MONDAY'S EXPERT: 2025 NRL Round 21

A full wrap of the weekend's action - MONDAY'S EXPERT recaps all the teamsheets, details, scores and scorers from Round 21 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.

Storm shade Sydney in SFS shootout

24 Jul 2025 9:59PM | Tim Costello and Andrew Ferguson

Sydney Roosters 30 Melbourne Storm 34
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park / Gadigal

Date: Thu, 24th July. Kickoff: 7:50 PM. Halftime: Sydney 18-16. Penalties: Sydney 4-3. Referee: Adam Gee. Crowd: 13,991.

Sydney: Tedesco (C), Tupou, King, Toia, Nawaqanitawase; Smith, Walker; Whyte, Watson, Collins, Crichton, Foketi, Leniu. Int: Wong, Dockar-Clay, Steep, Butcher.
Melbourne: Meaney, Bradley, Howarth, Anderson, Coates; Wishart, Hughes; Utoikamanu, Grant (C), King, Blore, Katoa, Loiero. Int: Chan, Garlick, Lisati, Kamikamica.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (30)
Tries: Daniel Tupou (2), Siua Wong, Lindsay Collins, Zach Dockar-Clay
Conversions: Sam Walker (5/5)

MELBOURNE STORM (34)
Tries: Josh King (2), Nick Meaney, Jack Howarth, Harry Grant, Stefano Utoikamanu
Conversions: Nick Meaney (5/6)
Penalty Goals: Nick Meaney (0/1)

Cowboys outpoint Dragons in thriller

25 Jul 2025 8:04PM | Justin Davies

North Queensland Cowboys 38 St George Illawarra Dragons 32
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba

Date: Fri, 25th July. Kickoff: 6:00 PM. Halftime: North Qld 28-12. Penalties: St Geo Illa 10-5. Referee: Grant Atkins. Crowd: 16,020.

North Qld: Drinkwater, Derby, Purdue, Laybutt, Burns; Duffy, Dearden (C); Edwards, Robson, Neame, Bateman, Nanai, Cotter. Int: Lawton, Lahrs, O'Donnell, Hess.
St Geo Illa: Gutherson (C), Sloan, Suli, Feagai, Allan; King-Togia, Flanagan; Lawrie, Cook, Klemmer, Leilua, Su'A, De Belin. Int: Guler, Liddle, Stewart, Molo.

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (38)
Tries: Zac Laybutt, Scott Drinkwater, Tom Dearden (2), Coen Hess, Jeremiah Nanai, Jaxon Purdue
Conversions: Scott Drinkwater (4/7)
Penalty Goals: Scott Drinkwater (1/1)

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (32)
Tries: Tyrell Sloan (2), Mathew Feagai, Corey Allan, Jacob Liddle (2)
Conversions: Kyle Flanagan (4/6)

Eels shock Broncos with upset win at Suncorp

25 Jul 2025 10:15PM | Sam Bourke

Brisbane Broncos 20 Parramatta Eels 22
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

Date: Fri, 25th July. Kickoff: 8:00 PM. Halftime: Brisbane 14-12. Penalties: Parramatta 7-5. Referee: Todd Smith. Crowd: 39,057.

Brisbane: Walsh, Karapani, Staggs, Shibasaki, Arthars; Mam, Reynolds (C); Willison, Hunt, Haas, Piakura, Riki, Carrigan. Int: Walters, Hetherington, Jensen, Gosiewski.
Parramatta: Papalii, Lomax, Penisini, Russell, Addo-Carr; Hawkins, Moses (C); Hopgood, Smith, Paulo, Guymer, Williams, Walker. Int: Da Silva, Moretti, Doorey, Tuivaiti.

BRISBANE BRONCOS (20)
Tries: Adam Reynolds, Kobe Hetherington, Billy Walters
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (2/2), Reece Walsh (1/1)
Penalty Goals: Adam Reynolds (1/1)

PARRAMATTA EELS (22)
Tries: Zac Lomax (2), Sean Russell, Josh Addo-Carr
Conversions: Zac Lomax (2/4)
Penalty Goals: Zac Lomax (1/1)

Titans find Des-ire to win in Hasler's 500th

26 Jul 2025 4:59PM | Robert Crosby

Warriors 16 Gold Coast Titans 24
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Penrose / Aotearoa

Date: Sat, 26th July. Kickoff: 5:00 PM. Halftime: Gold Coast 12-10. Penalties: Warriors 6-4. Referee: Gerard Sutton. Crowd: 24,212.

Warriors: Nicoll-Klokstad, Watene-Zelezniak, Pompey, Capewell, Tuivasa-Sheck; Harris-Tavita, Boyd; Fisher-Harris (C), Egan, Ford, Halasima, Niukore, Clark. Int: Martin, Laban, Vaimauga, Stowers-Smith.
Gold Coast: Brimson, De Groot, Kelly, Fifita, Sami; Foran (C), Campbell; Fotuaika, Randall, Jolliffe, Alick, Fermor, Haas. Int: Campbell-Gillard, Fa'asuamaleaui, Patston, Mullany.

WARRIORS (16)
Tries: Adam Pompey, Leka Halasima, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Conversions: Tanah Boyd (2/3)

GOLD COAST TITANS (24)
Tries: Jojo Fifita (2), Phillip Sami (2)
Conversions: Jayden Campbell (3/4)
Penalty Goals: Jayden Campbell (1/1)

Panthers pounce on tryless Tigers

26 Jul 2025 8:47PM | Andrew Taranto

Penrith Panthers 36 Wests Tigers 2
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal

Date: Sat, 26th July. Kickoff: 5:30 PM. Halftime: Penrith 18-2. Penalties: Wests Tigers 2-1. Referee: Peter Gough. Crowd: 16,753.

Penrith: Edwards, Jenkins, Tago, Mclean, To'o; Talagi, Cleary (C); Leota, Kenny, Smith, Garner, Papali'i, Yeo. Int: Schneider, Henry, Patea, Martin.
Wests Tigers: Turuva, Thompson, May, To'a, Skelton; Luai (C), Fainu; May, Koroisau, Twal, Seyfarth, Sukkar, Doueihi. Int: Hope, Bird, Pole, Fainu.

PENRITH PANTHERS (36)
Tries: Lindsay Smith, Casey McLean, Dylan Edwards, Liam Martin, Izack Tago, Thomas Jenkins
Conversions: Nathan Cleary (6/6)

WESTS TIGERS (2)
Penalty Goals: Adam Doueihi (1/1)

Stoic Souths scare sloppy Sharks

26 Jul 2025 10:11PM | Andrew Ferguson

South Sydney Rabbitohs 12 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 14
Venue: Polytec Stadium, Gosford / Darkinjung

Date: Sat, 26th July. Kickoff: 7:35 PM. Halftime: South Sydney 6-2. Penalties: Cronulla 10-2. Referee: Belinda Sharpe. Crowd: 13,986.

South Sydney: Gray, Johnston, Tass, Duncan, Munro; Wighton (C), Dodd; Tatola, Gray, Keppie, Aitken, Arrow, Hubner. Int: Havili, Le Blanc, Host, Ward.
Cronulla: Kennedy, Katoa, Ramien, Vea'ila, Mulitalo; Trindall, Hynes; Fonua-Blake, Brailey, Kaufusi, Burns, Wilton, McInnes (C). Int: Atkinson, Colquhoun, Rudolf, Hamlin-Uele, Puru.

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (12)
Tries: Tyrone Munro, Tevita Tatola
Conversions: Isaiah Tass (1/2)
Penalty Goals: Isaiah Tass (1/1)

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (14)
Tries: Ronaldo Mulitalo, Blayke Brailey
Conversions: Nicho Hynes (2/2)
Penalty Goals: Nicho Hynes (1/1)

Ruthless Raiders make Newcastle's trip to Canberra a Knightmare

27 Jul 2025 4:04PM | Robert Crosby

Canberra Raiders 44 Newcastle Knights 18
Venue: GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce / Ngunnawal

Date: Sun, 27th July. Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: 18-all. Penalties: Newcastle 6-2. Referee: Wyatt Raymond. Crowd: 11,068.

Canberra: Weekes, Stuart, Timoko, Sasagi, Savage; Strange, Fogarty; Papalii, Starling, Tapine (C), Young, Hosking, Horsburgh. Int: Pattie, Martin, Smithies, Mariota.
Newcastle: Gagai (C), Young, Hunt, McCarthy, Marzhew; Gamble, Cogger; Saifiti, Brailey, Thompson, McEwen, Pearce-Paul, Crossland. Int: Hastings, Croker, Frizell, Hetherington.

CANBERRA RAIDERS (44)
Tries: Kaeo Weekes, Simi Sasagi, Xavier Savage, Tom Starling, Matthew Timoko (2), Noah Martin
Conversions: Jamal Fogarty (7/7)
Penalty Goals: Jamal Fogarty (1/1)

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (18)
Tries: Kai Pearce-Paul, Greg Marzhew, Fletcher Hunt
Conversions: Dane Gagai (3/3)

Bulldogs crack 1000 wins with Manly demolition

27 Jul 2025 7:36PM | Josh Robertson

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 42 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 4
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park / Gadigal

Date: Sun, 27th July. Kickoff: 4:05 PM. Halftime: Canterbury 12-4. Penalties: Manly 5-4. Referee: Ashley Klein. Crowd: 25,801.

Canterbury: Tracey, Kiraz, Xerri, Crichton (C), Tuala; Burton, Galvin; King, Mahoney, Hughes, Kikau, Preston, Salmon. Int: Mann, Hayes, Curran, Hayward.
Manly: Hopoate, Saab, Koula, Trbojevic, Garrick; Brooks, Cherry-Evans (C); Lodge, Tevaga, Taukeiaho, Olakau'atu, Trbojevic, Trbojevic. Int: Waddell, Bullemor, Sipley, Chan Kum Tong.

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (42)
Tries: Samuel Hughes, Jacob Kiraz (2), Bronson Xerri (2), Enari Tuala, Jacob Preston
Conversions: Stephen Crichton (7/7)

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (4)
Tries: Jason Saab
Conversions: Reuben Garrick (0/1)

Dolphins had a bye this round.

Round 21 ladder

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

RLP stats leaders

TOP TRYSCORERS

TOP GOALKICKERS

TOP POINTSCORERS

Match review

Three players are facing suspension, including Rabbitohs star Jack Wighton. It's widely tipped he'll take his charge to the NRL judiciary.

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.

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

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 21 crowds

Average home crowds

*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 NRL premiership (1908-present) before. This section looks at each week's scorelines, how often they've occured and the most recent instance of it.

Melbourne defeated Sydney 34-30
This is the 17th occurrence of this scoreline, most recently in 2024, Round 21 - Sydney def Manly

North Queensland defeated St George Illawarra 38-32
This is the 5th occurrence of this scoreline, most recently in 2025, Round 2 - Sydney def Penrith

Parramatta defeated Brisbane 22-20
This is the 72nd occurrence of this scoreline, most recently 2024, Round 11 - Warriors def Penrith

Gold Coast defeated Warriors 24-16
This is the 89th occurrence of this scoreline, most recently 2025, Round 8 - Melbourne def South Sydney

Penrith defeated Wests Tigers 36-2
This is the 9th occurrence of this scoreline, most recently in 2017, Round 2 - Penrith def Wests Tigers

Cronulla defeated South Sydney 14-12
This is the 101st occurrence of this scoreline, most recently in 2024, Round 26 - Canberra def Sydney

Canberra defeated Newcastle 44-18
This is the 11th occurrence of this scoreline, most recently in 2023, Round 21 - Penrith def Canterbury

Canterbury defeated Manly 42-4
This is the 9th occurrence of this scoreline, most recently 2024, Round 24 - North Queensland def Canberra

Next up - NRL Round 22

Times AEST.

Parramatta Eels v Melbourne Storm
Thu 31 Jul 7:50PM at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal

Warriors v Dolphins
Fri 1 Aug 6:00PM at Go Media Stadium, Penrose / Aotearoa
Brisbane Broncos v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Fri 1 Aug 8:00PM at Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

Gold Coast Titans v Penrith Panthers
Sat 2 Aug 3:00PM at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh
St George Illawarra Dragons v Canberra Raiders
Sat 2 Aug 5:30PM at WIN Stadium, Wollongong / Dharawal
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Sydney Roosters
Sat 2 Aug 7:35PM at 4 Pines Park, Brookvale / Cammeraygal

Wests Tigers v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Sun 3 Aug 2:00PM at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v North Queensland Cowboys
Sun 3 Aug 4:05PM at Sharks Stadium, Woolooware / Dharawal

BYE: Newcastle Knights

Full 2025 NRL Draw & Results.