NRL TEAMS & OFFICIALS - 2026 Round 7
9 hours ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
MONDAY'S EXPERT: 2026 NRL Round 1
A full wrap of the weekend's action - MONDAY'S EXPERT recaps all the teamsheets, details, scores and scorers from Round 1 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.
Times listed are venue local.
RELATED: See the full list of 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership Draw and Results.
Ponga and Knights shine in new era over Cowboys
1 Mar 2026 3:08PM | AJ Lucantonio
Newcastle Knights 28 North Queensland Cowboys 18
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise / Las Vegas NV
Date: Sat, 28th February. Kickoff: 6:15 PM. Halftime: 12-all. Penalties: 4-all. Referee: Ashley Klein. Crowd: 45,719.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (28)
Tries: Fletcher Sharpe, Greg Marzhew, Bradman Best, Dominic Young, Trey Mooney
Conversions: Kalyn Ponga (4/5)
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (18)
Tries: Heilum Luki, Murray Taulagi (2)
Conversions: Jake Clifford (3/3)
Newcastle: Ponga (C), Young, Gagai, Best, Marzhew; Sharpe, Brown; Saifiti, Crossland, Mooney, Lucas, McEwen, Croker. Int: Frizell, Smith, Cant, Saulo.
North Qld: Drinkwater, Burns, Purdue, Chester, Taulagi; Clifford, Dearden (C); Hess, Mahoney, Taumalolo, Luki, McIntyre, Cotter. Int: Mikaele, O'Donnell, Neame, Lodge.
Crichton hits the jackpot with golden point field goal
1 Mar 2026 5:52PM | Robert Crosby
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 15 St George Illawarra Dragons 14
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise / Las Vegas NV
Date: Sat, 28th February. Kickoff: 8:30 PM. Halftime: Canterbury 10-8. Penalties: Canterbury 9-3. Referee: Grant Atkins. Crowd: 45,719.
CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (15)
Tries: Jacob Preston, Jacob Kiraz
Field Goals: Stephen Crichton (1/1), Matt Burton (0/1)
Conversions: Stephen Crichton (1/2)
Penalty Goals: Stephen Crichton (2/2)
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (14)
Tries: Emre Guler, Setu Tu
Field Goals: Valentine Holmes (0/1)
Two Point Field Goals: Valentine Holmes (0/2)
Conversions: Valentine Holmes (1/2)
Penalty Goals: Valentine Holmes (1/1), Kyle Flanagan (1/1)
Canterbury: Tracey, Kiraz, Xerri, Crichton (C), Montoya; Burton, Galvin; King, Hayward, Hughes, Kikau, Preston, Salmon. Int: Mann, Tupouniua, Hayes, Curran.
St Geo Illa: Gutherson (C), Tuipulotu, Suli, Holmes, Tu; Flanagan, Atkinson; Guler, Cook, Couchman, Leilua, Su'A, Sele. Int: Stewart, Kerr, Couchman, Feagai.
Storm crush Eels to continue Round 1 dominance
5 Mar 2026 9:57PM | Justin Davies
Melbourne Storm 52 Parramatta Eels 4
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne / Wurundjeri
Date: Thu, 5th March. Kickoff: 8:00 PM. Halftime: Melbourne 18-4. Penalties: Parramatta 6-4. Referee: Todd Smith. Crowd: 18,264.
MELBOURNE STORM (52)
Tries: William Warbrick, Harry Grant (2), Jack Howarth, Joe Chan, Moses Leo, Sualauvi Faalogo (2), Ativalu Lisati
Conversions: Nick Meaney (8/9)
PARRAMATTA EELS (4)
Tries: Sean Russell
Conversions: Mitchell Moses (0/1)
Melbourne: Fa'alogo, Warbrick, Howarth, Leo, Meaney; Munster, Hughes; Utoikamanu, Grant (C), King, Chan, Lisati, MacDonald. Int: Wishart, Clarke, Kamikamica, Moale, Conn.
Parramatta: Iongi, Simonsson, Penisini, Kelly, Russell; Pezet, Moses (C); Hopgood, Smith, Paulo, Williams, Kautoga, De Belin. Int: Walker, Doorey, Da Silva, Papalii.
Warriors rattle Roosters in Auckland
6 Mar 2026 8:03PM | Tim Costello
Warriors 42 Sydney Roosters 18
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Penrose / Aotearoa
Date: Fri, 6th March. Kickoff: 8:00 PM. Halftime: Warriors 22-6. Penalties: Warriors 11-4. Referee: Wyatt Raymond. Crowd: 24,112.
WARRIORS (42)
Tries: Tanah Boyd, Adam Pompey, Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita (2), Leka Halasima, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Conversions: Tanah Boyd (6/7)
Penalty Goals: Tanah Boyd (1/2)
SYDNEY ROOSTERS (18)
Tries: James Tedesco, Billy Smith, Angus Crichton
Conversions: Sam Walker (3/3)
Warriors: Nicoll-Klokstad, Watene-Zelezniak, Leiataua, Pompey, Tuivasa-Sheck; Harris-Tavita, Boyd; Fisher-Harris (C), Egan, Ford, Capewell, Laban, Clark. Int: Healey, Vaimauga, Halasima, Stowers-Smith.
Sydney: Tedesco (C), Tupou, Smith, Pauga, Nawaqanitawase; Cherry-Evans, Walker; Whyte, Ioelu, Collins, Crichton, Butcher, Steep. Int: Watson, Wong, Butcher, Foketi.
Brisbane locked out by Fort Penrith
6 Mar 2026 10:25PM | Andrew Ferguson
Brisbane Broncos 0 Penrith Panthers 26
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal
Date: Fri, 6th March. Kickoff: 7:00 PM. Halftime: Penrith 18-0. Penalties: Penrith 8-2. Referee: Adam Gee. Crowd: 45,566.
BRISBANE BRONCOS (0)
PENRITH PANTHERS (26)
Tries: Casey McLean, Dylan Edwards, Thomas Jenkins (2)
Conversions: Nathan Cleary (3/4)
Penalty Goals: Nathan Cleary (2/2)
Brisbane: Walsh, Karapani, Staggs, Shibasaki, Mariner; Hunt, Reynolds (C); Jensen, Paix, Haas, Gosiewski, Riki, Carrigan. Int: Mam, Willison, Talty, Tawha.
Penrith: Edwards, Alamoti, Jenkins, Mclean, To'o; Talagi, Cleary (C); Leota, Kenny, Smith, Papali'i, Garner, Yeo. Int: Sorensen, Cogger, Going, Phillips.
Sharks half-ton leaves Titans teetering
7 Mar 2026 7:22PM | Tim Costello
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 50 Gold Coast Titans 10
Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Woolooware / Dharawal
Date: Sat, 7th March. Kickoff: 5:30 PM. Halftime: Cronulla 34-0. Penalties: Gold Coast 8-5. Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski. Crowd: 11,548.
CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (50)
Tries: William Kennedy, Nicho Hynes (2), Briton Nikora, Jesse Ramien (2), Braydon Trindall (2), Sione Katoa
Conversions: Nicho Hynes (7/9)
GOLD COAST TITANS (10)
Tries: Sam Verrills, Sialetili Faeamani
Conversions: Lachlan Ilias (1/2)
Cronulla: Kennedy, Katoa, Ramien, Iro, Stonestreet; Trindall, Hynes; Fonua-Blake, Brailey (C), Hazelton, Nikora, Burns, Colquhoun. Int: Talakai, Rudolf, Kaufusi, Hamlin-Uele.
Gold Coast: Kini, Faeamani, Fifita, Feagai, Sami; Brimson, Ilias; Fotuaika, Verrills, Fa'asuamaleaui (C), Hau, Fermor, Randall. Int: Morrin, Simpkins, Haas, Bai.
Sanders steps up to silence the Sea Eagles
7 Mar 2026 9:54PM | Robert Crosby
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 28 Canberra Raiders 29
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Brookvale / Cammeraygal
Date: Sat, 7th March. Kickoff: 7:35 PM. Halftime: Manly 14-6. Penalties: Manly 8-4. Referee: Liam Kennedy. Crowd: 17,253.
MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (28)
Tries: Tom Trbojevic, Jamal Fogarty, Haumole Olakau'atu, Tolutau Koula
Conversions: Jamal Fogarty (3/3), Reuben Garrick (1/1)
Penalty Goals: Jamal Fogarty (2/2)
CANBERRA RAIDERS (29)
Tries: Noah Martin (2), Ethan Sanders, Xavier Savage (2)
Field Goals: Ethan Sanders (1/1)
Conversions: Ethan Sanders (4/5)
Manly: Trbojevic (C), Saab, Koula, Garrick, Hopoate; Brooks, Fogarty; Paseka, Simpkin, Taukeiaho, Olakau'atu, Trbojevic, Trbojevic. Int: Hetherington, Bullemor, Brown, Waddell.
Canberra: Weekes, Tamale, Sasagi, Kris, Savage; Strange, Sanders; Papalii, Starling, Tapine (C), Young, Martin, Horsburgh. Int: Brailey, Hosking, Mariota, Smithies.
Souths start 2026 with important win in points fest
8 Mar 2026 7:01PM | Josh Robertson
Dolphins 30 South Sydney Rabbitohs 40
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal
Date: Sun, 8th March. Kickoff: 3:05 PM. Halftime: South Sydney 28-10. Penalties: South Sydney 7-3. Referee: Peter Gough. Crowd: 20,114.
DOLPHINS (30)
Tries: Jake Averillo, Jamayne Isaako, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Herbie Farnworth, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Conversions: Jamayne Isaako (4/5)
Penalty Goals: Jamayne Isaako (1/1)
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (40)
Tries: Campbell Graham (2), Latrell Mitchell (2), Jye Gray, Alex Johnston, Lachlan Hubner
Conversions: Latrell Mitchell (5/7)
Penalty Goals: Latrell Mitchell (1/2)
Dolphins: Tabuai-Fidow, Isaako, Averillo, Farnworth, Cobbo; Nikorima, Katoa (C); Gilbert, Schneider, Flegler, Lemuelu, Finefeuiaki, Knowles. Int: Keeley, Kaufusi, Fuller, Woolf.
South Sydney: Gray, Johnston, Mitchell, Wighton, Graham; Walker, Ward; Tatola, Garlick, Koloamatangi, Fifita, Aitken, Murray (C). Int: Mamouzelos, Duncan, Hubner, Sullivan.
Wests Tigers had a bye this round.
Round 1 ladder
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | B | +/- | Pts |
| 1 | Melbourne | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 2 |
| 2 | Cronulla | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 2 |
| 3 | Penrith | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 2 |
| 4 | Warriors | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 2 |
| 5 | Newcastle | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 |
| 6 | Souths | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 |
| 7 | Canterbury | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 8 | Canberra | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 9 | Wests Tigers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 10 | St Geo Illa | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
| 11 | Manly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
| 12 | North Qld | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -10 | 0 |
| 13 | Dolphins | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -10 | 0 |
| 14 | Sydney | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -24 | 0 |
| 15 | Brisbane | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -26 | 0 |
| 16 | Gold Coast | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -40 | 0 |
| 17 | Parramatta | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -48 | 0 |
RELATED: Click here to view the current NRL Telstra Premiership ladder.
Stats leaders
TOP TRYSCORERS
| Rank | Player | Team | P | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| =1 | Braydon Trindall | Cronulla | 1 | 2 |
| =1 | Murray Taulagi | North Qld | 1 | 2 |
| =1 | Xavier Savage | Canberra | 1 | 2 |
| =1 | Jesse Ramien | Cronulla | 1 | 2 |
| =1 | Latrell Mitchell | South Sydney | 1 | 2 |
| =1 | Noah Martin | Canberra | 1 | 2 |
| =1 | Thomas Jenkins | Penrith | 1 | 2 |
| =1 | Nicho Hynes | Cronulla | 1 | 2 |
| =1 | Chanel Harris-Tavita | Warriors | 1 | 2 |
| =1 | Harry Grant | Melbourne | 1 | 2 |
| =1 | Campbell Graham | South Sydney | 1 | 2 |
| =1 | Sualauvi Fa'alogo | Melbourne | 1 | 2 |
TOP GOALKICKERS
| Rank | Player | Team | P | G/A | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nick Meaney | Melbourne | 1 | 8 / 9 | 89% |
| =2 | Nicho Hynes | Cronulla | 1 | 7 / 9 | 78% |
| =2 | Tanah Boyd | Warriors | 1 | 7 / 9 | 78% |
| 4 | Latrell Mitchell | South Sydney | 1 | 6 / 9 | 67% |
| =5 | Jamal Fogarty | Manly | 1 | 5 / 5 | 100% |
| =5 | Jamayne Isaako | Dolphins | 1 | 5 / 6 | 83% |
| =5 | Nathan Cleary | Penrith | 1 | 5 / 6 | 83% |
| =8 | Ethan Sanders | Canberra | 1 | 4 / 5 | 80% |
| =8 | Kalyn Ponga | Newcastle | 1 | 4 / 5 | 80% |
TOP POINTSCORERS
| Rank | Player | Team | P | T | G | FG | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nicho Hynes | Cronulla | 1 | 2 | 7 | - | 22 |
| 2 | Latrell Mitchell | South Sydney | 1 | 2 | 6 | - | 20 |
| 3 | Tanah Boyd | Warriors | 1 | 1 | 7 | - | 18 |
| 4 | Nick Meaney | Melbourne | 1 | - | 8 | - | 16 |
| =5 | Jamayne Isaako | Dolphins | 1 | 1 | 5 | - | 14 |
| =5 | Jamal Fogarty | Manly | 1 | 1 | 5 | - | 14 |
| 7 | Ethan Sanders | Canberra | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 13 |
| 8 | Nathan Cleary | Penrith | 1 | - | 5 | - | 10 |
Match review
Braidon Burns and J'maine Hopgood were facing suspension after Round 1, however Burns challenged his charge at the judiciary and was able to have it downgraded to a fine-only offence. Hopgood copped the 1 game and seven others accepted fines with early pleas.
| Player | Club | Penalty |
| Braidon BURNS | NQL | $1800 |
| J'maine HOPGOOD | PAR | 1 match |
| Christian TUIPULOTU Tino FA'ASUAMALEAUI | SGI GLD | $1500 |
| Aublix TAWHA Briton NIKORA | BRI CRO | $1800 |
| Tyson FRIZELL Tuki SIMPKINS Jake TRBOJEVIC | NEW GLD MAN | $1000 |
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.
3 points - Isaah Yeo (Panthers), Braydon Trindall (Sharks), Ethan Sanders (Raiders), Cody Walker (Rabbitohs), Jahrome Hughes (Storm), Tanah Boyd (Warriors), Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs), Kalyn Ponga (Knights)
2 points - Noah Martin (Raiders), Nicho Hynes (Sharks), Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs), Trey Mooney (Knights), Nathan Cleary (Panthers), Damien Cook (Dragons), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors), Joe Chan (Storm)
1 point - Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs), Kurt Capewell (Warriors), Heilum Luki (Cowboys), Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), William Kennedy (Sharks), Thomas Jenkins (Panthers), Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Sualauvi Faalogo (Storm)
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 1 crowds
Times are venue local.
| Sat 6:15pm | NEW v NQL | Allegiant | 45,719 |
| Sat 8:30pm | CBY v SGI | Allegiant | |
| Thu 8:00pm | MEL v PAR | AAMI | 18,264 |
| Fri 8:00pm | WAR v SYD | Go Media | 24,112 |
| Fri 7:00pm | BRI v PEN | Suncorp | 45,566 |
| Sat 5:30pm | CRO v GLD | Ocean Protect | 11,548 |
| Sat 7:35pm | MAN v CAN | 4 Pines | 17,253 |
| Sun 3:05pm | DOL v SOU | Suncorp | 20,114 |
Total: 182,576
Average (8 games): 22,822
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.
Newcastle def North Qld 28-18
This has occurred 46 times previously, most recently in Round 16 of 2025 - Penrith def Warriors
Canterbury def St Geo Illa 15-14
This has occurred 51 times previously, most recently in Round 10 of 2025 - Warriors def St Geo Illa
Melbourne def Parramatta 52-4
This has occurred 4 times previously, most recently in Round 22 of 2007 - Bulldogs def Canberra
Warriors def Sydney 42-18
This has occurred 18 times previously, most recently in Round 7 of 2025 - Brisbane def Canterbury
Penrith def Brisbane 26-0
This has occurred 24 times previously, most recently in the 2023 Qualifying Final - Brisbane def Melbourne
Cronulla def Gold Coast 50-10
This has occurred 12 times previously, most recently in Round 8 of 2018 - Melbourne def Warriors
Canberra def Manly 29-28
This has occurred 10 times previously, most recently in the 2025 Qualifying Final - Brisbane def Canberra
Souths def Dolphins 40-30
This has occurred twice previously, most recently in Round 7 of 2021 - Souths def Gold Coast
Next up - NRL Round 2
All times venue local. BYE: Canterbury.
| Thu 7:00pm | Mar-12 | Brisbane | Parramatta | Suncorp |
| Fri 8:00pm | 13 | Warriors | Canberra | Go Media |
| Fri 8:00pm | 13 | Sydney | South Sydney | Allianz |
| Sat 3:00pm | 14 | Wests Tigers | North Qld | Leichhardt |
| Sat 5:30pm | 14 | St Geo Illa | Melbourne | WIN |
| Sat 7:30pm | 14 | Penrith | Cronulla | Carrington |
| Sun 4:05pm | 15 | Manly | Newcastle | 4 Pines |
| Sun 5:15pm | 15 | Dolphins | Gold Coast | Suncorp |