MONDAY'S EXPERT: 2025 NRL Round 16

NRL24

A full wrap of the weekend's action - MONDAY'S EXPERT recaps all the teamsheets, details, scores and scorers from Round 16 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.


Raiders hold off fast finishing Tigers to make it five in a row

20 Jun 2025 10:36PM | Sam Bourke

Wests Tigers 12 Canberra Raiders 16
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Leumeah / Dharawal

Date: Fri, 20th June. Kickoff: 8:00 PM. Halftime: Canberra 16-0. Penalties: Canberra 4-3. Referee: Adam Gee. Crowd: 9,328.

Wests Tigers: Bula, Turuva, Doueihi, To'a, Skelton; Mason, Luai; May, Koroisau, Fainu, Fainu, Seyfarth, Twal. Int: Pole, Fainu, Bird.
Canberra: Weekes, Stuart, Timoko, Kris, Savage; Strange, Fogarty; Papalii, Starling, Tapine (C), Young, Hosking, Horsburgh. Int: Pattie, Sasagi, Smithies, Mariota.

WESTS TIGERS (12)
Tries: Alex Seyfarth, Starford To'a
Conversions: Adam Doueihi (2/2)

CANBERRA RAIDERS (16)
Tries: Joseph Tapine, Jed Stuart, Tom Starling
Conversions: Jamal Fogarty (2/3)


Undermanned Panthers stun Warriors in statement win

21 Jun 2025 5:12PM | Andrew Jackson

Warriors 18 Penrith Panthers 28
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Penrose / Aotearoa

Date: Sat, 21st June. Kickoff: 5:00 PM. Halftime: Penrith 8-6. Penalties: Warriors 6-5. Referee: Todd Smith. Crowd: 25,012.

Warriors: Nicoll-Klokstad, Watene-Zelezniak, Pompey, Graham-Taufa, Tuivasa-Sheck; Harris-Tavita, Metcalf; Fisher-Harris, Egan, Niukore, Halasima, Laban, Clark. Int: Martin, Ford, Vaimauga, Stowers-Smith.
Penrith: Laurie, Jenkins, Tago, Mclean, Alamoti; Talagi, Schneider; Leota, Kenny (C), Smith, Sorensen, Garner, Papali'i. Int: Eisenhuth, Henry, Patea.

WARRIORS (18)
Tries: Jackson Ford, Jacob Laban, Moala Graham-Taufa
Conversions: Luke Metcalf (1/1), Adam Pompey (2/2)

PENRITH PANTHERS (28)
Tries: Thomas Jenkins, Paul Alamoti, Scott Sorensen (2), Blaize Talagi
Conversions: Paul Alamoti (3/5)
Penalty Goals: Paul Alamoti (1/1)


Newcastle leaves it late to win in the west

21 Jun 2025 7:47PM | Robert Crosby

Dolphins 20 Newcastle Knights 26
Venue: HBF Park, Perth / Whadjuk

Date: Sat, 21st June. Kickoff: 3:30 PM. Halftime: Newcastle 16-10. Penalties: Dolphins 6-2. Referee: Grant Atkins. Crowd: 10,077.

Dolphins: Tabuai-Fidow, Isaako, Averillo, Farnworth, Bostock; Nikorima, Katoa (C); Molo, Marshall-King, Stone, Finefeuiaki, Keeley, Donoghoe. Int: Nicholls, Graham, Lemuelu, Tawha.
Newcastle: Ponga (C), Young, Gagai, Best, Schiller; Sharpe, Cogger; Frizell, Brailey, Croker, Lucas, Pearce-Paul, Crossland. Int: Jones, Cant, McEwen, Salesa leaumoana.

DOLPHINS (20)
Tries: Kodi Nikorima, Jamayne Isaako, Connelly Lemuelu, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Conversions: Jamayne Isaako (2/4)

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (26)
Tries: Fletcher Sharpe, Bradman Best (2), Dominic Young, Brodie Jones
Conversions: Dane Gagai (3/5)


Storm survive Bunnies fightback

21 Jun 2025 9:33PM | Andrew Ferguson

South Sydney Rabbitohs 24 Melbourne Storm 25
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal

Date: Sat, 21st June. Kickoff: 7:35 PM. Halftime: Melbourne 12-4. Penalties: South Sydney 5-3. Referee: Peter Gough. Crowd: 10,093.

South Sydney: Mitchell (C), Johnston, Aitken, Tass, Munro; Wighton, Humphreys; Koloamatangi, Havili, Moale, Arrow, Duncan, Hubner. Int: Gray, Keppie, Le Blanc, Tatola.
Melbourne: Papenhuyzen, Anderson, Howarth, Meaney, Fa'alogo; Munster, Hughes; Kamikamica, Grant (C), King, Blore, Katoa, Asofa-Solomona. Int: Utoikamanu, Loiero, Wishart, MacDonald.

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (24)
Tries: Alex Johnston (4), Tyrone Munro
Conversions: Latrell Mitchell (2/5)

MELBOURNE STORM (25)
Tries: Harry Grant, Jahrome Hughes, Grant Anderson, Tyran Wishart
Field Goals: Ryan Papenhuyzen (1/2)
Conversions: Ryan Papenhuyzen (4/4)


Brisbane come from behind with lethal precision to stun Cronulla

22 Jun 2025 3:54PM | AJ Lucantonio

Brisbane Broncos 34 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 28
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

Date: Sun, 22nd June. Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: Cronulla 22-12. Penalties: Brisbane 7-4. Referee: Wyatt Raymond. 

Brisbane: Walsh, Karapani, Staggs, Shibasaki, Arthars; Mam, Reynolds (C); Jensen, Paix, Haas, Piakura, Riki, Carrigan. Int: Walters, Hetherington, Willison, Gosiewski.
Cronulla: Kennedy, Katoa, Ramien, Talakai, Mulitalo; Trindall, Hynes; Fonua-Blake, Brailey, Hamlin-Uele, Nikora, Wilton, McInnes (C). Int: Atkinson, Colquhoun, Rudolf, Puru.

BRISBANE BRONCOS (34)
Tries: Cory Paix, Ezra Mam, Gehamat Shibasaki (2), Josiah Karapani (2)
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (5/6)

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (28)
Tries: Siosifa Talakai, Nicho Hynes, William Kennedy (2), Blayke Brailey
Conversions: Nicho Hynes (4/5)


Roosters rout crumbling Cowboys

22 Jun 2025 6:00PM | Tim Costello

Sydney Roosters 42 North Queensland Cowboys 8
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park / Gadigal

Date: Sun, 22nd June. Kickoff: 4:05 PM. Halftime: Sydney 18-4. Penalties: North Qld 4-2. Referee: Ashley Klein. Crowd: 21,143.

Sydney: Tedesco (C), Tupou, Smith, Toia, Nawaqanitawase; Smith, Savala; Collins, Watson, Whyte, Crichton, Wong, Foketi. Int: Ioelu, Dockar-Clay, Steep, Leniu.
North Qld: Drinkwater, Derby, Laybutt, Burns, Taulagi; Purdue, Dearden (C); McLean, Lawton, Neame, Bateman, O'Donnell, McIntyre. Int: Hess, Nanai, Edwards, Duffy.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (42)
Tries: Lindsay Collins, Billy Smith (2), Connor Watson, Mark Nawaqanitawase (2), James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou
Conversions: Sandon Smith (5/6), Hugo Savala (0/2)

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (8)
Tries: Braidon Burns, Murray Taulagi
Conversions: Scott Drinkwater (0/1), Thomas Duffy (0/1)


Parra move from equal last with important win over the Titans

22 Jun 2025 8:46PM | Josh Robertson

Parramatta Eels 36 Gold Coast Titans 20
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal

Date: Sun, 22nd June. Kickoff: 6:15 PM. Halftime: Parramatta 18-16. Penalties: Gold Coast 5-1. Referee: Gerard Sutton. Crowd: 8,074.

Parramatta: Iongi, Lomax, Penisini, Russell, Addo-Carr; Papalii, Hawkins; Williams, Lussick, Paulo (C), Tuilagi, Kautoga, Hopgood. Int: Smith, Walker, Doorey, Guymer.
Gold Coast: Brimson, Khan-Pereira, Fifita, Sami, Fitzgibbon; Foran, Campbell; Jolliffe, Verrills, Campbell-Gillard, Randall, Fermor, Haas. Int: Alick, Fa'asuamaleaui, Fa'asuamaleaui (C), Fotuaika.

PARRAMATTA EELS (36)
Tries: Sean Russell, Joey Lussick, Charlie Guymer, Dean Hawkins, Viliami Penisini (2)
Conversions: Zac Lomax (6/6)

GOLD COAST TITANS (20)
Tries: Jaimin Jolliffe, Chris Randall, Alofiana Khan-Pereira (2)
Conversions: Jayden Campbell (1/1), Beau Fermor (1/3)


Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and St George Illawarra Dragons had a bye this round.


Round 16 ladder

#TeamPWDLB+/-Pts
1Canterbury13110239828
2Canberra151203110026
3Melbourne13904317224
4Warriors14100422524
5Brisbane1470725018
6Cronulla1580712018
7Sydney1470721618
8Penrith146172117
9Dolphins15708114016
10Manly1460822216
11St Geo Illa135083-5916
12North Qld145182-14015
13Newcastle156091-6314
14Wests Tigers145092-6614
15South Sydney156091-8914
16Parramatta145092-8914
17Gold Coast1440102-13812

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 13 12
2 Alex Johnston South Sydney 7 11
=Mark Nawaqanitawase Sydney 12 11
=Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Dolphins 13 11
=Fletcher Sharpe Newcastle 14 11
=Jesse Arthars Brisbane 14 11
7 KL Iro Cronulla 9 10
=Xavier Coates Melbourne 11 10
=Grant Anderson Melbourne 12 10
=Hudson Young Canberra 14 10
=Sunia Turuva Wests Tigers 14 10
=Gehamat Shibasaki Brisbane 14 10
=Herbie Farnworth Dolphins 15 10
14 Alofiana Khan-Pereira Gold Coast 9 9
=Starford To'a Wests Tigers 11 9
=Murray Taulagi North Qld 12 9
=Toluta'u Koula Manly 13 9
=Jack Bostock Dolphins 13 9
=Xavier Savage Canberra 14 9

TOP GOALKICKERS

Rank Player Team P G/A %
1 Jamayne Isaako Dolphins 15 70 / 81 86%
2 Ryan Papenhuyzen Melbourne 13 54 / 63 86%
3 Jamal Fogarty Canberra 14 53 / 67 79%
4 Adam Reynolds Brisbane 14 51 / 63 81%
=Reuben Garrick Manly 14 51 / 66 77%
6 Nicho Hynes Cronulla 15 48 / 64 75%
7 Sandon Smith Sydney 14 46 / 55 84%
8 Luke Metcalf Warriors 14 41 / 62 66%
9 Nathan Cleary Penrith 11 40 / 44 91%
10 Valentine Holmes St Geo Illa 12 39 / 52 75%
11 Scott Drinkwater North Qld 14 37 / 53 70%
12 Stephen Crichton Canterbury 11 36 / 43 84%
13 Adam Doueihi Wests Tigers 13 34 / 47 72%
14 Jayden Campbell Gold Coast 11 33 / 41 80%
15 Zac Lomax Parramatta 9 24 / 29 83%
=Latrell Mitchell South Sydney 9 24 / 31 77%
17 Kalyn Ponga Newcastle 12 18 / 24 75%
18 Sean Russell Parramatta 13 15 / 21 71%
19 Jamie Humphreys South Sydney 11 13 / 20 65%

TOP POINTSCORERS

Rank Player Team P T G FG Pts
1 Jamayne Isaako Dolphins 15 8 70 - 172
2 Ryan Papenhuyzen Melbourne 13 12 54 1 157
3 Reuben Garrick Manly 14 8 51 - 134
4 Adam Reynolds Brisbane 14 3 51 0/1 116
5 Luke Metcalf Warriors 14 8 41 1 115
6 Jamal Fogarty Canberra 14 2 53 - 114
7 Sandon Smith Sydney 14 5 46 - 112
8 Nicho Hynes Cronulla 15 2 48 - 104
9 Valentine Holmes St Geo Illa 12 4 39 - 94
10 Scott Drinkwater North Qld 14 4 37 - 90
11 Nathan Cleary Penrith 11 1 40 - 84
12 Jayden Campbell Gold Coast 11 4 33 - 82
13 Stephen Crichton Canterbury 11 2 36 - 80
14 Adam Doueihi Wests Tigers 13 2 34 - 76
15 Latrell Mitchell South Sydney 9 2 24 0/1 58
16 Zac Lomax Parramatta 9 2 24 1 57
17 Paul Alamoti Penrith 12 7 11 - 50
18 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Dolphins 13 11 - - 44
=Jesse Arthars Brisbane 14 11 - - 44

Match review

Penrith's Scott Sorensen is facing a couple of weeks out for a hip-drop, and was also fined among several players charged.

Scott SORENSENPEN2 - 3 matches
James SCHILLERNEW$3000 - 2 matches
Hudson YOUNG
Lachlan HUBNER
Scott SORENSEN
CAN
SOU
PEN
$1800 - $2500
Morgan SMITHIESCAN$1500 - $2000
Jeral SKELTON
Charnze NICOLL-KLOKSTAD
WST
WAR
$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.

19 points - Luke Metcalf (Warriors)
17 points - Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins)
16 points - James Tedesco (Roosters)
15 points - Payne Haas (Broncos/Blues)
14 points - Tom Dearden (Cowboys/Maroons)
12 points - Terrell May (Wests Tigers)
11 points - Nathan Cleary (Panthers), Clinton Gutherson (Dragons), Lachlan Galvin (Wests Tigers)
10 points - Braydon Trindall (Sharks), Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Titans), Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles), Kalyn Ponga (Knights)
9 points - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), Cameron Munster (Storm), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm), Hudson Young (Raiders), Jye Gray (Rabbitohs), Zac Lomax (Eels/Blues)
8 points - Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs), Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs), Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Max King (Bulldogs), Corey Horsburgh (Raiders), Erin Clark (Warriors), Adam Reynolds (Broncos), Jacob Preston (Bulldogs)
7 points - Jayden Campbell (Titans), Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors), Patrick Carrigan (Broncos)
6 points - Jahrome Hughes (Storm), Bradman Best (Knights), Sandon Smith (Roosters), William Kennedy (Sharks), Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks), Matt Burton (Bulldogs), Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs), Savelio Tamale (Raiders), Isaiah Iongi (Eels)
5 points - Jack Williams (Eels), Beau Fermor (Titans), Fletcher Sharpe (Knights), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Connor Tracey (Bulldogs), Mitchell Moses (Eels), Joseph Tapine (Raiders), Xavier Savage (Raiders), Josh Papali'i (Raiders), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles), Billy Smith (Roosters), Nicho Hynes (Sharks), Blayke Brailey (Sharks), Thomas Jenkins (Panthers), Kaeo Weekes (Raiders), Isaah Yeo (Panthers/Blues), Dean Hawkins (Eels)
4 points - Jamal Fogarty (Raiders), Siosiua Taukeiaho (Sea Eagles), Xavier Willison (Broncos), Lehi Hopoate (Sea Eagles), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks), Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Harry Grant (Storm), Sitili Tupouniua (Bulldogs), Connor Watson (Roosters), Xavier Coates (Storm), Wayde Egan (Warriors), Eliesa Katoa (Storm), Kurt Donoghoe (Dolphins), Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers), Moses Leota (Panthers), Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers), Dylan Lucas (Knights)
3 points - Jacob Saifiti (Knights), Hugo Savala (Roosters), Mitchell Barnett (Warriors), Dylan Edwards (Panthers), Dylan Brown (Eels), Damien Cook (Dragons), Kotoni Staggs (Broncos), Demitric Vaimauga (Warriors), Kai Pearce-Paul (Knights), Ethan Strange (Raiders), Jarome Luai (Wests Tigers), Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs), Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins), Sione Katoa (Sharks), Owen Pattie (Raiders), Grant Anderson (Storm), Blaize Talagi (Panthers), Sualauvi Faalogo (Storm), Billy Burns (Sharks), Ben Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Victor Radley (Roosters), Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers), Dylan Egan (Dragons), Shawn Blore (Storm), Harry Hayes (Bulldogs), Jake Clifford (Cowboys), Peter Mamouzelos (Rabbitohs), Briton Nikora (Sharks), Toby Sexton (Bulldogs), Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles), Luke Brooks (Sea Eagles), Daniel Saifiti (Dolphins), Gehamat Shibasaki (Broncos), Jacob Kiraz (Bulldogs), Tyrell Sloan (Dragons), Jaxon Purdue (Cowboys)
2 points - Keano Kini (Titans), Josh Curran (Bulldogs), Cory Paix (Broncos), Corey Waddell (Sea Eagles), Ezra Mam (Broncos), Blake Steep (Roosters), Paul Alamoti (Panthers), Scott Sorensen (Panthers), Chris Randall (Titans), Reece Walsh (Broncos), Mark Nawaqanitawase (Roosters), Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos), Isaiah Papali'i (Panthers), Jamie Humphreys (Rabbitohs), David Klemmer (Dragons), Ali Leiataua (Warriors), Jaxson Paulo (Cowboys), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors), Simi Sasagi (Raiders), Joash Papali'i (Eels), Jake Simpkin (Sea Eagles), Naufahu Whyte (Roosters), Toby Couchman (Dragons), Starford To'a (Wests Tigers), Kyle Flanagan (Dragons), Jack Wighton (Rabbitohs), Jake Averillo (Dolphins), Robert Derby (Cowboys), Luron Patea (Panthers), Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins), Phillip Sami (Titans), Jackson Ford (Warriors), Jacob Liddle (Dragons), Bronson Xerri (Bulldogs), Jesse Ramien (Sharks), Brian To'o (Panthers/Blues)
1 point - Tallis Duncan (Rabbitohs), Adam Elliott (Knights), Josh Kerr (Dolphins), Sebastian Kris (Raiders), James Fisher-Harris (Warriors), Jack Howarth (Storm), David Fifita (Titans), Jeral Skelton (Wests Tigers), Jack Bostock (Dolphins), Jayden Brailey (Knights), Kieran Foran (Titans), Samuel Stonestreet (Sharks), Campbell Graham (Rabbitohs), Matt Nicholson (Raiders), Tyson Gamble (Knights), Ryley Smith (Eels), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Francis Molo (Dolphins), John Bateman (Cowboys), Zac Hosking (Raiders), Sam Verrills (Titans), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors), Thomas Cant (Knights), Fletcher Hunt (Knights), Tolutau Koula (Sea Eagles), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Storm), Stefano Utoikamanu (Storm), Casey McLean (Panthers), Tom Gilbert (Dolphins), Clayton Faulalo (Sea Eagles), Brendan Piakura (Broncos), Kurt Capewell (Warriors/Maroons), Jaimin Jolliffe (Titans)


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 16 crowds

Fri20:00WST v CANCampbelltown9,328
Sat15:00WAR v PENGo Media25,012
Sat17:30DOL v NEWHBF10,077
Sat19:35SOU v MELAccor10,093
Sun14:00BRI v CROSuncorp39,042
Sun16:05SYD v NQLAllianz21,143
Sun18:15PAR v GLDCommbank8,074
Rnd 16 TOTRnd 16 AVGSeason TOTSeason AVG
122,76917,5382,369,63419747

Average home crowds

Team NameHome Crowd Avg
Brisbane40,617
Canterbury34,628
Dolphins25,518
Warriors23,670
Sydney22,848
Melbourne21,644
Newcastle20,705
North Qld18,437
Manly16,935
Canberra16,400
Souths16,015
Parramatta15,739
Wests Tigers14,896
Penrith14,579
Gold Coast14,015
Cronulla11,979
St Geo Illa11,729

*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.

CAN d WST 16-12 - no scorigami
122nd time, last time 2025 Round 11, WAR d DOL

PEN d WAR 28-18 - no scorigami
46th time, last time 2025 Round 9, CRO d PAR

NEW d DOL 26-20 - no scorigami
44th time, last time 2024 Round 12, MAN d MEL

MEL d SOU 25-24 - no scorigami
28th time, last time 2025 Round 2, SOU d SGI

BRI d CRO 34-28 - no scorigami
10th time, last time 2025 Round 9, WST d SGI

SYD d NQL 42-8 - no scorigami
12th time, last time 2011 Qualifying Final, MAN d NQL

PAR d GLD 36-20 - no scorigami
23rd time, last time 2023 Round 21, BRI d SOU


Fixtures - Round 17

Times AEST.

Penrith Panthers v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Thu 26 Jun 7:50PM at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Wests Tigers
Fri 27 Jun 6:00PM at 4 Pines Park, Brookvale / Cammeraygal
Newcastle Knights v Canberra Raiders
Fri 27 Jun 8:00PM at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

Brisbane Broncos v Warriors
Sat 28 Jun 3:00PM at Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal
St George Illawarra Dragons v Parramatta Eels
Sat 28 Jun 5:30PM at WIN Stadium, Wollongong / Dharawal
Dolphins v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Sat 28 Jun 7:35PM at Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

Melbourne Storm v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Sun 29 Jun 2:00PM at AAMI Park, Melbourne / Wurundjeri
Gold Coast Titans v North Queensland Cowboys
Sun 29 Jun 4:05PM at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh

BYE: Sydney Roosters

Full 2025 NRL Draw & Results.