MONDAY'S EXPERT: 2025 NRL Round 18
6 hours ago | Monday's
Expert
A full wrap of the weekend's action - MONDAY'S EXPERT recaps all the teamsheets, details, scores and scorers from Round 18 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.
4 Jul 2025 10:05PM | Josh Robertson
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 18 Brisbane Broncos 22
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal
Date: Fri, 4th July. Kickoff: 8:00 PM. Halftime: Canterbury 16-0. Penalties: Canterbury 6-5. Referee: Todd Smith. Crowd: 25,234.
Canterbury: Tracey, Tuala, Xerri, Burton, Montoya; Galvin, Sexton; Hayes, Mahoney, Hughes, Kikau (C), Preston, Turpin. Int: Hayward, Curran, Morrin, Todd.
Brisbane: Cobbo, Karapani, Staggs, Hoeter, Mariner; Mam, Reynolds (C); Smoothy, Paix, Willison, Piakura, Riki, Hetherington. Int: Walters, Hunt, Gosiewski, Talty.
CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (18)
Tries: Marcelo Montoya, Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau
Conversions: Matt Burton (2/3)
Penalty Goals: Matt Burton (1/1)
BRISBANE BRONCOS (22)
Tries: Josiah Karapani, Delouise Hoeter, Billy Walters, Brendan Piakura
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (3/4)
5 Jul 2025 7:26PM | Tim Costello
Canberra Raiders 28 St George Illawarra Dragons 24
Venue: GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce / Ngunnawal
Date: Sat, 5th July. Kickoff: 5:30 PM. Halftime: Canberra 12-6. Penalties: St Geo Illa 6-5. Referee: Gerard Sutton. Crowd: 15,932.
Canberra: Weekes, Stuart, Timoko, Kris, Savage; Strange, Fogarty; Horsburgh, Starling, Tapine (C), Sasagi, Hosking, Smithies. Int: Pattie, Martin, Mooney, Mariota.
St Geo Illa: Gutherson (C), Finau, Suli, Allan, Sloan; King-Togia, Flanagan; Guler, Cook, Klemmer, Molo, Su'A, De Belin. Int: Liddle, Pasifiki Tonga, Lawrie, Fifita.
CANBERRA RAIDERS (28)
Tries: Xavier Savage, Kaeo Weekes (3), Morgan Smithies
Conversions: Jamal Fogarty (4/5)
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (24)
Tries: Tyrell Sloan (2), Kyle Flanagan, Jaydn Su'A
Conversions: Kyle Flanagan (3/4)
Penalty Goals: Kyle Flanagan (1/1)
5 Jul 2025 9:55PM | Andrew Ferguson
North Queensland Cowboys 20 Melbourne Storm 26
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba
Date: Sat, 5th July. Kickoff: 7:35 PM. Halftime: 12-all. Penalties: 5-all. Referee: Liam Kennedy. Crowd: 20,383.
North Qld: Drinkwater (C), Derby, Purdue, Laybutt, Burns; Clifford, Duffy; McLean, Edwards, Neame, Bateman, O'Donnell, McIntyre. Int: Kalepo, Mikaele, Lahrs, Hess.
Melbourne: Meaney, Pio, Chan, Anderson, Bradley; Wishart, Hughes (C); Kamikamica, Garlick, King, Blore, Katoa, MacDonald. Int: Asofa-Solomona, Pezet, Vaalepu, Lisati.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (20)
Tries: Robert Derby, Scott Drinkwater, Jaxon Purdue
Conversions: Scott Drinkwater (2/2), Jake Clifford (1/1)
Penalty Goals: Scott Drinkwater (1/1)
MELBOURNE STORM (26)
Tries: Eliesa Katoa, Nick Meaney (2), Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Conversions: Nick Meaney (4/4)
Penalty Goals: Nick Meaney (1/1)
6 Jul 2025 4:04PM | Robert Crosby
Sydney Roosters 28 Wests Tigers 30
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park / Gadigal
Date: Sun, 6th July. Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: Wests Tigers 20-10. Penalties: Wests Tigers 6-4. Referee: Peter Gough. Crowd: 24,311.
Sydney: Tedesco (C), Tupou, King, Nawaqanitawase, Rodwell; Smith, Savala; Whyte, Ioelu, Makatoa, Butcher, Foketi, Steep. Int: Dockar-Clay, McCathie, Losalu, Va'a.
Wests Tigers: Turuva, Staines, Laulilii, To'a, Skelton; Doueihi, Fainu; May, Hope, Pole, Fainu, Sukkar, Twal (C). Int: Murray, Seyfarth, Fainu, Laulilii.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS (28)
Tries: Daniel Tupou, Mark Nawaqanitawase (2), Hugo Savala, James Tedesco
Conversions: Sandon Smith (4/5)
WESTS TIGERS (30)
Tries: Charlie Staines, Latu Fainu, Sione Fainu, Samuela Fainu
Conversions: Adam Doueihi (4/4)
Penalty Goals: Adam Doueihi (3/3)
6 Jul 2025 5:56PM | AJ Lucantonio
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 30 South Sydney Rabbitohs 12
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Brookvale / Cammeraygal
Date: Sun, 6th July. Kickoff: 4:05 PM. Halftime: Manly 14-0. Penalties: Manly 7-6. Referee: Wyatt Raymond. Crowd: 17,298.
Manly: Hopoate, Saab, Koula, Trbojevic, Garrick; Brooks, Cherry-Evans (C); Lodge, Tevaga, Taukeiaho, Waddell, Trbojevic, Trbojevic. Int: Simpkin, Talau, Bullemor, Sipley.
South Sydney: Johnston, Tass, Duncan, Graham, Munro; Wighton (C), Humphreys; Tatola, Smith, Koloamatangi, Arrow, Host, Hubner. Int: Havili, Le Blanc, Moale, Gray.
MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (30)
Tries: Reuben Garrick (2), Tom Trbojevic (2), Daly Cherry-Evans, Tolutau Koula
Conversions: Reuben Garrick (3/6)
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (12)
Tries: Tallis Duncan (2), Isaiah Tass
Conversions: Jamie Humphreys (0/1), Isaiah Tass (0/2)
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Dolphins, Gold Coast Titans, Newcastle Knights, Parramatta Eels, Penrith Panthers and Warriors had a bye this round.
# | Team | P | W | D | L | B | +/- | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Canberra | 17 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 108 | 30 |
2 | Melbourne | 15 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 202 | 28 |
3 | Canterbury | 15 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 92 | 28 |
4 | Warriors | 15 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 26 |
5 | Brisbane | 16 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 68 | 22 |
6 | Penrith | 15 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 21 |
7 | Dolphins | 16 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 162 | 20 |
8 | Manly | 16 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 58 | 20 |
9 | Sydney | 15 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 14 | 20 |
10 | Cronulla | 16 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 2 | -4 | 20 |
11 | St Geo Illa | 15 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 3 | -49 | 18 |
12 | North Qld | 16 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 2 | -140 | 17 |
13 | Newcastle | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 2 | -67 | 16 |
14 | Wests Tigers | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 2 | -82 | 16 |
15 | Parramatta | 15 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 3 | -103 | 16 |
16 | South Sydney | 17 | 6 | 0 | 11 | 1 | -129 | 14 |
17 | Gold Coast | 15 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 3 | -144 | 14 |
RELATED: Click here to view the current NRL Telstra Premiership ladder.
TOP TRYSCORERS
Rank | Player | Team | P | T |
1 | Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | Dolphins | 14 | 15 |
2 | Mark Nawaqanitawase | Sydney | 13 | 13 |
3 | Ryan Papenhuyzen | Melbourne | 14 | 12 |
= | Gehamat Shibasaki | Brisbane | 15 | 12 |
5 | Alex Johnston | South Sydney | 9 | 11 |
= | Tyrell Sloan | St Geo Illa | 12 | 11 |
= | Fletcher Sharpe | Newcastle | 14 | 11 |
= | Toluta'u Koula | Manly | 15 | 11 |
= | Jesse Arthars | Brisbane | 15 | 11 |
= | Reuben Garrick | Manly | 16 | 11 |
11 | KL Iro | Cronulla | 9 | 10 |
= | Xavier Coates | Melbourne | 12 | 10 |
= | Murray Taulagi | North Qld | 13 | 10 |
= | Hudson Young | Canberra | 14 | 10 |
= | Grant Anderson | Melbourne | 14 | 10 |
= | Sunia Turuva | Wests Tigers | 16 | 10 |
= | Xavier Savage | Canberra | 16 | 10 |
= | Herbie Farnworth | Dolphins | 16 | 10 |
TOP GOALKICKERS
Rank | Player | Team | P | G/A | % |
1 | Jamayne Isaako | Dolphins | 16 | 79 / 90 | 88% |
2 | Jamal Fogarty | Canberra | 16 | 60 / 76 | 79% |
3 | Adam Reynolds | Brisbane | 16 | 59 / 73 | 81% |
4 | Ryan Papenhuyzen | Melbourne | 14 | 58 / 69 | 84% |
= | Reuben Garrick | Manly | 16 | 58 / 77 | 75% |
6 | Sandon Smith | Sydney | 15 | 50 / 60 | 83% |
7 | Nicho Hynes | Cronulla | 16 | 49 / 65 | 75% |
8 | Adam Doueihi | Wests Tigers | 15 | 42 / 56 | 75% |
= | Valentine Holmes | St Geo Illa | 13 | 42 / 57 | 74% |
= | Scott Drinkwater | North Qld | 16 | 42 / 58 | 72% |
= | Luke Metcalf | Warriors | 15 | 42 / 63 | 67% |
12 | Nathan Cleary | Penrith | 12 | 40 / 44 | 91% |
13 | Stephen Crichton | Canterbury | 12 | 37 / 44 | 84% |
14 | Jayden Campbell | Gold Coast | 11 | 33 / 41 | 80% |
15 | Latrell Mitchell | South Sydney | 10 | 28 / 36 | 78% |
16 | Zac Lomax | Parramatta | 10 | 26 / 33 | 79% |
17 | Kalyn Ponga | Newcastle | 13 | 19 / 25 | 76% |
18 | Nick Meaney | Melbourne | 11 | 17 / 19 | 89% |
19 | Matt Burton | Canterbury | 10 | 16 / 19 | 84% |
TOP POINTSCORERS
Rank | Player | Team | P | T | G | FG | Pts |
1 | Jamayne Isaako | Dolphins | 16 | 8 | 79 | - | 190 |
2 | Ryan Papenhuyzen | Melbourne | 14 | 12 | 58 | 1 | 165 |
3 | Reuben Garrick | Manly | 16 | 11 | 58 | - | 160 |
4 | Adam Reynolds | Brisbane | 16 | 3 | 59 | 0/1 | 132 |
5 | Jamal Fogarty | Canberra | 16 | 2 | 60 | - | 128 |
6 | Sandon Smith | Sydney | 15 | 5 | 50 | - | 120 |
7 | Luke Metcalf | Warriors | 15 | 8 | 42 | 1 | 117 |
8 | Scott Drinkwater | North Qld | 16 | 7 | 42 | - | 112 |
9 | Valentine Holmes | St Geo Illa | 13 | 6 | 42 | - | 108 |
10 | Nicho Hynes | Cronulla | 16 | 2 | 49 | - | 106 |
11 | Adam Doueihi | Wests Tigers | 15 | 2 | 42 | - | 92 |
12 | Nathan Cleary | Penrith | 12 | 2 | 40 | - | 88 |
13 | Jayden Campbell | Gold Coast | 11 | 4 | 33 | - | 82 |
= | Stephen Crichton | Canterbury | 12 | 2 | 37 | - | 82 |
15 | Latrell Mitchell | South Sydney | 10 | 2 | 28 | 0/1 | 66 |
16 | Zac Lomax | Parramatta | 10 | 3 | 26 | 1 | 65 |
17 | Nick Meaney | Melbourne | 11 | 7 | 17 | - | 62 |
18 | Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | Dolphins | 14 | 15 | - | - | 60 |
19 | Mark Nawaqanitawase | Sydney | 13 | 13 | - | - | 52 |
Only two players have been charged up to Saturday night so far in NRL Round 18.
Kaeo WEEKES | CAN | $1500 - $2000 |
David KLEMMER | SGI | $1000 - $1500 |
Click here to find out the details on each and every charge.
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.
20 points - Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins)
19 points - Luke Metcalf (Warriors)
16 points - James Tedesco (Roosters)
15 points - Payne Haas (Broncos/Blues)
14 points - Terrell May (Wests Tigers), Nathan Cleary (Panthers), Tom Dearden (Cowboys/Maroons)
12 points - Clinton Gutherson (Dragons), Zac Lomax (Eels/Blues)
11 points - Lachlan Galvin (Wests Tigers), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), Adam Reynolds (Broncos), Kaeo Weekes (Raiders)
10 points - Braydon Trindall (Sharks), Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles), Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys), Kalyn Ponga (Knights), Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Titans)
9 points - Cameron Munster (Storm), Hudson Young (Raiders), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm), Jye Gray (Rabbitohs)
8 points - Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs), Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs), Erin Clark (Warriors), Xavier Willison (Broncos), Max King (Bulldogs), Jacob Preston (Bulldogs), Corey Horsburgh (Raiders), Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)
7 points - Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors), Jahrome Hughes (Storm), Beau Fermor (Titans), Eliesa Katoa (Storm), Bradman Best (Knights), Connor Tracey (Bulldogs), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles), Patrick Carrigan (Broncos), Jayden Campbell (Titans)
6 points - Matt Burton (Bulldogs), Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks), Ben Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Isaiah Iongi (Eels), Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs), William Kennedy (Sharks), Savelio Tamale (Raiders), Sandon Smith (Roosters)
5 points - Shawn Blore (Storm), Gehamat Shibasaki (Broncos), Mitchell Moses (Eels), Thomas Jenkins (Panthers), Sualauvi Faalogo (Storm), Jack Williams (Eels), Nicho Hynes (Sharks), Dean Hawkins (Eels), Billy Smith (Roosters), Blayke Brailey (Sharks), Josh Papali'i (Raiders), Joseph Tapine (Raiders), Fletcher Sharpe (Knights), Xavier Savage (Raiders), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Jamal Fogarty (Raiders), Isaah Yeo (Panthers/Blues)
4 points - Kurt Donoghoe (Dolphins), Sitili Tupouniua (Bulldogs), Wayde Egan (Warriors), Moses Leota (Panthers), Kyle Flanagan (Dragons), Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers), Connor Watson (Roosters), Dylan Edwards (Panthers), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks), Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers), Jake Clifford (Cowboys), Xavier Coates (Storm), Dylan Lucas (Knights), Harry Grant (Storm), Siosiua Taukeiaho (Sea Eagles), Lehi Hopoate (Sea Eagles)
3 points - Tyrell Sloan (Dragons), Jacob Kiraz (Bulldogs), Kai Pearce-Paul (Knights), Owen Pattie (Raiders), Damien Cook (Dragons), Jacob Saifiti (Knights), Mitchell Barnett (Warriors), Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers), Latu Fainu (Wests Tigers), Victor Radley (Roosters), Dylan Brown (Eels), Hugo Savala (Roosters), Harry Hayes (Bulldogs), Grant Anderson (Storm), Briton Nikora (Sharks), Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs), Blaize Talagi (Panthers), Zac Hosking (Raiders), Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins), Jaxon Purdue (Cowboys), Toby Sexton (Bulldogs), Billy Burns (Sharks), Mark Nawaqanitawase (Roosters), Tolutau Koula (Sea Eagles), Luke Brooks (Sea Eagles), Demitric Vaimauga (Warriors), Daniel Saifiti (Dolphins), Kotoni Staggs (Broncos), Nick Meaney (Storm), Peter Mamouzelos (Rabbitohs), Dylan Egan (Dragons), Ethan Strange (Raiders), Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles), Sione Katoa (Sharks), Jarome Luai (Wests Tigers)
2 points - Joash Papali'i (Eels), Ezra Mam (Broncos), Corey Waddell (Sea Eagles), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors), Tallis Duncan (Rabbitohs), Scott Sorensen (Panthers), Reece Walsh (Broncos), Moses Suli (Dragons), Chris Randall (Titans), Isaiah Papali'i (Panthers), Simi Sasagi (Raiders), David Klemmer (Dragons), Jaxson Paulo (Cowboys), Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos), Blake Steep (Roosters), Luron Patea (Panthers), Toby Couchman (Dragons), Jake Averillo (Dolphins), Josh Curran (Bulldogs), Jackson Ford (Warriors), Jamie Humphreys (Rabbitohs), Jesse Ramien (Sharks), Paul Alamoti (Panthers), Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins), Jacob Liddle (Dragons), Cory Paix (Broncos), Keano Kini (Titans), Bronson Xerri (Bulldogs), Ali Leiataua (Warriors), Jack Wighton (Rabbitohs), Starford To'a (Wests Tigers), Naufahu Whyte (Roosters), Jake Simpkin (Sea Eagles), Phillip Sami (Titans), Robert Derby (Cowboys), Brian To'o (Panthers/Blues)
1 point - Jayden Brailey (Knights), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Jack Howarth (Storm), Ryley Smith (Eels), Jack Bostock (Dolphins), Sam Verrills (Titans), Sebastian Kris (Raiders), Jaimin Jolliffe (Titans), Billy Walters (Broncos), Francis Molo (Dolphins), Reece Robson (Cowboys), Jeremy Marshall-King (Dolphins), Tyson Gamble (Knights), John Bateman (Cowboys), Campbell Graham (Rabbitohs), Stefano Utoikamanu (Storm), Josh Kerr (Dolphins), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Storm), Tom Gilbert (Dolphins), Fletcher Hunt (Knights), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors), Clayton Faulalo (Sea Eagles), Casey McLean (Panthers), Jeral Skelton (Wests Tigers), Brendan Piakura (Broncos), Thomas Cant (Knights), James Fisher-Harris (Warriors), Adam Elliott (Knights), David Fifita (Titans), Samuel Stonestreet (Sharks), Matt Nicholson (Raiders), Kieran Foran (Titans), Kurt Capwell (Warriors/Maroons)
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.
Fri | 20:00 | CBY v BRI | Accor | 25,234 |
Sat | 17:30 | CAN v SGI | GIO | 15,932 |
Sat | 19:35 | NQL v MEL | QLD CB | 20,383 |
Sun | 14:00 | SYD v WST | Allianz | 24,311 |
Sun | 16:05 | MAN v SOU | 4 Pines | 17,298 |
Rnd 18 TOT | Rnd 18 AVG | Season TOT | Season AVG |
103,158 | 20632 | 2,643,083 | 19873 |
Team | Home Avg |
Brisbane | 40,968 |
Canterbury | 33,286 |
Dolphins | 25,021 |
Warriors | 23,670 |
Sydney | 23,057 |
Melbourne | 21,685 |
Newcastle | 20,308 |
North Qld | 18,681 |
Manly | 16,989 |
Canberra | 16,333 |
Souths | 16,015 |
Parramatta | 15,739 |
Penrith | 15,011 |
Wests Tigers | 14,896 |
Gold Coast | 13,910 |
St Geo Illa | 12,652 |
Cronulla | 11,979 |
*excludes Vegas, Magic Round and neutral venue games.
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.
Brisbane defeated Canterbury 22-18
This is the 87th occurrence of this score, most recently 2025 Round 17, Canberra defeated Newcastle.
Canberra defeated St Geo Illa 28-24
This is the 52nd occurrence of this score, most recently 2024 Round 11, Newcastle defeated Gold Coast.
Melbourne defeated North Qld 26-20
This is the 45th occurrence of this score, most recently 2025 Round 16, Newcastle defeated Dolphins
Wests Tigers defeated Sydney 30-28
This is the 20th occurence of this score, most recently 2024 Round 26, Warriors defeated Cronulla
Manly defeated South Sydney 30-12
Thiis the 56th occurence of this score, most recently 2025 Round 14, Canterbury defeated Parramatta
There were no scorigamis this week.
Times AEST.
New South Wales v Queensland
Wed 9 Jul 8:05pm at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Dolphins
Fri 11 Jul 8:00PM at Sharks Stadium, Woolooware / Dharawal
Newcastle Knights v Melbourne Storm
Sat 12 Jul 3:00PM at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal
St George Illawarra Dragons v Sydney Roosters
Sat 12 Jul 5:30PM at Jubilee Stadium, Carlton / Bidjigal
North Queensland Cowboys v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Sat 12 Jul 7:35PM at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba
Warriors v Wests Tigers
Sun 13 Jul 2:00PM at Go Media Stadium, Penrose / Aotearoa (4pm NZ)
Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers
Sun 13 Jul 4:05PM at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal
Gold Coast Titans v Brisbane Broncos
Sun 13 Jul 6:15PM at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh
BYES: Canberra, Manly, South Sydney