Check out what happened in round 8 (Anzac Round) of the National Rugby League competition.
Round 8
Review
Embed from Getty ImagesCanterbury-Bankstown (14 points, +74) are still top of the ladder, despite losing to Brisbane on Thursday night.
The Bulldogs have a two-point lead over Melbourne (12, +78), Canberra (12, +58), and the NZ Warriors (12, -4). Brisbane (10, +78), North Queensland (10, -10), Cronulla-Sutherland (8, +39), and Manly Warringah (8, +36) rounded out the eight.
Melbourne continued their Anzac Day dominance, beating South Sydney at AAMI Park. While it wasn’t the clinical Storm we’re used to, it was still their 14th win in 18 Anzac Day games, their ninth Anzac Day win in a row, and 20th straight win over Souths in Melbourne. Tied 10-10 at half-time, Melbourne regained the lead when Eliesa Katoa scored in the 42nd minute. Latrell Mitchell’s sin binning in the 49th minute allowed Ryan Papenhuyzen to push Melbourne’s lead to eight. With 15 minutes left, Melbourne gave themselves a match-winning buffer when Tyran Wishart scored. Jack Wighton scored a double for Souths.
Canberra won their fourth straight game, beating The Dolphins at GIO Stadium. With both sides coming off three straight wins, the Dolphins led 28-10 at half-time and seemed to have secured their fourth straight win, but Canberra won the second half 30-0. Jamal Fogarty finished with 16 points (a try and six goals), while Jamayne Isaako scored 12 (a try and four goals). It was a vital win for Canberra with their next two games against Melbourne and Canterbury-Bankstown, while the Dolphins missed a chance to enter the top eight.
The Warriors remained undefeated in New Zealand after beating Newcastle at Apollo Projects Stadium (Christchurch). Jackson Ford and Adam Pompey both scored doubles for the Warriors’ first Anzac Day win since 2014 (leading 16-0 at half-time). Newcastle have now lost five in a row: they’ve only scored 36 points in those games.
The Broncos defied the heavy rain at Suncorp Stadium to lead the Bulldogs 34-0 at half-time. Deine Mariner scored two of the Broncos’ six first half tries, while Josh Curran and Sitili Tupouniua were both sin binned for the Bulldogs. Canterbury restored some respectability, winning the second half 18-8, but they also had a third sin bin (Marcelo Montoya).
Robert Derby scored a hat-trick and Jeremiah Nanai scored two tries in North Queensland’s big win at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. The Gold Coast again started brightly, leading 18-6 after 30 minutes. But it was all Cowboys from there, scoring 44 unanswered points. Murray Taulagi celebrated his 100th NRL game with a try and a goal, while Scott Drinkwater kicked the other six goals.
Manly Warringah re-entered the top eight with a win at CommBank Stadium. Unfortunately, the game was blighted by three sin bins (Scott Sorensen, Siosiua Taukeiaho, and Paul Alamoti) that saw both Manly and Penrith reduced to 12 players midway through the second half. After three straight losses, Manly led 14-0 at half-time and weathered a Penrith comeback that cut their lead to four points. Reuben Garrick finished with 14 points (a try and five goals). With Parramatta collecting their two bye points, this loss put Penrith in last place.
Adam Doueihi kicked a Golden Point penalty goal to beat Cronulla-Sutherland at Leichhardt Oval. Doueihi kicked the 88th minute goal after an illegal strip. It was his fourth goal of the game. Cronulla came back from 18-6 down and, with three minutes left, Nicho Hynes’ 45 metre field goal shot bounced off the posts, then Daniel Atkinson blew a tryscoring attempt with 30 seconds left in regulation time.
The Sydney Roosters opened the Anzac Day triple-header with a comfortable win over St George Illawarra at Allianz Stadium. James Tedesco scored two tries as the Roosters built on a 20-6 half-time lead. Sandon Smith won the Ashton-Collier Medal with his two tries and seven goals (22 points).
Embed from Getty ImagesResults
Here’s the team news for round 8 of the NRL season. The teams are to be announced at 4pm on Tuesday.
Check out our round 8 predictions here.
Round 8 Teams
Brisbane Broncos 42 defeated Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 18 (Suncorp Stadium, 24/4/2025, 19:50)
Broncos: 1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison16. Brendan Piakura 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 17. Jaiyden Hunt 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Martin Taupau
Players cut from final squad: 12. Jordan Riki 20. Jock Madden 21. Josiah Karapani 22. Benjamin Te Kura
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 10. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes 17. Bailey Hayward 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita
Players cut from final squad: 20. Blake Wilson 21. Blake Taaffe 22. Lipoi Hopoi 23. Luke Smith
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Bunker: Adam Gee
Sydney Roosters 46 defeated St George-Illawarra Dragons 18 (Allianz Stadium, 25/4/2025, 16:00)
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Nat Butcher 18. Ethan King
Players cut from final squad: 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Chad Townsend 21. Dominic Young 22. Makahesi Makatoa
Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Sione Finau 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. Emre Guler 19. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
Players cut from final squad: 18. Lyhkan King-Togia 20. Finau Latu 21. Corey Allan 22. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Referee: Todd Smith
Bunker: Grant Atkins
New Zealand Warriors 26 defeated Newcastle Knights 12 (Apollo Projects Stadium, 25/4/2025, 18:05)
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Rocco Berry 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 10. Mitchell Barnett 9. Wayde Egan 12. Marata Niukore 11. Kurt Capewell 14. Leka Halasima 13. Erin Clark 8. Jackson Ford 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Jacob Laban 20. Tanah Boyd
Players cut from final squad: 18. Te Maire Martin 21. Tanner Stowers-Smith 22. Samuel Healey 23. Edward Kosi
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 20. Jack Cogger 8. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker 9. Phoenix Crossland 15. Tyrone Thompson 16. Thomas Cant 17. Brodie Jones 21. Matthew Arthur
Players cut from final squad: 7. Tyson Gamble 18. Kyle McCarthy 19. Paul Bryan 22. Logan Aoake
Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Bunker: Kasey Badger
Melbourne Storm 24 defeated South Sydney Rabbitohs 16 (AAMI Park, 25/4/2025, 20:10)
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 5. Xavier Coates 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 19. Sualauvi Faalogo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Joe Chan 17. Lazarus Vaalepu 2. Kane Bradley
Players cut from final squad: 18. Ativalu Lisati 20. Keagan Russell-Smith 21. Coby Williamson 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Isaiah Tass 14. Jye Gray 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Jai Arrow 15. Siliva Havili 16. Davvy Moale 17. Tallis Duncan 19. Lewis Dodd 18. Liam Le Blanc
Players cut from final squad: 6. Cody Walker 20. Thomas Fletcher 21. Salesi Ataata 22. Declan Casey
Referee: Peter Gough
Bunker: Adam Gee
North Queensland Cowboys 50 defeated Gold Coast Titans 18 (QLD Country Bank Stadium, 26/4/2025, 17:30)
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 10. Jason Taumalolo 9. Reece Robson 22. Thomas Mikaele 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 8. Jordan McLean 14. Sam McIntyre 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Harrison Edwards 21. Karl Lawton
Players cut from final squad: 15. Kai O’Donnell 19. Zac Laybutt 20. Thomas Duffy
Titans: 1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tom Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. David Fifita 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Brock Gray 17. Arama Hau 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke
Players cut from final squad: 18. Tony Francis 19. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 21. Allan Fitzgibbon 22. Josiah Pahulu
Referee: Chris Butler
Bunker: Kasey Badger
Penrith Panthers 10 lost to Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 26 (CommBank Stadium, 26/4/2025, 19:35)
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 14. Brad Schneider 10. Liam Henry 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 9. Luke Sommerton 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Lindsay Smith 17. Mavrik Geyer 18. Daine Laurie
Players cut from final squad: 19. Luron Patea 20. Asu Kepaoa 21. Matt Eisenhuth 22. Jack Cole
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 5. Lehi Hopoate 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 14. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 9. Jake Simpkin 16. Ethan Bullemor 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jazz Tevaga 15. Corey Waddell 17. Nathan Brown 18. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 22. Caleb Navale 21. Michael Chee Kam
Players cut from final squad: 2. Jason Saab 8. Josh Aloiai 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jakob Arthur
Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Bunker: Ashley Klein
Canberra Raiders 40 defeated Dolphins 28 (GIO Stadium, 27/4/2025, 14:00)
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 Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Zac Hosking 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota 18. Simi Sasagi
Players cut from final squad: 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi 19. Jed Stuart
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 15. Ray Stone 10. Francis Molo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Mark Nicholls 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Josh Kerr 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. Sean O’Sullivan 21. Tevita Naufahu
Players cut from final squad: 9. Max Plath 14. Kurt Donoghoe 22. Junior Tupou 20. Oryn Keeley
Referee: Ashley Klein
Bunker: Adam Gee
Wests Tigers 20 defeated Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 18 – Golden Point (Leichhardt Oval, 27/4/2025, 16:05)
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Brent Naden 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 21. Solomona Faataape
Players cut from final squad: 18. Tony Sukkar 20. Kit Laulilii 22. Tristan Hope 19. Heath Mason
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 20. Billy Burns 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Tuku Hau Tapuha 17. Thomas Hazelton 22. Jesse Colquhoun
Players cut from final squad: 12. Teig Wilton 19. Braden Hamlin-Uele 21. Hohepa Puru 18. Jayden Berrell
Referee: Grant Atkins
Bunker: Liam Kennedy
BYE: Parramatta Eels
Match Review
Sitili Tupouniua (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Grade 2 Shoulder Charge. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – 3 matches.
Matt Burton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Grade 2 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – 1 match.
Josh Curran (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Grade 2 Shoulder Charge. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – 3 matches.
Sitili Tupouniua (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Grade 2 Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – 2 matches.
Sandon Smith (Sydney Roosters), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
Marata Niukore (New Zealand Warriors), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
Leo Thompson (Newcastle Knights), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1800 fine.
Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Grade 2 Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – 1 match.
Griffin Neame (North Queensland Cowboys), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
Jaimin Jolliffe (Gold Coast Titans), Grade 2 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – 2 matches.
Brock Gray (Gold Coast Titans), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – 1 match.
Casey McLean (Penrith Panthers), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
Dylan Edwards (Penrith Panthers), Grade 1 Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $750 fine.
Scott Sorensen (Penrith Panthers), Grade 2 Shoulder Charge. Outcome: Guilty at Panel – 3 matches.
Siosiua Taukeiaho (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
Ethan Strange (Canberra Raiders), Grade 1 Crusher Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1500 fine.
Matthew Nicholson (Canberra Raiders), Grade 1 Crusher Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1500 fine.
Briton Nikora (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1800 fine.
Fonua Pole (Wests Tigers), Grade 1 Careless High Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
