NRL Round 18 Review: Jenkins Stars While Dragons, Sharks and Eels Claim Crucial Wins

State of Origin stars may have been absent for several clubs, but there was still plenty of drama across the NRL. Thomas Jenkins strengthened his grip on the Ken Irvine Medal race with a hat-trick for Penrith, St George Illawarra claimed just their second win of the season, Cronulla boosted their top-four hopes, Parramatta edged Manly in a crucial clash, and Newcastle ended The Dolphins’ eight-game winning streak in controversial fashion.

Ladder

Penrith (30 points, +280) stayed four points clear in first place, followed by the Warriors (26, +168), the Sydney Roosters (26, +60), and Newcastle (26, +41). The Dolphins (24, +130), Cronulla-Sutherland (24, +57), Manly Warringah (22, +133), and South Sydney (22, +84) rounded out the top eight. The Roosters, Knights, and Sharks moved up the ladder, while the Dolphins, the Sea Eagles, and Rabbitohs moved down.

Review

Thomas Jenkins scored a hat-trick as Penrith defeated South Sydney at CommBank Stadium. While the Panthers were missing their Origin players, Jenkins stepped up with his 11th try double of the season. He now has 25 tries, six ahead of Alex Johnston, and is in a strong position to win the Ken Irvine Medal.

There were doubts over his second try, which gave Penrith a 24-10 lead, as his left arm appeared to hit the ground and there were questions over whether he maintained control while grounding the ball.

Jye Gray was denied a remarkable try on full-time that channelled the spirit of the FIFA World Cup. He soccered the ball forward five times before scoring, but a Cody Walker knock-on in the lead-up meant the try was disallowed.

GAME BREAKER: The Panthers led 6-0 when Walker kicked Jack Cogger after playing the ball, with Dayne Jennings scoring in the right corner. Walker’s sin bin resulted in Jennings’ try being overturned, although Jennings scored his first NRL try later in the first half. Liam Henry crossed a couple of minutes later, and instead of the game being tied, Penrith led 12-0.

St George Illawarra won their second game of the season, defeating the Wests Tigers at St George Venues Jubilee Stadium. The Dragons scored 18 points in nine minutes to overcome a 10-6 deficit, with Adam Doueihi scoring a double for the Tigers.

While the Dragons remain six points adrift at the bottom of the ladder, they have shown genuine improvement under Dean Young, highlighted by narrow losses to Newcastle and Canberra, and have some big-name recruits arriving in 2027. The Tigers’ slim finals hopes took another blow with Api Koroisau suffering a suspected torn pectoral muscle.

GAME BREAKER: Valentine Holmes finished with 16 points, scoring two tries and kicking four goals. He scored his double in the space of three minutes as the Dragons surged past the Tigers.

Cronulla remained in top-four contention with a win over Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium. Sione Katoa scored a hat-trick as the Sharks built a 22-6 lead midway through the second half. The victory sets up a blockbuster clash with The Dolphins at Kayo Stadium next weekend.

Brisbane’s eighth consecutive loss means their finals hopes have shifted from unlikely to almost impossible.

GAME BREAKER: A pair of big moments from Braydon Trindall proved crucial. He threw a superb cut-out pass for Katoa’s third try in the 55th minute. Then, with four minutes remaining and Cronulla leading by six, he picked up a loose ball and raced 65 metres to score.

Parramatta celebrated Blue and Gold Alliance Round with a win over Manly Warringah at CommBank Stadium. Playing his first game since Easter Monday, Jonah Pezet scored a crucial try after kicking ahead and regathering the ball, before adding a late field goal.

With the top eight so tightly packed, the loss could prove a significant blow to Manly’s top-four hopes.

GAME BREAKER: Trailing by eight points with six minutes remaining, Manly created a promising opportunity through Lehi Hopoate down the left wing. He passed inside to Ethan Bullemor, but Isaiah Iongi produced a crucial tackle to hold Bullemor short of the line.

Newcastle recorded a controversial win over The Dolphins at McDonald Jones Stadium. Trailing 13-12, the Dolphins attempted a short kick-off that appeared to travel the required 10 metres. Newcastle were awarded a penalty and the Dolphins challenged the ruling, but the review proved inconclusive and the Knights retained possession.

While The Dolphins’ eight-game winning streak came to an end, they showed plenty of fight in recovering from a 12-0 halftime deficit.

GAME BREAKER: Dylan Brown delivered when Newcastle needed him most, slotting a field goal in the 75th minute to put the Knights in front.

Results

Panthers vs Rabbitohs

Full Time: Panthers 36 – 14 Rabbitohs
Panthers 36 (Tries: Dylan Edwards 2′; Liam Henry 12′; Thomas Jenkins 48′, 57′, 70′; Billy Phillips 67′. Goals: Paul Alamoti 4′, 13′, 49′, 59′, 69′, 71′)
Rabbitohs 14 (Tries: Edward Kosi 24′; Dayne Jennings 39′; Latrell Siegwalt 76′. Goals: Latrell Siegwalt 40′)

Half-Time Score: Panthers 12 – 10 Rabbitohs
Date: Friday, 4th July 2026
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Panthers Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Dylan Edwards	Fullback	1	0	0	4
2	Thomas Jenkins	Winger	3	0	0	12
3	Izack Tago	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Paul Alamoti	Centre	0	6	0	12
5	Brian To’o	Winger	0	0	0	0
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	1	0	0	4
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
14	Billy Scott	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Scott Sorensen	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Billy Phillips	Interchange	1	0	0	4
17	Luron Patea	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			6	6	0	36

Rabbitohs Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Jye Gray	Fullback	0	0	0	0
2	Dayne Jennings	Winger	1	0	0	4
3	Latrell Siegwalt	Centre	1	1	0	6
4	Jack Wighton	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Edward Kosi	Winger	1	0	0	4
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	Brandon Smith	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Keaon Koloamatangi	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	David Fifita	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Tallis Duncan	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Lachlan Hubner	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Jamie Humphreys	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Euan Aitken	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Liam Le Blanc	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	John Radel	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			3	1	0	14

Dragons vs Wests Tigers

Full Time: Dragons 24 – 10 Wests Tigers
Dragons 24 (Tries: Tyrell Sloan 19′; Valentine Holmes 68′, 71′; Mathew Feagai 76′. Goals: Valentine Holmes 70′, 73′, 77′. Penalty Goals: Valentine Holmes 40′)
Wests Tigers 10 (Tries: Adam Doueihi 8′, 47′. Goals: Jock Madden 49′)

Half-Time Score: Dragons 6 – 4 Wests Tigers
Date: Saturday 4th July 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	0	0	0	0
3	Moses Suli	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Valentine Holmes	Centre	2	3	1	15
5	Mathew Feagai	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	Jacob Liddle	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Luciano Leilua	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Josh Kerr	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Emre Guler	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			4	3	1	24

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	Heamasi Makasini	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Starford To’a	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Jeral Skelton	Winger	0	0	0	0
6	Jock Madden	Five-Eighth	0	1	0	2
7	Adam Doueihi	Halfback	2	0	0	8
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	Tony Sukkar	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Sione Fainu	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Alex Twal	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Josese Lanyon	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Bunty Afoa	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Alex Seyfarth	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Latu Fainu	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			2	1	0	10

Broncos vs Sharks

Full Time: Broncos 16 – 28 Sharks
Broncos 16 (Tries: Cory Paix 32′; Hayze Perham 66′; Deine Mariner 73′. Goals: Thomas Duffy 34′, 67′)
Sharks 28 (Tries: Sione Katoa 8′, 22′, 55′; William Kennedy 61′; Braydon Trindall 76′. Goals: Nicholas Hynes 57′, 62′, 77′. Penalty Goals: Nicholas Hynes 20′)

Half-Time Score: Broncos 6 – 10 Sharks
Date: Saturday 4th July 2026
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Broncos Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Hayze Perham	Fullback	1	0	0	4
2	Grant Anderson	Winger	0	0	0	0
3	Kotoni Staggs	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Gehamat Shibasaki	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Deine Mariner	Winger	1	0	0	4
6	Thomas Duffy	Five-Eighth	0	2	0	4
7	Ben Hunt	Halfback	0	0	0	0
8	Va’a Semu	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Cory Paix	Hooker	1	0	0	4
10	Preston Riki	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Brendan Piakura	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Jordan Riki	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Xavier Willison	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Blake Mozer	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Ben Talty	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Jaiyden Hunt	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Jesse Arthars	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			3	2	0	16

Sharks Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	William Kennedy	Fullback	1	0	0	4
2	Sione Katoa	Winger	3	0	0	12
3	Jesse Ramien	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	KL Iro	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Ronaldo Mulitalo	Winger	0	0	0	0
6	Braydon Trindall	Five-Eighth	1	0	0	4
7	Nicholas Hynes	Halfback	0	3	1	8
8	Thomas Hazelton	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Jayden Berrell	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Jesse Colquhoun	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Billy Burns	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Teig Wilton	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Cameron McInnes	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Hohepa Puru	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Oregon Kaufusi	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Siosifa Talakai	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Tuku Hau Tapuha	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			5	3	1	28

Eels vs Sea Eagles

Full Time: Eels 23 – 14 Sea Eagles
Eels 23 (Tries: Ronald Volkman 25′; Kelma Tuilagi 42′; Isaiah Iongi 52′; Jonah Pezet 70′. Goals: Jonah Pezet 26′, 53′; Tallyn Da Silva 71′. Field Goal: Jonah Pezet 79′)
Sea Eagles 14 (Tries: Lehi Hopoate 35′, 67′; Joey Walsh 44′. Goals: Jamal Fogarty 46′. Penalty Goals: Jamal Fogarty 6′, 40′)

Half-Time Score: Eels 6 – 8 Sea Eagles
Date: Sunday 5th July 2026
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Eels Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Isaiah Iongi	Fullback	1	0	0	4
2	Brian Kelly	Winger	0	0	0	0
3	Jordan Samrani	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Sean Russell	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Josh Addo-Carr	Winger	0	0	0	0
6	Ronald Volkman	Five-Eighth	1	0	0	4
7	Jonah Pezet	Halfback	1	2	0	7
8	Luca Moretti	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Tallyn Da Silva	Hooker	0	1	0	2
10	Jack Williams	Prop	0	0	0	0
11	Kelma Tuilagi	2nd Row	1	0	0	4
12	Kitione Kautoga	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Jack De Belin	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Dylan Walker	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Sam Tuivaiti	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Teancum Brown	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Harrison Edwards	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			4	3	0	23

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	0	0	0	0
5	Lehi Hopoate	Winger	2	0	0	8
6	Joey Walsh	Five-Eighth	1	0	0	4
7	Jamal Fogarty	Halfback	0	1	2	6
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	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	Josh Feledy	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	1	2	14

Knights vs Dolphins

Full Time: Knights 13 – 12 Dolphins
Knights 13 (Tries: Dylan Lucas 15′; Fletcher Hunt 36′. Goals: Sandon Smith 17′, 37′. Field Goal: Dylan Brown 75′)
Dolphins 12 (Tries: Jamayne Isaako 50′; Kurt Donoghoe 58′. Goals: Jamayne Isaako 59′. Penalty Goals: Jamayne Isaako 68′)

Half-Time Score: Knights 12 – 0 Dolphins
Date: Sunday 5th July 2026
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Fletcher Sharpe	Fullback	0	0	0	0
2	Dominic Young	Winger	0	0	0	0
3	Dane Gagai	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Fletcher Hunt	Centre	1	0	0	4
5	Greg Marzhew	Winger	0	0	0	0
6	Sandon Smith	Five-Eighth	0	2	0	4
7	Dylan Brown	Halfback	0	0	0	1
8	Jacob Saifiti	Prop	0	0	0	0
9	Phoenix Crossland	Hooker	0	0	0	0
10	Dylan Lucas	Prop	1	0	0	4
11	Jermaine McEwen	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
12	Mat Croker	2nd Row	0	0	0	0
13	Harrison Graham	Lock	0	0	0	0
14	Tyson Frizell	Interchange	0	0	0	0
15	Cody Hopwood	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Thomas Cant	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Lachlan Crouch	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			2	2	0	13

Dolphins Team

Number	Player	Position	Tries	Goals	Penalty Goals	Points
1	Trai Fuller	Fullback	0	0	0	0
2	Jamayne Isaako	Winger	1	1	1	8
3	Jake Averillo	Centre	0	0	0	0
4	Herbie Farnworth	Centre	0	0	0	0
5	Tevita Naufahu	Winger	0	0	0	0
6	Kodi Nikorima	Five-Eighth	0	0	0	0
7	Bradley Schneider	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	0	0	0	0
14	Kurt Donoghoe	Interchange	1	0	0	4
15	Tom Gilbert	Interchange	0	0	0	0
16	Brian Pouniu	Interchange	0	0	0	0
17	Sebastian Su’a	Interchange	0	0	0	0
Team Total			2	1	1	12

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