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Monday's Expert - 2021 NRL Round 21
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 Illa | Careless High Tackle - 1 | Harley Smith-Shields | 100* | 2 x non-similar (+40%) | 35 | 175 | 140 |
| Zac LOMAX | St Geo Illa | Careless High Tackle - 1 | Jack Wighton | $1500 | None | N/A | $1500 | $1150 |
| Taane MILNE | Souths | Careless 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 NAPA | Canterbury | Dangerous contact (head/neck) - 1 | James Tamou | 100 | 1 x similar, 2 x non-similar (+90%) | 0 | 190 | 142 |
| Dylan NAPA | Canterbury | Careless High Tackle - 1 | Thomas Mikaele | 100 | 2 x similar, 1 x non-similar (+120%) | 0 | 220 | 165 |
| Jack HETHERINGTON | Canterbury | Careless High Tackle - 1 | Alex Twal | 100 | 4 x similar prior offences (+200%) | 0 | 300 | 225 |
| Stefano UTOIKAMANU | Wests Tigers | Contrary Conduct - 1 | Ava Seumanufagai | $1500 | None | N/A | $1500 | $1150 |
| Tom GILBERT | North Qld | Careless High Tackle - 1 | Corey Thompson | $1500 | 1 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