The race to the finals intensified in Round 21 as Cronulla strengthened its top-four credentials with a dominant win over Manly, the Cowboys completed a season sweep of Brisbane, and South Sydney edged Melbourne in a thriller. Elsewhere, Penrith extended its lead atop the ladder, the Roosters won a dramatic contest in Newcastle, and Canterbury continued its late-season resurgence with an impressive victory over the Warriors.
Round 21
Ladder
Penrith (34 points, +284) are two points ahead in first place, followed by the Sydney Roosters (32, +85), the Warriors (30, +190), and Cronulla-Sutherland (30, +161). The Dolphins (28, +84), South Sydney (28, +78), Newcastle (26, +36), and North Queensland (26, -28) rounded out the top eight. The Roosters and Rabbitohs moved up, while the Warriors and Knights slipped down the ladder.
Review
Penrith won their second Western Sydney Derby this season, beating Parramatta at CommBank Stadium. The Panthers gave themselves some breathing space in first place (coming back from 12-6 down at half-time), though the lead-up plays to a couple of their tries were contentious: a potential knock on from Blaize Talagi (Liam Henry scoring) and a forward pass from Billy Phillips to Casey McLean (Thomas Jenkins). GAME BREAKER: While sin bins can quickly turn momentum, Penrith kept a clean scoresheet for the two 10-minute periods they were down to 12 men: Jenkins (39th minute) and Isaiah Papali’i (60th). Jenkins scored the match-winning try when Papali’i was binned.
The Sydney Roosters won an entertaining top eight clash against Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium. James Tedesco’s hat-trick and Daly Cherry-Evans’ 77th minute field goal got the Roosters one step closer to a possible top two finish. Newcastle’s loss was compounded by season-ending injuries to Dylan Lucas (dislocated and suspected fractured left ankle) and Dylan Brown (knee). GAME BREAKER: Aside from his hat-trick, Tedesco showed his experience in the final minutes, chasing Phoenix Crossland’s last tackle kick and waiting as it went over the dead ball line. This gave the Roosters a seven-tackle set and a 20-metre tap, setting up Cherry-Evans’ game-winning field goal.
North Queensland solidified their top eight position and ended Brisbane’s premiership defence. Over 25,000 watched the Cowboys sweep the 2026 XXXX Derbies (after beating Brisbane 35-31 in Round 6): their first win against Brisbane at Queensland Country Bank Stadium since 2022. The Cowboys set up their win with a 14-4 half-time lead (tries to Heilum Luki and Jake Clifford). Billy Walters made his first NRL appearance since the 2025 qualifying final, playing 27 minutes off the bench. GAME BREAKER: In a low-scoring game, Scott Drinkwater kicked five goals from five attempts to keep the Broncos at bay.
The Gold Coast continued their late-season improvement with a win over St George Illawarra at St George Venues Jubilee Stadium. Once again, the Dragons were competitive, trailing by eight after 57 minutes. Tries to Oliver Pascoe, Jayden Campbell, and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui sealed the Titans’ win, all but confirming the Dragons’ first wooden spoon as a joint venture. Jaylan De Groot scored a first half double for the Titans. The Couchman brothers combined for 112 tackles for the Dragons: 57 for Ryan and 55 for Toby. GAME BREAKER: Campbell had an afternoon out at Kogarah: 18 points (a try and seven goals) and three try assists.
- South Sydney Rabbitons beat Melbourne Storm at Accor Stadium. The Rabbitohs scored six tries to the Storm’s five.
- Canberra Raiders scored 10 tries in their win over the Wests Tigers at GIO Stadium: a hat-trick to Daine Laurie and a double to Jed Stuart. Ethan Sanders scored 20 points (a try and eight goals).
- Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs beat the New Zealand Warriors at Accor Stadium. Stephen Crichton returned from injury and scored 10 points (a try and three goals).
- Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks beat Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park. Ronaldo Mulitalo scored a double and Nicho Hynes scored 20 points (a try and eight goals from eight).
Results
Eels vs Panthers
| Full Time Score | Parramatta Eels 18 – 24 Penrith Panthers |
| Scorers | Parramatta Eels 18 (Tries: Mitchell Moses 2′, Jack Williams 12′, 78′. Goals: Mitchell Moses 4′, 13′, 78′) Penrith Panthers 24 (Tries: Casey McLean 16′, Liam Henry 50′, Liam Martin 56′, Thomas Jenkins 66′. Goals: Nathan Cleary 17′, 51′, 57′, 68′) |
| Half-Time | Parramatta Eels 12 – 6 Penrith Panthers |
| Date | Thursday, 23rd July 2026 |
| Venue | CommBank Stadium |
| Players | Parramatta Eels: Isaiah Iongi, Brian Kelly, Jordan Samrani, Josh Addo-Carr, Ronald Volkman, Mitchell Moses, Sam Tuivaiti, Tallyn Da Silva, Jack Williams, Kitione Kautoga, Jack De Belin, Luca Moretti, Will Penisini, Kelma Tuilagi, Dylan Walker, Teancum Brown, Harrison Edwards. Penrith Panthers: Thomas Jenkins, Paul Alamoti, Casey McLean, Brian To’o, Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Freddy Lussick, Lindsay Smith, Isaiah Papali’i, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Jaxen Edgar, Billy Scott, Scott Sorensen, Liam Henry, Billy Phillips. |
Roosters vs Knights
| Full Time Score | Newcastle Knights 22 – 23 Sydney Roosters |
| Scorers | Newcastle Knights 22 (Tries: Francis Manuleleua 22′, Mat Croker 28′, Dominic Young 47′, Bradman Best 71′. Goals: Sandon Smith 29′, 49′, 73′) Sydney Roosters 23 (Tries: James Tedesco 14′, 43′, 58′, Billy Smith 68′. Goals: Sam Walker 16′, 59′, 69′, Daly Cherry-Evans 77′ (1PT FG)) |
| Half-Time | Newcastle Knights 10 – 6 Sydney Roosters |
| Date | Friday, 24th July 2026 |
| Venue | McDonald Jones Stadium |
| Players | Newcastle Knights: Dominic Young, Fletcher Hunt, Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew, Fletcher Sharpe, Dylan Brown, Phoenix Crossland, Trey Mooney, Dylan Lucas, Francis Manuleleua, Mat Croker, Sandon Smith, Cody Hopwood, Tyson Frizell, Thomas Cant, Brodie Jones, Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana. Sydney Roosters: James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Daly Cherry-Evans, Sam Walker, Naufahu Whyte, Reece Robson, Spencer Leniu, Nat Butcher, Siua Wong, Victor Radley, Hugo Savala, Salesi Foketi, Egan Butcher. |
Storm vs Rabbitohs
| Full Time Score | South Sydney Rabbitohs 28 – 26 Melbourne Storm |
| Scorers | South Sydney Rabbitohs 28 (Tries: Campbell Graham 2′, 75′; Jack Wighton 7′; Brandon Smith 49′; Alex Johnston 55′; John Radel 63′. Goals: Latrell Siegwalt 50′; Ashton Ward 64′) Melbourne Storm 26 (Tries: Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 16′; Oryn Keeley 24′; Sualauvi Faalogo 37′; Tyran Wishart 66′; Nick Meaney 70′. Goals: Tyran Wishart 39′, 68′. Penalty Goal: Tyran Wishart 33′) |
| Half-Time | South Sydney Rabbitohs 8 – 16 Melbourne Storm |
| Date | Friday, 24th July 2026 |
| Venue | Accor Stadium |
| Players | South Sydney Rabbitohs: Matthew Dufty, Alex Johnston, Latrell Siegwalt, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham, Cody Walker, Ashton Ward, Tevita Tatola, Brandon Smith, Keaon Koloamatangi, Euan Aitken, Bronson Garlick, John Radel, Lachlan Hubner, Liam Le Blanc, Jamie Humphreys, Thomas Fletcher. Melbourne Storm: Sualauvi Faalogo, Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown, Jack Howarth, Nick Meaney, Moses Leo, Tyran Wishart, Jahrome Hughes, Stefano Utoikamanu, Josh King, Cooper Clarke, Oryn Keeley, Trent Loiero, Trent Toelau, Harry Grant, Alec MacDonald, Jack Hetherington. |
Raiders vs Tigers
| Full Time Score | Canberra Raiders 56 – 10 Wests Tigers |
| Scorers | Canberra Raiders 56 (Tries: Jed Stuart 6′, 69′; Ethan Sanders 15′; Ethan Strange 20′; Kaeo Weekes 24′; Xavier Savage 33′; Daine Laurie 51′, 60′, 67′; Matthew Timoko 76′. Goals: Ethan Sanders 16′, 22′, 25′, 34′, 52′, 62′, 68′, 71′) Wests Tigers 10 (Tries: Ethan Roberts 11′; Faaletino Tavana 36′. Goals: Apisai Koroisau 12′) |
| Half-Time | Canberra Raiders 28 – 10 Wests Tigers |
| Date | Saturday, 25th July 2026 |
| Venue | GIO Stadium |
| Players | Canberra Raiders: Kaeo Weekes, Jed Stuart, Simi Sasagi, Matthew Timoko, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange, Ethan Sanders, Corey Horsburgh, Tom Starling, Joseph Tapine, Zac Hosking, Morgan Smithies, Ata Mariota, Jayden Brailey, Josh Papalii, Daine Laurie, Matty Nicholson. Wests Tigers: Jahream Bula, Junior Tupou, Sunia Turuva, Patrick Herbert, Faaletino Tavana, Jarome Luai, Javon Andrews, Terrell May, Apisai Koroisau, Fonua Pole, Samuela Fainu, Ethan Roberts, Alex Twal, Jared Haywood, Sione Fainu, Alex Seyfarth, Bunty Afoa. |
Bulldogs vs Warriors
| Full Time Score | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 18 – 6 Warriors |
| Scorers | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 18 (Tries: Stephen Crichton 5′; Jacob Preston 11′; Jacob Kiraz 46′. Goals: Stephen Crichton 6′, 13′, 71′) Warriors 6 (Tries: Chanel Harris-Tavita 74′. Goals: Chanel Harris-Tavita 75′) |
| Half-Time | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 12 – 0 Warriors |
| Date | Saturday, 25th July 2026 |
| Venue | Accor Stadium |
| Players | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: Connor Tracey, Jacob Kiraz, Matt Burton, Enari Tuala, Jethro Rinakama, Stephen Crichton, Lachlan Galvin, Max King, Bailey Hayward, Leo Thompson, Viliame Kikau, Jacob Preston, Jaeman Salmon, Josh Curran, Harry Hayes, Lipoi Hopoi. Warriors: Taine Tuaupiki, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Ali Leiataua, Adam Pompey, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Te Maire Martin, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Mitchell Barnett, Kurt Capewell, Jacob Laban, Erin Clark, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Demitric Vaimauga, Leka Halasima, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. |
Cowboys vs Broncos
| Full Time Score | North Queensland Cowboys 18 – 10 Brisbane Broncos |
| Scorers | North Queensland Cowboys 18 (Tries: Heilum Luki 19′, Jake Clifford 39′. Goals: Scott Drinkwater 20′, 39′, 36′, 49′, 67′) Brisbane Broncos 10 (Tries: Xavier Willison 23′, Ezra Mam 54′. Goals: Adam Reynolds 55′) |
| Half-Time | North Queensland Cowboys 14 – 4 Brisbane Broncos |
| Date | Saturday, 25th July 2026 |
| Venue | Queensland Country Bank Stadium |
| Players | North Queensland Cowboys: Scott Drinkwater, Braidon Burns, Jaxon Purdue, Tom Chester, Murray Taulagi, Jake Clifford, Reed Mahoney, Jason Taumalolo, Heilum Luki, Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter, Griffin Neame, Zac Laybutt, Thomas Mikaele, Soni Luke, Matthew Lodge, Coen Hess. Brisbane Broncos: Reece Walsh, Josiah Karapani, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Deine Mariner, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds, Preston Riki, Cory Paix, Payne Haas, Xavier Willison, Jordan Riki, Patrick Carrigan, Ben Hunt, Ben Talty, Va’a Semu, Billy Walters. |
Dragons vs Titans
| Full Time Score | St. George Illawarra Dragons 18 – 38 Gold Coast Titans |
| Scorers | St. George Illawarra Dragons 18 (Tries: Tyrell Sloan 6′, Kyle Flanagan 32′, Jacob Liddle 68′. Goals: Valentine Holmes 7′, 33′, 69′) Gold Coast Titans 38 (Tries: Phillip Sami 9′, Jaylan De Groot 13′, 25′, Oliver Pascoe 57′, Jayden Campbell 61′, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 77′. Goals: Jayden Campbell 14′, 27′, 58′, 62′, 78′, Penalty Goals: 36′, 50′) |
| Half-Time | St. George Illawarra Dragons 12 – 18 Gold Coast Titans |
| Date | Sunday, 26th July 2026 |
| Venue | St George Venues Jubilee Stadium |
| Players | St. George Illawarra Dragons: Clinton Gutherson, Setu Tu, Mathew Feagai, Valentine Holmes, Tyrell Sloan, Daniel Atkinson, Kyle Flanagan, Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga, Damien Cook, Toby Couchman, Dylan Egan, Hamish Stewart, Ryan Couchman, Jacob Liddle, Josh Kerr, Jacob Halangahu, Lyhkan King-Togia. Gold Coast Titans: Keano Kini, Dean Ieremia, Jojo Fifita, Jaylan De Groot, Phillip Sami, Jayden Campbell, Zane Harrison, Moeaki Fotuaika, Oliver Pascoe, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Arama Hau, Beau Fermor, Chris Randall, Josh Patston, Klese Haas, Cooper Bai, Sam Verrills. |
Sea Eagles vs Sharks
| Full Time Score | Sea Eagles 12 – 48 Sharks |
| Scorers | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 12 (Tries: Tolutau Koula 21′, Joey Walsh 73′. Goals: Jamal Fogarty 23′, 74′) Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 48 (Tries: Teig Wilton 10′, William Kennedy 15′, Ronaldo Mulitalo 26′, 43′, Nicho Hynes 34′, Sione Katoa 37′, Siosifa Talakai 50′, KL Iro 65′. Goals: Nicho Hynes 12′, 17′, 27′, 36′, 39′, 45′, 51′, 66′) |
| Half-Time | Sea Eagles 6 – 30 Sharks |
| Date | Sunday, 26th July 2026 |
| Venue | 4 Pines Park |
| Players | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles: Lehi Hopoate, Jason Saab, Josh Feledy, Reuben Garrick, Tolutau Koula, Joey Walsh, Jamal Fogarty, Taniela Paseka, Jake Simpkin, Simione Laiafi, Haumole Olakau’atu, Ben Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Nicholas Lenaz, Nathan Brown, Kobe Hetherington, Ethan Bullemor. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: William Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien, KL Iro, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Blayke Brailey, Addin Fonua-Blake, Cameron McInnes, Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton, Oregon Kaufusi, Jesse Colquhoun, Billy Burns, Siosifa Talakai, Hohepa |
