MONDAY'S EXPERT - 2024 NRL Round 18

A full wrap of the weekend's action - MONDAY'S EXPERT recaps all the teamsheets, details, scores and scorers from Round 18 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.

Trell and Cody star as Souths charge towards the eight

4 Jul 2024 9:25PM | AJ Lucantonio

Parramatta Eels 16 South Sydney Rabbitohs 32
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal

Date: Thu, 4th July.   Kickoff: 7:50 PM.   Halftime: South Sydney 16-4.   Penalties: Parramatta 8-3.   Referee: Liam Kennedy.   Crowd: 13,941.

Parramatta: Gutherson (C), Tago, Penisini, Russell, Talagi; Brown, Moses; Campbell-Gillard, Hands, Ofahengaue, Matterson, Cartwright, Lane. Int: Paulo, Arthur, Doorey, Guymer.
South Sydney: Mitchell, Johnston, Milne, Kennar, Gagai; Wighton, Walker; Moale, Cook, Keppie, Murray (C), Arrow, Koloamatangi. Int: Mamouzelos, Duncan, Burgess, Chee-Kam.

PARRAMATTA EELS (16)
Tries: Blaize Talagi, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Bryce Cartwright
Conversions: Mitchell Moses (2/3)

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (32)
Tries: Jacob Gagai (2), Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton (2), Cody Walker
Conversions: Latrell Mitchell (4/6)

Titans upset Sharks in Coffs Harbour

5 Jul 2024 8:28PM | Kelly Hollis

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 16 Gold Coast Titans 20
Venue: C.ex Coffs International Stadium, Coffs Harbour / Gumbaynggirr

Date: Fri, 5th July.   Kickoff: 6:00 PM.   Halftime: Gold Coast 12-0.   Penalties: Cronulla 7-5.   Referee: Zbignew Przeklasa-Adamski.   Crowd: 8,673.

Cronulla: Kennedy, Atkinson, Ramien, Iro, Mulitalo; Trindall, Hynes; Hunt, Brailey, Kaufusi, Nikora, Talakai, McInnes (C). Int: Hazelton, Williams, Wilton, Hau Tapuha.
Gold Coast: Kini, Khan-Pereira, Kelly, Fermor, Fifita; Boyd, Foran (C); Fotuaika, Verrills, Clark, Fifita, Alick, Randall. Int: Liu, Pahulu, Palasia, Stimson.

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (16)
Tries: Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Daniel Atkinson
Conversions: Nicho Hynes (2/3)

GOLD COAST TITANS (20)
Tries: Kieran Foran, Chris Randall, Keenan Palasia
Conversions: Tanah Boyd (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Tanah Boyd (1/1)

Persistent Panthers hold out Broncos in Suncorp thriller

5 Jul 2024 9:49PM | Andrew Jackson

Brisbane Broncos 6 Penrith Panthers 14
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

Date: Fri, 5th July.   Kickoff: 8:00 PM.   Halftime: Brisbane 6-4.   Penalties: 6-all.   Referee: Grant Atkins.   Crowd: 42,433.

Brisbane: Walsh, Oates, Mariner, Cobbo, Arthars; Mam, Madden; Jensen, Walters, Haas, Piakura, Willison, Carrigan (C). Int: Hetherington, Smoothy, Karapani, Taupau.
Penrith: Edwards, Laurie, Tago, Alamoti, To'o; Schneider, Luai; Leota, Kenny, Fisher-Harris, Sorensen, Martin, Yeo (C). Int: Cole, Smith, Henry, Eisenhuth.

BRISBANE BRONCOS (6)
Tries: Reece Walsh
Conversions: Reece Walsh (1/1)

PENRITH PANTHERS (14)
Tries: Jack Cole, Brian To'o, Mitch Kenny
Conversions: Dylan Edwards (1/3)

Burton boots the Bulldogs home in golden point

6 Jul 2024 5:20PM | Robert Crosby

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 13 Warriors 12
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal

Date: Sat, 6th July.   Kickoff: 3:00 PM.   Halftime: Warriors 12-6.   Penalties: Warriors 6-5.   Referee: Chris Butler.   Crowd: 27,223.

Canterbury: Tracey, Kiraz, Xerri, Crichton (C), Wilson; Burton, Sexton; King, Mahoney, Hughes, Kikau, Salmon, Mann. Int: Hayward, Curran, Morrin.
Warriors: Nicoll-Klokstad, Watene-Zelezniak, Tuivasa-Sheck, Pompey, Montoya; Harris-Tavita, Martin; Fonua-Blake, Egan, Barnett (C), Niukore, Capewell, Walker. Int: Lussick, Tevaga, Ford, Halasima.

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (13)
Tries: Bronson Xerri, Viliame Kikau
Field Goals: Matt Burton (1/4)
Conversions: Matt Burton (2/2)

WARRIORS (12)
Tries: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Marcelo Montoya
Field Goals: Te Maire Martin (0/1), Chanel Harris-Tavita (0/2)
Conversions: Adam Pompey (1/2)
Penalty Goals: Adam Pompey (1/1)

Melbourne keep buffer at top with high-scoring win at Leichhardt

6 Jul 2024 8:02PM | Josh Robertson

Wests Tigers 28 Melbourne Storm 40
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield / Wanngal

Date: Sat, 6th July.   Kickoff: 5:30 PM.   Halftime: Melbourne 16-12.   Penalties: Wests Tigers 7-4.   Referee: Peter Gough.   Crowd: 10,311.

Wests Tigers: Bula, Faataape, Olam, Doueihi, Staines; Galvin, Sezer; Utoikamanu, Koroisau (C), Klemmer, Bateman, Fainu, Pole. Int: Matamua, Mason, Fainu, Seyfarth.
Melbourne: Papenhuyzen, Warbrick, Anderson, Howarth, Bradley; Wishart, Hughes (C); Asofa-Solomona, Garlick, King, Blore, Katoa, Loiero. Int: Kamikamica, Fa'alogo, Welch, MacDonald.

WESTS TIGERS (28)
Tries: Charlie Staines (2), Fonua Pole, Lachlan Galvin, Jahream Bula
Conversions: Apisai Koroisau (4/5)

MELBOURNE STORM (40)
Tries: Eliesa Katoa, Tyran Wishart, Ryan Papenhuyzen, William Warbrick, Grant Anderson, Sualauvi Faalogo (2)
Conversions: Tyran Wishart (5/7)
Penalty Goals: Tyran Wishart (1/1)

DCE sinks Cowboys in Golden Point

6 Jul 2024 9:53PM | Andrew Ferguson

North Queensland Cowboys 20 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 21
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba

Date: Sat, 6th July.   Kickoff: 7:35 PM.   Halftime: Manly 12-6.   Penalties: North Qld 4-3.   Referee: Todd Smith.   Crowd: 18,787.

North Qld: Drinkwater, Feldt, Holmes, Vailea, Taulagi; Dearden (C), Townsend; McLean, Robson, Taumalolo, Luki, Nanai, Cotter. Int: McIntyre, Edwards, Finefeuiaki, Neame.
Manly: Koula, Saab, Trbojevic, Garrick, Talau; Brooks, Cherry-Evans (C); Sipley, Simpkin, Aloiai, Olakau'atu, Trbojevic, Trbojevic. Int: Hopoate, Lawton, Bullemor, Brown.

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (20)
Tries: Chad Townsend, Reuben Cotter, Kyle Feldt
Field Goals: Chad Townsend (0/3), Valentine Holmes (0/2)
Two Point Field Goals: Scott Drinkwater (1/1)
Conversions: Valentine Holmes (3/3)

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (21)
Tries: Jason Saab (3)
Field Goals: Daly Cherry-Evans (1/2)
Conversions: Reuben Garrick (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Reuben Garrick (1/1)

Roosters too good on a milestone day

7 Jul 2024 4:45PM | Andy P

Sydney Roosters 42 St George Illawarra Dragons 12
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park / Gadigal

Date: Sun, 7th July.   Kickoff: 2:00 PM.   Halftime: Sydney 14-6.   Penalties: St George Illawarra 7-4.   Referee: Ashley Klein.   Crowd: 23,388.

Sydney: Tedesco (C), Tupou, Jennings, Tupouniua, Young; Keary, Walker; Waerea-Hargreaves, Smith, Collins, Crichton, Radley, Watson. Int: Leniu, Butcher, May, King.
St George Illawarra: Sloan, Lomax, Suli, Feagai, Tuipulotu; Flanagan, Hunt (C); Molo, Liddle, De Belin, Leilua, Su'A, Eisenhuth. Int: Lawrie, Murdoch-Masila, Couchman, Brown.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (42)
Tries: Victor Radley, Dominic Young, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Sitili Tupouniua
Conversions: Sam Walker (6/7)
Penalty Goals: Sam Walker (1/1)

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

Gagai stakes QLD claims as Knights escape with glory

7 Jul 2024 5:54PM | AJ Lucantonio

Canberra Raiders 12 Newcastle Knights 16
Venue: GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce / Ngunnawal

Date: Sun, 7th July.   Kickoff: 4:05 PM.   Halftime: Newcastle 10-6.   Penalties: Canberra 4-2.   Referee: Gerard Sutton.   Crowd: 12,553.

Canberra: Weekes, Rapana, Timoko, Hopoate, Savage; Strange, Cook; Papalii, Starling, Tapine, Mariota, Whitehead (C), Smithies. Int: Levi, Mooney, Sasagi, Guler, Kris.
Newcastle: Ponga (C), Tuala, Gagai, Best, Marzhew; Pryce, Hastings; Saifiti, Brailey, Thompson, Frizell, Pearce-Paul, Croker. Int: Sharpe, Saifiti, Jones, Lucas, Hetherington.

CANBERRA RAIDERS (12)
Tries: Josh Papali'i, Kaeo Weekes
Conversions: Jordan Rapana (2/2)

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (16)
Tries: Dane Gagai (2), Greg Marzhew
Conversions: Jackson Hastings (1/2), Will Pryce (1/1)

Dolphins had a bye this round.

Round 18 ladder

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

RLP stats leaders

Most tries

Most goals

Most points

Match review

Jaeman Salmon (Canterbury) and Siosifa Talakai (Cronulla) are both facing suspension after incidents on the weekend up to Saturday night, with a raft of others fined. Sunday's charge sheet saw Roosters' milestone man JWH join Salmon and Talakai in the suspension list with a further two players 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.

25 points - Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles 22, Maroons 3)

20 points - Dylan Edwards (Panthers), Jahrome Hughes (Storm)

15 points - James Tedesco (Roosters)

14 points - Reece Walsh (Broncos)

13 points - Ben Hunt (Dragons), Mitchell Moses (Eels 10, Blues 3)

12 points - Sam Walker (Roosters), Zac Lomax (Dragons), Te Maire Martin (Warriors), Matt Burton (Bulldogs). Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs 11, Blues 1), Angus Crichton (Roosters 10, Blues 2), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins 10, Maroons 2)

11 points - Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys), Nicho Hynes (Sharks), AJ Brimson (Titans), Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins)

10 points - Isaah Yeo (Panthers), Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers)

9 points - Reece Robson (Cowboys), Jarome Luai (Panthers), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks), Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs), Tyrell Sloan (Dragons), Jamal Fogarty (Raiders)

8 points - Dane Gagai (Knights), Keano Kini (Titans), Kieran Foran (Titans), Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs)

7 points - Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos), Brian To'o (Panthers), Jacob Kiraz (Bulldogs), Shaun Johnson (Warriors), Eliesa Katoa (Storm), Clinton Gutherson (Eels), Terrell May (Roosters), Ezra Mam (Broncos)

6 points - Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Tyran Wishart (Storm), Jackson Hastings (Knights), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors), William Kennedy (Sharks), Dylan Brown (Eels), Joseph Manu (Roosters), Tom Dearden (Cowboys), Xavier Coates (Storm), Cody Walker (Rabbitohs)

5 points - Blayke Brailey (Sharks), Damien Cook (Rabbitohs), Adam Reynolds (Broncos), Kaeo Weekes (Raiders), Lachlan Galvin (Wests Tigers), Kalyn Ponga (Knights), Connor Watson (Roosters), David Fifita (Titans), Patrick Carrigan (Broncos), Bradman Best (Knights), Dylan Lucas (Knights), Josh Curran (Bulldogs), Harry Grant (Storm), Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm), Jaydn Su'A (Dragons 4, Maroons 1)

4 points - Josh Addo-Carr (Bulldogs), David Armstrong (Knights), Victor Radley (Roosters), James Fisher-Harris (Panthers), Trai Fuller (Dolphins), Jackson Ford (Warriors), Ethan Strange (Raiders), Jordan Rapana (Raiders), Joseph Tapine (Raiders), Dominic Young (Roosters), Chad Townsend (Cowboys), Zac Hosking (Raiders), Lindsay Collins (Roosters), Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins), Reuben Cotter (Cowboys)

3 points - Connor Tracey (Bulldogs), Jesse Marschke (Dragons), Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs), Jason Saab (Sea Eagles), Mitchell Barnett (Warriors), Jacob Preston (Bulldogs), Braydon Trindall (Sharks), Josh King (Storm), Cameron Munster (Storm), Elliott Whitehead (Raiders), Tyson Gamble (Knights), Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins), Jack de Belin (Dragons), Euan Aitken (Dolphins), Sione Katoa (Sharks), Daniel Atkinson (Sharks), Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors), Junior Paulo (Eels), Nathan Cleary (Panthers), Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs), Wayde Egan (Warriors), Kayal Iro (Sharks), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors), Max Plath (Dolphins), Adam Elliott (Knights), Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors), Morgan Smithies (Raiders), Bryce Cartwright (Eels), Thomas Flegler (Dolphins), Thomas Hazelton (Sharks), Zac Laybutt (Cowboys), Jack Cogger (Knights), Teig Wilton (Sharks), Matthew Timoko (Raiders), Stefano Utoikamanu (Wests Tigers)

2 points - Billy Walters (Broncos), Tommy Talau (Sea Eagles), J'maine Hopgood (Eels), Izack Tago (Panthers), Scott Sorensen (Panthers), William Warbrick (Storm), Sandon Smith (Roosters), Lehi Hopoate (Sea Eagles), Payne Haas (Broncos), Jock Madden (Broncos), Samuela Fainu (Wests Tigers), Siosifa Talakai (Sharks), Jacob Liddle (Dragons), Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Luke Keary (Roosters), Taine Tuaupiki (Warriors), Deine Mariner (Broncos), Sualauvi Faalogo (Storm), Jayden Campbell (Titans), Isaiah Papali'i (Wests Tigers), Tanah Boyd (Titans), Corey Waddell (Sea Eagles), Tolutau Koula (Sea Eagles), Nathan Brown (Sea Eagles), Jack Williams (Sharks), Ben Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Luke Garner (Panthers), Jake Clifford (Cowboys), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors), Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers), Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)

1 point - Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Titans), Royce Hunt (Sharks), Luciano Leilua (Dragons), Nick Meaney (Storm), Jack Wighton (Rabbitohs), Briton Nikora (Sharks), Taylan May (Panthers), Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers), Max King (Bulldogs), Luke Brooks (Sea Eagles), Harrison Edwards (Bulldogs), Bronson Garlick (Storm), Thomas Burgess (Rabbitohs), Jye Gray (Rabbitohs), Greg Marzhew (Knights), Cameron McInnes (Sharks), Charlie Guymer (Eels), Asu Kepaoa (Wests Tigers), Jesse Arthars (Broncos), Kurtis Morrin (Bulldogs), Aidan Sezer (Wests Tigers), Charlie Staines (Wests Tigers), Tyson Frizell (Knights), Mikaele Ravalawa (Dragons), Daniel Saifiti (Knights), Tristan Sailor (Broncos), Brad Schneider (Panthers), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles), Rocco Berry (Warriors), Nat Butcher (Roosters), Jack Bostock (Dolphins), Justin Olam (Wests Tigers), Brodie Jones (Knights), Sam Verrills (Titans), Brandon Smith (Roosters), Jesse McLean (Panthers), Bronson Xerri (Bulldogs), Blake Wilson (Bulldogs), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Jack Cole (Panthers), Josh Kerr (Dolphins), Murray Taulagi (Cowboys), Griffin Neame (Cowboys), Valentine Holmes (Cowboys), Erin Clark (Titans), Braidon Burns (Cowboys), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Cowboys)

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 18 crowds

THIS WEEK

Round 18 aggregate: 157,309
Match average 19,664

SEASON

2024 aggregate (136 games): 2,628,007
Match average 19,324

Average home crowds

* Note: does not include neutral venues

Fixtures - Round 19

Dolphins v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Thu 11 Jul 7:50PM at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe / Kabi Kabi

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Wests Tigers
Fri 12 Jul 8:00PM at PointsBet Stadium, Woolooware / Dharawal

Gold Coast Titans v Parramatta Eels
Sat 13 Jul 5:30PM at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh
Brisbane Broncos v St George Illawarra Dragons
Sat 13 Jul 7:35PM at Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Newcastle Knights
Sun 14 Jul 4:05PM at 4 Pines Park, Brookvale / Cammeraygal

BYES: Canberra, Canterbury, Melbourne, North Qld, Penrith, Sydney, Warriors

Full 2024 NRL Draw & Results.