MONDAY'S EXPERT: 2025 NRL Round 9
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Expert
MONDAY'S EXPERT: 2025 NRL Round 9
A full wrap of the weekend's action - MONDAY'S EXPERT recaps all the teamsheets, details, scores and scorers from Round 9 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 local times to the venue the game is played.
RELATED: See the full list of 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership Draw and Results.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 28
Parramatta Eels 18
The Stonestreets won't forget Cronulla's Magic Round win
2 May 2025 7:03PM | Robert Crosby
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal. Date: Fri, 2nd May. Kickoff: 6:00 PM. Halftime: Cronulla 12-6. Penalties: Cronulla 8-7. Referee: Peter Gough. Crowd: 44,613.
Cronulla: Kennedy, Stonestreet, Ramien, Iro, Mulitalo; Trindall, Hynes; Fonua-Blake, Brailey, Hazelton, Nikora, Burns, McInnes (C). Int: Kaufusi, Talakai, Hamlin-Uele, Colquhoun.
Parramatta: Iongi, Simonsson, Penisini, Russell, Addo-Carr; Brown, Moses (C); Williams, Smith, Paulo, Guymer, Kautoga, Hopgood. Int: Walker, Moretti, Tuivaiti, Samrani.
CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (28)
Tries: KL Iro, Briton Nikora, Samuel Stonestreet (2), Cameron McInnes
Conversions: Nicho Hynes (3/5)
Penalty Goals: Nicho Hynes (1/1)
PARRAMATTA EELS (18)
Tries: Josh Addo-Carr (2), Dylan Brown
Conversions: Sean Russell (3/3)
Sydney Roosters 36
Dolphins 26
Roosters win back-to-back, Dolphins go down swinging
2 May 2025 10:44PM | Andrew Ferguson
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal. Date: Fri, 2nd May. Kickoff: 8:05 PM. Halftime: Sydney 14-8. Penalties: Dolphins 4-3. Referee: Grant Atkins. Crowd: 48,359.
Sydney: Tedesco (C), Tupou, Smith, Toia, Nawaqanitawase; Smith, Savala; Leniu, Watson, Whyte, Crichton, Wong, Radley. Int: Dockar-Clay, Foketi, Steep, Butcher.
Dolphins: Tabuai-Fidow, Isaako, Averillo, Farnworth, Bostock; Nikorima, Katoa; Nicholls, Marshall-King, Molo, Finefeuiaki, Lemuelu, Gilbert (C). Int: Stone, Kerr, O'Sullivan, Keeley.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS (36)
Tries: Robert Toia (2), Victor Radley (2), Mark Nawaqanitawase (2), Connor Watson
Conversions: Hugo Savala (4/7)
DOLPHINS (26)
Tries: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (2), Jack Bostock, Kodi Nikorima
Conversions: Jamayne Isaako (4/4)
Penalty Goals: Jamayne Isaako (1/1)
South Sydney Rabbitohs 4
Newcastle Knights 30
Knights attacking woes disappear against poor Souths
3 May 2025 4:58PM | Josh Robertson
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal. Date: Sat, 3rd May. Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Halftime: Newcastle 18-0. Penalties: 3-all. Referee: Liam Kennedy. Crowd: 39,682.
South Sydney: Gray, Bentley-Hape, Aitken, Graham, Tass; Dodd, Sullivan; Keppie, Mamouzelos, Tatola (C), Koloamatangi, Duncan, Arrow. Int: Le Blanc, Hubner, Moale, Myers.
Newcastle: Ponga (C), Schiller, Gagai, Best, Marzhew; Sharpe, Cogger; Saifiti, Crossland, Thompson, Lucas, Pearce-Paul, Frizell. Int: Brailey, Croker, Elliott, Jones.
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (4)
Tries: Isaiah Tass
Conversions: Isaiah Tass (0/1)
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (30)
Tries: Fletcher Sharpe (3), Jack Cogger, Bradman Best
Conversions: Kalyn Ponga (5/5)
Warriors 30
North Queensland Cowboys 26
Metcalf mania guides Warriors home in first half blitz
3 May 2025 7:25PM | AJ Lucantonio
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal. Date: Sat, 3rd May. Kickoff: 5:30 PM. Halftime: Warriors 28-12. Penalties: Warriors 5-3. Referee: Adam Gee. Crowd: 49,512.
Warriors: Nicoll-Klokstad, Tuaupiki, Berry, Pompey, Kosi; Harris-Tavita, Metcalf; Niukore, Egan, Barnett (C), Capewell, Halasima, Clark. Int: Ford, Vaimauga, Afoa, Healey.
North Qld: Drinkwater, Derby, Purdue, Vailea, Taulagi; Dearden (C), Clifford; McLean, Robson, Taumalolo, Bateman, Nanai, Cotter. Int: McIntyre, Edwards, Neame, Hess.
WARRIORS (30)
Tries: Luke Metcalf (2), Edward Kosi, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Adam Pompey
Conversions: Luke Metcalf (4/5)
Penalty Goals: Luke Metcalf (1/2)
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (26)
Tries: Jaxon Purdue, Tom Dearden, Robert Derby, Murray Taulagi, Jeremiah Nanai
Conversions: Scott Drinkwater (3/5)
Wests Tigers 34
St George Illawarra Dragons 28
Tigers topple Dragons
3 May 2025 10:22PM | Andrew Ferguson
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal. Date: Sat, 3rd May. Kickoff: 7:45 PM. Halftime: Wests Tigers 26-10. Penalties: 4-all. Referee: Wyatt Raymond. Crowd: 50,658.
Wests Tigers: Bula, Turuva, Doueihi, Naden, Staines; Galvin, Luai (C); May, Koroisau, Pole, Fainu, Seyfarth, Twal. Int: Da Silva, Hunt, Bird, Fainu.
St Geo Illa: Gutherson (C), Sloan, Suli, Holmes, Allan; Flanagan, King-Togia; Couchman, Cook, Klemmer, Egan, Su'A, Stewart. Int: Liddle, De Belin, Guler, Leilua.
WESTS TIGERS (34)
Tries: Charlie Staines (2), Adam Doueihi, Sunia Turuva, Sione Fainu, Jahream Bula
Conversions: Adam Doueihi (4/6)
Penalty Goals: Adam Doueihi (1/1)
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (28)
Tries: Dylan Egan, Valentine Holmes, Jacob Liddle (2), Hamish Stewart
Conversions: Valentine Holmes (4/5)
Gold Coast Titans 18
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 38
Brusing Bulldogs overcome Titans
4 May 2025 3:55PM | LeagueUnlimited Media
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal. Date: Sun, 4th May. Kickoff: 1:50 PM. Halftime: Canterbury 14-8. Penalties: Canterbury 5-4. Referee: Todd Smith. Crowd: 39,581.
Gold Coast: De Groot, Khan-Pereira, Kelly, Sami, Francis; Brimson, Weaver; Fotuaika, Verrills, Campbell-Gillard, Haas, Fermor, Fa'asuamaleaui (C). Int: Randall, Fa'asuamaleaui, Hau, Pahulu.
Canterbury: Tracey, Kiraz, Xerri, Crichton (C), Montoya; Hayward, Sexton; King, Mahoney, Suluka-Fifita, Kikau, Preston, Salmon. Int: Mann, Hayes, Morrin, Taaffe.
GOLD COAST TITANS (18)
Tries: Beau Fermor (2), Phillip Sami, Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Conversions: Brian Kelly (1/4)
CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (38)
Tries: Jacob Kiraz (3), Connor Tracey, Jacob Preston, Reed Mahoney
Conversions: Stephen Crichton (6/6)
Penalty Goals: Stephen Crichton (1/1)
Penrith Panthers 32
Brisbane Broncos 8
Broncos inconsistencies continue as perfect Panthers return to form
4 May 2025 5:28PM | Adam Huxtable
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal. Date: Sun, 4th May. Kickoff: 4:05 PM. Halftime: Penrith 20-8. Penalties: Penrith 4-3. Referee: Ashley Klein.
Penrith: Edwards, Alamoti, Tago, Garner, Jenkins; Talagi, Cleary (C); Leota, Toelau, Smith, Papali'i, Martin, Yeo. Int: Sommerton, Henry, Geyer, Patea.
Brisbane: Cobbo, Mariner, Staggs, Shibasaki, Arthars; Hunt, Reynolds (C); Carrigan, Walters, Haas, Willison, Piakura, Hetherington. Int: Riki, Paix, Jensen, Hunt.
PENRITH PANTHERS (32)
Tries: Izack Tago, Nathan Cleary, Luron Patea, Thomas Jenkins (2)
Conversions: Nathan Cleary (5/5)
Penalty Goals: Nathan Cleary (1/1)
BRISBANE BRONCOS (8)
Tries: Ben Hunt
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (1/1)
Penalty Goals: Adam Reynolds (1/1)
Melbourne Storm 18
Canberra Raiders 20
Raiders steal dramatic and controversial Magic Round win
4 May 2025 8:49PM | Josh Robertson
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal. Date: Sun, 4th May. Kickoff: 6:25 PM. Halftime: Melbourne 14-12. Penalties: Canberra 9-6. Referee: Gerard Sutton. Crowd: 50,309.
Melbourne: Papenhuyzen, Fa'alogo, Anderson, Meaney, Coates; Munster (C), Hughes; Utoikamanu, Garlick, King, Blore, Katoa, Loiero. Int: Wishart, MacDonald, Kamikamica, Chan.
Canberra: Weekes, Tamale, Timoko, Kris, Savage; Strange, Fogarty; Horsburgh, Starling, Tapine (C), Young, Nicholson, Smithies. Int: Pattie, Hosking, Papalii, Mariota.
MELBOURNE STORM (18)
Tries: Grant Anderson, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Sualauvi Faalogo
Conversions: Ryan Papenhuyzen (1/3)
Penalty Goals: Ryan Papenhuyzen (2/2)
CANBERRA RAIDERS (20)
Tries: Savelio Tamale, Matthew Timoko, Kaeo Weekes
Conversions: Jamal Fogarty (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Jamal Fogarty (1/1)
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles had a bye this round.
Round 9 ladder
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | B | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canterbury | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 94 | 16 |
| 2 | Canberra | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 60 | 14 |
| 3 | Warriors | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 14 |
| 4 | Melbourne | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 76 | 12 |
| 5 | Brisbane | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 54 | 10 |
| 6 | Cronulla | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 49 | 10 |
| 7 | Manly | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 36 | 10 |
| 8 | Wests Tigers | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 20 | 10 |
| 9 | North Qld | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | -14 | 10 |
| 10 | St Geo Illa | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 1 | -14 | 8 |
| 11 | Sydney | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | -42 | 8 |
| 12 | Newcastle | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 1 | -48 | 8 |
| 13 | South Sydney | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | -70 | 8 |
| 14 | Dolphins | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| 15 | Penrith | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | -2 | 6 |
| 16 | Gold Coast | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | -88 | 6 |
| 17 | Parramatta | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | -117 | 6 |
RELATED: Click here to view the current NRL Telstra Premiership ladder.
RLP stats leaders
TOP TRYSCORERS
| Rank | Player | Team | P | T |
| 1 | Jesse Arthars | Brisbane | 9 | 10 |
| 2 | Sunia Turuva | Wests Tigers | 9 | 9 |
| 3 | Ryan Papenhuyzen | Melbourne | 8 | 8 |
| = | Samuel Stonestreet | Cronulla | 9 | 8 |
| 5 | Christian Tuipulotu | St Geo Illa | 5 | 7 |
| = | Josh Addo-Carr | Parramatta | 6 | 7 |
| = | Tyrell Sloan | St Geo Illa | 7 | 7 |
| = | Murray Taulagi | North Qld | 8 | 7 |
| = | Jaxon Purdue | North Qld | 8 | 7 |
| = | Xavier Coates | Melbourne | 8 | 7 |
| = | Hudson Young | Canberra | 9 | 7 |
| = | Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | Dolphins | 9 | 7 |
| = | Sebastian Kris | Canberra | 9 | 7 |
TOP GOALKICKERS
| Rank | Player | Team | P | G/A | % |
| 1 | Jamal Fogarty | Canberra | 9 | 41 / 48 | 85% |
| 2 | Jamayne Isaako | Dolphins | 9 | 37 / 42 | 88% |
| 3 | Reuben Garrick | Manly | 8 | 35 / 44 | 80% |
| 4 | Adam Reynolds | Brisbane | 9 | 31 / 40 | 78% |
| 5 | Nathan Cleary | Penrith | 8 | 29 / 32 | 91% |
| 6 | Valentine Holmes | St Geo Illa | 8 | 28 / 37 | 76% |
| 7 | Stephen Crichton | Canterbury | 8 | 27 / 31 | 87% |
TOP POINTSCORERS
| Rank | Player | Team | P | T | G | FG | Pts |
| 1 | Reuben Garrick | Manly | 8 | 6 | 35 | - | 94 |
| 2 | Jamayne Isaako | Dolphins | 9 | 4 | 37 | - | 90 |
| 3 | Jamal Fogarty | Canberra | 9 | 1 | 41 | - | 86 |
| 4 | Ryan Papenhuyzen | Melbourne | 8 | 8 | 26 | - | 84 |
| 5 | Adam Reynolds | Brisbane | 9 | 3 | 31 | 0/1 | 76 |
| 6 | Luke Metcalf | Warriors | 8 | 6 | 22 | - | 68 |
| = | Valentine Holmes | St Geo Illa | 8 | 3 | 28 | - | 68 |
| = | Sandon Smith | Sydney | 9 | 5 | 24 | - | 68 |
Match review
Only five players charged across the first five games of Round 9, and just one - Reuben Cotter - is facing suspension.
| Zach Dockar-Clay | SYD | $750 - $1000 |
| Braydon Trindall Kulikefu Finefeuiaki Tevita Tatola | CRO DOL SOU | $1000 - $1500 |
| Reuben Cotter | NQL | 2 - 3 matches |
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.
12 points - James Tedesco (Roosters)
11 points - Lachlan Galvin (Wests Tigers), Luke Metcalf (Warriors), Terrell May (Wests Tigers)
9 points - Hudson Young (Raiders), Jye Gray (Rabbitohs)
8 points - Max King (Bulldogs), Corey Horsburgh (Raiders), Jacob Preston (Bulldogs), Tom Dearden (Cowboys), Cameron Munster (Storm), Nathan Cleary (Panthers), Payne Haas (Broncos)
7 points - Clinton Gutherson (Dragons), Braydon Trindall (Sharks), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), Adam Reynolds (Broncos), Kalyn Ponga (Knights)
6 points - Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins), Bradman Best (Knights), Erin Clark (Warriors), William Kennedy (Sharks), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm), Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Titans)
5 points - Jayden Campbell (Titans), Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys), Zac Lomax (Eels), Mitchell Moses (Eels), Patrick Carrigan (Broncos), Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)
4 points - Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers), Joseph Tapine (Raiders), Xavier Willison (Broncos), Jamal Fogarty (Raiders), Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks), Lehi Hopoate (Sea Eagles), Eliesa Katoa (Storm), Connor Watson (Roosters), Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Sitili Tupouniua (Bulldogs)
3 points - Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles), Dylan Edwards (Panthers), Toby Sexton (Bulldogs), Gehamat Shibasaki (Broncos), Xavier Coates (Storm), Jake Clifford (Cowboys), Tyrell Sloan (Dragons), Jacob Kiraz (Bulldogs), Siosiua Taukeiaho (Sea Eagles), Nicho Hynes (Sharks), Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs), Sandon Smith (Roosters), Peter Mamouzelos (Rabbitohs), Briton Nikora (Sharks), Isaah Yeo (Panthers), Xavier Savage (Raiders), Daniel Saifiti (Dolphins), Wayde Egan (Warriors), Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers), Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors), Sualauvi Faalogo (Storm), Jaxon Purdue (Cowboys), Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs), Dylan Egan (Dragons), Blayke Brailey (Sharks)
2 points - Kyle Flanagan (Dragons), Billy Smith (Roosters), Jesse Ramien (Sharks), Beau Fermor (Titans), Jake Averillo (Dolphins), Robert Derby (Cowboys), Jake Simpkin (Sea Eagles), Jacob Saifiti (Knights), Jack Wighton (Rabbitohs), Luron Patea (Panthers), Josh Curran (Bulldogs), Jackson Ford (Warriors), Dylan Brown (Eels), Hugo Savala (Roosters), Kaeo Weekes (Raiders), Cory Paix (Broncos), Ali Leiataua (Warriors), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks), Keano Kini (Titans), Savelio Tamale (Raiders), Paul Alamoti (Panthers), Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos), Fletcher Sharpe (Knights), Jamie Humphreys (Rabbitohs), Jacob Liddle (Dragons), Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers), Bronson Xerri (Bulldogs), Jahrome Hughes (Storm)
1 point - Naufahu Whyte (Roosters), Adam Elliott (Knights), James Fisher-Harris (Warriors), Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins), Jack Howarth (Storm), Tom Gilbert (Dolphins), Mitchell Barnett (Warriors), David Fifita (Titans), Jeral Skelton (Wests Tigers), Thomas Jenkins (Panthers), Campbell Graham (Rabbitohs), Harry Hayes (Bulldogs), Matt Nicholson (Raiders), Ryley Smith (Eels), Josh Kerr (Dolphins), Sam Verrills (Titans), John Bateman (Cowboys), Shawn Blore (Storm), Starford To'a (Wests Tigers), Moses Leota (Panthers), Connor Tracey (Bulldogs), Luke Brooks (Sea Eagles), Stefano Utoikamanu (Storm), Samuel Stonestreet (Sharks), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Thomas Cant (Knights), Toby Couchman (Dragons)
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.
Magic Round crowds
Day 1 (Friday) - 48,359 (CRO v PAR, SYD v DOL)
Day 2 (Saturday) - 50,658 (SOU v NEW, WAR v NQL, WST v SGI)
Day 3 (Sunday) - 50,309 (GLD v CBY, PEN v BRI, MEL v CAN)
| Rnd 9 TOT | Rnd 9 AVG | Season TOT | Season AVG |
| 149,326 | 18,666 | 1,461,813 | 22,489 |
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.
There were no scorigamis this week.
CRO def PAR 28-18 - 45th time (most recently 2025 R4 SOU d PEN)
SYD def DOL 36-26 - 13th time (most reently 2023 R19 CAN d SGI)
NEW def SOU 30-4 - 24th time (most recently 2023 R7 PAR def CBY)
WAR def NQL 30-26 - 25th time (most recently 2024 R19 SGI d BRI)
WST def SGI 34-28 - 9th time (most recently 2012 R9 SOU d CRO)
CBY def GLD 38-18 - 23rd time (most recently 2024 R10 SYD d WAR)
PEN def BRI 32-8 - 24th time (most recently 2023 R26 SYD d WST)
CAN def MEL 20-18 - 105th time (most recently 2025 R8 WST d CRO)
Fixtures - Round 10
Times AEST. Women in League Round
Parramatta Eels v Dolphins
Thu 8 May 7:50PM at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal
Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans
Fri 9 May 6:00PM at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Brisbane Broncos
Fri 9 May 8:00PM at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal
Canberra Raiders v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Sat 10 May 3:00PM at GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce / Ngunnawal
St George Illawarra Dragons v Warriors
Sat 10 May 5:30PM at WIN Stadium, Wollongong / Dharawal
North Queensland Cowboys v Penrith Panthers
Sat 10 May 7:35PM at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba
Melbourne Storm v Wests Tigers
Sun 11 May 2:00PM at AAMI Park, Melbourne / Wurundjeri
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Sun 11 May 4:05PM at 4 Pines Park, Brookvale / Cammeraygal
BYE: Sydney Roosters