MONDAY'S EXPERT: 2026 NRL Round 7

A full wrap of the weekend's action - MONDAY'S EXPERT recaps all the teamsheets, details, scores and scorers from Round 7 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 venue local - AEST in Australia and NZT in New Zealand.

RELATED: See the full list of 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership Draw and Results.

Sea Eagles soar despite Turbo-lence

16 Apr 2026 9:50PM | Robert Crosby

North Queensland Cowboys 6 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 38
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba
Date: Thu, 16th April. Kickoff: 7:50 PM. Halftime: Manly 22-6. Penalties: North Qld 6-4. Referee: Gerard Sutton. Crowd: 17,476.

North Qld: Drinkwater, Burns, Purdue, Chester, Laybutt; Clifford, Dearden (C); Hess, Luke, Taumalolo, Luki, O'Donnell, Cotter. Int: McIntyre, Neame, Mikaele, Lodge.
Manly: Trbojevic (C), Saab, Koula, Garrick, Hopoate; Brooks, Fogarty; Paseka, Wakeham, Hetherington, Olakau'atu, Trbojevic, Trbojevic. Int: Simpkin, Waddell, Taukeiaho, Faulalo.

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (6)
Tries: Coen Hess
Conversions: Jake Clifford (1/1)

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (38)
Tries: Lehi Hopoate (2), Ben Trbojevic, Brandon Wakeham, Taniela Paseka, Luke Brooks
Conversions: Jamal Fogarty (5/6)
Penalty Goals: Jamal Fogarty (2/2)

Raiders outmuscle Storm

17 Apr 2026 8:33PM | Andrew Ferguson

Canberra Raiders 26 Melbourne Storm 22
Venue: GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce / Ngunnawal
Date: Fri, 17th April. Kickoff: 6:00 PM. Halftime: Melbourne 16-12. Penalties: Canberra 6-3. Referee: Peter Gough. Crowd: 17,321.

Canberra: Weekes, Kris, Sasagi, Timoko, Stuart; Strange, Sanders; Mariota, Starling, Tapine (C), Young, Hosking, Horsburgh. Int: Papalii, Martin, Brailey, Smithies.
Melbourne: Fa'alogo, Warbrick, Howarth, Waitere, Meaney; Munster, Hughes; Utoikamanu, Grant (C), King, Chan, Clarke, Loiero. Int: Wishart, MacDonald, Hetherington, Blore.

CANBERRA RAIDERS (26)
Tries: Matthew Timoko, Simi Sasagi, Corey Horsburgh, Ethan Strange
Conversions: Ethan Sanders (3/4)
Penalty Goals: Ethan Sanders (2/2)

MELBOURNE STORM (22)
Tries: Sualauvi Faalogo, Nick Meaney (2), William Warbrick
Conversions: Nick Meaney (3/4)

Cleary ices golden point thriller... that comes at a cost for Panthers

17 Apr 2026 10:17PM | Andrew Jackson

Dolphins 22 Penrith Panthers 23
Venue: TIO Stadium, Darwin / Larrakia
Date: Fri, 17th April. Kickoff: 7:30 PM. Halftime: Penrith 18-0. Penalties: Penrith 6-1. Referee: Adam Gee. Crowd: 12,570.

Dolphins: Tabuai-Fidow, Isaako, Averillo, Farnworth, Cobbo; Nikorima, Katoa (C); Gilbert, Plath, Molo, Lemuelu, Finefeuiaki, Knowles. Int: Kaufusi, Schneider, Flegler, Stone.
Penrith: Edwards, Jenkins, Alamoti, Tago, To'o; Talagi, Cleary (C); Leota, Kenny, Smith, Papali'i, Garner, Yeo. Int: Sorensen, Going, Phillips, Lussick, Cogger.

DOLPHINS (22)
Tries: Herbie Farnworth, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo, Jake Averillo
Field Goals: Isaiya Katoa (0/1)
Conversions: Jamayne Isaako (3/3), Isaiya Katoa (0/1)

PENRITH PANTHERS (23)
Tries: Dylan Edwards, Blaize Talagi, Thomas Jenkins (2)
Field Goals: Nathan Cleary (1/2)
Conversions: Nathan Cleary (3/4)

Warriors withstand TItans after first-half blitz

18 Apr 2026 4:52PM | Dan Nichols

Warriors 28 Gold Coast Titans 20
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Penrose / Aotearoa
Date: Sat, 18th April. Kickoff: 5:00 PM. Halftime: Warriors 22-0. Penalties: Gold Coast 4-3. Referee: Wyatt Raymond. Crowd: 24,112.

Warriors: Nicoll-Klokstad, Watene-Zelezniak, Tuivasa-Sheck, Leiataua, Khan-Pereira; Harris-Tavita, Boyd; Fisher-Harris (C), Egan, Ford, Halasima, Capewell, Clark. Int: Healey, Vaimauga, Laban, Barnett.
Gold Coast: Kini, Faeamani, Fifita, De Groot, Sami; Ilias, Campbell; Morrin, Verrills, Fa'asuamaleaui, Hau, Fermor, Bai. Int: Pascoe, Fotuaika, Haas, Patston.

WARRIORS (28)
Tries: Alofiana Khan-Pereira (2), Chanel Harris-Tavita, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Erin Clark
Conversions: Tanah Boyd (3/5)
Penalty Goals: Tanah Boyd (1/1)

GOLD COAST TITANS (20)
Tries: Jojo Fifita, Sialetili Faeamani, Arama Hau, Kurtis Morrin
Conversions: Jayden Campbell (2/4)

Rabbitohs sizzle Saints as Su'a gets sent

18 Apr 2026 7:20PM | Tim Costello

South Sydney Rabbitohs 30 St George Illawarra Dragons 12
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal
Date: Sat, 18th April. Kickoff: 5:30 PM. Halftime: South Sydney 16-12. Penalties: St Geo Illa 8-7. Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski. Crowd: 15,116.

South Sydney: Dufty, Johnston, Mitchell, Wighton, Graham; Walker, Humphreys; Tatola, Smith, Keppie, Garlick, Duncan, Murray (C). Int: Koloamatangi, Hubner, Mamouzelos, Sullivan.
St Geo Illa: Sloan, Fale, Feagai, Holmes, Tu; Atkinson, Flanagan; Guler, Cook (C), Couchman, Leilua, Su'A, Kerr. Int: Stewart, Lawrie, Halangahu, Pasifiki Tonga.

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (30)
Tries: Latrell Mitchell (4), Alex Johnston, Matthew Dufty
Conversions: Latrell Mitchell (2/6)
Penalty Goals: Latrell Mitchell (1/1)

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (12)
Tries: Damien Cook, Hamish Stewart
Conversions: Valentine Holmes (2/2)

Broncos defy logic to win

18 Apr 2026 9:52PM | Andrew Ferguson

Wests Tigers 20 Brisbane Broncos 21
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Leumeah / Dharawal
Date: Sat, 18th April. Kickoff: 7:35 PM. Halftime: Brisbane 18-14. Penalties: Brisbane 4-2. Referee: Todd Smith. Crowd: 17,316.

Wests Tigers: Bula, Turuva, May, Herbert, Makasini; Luai (C), Doueihi; May, Koroisau, Pole, Fainu, Pearce-Paul, Twal. Int: Madden, Fainu, Hunt, Fainu.
Brisbane: Arthars, Karapani, Staggs, Shibasaki, Mariner; Mam, Reynolds (C); Jensen, Rogers, Haas, Piakura, Riki, Willison. Int: Talty, Gosiewski, Perham, Bukowski.

WESTS TIGERS (20)
Tries: Taylan May, Jahream Bula, Apisai Koroisau
Conversions: Adam Doueihi (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Adam Doueihi (1/1)

BRISBANE BRONCOS (21)
Tries: Josiah Karapani, Deine Mariner, Ben Talty
Field Goals: Adam Reynolds (1/1)
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Adam Reynolds (1/1)

Roosters burn Knights with another second half blitz

19 Apr 2026 4:41PM | Josh Robertson

Sydney Roosters 38 Newcastle Knights 24
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park / Gadigal
Date: Sun, 19th April. Kickoff: 2:00 PM. Halftime: Newcastle 24-12. Penalties: Sydney 4-3. Referee: Ashley Klein. Crowd: 22,409.

Sydney: Tedesco (C), Tupou, Savala, Toia, Nawaqanitawase; Cherry-Evans, Walker; Whyte, Robson, Collins, Crichton, Wong, Radley. Int: Watson, Leniu, Butcher, Foketi.
Newcastle: Sharpe, Young, Gagai, Hunt, Marzhew; Smith, Brown; Saifiti (C), Crossland, Mooney, Manuleleua, McEwen, Croker. Int: Graham, Saulo, Hopwood, Hola.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (38)
Tries: Siua Wong, Sam Walker, Hugo Savala (2), James Tedesco, Mark Nawaqanitawase (2)
Conversions: Sam Walker (5/7)

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (24)
Tries: Fletcher Hunt (3), Trey Mooney
Conversions: Sandon Smith (4/4)

Eels pay tribute to premiership heroes in monumental upset

19 Apr 2026 5:55PM | AJ Lucantonio

Parramatta Eels 38 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 20
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal
Date: Sun, 19th April. Kickoff: 4:05 PM. Halftime: Parramatta 18-4. Penalties: Parramatta 6-1. Referee: Liam Kennedy.

Parramatta: Papalii, Kelly, Penisini, Nanva, Addo-Carr; Volkman, Moses (C); Moretti, Smith, Paulo, Guymer, Williams, De Belin. Int: Walker, Da Silva, Pryke, Mataele.
Canterbury: Tracey, Kiraz, Curran, Xerri, Montoya; Burton, Galvin; Hughes, Hayward, Thompson, Kikau, Preston, Salmon. Int: Mann, Tupouniua, Hayes, Sua.

PARRAMATTA EELS (38)
Tries: Josh Addo-Carr, Ronald Volkman, Joash Papali'i, Dylan Walker, Tallyn Da Silva, Viliami Penisini
Conversions: Ronald Volkman (1/1), Mitchell Moses (5/5)
Penalty Goals: Mitchell Moses (1/1)

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (20)
Tries: Jacob Kiraz, Lachlan Galvin, Jonathan Sua, Bronson Xerri
Conversions: Matt Burton (2/4)

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks had a bye this round.

Round 7 ladder

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

Stats leaders

Thanks to Rugby League Project

TOP TRYSCORERS

TOP GOALKICKERS

TOP POINTSCORERS

Match review

Big suspensions this week - Jaydn Su'A facing 3-4, Hudson Young and Kodi Nikorima look at 2-3. Lots of others fined and that's only Thu-Sat games!

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.

13 points - Nathan Cleary (Panthers)

10 points - Tanah Boyd (Warriors)

9 points - Jackson Ford (Warriors), Jake Clifford (Cowboys)

8 points - Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins)

7 points - Simi Sasagi (Raiders), James Tedesco (Roosters), Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys)

6 points - Braydon Trindall (Sharks), Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs), Nicho Hynes (Sharks), Sualauvi Faalogo (Storm), Keano Kini (Titans)

5 points - Jock Madden (Tigers), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors), Hudson Young (Raiders), Dominic Young (Knights), Jayden Campbell (Titans)

4 points - Damien Cook (Dragons), Trey Mooney (Knights), Casey McLean (Panthers), Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs), Adam Doueihi (Tigers), Jahream Bula (Tigers), Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs), William Kennedy (Sharks), Joe Chan (Storm), Thomas Jenkins (Panthers), Isaiah Papali'i (Panthers), Tolutau Koula (Sea Eagles)

3 points - Deine Mariner (Broncos), Peter Mamouzelos (Rabbitohs), Tallyn Da Silva (Eels), Naufahu Whyte (Roosters), Ezra Mam (Broncos), Sunia Turuva (Tigers), Angus Crichton (Roosters), Jamal Fogarty (Sea Eagles), Adam Reynolds (Broncos), Mitchell Moses (Eels), Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles), Jacob Preston (Bulldogs), Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles), Tallis Duncan (Rabbitohs), Jordan Riki (Broncos), Greg Marzhew (Knights), Arama Hau (Titans), Jye Gray (Rabbitohs), Daly Cherry-Evans (Roosters), Jahrome Hughes (Storm), Jarome Luai (Tigers), Jonah Pezet (Eels), Kotoni Staggs (Broncos), Ethan Sanders (Raiders), Isaah Yeo (Panthers), Cody Walker (Rabbitohs), Sandon Smith (Knights), Kai Pearce-Paul (Tigers), Kalyn Ponga (Knights), Connor Tracey (Bulldogs)

2 points - Blayke Brailey (Sharks), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors), Selwyn Cobbo (Dolphins), Patrick Carrigan (Broncos), Murray Taulagi (Cowboys), Dylan Edwards (Panthers), Jake Averillo (Dolphins), Mitchell Barnett (Warriors), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Kobe Hetherington (Sea Eagles), Noah Martin (Raiders), Lachlan Galvin (Bulldogs), Kaeo Weekes (Raiders), Isaiah Iongi (Eels), Ben Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Matthew Dufty (Rabbitohs), Jaydn Su'A (Dragons), Harrison Graham (Knights), Alex Twal (Tigers), Ryan Couchman (Dragons), Terrell May (Tigers), Connor Watson (Roosters), Ronald Volkman (Eels), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins)

1 point - Thomas Duffy (Broncos), Kurt Capewell (Warriors), Fletcher Hunt (Knights), Phillip Sami (Titans), Luke Brooks (Sea Eagles), Bronson Xerri (Bulldogs), Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Freddy Lussick (Panthers), Bradman Best (Knights), Billy Phillips (Panthers), Daniel Atkinson (Dragons), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), Sam Tuivaiti (Eels), Brian To'o (Panthers), Heilum Luki (Cowboys), Matt Burton (Bulldogs), Luke Laulilii (Tigers), Apa Twidle (Eels), Sitili Tupouniua (Bulldogs), Luciano Leilua (Dragons), Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs), Tomas Chester (Cowboys), William Warbrick (Storm), Leka Halasima (Warriors), Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)

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 7 crowds

Average home crowds

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.

There were no scorigami events this week.

Manly def North Qld 38-6
This has occurred 29 times previously, most recently in Round 8 of 2019 - Souths def Brisbane

Canberra def Melbourne 26-22
This has occurred 51 times previously, most recently in the 2025 Grand Final - Brisbane def Melbourne

Penrith def Dolphins 23-22
This has occurred 26 times previously, most recently in Round 5 of 2025 - Parramatta def St Geo Illa

Warriors def Gold Coast 28-20
This has occurred 41 times previously, most recently in Round 1 of 2025 - Canterbury def St Geo Illa

Souths def St Geo Illa 30-12
This has occurred 56 times previously, most recently in Round 18 of 2025 - Manly def Souths

Brisbane def Wests Tigers 21-20
This has occurred 48 times previously, most recently in Round 20 of 2025 - Wests Tigers def Gold Coast

Sydney def Newcastle 38-24
This has occurred 18 times previously, most recently in Round 15 of 2024 - Melbourne def Warriors

Parramatta def Canterbury 38-20
This has occurred 15 times previously, most recently in Round 3 of 2022 - Penrith def Newcastle

Next up - NRL ANZAC Round (R8)

All times venue local. BYE: Gold Coast.

Full 2026 NRL Draw & Results.