NRL Round 13 Review: Best Round of 2026 Delivers Drama Everywhere

Round 13 delivered one of the most thrilling weekends of the 2026 NRL season, with close finishes, major upsets, and ladder-shaping results across the league. From Penrith’s narrow win over the Warriors to Melbourne’s resurgence and the Tigers’ defensive turnaround, here’s everything you need to know from a dramatic week of footy.

Review

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Penrith (24 points, +206) moved two wins clear in outright first, followed by the New Zealand Warriors (20, +154), the Sydney Roosters (18, +47), and Newcastle (18, +34). Manly Warringah (16, +103), South Sydney (16, +58), the Dolphins (16, +51), and Cronulla-Sutherland (16, +40) rounded out the top eight.

Round 13 was arguably the best round of 2026, with five games decided by six points or fewer, including a top-two blockbuster as Penrith beat the Warriors by 2 points at CommBank Stadium. Cronulla-Sutherland (against Manly Warringah at Ocean Protect Stadium), Newcastle (against Parramatta at McDonald Jones Stadium), and the Wests Tigers (against Canterbury-Bankstown at CommBank Stadium) all won by 6. St George Illawarra secured their first win of the season, beating Brisbane by 4 points at Suncorp Stadium. Melbourne continued their resurgence with a win over the Roosters at AAMI Park, and Canberra defeated North Queensland at GIO Stadium. NSW also completed a women’s Origin clean sweep, beating Queensland 12–4 at Cbus Super Stadium.

Newcastle won their fourth straight game to enter the top four. Dylan Lucas’ second try — running 40 metres down the left wing off a Fletcher Sharpe pass — gave the Knights a 24–10 lead after 60 minutes. Despite missing Mitch Moses, Parramatta kept fighting, with Isaiah Iongi cutting the deficit to six.
GAME BREAKER: With 90 seconds left, Parramatta were pushing for golden point. Running towards the left post, Ronald Volkman passed to Kitione Kautoga, who attempted to crash over, but Mat Croker held him up.

The Wests Tigers broke a three-game losing streak to stay in finals contention. The Tigers led 16–0 after 30 minutes, though disallowed tries to Stephen Crichton (knock-on) and Josh Curran (a “pressure on the kicker” penalty on Jarome Luai) hurt Canterbury’s comeback hopes. Jeral Skelton scored a double for the Tigers.
GAME BREAKER: After conceding 142 points in their previous three losses, the Tigers kept Canterbury scoreless for the opening 36 minutes and the final 10, holding on for a 22–16 win. It was their best defensive display since beating Canberra 33–14 in Round 8.

Sualauvi Faalogo starred as Melbourne recorded their third win from their last four games. With Melbourne ahead 6–4, Faalogo swooped on a Roosters error and ran 75 metres. Melbourne shifted right on the next tackle, with Jahrome Hughes putting in a cross-field kick for Will Warbrick. Moses Leo sealed the win with a 90-metre intercept after catching a Daly Cherry-Evans bomb.
GAME BREAKER: While brilliant in attack (finishing with 325 all-run metres) and kicking three goals, Faalogo also shut down a late Roosters comeback by forcing Cody Ramsey into touch.

While five Origin players were rested (Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, and Brian To’o for Penrith; Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell for the Warriors), Penrith’s win over the Warriors could be a preview of a September rematch. Casey McLean’s double set up a 16–6 half-time lead, while the Warriors were denied two tries. Showing improved resilience, the Warriors led 18–16 after 60 minutes. Alofiana Khan-Pereira’s try — giving the Warriors the lead — came from a Te Maire Martin kick that took a wicked bounce to wrong-foot Paul Alamoti.
GAME BREAKER: Once again, Dylan Edwards stood up in Cleary’s absence, producing two crucial late plays — a try-saving tackle on Jacob Laban, and the final pass for Alamoti’s second try as Penrith reclaimed the lead.

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Results

Sharks vs Sea Eagles

Full Time: Sharks 28 – 22 Sea Eagles
Sharks 28 (Tries: Niwhai Puru 8′; Teig Wilton 30′; Billy Burns 35′, 40′; Braydon Trindall 50′. Goals: Braydon Trindall 10′, 32′. Penalty Goals: Braydon Trindall 3′; Mawene Hiroti 76′)
Sea Eagles 22 (Tries: Clayton Faulalo 21′; Ben Trbojevic 47′; Jason Saab 54′; Jamal Fogarty 56′. Goals: Reuben Garrick 48′, 55′, 58′)

Half-Time Score: Sharks 22 – 4 Sea Eagles
Date: Friday 29th May 2026
Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney

Sharks Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	William Kennedy	Fullback	0	0	0	0
2	Samuel Stonestreet	Winger	0	0	0	0
3	Jesse Ramien	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Ronaldo Mulitalo	Winger	0	0	0	0
6	Braydon Trindall	Five-Eighth	1	2	1	9
7	Niwhai Puru	Halfback	1	0	0	4
8	Addin Fonua-Blake	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Blayke Brailey	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Toby Rudolf	Prop	0	0	0	0
12	Teig Wilton	2nd Row	1	0	0	4
13	Cameron McInnes	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Jesse Colquhoun	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Siosifa Talakai	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Billy Burns	Interchange	2	0	0	8
18	Hohepa Puru	Interchange	0	0	0	0
23	Mawene Hiroti	Centre	0	0	1	2
Team Total			5	2	2	28

Sea Eagles Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Clayton Faulalo	Fullback	1	0	0	4
2	Jason Saab	Winger	1	0	0	4
3	Josh Feledy	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Reuben Garrick	Centre	0	3	0	6
5	Lehi Hopoate	Winger	0	0	0	0
6	Luke Brooks	Five-Eighth	0	0	0	0
7	Jamal Fogarty	Halfback	1	0	0	4
8	Taniela Paseka	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Jake Simpkin	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Kobe Hetherington	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Jackson Shereb	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Ben Trbojevic	2nd Row	1	0	0	4
13	Jake Trbojevic	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Brandon Wakeham	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Nathan Brown	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Ethan Bullemor	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			4	3	0	22

Knights vs Eels

Full Time: Knights 28 – 22 Eels
Knights 28 (Tries: Dylan Lucas 2′, 58′; Greg Marzhew 22′; Harrison Graham 44′; Fletcher Hunt 70′. Goals: Kalyn Ponga 4′, 23′, 45′, 60′)
Eels 22 (Tries: Brian Kelly 9′; Dylan Walker 28′; Jordan Samrani 63′; Isaiah Iongi 73′. Goals: Joash Papalii 30′, 64′, 74′)

Half-Time Score: Knights 12 – 10 Eels
Date: Saturday 30th May 2026
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Kalyn Ponga	Fullback	0	4	0	8
2	Dominic Young	Winger	0	0	0	0
3	Dane Gagai	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Fletcher Sharpe	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Greg Marzhew	Winger	1	0	0	4
6	Sandon Smith	Five-Eighth	0	0	0	0
7	Dylan Brown	Halfback	0	0	0	0
8	Jacob Saifiti	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Phoenix Crossland	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Trey Mooney	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Dylan Lucas	2nd Row	2	0	0	8
12	Jermaine McEwen	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Mat Croker	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Harrison Graham	Interchange	1	0	0	4
19	Fletcher Hunt	Interchange	1	0	0	4
Team Total			5	4	0	28

Eels Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Isaiah Iongi	Fullback	1	0	0	4
2	Brian Kelly	Winger	1	0	0	4
3	Jordan Samrani	Centre	1	0	0	4
4	Sean Russell	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Josh Addo-Carr	Winger	0	0	0	0
6	Joash Papalii	Five-Eighth	0	3	0	6
7	Ronald Volkman	Halfback	0	0	0	0
8	Luca Moretti	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Tallyn Da Silva	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Jack Williams	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Kelma Tuilagi	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Kitione Kautoga	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Jack De Belin	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Dylan Walker	Interchange	1	0	0	4
Team Total			4	3	0	22

Wests Tigers vs Bulldogs

Full Time: Wests Tigers 22 – 16 Bulldogs
Wests Tigers 22 (Tries: Jeral Skelton 9′, 55′; Faaletino Tavana 16′; Jahream Bula 28′. Goals: Jock Madden 10′, 29′. Penalty Goals: Jock Madden 59′)
Bulldogs 16 (Tries: Jacob Kiraz 36′; Enari Tuala 47′; Lachlan Galvin 68′. Goals: Stephen Crichton 37′, 70′)

Half-Time Score: Wests Tigers 16 – 6 Bulldogs
Date: Saturday 30th May 2026
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Wests Tigers Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Jahream Bula	Fullback	1	0	0	4
2	Jeral Skelton	Winger	2	0	0	8
3	Sunia Turuva	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Heamasi Makasini	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Faaletino Tavana	Winger	1	0	0	4
6	Jarome Luai	Five-Eighth	0	0	0	0
7	Jock Madden	Halfback	0	2	1	6
8	Terrell May	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Apisai Koroisau	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Fonua Pole	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Sione Fainu	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Kai Pearce-Paul	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Alex Twal	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Latu Fainu	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Alex Seyfarth	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Royce Hunt	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			4	2	1	22

Bulldogs Team

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

Storm vs Roosters

Full Time: Storm 18 – 4 Roosters
Storm 18 (Tries: Harry Grant 25′; Will Warbrick 53′; Moses Leo 62′. Goals: Sualauvi Faalogo 27′. Penalty Goals: Sualauvi Faalogo 59′, 79′)
Roosters 4 (Tries: Billy Smith 34′)

Half-Time Score: Storm 6 – 4 Roosters
Date: Saturday 30th May 2026
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Sualauvi Faalogo	Fullback	0	1	2	6
2	Will Warbrick	Winger	1	0	0	4
3	Jack Howarth	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Nick Meaney	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Moses Leo	Winger	1	0	0	4
6	Cameron Munster	Five-Eighth	0	0	0	0
7	Jahrome Hughes	Halfback	0	0	0	0
8	Stefano Utoikamanu	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Harry Grant	Hooker	1	0	0	4
10	Josh King	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Alec MacDonald	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Ativalu Lisati	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Trent Loiero	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Trent Toelau	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Cooper Clarke	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			3	1	2	18

Roosters Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	James Tedesco	Fullback	0	0	0	0
2	Billy Smith	Winger	1	0	0	4
3	Hugo Savala	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Robert Toia	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Cody Ramsey	Winger	0	0	0	0
6	Daly Cherry-Evans	Five-Eighth	0	0	0	0
7	Sam Walker	Halfback	0	0	0	0
8	Naufahu Whyte	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Reece Robson	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Lindsay Collins	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Angus Crichton	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Siua Wong	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Victor Radley	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Connor Watson	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Spencer Leniu	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Nat Butcher	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			1	0	0	4

Broncos vs Dragons

Full Time: Broncos 26 – 30 Dragons
Broncos 26 (Tries: Jesse Arthars 50′, 79′; Josiah Karapani 68′; Xavier Willison 73′. Goals: Adam Reynolds 51′, 69′, 74′, 79′. Penalty Goals: Adam Reynolds 40′)
Dragons 30 (Tries: Valentine Holmes 5′, 58′; Daniel Atkinson 9′; Mathew Feagai 55′; Setu Tu 60′. Goals: Valentine Holmes 7′, 10′, 56′, 59′. Penalty Goals: Valentine Holmes 21′)

Half-Time Score: Broncos 2 – 14 Dragons
Date: Sunday 31st May 2026
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Reece Walsh	Fullback	0	0	0	0
2	Josiah Karapani	Winger	1	0	0	4
3	Kotoni Staggs	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Gehamat Shibasaki	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Jesse Arthars	Winger	2	0	0	8
6	Ezra Mam	Five-Eighth	0	0	0	0
7	Adam Reynolds	Halfback	0	4	1	10
8	Preston Riki	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Cory Paix	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Payne Haas	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Brendan Piakura	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Xavier Willison	2nd Row	1	0	0	4
13	Patrick Carrigan	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Ben Hunt	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Ben Talty	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Va’a Semu	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Jack Gosiewski	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			4	4	1	26

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
3	Moses Suli	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Valentine Holmes	Centre	2	4	1	13
5	Mathew Feagai	Winger	1	0	0	4
6	Daniel Atkinson	Five-Eighth	1	0	0	4
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
15	Blake Lawrie	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Josh Kerr	Interchange	0	0	0	0
18	Emre Guler	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			5	4	1	30

Raiders vs Cowboys

Full Time: Raiders 26 – 12 Cowboys
Raiders 26 (Tries: Sebastian Kris 12′, 44′; Kaeo Weekes 14′; Tom Starling 16′; Ethan Strange 37′; Xavier Savage 60′. Goals: Ethan Sanders 18′)
Cowboys 12 (Tries: Liam Sutton 25′; Heilum Luki 74′. Goals: Jake Clifford 27′, 75′)

Half-Time Score: Raiders 18 – 6 Cowboys
Date: Sunday 31st May 2026
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Kaeo Weekes	Fullback	1	0	0	4
2	Savelio Tamale	Winger	0	0	0	0
3	Sebastian Kris	Centre	2	0	0	8
4	Matthew Timoko	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Xavier Savage	Winger	1	0	0	4
6	Ethan Strange	Five-Eighth	1	0	0	4
7	Ethan Sanders	Halfback	0	1	0	2
8	Corey Horsburgh	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Tom Starling	Hooker	1	0	0	4
10	Joseph Tapine	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Hudson Young	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Zac Hosking	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Daine Laurie	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Owen Pattie	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Ata Mariota	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Morgan Smithies	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Jed Stuart	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			6	1	0	26

Cowboys Team

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

Panthers vs Warriors

Full Time: Panthers 20 – 18 Warriors
Panthers 20 (Tries: Casey McLean 5′, 29′; Paul Alamoti 37′, 69′. Goals: Paul Alamoti 31′, 38′)
Warriors 18 (Tries: Jacob Laban 16′; Taine Tuaupiki 53′; Alofiana Khan-Pereira 58′. Goals: Adam Pompey 17′, 55′, 59′)

Half-Time Score: Panthers 16 – 6 Warriors
Date: Sunday 31st May 2026
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Panthers Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Dylan Edwards	Fullback	0	0	0	0
2	Thomas Jenkins	Winger	0	0	0	0
3	Izack Tago	Centre	0	0	0	0
21	Casey McLean	Centre	2	0	0	8
5	Paul Alamoti	Winger	2	2	0	12
6	Blaize Talagi	Five-Eighth	0	0	0	0
7	Jack Cogger	Halfback	0	0	0	0
8	Moses Leota	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Freddy Lussick	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Liam Henry	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Isaiah Papali’i	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Liam Martin	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Lindsay Smith	Lock	0	0	0	0
4	Luke Garner	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Scott Sorensen	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Billy Phillips	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			4	2	0	20

Warriors Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Taine Tuaupiki	Fullback	1	0	0	4
2	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	Winger	0	0	0	0
3	Ali Leiataua	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Adam Pompey	Centre	0	3	0	6
5	Alofiana Khan-Pereira	Winger	1	0	0	4
6	Chanel Harris-Tavita	Five-Eighth	0	0	0	0
7	Te Maire Martin	Halfback	0	0	0	0
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	1	0	0	4
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	Marata Niukore	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			3	3	0	18

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