Monday's Expert - 2023 NRL Round 26

A full wrap of NRL Round 26, with the full scoresheet, ladder, stats leaders, match review, player of the year points, injury news, crowd stats, TV ratings and upcoming fixtures.

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

RELATED: See the full list of 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Draw and Results.

Penrith Panthers 18
Parramatta Eels 32

Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith / Dharug
Crowd: 21525
Date: Thursday 24 August 2023 at 7:50pm

PENRITH PANTHERS (18)
Tries: Tyrone Peachey, Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin, Thomas Jenkins
Conversions: Nathan Cleary (1/4)

PARRAMATTA EELS (32)
Tries: Maika Sivo (4), Clinton Gutherson (2)
Conversions: Clinton Gutherson (3/5), Dylan Brown (0/1)
Penalty Goals: Clinton Gutherson (1/1)

Penrith: McLean, Jenkins, Peachey, Crichton, To'o; Luai, Cleary (C); Leota, Cogger, Fisher-Harris, Hosking, Martin, Yeo. Int: Luke, Smith, Leniu, Garner.
Parramatta: Gutherson (C), Sivo, Penisini, Simonsson, Russell; Asi, Brown; Campbell-Gillard, Lussick, Greig, Matterson, Cartwright, Ofahengaue. Int: Paulo, Hopgood, Moretti, Lane.

Warriors 18
St George Illawarra Dragons 6

Venue: Go Media Stadium, Penrose / Aotearoa
Crowd: 25095
Date: Friday 25 August 2023 at 6:00pm

WARRIORS (18)
Tries: Adam Pompey, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Addin Fonua-Blake
Conversions: Adam Pompey (2/3)
Penalty Goals: Adam Pompey (1/1)

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (6)
Tries: Zac Lomax
Conversions: Zac Lomax (1/1)

Warriors: Nicoll-Klokstad, Watene-Zelezniak, Berry, Pompey, Montoya; Metcalf, Johnson; Fonua-Blake, Egan, Afoa, Curran, Niukore, Harris (C). Int: Walker, Ford, Sironen, Lussick.
St George Illawarra: Sloan, Finau, Suli, Lomax, Ravalawa; Amone, Hunt (C); Molo, Muhleisen, Lawrie, Burns, Russell, Molo. Int: Liddle, Couchman, Murdoch-Masila, Musgrove.

Dolphins 10
North Queensland Cowboys 34

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal
Crowd: 33449
Date: Friday 25 August 2023 at 8:00pm

DOLPHINS (10)
Tries: Jamayne Isaako (2)
Conversions: Jamayne Isaako (1/2)

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (34)
Tries: Zac Laybutt (2), Scott Drinkwater, Kyle Feldt, Murray Taulagi, Peta Hiku
Conversions: Scott Drinkwater (5/6)

Dolphins: Tabuai-Fidow, Isaako, Niu, Aitken, Bostock; Nikorima, O'Sullivan; Wallace, Graham, Nicholls, Kaufusi (C), Lemuelu, Bromwich. Int: Kerr, Ese'ese, Collins, Katoa.
North QLD: Drinkwater, Feldt, Laybutt, Hiku, Taulagi; Dearden, Townsend (C); McLean, Robson, Taumalolo, Leilua, Luki, Cotter. Int: Granville, Hess, Neame, Finefeuiaki.

Melbourne Storm 37
Gold Coast Titans 16

Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne / Wurundjeri
Crowd: 18072
Date: Saturday 26 August 2023 at 3:00pm

MELBOURNE STORM (37)
Tries: William Warbrick, Xavier Coates (3), Christian Welch, Eliesa Katoa
Field Goals: Cameron Munster (1/1)
Conversions: Nick Meaney (5/6)
Penalty Goals: Nick Meaney (1/1)

GOLD COAST TITANS (16)
Tries: Chris Randall, Brian Kelly, Jojo Fifita
Conversions: Aaron Schoupp (1/2), Thomas Weaver (1/1)

Melbourne: Meaney, Warbrick, Seve, Tonumaipea, Coates; Munster, Hughes; Kamikamica, Garlick, Welch (C), Loiero, Katoa, Asofa-Solomona. Int: Grant, Eisenhuth, Moeroa, Papenhuyzen.
Gold Coast: Brimson, Khan-Pereira, Kelly, Schoupp, Fifita; Foran, Weaver; Liu, Randall, Jolliffe, Fifita, Haas, Fa'asuamaleaui (C). Int: Leeming, Stimson, Alick, Kini.

Sydney Roosters 32
Wests Tigers 8

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park / Gadigal
Crowd: 22511
Date: Saturday 26 August 2023 at 5:30pm

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (32)
Tries: Sam Walker, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Daniel Tupou, Terrell May, Victor Radley
Conversions: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (5/5)
Penalty Goals: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (1/1)

WESTS TIGERS (8)
Tries: Triston Reilly
Conversions: Apisai Koroisau (1/1)
Penalty Goals: Apisai Koroisau (1/1)

Sydney: Manu, Tupou, Smith, Allan, Sua'ali'i; Keary (C), Walker; Waerea-Hargreaves, Smith, Collins, Wong, Butcher, Radley. Int: Smith, Baker, May, Butcher.
Wests Tigers: Bula, Nofoaluma, Reilly, Kepaoa, Tupou; Laurie, Smith; Utoikamanu, Koroisau (C), Klemmer, Papali'i, Bateman, Pole. Int: Matamua, Blore, Seyfarth, James.

Canberra Raiders 18
Brisbane Broncos 29

Venue: GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce / Ngunnawal
Crowd: 19400
Date: Saturday 26 August 2023 at 7:35pm

CANBERRA RAIDERS (18)
Tries: Matt Frawley, Nick Cotric, Hudson Young
Conversions: Jamal Fogarty (2/3)
Penalty Goals: Jamal Fogarty (1/1)

BRISBANE BRONCOS (29)
Tries: Kotoni Staggs, Selwyn Cobbo (3), Ezra Mam, Reece Walsh
Field Goals: Reece Walsh (1/1)
Conversions: Kotoni Staggs (2/6)

Canberra: Wighton, Rapana, Kris, Timoko, Cotric; Frawley, Fogarty; Guler, Woolford, Tapine, Young, Whitehead, Horsburgh. Int: Croker (C), Papalii, Starling, Mariota.
Brisbane: Walsh, Oates, Staggs, Farnworth, Cobbo; Mam, Madden; Flegler, Walters, Haas, Capewell (C), Riki, Palasia. Int: Smoothy, Piakura, Hetherington, Jensen.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 24
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 42

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal
Crowd: 13074
Date: Sunday 27 August 2023 at 2:00pm

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (24)
Tries: Corey Waddell, Jake Averillo, Kyle Flanagan, Toby Sexton
Conversions: Matt Burton (4/4)

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (42)
Tries: Jason Saab (2), Daly Cherry-Evans, Lachlan Croker, Toafofoa Sipley, Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega, Haumole Olakau'atu
Conversions: Daly Cherry-Evans (6/7)
Penalty Goals: Gordon Chan Kum Tong (1/1)

Canterbury: Averillo, Wilson, Perham, Alamoti, Addo-Carr; Burton (C), Sexton; Thompson, Mahoney, Knight, Kikau, Waddell, Edwards. Int: King, Flanagan, Pangai Junior, Okunbor.
Manly: Koula, Saab, Parker, Harper, Tuaimalo Vaega; Arthur, Cherry-Evans (C); Sipley, Croker, Keppie, Olakau'atu, Trbojevic, Trbojevic. Int: Chan Kum Tong, Tuilagi, Woods, Bullemor.

Newcastle Knights 32
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 6

Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal
Crowd: 29423
Date: Sunday 27 August 2023 at 4:05pm

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (32)
Tries: Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best (2), Dominic Young, Greg Marzhew, Dylan Lucas
Conversions: Kalyn Ponga (3/3), Dane Gagai (1/3)

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (6)
Tries: Connor Tracey
Conversions: Braydon Trindall (1/1)

Newcastle: Ponga (C), Young, Gagai, Best, Marzhew; Gamble, Clune; Saifiti, Crossland, Thompson, Frizell, Lucas, Elliott. Int: Saifiti, Hetherington, Croker, Brown.
Cronulla: Tracey, Katoa, Ramien, Talakai, Mulitalo; Moylan, Trindall; Rudolf, Brailey, Hamlin-Uele, Nikora, Graham (C), McInnes. Int: Williams, Hunt, Hazelton, Colquhoun.

South Sydney Rabbitohs had a bye this round.

Ladder after Round 26

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

RLP stats leaders

Top tries

Top points

Thanks to Rugby League Project.

Match review

Roosters enforce Jared Waerea-Hargreaves headlines the players charged from Round 26. He's facing 6-8 matches out as a result of two charges which take into account his long prior offences list.

Josh Kerr (Dolphins, 1-2 games), Kotoni Staggs (Broncos, 1-2 games) and Corey Horsburgh (Raiders, 3-4 games) are all also facing sideline time, with four others fined.

Two NRLW players were charged on Saturday and face suspension.

Just one NRL player was charged from Sunday's matches, with three NRLW players copping charges - at least one facing suspension.

By Monday afternoon, two players had signalled their intent to challenge at the judiciary - JWH seeking a downgrade for his Grade 2 Dangerous Contact charge, and Horsburgh pleading not guilty to the Shoulder Charge. JWH entered an early plea for the striking charge and will miss 3 games as a result, while Josh Kerr's early plea sees him miss the Dolphins' final match of 2023.

On Tuesday night, Horsburgh failed in his bid to have his shoulder charge citing dismissed and will miss four games.

Click here to find out the details on each and every charge.

Who could be back?

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

LeagueUnlimited Player of the Year standings

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

37 points - Shaun Johnson (Warriors)

29 points - Kalyn Ponga (Knights)

25 points - Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys), Nicho Hynes (Sharks), Reece Walsh (Broncos/Maroons)

22 points - Adam Reynolds (Broncos), Nathan Cleary (Panthers)

21 points - Payne Haas (Broncos)

20 points - James Tedesco (Roosters), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)

19 points - Mitchell Moses (Eels), Cameron Munster (Storm)

17 points - Clinton Gutherson (Eels), Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors), Cody Walker (Rabbitohs/Blues)

16 points - Dylan Edwards (Panthers), Ben Hunt (Dragons)

15 points - Harry Grant (Storm)

13 points - Corey Horsburgh (Raiders), David Fifita (Titans), Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs)

12 points - Isaah Yeo (Panthers), Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers), AJ Brimson (Titans), Blayke Brailey (Sharks), Matt Burton (Bulldogs)

11 points - Hudson Young (Raiders)

10 points - Jamal Fogarty (Raiders), Stephen Crichton (Panthers), Izack Tago (Panthers), Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins), Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs)

9 points - Dane Gagai (Knights), Jahrome Hughes (Storm), Herbie Farnworth (Broncos), Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles), Valentine Holmes (Cowboys/Maroons)

8 points - J'maine Hopgood (Eels), Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Storm), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), Joseph Manu (Roosters), Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers), Campbell Graham (Rabbitohs), William Kennedy (Sharks), Jordan Rapana (Raiders)

7 points - Braydon Trindall (Sharks), Briton Nikora (Sharks), Lachlan Croker (Sea Eagles), Kieran Foran (Titans), Nick Meaney (Storm), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors), Jeremy Marshall-King (Dolphins), Dylan Brown (Eels)

6 points - Greg Marzhew (Knights), Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys), Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs), Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Titans), Jacob Kiraz (Bulldogs), Eliesa Katoa (Storm), Jarome Luai (Panthers), Anthony Milford (Dolphins), Tom Dearden (Cowboys), Zac Lomax (Dragons), Chad Townsend (Cowboys), Luke Keary (Roosters), Brian To'o (Panthers), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Roosters), Sebastian Kris (Raiders), Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers), Bradman Best (Knights/Blues), Murray Taulagi (Cowboys/Maroons)

5 points - Jackson Hastings (Knights), Phoenix Crossland (Knights), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Roosters), Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos), Tyson Frizell (Knights), Brandon Smith (Roosters), Josh Papali'i (Raiders), Tanah Boyd (Titans), Kotoni Staggs (Broncos), Phillip Sami (Titans), Ezra Mam (Broncos), Tolutau Koula (Sea Eagles), Wayde Egan (Warriors), Jacob Liddle (Dragons), Josh Schuster (Sea Eagles), Reuben Cotter (Cowboys/Maroons), Lindsay Collins (Roosters/Maroons)

4 points - William Warbrick (Storm), Jacob Preston (Bulldogs), Siosifa Talakai (Sharks), Scott Sorensen (Panthers), Tyson Gamble (Knights), Mikaele Ravalawa (Dragons), Jack Wighton (Raiders), Bryce Cartwright (Eels), Egan Butcher (Roosters), Daniel Tupou (Roosters), Tohu Harris (Warriors), Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles), Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans), Sean O'Sullivan (Dolphins), Starford To'a (Wests Tigers), Taane Milne (Rabbitohs), Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Xavier Coates (Storm), Blake Lawrie (Dragons), Jonah Pezet (Storm), Jayden Campbell (Titans), Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs), Joseph Tapine (Raiders), Brandon Wakeham (Wests Tigers)

3 points - Sam Walker (Roosters), Billy Smith (Roosters), Heilum Luki (Cowboys), Matt Moylan (Sharks), Junior Tupou (Wests Tigers), Tevita Pangai Junior (Bulldogs), Tyrone Peachey (Panthers), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors), Lachlan Miller (Knights), Luke Metcalf (Warriors), Viliami Penisini (Eels), Alex Twal (Wests Tigers), Drew Hutchison (Roosters), Isaiah Tass (Rabbitohs), Lachlan Ilias (Rabbitohs), Dominic Young (Knights), Damien Cook (Rabbitohs), Daniel Saifiti (Knights), Jason Saab (Sea Eagles), Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Titans), Matthew Timoko (Raiders), Jake Averillo (Bulldogs)

2 points - Jackson Ford (Warriors), Maika Sivo (Eels), Valynce Te Whare (Dolphins), Braden Hamlin-Uele (Sharks), Jaeman Salmon (Panthers), Jack Cogger (Panthers), Isaiah Papali'i (Wests Tigers), James Fisher-Harris (Panthers), Marcelo Montoya (Warriors), Patrick Carrigan (Broncos), Moses Leota (Panthers), Mitchell Barnett (Warriors), Jack de Belin (Dragons), Blake Taaffe (Rabbitohs), Cameron McInnes (Sharks), Junior Paulo (Eels), Luciano Leilua (Cowboys), Jacob Saifiti (Knights), Tesi Niu (Dolphins), Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins), Jarrod Wallace (Dolphins), Tristan Sailor (Broncos), Connor Tracey (Sharks), Keenan Palasia (Broncos), Adam Elliott (Knights), Kurt Capewell (Broncos), Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins), Joey Lussick (Eels), John Bateman (Wests Tigers), Young Tonumaipea (Storm), Thomas Burgess (Rabbitohs), Thomas Flegler (Broncos), Braidon Burns (Bulldogs), Sitili Tupouniua (Roosters), Tom Gilbert (Dolphins), Liam Martin (Panthers/Blues)

1 point - Daine Laurie (Wests Tigers), Terrell May (Roosters), Thomas Hazelton (Sharks), Chris Randall (Titans), Jayden Brailey (Knights), Blake Wilson (Bulldogs), Arthur Miller-Stephen (Eels), Siua Wong (Roosters), Billy Burns (Dragons), Ryan Matterson (Eels), Sione Katoa (Sharks), Jesse Ramien (Sharks), Jai Arrow (Rabbitohs), Elliott Whitehead (Raiders), Adam Pompey (Warriors), Lindsay Smith (Panthers), Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs), Mason Teague (Dolphins), Jayden Sullivan (Dragons), Freddy Lussick (Warriors), Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers), Taniela Paseka (Sea Eagles), Josh Reynolds (Bulldogs), Hayze Perham (Bulldogs), Tautau Moga (Dragons), Brendan Hands (Eels), Charlie Staines (Wests Tigers), Cory Paix (Broncos), Leo Thompson (Knights), Tevita Tatola (Rabbitohs), Wiremu Greig (Eels), Edward Kosi (Warriors), Dale Finucane (Sharks), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Eels), Albert Hopoate (Raiders), Tyrone Munro (Rabbitohs), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Knights), Ethan Bullemor (Sea Eagles), Josh King (Storm), Jaxson Paulo (Roosters), Junior Pauga (Roosters), Josh Curran (Warriors), Semi Valemei (Raiders), Josh Addo-Carr (Bulldogs), Jazz Tevaga (Warriors), Brendan Piakura (Broncos)

Metrics Metrics Metrics

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

Crowds - Round 26

Round Total: 182,549 / Average per game 22,819

Season Total: 3,566,595 / Average per match: 18,197

NRL Round 27 (Final Round)

BYE: Parramatta Eels (cannot make finals)

Brisbane Broncos v Melbourne Storm
Thu 31 Aug 7:50PM at Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

Both confirmed top four. Brisbane can claim minor premiership with win; Storm could jump to third if they win and Warriors lose.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Wests Tigers
Fri 1 Sep 6:00PM at 4 Pines Park, Brookvale / Cammeraygal

No bearing on finals - both teams cannot qualify.

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Sydney Roosters
Fri 1 Sep 8:00PM at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal

Souths in the top eight if they win, Roosters into the eight if they win and Cowboys also lose.

Dolphins v Warriors
Sat 2 Sep 3:00PM at Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

Warriors can lock in third with a win. Dolphins are out of contention.

Penrith Panthers v North Queensland Cowboys
Sat 2 Sep 5:30PM at BlueBet Stadium, Penrith / Dharug

Penrith can become minor premiers with a win if Brisbane lose on Thursday. North Qld can make finals if they win and the Roosters lose. If they win and Souths win, they would need to make up a large differential.

St George Illawarra Dragons v Newcastle Knights
Sat 2 Sep 7:35PM at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Carlton / Bidjigal

Dragons are out. Newcastle lock in fifth if they win, but are guaranteed to finish no lower than 6th and host a home final.

Gold Coast Titans v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Sun 3 Sep 2:00PM at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh

No bearing on finals - both teams cannot qualify

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Canberra Raiders
Sun 3 Sep 4:05PM at PointsBet Stadium, Woolooware / Dharawal

Winner finishes 5th or 6th and hosts a home final. The loser could miss finals pending prior results.

Full 2023 NRL draw & results