Monday's Expert - 2022 NRL Round 25

Time for a full wrap-up of the weekend's NRL action. Monday's Expert brings you the full results wrap from the weekend, plus Match Review charges, injury news, our POTY standings, crowds, TV ratings and a look ahead to next round.

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

RELATED: See the full list of 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Draw and Results.

NRL Round 25 results

Parramatta Eels 22 Melbourne Storm 14

Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
Crowd: 23758
Date: Thursday 1 September 2022 at 7:50pm

PARRAMATTA EELS (22)
Tries: Dylan Brown, Viliami Penisini, Maika Sivo
Conversions: Mitchell Moses (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Mitchell Moses (2/2)

MELBOURNE STORM (14)
Tries: Harry Grant, Nick Meaney, David Nofoaluma
Conversions: Nick Meaney (1/2), Cameron Munster (0/1)

Eels secure top 4 berth as Storm gear up for sudden death

AJ Lucantonio | September 1 2022 9:49PM

The Parramatta Eels have secured a top four berth for the first time since 2017, downing the Melbourne Storm by 22-14 in a fiery match to kickoff Round 25 of the NRL Telstra Premiership. It was billed as a finals dress rehearsal and with a lot on the line for both sides, it was imperative to get off to a fast start this evening.

It was the Eels who punished the Storm for their poor handling. An NFL-style pass from Jesse Bromwich was ruled forward and off the ensuing set, Dylan Brown showed and went, ducking underneath an ineffective tackle by Nelson Asofa-Solomona to cross for the first try. Melbourne's ill-discipline almost cost them immediately after Cam Munster's kick-off went out on the full. Marata Niukore was ruled to be held up by Ashley Klein and the ensuing bunker review failed to produce the angle to overturn the on-field decision.

Melbourne was up against it defensively for much of the first half, largely of their poor ball control and ill discipline. NAS was placed on report again following a late tackle on Mitch Moses. Parramatta was only able to add a penalty goal to extend the margin to eight when Munster's short dropout just failed to break the plane. The Storm had some chances late in the half but at the final moment, the movement failed when Justin Olam was thrown over the sideline then Xavier Coates put the ball down with the line wide-open to go into the sheds scoreless and down by eight.

The same problems reared their ugly heads for the Storm at the worst possible time. Another cheap penalty inside Parramatta territory gave the Eels prime attacking opportunity. Just a tackle after Shaun Lane was held up, great attacking shape from Moses and Gutherson saw Will Penisini spin his way out of two tackles to score which gave the Eels a vital three possession lead.

Melbourne were trying hard but ultimately the fatigue from last week's bone-crunching encounter caught up with them, the mistakes and ill-discipline would be pulling Craig Bellamy's hair out. Parramatta made light work of their opposition when Gutherson turned provider with a lovely cut-out pass to Maika Sivo and the flying Fijian winger raced the best part of 30 meters untouched to give the Eels an unassailable 20 point advantage. The Storm built some momentum and off a ridiculous short drop-out, Harry Grant ducked under some would be tacklers to avoid the duck-egg, Meaney missed a relatively simple kick and the margin remained 16. Another penalty for a failed short dropout gave Parramatta a gift two points and they'd prove decisive.

They'd prove decisive because Melbourne went on a scoring raid inside the final five minutes bagging two tries, one to Meaney off a Munster show and go. The second was from Nofoaluma stepping past some pedestrian Eels defence to set up a grandstand finish. But, Parramatta held off the Storm's final charge to finish inside the top 4 for the first time since 2017, while the Storm finish outside the second chance positions for the first time since 2014. 

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Mitchell Moses
2 points - Junior Paulo
1 points - Shaun Lane

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 21 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 20

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park
Crowd: 13648
Date: Friday 2 September 2022 at 6:00pm

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (21)
Tries: Braidon Burns, Zach Dockar-Clay, Aaron Schoupp, Kyle Flanagan
Field Goals: Matt Burton (1/1)
Conversions: Matt Burton (2/4)

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (20)
Tries: Daly Cherry-Evans, Christian Tuipulotu, Martin Taupau, Haumole Olakau'atu
Conversions: Daly Cherry-Evans (2/4)

Canterbury end season on a high in a thriller at Homebush

Lachlan McIntyre | September 2 2022 8:31PM

A late Matt Burton field goal has secured a stunning 21-20 comeback win for the Canterbury Bulldogs over Manly at Olympic Park this evening.

The Manly Sea Eagles started strong, scoring the first try early when their halfback DCE crossed under the posts in the 5th minute. It was off the back of a break by Toafofoa Sipley, with Dylan Walker providing the final pass to open the points. Following the opening try, Manly found some momentum, charging down the field and piling plenty of pressure onto the Bulldogs, and as the weather continued to worsen, both sides played with remarkable discipline. 

A Daly Cherry-Evans cut out pass found his winger, Christian Tuipulotu, in the 13th minute, but his kick from the right sideline rebounded off the post and the score remained 10-0 to the Sea Eagles. Keeping their perfect completion rate, they forced a dropout, and off the back of a six-again, Marty Taupau crashed over for his team's third try of the match, in the 18th minute. DCE slotted his second conversion of the night and the lead was extended to 16-0.

Following these points, Manly developed a case of the dropsies, with Davey putting it down twice while working it off his team's own line. Canterbury just couldn't get their attack together despite the Sea Eagles constantly inviting them to their own end, but Braidon Burns finally crossed the stripe in the 29th minute off the back of a six-again call. Burton's first conversion of the night hit the post and bounced in, reducing his side's deficit to 10 points.

Joe Stimson dropped it as the Bulldog's attempted to work it off their own line following points, gifting Manly their first attacking field position in a while. They couldn't convert it into points, however, and just 5 minutes later the Bulldogs were back on the attack thanks to some good kicks from Matt Burton. Off the back of a dropout, Zach Dockar-Clay dived over from dummy-half for his first NRL try, and Burton nailed the conversion to make the half-time score 16-12 to Manly.

A 20/40 attempt that went out on the full from Dylan Walker early in the second forty allowed Canterbury some field position, but time was then called off for a few minutes as Max King was called off the field for a HIA. Following some confusion and communication between the sideline and King, he remained on the field, with seemingly nobody understanding why the game was stopped in the first place.

Both sides had attacking opportunities to start the second-half, but it was Aaron Schoupp who opened the scoring for the second period against the run of play. With Manly on the attack, he plucked the ball out of the air and ran the length of the field to score a try in the corner for Canterbury. Burton missed the conversion to keep the scores tied with 30 minutes still left in the game.

The game settled down quite noticeably following those points, with both sides going set for set. A Manly penalty gave them some field position to work with, and they forced an error in a kick contest to continue building pressure on the Bulldogs. A DCE grubber forced a dropout, and Olakau'atu crossed for a try soon after off the back of another genius kick from his halfback. 

Suddenly, momentum was back in the Sea Eagles favour. Making line breaks galore, they forced a dropout with 10 minutes left on the clock, but Burton executed a short dropout perfectly, getting the ball just over the 10m line and over the sideline. With Canterbury back with the ball, they needed to find points to close Manly's four point lead.

It was their halfback Kyle Flanagan who found the line in the 76th minute. An error from Manly in the kick contest saw the ball fall perfectly for the Bulldogs, and the scores remained level at 20 following Burton's unsuccessful conversion attempt. He made up for it though, putting up a big bomb that the rookie Sea Eagle's fullback couldn't handle, and winning a midfield scrum for his team 30m out from Manly's line with just two minutes left on the clock. 

A perfectly executed 79th minute field goal from Matt Burton followed, and Canterbury took the lead 21-20. An attempted short kick-off from Manly was successfully defused by the Bulldogs, and they ran down the clock to hold on and clinch the victory.

Both of these clubs will shift their focus to 2023 after their respective disappointing seasons, but it will be Canterbury heading into the pre-season as winners.

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Braidon Burns
2 points - Daly Cherry-Evans
1 points - Matt Burton

Sydney Roosters 26 South Sydney Rabbitohs 16

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park
Crowd: 41906
Date: Friday 2 September 2022 at 7:55pm

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (26)
Tries: Angus Crichton, Sam Walker, James Tedesco, Egan Butcher
Conversions: Sam Walker (4/4)
Penalty Goals: Sam Walker (1/1)

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (16)
Tries: Peter Mamouzelos, Taane Milne (2)
Conversions: Latrell Mitchell (2/2), Isaiah Tass (0/1)

Roosters do the double in Allianz opening night

Tim Costello | September 2 2022 10:01PM

The Sydney Roosters have managed the opening night double at Allianz Stadium, downing local rivals the Rabbitohs 26-12 to secure elimination final hosting rights just hours after their women's side recorded an emphatic win.

The Tricolours and Bunnies will face off for the 229th time next week after tonight's match set up a re-match in a little over seven days in the opening finals weekend.

It took just seven minutes for the hosts to stamp their authority on their newly rebuilt home ground, Angus Crichton crossing on the left edge to score the venue's first four pointer in the NRL men's premiership.

The night had already started disastrously for the Rabbitohs - lock Cameron Murray was ushered off for a head injury assessment inside the opening 90 seconds and ultimately failed that - immediately reducing the visitors to 16 players.

For the Roosters, it meant pushing on. Sam Walker converted a penalty goal attempt on 17 minutes to extend their lead to eight before James Tedesco continued the early dominance just the other side of the 20 minute mark.

Largely against the run of play the Rabbitohs found themselves on the attack, and after a clever grubber through the line from Latrell Mitchell, fill-in hooker Peter Mamouzelos snatched a try against the odds to get his side on the board for the first time at Allianz.

It didn't take long for the home team to wrestle momentum back - Sam Walker with his own piece of individual brilliance grubbering through the line, having identified Mitchell up out of the line. He pounced on his own kick and the Roosters pushed out to a 20-6 lead, which they retained through to the break.

Egan Butcher was first on the board after the break - the Roosters extending their lead to twenty points after a superb ball found his chest close to the line. Walker's conversion had the result all but confirmed despite there being 35 minutes to play.

In the remaining time the Rabbitohs did manage two tries to keep the hosts on their toes - Taane Milne scoring both - the first a sterling effort tiptoeing inside the sideline and *just* getting it down, the other a surprising effort just a minute after teammate Latrell Mitchell was binned just over ten minutes from fulltime.

The Roosters held out their opposition for the remaining time and withstood their own player - Nat Butcher - being binned a couple of minutes prior to the end of the contest.

Both sides live to fight another week - against each other next weekend with much, much higher stakes. The NRL will confirm the scheduling of their elimination final toward the end of the weekend.

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - James Tedesco
2 points - Angus Crichton
1 points - Latrell Mitchell

Warriors 26 Gold Coast Titans 27

Venue: Mt Smart Stadium, Penrose
Crowd: 20512
Date: Saturday 3 September 2022 at 3:00pm

WARRIORS (26)
Tries: Jesse Arthars, Josh Curran (2), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Viliami Vailea
Field Goals: Daejarn Asi (0/1)
Conversions: Reece Walsh (2/4), Chanel Harris-Tavita (1/1)

GOLD COAST TITANS (27)
Tries: AJ Brimson, Beau Fermor, Jayden Campbell, Paul Turner
Field Goals: Tanah Boyd (1/1), Jayden Campbell (0/1)
Conversions: Tanah Boyd (4/4)
Penalty Goals: Tanah Boyd (1/1)

Yeah the Boyds for Titans in miracle comeback

Justin Davies | September 3 2022 5:06PM

Gold Coast Titans have signed off a miserable 2022 season in style with a 27-26 Golden Point win against New Zealand Warriors at Mt Smart stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Warriors will wonder how they lost this one. They led by 14 with under ten to go before tries to Jayden Campbell and Paul Turner alongside two wonderful kicks from Tanah Boyd gave the visitors the two points. 

New Zealand Warriors have been a much better side at home, and it showed in the first half. Reece Walsh was the architect as Jesse Arthars and Josh Curran crossed in the first ten minutes for a 12-0 advantage. 

Dallin Watene-Zelesniak added to their advantage with another magical putdown for the winger who has been one of the highlights in a forgettable season for the Warriors led 16-0 and on course to sign off in style. 

Titans pulled one back through one of their stars late in the season. Five-eighth AJ Brimson produced a stunning solo effort to get the Titans on the board and 

The hosts restored their 14 point lead just before the break. Josh Curran has been a consistent performer for the New Zealand side in the 2022 season and won the race to the ball in-goal to make it 20-6. 

Titans were back within eight just after the break through Beau Fermor. The second rower was alert to the ball after a kick was tapped back and finished off the move to make it 20-12 in a game that started to warm up. 

It looked like the Warriors were going to cruise to ending their season on a high when Villiame Vailea. The centre was a late inclusion to the team and strode through some feeble defence from the scrum to make it 26-12. 

There was a final twist left in the tale. Campbell stepped past the defenders in the 73rd minute to give them a faint whisper of hope which turned into a loud roar when former Warrior Paul Turner was supporting inside to make it 26-24. 

Campbell was involved again as he was clipped high in the final minute. Tanah Boyd stepped up and slotted the penalty goal in a perfect afternoon from the boot and sent this game into extra time at 26-all. 

Warriors had the first chance through Daejarn Asi whose field goal was well wide. Campbell had an effort charged down then Boyd drilled his one from 40 metres out to secure an improbable win for the Titans in New Zealand. 

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Beau Fermor
2 points - Reece Walsh
1 points - Jayden Campbell

St George Illawarra Dragons 22 Brisbane Broncos 12

Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Carlton
Crowd: 8247
Date: Saturday 3 September 2022 at 5:30pm

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (22)
Tries: Jack Bird, Mathew Feagai (2), Cody Ramsey
Conversions: Zac Lomax (3/4)

BRISBANE BRONCOS (12)
Tries: Delouise Hoeter, Billy Walters
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (2/2)

Hunt's heroics sees Broncos bow out

Robert Crosby | September 3 2022 7:42PM

The St George Illawarra Dragons have denied the Brisbane Broncos a place in the finals with a stirring 22-12 victory at Kogarah on Saturday evening.

Finishing the season with three straight wins to fall short of the finals, despite boasting a 50 per cent winning record, the Dragons were a class above a disappointing Broncos side, who failed to grasp the importance of the season-defining occasion.

Taking advantage of their opponent's poor ball control during the opening stages, the Dragons capitalised with Jack Bird (5th minute) powering through four defenders to slam the ball down for first points.

Managing to withstand further pressure, along with Thomas Flegler being sent to the sin bin for forceful contact to the head of Mat Feagai, the Broncos levelled the scores at 6-all courtesy of a well-worked play finished off by Delouise Hoeter (25th minute).

Ben Hunt demonstrated his class as one of the front-runners for the Dally M medal with his sixth 40/20 kick of the season; the home side took advantage of the ensuing field position with Feagai (36th minute) touching down out wide to give the Dragons a 10-6 lead at the break. 

Going further in front shortly after the resumption, Cody Ramsey (44th minute) was on the spot to race onto an offload from Hunt following an error from Te Maire Martin inside the Broncos half.

Crossing for a crucial four-pointer on the hour mark to narrow the margin to less than a converted try, Billy Walters (59th minute) used the greasy conditions to slide over from close range. 

In a nervous final quarter which saw Hunt produce a try-saving tackle on Zac Hosking and Zac Lomax denied a four-pointer by the bunker, little-known outside-back Feagai (75th minute) produced a star-making piece of individual brilliance to seal the result.

Playing the final minutes a man down after Kotoni Staggs was sin-binned for high contact on Andrew McCullough, the Broncos were left to rue what could have been as the Dragons ran out ten-point winners.

*Brisbane could *mathematically* qualify for the finals on for-and-against in the unlikely event that Wests Tigers defeat Canberra by a margin of 54-points tomorrow afternoon.

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Ben Hunt
2 points - Mathew Feagai
1 points - Jack Bird

North Queensland Cowboys 38 Penrith Panthers 8

Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Crowd: 23840
Date: Saturday 3 September 2022 at 7:35pm

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (38)
Tries: Murray Taulagi, Valentine Holmes (3), Scott Drinkwater, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Reece Robson
Conversions: Murray Taulagi (0/1), Valentine Holmes (3/4), Chad Townsend (2/2)

PENRITH PANTHERS (8)
Tries: Robert Jennings, Sunia Turuva
Conversions: Kurt Falls (0/2)

No fairytale for 'Baby Panthers' as Cowboys go into finals on a high note

Adam Huxtable | September 4 2022 3:26PM

The North-Queensland Cowboys have easily and expectedly dominated a vastly understrength Panthers outfit, winning by 30-points to give themselves the best chance at securing a home final.

It was the Panthers who had a golden opportunity to take an unlikely early lead, getting a penalty and set restart in quick succession to go on the attack. To their credit, they were threatening, but Hopgood's attempt to reach out and score ended in a Penrith knock on. 

The Cowboys off the back of a penalty would predictably go up the field and score a try, finding spac easily with a left side shift that was finished off by Ronaldo Mulitalo. 

The Panthers completion rate would remain poor, and the Cowboys had a try disallowed by the bunker when Feldt went into touch before grounding it. 

Five minutes later, the Cowboys would extend their lead courtesy of a successful challenge, retaining possession and putting in a kick that was dropped by Jennings, recovered by Holmes and grounded. 

It was all getting too easy for North-Queensland when Reece Robson easily made a line break from dummy half, drawing and passing to Scott Drinkwater, putting his fullback over for an easy try. They'd score again just 3 minutes later off the back of a penalty, with Holmes muscling his way over the defence to score his second. 

The Panthers would restore some pride to the scoreline shortly after halftime when Robert Jennings found a hole in the Cowboys defensive line, making it 20-4 in favour of the hosts. 

The Cowboys would be quick to respond however. After repelling another Panthers attacking raid, Valentine Holmes caught the ball in goal giving his side a 7 tackle set, but they only needed one, with the star centre streaking away after the tap, passing to Kyle Feldt who then passed back to Holmes, who streaked away to score an entertaining try. 

Young Panthers centre Tom Jenkins would sit down for 10 after it was ruled he took out a Cowboys player off the ball. Despite the one man advantage, the Cowboys would somehow concede a try during the 10 minutes, with Penrith stripping them for number on the edge and getting Sunia Turuva his first NRL try. 

The Cowboys would blow the scoreline out with two late tries to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Reece Robson respectively. It looked for all money they'd add one more when Scott Drinkwater found open space in the final minute, but bench forward Eddie Blacker produced a Herculean effort to run him down and spoil the party. 

Next week, Penrith will be back to full strength as they look to finally get over the hump and beat Parramatta, while the Cowboys will take on the Sharks with the venue dependant on the outcome of the Newcastle/Cronulla game on Sunday.

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Valentine Holmes
2 points - Reece Robson
1 points - Scott Drinkwater

Newcastle Knights 16 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 38

Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton
Crowd: 16808
Date: Sunday 4 September 2022 at 2:00pm

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (16)
Tries: Tex Hoy, Dominic Young (2)
Conversions: Tex Hoy (2/3)

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (38)
Tries: Briton Nikora (3), Luke Metcalf, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Jesse Ramien, Lachlan Miller
Conversions: Nicho Hynes (5/6), Luke Metcalf (0/1)

Sharks secure home final against gritty Knights

AJ Lucantonio | September 4 2022 3:55PM

The Cronulla Sharks have secured a home final against the Cowboys next week by downing a gritty Newcastle Knights side by 22 points in Newcastle this afternoon. It was a big clash for the Cronulla side as they were looking to secure a home final with a victory by any margin against a Newcastle side that was keen for the season to be over.

It was the visitors that started strongly, winning the field position battle and setting up shop in Newcastle's attacking third. After going close with Braden Hamlin-Uele, the ensuing tackle saw great pass selection from Blayke Brailey saw Briton Nikora crashed over for his fifth try of the season which allowed Sharks play from in front. The Sharks were guilty of blowing try scoring chances.

Newcastle were working themselves back in the contest creating chances off second phase play. Off a cheap Sharks error in their own end, Tex Hoy threw the dummy and catches the Sharks napping in defence to level the scores up at 6-6. Newcastle was dominating possession and forcing repeat sets but they were unable to find the stripe. A poor grubber kick by Adam Clune which saw Luke Metcalf scoop it up and race the best part of 100 meters to cross untouched. After being up against it, the Sharks find a way to bounce back and take the lead.

On the stroke of half-time, another Sharks mistake proved to be costly when Nicho Hynes' cut-out pass was intercepted by Dom Young. The flying Jamaican ran 95 meters to cross for his thirteenth try of the season and with the ensuing conversion, it was a 12-12 score-line at half-time. Off the kick-off to restart play, the Knights failed to recover it in the breeze and the Sharks went straight back on the attack. Nicho Hynes delivered a short pass to Briton Nikora and the New Zealand international collected his second and the Sharks hit the lead. An early kick by Chris Randall rolled a touch too long, unfortunately for the Knights it led to more points. The combination of Hynes and Matt Moylan found Ronaldo Mulitalo who had too much pace for Hoy and it was 24-12 within the blink of an eye.

A bizarre series of events followed, Adam Clune dropped a regulation pass which was toed ahead by Teig Wilton who raced away before being tackled by Tuala. From the ensuing play, Hynes' pass was intercepted in spectacular fashion by Edrick Lee. The Knights were able to roll up the field and it was Clune who turned into the provider with a spectacular show and go before finding Young to cross out-wide. This reduced the margin to eight. Cronulla re-established their dominance when Randall's pass was intercepted by Jesse Ramien who ran 100m to score, but a missed Hynes conversion kept them within reach inside the final 20. Cronulla showed their class though and it was Hynes who delivered another quality ball to Nikora to allow the Kiwi representative to secure his first NRL hat-trick.

There'll be some worries as Siosifa Talakai was injured on an apparent hip drop tackle. The offender was sin-binned and off the final set, Miller scooted his way around the defence to cross for a well-deserved try as he was the best of the park. Cronulla secured their first home final at Shark Park since 2008 where they'll take on the Cowboys in a probable Saturday night timeslot. 

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Lachlan Miller
2 points - Briton Nikora
1 points - Tex Hoy

Wests Tigers 10 Canberra Raiders 56

Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield
Crowd: 10041
Date: Sunday 4 September 2022 at 4:05pm

WESTS TIGERS (10)
Tries: Daine Laurie, Ken Maumalo
Conversions: Adam Doueihi (1/2)

CANBERRA RAIDERS (56)
Tries: Matthew Timoko, Jamal Fogarty, Sebastian Kris, Nick Cotric, Jordan Rapana, Hudson Young (2), Xavier Savage, Josh Papali'i
Conversions: Jamal Fogarty (7/7), Jordan Rapana (2/2)
Penalty Goals: Jordan Rapana (1/1)

Rampaging Raiders thrash terrible Tigers

Andrew Jackson | September 4 2022 5:57PM

The Broncos were holding out for a miracle. That the Tigers could somehow not just beat the Raiders but win by 54 points or more to close out a season which had seen the joint-venture reach new lows.

Instead, it was the Tigers on the wrong end of a lopsided scoreline, crashing to a 56-10 defeat, trailing 42-0 at halftime as Brett Kimmorley's side were booed off the field by the Leichhardt faithful.

And as if you could not script it any better, an alarm was accidentally activated in the final five minutes of the game, but the fire at the Tigers is out of control and will take a while to put out.

It was Canberra's seventh win in eight games, building on last week's 48-6 demolition of Manly and sees the Raiders book an elimination final meeting with the Storm.

For the Tigers, the additions of Apisai Koroisau and Isaiah Papali'I will be welcome blessings next year but Sunday's shellacking was only further proof of just how far they have to go.

In reality, the Tigers were not actually that bad to open Sunday's game, showing plenty of intent early before the Raiders hit the front after a Jamal Fogarty kick took an unfortunate bounce.

Matthew Timoko was chasing in support to pounce and it went downhill from there for the home side as Jordan Rapana and Sebastian Kris wreaked havoc on the left edge.

The two combined to score Canberra's second try before Nick Cotric put his stamp on the game, bursting through the middle off the restart before finishing off a well-worked move in the right corner.

The tries kept coming for the Raiders, with Rapana and Kris again putting on a show as the former scored in the 20th minute before Zac Woolford went short to Hudson Young for their fourth of the game.

Canberra then went 80 metres on the ensuing set as Xavier Savage snatched a Matt Frawley kick and, as you would expect, the onslaught was just letting up.

This time Zac Woolford split the Tigers through the middle and linked with Fogarty in support as the score blew out to 42-0 after 34 minutes.

To their credit, the Tigers showed some rare resilience defending their own line to keep it at that scoreline heading into the sheds.

The Raiders benched Fogarty, Josh Papalii and Joseph Tapine to open the second half while fullback Savage (head knock) had to come from the field shortly after. Although he would later return.

It opened the door for the Tigers to win back some respect in the second half and they made the perfect start as Daine Laurie burst onto an Adam Doueihi pass to score.

The points kept coming for the home side with Laurie involved once again, cutting it out to Starford To'a before Ken Maumalo dived over in the corner.

Papalii and Tapine were brought back on in an attempt to halt the home side's momentum and it paid dividends immediately, although it was Young who bumped off a few tackles to score in the 55th minute.

The tries were not coming as thick and fast as they were in the first, but the Tigers still could not hold the Raiders out from extending their lead further.

Next it was Papalii who beat four Tigers defenders, using his footwork and size to power over and push the buffer out to 44 points.

The Raiders added an extra penalty goal in the only other points of the game, running out 56-10 winners to end their regular season.

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Josh Papali'i
2 points - Jamal Fogarty
1 points - Joseph Tapine

Final NRL ladder

Match Review Charges

EGP = early guilty plea

Check out the 2022 match review structure and penalties table here.

Who could be back?

Here's who's in line to return to the field next weekend.

Eels: Nathan Brown

Panthers: Nathan Cleary, Api Koroisau, Spencer Leniu, Liam Martin

Rabbitohs: Damien Cook, Izaac Thompson

Raiders: Elliott Whitehead, Jack Wighton

Roosters: Lindsay Collins, Victor Radley, Joseph Suaalii, Daniel Tupou

Sharks: Kade Dykes, Dale Finucane, Will Kennedy, Toby Rudolf, Connor Tracey

Storm: Jahrome Hughes

LeagueUnlimited Player of the Year standings

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

36 points - Nicho Hynes (Sharks)

31 points - Ben Hunt (Dragons/QLD)

28 points - Cameron Munster (Storm/QLD)

26 points - Mitchell Moses (Eels)

25 points - Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles), James Tedesco (Roosters/NSW)

23 points - Jahrome Hughes (Storm/NZ)

20 points - Joseph Tapine (Raiders), Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs), Joseph Manu (Roosters/NZ)

18 points - AJ Brimson (Titans)

17 points - Jarome Luai (Panthers/NSW), Matt Burton (Bulldogs/NSW), Nathan Cleary (Panthers/NSW)

16 points - Jack Wighton (Raiders/NSW)

15 points - Isaah Yeo (Panthers)

14 points - Adam Reynolds (Broncos), Dylan Edwards (Panthers), Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys)

13 points - Damien Cook (Rabbitohs)

12 points - Viliame Kikau (Panthers), Harry Grant (Storm), Jackson Hastings (Wests Tigers), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Valentine Holmes (Cowboys/QLD)

11 points - Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys), Apisai Koroisau (Panthers), Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Titans)

10 points - Reuben Cotter (Cowboys), Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs), Dylan Brown (Eels), Sam Walker (Roosters), Siosifa Talakai (Sharks), Kalyn Ponga (Knights/QLD)

9 points - Reed Mahoney (Eels), Josh Papali'i (Raiders), Blayke Brailey (Sharks), Luke Keary (Roosters), Clinton Gutherson (Eels), Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs), Shaun Johnson (Warriors), Jeremy Marshall-King (Bulldogs), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm), Junior Paulo (Eels), Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles), Reece Robson (Cowboys), Payne Haas (Broncos)

8 points - Matt Moylan (Sharks), Talatau Amone (Dragons), Jake Clifford (Knights), Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos), Josh Addo-Carr (Bulldogs), Isaiah Papali'i (Eels), Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors), Hudson Young (Raiders), Taylan May (Panthers/Samoa)

7 points - Will Kennedy (Sharks), Josh Curran (Warriors), Zac Lomax (Dragons), Reece Walsh (Warriors), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks), Shaun Lane (Eels), Chad Townsend (Cowboys), Tom Dearden (Cowboys)

6 points - Kieran Foran (Sea Eagles), Dane Gagai (Knights), Kotoni Staggs (Broncos), Justin Olam (Storm/PNG), James Fisher-Harris (Panthers/NZ)

5 points - Lachlan Miller (Sharks), Cody Walker (Rabbitohs), Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs), Adam Elliott (Raiders), David Klemmer (Knights), Thomas Burgess (Rabbitohs), Patrick Carrigan (Broncos), Wayde Egan (Warriors), Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers), Jock Madden (Wests Tigers), Peta Hiku (Cowboys), Liam Martin (Panthers), Josh Aloiai (Sea Eagles), Siosiua Taukeiaho (Roosters), Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles)

4 points - Cameron McInnes (Sharks), Herbie Farnworth (Broncos), Royce Hunt (Sharks), Tex Hoy (Knights), Kurt Capewell (Broncos), Briton Nikora (Sharks), Ryan Matterson (Eels), Beau Fermor (Titans), Cody Ramsey (Dragons), Lachlan Ilias (Rabbitohs), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Storm), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Eels), Zac Hosking (Broncos), Corey Oates (Broncos), Tesi Niu (Broncos), Luciano Leilua (Wests Tigers/Cowboys), Nat Butcher (Roosters), Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers), David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers, Samoa, Storm)

3 points - Dale Finucane (Sharks), Lachlan Croker (Sea Eagles), Mikaele Ravalawa (Dragons), Toby Sexton (Titans), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Roosters), Brad Schneider (Raiders), Ezra Mam (Broncos), Braidon Burns (Bulldogs), Campbell Graham (Rabbitohs), Ryan Sutton (Raiders), Te Maire Martin (Broncos), Marion Seve (Storm), Albert Kelly (Broncos), Sean O'Sullivan (Panthers), Erin Clark (Titans), Tom Gilbert (Cowboys), Anthony Milford (Knights), Tohu Harris (Warriors), Luke Thompson (Bulldogs), Daejarn Asi (Cowboys), Tyson Frizell (Knights), Stephen Crichton (Panthers), Xavier Savage (Raiders), Jesse Ramien (Sharks), Matthew Lodge (Warriors/Roosters), Joseph Suaalii (Roosters), Kelma Tuilagi (Wests Tigers), Moses Suli (Dragons), Matt Frawley (Raiders), Angus Crichton (Roosters), Daine Laurie (Wests Tigers), Lachlan Lam (PNG/Roosters)

2 points - Corey Harawira-Naera (Raiders), Felise Kaufusi (Storm), Tanah Boyd (Titans), Morgan Harper (Sea Eagles), Edrick Lee (Knights), Jordan Rapana (Raiders), Tevita Pangai Junior (Bulldogs), Jamal Fogarty (Raiders), Mathew Feagai (Dragons), Toby Rudolf (Sharks), Jaydn Su'A (Dragons), Dylan Walker (Sea Eagles), Izack Tago (Panthers), Martin Taupau (Sea Eagles), Liam Knight (Rabbitohs), Nick Meaney (Storm), Luke Garner (Wests Tigers), Jai Arrow (Rabbitohs), Kodi Nikorima (Warriors/Rabbitohs), Ken Maumalo (Wests Tigers), Tyrell Sloan (Dragons), Phillip Sami (Titans), Greg Marzhew (Titans), Kyle Feldt (Cowboys), Teig Wilton (Sharks), Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Hame Sele (Rabbitohs), Murray Taulagi (Cowboys), Sebastian Kris (Raiders), Sunia Turuva (Fiji/Panthers)

1 point - Kade Dykes (Sharks), Corey Waddell (Bulldogs), Jack Murchie (Warriors), Brian To'o (Panthers), Braydon Trindall (Sharks), Nathan Brown (Eels), Izaac Thompson (Rabbitohs), Jaeman Salmon (Panthers), Corey Horsburgh (Raiders), Jake Averillo (Bulldogs), Jordan McLean (Cowboys), Siliva Havili (Rabbitohs), Jayden Campbell (Titans), Jack Bird (Dragons), Dominic Young (Knights), Thomas Freebairn (Wests Tigers), Tevita Tatola (Rabbitohs), Jacob Kiraz (Bulldogs), Max King (Bulldogs), Adam Pompey (Warriors), Kenny Bromwich (Storm), Matthew Timoko (Raiders), Joe Ofahengaue (Wests Tigers), Tyrone Roberts (Broncos), Matt Eisenhuth (Panthers), Josh Mcguire (Dragons), Ben Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Brandon Smith (Storm), Lindsay Collins (Roosters), Adam Clune (Knights), Blake Taaffe (Rabbitohs), Victor Radley (Roosters), Xavier Coates (Storm), Blake Lawrie (Dragons), Matt Dufty (Bulldogs), Connor Tracey (Sharks), Mitchell Barnett (Knights), Aiden Tolman (Sharks), Marcelo Montoya (Warriors), Toafofoa Sipley (Sea Eagles), James Schiller (Raiders), Declan Casey (Bulldogs), Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Josh Schuster (Sea Eagles/Samoa)

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 25

Parramatta Eels (22) v Melbourne Storm (14)
Thu 1 Sep 7:50PM at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta (Crowd: 23758)

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (21) v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (20)
Fri 2 Sep 6:00PM at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park (Crowd: 13648)
Sydney Roosters (26) v South Sydney Rabbitohs (16)
Fri 2 Sep 7:55PM at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park (Crowd: 41906)

Warriors (26) v Gold Coast Titans (27)
Sat 3 Sep 3:00PM at Mt Smart Stadium, Penrose (Crowd: 20512)
St George Illawarra Dragons (22) v Brisbane Broncos (12)
Sat 3 Sep 5:30PM at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Carlton (Crowd: 8247)
North Queensland Cowboys (38) v Penrith Panthers (8)
Sat 3 Sep 7:35PM at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville (Crowd: 23840)

Newcastle Knights (16) v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (38)
Sun 4 Sep 2:00PM at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton (Crowd: 16808)
Wests Tigers (v Canberra Raiders
Sun 4 Sep 4:05PM at Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield (Crowd: 10041)

Total R25: 158,760
Average R25: 19,845

Season total after R25: 2,943,775
Season average after R25: 15,332

Ratings - Round 24

STV ratings (Fox League)

Thu 7:50pm - PAR v MEL - 278K
Fri 6:00pm - CBY v MAN - 189K
Fri 7:55pm - SYD v SOU - 282K
Sat 3:00pm - WAR v GLD - 141K
Sat 5:30pm - SGI v BRI - 242K
Sat 7:35pm - NQL v PEN - 228K
Sun 2:00pm - NEW v CRO - 193K
Sun 4:05pm - WST v CAN - 234K

R25 STV total: 1.782M

FTA ratings (Nine Network)

Thu 7:50pm - PAR v MEL - 611K (385K metro, 221K regional)
Fri 7:55pm - SYD v SOU - 350K metro
Sat 7:35pm - NQL v PEN - 194K metro
Sun 4:05pm - WST v CAN - 223K metro

R25 FTA total: 1.150M metro only

Around the grounds

Scores from state leagues and the UK

--> Check out all competition draws, results and ladders

Next week

NRL Finals Week 1

Qualifying FInal 1 (1 v 4)
Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels
Fri 9 Sep, 7:55PM
Bluebet Stadium, Penrith

Elimination Final (5 v 8)
Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders
Sat 10 Sep, 5:40PM
AAMI Park, Melbourne

Qualifying FInal (2 v 3)
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v North Queensland Cowboys
Sat 10 Sep, 7:50PM
Pointsbet Stadium, Woolooware

Elimination Final (6 v 7)
Sydney Roosters v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Sun 11 Sep, 4:05PM
Allianz Stadium, Moore Park

Full 2022 NRL draw & results