Monday's Expert - 2023 NRL Round 27

A full wrap of Round 27 coming right up as we gear up for the NRL finals.

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

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

Brisbane Broncos 22
Melbourne Storm 32

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal
Crowd: 43271
Date: Thursday 31 August 2023 at 7:50pm

BRISBANE BRONCOS (22)
Tries: Thomas Flegler, Jordan Pereira (2)
Conversions: Joshua Rogers (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Joshua Rogers (2/2)

MELBOURNE STORM (32)
Tries: Grant Anderson (2), Ryan Papenhuyzen, Sualauvi Faalogo (2), Reimis Smith
Conversions: Ryan Papenhuyzen (4/6)

Brisbane: Sailor, Oates, Arthars, Hoeter, Pereira; Rogers, Madden; Flegler (C), Smoothy, Jensen, Piakura, Riki, Palasia. Int: Mozer, Paix, Willison, Taupau.
Melbourne: Papenhuyzen, Anderson, Olam, Tonumaipea, Smith; Nikorima, Wishart; Sims, Garlick, Moeroa, Lewis, Howarth, King. Int: Faalogo, MacDonald, Pene, Chan.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 54
Wests Tigers 12

Venue: 4 Pines Park, Brookvale / Cammeraygal
Crowd: 16503
Date: Friday 1 September 2023 at 6:00pm

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (54)
Tries: Tolutau Koula (2), Daly Cherry-Evans, Jason Saab (2), Ethan Bullemor, Haumole Olakau'atu, Jake Trbojevic, Ray Tuaimalo-Vaega, Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Conversions: Daly Cherry-Evans (7/10)

WESTS TIGERS (12)
Tries: Apisai Koroisau, Asu Kepaoa
Conversions: Apisai Koroisau (2/2)

Manly: Koula, Saab, Parker, Harper, Tuaimalo Vaega; Arthur, Cherry-Evans (C); Sipley, Croker, Keppie, Olakau'atu, Trbojevic, Trbojevic. Int: Chan Kum Tong, Matterson, Woods, Bullemor.
Wests Tigers: Bula, Kepaoa, Reilly, Feledy, Tupou; Laurie, Koroisau (C); Twal, Simpkin, Klemmer, Papali'i, Blore, Pole. Int: Matamua, Laulilii, Seyfarth, Da Silva.

South Sydney Rabbitohs 12
Sydney Roosters 26

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal
Crowd: 36263
Date: Friday 1 September 2023 at 8:00pm

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (12)
Tries: Cameron Murray, Michael Chee Kam
Conversions: Lachlan Ilias (2/2)

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (26)
Tries: Corey Allan, Fetalaiga Pauga, James Tedesco, Billy Smith, Sam Walker
Conversions: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (2/5)
Penalty Goals: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (1/1)

Souths: Taaffe, Johnston, Tass, Graham, Thompson; Walker, Ilias; Tatola, Cook, Mitchell, Koloamatangi, Chee-Kam, Murray (C). Int: Arrow, Duncan, Sele, Moale.
Sydney: Tedesco (C), Pauga, Smith, Allan, Sua'ali'i; Keary, Walker; Butcher, Smith, Collins, Wong, Butcher, Radley. Int: Baker, Smith, May, Crichton.

Dolphins 34
Warriors 10

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal
Crowd: 35438
Date: Saturday 2 September 2023 at 3:00pm

DOLPHINS (34)
Tries: Jack Bostock, Jamayne Isaako, Sean O'Sullivan, Isaiya Katoa, Max Plath, Kenny Bromwich
Conversions: Jamayne Isaako (5/6)

WARRIORS (10)
Tries: Freddy Lussick, Marcelo Montoya
Conversions: Adam Pompey (1/2)

Dolphins: Tabuai-Fidow, Isaako, Niu, Te Whare, Bostock; Nikorima, O'Sullivan; Bromwich (C), Graham, Nicholls, Kaufusi, Lemuelu, Bromwich. Int: Wallace, Katoa, Plath, Ese'ese.
Warriors: Tuaupiki, Kosi, Berry, Pompey, Montoya; Martin, Volkman; Afoa, Lussick, Barnett, Curran, Niukore, Walker (C). Int: Sironen, Ale, Going, Roache.

Penrith Panthers 44
North Queensland Cowboys 12

Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith / Dharug
Crowd: 21525
Date: Saturday 2 September 2023 at 5:30pm

PENRITH PANTHERS (44)
Tries: Stephen Crichton, Nathan Cleary, Sunia Turuva (2), Liam Martin, Brian To'o (2), Luke Sommerton
Conversions: Nathan Cleary (6/8)

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (12)
Tries: Griffin Neame, Zac Laybutt
Conversions: Scott Drinkwater (2/2)

Penrith: Edwards, Turuva, Tago, Crichton, To'o; Cogger, Cleary (C); Leota, Sommerton, Fisher-Harris, Garner, Martin, Yeo. Int: Peachey, Smith, Leniu, Hosking.
North QLD: Drinkwater, Feldt, Laybutt, Hiku, Taulagi; Dearden, Townsend (C); McLean, Robson, Hess, Leilua, Luki, Cotter. Int: Taumalolo, Granville, Neame, Finefeuiaki.

St George Illawarra Dragons 12
Newcastle Knights 32

Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Carlton / Bidjigal
Crowd: 10137
Date: Saturday 2 September 2023 at 7:35pm

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (12)
Tries: Ben Hunt, Mikaele Ravalawa
Conversions: Zac Lomax (2/2)

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (32)
Tries: Jacob Saifiti, Enari Tuala, Greg Marzhew, Fa'amanu Brown, Dominic Young (2)
Conversions: Lachlan Miller (3/5), Tyson Gamble (0/1)
Penalty Goals: Tyson Gamble (1/1)

St George Illawarra: Sloan, Feagai, Suli, Lomax, Ravalawa; Amone, Hunt (C); Molo, Muhleisen, Lawrie, Burns, Russell, De Belin. Int: Liddle, Molo, Murdoch-Masila, Couchman.
Newcastle: Miller, Young, Tuala, Best, Marzhew; Gamble, Clune; Saifiti (C), Brown, Hetherington, Lucas, Jones, Elliott. Int: Jones, Saifiti, Croker, Keeley.

Gold Coast Titans 34
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 30

Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh
Crowd: 14942
Date: Sunday 3 September 2023 at 2:00pm

GOLD COAST TITANS (34)
Tries: Kieran Foran (3), AJ Brimson, Kruise Leeming, Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Conversions: Aaron Schoupp (5/6)

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (30)
Tries: Josh Addo-Carr (3), Kurtis Morrin, Blake Wilson
Conversions: Matt Burton (5/5)

Gold Coast: Kini, Khan-Pereira, Kelly, Brimson, Schoupp; Foran, Weaver; Fotuaika, Leeming, Stimson, Fifita, Haas, Fa'asuamaleaui (C). Int: Jolliffe, Alick, Fa'asuamaleaui, Vuna.
Canterbury: Perham, Wilson, Averillo, Alamoti, Addo-Carr; Burton, Sexton; Thompson, Mahoney, Knight, Kikau, Waddell, Sutton. Int: King, Flanagan, Morrin, Okunbor.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24
Canberra Raiders 6

Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Woolooware / Dharawal
Crowd: 12750
Date: Sunday 3 September 2023 at 4:05pm

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (24)
Tries: Jesse Ramien, Braydon Trindall, Jack Williams, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Sione Katoa
Conversions: Braydon Trindall (2/5)

CANBERRA RAIDERS (6)
Tries: Jordan Rapana
Field Goals: Matt Frawley (0/1)
Conversions: Jamal Fogarty (1/1)

Cronulla: Tracey, Katoa, Ramien, Talakai, Mulitalo; Trindall, Hynes; Rudolf, Brailey, Hamlin-Uele, Nikora, Graham (C), McInnes. Int: Williams, Hunt, Hazelton, Kaufusi.
Canberra: Rapana, Kris, Wighton, Timoko, Cotric; Frawley, Fogarty; Mariota, Woolford, Tapine, Young, Whitehead (C), Puru. Int: Guler, Starling, Saulo, Mooney.

Parramatta Eels had a bye this round.

Final 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Ladder

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

RLP stats leaders

Top points

Top tries

Thanks to Rugby League Project!

Match review

NRL: As at Sunday night, Three players have been charged between Thursday and Sunday, with all able to escape with fines. Brisbane's Brendan Piakura has three charges from Thursday's match which all attract a fine; Sydney's Fletcher Baker and Newcastle's Adam Elliott also charged.

On Monday, Canterbury's Paul Alamoti was fined while Seb Kris (Canberra) was hit with a Grade 3 Dangerous Throw which will see him miss 5-6 games.

NRLW: Three players were charged from Saturday's matches, with only Makenzie Weale (Cowboys) facing suspension.

Three more players were charged from Sunday's matches, all able to escape with a warning.

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 from injury or suspension 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. Includes points accumulated during State of Origin series.

37 points - Shaun Johnson (Warriors)

29 points - Kalyn Ponga (Knights)

27 points - Nicho Hynes (Sharks)

25 points - Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys), Reece Walsh (Broncos)

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

21 points - Payne Haas (Broncos), James Tedesco (Roosters)

20 points - Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)

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

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

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

15 points - Harry Grant (Storm)

14 points - AJ Brimson (Titans)

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

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

11 points - Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles), Hudson Young (Raiders)

10 points - Jamal Fogarty (Raiders), Izack Tago (Panthers), Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs), Kieran Foran (Titans), Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins)

9 points - Herbie Farnworth (Broncos), Jahrome Hughes (Storm), Dane Gagai (Knights), Valentine Holmes (Cowboys)

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

7 points - Dylan Brown (Eels), Braydon Trindall (Sharks), Jeremy Marshall-King (Dolphins), Lachlan Croker (Sea Eagles), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors), Tyson Gamble (Knights), Nick Meaney (Storm), Briton Nikora (Sharks), Lindsay Collins (Roosters)

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

5 points - Jacob Liddle (Dragons), Kotoni Staggs (Broncos), Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos), Tanah Boyd (Titans), Josh Papali'i (Raiders), Tyson Frizell (Knights), Jarrod Wallace (Dolphins), Phillip Sami (Titans), Jackson Hastings (Knights), Phoenix Crossland (Knights), Ezra Mam (Broncos), Josh Schuster (Sea Eagles), Tristan Sailor (Broncos), Wayde Egan (Warriors), Dominic Young (Knights), Brandon Smith (Roosters), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Roosters), Reuben Cotter (Cowboys)

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

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

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

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

3 points - Reuben Cotter (Queensland), Cody Walker (NSW), Valentine Holmes (Queensland)

2 points - Bradman Best (NSW), Lindsay Collins (Queensland), Reece Walsh (Queensland), Murray Taulagi (Queensland)

1 point - Liam Martin (NSW)

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 27

Round Total: 190,829 / Average per game 23,854

Season Total: 3,757,424 / Average per match: 18,419

Finals Week 1 Qualifying & Elimination Finals

Qualifying Final
Brisbane Broncos v Melbourne Storm
Fri 8 Sep 7:50PM at Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

Qualifying Final
Penrith Panthers v Warriors
Sat 9 Sep 4:00PM at BlueBet Stadium, Penrith / Dharug

Elimination Final
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Sydney Roosters
Sat 9 Sep 7:50PM at PointsBet Stadium, Woolooware / Dharawal

Elimination Final
Newcastle Knights v Canberra Raiders
Sun 10 Sep 4:05PM at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

Full 2023 NRL Draw & Results.