The Warriors reignited the race for the minor premiership with a statement win over Penrith, while the Roosters joined the Panthers at the top of the ladder after a dramatic comeback against the Bulldogs. Elsewhere, the Dolphins and Knights strengthened their finals credentials as Round 23 delivered another pivotal weekend in the run to September.
Round 23
Ladder
Penrith (36 points, +292), and the Sydney Roosters (36, +157) are in equal first, with the New Zealand Warriors (34, +242) and Cronulla-Sutherland (32, +169) in the top four. The Dolphins (32, +98), Newcastle (30, +66), South Sydney (28, +66), and North Queensland (28, -76) rounded out the top eight. The Cowboys’ win over the Gold Coast saw them leapfrog Canterbury-Bankstown into eighth.
Review
The Warriors stayed in the top two race with a win over Penrith at Go Media Stadium. Leading 22-0, the Warriors survived a late Penrith comeback, with Nathan Cleary scoring a try and kicking a 40/20. The Panthers nearly got within four points through Paul Alamoti, but Liam Martin was ruled offside. Alamoti was also sin-binned in the 23rd minute, with Chanel Harris-Tavita scoring while Penrith were down to 12. There will be concern over Isaah Yeo heading into the finals, as he played only 33 minutes before injuring his right pec. GAME BREAKER: Luke Metcalf scored 16 points on his Warriors’ return (two tries and four goals), with his second try in the 76th minute sealing the Warriors’ win.
The Sydney Roosters joined Penrith in first place with a win over Canterbury-Bankstown at Allianz Stadium. Trailing 8-2 at half-time, the Bulldogs led 18-8 after 55 minutes, with a double to Jacob Kiraz. Billy Smith’s second try (in the 66th minute) started the Roosters’ revival. The close finish made up for an overall scrappy game, with 29 total errors (17 to the Bulldogs and 12 to the Roosters). GAME BREAKER: After missing his first two conversions, Sam Walker converted both of the Roosters’ second half tries, and put up the bomb that led to Salesi Foketi’s try to put the Roosters ahead.
The Dolphins stayed in top-four contention with a win over Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium. Ezra Mam scored a hat-trick as the Broncos led 24-0 after 22 minutes and then 30-24 at half-time. The Dolphins scored three tries to nil in the second half for their second Battle of Brisbane win. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Connelly Lemuelu both scored doubles for the Dolphins. This was Brisbane’s 11th loss in 12 games, with just one win since Anzac Round. GAME BREAKER: Tabuai-Fidow kept the Dolphins alive with a 90-metre try in the 24th minute, while his second try (67th minute) put them ahead for the first time in the game.
Newcastle also kept their top-four hopes alive with a win over Canberra at GIO Stadium, celebrating Tyson Frizell’s 300th NRL game. The Raiders came from 12-0 down to lead 22-18 early in the second half, with a double to Simi Sasagi. With Canberra trailing by two, Corey Horsburgh’s sin bin in the 73rd minute (for striking Dane Gagai) denied the Raiders the opportunity to get back in front. The loss ends Canberra’s finals hopes, meaning last year’s premiers (Brisbane), runners-up (Melbourne), and minor premiers (Raiders) will all miss the top eight this season. GAME BREAKER: Dominic Young’s double was crucial for Newcastle: his first try gave the Knights their early 12-0 lead and his second sealed the win.
- Heilum Luki scored a double as North Queensland beat the Gold Coast at Cbus Super Stadium. It was a 92-point turnaround for the Cowboys after losing 82-12 to the Sydney Roosters.
- Melbourne beat Manly Warringah at Perth’s HBF Park, coming back from 14-0 down and scoring 42 straight points.
- Alex Johnston scored a hat-trick as South Sydney beat Parramatta at Allianz Stadium. The Rabbitohs led 28-0 at half-time and survived a second half comeback from the Eels.
- Setu Tu scored the match-winning try as St George Illawarra Dragons upset Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at St George Venues Jubilee Stadium.
Results
Titans vs Cowboys
| Full Time Score | Gold Coast Titans 8 – 30 North Queensland Cowboys |
| Scorers | Gold Coast Titans 8 (Tries: Phillip Sami 27′, 46′. Goals: None) North Queensland Cowboys 30 (Tries: Jason Taumalolo 4′, Jake Clifford 11′, Heilum Luki 37′, Jaxon Purdue 58′, Heilum Luki 68′. Goals: Scott Drinkwater 6′, 12′, 39′, 60′, 69′) |
| Half-Time | Gold Coast Titans 4 – 18 North Queensland Cowboys |
| Date | Thursday, 6th August 2026 |
| Venue | Cbus Super Stadium |
| Players | Gold Coast Titans: Keano Kini, Dean Ieremia, Jojo Fifita, AJ Brimson, Phillip Sami, Jayden Campbell, Moeaki Fotuaika, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Beau Fermor, Chris Randall, Josh Patston, Sam Verrills, Jaylan De Groot, Oliver Pascoe, Kurtis Morrin, Klese Haas, Cooper Bai. North Queensland Cowboys: Scott Drinkwater, Braidon Burns, Zac Laybutt, Tom Chester, Murray Taulagi, Jake Clifford, Jaxon Purdue, Griffin Neame, Soni Luke, Jason Taumalolo, Heilum Luki, Kai O’Donnell, Reuben Cotter, Ethan King, Thomas Mikaele, Coen Hess, John Bateman. |
Warriors vs Panthers
| Full Time Score | Warriors 28 – 12 Penrith Panthers |
| Scorers | Warriors 28 (Tries: Erin Clark 4′, Luke Metcalf 11′, Chanel Harris-Tavita 30′, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 43′, Luke Metcalf 76′. Goals: Luke Metcalf 6′, 13′, 31′, 78′) Penrith Panthers 12 (Tries: Nathan Cleary 67′, Jaxen Edgar 70′. Goals: Nathan Cleary 68′, 71′) |
| Half-Time | Warriors 18 – 0 Penrith Panthers |
| Date | Friday, 7th August 2026 |
| Venue | Go Media Stadium |
| Players | Warriors: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Ali Leiataua, Leka Halasima, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Chanel Harris-Tavita, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Mitchell Barnett, Kurt Capewell, Jacob Laban, Erin Clark, Luke Metcalf, Samuel Healey, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Morgan Gannon, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava. Penrith Panthers: Jaxen Edgar, Tom Jenkins, Paul Alamoti, Izack Tago, Brian To’o, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Freddy Lussick, Lindsay Smith, Isaiah Papali’i, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Jack Cole, Scott Sorensen, Liam Henry, Billy Phillips, Luron Patea. |
Roosters vs Bulldogs
| Full Time Score | Sydney Roosters 20 – 18 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
| Scorers | Sydney Roosters 20 (Tries: Billy Smith 13′, Siua Wong 25′, Billy Smith 66′, Salesi Foketi 69′. Goals: Sam Walker 68′, 70′) Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 18 (Tries: Jacob Kiraz 44′, Lachlan Galvin 51′, Jacob Kiraz 55′. Goals: Stephen Crichton 6′ PG, 46′, 52′) |
| Half-Time | Sydney Roosters 8 – 2 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
| Date | Friday, 7th August 2026 |
| Venue | Allianz Stadium |
| Players | Sydney Roosters: Billy Smith, Hugo Savala, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Daly Cherry-Evans, Sam Walker, Naufahu Whyte, Reece Robson, Salesi Foketi, Siua Wong, Victor Radley, Nat Butcher, Cody Ramsey, Spencer Leniu, Connor Watson, Lindsay Collins. 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, Kurt Mann, Harry Hayes, Sitili Tupouniua, Jake Turpin. |
Storm vs Sea Eagles
| Full Time Score | Melbourne Storm 42 – 20 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles |
| Scorers | Melbourne Storm 42 (Tries: Tyran Wishart 34′, Hayden Watson 38′, Oryn Keeley 56′, Sualauvi Faalogo 58′, Moses Leo 67′, Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 72′. Goals: Nick Meaney 35′, 39′, 57′, 59′, 69′, 73′, 45′ PG, 53′ PG, 64′ PG) Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 20 (Tries: Brandon Wakeham 3′, Tolutau Koula 21′, Blake Wilson 77′. Goals: Jamal Fogarty 4′, 23′, 78′, 26′ PG) |
| Half-Time | Melbourne Storm 12 – 14 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles |
| Date | Saturday, 8th August 2026 |
| Venue | HBF Park |
| Players | Melbourne Storm: Sualauvi Faalogo, Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown, Nick Meaney, Moses Leo, Cameron Munster, Hayden Watson, Stefano Utoikamanu, Tyran Wishart, Josh King, Oryn Keeley, Trent Loiero, Shawn Blore, Joe Chan, Cooper Clarke, Trent Toelau, Davvy Moale, Angus Hinchey. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles: Lehi Hopoate, Jason Saab, Tolutau Koula, Reuben Garrick, Blake Wilson, Joey Walsh, Jamal Fogarty, Taniela Paseka, Brandon Wakeham, Haumole Olakau’atu, Corey Waddell, Jake Trbojevic, Simione Laiafi, Jake Simpkin, Nathan Brown, Fletcher Baker, Josh Feledy. |
Dolphins vs Broncos
| Full Time Score | Dolphins 40 – 32 Brisbane Broncos |
| Scorers | Dolphins 40 (Tries: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 24′, Connelly Lemuelu 27′, Jamayne Isaako 33′, Herbie Farnworth 39′, Connelly Lemuelu 50′, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 67′, Selwyn Cobbo 71′. Goals: Jamayne Isaako 25′, 28′, 34′, 40′, 52′, 69′) Brisbane Broncos 32 (Tries: Ezra Mam 3′, 6′, 35′, Deine Mariner 13′, Xavier Willison 20′. Goals: Reece Walsh 5′, 8′, 14′, 22′, 37′, 59′ PG) |
| Half-Time | Dolphins 24 – 30 Brisbane Broncos |
| Date | Saturday, 8th August 2026 |
| Venue | Suncorp Stadium |
| Players | Dolphins: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Jack Bostock, Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiya Katoa, Thomas Flegler, Jeremy Marshall-King, Francis Molo, Connelly Lemuelu, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Morgan Knowles, Kurt Donoghoe, Max Plath, Tom Gilbert, Felise Kaufusi. Brisbane Broncos: Reece Walsh, Josiah Karapani, Kotoni Staggs, Deine Mariner, Grant Anderson, Ezra Mam, Thomas Duffy, Xavier Willison, Billy Walters, Payne Haas, Jaiyden Hunt, Jordan Riki, Patrick Carrigan, Va’a Semu, Ben Talty, Gehamat Shibasaki, Blake Mozer. |
Rabbitohs vs Eels
| Full Time Score | South Sydney Rabbitohs 28 – 24 Parramatta Eels |
| Scorers | South Sydney Rabbitohs 28 (Tries: Alex Johnston 2′, 9′, 25′; Tevita Tatola 6′; Brandon Smith 17′; Jye Gray 39′. Goals: Ashton Ward 7′, 19′) Parramatta Eels 24 (Tries: Tallyn Da Silva 43′; Ryley Smith 46′; Ronald Volkman 49′; Jordan Samrani 67′. Goals: Mitchell Moses 44′, 47′, 50′, 68′) |
| Half-Time | South Sydney Rabbitohs 28 – 0 Parramatta Eels |
| Date | Saturday, 8th August 2026 |
| Venue | Allianz Stadium |
| Players | South Sydney Rabbitohs: Matt Dufty, Alex Johnston, Tallis Duncan, Jack Wighton, Cody Walker, Ashton Ward, Tevita Tatola, Brandon Smith, Keaon Koloamatangi, David Fifita, Adam Elliott, Cameron Murray, Jye Gray, Lachlan Hubner, Sean Keppie, Jamie Humphreys, Jayden Sullivan. Parramatta Eels: Isaiah Iongi, Brian Kelly, Will Penisini, Jordan Samrani, Josh Addo-Carr, Ronald Volkman, Mitchell Moses, Sam Tuivaiti, Luca Moretti, Jack Williams, Kitione Kautoga, Jack De Belin, Ryley Smith, Tallyn Da Silva, Saxon Pryke, Junior Paulo, Teancum Brown. |
Raiders vs Knights
| Full Time | Canberra Raiders 24 – 30 Newcastle Knights |
| Scorers | Canberra Raiders 24 (Tries: Jed Stuart 17′, Zac Hosking 22′, Simi Sasagi 34′, 43′. Goals: Ethan Sanders 19′, 24′, 35′, 55′ PG) Newcastle Knights 30 (Tries: Fletcher Sharpe 2′, Dominic Young 10′, 78′, Kalyn Ponga 25′, Dane Gagai 57′. Goals: Sandon Smith 3′, 11′, 27′, 59′, 64′ PG) |
| Half-Time | Canberra Raiders 18 – 18 Newcastle Knights |
| Date | Sunday, 9th August 2026 |
| Venue | GIO Stadium |
| Players | Canberra Raiders: Kaeo Weekes, Jed Stuart, Simi Sasagi, Matthew Timoko, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange, Ethan Sanders, Corey Horsburgh, Joseph Tapine, Zac Hosking, Ata Mariota, Morgan Smithies, Tom Starling, Owen Pattie, Joe Roddy, Josh Papalii, Daine Laurie. Newcastle Knights: Kalyn Ponga, Dominic Young, Dane Gagai, Greg Marzhew, Fletcher Sharpe, Sandon Smith, Trey Mooney, Jermaine McEwen, Francis Manuleleua, Mat Croker, Harrison Graham, Cody Hopwood, Fletcher Hunt, Tyson Frizell, Lachlan Crouch, Thomas Cant, Brodie Jones. |
Dragons vs Sharks
| Full Time | St. George Illawarra Dragons 24 – 16 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
| Scorers | St. George Illawarra Dragons 24 (Tries: Valentine Holmes 13′, Hamish Stewart 24′, Tyrell Sloan 44′, Setu Tu 76′. Goals: Valentine Holmes 14′, 25′, 60′ PG, 77′) Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 16 (Tries: Sione Katoa 5′, Billy Burns 32′, Jesse Ramien 51′. Goals: Nicho Hynes 33′, 53′) |
| Half-Time | St. George Illawarra Dragons 12 – 10 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
| Date | Sunday, 9th August 2026 |
| Venue | St George Venues Jubilee Stadium |
| Players | St. George Illawarra Dragons: Clint Gutherson, Mosese Suli, Valentine Holmes, Tyrell Sloan, Lyhkan King-Togia, Kyle Flanagan, Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Emre Guler, Dylan Egan, Hamish Stewart, Ryan Couchman, Jacob Liddle, Mathew Feagai, Setu Tu, Jacob Halangahu, Jacob Webster. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: William Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien, Mawene Hiroti, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Jesse Colquhoun, Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton, Cameron McInnes, Billy Burns, Oregon Kaufusi, Thomas Hazelton, Braden Uele. |
