NRL Round 11: Dolphins Keep Rolling, Bulldogs Snap Storm, Warriors Extend Dragons Misery

Edward Briggs

Round 11 produced another chaotic weekend of NRL action, with the Dolphins continuing their surge up the ladder, the Bulldogs finally breaking through against Melbourne, and the Warriors extending both their own winning streak and the Dragons’ nightmare season. Elsewhere, Manly survived a major scare from the Titans while the Cowboys handled South Sydney in Townsville.

Dolphins 30 – 22 Raiders

The Dolphins made it four straight wins with an impressive 30-22 victory over Canberra at GIO Stadium despite missing their Origin quartet. The result also continued the Raiders’ miserable recent home record, with Canberra now losing six of their past seven at home.

The Raiders started strongly, targeting the Dolphins’ reshuffled left edge. Daine Laurie burst clear before linking with late inclusion Jed Stuart for the opening try. But the Dolphins steadily settled into the contest through Tevita Naufahu and Morgan Knowles, whose maiden NRL try helped level the game.

Errors proved costly for Canberra throughout the first half. Jamayne Isaako finished a slick backline movement before Isaiya Katoa sliced through the middle to create another try for Ray Stone, giving the visitors a handy buffer. Savelio Tamale responded before halftime to reduce the margin to six.

The second half turned into a grind, with Isaako extending the lead via penalty goal after Morgan Smithies was placed on report. Zac Hosking later capitalised on a Dolphins error to bring Canberra within striking distance, but Brad Schneider’s powerful solo try proved decisive as the Dolphins held firm late.

Bulldogs 30 – 20 Storm

Canterbury produced one of their best performances of the season to stun Melbourne 30-20 in the club’s 2000th premiership game.

The Bulldogs entered the clash on a five-game losing streak and looked headed for another difficult night after Melbourne raced to an 18-6 halftime lead. Moses Leo scored twice in the opening quarter, while Josh King also crossed as the Storm capitalised on slick ball movement and wet conditions.

But Canterbury completely flipped the match after the break. Matt Burton took control, tormenting Melbourne’s edge defence with his kicking and running game, while Bronson Xerri constantly threatened whenever he touched the ball.

Sitili Tupouniua and Jethro Rinakama both scored as the Bulldogs clawed their way back into the contest before Burton levelled the scores with a penalty goal. The momentum then swung entirely when Will Warbrick spilled the ball deep in his own half, allowing Rinakama to grab his second try. Jacob Kiraz sealed the upset late with a powerful individual effort close to the line.

Warriors 30 – 12 Dragons

The Warriors extended their winning streak to six matches while condemning St George Illawarra to an 11th straight defeat with a 30-12 victory at Kogarah.

The Dragons showed promise early despite the wet conditions, with Hamish Stewart breaking tackles before setting up Setu Tu for the opening try. But their poor handling and lack of composure soon allowed the Warriors back into the game.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Te Maire Martin both crossed before halftime, while Dallin Watene-Zelezniak produced another spectacular finish to continue his remarkable try-scoring streak.

Martin added his second shortly after the break, brushing aside a weak Clinton Gutherson tackle, before Khan-Pereira sealed the result midway through the half. Christian Tuipulotu briefly gave the Dragons hope, but Watene-Zelezniak intercepted late to wrap up the Warriors’ first win at Kogarah since 2021.

For the Dragons, the numbers continue to worsen. Eleven straight losses and a completion rate of just 68 per cent told the story of another frustrating evening.

Sea Eagles 12 – 10 Titans

Manly were pushed all the way by the Titans in a tense, low-scoring affair at Brookvale, eventually surviving 12-10.

The Sea Eagles dominated possession and territory for long stretches but struggled to break through a resilient Gold Coast defence. The Titans thought they had opened the scoring early through Jaylan De Groot, only for the bunker to rule AJ Brimson had knocked on in the lead-up.

Blake Wilson eventually broke the deadlock after a superb cut-out pass from Clayton Faulalo, and Manly carried a narrow 4-0 lead into halftime.

Faulalo then turned try-scorer himself after combining beautifully with Ben Trbojevic early in the second half, while Reuben Garrick added a penalty goal to stretch the margin to 12-0.

The Titans finally found some attacking rhythm late. Jayden Campbell floated a brilliant pass for Philip Sami to score before Brimson grounded a clever grubber with less than two minutes remaining. Campbell converted, but Gold Coast simply ran out of time to complete the comeback.

Cowboys 30 – 18 Rabbitohs

North Queensland secured an entertaining 30-18 win over South Sydney in Townsville on Sunday afternoon.

The Cowboys opened brightly after forcing an early Souths error, with Scott Drinkwater’s floating pass finding Kyle Laybutt for the opening try. South Sydney responded through debutant Talanoa Penitani before taking a brief lead through a penalty goal.

A Cody Walker mistake quickly shifted momentum back toward the hosts. Jake Clifford intercepted before Reed Mahoney crashed over moments later, and Tom Chester soon added another to establish a 16-6 lead.

The moment of the match came right on halftime when Clifford calmly slotted a two-point field goal to extend the margin to 18-6.

South Sydney threatened a comeback in the second half after Penitani grabbed his second try, but the Cowboys regained control through Liam Sutton and Heilum Luki. Alex Johnston eventually crossed late after being denied earlier, but by then the result was already beyond doubt.