The race for the minor premiership tightened dramatically in Round 25, with the Warriors climbing to the top of the ladder after a statement win over South Sydney. The Wests Tigers produced one of the upsets of the season by ending the Roosters’ eight-game winning streak, while Brisbane staged a stunning comeback to spoil Josh Papalii’s farewell in Canberra. Penrith, Cronulla and the Dolphins also strengthened their finals credentials as the competition heads towards a thrilling finish.
Round 25
Ladder
It’s a three-way tie for first place after Round 25 between the NZ Warriors (38 points, +295), Penrith (38, +294) and the Sydney Roosters (38, +162), with the Dolphins (36, +138) in fourth place.
Review
Brisbane spoiled Josh Papalii’s farewell at GIO Stadium. Canberra looked in control, leading 30-16 after 60 minutes (a double to Kaeo Weekes) before Brisbane’s comeback began, with a double to Grant Anderson. Not only was it a let-down after the celebrations for Papalii (including renaming GIO Stadium “Papa’s House” for the night), but it also ended Canberra’s faint finals hopes. Brisbane broke a four-game losing streak and will avoid the wooden spoon. GAME BREAKER: Brisbane scored three tries in 10 minutes (Payne Haas, Anderson, Hayze Perham) to turn a 30-16 deficit into a 34-30 lead.
Manly Warringah all but ended Newcastle’s top four hopes (on the Knights’ Old Boys Day) with a win at McDonald Jones Stadium. Josh Feledy scored a hat-trick as the Sea Eagles came from 18-6 down to break their six-game losing streak. Feledy’s first two tries came six minutes before half-time, giving Manly a 24-18 lead at the break. Newcastle are four points behind the fourth-placed Dolphins, with the Dolphins ahead by 82 on points differential. With a better points differential than North Queensland (+66 to -78), Manly (26 points) are still a slim chance of finishing eighth if they beat St George Illawarra and the Warriors, and North Queensland loses to the Wests Tigers and Canberra. GAME BREAKER: While Fletcher Hunt’s second try got Newcastle within 10 points with 17 minutes left, Jason Saab’s try – off a Jamal Fogarty bomb – gave Manly some breathing space.
The Warriors moved to first place after beating South Sydney at Accor Stadium. With the Warriors needing a 19-point win to overtake Penrith, Luke Hanson kicked a field goal in the 79th minute to put them into first. The Warriors led 26-8 at half-time, but Souths got within six points with tries to Tallis Duncan, Alex Johnston (his second) and Cody Walker. Johnston is now equal with Tom Jenkins (28) in the race for the Ken Irvine Medal. The Warriors had seven individual try scorers, with Taine Tuaupiki kicking eight goals from eight attempts. GAME BREAKER: A brilliant kick and chase from Chanel Harris-Tavita ended Souths’ second half comeback. Harris-Tavita bombed from 40 metres out and regathered the ball on the 20 before offloading to Jacob Laban, giving the Warriors a 38-26 lead.
The Wests Tigers pulled off one of the upsets of the season, beating the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium. The Roosters entered the game as heavy favourites (on an eight-game winning run), with Billy Smith giving them an early 6-0 lead. Jeral Skelton scored two of the Tigers’ next three tries before Smith’s second try tied the scores 12-12 at half-time. Trailing 24-12 after 60 minutes, the Roosters fought back with tries to Robert Toia and Sam Walker (with Walker’s try coming off a Mark Nawaqanitawase flick pass as the Roosters kept the ball alive on the last tackle). A disallowed try to Nawaqanitawase in the 70th minute proved crucial: while awarded a try on-field, the Bunker ruled that Nawaqanitawase had lost control of the ball over the tryline. GAME BREAKER: Jock Madden stepped up to break the Tigers’ eight-game losing streak, kicking the game-winning field goal with one minute left.
- Brian To’o scored a first half hat-trick (including his 100th NRL try) as Penrith beat Melbourne at AAMI Park.
- Herbie Farnworth and Jamayne Isaako both scored doubles as the Dolphins beat Parramatta at Suncorp Stadium.
- Matt Burton scored a double as Canterbury-Bankstown beat St George Illawarra at Allianz Stadium.
- Ronaldo Mulitalo and Sione Katoa both scored doubles as Cronulla-Sutherland beat the Gold Coast at Cbus Super Stadium.
Results
Storm vs Panthers
| Full Time | Melbourne Storm 14 – 22 Penrith Panthers |
| Scorers | Melbourne Storm 14 (Tries: Tyran Wishart 43′, Jack Howarth 55′, Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 61′. Goals: Nick Meaney 44′) Penrith Panthers 22 (Tries: Brian To’o 2′, 23′, 29′; Liam Henry 19′. Goals: Nathan Cleary 4′, 21′, 24′) |
| Half Time | Melbourne Storm 0 – 22 Penrith Panthers |
| Date | Thursday, 20th August 2026 |
| Venue | AAMI Park |
| Players | Melbourne Storm: Sualauvi Faalogo, Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown, Jack Howarth, Nick Meaney, Moses Leo, Cameron Munster, Stefano Utoikamanu, Harry Grant, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Oryn Keeley, Trent Loiero, Tyran Wishart, Alec MacDonald, Angus Hinchey, Cooper Clarke Penrith Panthers: Dylan Edwards, Tom Jenkins, Izack Tago, Casey McLean, Brian To’o, Jack Cogger, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Freddy Lussick, Liam Henry, Isaiah Papali’i, Liam Martin, Lindsay Smith, Billy Scott, Scott Sorensen, Billy Phillips, Luke Garner |
Raiders vs Broncos
| Full Time | Canberra Raiders 30 – 34 Brisbane Broncos |
| Scorers | Canberra Raiders 30 (Tries: Kaeo Weekes 16′, 39′; Ata Mariota 22′; Owen Pattie 42′; Zac Hosking 60′. Goals: Ethan Sanders 17′, 23′, 40′, 43′, 61′) Brisbane Broncos 34 (Tries: Billy Walters 8′; Ezra Mam 26′; Grant Anderson 32′, 66′; Payne Haas 63′; Hayze Perham 73′. Goals: Hayze Perham 9′, 28′, 65′, 67′, 75′) |
| Half Time | Canberra Raiders 18 – 16 Brisbane Broncos |
| Date | Friday, 21st August 2026 |
| Venue | GIO Stadium |
| Players | Canberra Raiders: Kaeo Weekes, Jed Stuart, Simi Sasagi, Matthew Timoko, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange, Ethan Sanders, Josh Papalii, Owen Pattie, Joseph Tapine, Zac Hosking, Matthew Nicholson, Ata Mariota, Tom Starling, Joe Roddy, Corey Horsburgh, Daine Laurie Brisbane Broncos: Hayze Perham, Josiah Karapani, Kotoni Staggs, Deine Mariner, Grant Anderson, Ezra Mam, Ben Hunt, Xavier Willison, Billy Walters, Payne Haas, Jaiyden Hunt, Jordan Riki, Patrick Carrigan, Blake Mozer, Jack Gosiewski, Va’a Semu |
Dolphins vs Eels
| Full Time | Dolphins 34 – 16 Parramatta Eels |
| Scorers | Dolphins 34 (Tries: Herbie Farnworth 24′, 78′; Selwyn Cobbo 28′; Jamayne Isaako 35′, 47′; Max Plath 58′. Goals: Jamayne Isaako 26′, 29′, 49′, 60′, 79′) Parramatta Eels 16 (Tries: Ronald Volkman 6′; Brian Kelly 19′; Kelma Tuilagi 70′. Goals: Mitchell Moses 8′, 71′) |
| Half Time | Dolphins 16 – 10 Parramatta Eels |
| Date | Friday, 21st 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, Tom Gilbert, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Morgan Knowles, Brian Pouniu, Max Plath, Ray Stone, Francis Molo, Felise Kaufusi Parramatta Eels: Te Hurinui Twidle, Brian Kelly, Will Penisini, Josh Addo-Carr, Ronald Volkman, Mitchell Moses, Luca Moretti, Tallyn Da Silva, Junior Paulo, Jack Williams, Kitione Kautoga, Saxon Pryke, Sean Russell, Harrison Edwards, Teancum Brown, Jezaiah Funa, Kelma Tuilagi |
Knights vs Sea Eagles
| Full Time | Newcastle Knights 24 – 44 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles |
| Scorers | Newcastle Knights 24 (Tries: Fletcher Hunt 9′, 61′; Greg Marzhew 14′; Dominic Young 22′. Goals: Sandon Smith 10′, 24′, 30′ PG, 63′) Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 44 (Tries: Clayton Faulalo 2′; Caleb Navale 32′; Josh Feledy 34′, 38′, 49′; Reuben Garrick 58′; Jason Saab 68′; Lehi Hopoate 71′. Goals: Jamal Fogarty 4′, 33′, 36′, 39′, 50′, 72′) |
| Half-Time | Newcastle Knights 18 – 24 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles |
| Date | Saturday, 22nd August 2026 |
| Venue | McDonald Jones Stadium |
| Players | Newcastle Knights: Kalyn Ponga, Dominic Young, Fletcher Hunt, Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew, Fletcher Sharpe, Sandon Smith, Phoenix Crossland, Trey Mooney, Jermaine McEwen, Tyson Frizell, Mat Croker, Cody Hopwood, Jacob Saifiti, Harrison Graham, Lachlan Crouch, Thomas Cant Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic, Jason Saab, Tolutau Koula, Reuben Garrick, Lehi Hopoate, Clayton Faulalo, Jamal Fogarty, Simione Laiafi, Brandon Wakeham, Nathan Brown, Haumole Olakau’atu, Ben Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Jake Simpkin, Nicholas Lenaz, Caleb Navale, Josh Feledy, Corey Waddell |
Rabbitohs vs Warriors
| Full Time | South Sydney Rabbitohs 26 – 45 New Zealand Warriors |
| Scorers | South Sydney Rabbitohs 26 (Tries: Jack Wighton 13′, Alex Johnston 26′, 53′, Tallis Duncan 48′, Cody Walker 60′. Goals: Jayden Sullivan 49′, 54′, 61′) New Zealand Warriors 45 (Tries: James Fisher-Harris 5′, Leka Halasima 7′, Mitchell Barnett 20′, Chanel Harris-Tavita 32′, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 44′, Jacob Laban 68′, Alofiana Khan-Pereira 73′. Goals: Taine Tuaupiki 6′, 9′, 21′, 33′, 36′ PG, 46′, 70′, 75′. Field Goal: Luke Hanson 79′) |
| Half-Time | South Sydney Rabbitohs 8 – 26 New Zealand Warriors |
| Date | Saturday, 22nd August 2026 |
| Venue | Accor Stadium |
| Players | South Sydney Rabbitohs: Matt Dufty, Alex Johnston, Tallis Duncan, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham, Cody Walker, Jayden Sullivan, Tevita Tatola, Brandon Smith, Keaon Koloamatangi, David Fifita, Euan Aitken, Cameron Murray, Lachlan Hubner, Sean Keppie, Peter Mamouzelos New Zealand Warriors: Taine Tuaupiki, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Leka Halasima, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Luke Hanson, Chanel Harris-Tavita, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Mitchell Barnett, Kurt Capewell, Jacob Laban, Erin Clark, Adam Pompey, Samuel Healey, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Demitric Vaimauga, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava |
Dragons vs Bulldogs
| Full Time | St George Illawarra Dragons 14 – 44 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
| Scorers | St George Illawarra Dragons 14 (Tries: Valentine Holmes 47′, Mathew Feagai 63′, 68′. Goals: Valentine Holmes 49′) Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 44 (Tries: Bronson Xerri 11′, Matt Burton 25′, 36′, Jacob Preston 28′, Max King 52′, Lachlan Galvin 56′, Connor Tracey 74′. Goals: Stephen Crichton 13′, 27′, 29′, 38′, 53′, 57′, 76′, 79′ PG) |
| Half-Time | St George Illawarra Dragons 0 – 24 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |
| Date | Saturday, 22nd August 2026 |
| Venue | Allianz Stadium |
| Players | St George Illawarra Dragons: Daniel Atkinson, Mathew Feagai, Mosese Suli, Valentine Holmes, Tyrell Sloan, Lyhkan King-Togia, Kyle Flanagan, Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Jacob Liddle, Dylan Egan, Hamish Stewart, Ryan Couchman, Toby Couchman, Damien Cook, Jacob Halangahu, Jacob Webster, Josh Kerr Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: Connor Tracey, Jacob Kiraz, Matt Burton, Bronson Xerri, Stephen Crichton, Lachlan Galvin, Max King, Bailey Hayward, Leo Thompson, Viliame Kikau, Jacob Preston, Jaeman Salmon, Jonathan Sua, Kurt Mann, Harry Hayes, Alekolasimi Jones, Jake Turpin |
Titans vs Sharks
| Full Time | Gold Coast Titans 22 – 30 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
| Scorers | Gold Coast Titans 22 (Tries: Jojo Fifita 15′, AJ Brimson 25′, Phillip Sami 31′, Bodhi Sharpley 74′. Goals: Jayden Campbell 27′, 33′, 75′) Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 30 (Tries: Ronaldo Mulitalo 7′, Sione Katoa 21′, Cameron McInnes 48′, Addin Fonua-Blake 57′, Sione Katoa 61′, Ronaldo Mulitalo 66′. Goals: Nicho Hynes 49′, 58′, 68′) |
| Half-Time | Gold Coast Titans 16 – 8 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |
| Date | Sunday, 23rd August 2026 |
| Venue | Cbus Super Stadium |
| Players | Gold Coast Titans: Keano Kini, Jaylan De Groot, Jojo Fifita, AJ Brimson, Phillip Sami, Jayden Campbell, Lachlan Ilias, Oliver Pascoe, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Beau Fermor, Cooper Bai, Kurtis Morrin, Klese Haas, Moeaki Fotuaika, Chris Randall, Bodhi Sharpley, Luke Sommerton Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: William Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Mawene Hiroti, KL Iro, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Niwhai Puru, Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Jesse Colquhoun, Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton, Thomas Hazelton, Cameron McInnes, Siosifa Talakai, Billy Burns, Oregon Kaufusi |
Roosters vs Tigers
| Full Time | Sydney Roosters 24 – 25 Wests Tigers |
| Scorers | Sydney Roosters 24 (Tries: Billy Smith 2′, 39′, Robert Toia 64′, Sam Walker 72′. Goals: Sam Walker 4′, 40′, 74′, 75′ PG) Wests Tigers 25 (Tries: Jeral Skelton 19′, Tony Sukkar 22′, Jeral Skelton 26′, Solomone Saukuru 49′, Api Koroisau 59′. Goals: Api Koroisau 50′, 60′, Jock Madden 78′ FG) |
| Half-Time | Sydney Roosters 12 – 12 Wests Tigers |
| Date | Sunday, 23rd 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, Egan Butcher Wests Tigers: Jahream Bula, Junior Tupou, Solomone Saukuru, Patrick Herbert, Jeral Skelton, Jarome Luai, Jock Madden, Api Koroisau, Fonua Pole, Samuela Fainu, Tony Sukkar, Alex Twal, Alex Seyfarth, Terrell May, Sione Fainu, Bunty Afoa |
