NRL Round 22: Roosters Run Riot as Warriors Secure Finals Berth, Dolphins Close on Top Four

Edward Briggs

Round 22 produced one of the most remarkable scorelines of rugby league history, with the Sydney Roosters piling on 82 points against North Queensland, while the Warriors officially booked their place in the finals. Elsewhere, the Dolphins strengthened their top-four credentials, Canterbury claimed an important win over Melbourne, and Newcastle piled more misery on Brisbane.

Cowboys 12-82 Roosters

The Sydney Roosters produced a stunning attacking display in Townsville, dismantling the Cowboys 82-12 in one of the biggest victories of the season.

North Queensland briefly looked capable of matching the visitors after Braidon Burns cancelled out James Tedesco’s opener, but once the Roosters settled into their rhythm they became virtually unstoppable. Sam Walker orchestrated the attack superbly, combining repeatedly with Tedesco while also producing several moments of individual brilliance.

By halftime the Roosters had already established a commanding 48-6 advantage through tries to Hugo Savala, Walker, Salesi Foketi, Tommy Talau and Rob Toia, while Mark Nawaqanitawase also crossed after intercepting a loose Cowboys pass.

There was no let-up after the break. Nawaqanitawase completed his hat-trick, Walker grabbed the first hat-trick of his NRL career, Savala added a second, and Cody Ramsey capped off the rout as the Roosters remarkably eclipsed the 80-point mark to kick off Round 22 in emphatic fashion.

Dragons 22-28 Dolphins

The Dolphins moved another step closer to securing a maiden finals appearance with a hard-fought 28-22 victory over St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow opened the scoring before the Dragons responded through Setu Tu and Tyrell Sloan to briefly take the lead. The visitors regained control before halftime as Selwyn Cobbo and Ray Stone crossed to establish a six-point advantage at the break.

Cobbo’s second try early in the second half gave the Dolphins breathing room before the Dragons fought back through Clint Gutherson. Thomas Flegler restored a 12-point cushion with less than ten minutes remaining, proving crucial after Ryan Couchman’s late try set up a frantic finish.

The hosts threw everything at the Dolphins in the closing stages, but the visitors held firm to continue their push towards a top-four finish.

Storm 22-36 Bulldogs

The Bulldogs overturned an early deficit to record an important 36-22 victory over a Melbourne side missing Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes.

Melbourne still managed to match Canterbury for much of the contest, with Moses Leo scoring twice and Sua Faalogo continuing his impressive form, while Angus Hinchey also crossed after halftime.

The Bulldogs, however, found another gear in the second half. Jaeman Salmon bagged a double, Matt Burton produced one of the plays of the match with a clever grubber-and-regather try, while Josh Curran and Stephen Crichton helped Canterbury pull clear.

Despite the Storm’s brave effort with an inexperienced spine, the Bulldogs finished strongly to secure a valuable victory.

Titans 6-42 Warriors

The Warriors confirmed their finals berth in style, comfortably defeating the Titans 42-6 on the Gold Coast.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and former Titan Alofiana Khan-Pereira set the tone before Chanel Harris-Tavita extended the advantage after a long-range break. Although Arama Hau briefly gave the home crowd something to cheer about, the Warriors quickly reasserted control through Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Eddie Ieremia-Toeava and Te Maire Martin adding further tries as New Zealand completed its biggest win of the season.

The victory also featured a memorable debut for Riley Price, who became part of the Warriors’ first father-son pairing alongside his father Steve Price.

Panthers 42-18 Raiders

Penrith strengthened its push for the minor premiership with a convincing 42-18 victory over Canberra in Mudgee.

The Raiders struck first through Matt Timoko, but the Panthers quickly took over as Liam Martin scored twice before Tom Jenkins crossed twice in quick succession. Nathan Cleary continued his outstanding form by creating opportunities throughout the opening half, including setting up Jaxen Edgar’s maiden NRL try.

Although Penrith’s attack slowed after the break, Liam Henry extended the lead before late consolation tries to Matt Nicholson and Ethan Strange failed to threaten the result. Isaiah Papali’i added the Panthers’ final try to complete another impressive performance.

Broncos 6-30 Knights

Newcastle continued Brisbane’s miserable campaign with a dominant 30-6 victory at Suncorp Stadium.

Fletcher Sharpe opened the scoring before Kalyn Ponga’s superb pass sent Dom Young over following a Broncos sin bin. Greg Marzhew also crossed before halftime as Newcastle capitalised on Brisbane’s ill-discipline to build a 14-0 advantage.

Reece Walsh eventually got the Broncos on the board after producing a clever kick-and-regather, but the Knights immediately answered through Marzhew’s second before Sharpe sealed the result with a long-range effort after pouncing on a loose ball.

The defeat confirmed Brisbane would miss the finals only a season after winning the premiership.

Sharks 32-16 Rabbitohs

Cronulla strengthened its top-four ambitions with a comfortable 32-16 victory over South Sydney at Sharks Stadium.

Souths opened the scoring through Latrell Siegwalt, but the Sharks responded impressively despite losing Teig Wilton to the sin bin. Braydon Trindall inspired the comeback, setting up tries for Briton Nikora and Siosifa Talakai before Blayke Brailey crossed shortly before halftime.

The afternoon also proved memorable for Nicho Hynes, who broke the club record for consecutive successful goal kicks, while Ronaldo Mulitalo moved equal second on Cronulla’s all-time try-scoring list after crossing in the second half.

Alex Johnston added another try to his remarkable career tally for the Rabbitohs, but it was little consolation as Cronulla secured another important two competition points.

Tigers 13-16 Eels

Parramatta escaped Leichhardt Oval with a gritty 16-13 victory in a scrappy contest against the Wests Tigers.

The Eels built a 12-0 halftime lead through Jordan Samrani and Tallyn Da Silva, but neither side could consistently build pressure in an error-filled encounter.

Fonua Pole sparked the Tigers’ comeback before Adam Doueihi levelled the scores, and a late field goal briefly put the home side in front.

Parramatta had one final response, with Isaiah Iongi crossing to reclaim the lead. Although Mitch Moses missed the conversion, the Eels held on through the closing stages to claim a hard-earned win.