MONDAY'S EXPERT: 2025 NRL Round 2

A full wrap of the weekend's action - MONDAY'S EXPERT recaps all the teamsheets, details, scores and scorers from Round 2 of the NRL, with heaps more info like the current ladder, stats leaders, match review, POTY standings, scorigami watch, crowd figures and fixtures for next week.

All listed times are venue local to each game.

RELATED: See the full list of 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership Draw and Results.

Newcastle Knights 26
Dolphins 12

Ponga punishes error-prone Dolphins

13 Mar 2025 10:07PM | Robert Crosby

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (26)
Tries: James Schiller (2), Bradman Best, Dane Gagai, Dylan Lucas
Conversions: Kalyn Ponga (3/5)

DOLPHINS (12)
Tries: Mark Nicholls, Isaiya Katoa
Conversions: Jamayne Isaako (2/2)

Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal. Date: Thu, 13th March. Kickoff: 8:00 PM. Halftime: Newcastle 20-6. Penalties: 5-all. Referee: Gerard Sutton. Crowd: 18,531.

Newcastle: Ponga (C), Schiller, Gagai, Best, Marzhew; Sharpe, Cogger; Saifiti, Crossland, Thompson, Lucas, Pearce-Paul, Frizell. Int: Brailey, Hetherington, Elliott, Croker.
Dolphins: Tabuai-Fidow, Isaako, Averillo, Farnworth, Tupou; Nikorima, Katoa; Saifiti, Marshall-King, Kaufusi, Keeley, Plath, Gilbert (C). Int: Donoghoe, Kerr, Nicholls, Stone.

Warriors 36
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 16

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas: Warriors bounce back against an ill-disciplined Manly

14 Mar 2025 7:55PM | AJ Lucantonio

WARRIORS (36)
Tries: Chanel Harris-Tavita, Luke Metcalf, Taine Tuaupiki, Ali Leiataua, Wayde Egan, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Conversions: Luke Metcalf (6/6)

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (16)
Tries: Tom Trbojevic, Jason Saab, Daly Cherry-Evans
Conversions: Reuben Garrick (1/3)
Penalty Goals: Reuben Garrick (1/1)

Venue: Go Media Stadium, Penrose / Aotearoa Date: Fri, 14th March. Kickoff: 8:00 PM. Halftime: Warriors 18-6. Penalties: Warriors 5-4. Referee: Adam Gee. Crowd: 21,212.

Warriors: Nicoll-Klokstad, Tuaupiki, Leiataua, Pompey, Tuivasa-Sheck; Harris-Tavita, Metcalf; Fisher-Harris (C), Egan, Barnett, Capewell, Niukore, Clark. Int: Walker, Ford, Vaimauga, Halasima.
Manly: Trbojevic, Saab, Faulalo, Garrick, Hopoate; Brooks, Cherry-Evans (C); Paseka, Tevaga, Aloiai, Olakau'atu, Trbojevic, Trbojevic. Int: Simpkin, Waddell, Bullemor, Sipley.

Penrith Panthers 32
Sydney Roosters 38

Roosters roll Panthers in Commbank boilover

14 Mar 2025 10:01PM | Tim Costello

PENRITH PANTHERS (32)
Tries: Paul Alamoti, Brian To'o, Liam Henry, Dylan Edwards, Casey McLean
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Nathan Cleary (4/5)
Penalty Goals: Nathan Cleary (2/2)

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (38)
Tries: Mark Nawaqanitawase, Sandon Smith, Connor Watson (2), Daniel Tupou (2), Dominic Young
Conversions: Sandon Smith (5/7)

Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal. Date: Fri, 14th March. Kickoff: 8:00 PM. Halftime: 18-all. Penalties: Penrith 8-3. Referee: Todd Smith. Crowd: 12,180.

Penrith: Edwards, Mclean, Tago, Alamoti, To'o; Cole, Cleary (C); Leota, Kenny, Smith, Sorensen, Martin, Yeo. Int: Laurie, Eisenhuth, Garner, Henry.
Sydney: Tedesco (C), Tupou, Nawaqanitawase, Toia, Young; Smith, Townsend; Losalu, Watson, Whyte, Crichton, Wong, Foketi. Int: Dockar-Clay, Makatoa, Steep, Savala.

St George Illawarra Dragons 24
South Sydney Rabbitohs 25

Red Hot Rabbitohs

15 Mar 2025 5:06PM | Andrew Ferguson

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (24)
Tries: Tyrell Sloan (2), Kyle Flanagan (2), Christian Tuipulotu
Conversions: Valentine Holmes (2/5)

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (25)
Tries: Jye Gray, Peter Mamouzelos, Cody Walker, Sean Keppie
Field Goals: Jamie Humphreys (1/1)
Conversions: Jamie Humphreys (4/4)

Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong / Dharawal. Date: Sat, 15th March. Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Halftime: St Geo Illa 14-12. Penalties: South Sydney 4-3. Referee: Ashley Klein. Crowd: 16,111.

St Geo Illa: Gutherson (C), Sloan, Suli, Holmes, Tuipulotu; Flanagan, Ilias; Lawrie, Cook, Guler, Leilua, Su'A, De Belin. Int: Couchman, Liddle, Faitala-Mariner, Stewart.
South Sydney: Gray, Tass, Myers, Graham, Bentley-Hape; Walker (C), Humphreys; Keppie, Mamouzelos, Moale, Koloamatangi, Arrow, Hubner. Int: Sullivan, Havili, Duncan, Tatola.

North Queensland Cowboys 12
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 36

Sharks dominate bland Cowboys

15 Mar 2025 7:52PM | Andrew Ferguson

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (12)
Tries: Jaxon Purdue, Scott Drinkwater
Conversions: Scott Drinkwater (2/2)

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (36)
Tries: Kayal Iro (2), Briton Nikora, Samuel Stonestreet (2), Teig Wilton, Ronaldo Mulitalo
Conversions: Nicho Hynes (4/6), Siosifa Talakai (0/1)

Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba. Date: Sat, 15th March. Kickoff: 4:30 PM. Halftime: Cronulla 16-6. Penalties: 7-all. Referee: Liam Kennedy. Crowd: 18,714.

North Qld: Drinkwater, Burns, Purdue, Vailea, Taulagi; Dearden (C), Duffy; McLean, Robson, McIntyre, Bateman, O'Donnell, Cotter. Int: Lawton, Edwards, Neame, Hess.
Cronulla: Kennedy, Stonestreet, Ramien, Iro, Mulitalo; Trindall, Hynes; Fonua-Blake, Brailey, Kaufusi, Nikora, Wilton, McInnes (C). Int: Atkinson, Talakai, Hamlin-Uele, Hau Tapuha.

Canberra Raiders 32
Brisbane Broncos 22

Raiders bring Broncos back to earth with impressive win

15 Mar 2025 9:55PM | Josh Robertson

CANBERRA RAIDERS (32)
Tries: Matt Nicholson (2), Josh Papali'i, Tom Starling, Matthew Timoko, Savelio Tamale
Conversions: Jamal Fogarty (4/6)

BRISBANE BRONCOS (22)
Tries: Jesse Arthars (3), Selwyn Cobbo
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (3/4)

Venue: GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce / Ngunnawal. Date: Sat, 15th March. Kickoff: 7:35 PM. Halftime: Canberra 16-10. Penalties: Brisbane 6-4. Referee: Wyatt Raymond. Crowd: 18,884.

Canberra: Weekes, Tamale, Timoko, Kris, Hopoate; Strange, Fogarty (C); Papalii, Starling, Horsburgh, Young, Hosking, Nicholson. Int: Smithies, Pattie, Sasagi, Mariota.
Brisbane: Walsh, Cobbo, Mariner, Shibasaki, Arthars; Hunt, Reynolds (C); Carrigan, Paix, Haas, Gosiewski, Riki, Hetherington. Int: Walters, Jensen, Willison, Piakura.

Parramatta Eels 6
Wests Tigers 32

Benji's Magic working a treat as Galvin stars against lowly Parramatta

16 Mar 2025 5:59PM | AJ Lucantonio

PARRAMATTA EELS (6)
Tries: Sean Russell
Conversions: Zac Lomax (1/1)

WESTS TIGERS (32)
Tries: Sunia Turuva (3), Starford To'a, Lachlan Galvin, Jeral Skelton
Conversions: Adam Doueihi (4/6)

Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal. Date: Sun, 16th March. Kickoff: 4:05 PM. Halftime: Wests Tigers 16-0. Penalties: Parramatta 8-6. Referee: Grant Atkins. Crowd: 18,362.

Parramatta: Iongi, Russell, Penisini, Lomax, Samrani; Brown, Volkman; Ofahengaue, Hands, Paulo (C), Lane, Williams, Hopgood. Int: Smith, Doorey, Kautoga, Tuivaiti.
Wests Tigers: Bula, Turuva, Doueihi, To'a, Skelton; Galvin, Luai (C); May, Koroisau, Pole, Fainu, Seyfarth, Twal. Int: Da Silva, Hunt, Bird, Fainu.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 40
Gold Coast Titans 24

Dogs wind back the clock to dominate Titans

16 Mar 2025 8:07PM | Rhys Sullivan

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (40)
Tries: Marcelo Montoya, Jaeman Salmon, Reed Mahoney, Josh Curran, Jacob Preston, Kurt Mann, Connor Tracey
Conversions: Matt Burton (3/4), Stephen Crichton (3/3)

GOLD COAST TITANS (24)
Tries: Alofiana Khan-Pereira (2), Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Jojo Fifita
Conversions: Jayden Campbell (4/4)

Venue: Belmore Sports Ground, Belmore / Bidjigal. Date: Sun, 16th March. Kickoff: 6:15 PM. Halftime: Canterbury 22-12. Penalties: 5-all. Referee: Peter Gough. Crowd: 17,892.

Canterbury: Tracey, Wilson, Xerri, Crichton (C), Montoya; Burton, Sexton; King, Mahoney, Curran, Kikau, Preston, Salmon. Int: Mann, Hayward, Tupouniua, Hayes.
Gold Coast: Kini, Khan-Pereira, Kelly, Sami, Fifita; Brimson, Campbell; Fotuaika, Verrills, Campbell-Gillard, Haas, Fermor, Fa'asuamaleaui (C). Int: Randall, Fifita, Jolliffe, Gray.

Melbourne Storm had a bye this round.

Round 1 ladder

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

RLP stats leaders

TOP TRYSCORERS

TOP GOALKICKERS

TOP POINTSCORERS

Match review

Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle), Lachlan Hubner (Souths) and Salesi Foketi are three players facing suspension after being charged in Round 2. There are five other players across the first six games of the round facing a fine.

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.

6 points - Kalyn Ponga (Knights)

3 points - Jye Gray (Rabbitohs), Peter Mamouzelos (Rabbitohs), Max King (Bulldogs), Connor Watson (Roosters), Sitili Tupouniua (Bulldogs), Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Luke Metcalf (Warriors), Briton Nikora (Sharks), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm), Lachlan Galvin (Wests Tigers), Xavier Savage (Raiders), Corey Horsburgh (Raiders), Isaah Yeo (Panthers), Patrick Carrigan (Broncos)

2 points - Wayde Egan (Warriors), Bradman Best (Knights), Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), James Tedesco (Roosters), Clinton Gutherson (Dragons), Adam Reynolds (Broncos), William Kennedy (Sharks), Terrell May (Wests Tigers), Cameron Munster (Storm), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos), Fletcher Sharpe (Knights), Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks), Jacob Preston (Bulldogs), Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles), Jamal Fogarty (Raiders), Nathan Cleary (Panthers)

1 point - Jeral Skelton (Wests Tigers), Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers), Matt Nicholson (Raiders), Payne Haas (Broncos), Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Titans), Braydon Trindall (Sharks), Jack Howarth (Storm), James Fisher-Harris (Warriors), Savelio Tamale (Raiders), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles), Jamie Humphreys (Rabbitohs), Adam Elliott (Knights), Harry Hayes (Bulldogs), Campbell Graham (Rabbitohs)

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 2 crowds

Scorigami watch

A 'scorigami' is when a score occurs that has never been recorded in the history of the game before. This section looks at each week's scorelines, how often they've occured and the most recent instance of it.

Newcastle Knights (26) v Dolphins (12)
No scorigami - 93 times prior
Last: 2023 Sydney 26 South Sydney 12, Accor

Warriors (36) v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (16)
No scorigami - 37 times prior
Last: 2024 Newcastle 36 South Sydney 16, Accor

Penrith Panthers (32) v Sydney Roosters (38)
No scorigami - 3 times prior
Last: 2021 Manly 38 Warriors 32, Brookvale

St George Illawarra Dragons (24) v South Sydney Rabbitohs (25)
No scorigami - 26 times prior
Last: 2023 Parramatta 25 Gold Coast 24, Commbank

North Queensland Cowboys (12) v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (36)
No scorigami - 36 times prior
Last: 2024 Canterbury 36 Newcastle, Accor

Canberra Raiders (32) v Brisbane Broncos (22)
No scorigami - 28 times prior
Last: 2024 Penrith 32 Manly 22, Bluebet

Parramatta Eels (6) v Wests Tigers (32)
No scorigami - 41 times prior
Last: 2024 Wests Tigers 32 Cronulla 6, Leichhardt

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (40) v Gold Coast Titans (24)
No scorigami - 9 times prior
Last: 2014 South Sydney 40 Manly 24, Allianz (1988-2018)

Round 3 Fixtures

Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers
Thu 20 Mar 8:00PM at AAMI Park, Melbourne / Wurundjeri

Warriors v Sydney Roosters
Fri 21 Mar 6:00PM at Go Media Stadium, Penrose / Aotearoa
Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys
Fri 21 Mar 8:05PM at Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Sat 22 Mar 3:00PM at Sharks Stadium, Woolooware / Dharawal
Dolphins v Wests Tigers
Sat 22 Mar 5:30PM at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe / Kabi Kabi
Gold Coast Titans v Newcastle Knights
Sat 22 Mar 7:35PM at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh

Parramatta Eels v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Sun 23 Mar 4:05PM at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Canberra Raiders
Sun 23 Mar 6:15PM at 4 Pines Park, Brookvale / Cammeraygal

BYE: St George Illawarra Dragons

Full 2025 NRL Draw & Results.