Finals Week One: Panthers book yet another preliminary final as Dolphins stun Warriors

Edward Briggs

The opening week of the 2026 NRL finals delivered tight contests, dramatic moments and a major upset. Newcastle and Cronulla kept their seasons alive, while South Sydney, Canberra and North Queensland bowed out.

South Sydney Rabbitohs 10 – 20 Newcastle Knights

The Newcastle Knights survived an injury-hit South Sydney side to book their place in next week’s sudden-death semi-final, producing a disciplined defensive effort to win 20-10.

Newcastle struck after just five minutes when Sandon Smith’s kick found Dominic Young, who managed to get the ball away in the tackle for Jermaine McEwen to race over untouched. Smith hit the upright with the conversion, but the Knights extended their advantage in the 26th minute when Dane Gagai chased down another Smith kick and grounded it just before the dead-ball line.

Souths were dealt a major blow shortly afterwards when Cody Walker limped from the field with a calf injury. They still managed to respond before half-time, with Jack Wighton creating space for Campbell Graham to finish in the corner and Latrell Mitchell converting superbly from the sideline.

The Rabbitohs thought they had produced one of the tries of the season early in the second half when Alex Johnston somehow kept the ball alive despite having almost no room, but the Bunker ruled that McEwen had been making a tackle rather than stripping the ball. Johnston was therefore judged to have lost possession, and the spectacular effort was chalked off.

Newcastle then took control. Young broke down the right before finding McEwen, who recovered from an ankle tap to score his second, before Young added one of his own five minutes later.

Graham gave Souths a late glimmer of hope with a try in the 74th minute, but the Rabbitohs could not build enough pressure to seriously threaten the Knights’ lead.

Newcastle now face the Warriors in a sudden-death semi-final, while South Sydney’s season is over.

Warriors 16 – 26 Dolphins

The Dolphins overturned an eight-point half-time deficit to stun the Warriors 26-16 at Go Media Stadium and earn a place in the preliminary final.

A crowd of 26,131 watched the Warriors make the better start, with Taine Tuaupiki scoring a try and adding penalty goals as the hosts established a 12-8 half-time lead. Selwyn Cobbo’s late first-half try kept the Dolphins within touching distance.

The match became increasingly scrappy, with Kurt Capewell and Cobbo both sent to the sin bin following a melee, while Adam Pompey also spent time in the bin for a shoulder charge.

The Warriors extended their lead to 16-8 after the break through two more Tuaupiki penalties, but the Dolphins gradually turned the contest around.

Herbie Farnworth sliced through in the 61st minute, with Jamayne Isaako’s sideline conversion reducing the margin to two. Soon afterwards, the Dolphins finally hit the lead when a slick attacking movement put Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow over.

The Warriors were unable to find an answer, and Jack Bostock sealed the result late after pouncing on a loose ball from Chanel Harris-Tavita. A lengthy Bunker review eventually confirmed the grounding before Isaako converted.

The Dolphins now have a fortnight to prepare for a preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium. For the Warriors, there is no room for error from here, with a sudden-death meeting with Newcastle next week.

Cronulla Sharks 26 – 16 North Queensland Cowboys

Cronulla kept their season alive with a 26-16 victory over the Cowboys at Allianz Stadium, ending North Queensland’s inconsistent 2026 campaign.

The Sharks dominated possession and territory early but initially struggled to turn their pressure into points, settling for a 2-0 lead. The Bunker then became heavily involved, overturning a try awarded to Addin Fonua-Blake before later awarding Sifa Talakai a controversial four-pointer.

The Cowboys eventually hit back through Braidon Burns, who finished off a clever passage involving Tom Chester and Scott Drinkwater to make it 8-6.

Drinkwater then made another error, allowing Cronulla to execute a scrum play for Sione Katoa to score his 100th try for the Sharks. Cronulla led 12-6 at the break.

Katoa doubled his tally ten minutes into the second half, intercepting a Drinkwater pass and racing 65 metres to score. Zac Laybutt responded for North Queensland, but Cronulla quickly reasserted control.

Will Kennedy sliced through before Nicho Hynes followed with another break, as the Sharks’ attack repeatedly exposed the Cowboys’ defence. Jaxon Purdue added a late try, but there was never a serious comeback threat.

Cronulla will now meet the Roosters in a sudden-death semi-final next Saturday, while the Cowboys’ season is finished.

Penrith Panthers 19 – 12 Sydney Roosters

Nathan Cleary delivered when it mattered most as Penrith edged the Roosters 19-12 to secure a week off and a place in the final four.

The Panthers dominated the early territory before Liam Martin finally opened the scoring in the 12th minute, rising to take a Cleary bomb.

The Roosters responded through Robert Toia after a powerful run from Daniel Tupou helped create the opportunity, before Mark Nawaqanitawase produced a moment of individual brilliance to intercept a pass and race 45 metres for a 12-6 lead.

Penrith levelled before half-time when Dylan Edwards burst through the Roosters’ defence. Cleary’s second-half sin bin for making contact with Hugo Savala’s kicking leg briefly put the Panthers under pressure, but neither side could break the 12-12 deadlock after the interval.

Then came the decisive moment.

After a seven-tackle set created an opportunity, Cleary stepped up nine minutes from full-time and calmly landed the field goal to put Penrith ahead. Daly Cherry-Evans had a chance to respond but could not find the target.

Brian To’o eventually put the result beyond doubt, swooping on a forced pass in the dying minutes.

The victory continues Penrith’s remarkable finals record under Ivan Cleary, with 17 wins from their past 20 finals appearances. The Panthers now get a week to rest before hosting the winner of the Warriors-Knights semi-final.

For the Roosters, their season continues against Cronulla in a sudden-death clash next Saturday.