MONDAY'S EXPERT - 2024 NRL Round 12 (Indigenous Round)

NRL24

A full wrap of the weekend's action - MONDAY'S EXPERT recaps all the teamsheets, details, scores and scorers from Round 12 of the NRL, with heaps more info like the current ladder, stats leaders, match review, POTY standings, crowd figures and fixtures for next week.

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


RELATED: See the full list of 2024 NRL Telstra Premiership Draw and Results.


Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 44 St George Illawarra Dragons 12
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal

Date: Thu, 23rd May.   Kickoff: 7:50 PM.   Halftime: St George Illawarra 12-6.   Penalties: Canterbury 7-5.   Referee: Adam Gee.   Crowd: 15,442.

Canterbury: Tracey, Kiraz, Xerri, Crichton (C), Addo-Carr; Burton, Sexton; King, Mahoney, Hughes, Kikau, Salmon, Hayward. Int: Curran, Morrin, Preston, Turpin.
St George Illawarra: Sloan, Lomax, Suli, Bird, Ravalawa; Flanagan, Hunt (C); Molo, Liddle, Sele, Eisenhuth, Su'A, De Belin. Int: Brown, Lawrie, Faitala-Mariner, Leilua.

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (44)
Tries: Matt Burton (2), Jaeman Salmon (2), Jacob Kiraz (2), Jacob Preston, Stephen Crichton
Conversions: Matt Burton (5/8)
Penalty Goals: Matt Burton (1/1)

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (12)
Tries: Moses Suli, Jacob Liddle
Conversions: Zac Lomax (2/2)

Bulldogs unleash on the Dragons

Match report | Andy P


North Queensland Cowboys 42 Wests Tigers 28
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba

Date: Fri, 24th May.   Kickoff: 6:00 PM.   Halftime: North Qld 20-10.   Penalties: Wests Tigers 4-3.   Referee: Belinda Sharpe.   Crowd: 15,957.

North Qld: Drinkwater, Feldt, Holmes, Vailea, Taulagi; Dearden (C), Townsend; McLean, Robson, Neame, Luki, Nanai, Cotter. Int: McIntyre, Mikaele, Finefeuiaki, Taumalolo.
Wests Tigers: Bula, Staines, Casey, Feledy, Alaimalo; Galvin, Sullivan; Utoikamanu, Koroisau (C), Klemmer, Papali'i, Fainu, Twal. Int: Matamua, Simpkin, Seyfarth, Pole, Lobb.

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (42)
Tries: Kyle Feldt (2), Valentine Holmes (2), Jeremiah Nanai (2), Sam McIntyre
Conversions: Valentine Holmes (6/7)
Penalty Goals: Valentine Holmes (1/1)

WESTS TIGERS (28)
Tries: Solomon Alaimalo, Jahream Bula, Samuela Fainu, Stefano Utoikamanu, Alex Twal
Conversions: Apisai Koroisau (2/3), Jayden Sullivan (2/2)

Cowboys stars press Origin chances in high-scoring win

Match report | Tim Costello


Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 26 Melbourne Storm 20
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Brookvale / Cammeraygal

Date: Fri, 24th May.   Kickoff: 8:00 PM.   Halftime: Manly 12-6.   Penalties: Melbourne 6-5.   Referee: Ashley Klein.   Crowd: 17,211.

Manly: Hopoate, Saab, Talau, Garrick, Tuaimalo Vaega; Brooks, Cherry-Evans (C); Paseka, Lawton, Aloiai, Olakau'atu, Trbojevic, Trbojevic. Int: Chan Kum Tong, Waddell, Bullemor, Brown.
Melbourne: Fa'alogo, Warbrick, Smith, Meaney, Coates; Wishart, Hughes; Kamikamica, Grant (C), Welch, Blore, Katoa, King. Int: Loiero, Anderson, Asofa-Solomona, MacDonald.

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (26)
Tries: Ben Trbojevic, Tommy Talau (2), Jake Trbojevic
Conversions: Reuben Garrick (3/4)
Penalty Goals: Reuben Garrick (2/2)

MELBOURNE STORM (20)
Tries: Eliesa Katoa, Nick Meaney, Jahrome Hughes
Conversions: Nick Meaney (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Nick Meaney (1/1)

Eagles rock the Storm in the Battle of Brookvale

Match report | Sam Bourke


Canberra Raiders 16 Sydney Roosters 44
Venue: GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce / Ngunnawal

Date: Sat, 25th May.   Kickoff: 3:00 PM.   Halftime: Sydney 18-6.   Penalties: Canberra 9-7.   Referee: Todd Smith.   Crowd: 18,049.

Canberra: Rapana, Cotric, Timoko, Kris, Savage; Strange, Weekes; Guler, Levi, Tapine, Young, Whitehead (C), Smithies. Int: Starling, Mariota, Mooney, Hola.
Sydney: Tedesco (C), Tupou, Sua'ali'i, Manu, Young; Keary, Walker; Waerea-Hargreaves, Smith, Collins, Crichton, Radley, Whyte. Int: Smith, Butcher, Leniu, May.

CANBERRA RAIDERS (16)
Tries: Nick Cotric, Hudson Young, Kaeo Weekes
Conversions: Jordan Rapana (2/3)

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (44)
Tries: Victor Radley, Luke Keary, Joseph Manu (2), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, James Tedesco (2), Angus Crichton
Conversions: Sam Walker (3/3), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (3/5)

Roosters run rampant against Raiders

Match report | Justin Davies


Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 0 Penrith Panthers 42
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Woolooware / Dharawal

Date: Sat, 25th May.   Kickoff: 5:30 PM.   Halftime: Penrith 28-0.   Penalties: 3-all.   Referee: Gerard Sutton.   Crowd: 13,500.

Cronulla: Kennedy, Katoa, Ramien, Iro, Mulitalo; Atkinson, Hynes; Hazelton, Brailey, Kaufusi, Nikora, Wilton, McInnes (C). Int: Williams, Talakai, Hunt, Hau Tapuha.
Penrith: Edwards, Turuva, Tago, Alamoti, To'o; Cole, Luai; Leota, Kenny, Fisher-Harris, Sorensen, Martin, Yeo (C). Int: Laurie, Smith, Henry, Eisenhuth.

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (0)

PENRITH PANTHERS (42)
Tries: James Fisher-Harris, Dylan Edwards, Jarome Luai, Paul Alamoti, Jack Cole, Liam Henry, Scott Sorensen
Conversions: Dylan Edwards (6/7)
Penalty Goals: Dylan Edwards (1/1)

Luai makes a statement as premiers pulverise contenders

Match report | Robert Crosby


South Sydney Rabbitohs 42 Parramatta Eels 26
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal

Date: Sat, 25th May.   Kickoff: 7:35 PM.   Halftime: South Sydney 22-12.   Penalties: South Sydney 7-5.   Referee: Chris Butler.   Crowd: 15,202.

South Sydney: Mitchell (C), Johnston, Milne, Chee-Kam, Gagai; Wighton, Teaupa; Moale, Cook, Keppie, Host, Arrow, Koloamatangi. Int: Mamouzelos, Duncan, Havili, Burgess.
Parramatta: Talagi, Sivo, Harper, Russell, Simonsson; Asi, Brown (C); Campbell-Gillard, Lussick, Paulo, Cartwright, Tuilagi, Hopgood. Int: Lane, Makatoa, Ofahengaue, Hands.

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (42)
Tries: Jai Arrow, Keaon Koloamatangi (2), Dion Teaupa, Alex Johnston, Sean Keppie, Damien Cook
Conversions: Latrell Mitchell (6/7)
Penalty Goals: Dion Teaupa (1/1)

PARRAMATTA EELS (26)
Tries: Blaize Talagi, Sean Russell, Morgan Harper, Maika Sivo (2)
Conversions: Daejarn Asi (3/5)

Rabbitohs find rare form in big win over Parramatta

Match report | Josh Robertson


Brisbane Broncos 34 Gold Coast Titans 36
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

Date: Sun, 26th May.   Kickoff: 2:00 PM.   Halftime: Brisbane 24-16.   Penalties: Gold Coast 4-3.   Referee: Peter Gough.   Crowd: 42,221.
Brisbane: Walsh, Oates, Karapani, Cobbo, Mariner; Mam, Madden; Jensen, Walters, Haas, Piakura, Riki, Carrigan (C). Int: Smoothy, Willison, Hetherington, Gosiewski, Rogers.
Gold Coast: Kini, Khan-Pereira, Kelly, Fermor, Francis; Randall, Weaver; Fotuaika (C), Verrills, Pahulu, Fifita, Haas, Palasia. Int: Liu, Clark, Stimson, Alick, De Groot.

BRISBANE BRONCOS (34)
Tries: Payne Haas, Corey Oates, Deine Mariner, Brendan Piakura, Ezra Mam, Selwyn Cobbo
Conversions: Jock Madden (5/6)

GOLD COAST TITANS (36)
Tries: Tony Francis, Beau Fermor, Erin Clark, Chris Randall, Keenan Palasia, Brian Kelly, Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Conversions: Keano Kini (4/7)

Titans win thriller over Broncos

Match report | Justin Davies


Warriors 24 Dolphins 20
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Penrose / Aotearoa

Date: Sun, 26th May.   Kickoff: 6:05 PM.   Halftime: Dolphins 16-12.   Penalties: Warriors 5-0.   Referee: Liam Kennedy.   Crowd: 23,116.

Warriors: Watene-Zelezniak, Kosi, Graham-Taufa, Pompey, Montoya; Harris-Tavita, Martin; Niukore, Roache, Afoa, Ford, Barnett (C), Walker. Int: Lussick, Ale, Tevaga, Laban, Maiu'u.
Dolphins: Tabuai-Fidow, Isaako, Averillo, Farnworth, Bostock; Nikorima, Katoa; Bromwich (C), Marshall-King, Kaufusi, Lemuelu, Aitken, Plath. Int: Nicholls, Kerr, Bromwich, Stone, Keeley.

WARRIORS (24)
Tries: Chanel Harris-Tavita, Te Maire Martin, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Marata Niukore
Conversions: Adam Pompey (4/4)

DOLPHINS (20)
Tries: Jamayne Isaako (2), Herbie Farnworth, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Conversions: Jamayne Isaako (2/4)

Warriors have back-to-back wins for the first time since Round 5

Match report | Beth Nicholls


Newcastle Knights had a bye this round.


Round 12 ladder

#TeamPWDLB+/-Pts
1Cronulla1190218220
2Penrith11803111218
3Melbourne1180317518
4Dolphins1170416516
5Sydney12705013514
6Brisbane1270505714
7Newcastle116051-914
8Canberra116051-3814
9Manly1261503613
10Canterbury1150614712
11North Qld126060212
12St Geo Illa115061-8812
13Warriors125160-311
14Gold Coast113081-898
15Parramatta113081-1198
16Wests Tigers112091-956
17South Sydney112091-1706

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


RLP stats leaders

Most tries

Rank Player Team P T
=1 Deine Mariner Brisbane 10 10
=1 Joseph Manu Sydney 11 10
=1 Jeremiah Nanai North Qld 12 10
=4 Maika Sivo Parramatta 6 9
=4 Alofiana Khan-Pereira Gold Coast 8 9
=4 Reece Walsh Brisbane 9 9
=4 Sunia Turuva Penrith 10 9
=4 Ronaldo Mulitalo Cronulla 11 9
=4 Jack Bostock Dolphins 11 9

Most goals

Rank Player Team P G/A %
=1 Nick Meaney Melbourne 11 44 / 55 80%
=1 Valentine Holmes North Qld 12 44 / 58 76%
3 Nicho Hynes Cronulla 10 41 / 44 93%
=4 Sam Walker Sydney 10 40 / 45 89%
=4 Reuben Garrick Manly 11 40 / 48 83%
6 Jamayne Isaako Dolphins 11 38 / 54 70%

Most points

Rank Player Team P T G FG Pts
1 Valentine Holmes North Qld 12 7 44 - 116
=2 Jamayne Isaako Dolphins 11 8 38 - 108
=2 Reuben Garrick Manly 11 7 40 - 108
4 Matt Burton Canterbury 11 8 33 - 98
=5 Sam Walker Sydney 10 4 40 - 96
=5 Nick Meaney Melbourne 11 2 44 - 96
7 Zac Lomax St George Illawarra 11 7 30 0/2 92

Match review

Wests Tigers' second rower David Klemmer is looking at 3-4 game spell for a Grade 2 Dangerous Contact charge from Friday's loss to the Cowboys; his opponent - centre Val Holmes is free to play in Origin after only copping a Grade 1 charge for an alleged hip drop - escaping with a fine.

From Saturday's games, Victor Radley and Latrell Mitchell were issued offences that will result in fines with early pleas.

No players were charged from Sunday's matches and by Monday afternoon, all four players charged across Round 12 accepted early guilty pleas. Klemmer will miss three games while Holmes, Radley and Mitchell all are fined.

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


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.

19 points - Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)
18 points - Dylan Edwards (Panthers)
14 points - Reece Walsh (Broncos)
11 points - AJ Brimson (Titans), Nicho Hynes (Sharks)
10 points - Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins), Isaah Yeo (Panthers)
9 points - Ben Hunt (Dragons), Zac Lomax (Dragons), James Tedesco (Roosters), Sam Walker (Roosters), Jamal Fogarty (Raiders), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks)
8 points - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), Reece Robson (Cowboys)
7 points - Tyrell Sloan (Dragons), Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers), Matt Burton (Bulldogs), Shaun Johnson (Warriors), Ezra Mam (Broncos), Jacob Kiraz (Bulldogs)
6 points - Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos), Jahrome Hughes (Storm), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors), Tom Dearden (Cowboys), Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Xavier Coates (Storm), Clinton Gutherson (Eels), Joseph Manu (Roosters), Te Maire Martin (Warriors), William Kennedy (Sharks)
5 points - Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles), Dane Gagai (Knights), Adam Reynolds (Broncos), Brian To'o (Panthers), Kaeo Weekes (Raiders), Harry Grant (Storm), Patrick Carrigan (Broncos), Keano Kini (Titans), David Fifita (Titans), Kalyn Ponga (Knights), Jarome Luai (Panthers), Josh Curran (Bulldogs)
4 points - Dominic Young (Roosters), Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys), Connor Watson (Roosters), Eliesa Katoa (Storm), Jackson Ford (Warriors), Zac Hosking (Raiders), David Armstrong (Knights), Dylan Brown (Eels), Trai Fuller (Dolphins), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm), Ethan Strange (Raiders), Victor Radley (Roosters)
3 points - Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors), Wayde Egan (Warriors), Angus Crichton (Roosters), Matthew Timoko (Raiders), Terrell May (Roosters), Jack Cogger (Knights), Lachlan Galvin (Wests Tigers), Tyson Gamble (Knights), Elliott Whitehead (Raiders), Josh Addo-Carr (Bulldogs), Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs), Kayal Iro (Sharks), Sione Katoa (Sharks), Bradman Best (Knights), Bryce Cartwright (Eels), Max Plath (Dolphins), Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs), Adam Elliott (Knights), Thomas Flegler (Dolphins), Thomas Hazelton (Sharks), Teig Wilton (Sharks), Zac Laybutt (Cowboys), Nathan Cleary (Panthers), Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs), Josh King (Storm), Morgan Smithies (Raiders), Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs), Junior Paulo (Eels), Cameron Munster (Storm), Daniel Atkinson (Sharks), Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins), Jack de Belin (Dragons), Euan Aitken (Dolphins)
2 points - Billy Walters (Broncos), Jackson Hastings (Knights), Kieran Foran (Titans), Tyran Wishart (Storm), Jock Madden (Broncos), Sualauvi Faalogo (Storm), Taine Tuaupiki (Warriors), Isaiah Papali'i (Wests Tigers), Payne Haas (Broncos), Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Luke Garner (Panthers), Reuben Cotter (Cowboys), Cody Walker (Rabbitohs), Blayke Brailey (Sharks), Nathan Brown (Sea Eagles), Luke Keary (Roosters), Jack Williams (Sharks), Dylan Lucas (Knights), Corey Waddell (Sea Eagles), Izack Tago (Panthers), Sandon Smith (Roosters), Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers), Damien Cook (Rabbitohs), Mitchell Moses (Eels), Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), J'maine Hopgood (Eels), Stefano Utoikamanu (Wests Tigers), Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors), Deine Mariner (Broncos), Siosifa Talakai (Sharks), Ben Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)
1 point - Griffin Neame (Cowboys), Tyson Frizell (Knights), Justin Olam (Wests Tigers), Brodie Jones (Knights), Jack Cole (Panthers), Sam Verrills (Titans), Taylan May (Panthers), Tommy Talau (Sea Eagles), Erin Clark (Titans), Braidon Burns (Cowboys), Jesse Arthars (Broncos), Jacob Liddle (Dragons), Chad Townsend (Cowboys), Jordan Rapana (Raiders), Blake Wilson (Bulldogs), Daniel Saifiti (Knights), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors), Bronson Xerri (Bulldogs), Brandon Smith (Roosters), Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles), Valentine Holmes (Cowboys), Nat Butcher (Roosters), Connor Tracey (Bulldogs), Josh Kerr (Dolphins), Asu Kepaoa (Wests Tigers), Thomas Burgess (Rabbitohs), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Murray Taulagi (Cowboys), Jaydn Su'A (Dragons), Tristan Sailor (Broncos), James Fisher-Harris (Panthers), Mikaele Ravalawa (Dragons), Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins), Charlie Staines (Wests Tigers), Aidan Sezer (Wests Tigers), Brad Schneider (Panthers), Rocco Berry (Warriors), Jack Bostock (Dolphins), Kurtis Morrin (Bulldogs)


Crowd Watch

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.

Round 12 crowds

Thu 7:50pmCBY v SGIAccor15,442
Fri 6:00pmNQL v WSTQLD C. Bank15,957
Fri 8:00pmMAN v MEL4 Pines17,211
Sat 3:00pmCAN v SYDGIO18,049
Sat 5:30pmCRO v PENPointsbet13,500
Sat 7:35pmSOU v PARAccor15,202
Sun 2:00pmBRI v GLDSuncorp42,221
Sun 6:05pmWAR v DOLGo Media23,116

THIS WEEK
Round 12 aggregate: 160,698
Match average 20,087

SEASON
2024 aggregate (96 games): 1,897,414
Match average 19,765

Home crowd averages

Brisbane41,202
Sydney24,431
Warriors23,658
Parramatta21,992
Penrith21,045
Dolphins20,643
Melbourne20,446
North Qld19,148
Newcastle18,350
St Geo Illa17,364
Wests Tigers16,827
Souths16,804
Manly15,895
Canberra15,296
Canterbury13,900
Gold Coast13,398
Cronulla12,253

*Note: averages exclude neutral venues such as Las Vegas, regional venues, Magic Round.


Fixtures - Round 13

Parramatta Eels v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Thu 30 May 7:50PM at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal

Newcastle Knights v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Fri 31 May 8:00PM at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

Penrith Panthers v St George Illawarra Dragons
Sat 1 Jun 5:30PM at BlueBet Stadium, Penrith / Dharug
Dolphins v Canberra Raiders
Sat 1 Jun 7:35PM at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe / Kabi Kabi

Sydney Roosters v North Queensland Cowboys
Sun 2 Jun 4:05PM at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park / Gadigal

BYE: Brisbane Broncos, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Melbourne Storm, Wests Tigers, Gold Coast Titans, Warriors

Full 2024 NRL Draw & Results.