS Super Stadium, 19/4/2025, 14:00)

Titans: 1. Jaylan De Groot 5. Jojo Fifita 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 19. Allan Fitzgibbon 6. AJ Brimson 21. Tom Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 12. Beau Fermor 14. Chris Randall13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 15. Klese Haas 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 18. Arama Hau 22. Jacob Alick-Wiencke

Players cut from final squad: 2. Tony Francis 7. Jayden Campbell 11. David Fifita 20. Josiah Pahulu

Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson16. Josh Papali’i 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Zac Hosking 17. Ata Mariota 18. Pasami Saulo

Players cut from final squad: 19. Simi Sasagi 20. Jed Stuart 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi

Referee: Adam Gee
Bunker: Grant Atkins

Newcastle Knights 14 lost to Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 34 (McDonald Jones Stadium, 20/4/2025, 16:05)

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Thomas Cant 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Tyrone Thompson 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Brodie Jones 18. Kyle McCarthy

Players cut from final squad: 19. Paul Bryan 20. Jack Cogger 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Jackson Hastings

Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Thomas Hazelton 20. Hohepa Puru

Players cut from final squad:18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Jayden Berrell 21. Billy Burns 22. Chris Veaila

Referee: Ashley Klein
Bunker: Liam Kennedy

Wests Tigers 22 lost to Parramatta Eels 38 (CommBank Stadium, 21/4/2025, 16:00)

Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Brent Naden 4. Starford To’a 5. Luke Laulilii 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Tony Sukkar 19. Heath Mason

Players cut from final squad: 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Solomona Faataape 22. Tristan Hope 15. Royce Hunt

Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Josh Addo-Carr 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti 19. Joash Papali’i

Players cut from final squad: 20. Dean Hawkins 21. Brendan Hands 22. Jordan Samrani 18. Ryan Matterson

Referee: Liam Kennedy
Bunker: Adam Gee

BYE: North Queensland Cowboys

Match Review

Toafofoa Sipley (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles), Grade Referred Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Guilty Plea – 4 matches.
Viliame Kikau (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1800 fine.
Davvy Moale (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Grade 1 Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
Tui Kamikamica (Melbourne Storm), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1800 fine.
Ryan Papenhuyzen (Melbourne Storm), Grade 1 Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Not Guilty.
Billy Walters (Brisbane Broncos), Grade 1 Crusher Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
Naufahu Whyte (Sydney Roosters), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
Mitch Kenny (Penrith Panthers), Grade 2 Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – 2 matches.
Klese Haas (Gold Coast Titans), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
James Schiller (Newcastle Knights), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
Teig Wilton (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Grade 1 Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
Cameron McInnes (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Grade 1 Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
Sunia Turuva (Wests Tigers), Grade 1 Contrary Conduct. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1800 fine.
Kelma Tuilagi (Parramatta Eels), Grade 2 Shoulder Charge. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – 3 matches.
Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.