MONDAY'S EXPERT: 2025 NRL Round 12
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Expert
MONDAY'S EXPERT: 2025 NRL Round 12
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, scorigami watch, crowd figures and fixtures for next week.
All listed times are AEST (NSW/QLD/VIC/ACT).
RELATED: See the full list of 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership Draw and Results.
Dolphins deliver in the wet
22 May 2025 10:02PM | Robert Crosby
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 8 Dolphins 44
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal
Date: Thu, 22nd May. Kickoff: 7:50 PM. Halftime: Dolphins 14-8. Penalties: Dolphins 6-5. Referee: Todd Smith. Crowd: 10,412.
Canterbury: Tracey, Wilson, Xerri, Taaffe, Montoya; Burton, Sexton; Hughes, Mahoney, Curran, Kikau (C), Hayes, Hayward. Int: Hopoi, Turpin, Morrin, Smith.
Dolphins: Averillo, Isaako, Feagai, Farnworth, Bostock; Nikorima, Katoa; Molo, Donoghoe, Kaufusi (C), Finefeuiaki, Keeley, Stone. Int: Lemuelu, Graham, Nicholls, Kerr.
CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (8)
Tries: Lipoi Hopoi
Conversions: Matt Burton (1/1)
Penalty Goals: Matt Burton (1/1)
DOLPHINS (44)
Tries: Jamayne Isaako, Jack Bostock, Harrison Graham, Herbie Farnworth, Francis Molo, Jake Averillo, Kurt Donoghoe
Conversions: Jamayne Isaako (7/7)
Penalty Goals: Jamayne Isaako (1/2)
Eels beat pedestrian Manly
23 May 2025 10:55PM | Andrew Ferguson
Parramatta Eels 30 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 10
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal
Date: Fri, 23rd May. Kickoff: 8:00 PM. Halftime: Parramatta 16-10. Penalties: Parramatta 6-5. Referee: Liam Kennedy. Crowd: 13,425.
Parramatta: Iongi, Russell, Penisini, Samrani, Addo-Carr; Brown, Hawkins; Williams, Smith, Paulo (C), Moretti, Kautoga, Hopgood. Int: Tuilagi, Walker, Matterson, Papalii.
Manly: Trbojevic (C), Saab, Koula, Garrick, Hopoate; Brooks, Arthur; Bullemor, Simpkin, Taukeiaho, Olakau'atu, Waddell, Tevaga. Int: Croker, Brown, Lodge, Navale.
PARRAMATTA EELS (30)
Tries: Jordan Samrani, Joash Papali'i, Jack Williams, Isaiah Iongi, J'maine Hopgood
Conversions: Sean Russell (4/5)
Penalty Goals: Sean Russell (1/1)
MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (10)
Tries: Lehi Hopoate (2)
Conversions: Reuben Garrick (1/2)
Newcastle dine-and-dash Bathurst victory over wounded Panthers
24 May 2025 7:23PM | Rhys Sullivan
Penrith Panthers 6 Newcastle Knights 25
Venue: Carrington Park, Bathurst / Wiradjuri
Date: Sat, 24th May. Kickoff: 5:30 PM. Halftime: Newcastle 24-0. Penalties: Newcastle 8-7. Referee: Belinda Sharpe. Crowd: 12,000.
Penrith: Laurie, Alamoti, Jenkins, Mclean, McLean; Talagi, Schneider; Leota, Kenny (C), Eisenhuth, Tago, Henry, Smith. Int: Riki, Sommerton, Patea, Hassett.
Newcastle: Sharpe, Schiller, Gagai (C), McCarthy, Hunt; Gamble, Cogger; Frizell, Crossland, Jones, Lucas, Pearce-Paul, Elliott. Int: Brailey, Croker, Cant, Bryan.
PENRITH PANTHERS (6)
Tries: Harrison Hassett
Conversions: Paul Alamoti (1/1)
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (25)
Tries: Fletcher Sharpe, Dylan Lucas (3)
Field Goals: Jack Cogger (1/1)
Conversions: Dane Gagai (4/4)
Undermanned Roosters stand up against Toothless Cronulla
24 May 2025 10:15PM | Josh Robertson
Sydney Roosters 42 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 16
Venue: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford / Darkinjung
Date: Sat, 24th May. Kickoff: 7:35 PM. Halftime: Sydney 20-6. Penalties: Cronulla 8-7. Referee: Grant Atkins. Crowd: 13,399.
Sydney: Tedesco (C), Tupou, Smith, Nawaqanitawase, Young; Smith, Savala; Makatoa, Ioelu, Foketi, Butcher, Wong, Radley. Int: Dockar-Clay, Losalu, Steep, Va'a.
Cronulla: Kennedy, Hiroti, Ramien, Iro, Mulitalo; Trindall, Hynes; Fonua-Blake, Brailey, Kaufusi, Nikora, Burns, McInnes (C). Int: Atkinson, Colquhoun, Talakai, Hamlin-Uele.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS (42)
Tries: Daniel Tupou (2), Hugo Savala, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Xavier Va'a, James Tedesco, Dominic Young
Conversions: Sandon Smith (6/7)
Penalty Goals: Sandon Smith (1/1)
CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (16)
Tries: Cameron McInnes, Ronaldo Mulitalo, KL Iro
Conversions: Nicho Hynes (2/3)
Resilient Raiders hold on for gutsy road win against Warriors
25 May 2025 6:38PM | Adam Huxtable
Warriors 10 Canberra Raiders 16
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Penrose / Aotearoa
Date: Sun, 25th May. Kickoff: 6:05 PM. Halftime: 8-all. Penalties: Warriors 10-7. Referee: Adam Gee. Crowd: 26,512.
Warriors: Nicoll-Klokstad, Watene-Zelezniak, Pompey, Leiataua, Tuivasa-Sheck; Harris-Tavita, Metcalf; Niukore, Egan, Afoa, Halasima, Capewell (C), Clark. Int: Ford, Martin, Laban, Vaimauga.
Canberra: Weekes, Tamale, Timoko, Kris, Savage; Strange, Fogarty; Horsburgh, Starling, Tapine (C), Sasagi, Hosking, Smithies. Int: Pattie, Martin, Papalii, Mariota.
WARRIORS (10)
Tries: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Conversions: Luke Metcalf (1/1)
Penalty Goals: Luke Metcalf (2/2)
CANBERRA RAIDERS (16)
Tries: Tom Starling, Jamal Fogarty
Conversions: Jamal Fogarty (2/2)
Penalty Goals: Jamal Fogarty (2/2)
Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans, Melbourne Storm, North Queensland Cowboys, St George Illawarra Dragons, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers had a bye this round.
Round 12 ladder
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | B | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canterbury | 11 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 74 | 20 |
| 2 | Canberra | 12 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 70 | 18 |
| 3 | Warriors | 11 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 1 | -1 | 18 |
| 4 | Melbourne | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 135 | 16 |
| 5 | Cronulla | 12 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 44 | 14 |
| 6 | South Sydney | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 1 | -52 | 14 |
| 7 | North Qld | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 2 | -32 | 13 |
| 8 | Brisbane | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 42 | 12 |
| 9 | Manly | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 18 | 12 |
| 10 | St Geo Illa | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 2 | -11 | 12 |
| 11 | Sydney | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 1 | -20 | 12 |
| 12 | Wests Tigers | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 1 | -54 | 12 |
| 13 | Dolphins | 12 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 42 | 10 |
| 14 | Newcastle | 11 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 1 | -55 | 10 |
| 15 | Parramatta | 11 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 1 | -79 | 10 |
| 16 | Gold Coast | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 2 | -100 | 10 |
| 17 | Penrith | 11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 1 | -21 | 9 |
RELATED: Click here to view the current NRL Telstra Premiership ladder.
RLP stats leaders
TOP TRYSCORERS
| Rank | Player | Team | P | T |
| 1 | Ryan Papenhuyzen | Melbourne | 10 | 12 |
| 2 | Jesse Arthars | Brisbane | 11 | 11 |
| 3 | Xavier Coates | Melbourne | 10 | 10 |
| 4 | KL Iro | Cronulla | 8 | 9 |
| = | Tyrell Sloan | St Geo Illa | 9 | 9 |
| = | Hudson Young | Canberra | 11 | 9 |
| = | Sunia Turuva | Wests Tigers | 11 | 9 |
| 8 | Mark Nawaqanitawase | Sydney | 9 | 8 |
| = | Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | Dolphins | 11 | 8 |
| = | Samuel Stonestreet | Cronulla | 11 | 8 |
| = | Fletcher Sharpe | Newcastle | 11 | 8 |
| = | Xavier Savage | Canberra | 11 | 8 |
TOP GOALKICKERS
| Rank | Player | Team | P | G/A | % |
| 1 | Jamayne Isaako | Dolphins | 12 | 51 / 57 | 89% |
| = | Jamal Fogarty | Canberra | 12 | 51 / 64 | 80% |
| 3 | Reuben Garrick | Manly | 11 | 43 / 54 | 80% |
| 4 | Ryan Papenhuyzen | Melbourne | 10 | 39 / 47 | 83% |
| = | Adam Reynolds | Brisbane | 11 | 39 / 48 | 81% |
| 6 | Nicho Hynes | Cronulla | 12 | 38 / 51 | 75% |
| 7 | Sandon Smith | Sydney | 11 | 35 / 43 | 81% |
| =8 | Nathan Cleary | Penrith | 9 | 34 / 37 | 92% |
| =8 | Valentine Holmes | St Geo Illa | 10 | 34 / 46 | 74% |
| 10 | Scott Drinkwater | North Qld | 10 | 32 / 42 | 76% |
TOP POINTSCORERS
| Rank | Player | Team | P | T | G | F/2 | Pts |
| 1 | Ryan Papenhuyzen | Melbourne | 10 | 12 | 39 | - | 126 |
| 2 | Jamayne Isaako | Dolphins | 12 | 5 | 51 | - | 122 |
| 3 | Reuben Garrick | Manly | 11 | 6 | 43 | - | 110 |
| = | Jamal Fogarty | Canberra | 12 | 2 | 51 | - | 110 |
| 5 | Adam Reynolds | Brisbane | 11 | 3 | 39 | 0/1 | 92 |
| 6 | Sandon Smith | Sydney | 11 | 5 | 35 | - | 90 |
| 7 | Luke Metcalf | Warriors | 11 | 7 | 30 | 1 | 89 |
| 8 | Valentine Holmes | St Geo Illa | 10 | 3 | 34 | - | 80 |
| = | Nicho Hynes | Cronulla | 12 | 1 | 38 | - | 80 |
| 10 | Nathan Cleary | Penrith | 9 | 1 | 34 | - | 72 |
| = | Scott Drinkwater | North Qld | 10 | 2 | 32 | - | 72 |
Match review
A Panther and a Shark are facing suspension with five players charged up to Saturday.
| Liam Henry | PEN | 2 - 3 matches |
| Ronaldo Mulitalo | CRO | 1 - 2 matches |
| Josh Curran | CBY | $3000 - 2 matches |
| Haumole Olakau'atu | MAN | $1800 - $2500 |
| Kurt Donoghoe | DOL | $1000 - $1500 |
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.
17 points - Luke Metcalf (Warriors)
14 points - James Tedesco (Roosters)
12 points - Terrell May (Wests Tigers), Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins)
11 points - Clinton Gutherson (Dragons), Lachlan Galvin (Wests Tigers)
10 points - Braydon Trindall (Sharks), Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Titans)
9 points - Cameron Munster (Storm), Hudson Young (Raiders), Jye Gray (Rabbitohs), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm), Payne Haas (Broncos)
8 points - Adam Reynolds (Broncos), Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs), Erin Clark (Warriors), Corey Horsburgh (Raiders), Max King (Bulldogs), Tom Dearden (Cowboys), Jacob Preston (Bulldogs), Nathan Cleary (Panthers)
7 points - Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys), Zac Lomax (Eels), Kalyn Ponga (Knights), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins)
6 points - Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs), Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), William Kennedy (Sharks), Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs), Bradman Best (Knights)
5 points - Jayden Campbell (Titans), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Kaeo Weekes (Raiders), Xavier Savage (Raiders), Savelio Tamale (Raiders), Nicho Hynes (Sharks), Fletcher Sharpe (Knights), Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles), Patrick Carrigan (Broncos), Mitchell Moses (Eels)
4 points - Joseph Tapine (Raiders), Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers), Xavier Willison (Broncos), Xavier Coates (Storm), Lehi Hopoate (Sea Eagles), Eliesa Katoa (Storm), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks), Siosiua Taukeiaho (Sea Eagles), Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers), Isaah Yeo (Panthers), Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks), Connor Watson (Roosters), Wayde Egan (Warriors), Sitili Tupouniua (Bulldogs), Jamal Fogarty (Raiders)
3 points - Sandon Smith (Roosters), Dylan Brown (Eels), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors), Daniel Saifiti (Dolphins), Dylan Egan (Dragons), Jacob Kiraz (Bulldogs), Dylan Edwards (Panthers), Blayke Brailey (Sharks), Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers), Matt Burton (Bulldogs), Ben Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Dean Hawkins (Eels), Victor Radley (Roosters), Jack Williams (Eels), Billy Burns (Sharks), Mitchell Barnett (Warriors), Sualauvi Faalogo (Storm), Isaiah Iongi (Eels), Blaize Talagi (Panthers), Jacob Saifiti (Knights), Tyrell Sloan (Dragons), Jake Clifford (Cowboys), Toby Sexton (Bulldogs), Gehamat Shibasaki (Broncos), Shawn Blore (Storm), Jaxon Purdue (Cowboys), Briton Nikora (Sharks), Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles), Peter Mamouzelos (Rabbitohs)
2 points - Cory Paix (Broncos), Jake Simpkin (Sea Eagles), Hugo Savala (Roosters), Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos), Jack Wighton (Rabbitohs), Beau Fermor (Titans), Luron Patea (Panthers), Jacob Liddle (Dragons), Phillip Sami (Titans), Ali Leiataua (Warriors), Dylan Lucas (Knights), Blake Steep (Roosters), Simi Sasagi (Raiders), Joash Papali'i (Eels), Kurt Donoghoe (Dolphins), Corey Waddell (Sea Eagles), Paul Alamoti (Panthers), Ezra Mam (Broncos), Keano Kini (Titans), Robert Derby (Cowboys), Jamie Humphreys (Rabbitohs), Jake Averillo (Dolphins), Kyle Flanagan (Dragons), Billy Smith (Roosters), Jahrome Hughes (Storm), Josh Curran (Bulldogs), Bronson Xerri (Bulldogs), Jackson Ford (Warriors), Jesse Ramien (Sharks)
1 point - Tolutau Koula (Sea Eagles), Matt Nicholson (Raiders), James Fisher-Harris (Warriors), Stefano Utoikamanu (Storm), David Fifita (Titans), Thomas Cant (Knights), Adam Elliott (Knights), Jack Howarth (Storm), Tyson Gamble (Knights), Samuel Stonestreet (Sharks), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors), Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins), Campbell Graham (Rabbitohs), John Bateman (Cowboys), Naufahu Whyte (Roosters), Luke Brooks (Sea Eagles), Tom Gilbert (Dolphins), Josh Kerr (Dolphins), Moses Leota (Panthers), Ryley Smith (Eels), Toby Couchman (Dragons), Thomas Jenkins (Panthers), Connor Tracey (Bulldogs), Harry Hayes (Bulldogs), Francis Molo (Dolphins), Jeral Skelton (Wests Tigers), Starford To'a (Wests Tigers), Sam Verrills (Titans), Zac Hosking (Raiders)
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 | 19:50 | CBY v DOL | Accor | 10412 |
| Fri | 20:00 | PAR v MAN | Commbank | 13425 |
| Sat | 17:30 | PEN v NEW | Carrington | 12000 |
| Sat | 19:35 | SYD v CRO | Industree | 13399 |
| Sun | 16:05 | WAR v CAN | Go Media | 26512 |
| Rnd 12 TOT | Rnd 12 AVG | Season TOT | Season AVG |
| 75748 | 15150 | 1,838,743 | 19771 |
Average home crowds
| Team Name | Crowd Avg |
| Brisbane | 41,078 |
| Canterbury | 29,578 |
| Dolphins | 26,719 |
| Sydney | 24,680 |
| Warriors | 23,335 |
| Melbourne | 22,154 |
| Newcastle | 20,811 |
| North Qld | 18,650 |
| Parramatta | 17,272 |
| Manly | 16,862 |
| Canberra | 15,792 |
| Wests Tigers | 15,448 |
| Souths | 15,297 |
| Gold Coast | 14,286 |
| Cronulla | 12,531 |
| Penrith | 12,345 |
| St Geo Illa | 11,992 |
*excludes Vegas, Magic Round and neutral venue games.
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.
DOL d CBY 44-8 - no scorigami
8th time, last time 2021 Round 3, GLD d NQL
PAR d MAN 30-10 - no scorigami
58th time, last time 2024 QF, PEN d SYD
NEW d PEN 25-6 - no scorigami
20th time, last time 2024 Round 2, CRO d CBY
SYD d CRO 42-16 - no scorigami
22nd time, last time 2021 Round 14, MEL d WAR
CAN d WAR 16-10 - no scorigami
88th time, last time 2024 Round 10, PEN d CBY
Fixtures - next week
Times AEST.
State of Origin I
Queensland v New South Wales
Wed 28 May 8:00PM at Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal
Women's State of Origin III
New South Wales v Queensland
Thu 29 May 7:45PM at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal
Round 13
St George Illawarra Dragons v Newcastle Knights
Fri 30 May 8:00PM at Jubilee Stadium, Carlton / Bidjigal
Gold Coast Titans v Melbourne Storm
Sat 31 May 3:00PM at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh
North Queensland Cowboys v Wests Tigers
Sat 31 May 5:30PM at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Brisbane Broncos
Sat 31 May 7:35PM at 4 Pines Park, Brookvale / Cammeraygal
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Warriors
Sun 1 Jun 2:00PM at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal
Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels
Sun 1 Jun 4:05PM at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal
Sydney Roosters v Canberra Raiders
Sun 1 Jun 6:15PM at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park / Gadigal
BYES: Canterbury, Cronulla, Dolphins