Monday's Expert - 2021 NRL Round 21

NRL24

Monday's Expert - with the full results from NRL Round 21 along with Match Review charges, LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Year leaderboard, injury news, crowd and TV ratings info and next week's draw.

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


RELATED: See the full list of 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Draw and Results.


Round 21 NRL Results

Newcastle Knights 28
Brisbane Broncos 20

Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Date: Thursday 5 August 2021 at 7:50pm

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (28)
Tries: Jake Clifford, Mitchell Pearce, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Mitchell Barnett, Enari Tuala
Conversions: Jake Clifford (4/5)

BRISBANE BRONCOS (20)
Tries: Tesi Niu, Corey Oates, Xavier Willison, Herbie Farnworth
Conversions: Jamayne Isaako (2/4)


Canberra Raiders 20
St George Illawarra Dragons 12

Venue: Cbus Super Stadium
Date: Friday 6 August 2021 at 6:00pm

CANBERRA RAIDERS (20)
Tries: Jordan Rapana, Jack Wighton, Tom Starling
Conversions: Jarrod Croker (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Jarrod Croker (1/1)

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (12)
Tries: Mathew Feagai, Tariq Sims
Conversions: Zac Lomax (1/2)
Penalty Goals: Zac Lomax (1/1)


Parramatta Eels 12
South Sydney Rabbitohs 40

Venue: Cbus Super Stadium
Date: Friday 6 August 2021 at 8:05pm

PARRAMATTA EELS (12)
Tries: Maika Sivo, Waqa Blake
Conversions: Clinton Gutherson (2/2)

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (40)
Tries: Josh Mansour (2), Dane Gagai, Jaxson Paulo (2), Cameron Murray
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (6/6)
Penalty Goals: Adam Reynolds (2/3)


Warriors 18
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 16

Venue: Cbus Super Stadium
Date: Saturday 7 August 2021 at 3:00pm

WARRIORS (18)
Tries: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Reece Walsh, Euan Aitken
Conversions: Reece Walsh (2/3)
Penalty Goals: Reece Walsh (1/1)

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (16)
Tries: Connor Tracey, Briton Nikora, Will Kennedy
Conversions: Braydon Trindall (2/3)


Sydney Roosters 14
Penrith Panthers 20

Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Date: Saturday 7 August 2021 at 5:30pm

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (14)
Tries: Victor Radley, Joseph Manu, Daniel Tupou
Conversions: Adam Keighran (1/3)

PENRITH PANTHERS (20)
Tries: Matt Burton (2), Paul Momirovski
Conversions: Matt Burton (2/3)
Penalty Goals: Matt Burton (2/2)


Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 18
Melbourne Storm 28

Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Date: Saturday 7 August 2021 at 7:35pm

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (18)
Tries: Jason Saab, Reuben Garrick (2)
Conversions: Reuben Garrick (2/3)
Penalty Goals: Reuben Garrick (1/1)

MELBOURNE STORM (28)
Tries: Kenneath Bromwich, Justin Olam (2), Cameron Munster
Conversions: Nicholas Hynes (0/1), Ryan Papenhuyzen (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Nicholas Hynes (2/2), Ryan Papenhuyzen (1/1)


Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 16
Wests Tigers 28

Venue: Cbus Super Stadium
Date: Sunday 8 August 2021 at 1:50pm

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (16)
Tries: Nick Meaney, Corey Waddell, Corey Allan
Conversions: Jake Averillo (2/3)

WESTS TIGERS (28)
Tries: Luciano Leilua, Ken Maumalo (2), Tommy Talau
Conversions: Adam Doueihi (4/4)
Penalty Goals: Adam Doueihi (2/2)


Gold Coast Titans 36
North Queensland Cowboys 14

Venue: Cbus Super Stadium
Date: Sunday 8 August 2021 at 4:05pm

GOLD COAST TITANS (36)
Tries: Brian Kelly (2), Alexander Brimson, David Fifita, Beau Fermor, Ashley Taylor, Patrick Herbert
Conversions: Toby Sexton (4/7)

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (14)
Tries: Tom Dearden, Valentine Holmes, Kyle Feldt
Conversions: Valentine Holmes (1/3)


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


Match Review Charges - Round 21

Player Club Charge - Grade On who? Base Penalty Priors / discounts (loading) Carry overs Points/fine if guilty Points/fine early plea
Keenan PALASIA Brisbane Careless High Tackle - 2 Hymel Hunt 200 None 0 200 150
Jordan RAPANA Canberra Dangerous contact (head/neck) - 1 Blake Lawrie $1500 1 x non-similar (+20%) N/A $1800 $1350
Tariq SIMS St Geo IllaCareless High Tackle - 1 Harley Smith-Shields 100* 2 x non-similar (+40%) 35 175 140
Zac LOMAX St Geo IllaCareless High Tackle - 1 Jack Wighton $1500 None N/A $1500 $1150
Taane MILNE SouthsCareless High Tackle - 1 Mitchell Moses $1500 1 x similar prior (+50%) N/A $2250 $1700
Will CHAMBERS Cronulla Contrary Conduct - 1 Viliami Vailea $1500 None N/A $1500 $1150
Matthew LODGE Warriors Careless High Tackle - 1 Will Chambers 100* 1 x similar, 3 x non-similar (+110%) 65 275 222
Kane EVANS Warriors Contrary Conduct - 2 Will Chambers 200 1 x non-similar (+20%) 0 240 180
Dallin WATENE-ZELEZNIAK Warriors Contrary Conduct - 1 Will Chambers 100* 2 x non-similar (+40%) 0 140 105
Kane EVANS Warriors Dangerous contact (other) - 1 Ronaldo Mulitalo $1500 1 x non-similar (+20%) N/A $1800 $1350
Kane EVANS Warriors Dangerous contact (head/neck) - 1 Will Chambers $1500 1 x non-similar (+20%) N/A $1800 $1350
Liam MARTIN Penrith Dangerous contact (other) - 1 Drew Hutchison $1500 1 x non-similar (+20%) N/A $1800 $1350
Kurt CAPEWELL Penrith Dangerous Throw  - 1 Nat Butcher 100 2 x non-similar (+40%) 0 140 105
Angus CRICHTON Sydney Crusher Tackle - 1 Liam Martin 200 1 x similar, 2 x non-similar (+90%) 30 410 315
Apisai KOROISAU Penrith Contrary Conduct - 1 In a melee 100* 2 x non-similar (+40%) 0 140 105
Egan BUTCHER Sydney Careless High Tackle - 1 Taylan May $1500 None N/A $1500 $1150
Toafofoa SIPLEY Manly Crusher Tackle - 1 Dale Finucane 200 1 x non-similar (+20%) 0 240 180
Dylan NAPACanterburyDangerous contact (head/neck) - 1James Tamou1001 x similar, 2 x non-similar (+90%)0190142
Dylan NAPACanterburyCareless High Tackle - 1Thomas Mikaele1002 x similar, 1 x non-similar (+120%)0220165
Jack HETHERINGTONCanterburyCareless High Tackle - 1Alex Twal1004 x similar prior offences (+200%)0300225
Stefano UTOIKAMANUWests TigersContrary Conduct - 1Ava Seumanufagai$1500NoneN/A$1500$1150
Tom GILBERTNorth QldCareless High Tackle - 1Corey Thompson$15001 x non-similar prior (+20%)N/A$1800$1350

* denotes player not eligible for fine due to at least 2 fine-related prior offences during this season

RESULTS

Suspensions (early pleas):
K Palasia (BRI) - 2 games, no carryovers (pleaded no contest)
A Crichton (SYD) - 3 games, 15 carryovers
D Napa (CBY) - 3 games, 7 carryovers
J Hetherington (CBY) - 2 games, 25 carryovers
M Lodge (WAR) - 2 games, 22 carryovers
K Capewell (PEN) - 1 game, 5 carryovers
T Sims (SGI) - 1 game, 40 carryovers
K Evans (WAR) - 1 game, 80 carryovers
T Sipley (MAN) - 1 game, 80 carryovers

Fines (early pleas):
S Utoikamanu (WST), W Chambers (CRO), Z Lomax (SGI), E Butcher (SYD) - $1150
T Gilbert (NQL), J Rapana (CAN), L Martin (PEN) - $1350
T Milne (SOU) $1700
K Evans (WAR) - $2700 from 2 charges

Judiciary challenges:
A Koroisau (PEN) - not guilty. OUTCOME: guilty. Suspended 1 match, 40 carryovers. 
D Watene-Zelezniak (WAR) - not guilty. OUTCOME: guilty. Suspended 1 match, 40 carryovers.


Who's back?

A quick whip around all 16 clubs, with who's possibly returning from injury or suspension (or being rested) this coming weekend according to NRL.com's Casualty Ward.

Broncos: Tom Flegler (suspension), Brendan Piakura (ankle)

Raiders: Bailey Simonsson (toe), Seb Kris (HIA)

Bulldogs: Chris Smith (ankle)

Titans: Jayden Campbell, Phillip Sami (both ankle), Tyrone Peachey (suspension)

Sea Eagles: Zac Saddler (cheek)

Storm: Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hamstring), George Jennings (knee), Aaron Pene (achilles), Felise Kaufusi (suspension)

Knights: Jayden Brailey (rested)

Cowboys: Reuben Cotter (foot)

Panthers: Stephen Crichton (suspension)

Dragons: Gerard Beale, Tyrell Fuimaono, Josh Kerr (suspension)

Rabbitohs: Liam Knight (HIA)


LeagueUnlimited Player of the Year standings

Our writers issue points every game for who they judge as the best player on the field. 

30 points - Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles 24, NSW 6)

26 points - Cody Walker (Rabbitohs), Nathan Cleary (Panthers 24, NSW 2)

20 points - Clinton Gutherson (Eels), Will Kennedy (Sharks)

19 points - Ben Hunt (Dragons 16, QLD 3)

17 points - Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers), Nicholas Hynes (Storm)
16 points - Jahrome Hughes (Storm), James Tedesco (Roosters), David Fifita (Titans), Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs 14, NSW 2)
15 points - Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors), Daine Laurie (Wests Tigers)
14 points - Sam Walker (Roosters), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles), Mitchell Moses (Eels)
13 points - Alexander Brimson (Titans), Cameron Munster (Storm), Payne Haas (Broncos 12, NSW 1)
12 points - Jake Clifford (Cowboys), Kalyn Ponga (Knights)
11 points - Brandon Smith (Storm), Brian To'o (Panthers), Reed Mahoney (Eels), Jarome Luai (Panthers 9, NSW 2)
10 points - Joseph Manu (Roosters), Reece Walsh (Warriors), Isaiah Papali'i (Eels), Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys), Harry Grant (Storm)
9 points - Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs), Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs), Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers), Ashley Taylor (Titans)
8 points - James Fisher-Harris (Panthers), George Williams (Raiders), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm), Shaun Johnson (Sharks), Christian Welch (Storm), Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs)
7 points - Kieran Foran (Sea Eagles), Matthew Dufty (Dragons), Matt Burton (Panthers), Stephen Crichton (Panthers), Viliame Kikau (Panthers)
6 points - Josh Addo-Carr (Storm), Jamayne Isaako (Broncos), Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs), Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles), Daniel Saifiti (Knights), Tevita Pangai Junior (Broncos), Luke Thompson (Bulldogs), Valentine Holmes (Cowboys), Damien Cook (Rabbitohs), Isaah Yeo (Panthers), Maika Sivo (Eels)
5 points - Luke Keary (Roosters), Josh Schuster (Sea Eagles), Brett Morris (Roosters), Tom Starling (Raiders), Bradman Best (Knights), Jamal Fogarty (Titans), Chad Townsend (Sharks), Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors), Tyson Gamble (Broncos), Corey Harawira-Naera (Raiders), Toby Rudolf (Sharks), Jason Saab (Sea Eagles), Josh Papali'i (Raiders), Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Titans 3, QLD 2)
4 points - Tohu Harris (Warriors), Joseph Tapine (Raiders), Dane Gagai (Rabbitohs), Tui Kamikamica (Storm), Sitili Tupouniua (Roosters), Tyrone Peachey (Titans), Dale Finucane (Storm), Mitchell Pearce (Knights), Benji Marshall (Rabbitohs), Nathan Brown (Eels), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Roosters), Kodi Nikorima (Warriors), Jayden Brailey (Knights)
3 points - Dylan Edwards (Panthers), Toby Sexton (Titans), Jordan Rapana (Raiders), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Storm), Matt Ikuvalu (Roosters), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks), Jake Averillo (Bulldogs), Sam Williams (Raiders), Apisai Koroisau (Panthers), Luciano Leilua (Wests Tigers), Braydon Trindall (Sharks), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Bulldogs), Xavier Savage (Raiders), Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans), Josh Hodgson (Raiders), Justin Olam (Storm), Adam Clune (Dragons), Thomas Burgess (Rabbitohs), Connor Watson (Knights), Euan Aitken (Warriors), Jack Wighton (Raiders), Ryan Sutton (Raiders), Tariq Sims (Dragons), Angus Crichton (Roosters), Jake Granville (Cowboys), Paul Vaughan (Dragons), Briton Nikora (Sharks)
2 points - Dylan Napa (Bulldogs), Jack Bird (Dragons), Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles), Mitchell Barnett (Knights), Waqa Blake (Eels), Josh Aloiai (Sea Eagles), Mikaele Ravalawa (Dragons), Liam Martin (Panthers), Blake Ferguson (Eels), Jesse Bromwich (Storm), Josh Mansour (Rabbitohs), Hame Sele (Rabbitohs), Blayke Brailey (Sharks), Herbie Farnworth (Broncos), Phillip Sami (Titans), Bayley Sironen (Warriors), Taniela Paseka (Sea Eagles), Jack de Belin (Dragons), Jeremy Marshall-King (Bulldogs), Josh Curran (Warriors), Blake Lawrie (Dragons), Bailey Simonsson (Raiders), Jai Arrow (Rabbitohs), Martin Taupau (Sea Eagles), Tyson Frizell (Knights), Zac Lomax (Dragons), Matthew Lodge (Broncos), Moses Mbye (Wests Tigers), Josh Morris (Roosters), Junior Paulo (Eels), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Marata Niukore (Eels), Bunty Afoa (Warriors), Tyrone May (Panthers), Victor Radley (Roosters), Murray Taulagi (Cowboys), Josh Kerr (Dragons), Hudson Young (Raiders), Ryan Matterson (Eels), Daniel Tupou (Roosters)
1 point - Sione Katoa (Bulldogs), Drew Hutchison (Roosters), Joe Ofahengaue (Wests Tigers), Beau Fermor (Titans), Kotoni Staggs (Broncos), Braden Hamlin-Uele (Sharks), David Klemmer (Knights), Dean Ieremia (Storm), Tesi Niu (Broncos), Lachlan Lewis (Bulldogs), Stefano Utoikamanu (Wests Tigers), Dylan Brown (Eels), Will Hopoate (Bulldogs), Jaydn Su'A (Rabbitohs), Xavier Coates (Broncos), Corey Thompson (Titans), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Cowboys), Francis Molo (Cowboys), Brodie Jones (Knights), Ben Murdoch-Masila (Warriors), Sebastian Kris (Raiders), Ryan James (Raiders), Siosiua Taukeiaho (Roosters), Paul Momirovski (Panthers), Andrew McCullough (Dragons), Lindsay Collins (Roosters), Kurt Mann (Knights), Felise Kaufusi (Storm), Coen Hess (Cowboys), Shane Wright (Cowboys), Connor Tracey (Sharks), Albert Kelly (Broncos), Emre Guler (Raiders), Alex Twal (Wests Tigers), Moses Leota (Panthers), Reece Robson (Cowboys), David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers), Caleb Aekins (Raiders), Nat Butcher (Roosters), Mathew Feagai (Dragons), Matt Moylan (Sharks), Enari Tuala (Knights)


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 21

No matches in Round 21

2021 cumulative attendance (to R21, 140 matches): 1780478 
2021 average (to R21, 140 matches): 12718

Note: average does not include twenty zero-crowd matches played up to Round 21 due to COVID-19 restrictions. Average calculated per game where crowds permitted, double headers count as 2 games.

Ratings - Round 21

STV ratings (Foxtel)

Thu 7:50pm - NEW v BRI - 134K
Fri 6:00pm - CAN v SGI - 196K
Fri 8:05pm - PAR v SOU - 196K
Sat 3:00pm - WAR v CRO - 147K
Sat 5:30pm - SYD v PEN - 259K
Sat 7:35pm - MAN v MEL - 269K
Sun 1:50pm - CBY v WST - 169K
Sun 4:05pm - GLD v NQL - 192K

Round 21 STV total: 1.562M

FTA ratings (Nine Network)

Thu 7:50pm - NEW v BRI - 396K (238K metro, 158K regional)
Fri 7:55pm - PAR v SOU - 462K (299K metro, 163K regional)
Sat 7:35pm - MAN v MEL - 304K (266K metro, 138K regional)
Sun 4:05pm - GLD v NQL - 405K (231K metro, 174K regional)

Round 21 FTA total: 1.567M

Next week - Round 22

Women in League Round

Note: venues are subject to change

Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders
Thu 12 Aug 7:50PM at Venue TBC

St George Illawarra Dragons v Penrith Panthers
Fri 13 Aug 6:00PM at Venue TBC
Brisbane Broncos v Sydney Roosters
Fri 13 Aug 8:05PM at Suncorp Stadium

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Gold Coast Titans
Sat 14 Aug 3:00PM at Venue TBC
North Queensland Cowboys v Wests Tigers
Sat 14 Aug 5:30PM at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Parramatta Eels
Sat 14 Aug 7:35PM at Venue TBC

Warriors v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Sun 15 Aug 2:00PM at Venue TBC
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Newcastle Knights
Sun 15 Aug 4:05PM at Venue TBC

Full 2021 NRL draw & results