NRL Round 16 Review: Last-Gasp Winners, Titans Stun Panthers, Dolphins Keep Rolling

Round 16 delivered everything—final-minute field goals, a major Gold Coast upset over Penrith, and the Dolphins surging to seven straight wins. With the top eight tightening and momentum swinging fast, several sides made statement moves at a crucial point of the season.

Ladder

Penrith (28 points, +272) remain two wins clear at the top of the table ahead of the New Zealand Warriors (24, +170). The Dolphins (22, +129) and Sydney Roosters (22, +54) follow, while Newcastle (22, +34), Manly Warringah (20, +116), South Sydney (20, +86), and Cronulla-Sutherland (20, +45) round out the top eight. The Dolphins, Roosters, Knights, and Rabbitohs all climbed the ladder this week, while the Sea Eagles and Sharks slipped.

Review

Newcastle secured their fifth win from their past six matches with a hard-fought victory over St George Illawarra at McDonald Jones Stadium. Fletcher Sharpe scored two early tries to give the Knights a 12–0 lead, but the Dragons fought back to level the scores at 12–12 and later recovered from a 22–12 deficit midway through the second half. Kyle Flanagan had a late chance to steal the match after creating two tries with his kicking game but was unable to ground a Daniel Atkinson bomb in the final minute. Valentine Holmes’ two missed goals also proved costly. This was a crucial win for Newcastle ahead of a challenging run against top-eight opposition. Despite another loss, the Dragons continue to show gradual improvement under Dean Young.
GAME BREAKER: Sandon Smith’s perfect five-from-five goal-kicking, including two late first-half penalties, proved decisive.

Saturday night produced two one-point thrillers, with Gold Coast’s Zane Harrison and Canterbury-Bankstown’s Stephen Crichton both kicking match-winning field goals.

The Titans celebrated Old Boys Day in style, wearing the retro Chargers jersey. Penrith led 12–0 early, but the Titans responded with three unanswered tries. The Panthers looked in control until late tries from Arama Hau and Phillip Sami gave the home side the lead, before Lindsay Smith levelled the scores.
GAME BREAKER: Harrison not only kicked the winning field goal but also delivered a superb cut-out pass for Sami’s try.

Canterbury claimed their second golden point victory of the season. Late reshuffles saw Crichton shift to five-eighth, with Matt Burton moving to centre. Manly’s missed conversions proved costly as they let an early lead slip. Jamal Fogarty also missed a late field goal attempt. Reuben Garrick became Manly’s second-highest points scorer but was later forced off for a HIA.
GAME BREAKER: Crichton’s conversion accuracy and match-winning field goal made the difference.

Melbourne marked Cameron Munster’s 250th NRL game with a comeback win over Canberra at AAMI Park. Despite trailing 16–0 early—sparked by a 90-metre Xavier Savage intercept—the Storm surged back, with Will Warbrick scoring a hat-trick. Munster capped off his milestone with a try. Canberra again struggled to generate points after their fast start.
GAME BREAKER: Harry Grant’s introduction sparked three tries in six minutes, turning momentum firmly in Melbourne’s favour.

Elsewhere:

• The Dolphins extended their winning streak to seven matches with a 36–22 victory over the Wests Tigers, with Jamayne Isaako scoring 16 points.
• Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad starred with four tries as the Warriors defeated North Queensland in Christchurch.
• Mark Nawaqanitawase continued his strong form, scoring a double in the Roosters’ win over Cronulla.

Overall, Round 16 showcased the tightening race for finals positions, with several teams building momentum at the perfect time of the season.

Results

Knights vs Dragons

Full Time: Knights 22 – 20 Dragons
Knights 22 (Tries: Fletcher Sharpe 5′, 8′; Sandon Smith 54′. Goals: Sandon Smith 6′, 9′, 55′. Penalty Goals: Sandon Smith 38′, 40′)
Dragons 20 (Tries: Valentine Holmes 24′; Tyrell Sloan 32′; Setu Tu 60′; Dylan Egan 70′. Goals: Valentine Holmes 25′, 33′)

Half-Time Score: Knights 16 – 12 Dragons
Date: Friday 19th June 2026
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
6	Fletcher Sharpe	Fullback	2	0	0	8
2	Dominic Young	Winger	0	0	0	0
3	Dane Gagai	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Bradman Best	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Greg Marzhew	Winger	0	0	0	0
20	Sandon Smith	Five-Eighth	1	3	2	12
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
12	Thomas Cant	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
19	Francis Manuleleua	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Mat Croker	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Harrison Graham	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Tyson Frizell	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Cody Hopwood	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			3	3	2	22

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	1	2	0	8
5	Mathew Feagai	Winger	0	0	0	0
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	1	0	0	4
12	Hamish Stewart	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Ryan Couchman	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Jacob Liddle	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Luciano Leilua	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Josh Kerr	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Blake Lawrie	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			3	2	0	20

Wests Tigers vs Dolphins

Full Time: Wests Tigers 22 – 36 Dolphins
Wests Tigers 22 (Tries: Sione Fainu 7′, 53′; Starford To’a 30′; Alex Seyfarth 76′. Goals: Jock Madden 9′; Heath Mason 55′, 76′)
Dolphins 36 (Tries: Herbie Farnworth 17′; Connelly Lemuelu 35′; Tevita Naufahu 42′; Trai Fuller 67′; Kodi Nikorima 72′; Jamayne Isaako 78′. Goals: Jamayne Isaako 19′, 36′, 44′, 69′, 73′, 79′)

Half-Time Score: Wests Tigers 10 – 12 Dolphins
Date: Saturday 20th June 2026
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney

Wests Tigers Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Jahream Bula	Fullback	0	0	0	0
2	Sunia Turuva	Winger	0	0	0	0
3	Taylan May	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Patrick Herbert	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Starford To’a	Winger	1	0	0	4
6	Jarome Luai	Five-Eighth	0	0	0	0
7	Jock Madden	Halfback	0	1	0	2
8	Terrell May	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Apisai Koroisau	Hooker	0	0	0	0
15	Bunty Afoa	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Tony Sukkar	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Sione Fainu	2nd Row	2	0	0	8
13	Alex Seyfarth	Lock	1	0	0	4
10	Fonua Pole	Interchange	0	0	0	0
14	Josese Lanyon	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Heamasi Makasini	Interchange	0	0	0	0
20	Heath Mason	Interchange	0	2	0	4
Team Total			4	3	0	22

Dolphins Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Trai Fuller	Fullback	1	0	0	4
2	Jamayne Isaako	Winger	1	6	0	16
3	Jack Bostock	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Herbie Farnworth	Centre	1	0	0	4
5	Tevita Naufahu	Winger	1	0	0	4
6	Kodi Nikorima	Five-Eighth	1	0	0	4
14	Bradley Schneider	Halfback	1	0	0	4
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	1	0	0	4
12	Oryn Keeley	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Morgan Knowles	Lock	0	0	0	0
15	Kurt Donoghoe	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Tom Gilbert	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Ray Stone	Interchange	0	0	0	0
24	Kulikefu Finefeuiaki	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			6	6	0	36

Titans vs Panthers

Full Time: Titans 19 – 18 Panthers
Titans 19 (Tries: Kurtis Morrin 20′; Arama Hau 63′; Phillip Sami 68′. Goals: Jayden Campbell 22′, 64′, 69′. Field Goal: Zane Harrison 79′)
Panthers 18 (Tries: Liam Martin 5′; Luke Garner 12′; Lindsay Smith 73′. Goals: Paul Alamoti 7′, 13′, 74′)

Half-Time Score: Titans 6 – 12 Panthers
Date: Saturday 20th June 2026
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

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	Jojo Fifita	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	AJ Brimson	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Phillip Sami	Winger	1	0	0	4
6	Jayden Campbell	Five-Eighth	0	3	0	6
7	Zane Harrison	Halfback	0	0	0	1
8	Moeaki Fotuaika	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Oliver Pascoe	Hooker	0	0	0	0
16	Klese Haas	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Arama Hau	2nd Row	1	0	0	4
12	Beau Fermor	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Cooper Bai	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Kurtis Morrin	Interchange	1	0	0	4
15	Josh Patston	Interchange	0	0	0	0
19	Jett Liu	Interchange	0	0	0	0
20	Sam Verrills	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			3	3	0	19

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
4	Luke Garner	Centre	1	0	0	4
5	Paul Alamoti	Winger	0	3	0	6
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	1	0	0	4
13	Lindsay Smith	Lock	1	0	0	4
14	Billy Scott	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Scott Sorensen	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Billy Phillips	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			3	3	0	18

Bulldogs vs Sea Eagles

Full Time: Bulldogs 13 – 12 Sea Eagles
Bulldogs 13 (Tries: Stephen Crichton 33′; Lachlan Galvin 60′. Goals: Stephen Crichton 34′, 61′. Field Goal: Stephen Crichton 82′)
Sea Eagles 12 (Tries: Lehi Hopoate 6′, 67′; Reuben Garrick 19′)

Half-Time Score: Bulldogs 6 – 8 Sea Eagles
Date: Saturday 20th June 2026
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney

Bulldogs Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Connor Tracey	Fullback	0	0	0	0
2	Jacob Kiraz	Winger	0	0	0	0
4	Stephen Crichton	Centre	1	2	0	7
5	Enari Tuala	Centre	0	0	0	0
19	Jethro Rinakama	Winger	0	0	0	0
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
14	Bailey Hayward	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
9	Kurt Mann	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Jack Underhill	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Josh Curran	Interchange	0	0	0	0
23	Alekolasimi Jones	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			2	2	0	13

Sea Eagles Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Tom Trbojevic	Fullback	0	0	0	0
2	Jason Saab	Winger	0	0	0	0
3	Tolutau Koula	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Reuben Garrick	Centre	1	0	0	4
5	Lehi Hopoate	Winger	2	0	0	8
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	Kobe Hetherington	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Haumole Olakau’atu	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	Ethan Bullemor	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Simione Laiafi	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			3	0	0	12

Warriors vs Cowboys

Full Time: Warriors 38 – 20 Cowboys
Warriors 38 (Tries: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 6′, 9′, 33′, 47′; Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 54′; Adam Pompey 69′; Taine Tuaupiki 73′. Goals: Adam Pompey 8′, 49′, 55′, 70′, 74′)
Cowboys 20 (Tries: Braidon Burns 22′, 61′; Scott Drinkwater 26′; Jeremiah Nanai 76′. Goals: Jake Clifford 28′, 62′)

Half-Time Score: Warriors 14 – 10 Cowboys
Date: Sunday 21st June 2026
Venue: One NZ Stadium, Christchurch

Warriors Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Taine Tuaupiki	Fullback	1	0	0	4
2	Dallin Watene-Zelezniak	Winger	1	0	0	4
3	Ali Leiataua	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Adam Pompey	Centre	1	5	0	14
5	Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad	Winger	4	0	0	16
6	Chanel Harris-Tavita	Five-Eighth	0	0	0	0
7	Te Maire Martin	Halfback	0	0	0	0
8	Tanner Stowers-Smith	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Wayde Egan	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Jackson Ford	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Jacob Laban	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Marata Niukore	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Erin Clark	Lock	0	0	0	0
15	Eddie Ieremia-Toeava	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Demitric Vaimauga	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Kayliss Fatialofa	Interchange	0	0	0	0
20	Luke Metcalf	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			7	5	0	38

Cowboys Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Scott Drinkwater	Fullback	1	0	0	4
2	Braidon Burns	Winger	2	0	0	8
3	Zac Laybutt	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Tom Chester	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Murray Taulagi	Winger	0	0	0	0
6	Jaxon Purdue	Five-Eighth	0	0	0	0
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	0	0	0	0
12	Jeremiah Nanai	2nd Row	1	0	0	4
13	Reuben Cotter	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Soni Luke	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Griffin Neame	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Coen Hess	Interchange	0	0	0	0
19	Sam McIntyre	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			4	2	0	20

Storm vs Raiders

Full Time: Storm 42 – 20 Raiders
Storm 42 (Tries: Will Warbrick 21′, 39′, 59′; Ativalu Lisati 23′; Cameron Munster 27′; Moses Leo 67′; Sualauvi Faalogo 70′; Trent Toelau 78′. Goals: Sualauvi Faalogo 22′, 25′, 69′, 72′; Cameron Munster 79′)
Raiders 20 (Tries: Savelio Tamale 2′; Owen Pattie 8′; Xavier Savage 16′; Matthew Timoko 35′. Goals: Ethan Sanders 9′, 18′)

Half-Time Score: Storm 20 – 20 Raiders
Date: Sunday 21st June 2026
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Sualauvi Faalogo	Fullback	1	4	0	12
2	Will Warbrick	Winger	3	0	0	12
3	Jack Howarth	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Joe Chan	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Moses Leo	Winger	1	0	0	4
6	Cameron Munster	Five-Eighth	1	1	0	6
7	Jahrome Hughes	Halfback	0	0	0	0
8	Stefano Utoikamanu	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Harry Grant	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Josh King	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Cooper Clarke	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Ativalu Lisati	2nd Row	1	0	0	4
13	Trent Loiero	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Trent Toelau	Interchange	1	0	0	4
15	Alec MacDonald	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Jack Hetherington	Interchange	0	0	0	0
18	Shawn Blore	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			8	5	0	42

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
3	Sebastian Kris	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Matthew Timoko	Centre	1	0	0	4
5	Xavier Savage	Winger	1	0	0	4
6	Ethan Strange	Five-Eighth	0	0	0	0
7	Ethan Sanders	Halfback	0	2	0	4
8	Corey Horsburgh	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Tom Starling	Hooker	0	0	0	0
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	Jayden Brailey	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Owen Pattie	Interchange	1	0	0	4
15	Ata Mariota	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Morgan Smithies	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Daine Laurie	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			4	2	0	20

Roosters vs Sharks

Full Time: Roosters 27 – 8 Sharks
Roosters 27 (Tries: Lindsay Collins 14′; Robert Toia 27′; Billy Smith 34′; Mark Nawaqanitawase 63′, 78′. Goals: Sam Walker 35′, 79′. Penalty Goals: Sam Walker 50′. Field Goal: Daly Cherry-Evans 71′)
Sharks 8 (Tries: Ronaldo Mulitalo 38′; Sione Katoa 42′)

Half-Time Score: Roosters 14 – 4 Sharks
Date: Sunday 21st June 2026
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Roosters Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	James Tedesco	Fullback	0	0	0	0
2	Tommy Talau	Winger	0	0	0	0
3	Billy Smith	Centre	1	0	0	4
4	Robert Toia	Centre	1	0	0	4
5	Mark Nawaqanitawase	Winger	2	0	0	8
6	Daly Cherry-Evans	Five-Eighth	0	0	0	1
7	Sam Walker	Halfback	0	2	1	7
8	Naufahu Whyte	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Reece Robson	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Lindsay Collins	Prop	1	0	0	4
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
17	Salesi Foketi	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			5	2	1	27

Sharks Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	William Kennedy	Fullback	0	0	0	0
2	Sione Katoa	Winger	1	0	0	4
3	Jesse Ramien	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	KL Iro	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Ronaldo Mulitalo	Winger	1	0	0	4
6	Braydon Trindall	Five-Eighth	0	0	0	0
8	Addin Fonua-Blake	Prop	0	0	0	0
10	Jesse Colquhoun	Prop	0	0	0	0
21	Blayke Brailey	Hooker	0	0	0	0
11	Briton Nikora	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Teig Wilton	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Cameron McInnes	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Billy Burns	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Oregon Kaufusi	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Siosifa Talakai	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Thomas Hazelton	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			2	0	0	8

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