NRL Round 13: Titans Stun Broncos, Panthers Rewrite the Record Books, Roosters Blank Raiders

Edward Briggs

Round 13 delivered a true thrashing, a stunning upset at Suncorp Stadium, and several crucial results in the race for finals positions. Penrith produced a club-record demolition of the Tigers, the Titans shocked Brisbane with a moment of brilliance from Keano Kini, and the Roosters continued their strong form with a clinical shutout in Canberra.

Manly Sea Eagles 28 – 14 South Sydney Rabbitohs

Kieran Foran’s first week as permanent Manly head coach could hardly have gone better, with the Sea Eagles overcoming an early deficit to defeat South Sydney at 4 Pines Park.

The Rabbitohs started strongly, with Keaon Koloamatangi crossing first after good work from Cody Walker and Cameron Murray. A sin-bin to Clayton Faulalo and a Latrell Siegwalt penalty goal helped Souths establish an 8-0 lead.

Manly gradually wrestled control back through superior field position. Jason Saab opened their account before Lehi Hopoate capitalised on a South Sydney error to give the hosts a narrow halftime advantage.

A crucial turning point arrived when Edward Kosi appeared to have restored the Rabbitohs lead, only for the Bunker to rule he had grounded the ball in touch. Manly immediately capitalised, with Faulalo racing away before Ben Trbojevic extended the lead.

David Fifita briefly gave South Sydney hope with a powerful try inside the final 20 minutes, but Saab’s second try sealed a deserved 28-14 victory for the Sea Eagles.

Melbourne Storm 32 – 30 Newcastle Knights

The Storm survived a furious Newcastle challenge to edge the Knights in one of the games of the season at AAMI Park.

Melbourne struck first through Stefano Utoikamanu, but Newcastle responded through Fletcher Sharpe after Kalyn Ponga’s creativity unlocked the Storm defence. The lead changed hands repeatedly throughout a thrilling first half, with tries to Manaia Waitere and Will Warbrick helping Melbourne take a 16-12 advantage into the break.

The Knights came out firing after halftime. Dylan Brown crossed and Newcastle looked capable of causing a major upset before their persistent handling errors began to hurt them.

Jahrome Hughes produced a pivotal moment when he powered over Ponga to level the scores before Melbourne seized control through Moses Leo and Trent Loiero. Yet Newcastle refused to go away. A clever grubber from Ponga allowed Jacob Saifiti to score late and reduce the margin to two points. Despite the late pressure, Melbourne held firm to secure a valuable 32-30 win.

Canberra Raiders 0 – 26 Sydney Roosters

The Roosters delivered one of their most complete performances of the season, shutting out Canberra in freezing conditions at GIO Stadium.

Mark Nawaqanitawase was the star, finishing with a hat-trick as the visitors established control during a dominant first half. Hugo Savala added a long-range try while Reece Robson celebrated his 150th NRL appearance with a four-pointer of his own.

Leading 22-0 at halftime, the Roosters never allowed Canberra back into the contest. Nawaqanitawase completed his hat-trick shortly after the restart and the Roosters’ defence took care of the rest.

The Raiders enjoyed more possession in the second half but rarely threatened the try line as Sydney cruised to an impressive 26-0 victory.

North Queensland Cowboys 14 – 40 Dolphins

The Dolphins celebrated Queensland Day in style, overpowering the Cowboys in Townsville to continue building momentum.

Selwyn Cobbo opened the scoring with a stunning 90-metre effort after pouncing on a loose ball. The Cowboys responded through Murray Taulagi and Tom Chester, but costly errors repeatedly halted their progress.

Isaiya Katoa and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow helped the Dolphins establish control before the match tightened into an arm wrestle during the second half.

When the game was there to be won, the Dolphins found another gear. Kurt Donoghoe broke through soft defence before Cobbo grabbed a second and Tom Flegler added the finishing touch late as the visitors stormed to a convincing 40-14 win.

Brisbane Broncos 23 – 28 Gold Coast Titans

Keano Kini produced one of the moments of the season as the Titans stunned Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium. The Broncos appeared in control early. Brendan Piakura opened the scoring before Kotoni Staggs crossed as Brisbane raced to a 12-0 lead.

The Titans refused to panic. Kurtis Morrin capitalised on a goal-line scramble before Phillip Sami produced a dazzling individual effort to cut the deficit to two at halftime.

Gold Coast then seized control through Jayden Campbell, who scored twice in a brilliant second-half display. Brisbane fought back through Jesse Arthars and Grant Anderson before Adam Reynolds kicked a field goal that looked likely to secure victory.

Kini had other ideas. Deep inside his own half, the Titans fullback chipped ahead, regathered, and raced away for a remarkable match-winning try. Brisbane had one final opportunity, but an ill-judged grubber from Ezra Mam ended their hopes as the Titans celebrated a memorable 28-23 upset.

Wests Tigers 0 – 68 Penrith Panthers

Penrith produced the largest victory in club history with a ruthless 68-0 demolition of the Tigers.

From the opening minutes the Panthers were relentless. Paul Alamoti opened the scoring before Nathan Cleary, Freddy Lussick, Thomas Jenkins, Isaah Yeo and Brian To’o all crossed during a devastating first half that ended with Penrith leading 36-0.

There was no let-up after the break. To’o completed a double, Alamoti continued to cause problems, and Jack Cogger, Izack Tago and Lindsay Smith all added their names to the scoresheet.

Jenkins and Lussick both finished with doubles as Penrith piled on the points until the final whistle. The 68-0 scoreline represented not only the Panthers’ biggest win over the Tigers, but the biggest victory in the club’s history.

Cronulla Sharks 34 – 12 St George Illawarra Dragons

Cronulla turned a halftime deficit into a comfortable victory with a dominant second-half display against their local rivals.

The opening half was scrappy, but tries to Valentine Holmes and Mat Feagai helped the Dragons take a 12-6 lead into the sheds despite Ronaldo Mulitalo’s earlier effort for the Sharks.

The game changed dramatically after halftime. Briton Nikora and Will Kennedy scored within minutes of the restart as Cronulla surged ahead.

Sam Stonestreet added another before Mulitalo grabbed his second try and then saved one at the opposite end with outstanding defensive work. Braydon Trindall rounded out the scoring as the Sharks piled on five unanswered second-half tries to secure a convincing 34-12 victory.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 14 – 12 Parramatta Eels

The King’s Birthday clash finally burst into life after a scoreless first half, with Canterbury edging Parramatta in a tense finish.

Both sides squandered opportunities before the break, producing the first scoreless first half since a Raiders-Eels clash back in 2021.

The Bulldogs finally broke through shortly after halftime when Lachlan Galvin put Sitili Tupouniua over. Stephen Crichton then outleapt Isaiah Iongi to extend the lead to 12-0.

Parramatta responded through Tallyn Da Silva and Joash Papali’i, levelling the contest and threatening a remarkable comeback.

With the match hanging in the balance, Matt Burton drew a penalty and Crichton calmly slotted a long-range penalty goal to restore the Bulldogs’ advantage. The Eels had one final chance, but Canterbury held on to secure a hard-fought 14-12 victory in front of more than 37,000 fans.