NRL Round 21: Panthers Extend Lead, Raiders Run Riot as Broncos and Storm Reach Miracle Territory

Edward Briggs

Round 21 delivered another pivotal weekend in the race towards September, with the Panthers strengthening their grip on the minor premiership, South Sydney keeping their finals hopes alive, and Canberra producing one of the most dominant performances of the season. Elsewhere, the Roosters pinched a thriller in Newcastle, the Bulldogs stayed in the top-eight hunt, and the Sharks dismantled Manly at Brookvale.

Penrith Panthers 24 – 18 Parramatta Eels

The Panthers survived a determined Parramatta fightback to claim a hard-fought 24-18 victory at CommBank Stadium and move four competition points clear at the top of the ladder.

The Eels were the better side early, with Isaiah Iongi creating space for Luca Moretti before Ronald Volkman’s perfectly weighted kick allowed Mitch Moses to score. Moses then turned provider, sending Jack Williams through a gap to establish a 12-0 lead.

Penrith found their way back into the contest through Casey McLean after a remarkable offload from Tom Jenkins, although the winger’s night took a turn when he was sin-binned before halftime. Despite being down to 12 men, the Panthers capitalised through Liam Henry before Liam Martin crashed over after sustained pressure to give the visitors the lead.

Jenkins later redeemed himself by crossing for a club-record try tally in a season, while Parramatta’s late try set up a tense finish. The Panthers held on to secure an important, if unconvincing, victory.

Sydney Roosters 23 – 22 Newcastle Knights

A Daly Cherry-Evans field goal with just minutes remaining lifted the Roosters to a dramatic one-point win over Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium.

James Tedesco was the standout, scoring a hat-trick as the lead changed hands throughout an entertaining contest. Newcastle led 10-6 at halftime after tries to Francis Manuleleua and Mathew Croker, but the Roosters continually found answers through their captain.

The Knights looked poised to snatch victory after Bradman Best crossed late to level the scores, but a dead kick from Phoenix Crossland handed Sydney one final opportunity. Cherry-Evans calmly slotted the decisive one-pointer before the Roosters defended the final set to secure a vital 23-22 win.

South Sydney Rabbitohs 28 – 26 Melbourne Storm

South Sydney boosted their finals hopes with a thrilling 28-26 victory over Melbourne in one of the matches of the round at Accor Stadium.

The Rabbitohs raced to an early advantage through Campbell Graham and Jack Wighton before Melbourne responded with tries to Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown, Oryn Keeley and a brilliant solo effort from Sua Fa’alogo to lead 16-8 at halftime.

Souths dominated much of the second half, with Brandon Smith, Alex Johnston and John Radel all crossing as the home side regained control. Melbourne threatened another comeback through Tyran Wishart and Nick Meaney, but Campbell Graham’s late try from an Ashton Ward pass proved decisive.

The victory keeps South Sydney’s finals hopes alive, while the Storm were also dealt a blow with Harry Grant leaving the field before halftime with a hamstring injury.

Canberra Raiders 56 – 10 Wests Tigers

The Raiders delivered one of the performances of the season, crushing the Tigers 56-10 at GIO Stadium behind an outstanding display from Ethan Sanders.

Sanders orchestrated Canberra’s attack throughout the evening, setting up Jed Stuart before scoring a superb solo try of his own. Ethan Strange added another individual highlight as the Raiders repeatedly carved through the Tigers’ defence.

Although Wests found tries through Ethan Roberts and Faaletino Tavana, they were simply overwhelmed after halftime. Daine Laurie completed a rapid hat-trick, Stuart grabbed a double and Matt Timoko rounded out the scoring as Canberra piled on the points to heap more misery on the struggling Tigers.

Canterbury Bulldogs 18 – 6 New Zealand Warriors

The Bulldogs strengthened their push for a finals berth with an impressive 18-6 win over the Warriors at Accor Stadium.

Canterbury made the perfect start through Stephen Crichton and Jacob Preston to lead 12-0 inside the opening quarter. The Warriors created opportunities throughout the night but repeatedly failed to convert them, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak denied on several occasions.

Jacob Kiraz extended the Bulldogs’ advantage before a late penalty goal effectively sealed the contest. Chanel Harris-Tavita scored and converted his own try after a clever chip from Mitch Barnett, but it came too late to threaten the Bulldogs’ control.

North Queensland Cowboys 18 – 10 Brisbane Broncos

The Cowboys all but ended Brisbane’s premiership defence with a gritty 18-10 victory in the latest instalment of the Queensland derby.

Heilum Luki opened the scoring after a clever grubber from Jaxon Purdue before the Broncos responded through Xavier Willison. Jake Clifford’s try on the stroke of halftime gave North Queensland breathing room before Scott Drinkwater’s flawless goal-kicking stretched the lead.

Ezra Mam kept Brisbane within striking distance midway through the second half, but another Drinkwater penalty goal ensured the Cowboys held firm for consecutive derby victories over the Broncos for the first time since 2022.

Gold Coast Titans 38 – 18 St George Illawarra Dragons

The Titans produced one of their best displays of the season, defeating the Dragons 38-18 at Kogarah and leaving St George Illawarra staring at the wooden spoon.

The Dragons struck first through Tyrell Sloan, but Gold Coast quickly took control as Phillip Sami and Jaylan De Groot exploited the home side’s edge defence. Kyle Flanagan briefly brought the Dragons back into the contest before halftime, but the Titans dominated after the break.

Jayden Campbell was influential throughout, while Oliver Pascoe, Campbell himself and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui all crossed as the visitors pulled away to a convincing 20-point victory.

Cronulla Sharks 48 – 12 Manly Sea Eagles

Cronulla delivered a ruthless performance at Brookvale, overwhelming Manly 48-12 in front of a sold-out crowd.

The Sharks dominated from the outset, with Teig Wilton opening the scoring before William Kennedy finished off a brilliant team movement. Nicho Hynes controlled proceedings superbly, scoring a try, creating several more and extending his remarkable run of successful goal kicks.

Ronaldo Mulitalo grabbed a double, while Siosifa Talakai and KL Iro also crossed as Cronulla piled on 48 points. Manly’s only consolation came through two late Joey Walsh tries after the contest had long since been decided, with the Sharks producing one of their most complete performances of the season.