MONDAY'S EXPERT: 2024 NRL Round 25

A full wrap of the weekend's action - MONDAY'S EXPERT recaps all the teamsheets, details, scores and scorers from Round 25 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.

Tigers take shine off Silvertails

22 Aug 2024 11:09PM | Andy P

Wests Tigers 34 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 26
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield / Wanngal

Date: Thu, 22nd August.   Kickoff: 7:50 PM.   Halftime: Manly 16-12.   Penalties: Wests Tigers 8-5.   Referee: Peter Gough.   Crowd: 11,520.

Wests Tigers: Mason, Alaimalo, Faataape, Tupou, Staines; Galvin, Sezer; Utoikamanu, Koroisau (C), Klemmer, Seyfarth, Fainu, Papali'i. Int: Fainu, Fainu, Pole, Twal.
Manly: Trbojevic, Saab, Koula, Garrick, Hopoate; Brooks, Cherry-Evans (C); Paseka, Croker, Aloiai, Olakau'atu, Trbojevic, Trbojevic. Int: Chan Kum Tong, Bullemor, Brown, Waddell.

WESTS TIGERS (34)
Tries: Apisai Koroisau, Heath Mason, Alex Seyfarth, Latu Fainu, Solomona Faataape, Samuela Fainu
Conversions: Apisai Koroisau (3/4), Aidan Sezer (2/2)

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (26)
Tries: Jason Saab, Lehi Hopoate, Ethan Bullemor, Tom Trbojevic (2)
Conversions: Reuben Garrick (3/5)

Johnson says farewell as Bulldogs secure September

23 Aug 2024 7:56PM | Robert Crosby

Warriors 18 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 34
Venue: Shaun Johnson Stadium (Go Media Stadium), Penrose / Aotearoa

Date: Fri, 23rd August.   Kickoff: 8:00 PM (local time).   Halftime: Warriors 18-16.   Penalties: Warriors 6-5.   Referee: Wyatt Raymond.   Crowd: 24,295.

Warriors: Nicoll-Klokstad, Watene-Zelezniak, Pompey, Tuivasa-Sheck, Montoya; Metcalf, Johnson (C); Fonua-Blake, Egan, Tevaga, Barnett (C), Capewell, Walker. Int: Niukore, Lussick, Sifakula, Harris-Tavita.
Canterbury: Tracey, Kiraz, Xerri, Crichton (C), Addo-Carr; Burton, Sexton; King, Mahoney, Hughes, Kikau, Preston, Mann. Int: Hayward, Morrin, Hayes, Salmon.

WARRIORS (18)
Tries: Marcelo Montoya, Kurt Capewell, Wayde Egan
Conversions: Shaun Johnson (3/3)

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (34)
Tries: Bronson Xerri, Stephen Crichton, Kurtis Morrin, Harry Hayes, Josh Addo-Carr, Jacob Kiraz
Conversions: Matt Burton (5/6)

Broncos fightback keeps them in the hunt

23 Aug 2024 10:00PM | Andrew Ferguson

Brisbane Broncos 30 Parramatta Eels 24
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

Date: Fri, 23rd August.   Kickoff: 8:00 PM.   Halftime: Parramatta 16-12.   Penalties: Parramatta 5-4.   Referee: Todd Smith.   Crowd: 36,289.

Brisbane: Sailor, Cobbo, Staggs, Mariner, Arthars; Rogers, Reynolds (C); Jensen, Walters, Willison, Piakura, Riki, Carrigan. Int: Mozer, Hetherington, Karapani, Taupau.
Parramatta: Gutherson (C), Sivo, Penisini, Talagi, Russell; Brown, Asi; Campbell-Gillard, Hands, Lane, Tuilagi, Cartwright, Ofahengaue. Int: Lussick, Makatoa, Keir, Tago.

BRISBANE BRONCOS (30)
Tries: Tristan Sailor, Adam Reynolds, Joshua Rogers, Selwyn Cobbo, Kotoni Staggs
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (5/5)

PARRAMATTA EELS (24)
Tries: Viliami Penisini, Joe Ofahengaue, Maika Sivo, Shaun Lane
Conversions: Clinton Gutherson (3/4)
Penalty Goals: Clinton Gutherson (1/1)

Raiders Savage Panthers

24 Aug 2024 5:33PM | Andrew Ferguson

Canberra Raiders 22 Penrith Panthers 18
Venue: GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce / Ngunnawal

Date: Sat, 24th August.   Kickoff: 3:00 PM.   Halftime: Penrith 12-10.   Penalties: Penrith 9-5.   Referee: Grant Atkins.   Crowd: 17,523.

Canberra: Rapana, Hopoate, Timoko, Kris, Savage; Weekes, Fogarty; Horsburgh, Levi, Tapine, Young, Whitehead (C), Smithies. Int: Papalii, Starling, Mariota, Sasagi.
Penrith: Edwards, Laurie, Tago, Mclean, To'o; Schneider, Luai; Leota, Sommerton, Fisher-Harris, Garner, Martin, Yeo (C). Int: Geyer, Toelau, Smith, Henry.

CANBERRA RAIDERS (22)
Tries: Xavier Savage (2), Kaeo Weekes, Albert Hopoate
Conversions: Jamal Fogarty (3/4)

PENRITH PANTHERS (18)
Tries: Luke Sommerton, Daine Laurie, James Fisher-Harris
Conversions: Dylan Edwards (2/3)
Penalty Goals: Dylan Edwards (1/1)

Melbourne get NAS-ty in Minor Premiership sealer

24 Aug 2024 8:10PM | Josh Robertson

Melbourne Storm 48 Dolphins 6
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne / Wurundjeri

Date: Sat, 24th August.   Kickoff: 5:30 PM.   Halftime: Melbourne 22-0.   Penalties: 6-all.   Referee: Gerard Sutton.   Crowd: 26,106.

Melbourne: Papenhuyzen, Warbrick, Howarth, Meaney, Fa'alogo; Munster, Hughes; Asofa-Solomona, Grant (C), King, Blore, Katoa, Loiero. Int: Wishart, Kamikamica, MacDonald, Welch.
Dolphins: Tabuai-Fidow, Isaako, Averillo, Farnworth, Bostock; Nikorima, Katoa; Bromwich (C), Plath, Stone, Kaufusi, Lemuelu, Bromwich. Int: Keeley, Nicholls, O'Sullivan, Kerr, Teague.

MELBOURNE STORM (48)
Tries: Sualauvi Faalogo (2), Harry Grant, Alec MacDonald, Jack Howarth, Jahrome Hughes, Eliesa Katoa, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Josh King
Conversions: Nick Meaney (6/9)

DOLPHINS (6)
Tries: Jake Averillo
Conversions: Jamayne Isaako (1/1)

Ponga keeps Newcastle afloat for now in the race for eighth

24 Aug 2024 9:19PM | AJ Lucantonio

South Sydney Rabbitohs 16 Newcastle Knights 36
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal

Date: Sat, 24th August.   Kickoff: 7:35 PM.   Halftime: Newcastle 20-12.   Penalties: Newcastle 8-4.   Referee: Chris Butler.   Crowd: 9,659.

South Sydney: Gray, Munro, Milne, Myers, Gagai; Wighton, Hawkins; Moale, Cook, Keppie, Koloamatangi, Duncan, Murray (C). Int: Mamouzelos, Host, Burgess, Mitchell.
Newcastle: Ponga (C), Sharpe, Gagai, Lucas, Marzhew; Cogger, Crossland; Saifiti, Brailey, Thompson, Frizell, Pearce-Paul, Elliott. Int: Pryce, Croker, Hetherington, Jones, Su'a.

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (16)
Tries: Taane Milne, Jack Wighton, Tallis Duncan
Conversions: Fletcher Myers (2/3)

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (36)
Tries: Fletcher Sharpe, Dylan Lucas, Dane Gagai (2), Jack Cogger (2)
Conversions: Kalyn Ponga (5/6)
Penalty Goals: Kalyn Ponga (1/1)

Roosters blitz Titans to move into top two

25 Aug 2024 4:10PM | Rhys Sullivan

Gold Coast Titans 22 Sydney Roosters 48
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh

Date: Sun, 25th August.   Kickoff: 2:00 PM.   Halftime: Sydney 26-10.   Penalties: Gold Coast 9-7.   Referee: Adam Gee.   Crowd: 19,286.

Gold Coast: Kini, Khan-Pereira, Kelly, Brimson, Fifita; Campbell, Foran (C); Fotuaika, Verrills, Jolliffe, Fifita, Fermor, Randall. Int: Liu, Clark, Haas, Palasia.
Sydney: Tedesco (C), Tupou, Sua'ali'i, Manu, Young; Keary, Walker; Waerea-Hargreaves, Dockar-Clay, Collins, Crichton, Radley, Tupouniua. Int: Butcher, Smith, Leniu, May.

GOLD COAST TITANS (22)
Tries: Alofiana Khan-Pereira (3), Keano Kini
Conversions: Jayden Campbell (3/4)

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (48)
Tries: Angus Crichton (3), Sam Walker, Dominic Young, Daniel Tupou (2), James Tedesco, Sitili Tupouniua
Conversions: Sam Walker (6/9)

Sharks rise up, up the ladder

25 Aug 2024 6:11PM | Robert Crosby

St George Illawarra Dragons 10 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 38
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong / Dharawal

Date: Sun, 25th August.   Kickoff: 4:05 PM.   Halftime: Cronulla 14-6.   Penalties: St George Illawarra 9-6.   Referee: Ashley Klein.   

St George Illawarra: Sloan, Lomax, Feagai, Feagai, Tuipulotu; Bird, Hunt (C); Molo, Liddle, Lawrie, Couchman, Su'A, Eisenhuth. Int: De Belin, Leilua, Couchman, King-Togia.
Cronulla: Kennedy, Stonestreet, Ramien, Iro, Hiroti; Atkinson, Trindall; Rudolf, Brailey, Kaufusi, Nikora, Wilton, McInnes (C). Int: Williams, Hunt, Hamlin-Uele, Hazelton.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (10)
Tries: Jack Bird, Christian Tuipulotu
Conversions: Zac Lomax (1/2)

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (38)
Tries: Jesse Ramien, Kayal Iro, Samuel Stonestreet (2), William Kennedy, Briton Nikora, Mawene Hiroti
Conversions: Braydon Trindall (5/7)

North Queensland Cowboys had a bye this round.

Round 25 ladder

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

RLP stats leaders

TOP TRYSCORERS

TOP GOALKICKERS

TOP POINTSCORERS

Match review

Manly's Corey Waddell and South Sydney's Cam Murray are both facing 2-3 games out while Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton is facing 1-2 games. Eight other players were fined after the first six games of the round.

From Sunday's games, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves picked up a hefty suspension (3-4 games) while Cronulla's Jesse Ramien is facing 1-2 games.

Later on Monday, Waddell (2 games) and Crichton (1 game) took the early plea, while Murray is fighting for a downgrade at judiciary on Tuesday night. All other players up to Saturday's matches accepted their fines with early pleas.

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.

29 points - Daly Cherry Evans (Sea Eagles 26, Maroons 3)

26 points - Jahrome Hughes (Storm)

24 points - James Tedesco (Roosters)

23 points - Dylan Edwards (Panthers 20, Blues 3)

19 points - Ben Hunt (Dragons)

17 points - Reece Walsh (Broncos), Sam Walker (Roosters), Angus Crichton (Roosters 13, Blues 4)

15 points - Matt Burton (Bulldogs), Keano Kini (Titans), Eliesa Katoa (Storm), Jamal Fogarty (Raiders)

14 points - Isaah Yeo (Panthers), Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers), Nathan Cleary (Panthers), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins 12, Maroons 2)

13 points - Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Zac Lomax (Dragons), Mitchell Moses (Eels 10, Blues 3)

12 points - Te Maire Martin (Warriors), Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs 11, Blues 1)

11 points - Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins), Harry Grant (Storm), Nicho Hynes (Sharks), Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks), Braydon Trindall (Sharks), AJ Brimson (Titans)

10 points - Brian To'o (Panthers), Kalyn Ponga (Knights), Clinton Gutherson (Eels), Lachlan Galvin (Wests Tigers), Toby Sexton (Bulldogs), Jarome Luai (Panthers 9, Blues 1)

9 points - Dane Gagai (Knights), Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs), Adam Reynolds (Broncos), Reece Robson (Cowboys), Dylan Brown (Eels), Tyrell Sloan (Dragons)

8 points - Connor Tracey (Bulldogs), Josh Curran (Bulldogs), Cody Walker (Rabbitohs), Damien Cook (Rabbitohs), Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs), Jacob Kiraz (Bulldogs), Kieran Foran (Titans), Tom Dearden (Cowboys)

7 points - Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Terrell May (Roosters), Joseph Tapine (Raiders), Shaun Johnson (Warriors), Ezra Mam (Broncos), Patrick Carrigan (Broncos), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm), Blayke Brailey (Sharks), Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos), Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors), Connor Watson (Roosters)

6 points - Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors), Joseph Manu (Roosters), Kaeo Weekes (Raiders), Tyran Wishart (Storm), Daniel Atkinson (Sharks), David Fifita (Titans), William Kennedy (Sharks), Jacob Preston (Bulldogs), Jackson Hastings (Knights), Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs), Xavier Coates (Storm), Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Max Plath (Dolphins), Jaydn Su'A (Dragons 5, Maroons 1)

5 points - Luke Brooks (Sea Eagles), Hudson Young (Raiders), Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers), Lehi Hopoate (Sea Eagles), Kotoni Staggs (Broncos), Jordan Rapana (Raiders), Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles), Trai Fuller (Dolphins), Bradman Best (Knights), Jayden Campbell (Titans), Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys), Valentine Holmes (Cowboys), Dylan Lucas (Knights), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors), Kayal Iro (Sharks), Jack Cogger (Knights), Mitchell Barnett (Warriors), Jacob Liddle (Dragons), Jack Williams (Sharks)

4 points - James Fisher-Harris (Panthers), Ethan Strange (Raiders), David Armstrong (Knights), Tristan Sailor (Broncos), Morgan Smithies (Raiders), Jake Clifford (Cowboys), Jackson Ford (Warriors), Zac Hosking (Raiders), Victor Radley (Roosters), Dominic Young (Roosters), Lindsay Collins (Roosters), Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins), Tyson Frizell (Knights), Briton Nikora (Sharks), Reuben Cotter (Cowboys), Josh Addo-Carr (Bulldogs), Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs), Chad Townsend (Cowboys)

3 points - Kyle Feldt (Cowboys), Payne Haas (Broncos), Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins), Jesse Ramien (Sharks), Daejarn Asi (Eels), Shawn Blore (Storm), Euan Aitken (Dolphins), Elliott Whitehead (Raiders), Harry Hayes (Bulldogs), Fletcher Sharpe (Knights), Jason Saab (Sea Eagles), William Warbrick (Storm), Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans), Jesse Marschke (Dragons), Jack de Belin (Dragons), Josh King (Storm), Thomas Flegler (Dolphins), Zac Laybutt (Cowboys), Matthew Timoko (Raiders), Bryce Cartwright (Eels), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors), Stefano Utoikamanu (Wests Tigers), Wayde Egan (Warriors), Adam Elliott (Knights), Teig Wilton (Sharks), Thomas Hazelton (Sharks), Junior Paulo (Eels), Cameron Munster (Storm), Murray Taulagi (Cowboys), Nathan Brown (Sea Eagles), Sione Katoa (Sharks), Tyson Gamble (Knights), Ben Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)

2 points - Toafofoa Sipley (Sea Eagles), Samuela Fainu (Wests Tigers), Deine Mariner (Broncos), Luke Keary (Roosters), Isaiah Papali'i (Wests Tigers), Taane Milne (Rabbitohs), Jack Wighton (Rabbitohs), Luke Garner (Panthers), Scott Sorensen (Panthers), Tevita Pangai Junior (Dolphins), Sitili Tupouniua (Roosters), Tolutau Koula (Sea Eagles), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors), Phillip Sami (Titans), Sandon Smith (Roosters), Izack Tago (Panthers), Jye Gray (Rabbitohs), Corey Waddell (Sea Eagles), Grant Anderson (Storm), Jojo Fifita (Titans), Tommy Talau (Sea Eagles), Sualauvi Faalogo (Storm), Taine Tuaupiki (Warriors), Jock Madden (Broncos), Siosifa Talakai (Sharks), J'maine Hopgood (Eels), Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Heilum Luki (Cowboys), Tanah Boyd (Titans), Billy Walters (Broncos), Liam Martin (Panthers)

1 point - Max King (Bulldogs), Taylan May (Panthers), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Eels), Beau Fermor (Titans), Samuel Stonestreet (Sharks), Lindsay Smith (Panthers), Maika Sivo (Eels), Heath Mason (Wests Tigers), Luke Metcalf (Warriors), Jesse Arthars (Broncos), Tallyn Da Silva (Wests Tigers), Jamie Humphreys (Sea Eagles), Blake Wilson (Bulldogs), Casey McLean (Panthers), Daine Laurie (Panthers), Christian Tuipulotu (Dragons), Justin Olam (Wests Tigers), Erin Clark (Titans), Thomas Burgess (Rabbitohs), Asu Kepaoa (Wests Tigers), Braidon Burns (Cowboys), Bronson Xerri (Bulldogs), Jack Cole (Panthers), Brandon Smith (Roosters), Josh Kerr (Dolphins), Nat Butcher (Roosters), Daniel Saifiti (Knights), Brad Schneider (Panthers), Charlie Staines (Wests Tigers), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Mikaele Ravalawa (Dragons), Brodie Jones (Knights), Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles), Sam Verrills (Titans), Jesse McLean (Panthers), Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers), Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Titans), Griffin Neame (Cowboys), Cameron McInnes (Sharks), Greg Marzhew (Knights), Harrison Edwards (Bulldogs), Bronson Garlick (Storm), Kurtis Morrin (Bulldogs), Royce Hunt (Sharks), Rocco Berry (Warriors), Aidan Sezer (Wests Tigers), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Cowboys), Luciano Leilua (Dragons), Jack Bostock (Dolphins), Nick Meaney (Storm), Charlie Guymer (Eels)

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 25 crowds

Round 25 aggregate: 162,432
Match average 20,304

SEASON
2024 aggregate (188 games): 3,583,789
Match average 19,063

Average home crowds

* Note: does not include neutral venues

Fixtures - Round 26

North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm
Thu 29 Aug 7:50PM at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Fri 30 Aug 6:00PM at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal
Penrith Panthers v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Fri 30 Aug 8:00PM at BlueBet Stadium, Penrith / Dharug

Parramatta Eels v St George Illawarra Dragons
Sat 31 Aug 3:00PM at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal
Dolphins v Brisbane Broncos
Sat 31 Aug 5:30PM at Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Warriors
Sat 31 Aug 7:35PM at PointsBet Stadium, Woolooware / Dharawal

Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans
Sun 1 Sep 2:00PM at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal
Sydney Roosters v Canberra Raiders
Sun 1 Sep 4:05PM at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park / Gadigal

BYE: Wests Tigers

Full 2024 NRL Draw & Results.