Monday's Expert - 2020 NRL Round 19

Monday's Expert is here - with the full results from NRL Round 19, along with Match Review charges, LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Year leaderboard, injury news, crowd and TV ratings info.

All listed times are AEST (NSW/QLD/VIC/ACT).

RELATED: See the full list of 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership Draw and Results.

Round 19 NRL Results
& Match Review Charges

South Sydney Rabbitohs 16
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 26

Venue: ANZ Stadium
Crowd: 4859
Date: Thursday 17 September 2020 at 7:50pm

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (16)
Tries: Jaxson Paulo, Campbell Graham, Alex Johnston
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (2/3)

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (26)
Tries: Tim Lafai, Reimis Smith, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Chris Smith
Conversions: Jake Averillo (3/3), Brandon Wakeham (1/1)
Penalty Goals: Jake Averillo (1/1), Brandon Wakeham (0/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Sione Katoa
2 points - Josh Jackson
1 points - Jayden Okunbor

Match review - Rabbitohs v Bulldogs

Jaydn SU'A (Rabbitohs)
Grade 2 Careless High Tackle
22nd minute on Lachlan Lewis
Base penalty 200pts
1 x non-similar prior offence last 2 years (20% loading)
15 carryover points to add
Guilty / no contest = 240+15=265pts (2 match)
Guilty - early plea = 180+15=195pts (1 match)
PLEA: Guilty - early plea. Suspended 1 match. 95 carryover points accrued.

Tim LAFAI (Bulldogs)
Grade 2 Careless High Tackle
73rd minute on Jaydn Su'A
Base penalty 200pts
7 yr incident free discount (25%)
Guilty / no contest = 150pts (1 match)
Guilty - early plea = 100pts (1 match)
PLEA: Guilty - seeking downgrade. Faces judiciary Tuesday night.
RESULT: Downgrade unsuccessful. Suspended 1 match. 50 carryover points accrued.

Injury news - Rabbitohs v Bulldogs

Lachlan LEWIS (concussion) might be a concern after Su'A's high shot, and will be touch-and-go for the 'Dogs final hitout with Penrith next Saturday.

What next?

South Sydney's loss dents their chances of hosting a home final, with the cardinal and myrtle likely to finish 7th or 8th and travel to Canberra or Newcastle in the opening week. Canterbury are off the bottom of the table for the first time in months, but could return there if Brisbane beat the Cowboys and they can't overcome the Penrith juggernaut next weekend.

North Queensland Cowboys 12
Penrith Panthers 32

Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Crowd: 7247
Date: Friday 18 September 2020 at 6:00pm

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (12)
Tries: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Kyle Feldt
Conversions: Valentine Holmes (2/2)

PENRITH PANTHERS (32)
Tries: Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton, Josh Mansour, Jarome Luai, Viliame Kikau, Brent Naden
Conversions: Nathan Cleary (4/6)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Jarome Luai
2 points - Stephen Crichton
1 points - Viliame Kikau

Match review - Cowboys v Panthers

Viliame KIKAU (Pnathers)
Grade 1 Careless High Tackle
17th minute on Valentine Holmes
Base penalty $750 fine
1 x non-similar prior offence last 2 years (20% loading)
Guilty / no contest = $900 fine
Guilty - early plea = $700 fine
PLEA: Guilty - early plea. $700 fine.

Injury news - Cowboys v Panthers

Penrith rested three players (Koroisau, Tamou and Tetevano) who are all expected back next week.

What next?

Penrith are the 2020 minor premiers. They are locked in to face fourth place - which could be the Roosters, Eels or Raiders - in week one. The Cowboys are just about locked into 14th but could slip to 15th if Brisbane beat them and Canterbury win as well.

Parramatta Eels 26
Brisbane Broncos 12

Venue: Bankwest Stadium
Date: Friday 18 September 2020 at 7:55pm

PARRAMATTA EELS (26)
Tries: Blake Ferguson, Maika Sivo, Clinton Gutherson (2), Jai Field
Conversions: Mitchell Moses (3/5)

BRISBANE BRONCOS (12)
Tries: David Fifita, Herbie Farnworth
Conversions: Kotoni Staggs (2/2)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Clinton Gutherson
2 points - Ryan Matterson
1 points - Kotoni Staggs

Match review - Eels v Broncos

Alex GLENN (Broncos)
Grade 1 Dangerous Contact (other)
3rd minute on Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Base penalty 100pts
Guilty / no contest = 100pts (1 match)
Guilty - early plea = 75pts (0 matches)
PLEA: Guilty - early plea. No suspension. 75 carryover points accrued.

Junior PAULO (Eels)
Grade 1 Dangerous Contact (other)
42nd minute on David Fifita
Base penalty 100pts
Guilty / no contest = 100pts (1 match)
Guilty - early plea = 75pts (0 matches)
PLEA: Guilty - early plea. No suspension. 75 carryover points accrued.

Michael Jennings (Eels)
Grade 1 Careless High Tackle
47th minute on Kotoni Staggs
Base penalty $750 fine
1 x similar prior offences last 2 years (50% loading)
Guilty / no contest = $1150 fine
Guilty - early plea = $850 fine
PLEA: Guilty - early plea. $850 fine.

Injury news - Eels v Broncos

David Fifita (ankle) and Tyson Gamble (concussion) were the chief concerns out of this one. Fifita will miss Brisbane's final match of the season while Gamble will be monitored.

What next?

While unconvincing, the Eels' win ensures they remain top four. Should they spoil Benji Marshall's farewell game and down the Tigers next Friday, they will secure a double chance. Brisbane have sunk to the bottom of the table for the first time in many years, and have to beat their Queensland cousins in the Cowboys to avoid the unwanted wooden spoon, which would be a club first.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 24
Gold Coast Titans 42

Venue: Lottoland
Date: Saturday 19 September 2020 at 3:00pm

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (24)
Tries: Jack Gosiewski (2), Daly Cherry-Evans, Taniela Paseka
Conversions: Daly Cherry-Evans (4/4)

GOLD COAST TITANS (42)
Tries: Alexander Brimson (2), Corey Thompson, Young Tonumaipea (2), Sam Stone, Kevin Proctor, Treymain Spry
Conversions: Ashley Taylor (5/8)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Alexander Brimson
2 points - Young Tonumaipea
1 points - Moeaki Fotuaika

Match review - Sea Eagles v Titans

Mitch REIN (Titans)
Grade 1 Dangerous Throw
1st minute on Curtis Sironen
Base penalty 100pts
1 x non-similar prior offence last 2 years (20% loading)
15 carryover points
Guilty / no contest = 120pts (1 match)
Guilty - early plea = 90pts (0 matches)
PLEA: Guilty - early plea. No suspension. 75 carryover points accrued.

Morgan HARPER (Sea Eagles)
Grade 1 Tripping
22nd on Moeaki Fotuaika
Base penalty $750 fine
Guilty / no contest = $750 fine
Guilty - early plea = $550 fine
PLEA: Guilty - early plea. $550 fine.

Injury news - Sea Eagles v Titans

Not a good afternoon at Brookie for either side. Tom TRBOJEVIC is now in doubt for State of Origin and will not play Manly's final round match against the Warriors. Titans pair Corey THOMPSON (hamstring) and Mitch REIN (concussion) both left the field and will be monitored ahead of Friday's clash with Newcastle. Jai ARROW (back) was also a concern.

What's next?

Neither side can make the finals, so it's all about jockeying for positions. The Titans sit in 9th now, while Manly are 11th.

Melbourne Storm 50
Wests Tigers 22

Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium
Date: Saturday 19 September 2020 at 5:30pm

MELBOURNE STORM (50)
Tries: Suliasi Vunivalu (2), Cameron Smith, Josh Addo-Carr (2), Nicholas Hynes, Jahrome Hughes, Justin Olam, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Conversions: Cameron Smith (7/9)

WESTS TIGERS (22)
Tries: Asu Kepaoa (2), Adam Doueihi, Josh Aloiai
Conversions: Adam Doueihi (3/4)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Jahrome Hughes
2 points - Cameron Smith
1 points - Josh Addo-Carr

Match review - Storm v Tigers

No match review charges from this match

Injury news - Storm v Tigers

Melbourne's Suliasi VUNIVALU (hamstring) and Tiger Josh ALOIAI (knee) both failed to finish. Aloiai's season is over with only one round left now, and there is a suggestion he may have done his ACL. Vunivalu will be monitored.

What next?

Melbourne have 2nd placed locked up as a result of the win and will host whoever finishes 3rd (Roosters, Eels or Raiders) at Suncorp in Week One, while the Tigers slid from 9th to 10th.

Sydney Roosters 34
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 18

Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
Date: Saturday 19 September 2020 at 7:35pm

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (34)
Tries: Mitchell Aubusson (2), Daniel Tupou, Luke Keary (2), Joseph Manu
Conversions: Kyle Flanagan (4/6)
Penalty Goals: Kyle Flanagan (1/1)

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (18)
Tries: Siosifa Talakai, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Braden Hamlin-Uele
Conversions: Shaun Johnson (2/2), Sione Katoa (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Joseph Manu
2 points - Isaac Liu
1 points - Luke Keary

Match review - Roosters v Sharks

No match review charges from this match

Injury news - Roosters v Sharks

An awful night for Cronulla. Shaun JOHNSON ruptured his achilles and will be hoping to return in early 2021. Royce HUNT and Josh DUGAN both succumbed to knee injuries.

What's next?

The Roosters are locked in a three-way tussle for third and fourth and with their differential are more likely to ensure a double chance, even if they lose to South Sydney on Friday. Cronulla are most likely to finish eighth, but a win over Canberra next Saturday could get them up to seventh depending on the Roosters-Rabbitohs result.

Canberra Raiders 26
Warriors 14

Venue: GIO Stadium Canberra
Date: Sunday 20 September 2020 at 2:00pm

CANBERRA RAIDERS (26)
Tries: Jarrod Croker, Semi Valemi (2), Hudson Young, Nick Cotric
Conversions: Jarrod Croker (2/5)
Penalty Goals: Jarrod Croker (1/1)

WARRIORS (14)
Tries: Peta Hiku (2)
Conversions: Chanel Harris-Tavita (1/2)
Penalty Goals: Chanel Harris-Tavita (2/2)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Semi Valemi
2 points - Jarrod Croker
1 points - Hudson Young

Match review - Raiders v Warriors

Josh PAPALI'I (Raiders)
Grade 1 Contrary Conduct
27th minute on Tohu Harris
Base penalty $750 fine
1 x non-similar prior offence (20% loading)
Guilty / no contest = $900 fine
Guilty - early plea = $700 fine
PLEA: Guilty - early plea. $700 fine.

Jack MURCHIE (Warriors)
Grade 1 Careless High Tackle
70th minute on Semi Valemei
Base penalty $750 fine
1 x non-similar prior offence (20% loading)
Guilty / no contest = $900 fine
Guilty - early plea = $700 fine
PLEA: Guilty - early plea. $700 fine.

Injury news - Raiders v Warriors

Warriors captain Roger TUIVASA-SHECK's season is done after a hamstring injury this afternoon. His teammate Jazz TEVAGA (concussion), didn't finish the game, nor did Canberra pair John BATEMAN (elbow) and George WILLIAMS (concussion).

What next?

Canberra remain in the three-way tussle for spots three and four, but sit fifth. If the Eels and Roosters win, the result of their match against Cronulla will be meaningless. The Warriors are 12th.

Newcastle Knights 42 St George Illawarra Dragons 18
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
Crowd: 6659
Date: Sunday 20 September 2020 at 4:05pm

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (42)
Tries: Kalyn Ponga, Gehamat Shibasaki, Aidan Guerra, Daniel Saifiti, Enari Tuala (2), Jacob Saifiti
Conversions: Mason Lino (7/7)

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (18)
Tries: Zac Lomax (2), Corey Norman
Conversions: Zac Lomax (3/3)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Kalyn Ponga
2 points - David Klemmer
1 points - Zac Lomax

Match review - Knights v Dragons

Ben HUNT (Dragons)
Grade 1 Crusher Tackle
7th minute on Hymel Hunt
Base penalty 200pts
Guilty / no contest = 200pts (2 matches)
Guilty - early plea = 150pts (1 match)
PLEA: Guilty - early plea. Suspended 1 match. 50 carryover points accrued.

Injury news - Knights v Dragons

Lachlan FITZGIBBON (hip flexor) didn't finish the game, nor did Ben HUNT for the Dragons, who picked up a thigh strain.

What's next?

Newcastle are locked into the tussle in spots 6, 7 and 8 with the Rabbitohs and Sharks, but are clear enough to avoid 8th. They'll want a win to ensure they host in Week 1. The Dragons are likely to end the season in 13th.

RELATED: Click here to view the current NRL Telstra Premiership ladder.

LeagueUnlimited Player of the Year standings

At the conclusion of each match our reporters will choose their best three players from the match. You can views those points in each match in their respective match reports. Each week we'll update the leaderboard right here in Monday's Expert.

30 points - Nathan Cleary (Panthers)
27 points - Cameron Smith (Storm)
22 points - Shaun Johnson (Sharks), Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs)
21 points - Kalyn Ponga (Knights)
20 points - James Tedesco (Roosters), Jack Wighton (Raiders)
17 points - Cameron Munster (Storm)
16 points - Luke Keary (Roosters), Clinton Gutherson (Eels)
14 points - Cody Walker (Rabbitohs), Brett Morris (Roosters), Benji Marshall (Wests Tigers), Jahrome Hughes (Storm)
13 points - Jamal Fogarty (Titans), Jarome Luai (Panthers)
12 points - George Williams (Raiders), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)
11 points - Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), David Klemmer (Knights), Matthew Dufty (Dragons)
10 points - Kodi Nikorima (Warriors), Sione Katoa (Bulldogs), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors)
9 points - Ashley Taylor (Titans), Josh Papali'i (Raiders), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm), Mitchell Pearce (Knights), Stephen Crichton (Panthers)
8 points - Dylan Brown (Eels), Mitchell Moses (Eels), Blake Green (Warriors), Kurt Mann (Knights)
7 points - James Fisher-Harris (Panthers), Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys), Wade Graham (Sharks), Liam Martin (Panthers), Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs), Harry Grant (Storm), Jarrod Croker (Raiders), Isaah Yeo (Panthers), David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers), Peta Hiku (Warriors)
6 points - Reed Mahoney (Eels), Alexander Brimson (Titans), Ben Hunt (Dragons), Junior Paulo (Eels), Blayke Brailey (Sharks), Siosiua Taukeiaho (Roosters), Joseph Manu (Roosters), Curtis Sironen (Sea Eagles), Matt Burton (Panthers), Zac Lomax (Dragons), Eliesa Katoa (Warriors)
5 points - Maika Sivo (Eels), Nathan Brown (Eels), Michael Morgan (Cowboys), Josh Addo-Carr (Storm), Cade Cust (Sea Eagles), Will Hopoate (Bulldogs), Young Tonumaipea (Titans), Daniel Saifiti (Knights), Corey Norman (Dragons), Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers), Dylan Edwards (Panthers), Damien Cook (Rabbitohs), Apisai Koroisau (Panthers), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Eels)
4 points - Kotoni Staggs (Broncos), Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs), Viliame Kikau (Panthers), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Storm), Josh Morris (Sharks), Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans), Kyle Flanagan (Roosters), Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Anthony Milford (Broncos), Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Storm), Tevita Pangai Junior (Broncos), Justin Olam (Storm), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Bulldogs), Hudson Young (Raiders), Toby Rudolf (Sharks), Shaun Lane (Eels), Sitili Tupouniua (Roosters)
3 points - Mitchell Barnett (Knights), Semi Valemi (Raiders), Will Kennedy (Sharks), Joseph Leilua (Wests Tigers), Jack Murchie (Raiders), Kevin Proctor (Titans), Jake Clifford (Cowboys), Nick Meaney (Bulldogs), Aiden Tolman (Bulldogs), John Bateman (Raiders), Martin Taupau (Sea Eagles), Jamayne Isaako (Broncos), Adam Clune (Dragons), Charlie Staines (Panthers), Waqa Blake (Eels), Jesse Ramien (Sharks), Addin Fonua-Blake (Sea Eagles), Bradman Best (Knights), Brian Kelly (Titans), Valentine Holmes (Cowboys), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Roosters)
2 points - Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Raiders), Jorge Taufua (Sea Eagles), Thomas Burgess (Rabbitohs), Jake Averillo (Bulldogs), Christian Welch (Storm), Daniel Tupou (Roosters), Payne Haas (Broncos), Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs), Ryan Sutton (Raiders), Morgan Harper (Bulldogs), Campbell Graham (Rabbitohs), Josh Jackson (Bulldogs), Ryan Matterson (Eels), Isaac Liu (Roosters), Beau Fermor (Titans), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Knights), Kieran Foran (Bulldogs), Lindsay Collins (Roosters), Braydon Trindall (Sharks), Michael Jennings (Eels), Dale Finucane (Storm), Emre Guler (Raiders), Wayde Egan (Warriors), Mikaele Ravalawa (Dragons), Tohu Harris (Warriors), Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers), Cameron McInnes (Dragons), Dane Gagai (Rabbitohs), Matt Ikuvalu (Roosters), Braden Hamlin-Uele (Sharks), David Fifita (Broncos), Nick Cotric (Raiders), Corey Thompson (Wests Tigers), Tyson Frizell (Dragons), Siosifa Talakai (Sharks)
1 point - Ethan Lowe (Rabbitohs), Elliott Whitehead (Raiders), Connor Watson (Knights), Coen Hess (Cowboys), Tyrell Fuimaono (Dragons), Adam Pompey (Warriors), Joseph Tapine (Raiders), Chad Townsend (Sharks), Alex Twal (Wests Tigers), Josh Mcguire (Cowboys), Jayden Okunbor (Bulldogs), Tom Opacic (Cowboys), Luke Thompson (Bulldogs), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors), Tui Kamikamica (Storm), James Tamou (Panthers), Sam Lisone (Titans), Billy Walters (Wests Tigers), Liam Knight (Rabbitohs), Josh Reynolds (Wests Tigers), Caleb Aekins (Panthers), Herman Ese'ese (Knights), Adam Elliott (Bulldogs), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Cowboys), Darius Boyd (Broncos), Phillip Sami (Titans), Andrew McCullough (Broncos), Patrick Carrigan (Broncos), Tom Starling (Raiders), Thomas Flegler (Broncos), Brendan Elliot (Sea Eagles), Luke Garner (Wests Tigers), Jordan Pereira (Dragons), Jaydn Su'A (Rabbitohs), Taniela Paseka (Sea Eagles), Tevita Tatola (Rabbitohs)

Good news everyone!

Players who are likely or possible to be back for their side this coming week, either via return from injury, resting or suspension.

Broncos: Brodie Croft, Jordan Riki, Rhys Kennedy, Jake Turpin
Raiders: Sia Soliola, Michael Oldfield
Sharks: Wade Graham
Titans: Nathan Peats, Brian Kelly, Keegan Hipgrave, Beau Fermor
Sea Eagles: Addin Fonua-Blake, Reuben Garrick, Dylan Walker
Storm: Ryan Papenhuyzen, Paul Momirovski
Knights: Kurt Mann, Bradman Best
Cowboys: Josh McGuire, John Asiata
Panthers: Api Koroisau, James Tamou, Zane Tetevano
Rabbitohs: Tevita Tatola, Dane Gagai, Jack Johns
Dragons: Trent Merrin, Billy Brittain
Roosters: Boyd Cordner, James Tedesco, Siosiua Tauekiaho
Warriors: Nathaniel Roache, Patrick Herbert
Wests Tigers: Moses Mbye, Luke Brooks

Metrics Metrics Metrics

Each week we'll also do our best to keep you across the crowd figures and TV ratings which are often the most talked-about parts of the game. 

Crowds - Round 19

Crowd figures can be found above in the match results section where available.

Ratings - Round 19

Thursday 7:50pm - SOU v CBY - FTA: 314K metro; STV: 237K

Friday 6pm - NQL v PEN - STV only 195K

Friday 7:55pm - PAR v BNE - FTA: 519K (327K metro, 192K regional); STV - 249K; Total: 768K

Saturday STV only
3pm MAN v GLD: 141K
5:30pm MEL v WST: 246K
7:35pm SYD v CRO: 203K

Sunday 2pm - CAN v WAR - STV only 151K

Sunday 4:05pm - NEW v SGI - FTA TBC; STV 208K