NRL Round 12 Review: Dolphins, Bulldogs Upset as Warriors Stay Hot

Catch up on all the action from NRL Round 12, including match results, key moments, and major talking points from a dramatic Origin split round.

Review

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Penrith (22 points, +203) remained in outright first after round 12, followed by the NZ Warriors (20, +156), the Sydney Roosters (18, +61), and Manly Warringah (16, +109). Newcastle (16, +28), North Queensland (16, +27), South Sydney (14, +58), and The Dolphins (14, +51) rounded out the top eight.

After a lopsided Magic Round, three of the five Origin split round games were decided by 10 points or less: The Dolphins beat Canberra by eight, Canterbury-Bankstown beat Melbourne by 10, and Manly Warringah beat Gold Coast by two.

The Dolphins opened the shortened round with a win over Canberra at GIO Stadium – their fourth straight win and first win in Canberra. Leading 22-16 at half-time, the Dolphins pushed the lead to eight after a penalty against Morgan Smithies. While Zac Hosking got Canberra within two points with 14 minutes left, the Raiders squandered plenty of other opportunities through unforced errors and poor discipline. Jamayne Isaako’s 14 points (a try and five goals) saw him overtake Nathan Cleary as this season’s leading points-scorer (134). GAME BREAKER: Former Raider Brad Schneider restored the Dolphins’ eight point lead in the 69th minute, beating multiple Canberra defenders in a 20-metre run.

Canterbury-Bankstown broke a five-game losing streak after beating Melbourne at Accor Stadium. Canterbury came from 18-6 down at half-time, with a double to Jethro Rinakama. While Melbourne were without their Origin players, they only scored two second half points (a Nick Meaney penalty goal). The Storm’s poor second halves have been a worrying trend this season, even at full-strength. Moses Leo scored a first half double for Melbourne. GAME BREAKER: While Rinakama’s second try put Canterbury ahead by four points, an escort penalty against Enari Tuala could have given Melbourne possession prime attacking position with four minutes left. Canterbury successfully challenged the decision, with Jacob Kiraz sealing the win a few tackles later.

Te Maire Martin, Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak all scored doubles in the Warriors’ win over St George Illawarra at St George Venues Jubilee Stadium. The Warriors scored 24 straight points after Setu Tu gave the Dragons a 6-0 lead. Christian Tuipulotu cut the margin to 12 with 15 minutes left before a DWZ intercept try sealed the Warriors’ sixth straight win. St George Illawarra’s winless streak stretched to 15 straight, including 11 straight in 2026. GAME BREAKER: One try each to Khan-Pereira, Te Maire Martin, and Watene-Zelezniak gave the Warriors a 14-6 half-time lead.

It was an unusually low-scoring game at 4 Pines Park. Reuben Garrick’s penalty goal in the 59th minute gave Manly a 12-0 lead against the Gold Coast, which was enough despite late tries to Phillip Sami and AJ Brimson. The Titans were let down by a 68% completion rate and 18 errors. It was Manly’s seventh win from eight games under Kieran Foran. GAME BREAKER: We saw a different side of “Fozball” tonight, with Manly keeping the Titans scoreless for 65 minutes (including a disallowed try to Jaylan De Groot in the seventh minute), and making 335 tackles with an 87.24% Effective Tackle rate.

North Queensland kept in touch with the top four after beating South Sydney at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. A Jake Clifford two-point field goal set up an 18-6 half-time lead, with Talanoa Penitani’s double on debut keeping Souths in the contest after the break. Heilum Luki sealed the win with 11 minutes left. GAME BREAKER: As the greatest try-scorer in Australian rugby league history, Alex Johnston is hard to stop when close to the line, but the Cowboys did that twice in the second half: the first in the 46th minute and the second in the 66th minute, both times taken over the left sideline before losing the ball.

Seven teams had byes in the first Origin split round, with the Sydney Roosters, Newcastle, Brisbane, Penrith, Wests Tigers, Cronulla-Sutherland, and Parramatta all gaining two bye points.

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Results

Raiders vs Dolphins

Full Time: Raiders 22 – 30 Dolphins
Raiders 22 (Tries: Jed Stuart 1′; Corey Horsburgh 14′; Savelio Tamale 38′; Zac Hosking 65′. Goals: Ethan Sanders 3′, 16′, 66′)
Dolphins 30 (Tries: Tevita Naufahu 9′; Morgan Knowles 20′; Jamayne Isaako 23′; Ray Stone 32′; Bradley Schneider 69′. Goals: Jamayne Isaako 10′, 22′, 34′, 71′. Penalty Goals: Jamayne Isaako 44′)

Half-Time Score: Raiders 16 – 22 Dolphins
Date: Thursday 21st May 2026
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Kaeo Weekes	Fullback	0	0	0	0
2	Savelio Tamale	Winger	1	0	0	4
4	Matthew Timoko	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Xavier Savage	Winger	0	0	0	0
6	Daine Laurie	Five-Eighth	0	0	0	0
7	Ethan Sanders	Halfback	0	3	0	6
8	Corey Horsburgh	Prop	1	0	0	4
9	Tom Starling	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Joseph Tapine	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Ata Mariota	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Zac Hosking	2nd Row	1	0	0	4
13	Jayden Brailey	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Owen Pattie	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Jordan Uta	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Morgan Smithies	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Jed Stuart	Interchange	1	0	0	4
Team Total			4	3	0	22

Dolphins Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Trai Fuller	Fullback	0	0	0	0
2	Jamayne Isaako	Winger	1	4	1	13
3	Jack Bostock	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Tevita Naufahu	Winger	1	0	0	4
6	Bradley Schneider	Five-Eighth	1	0	0	4
7	Isaiya Katoa	Halfback	0	0	0	0
8	Felise Kaufusi	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Jeremy Marshall-King	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Francis Molo	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Connelly Lemuelu	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Kulikefu Finefeuiaki	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Morgan Knowles	Lock	1	0	0	4
14	Kurt Donoghoe	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Ray Stone	Interchange	1	0	0	4
16	Tom Gilbert	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Oryn Keeley	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			5	4	1	30

Bulldogs vs Storm

Full Time: Bulldogs 30 – 20 Storm
Bulldogs 30 (Tries: Enari Tuala 18′; Sitili Tupouniua 42′; Jethro Rinakama 55′, 72′; Jacob Kiraz 77′. Goals: Matt Burton 20′, 43′, 56′, 77′. Penalty Goals: Matt Burton 61′)
Storm 20 (Tries: Moses Leo 3′, 12′; Josh King 23′. Goals: Nick Meaney 4′, 14′, 25′. Penalty Goals: Nick Meaney 50′)

Half-Time Score: Bulldogs 6 – 18 Storm
Date: Friday 22nd May 2026
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
2	Jacob Kiraz	Fullback	1	0	0	4
19	Jethro Rinakama	Winger	2	0	0	8
3	Bronson Xerri	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Enari Tuala	Centre	1	0	0	4
20	Marcelo Montoya	Winger	0	0	0	0
6	Matt Burton	Five-Eighth	0	4	1	10
7	Lachlan Galvin	Halfback	0	0	0	0
8	Max King	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Bailey Hayward	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Leo Thompson	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Sitili Tupouniua	2nd Row	1	0	0	4
12	Jacob Preston	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Jaeman Salmon	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Kurt Mann	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Harry Hayes	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Jack Underhill	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			5	4	1	30

Storm Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Sualauvi Faalogo	Fullback	0	0	0	0
2	Will Warbrick	Winger	0	0	0	0
3	Jack Howarth	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Nick Meaney	Centre	0	3	1	7
5	Moses Leo	Winger	2	0	0	8
6	Keagan Russell-Smith	Five-Eighth	0	0	0	0
7	Jahrome Hughes	Halfback	0	0	0	0
8	Stefano Utoikamanu	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Trent Toelau	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Josh King	Prop	1	0	0	4
11	Shawn Blore	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Ativalu Lisati	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Cooper Clarke	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Gabriel Satrick	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Alec MacDonald	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Davvy Moale	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			3	3	1	20

Dragons vs Warriors

Full Time: Dragons 12 – 30 Warriors
Dragons 12 (Tries: Setu Tu 5′; Christian Tuipulotu 64′. Goals: Valentine Holmes 7′, 66′)
Warriors 30 (Tries: Alofiana Khan-Pereira 11′, 62′; Te Maire Martin 16′, 46′; Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 33′, 71′. Goals: Chanel Harris-Tavita 13′, 48′, 73′)

Half-Time Score: Dragons 6 – 14 Warriors
Date: Saturday 23rd May 2026
Venue: St George Venues Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah

Dragons Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Clinton Gutherson	Fullback	0	0	0	0
2	Setu Tu	Winger	1	0	0	4
4	Valentine Holmes	Centre	0	2	0	4
5	Christian Tuipulotu	Winger	1	0	0	4
6	Daniel Atkinson	Five-Eighth	0	0	0	0
7	Kyle Flanagan	Halfback	0	0	0	0
8	Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Damien Cook	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Toby Couchman	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Dylan Egan	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Hamish Stewart	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Ryan Couchman	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Luciano Leilua	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Emre Guler	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Josh Kerr	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Blake Lawrie	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			2	2	0	12

Warriors Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Taine Tuaupiki	Fullback	0	0	0	0
2	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	Winger	2	0	0	8
3	Ali Leiataua	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Alofiana Khan-Pereira	Winger	2	0	0	8
6	Chanel Harris-Tavita	Five-Eighth	0	3	0	6
7	Te Maire Martin	Halfback	2	0	0	8
8	James Fisher-Harris	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Wayde Egan	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Jackson Ford	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Leka Halasima	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Jacob Laban	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Erin Clark	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Sam Healey	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Tanner Stowers-Smith	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Demitric Vaimauga	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			6	3	0	30

Sea Eagles vs Titans

Full Time: Sea Eagles 12 – 10 Titans
Sea Eagles 12 (Tries: Blake Wilson 17′; Clayton Faulalo 46′. Goals: Reuben Garrick 47′. Penalty Goals: Reuben Garrick 59′)
Titans 10 (Tries: Phillip Sami 65′; AJ Brimson 78′. Goals: Jayden Campbell 79′)

Half-Time Score: Sea Eagles 4 – 0 Titans
Date: Saturday 23rd May 2026
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Sea Eagles Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Clayton Faulalo	Fullback	1	0	0	4
2	Jason Saab	Winger	0	0	0	0
3	Josh Feledy	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Reuben Garrick	Centre	0	1	1	4
5	Blake Wilson	Winger	1	0	0	4
6	Luke Brooks	Five-Eighth	0	0	0	0
7	Jamal Fogarty	Halfback	0	0	0	0
8	Taniela Paseka	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Brandon Wakeham	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Ethan Bullemor	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Jackson Shereb	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Ben Trbojevic	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Jake Trbojevic	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Jake Simpkin	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Nathan Brown	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Kobe Hetherington	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			2	1	1	12

Titans Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Keano Kini	Fullback	0	0	0	0
2	Jensen Taumoepeau	Winger	0	0	0	0
3	Jaylan De Groot	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	AJ Brimson	Centre	1	0	0	4
5	Phillip Sami	Winger	1	0	0	4
6	Jayden Campbell	Five-Eighth	0	1	0	2
7	Zane Harrison	Halfback	0	0	0	0
8	Moeaki Fotuaika	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Oliver Pascoe	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Klese Haas	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Arama Hau	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Beau Fermor	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Cooper Bai	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Kurtis Morrin	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Josh Patston	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Luke Sommerton	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			2	1	0	10

Cowboys vs Rabbitohs

Full Time: Cowboys 30 – 18 Rabbitohs
Cowboys 30 (Tries: Zac Laybutt 4′; Reed Mahoney 25′; Tom Chester 34′; Liam Sutton 60′; Heilum Luki 67′. Goals: Jake Clifford 27′, 35′, 62′, 69′. 2 Point Field Goal: Jake Clifford 39′)
Rabbitohs 18 (Tries: Talanoa Penitani 14′, 55′; Alex Johnston 76′. Goals: Latrell Siegwalt 56′, 76′. Penalty Goals: Latrell Siegwalt 19′)

Half-Time Score: Cowboys 18 – 6 Rabbitohs
Date: Sunday 24th May 2026
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Scott Drinkwater	Fullback	0	0	0	0
2	Robert Derby	Winger	0	0	0	0
3	Jaxon Purdue	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Tom Chester	Centre	1	0	0	4
5	Zac Laybutt	Winger	1	0	0	4
6	Liam Sutton	Five-Eighth	1	0	0	4
7	Jake Clifford	Halfback	0	4	0	8
8	Thomas Mikaele	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Reed Mahoney	Hooker	1	0	0	4
10	Matthew Lodge	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Heilum Luki	2nd Row	1	0	0	4
12	Sam McIntyre	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Jason Taumalolo	Lock	0	0	0	0
15	Griffin Neame	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Coen Hess	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			5	4	0	30

Rabbitohs Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
2	Alex Johnston	Winger	1	0	0	4
3	Latrell Siegwalt	Centre	0	2	1	6
4	Tallis Duncan	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Talanoa Penitani	Winger	2	0	0	8
6	Cody Walker	Five-Eighth	0	0	0	0
7	Ashton Ward	Halfback	0	0	0	0
8	Tevita Tatola	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Peter Mamouzelos	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Sean Keppie	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Euan Aitken	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Keaon Koloamatangi	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Adam Elliott	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Matthew Dufty	Fullback	0	0	0	0
15	Lachlan Hubner	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Jamie Humphreys	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			3	2	1	18

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