NRL Round 25: Tigers stun Roosters as minor premiership race takes another twist

Edward Briggs

Round 25 has thrown the NRL finals race into further chaos, with the Wests Tigers producing one of the biggest upsets of the season to beat the Roosters and open the door in the minor premiership race. Penrith took advantage with a gritty win over Melbourne, while the Warriors moved into first place, the Sharks strengthened their top-four hopes and Manly kept their own faint finals dream alive.

Storm 14 – 22 Panthers

Penrith have returned to the top of the NRL table, at least temporarily, after surviving a remarkable second-half fightback from Melbourne to win 22-14 at AAMI Park.

The Panthers appeared to have the game under control at half-time, racing to a 22-0 lead in driving rain. Brian To’o was the architect of much of the damage, scoring a hat-trick and bringing up his 100th try for Penrith in the process.

The winger opened the scoring after just four minutes before Liam Henry crossed from an Isaiah Papali’i offload. To’o then intercepted a loose pass from Sualauvi Fa’alogo and ran 60 metres to score his second.

Melbourne’s discipline continued to hurt them, with Oryn Keeley sent to the sin bin for repeated infringements. To’o completed his hat-trick shortly afterwards, getting outside Moses Leo to give Penrith a commanding lead.

Yet the momentum had begun to shift before half-time. Liam Martin was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul, temporarily leaving Penrith with 12 men, although the Storm could not capitalise before the break.

Melbourne finally got on the scoreboard three minutes into the second half when Tyran Wishart crossed after the Storm exploited overlaps on both edges. Jack Howarth followed ten minutes later before Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown produced an acrobatic finish in the corner to bring the hosts within eight.

That was as close as Melbourne would get. Neither side could find another breakthrough in the wet conditions, allowing Penrith to hang on and keep the pressure on the Roosters.

The defeat officially ends Melbourne’s finals hopes, bringing their run of consecutive finals appearances to an end for the first time since 2010.

Raiders 30 – 34 Broncos

Brisbane finally have a win after a remarkable comeback at GIO Stadium, overturning a 30-16 deficit to defeat Canberra 34-30 and spoil Josh Papali’i’s home farewell.

The Broncos started brightly, with Billy Walters sending Owen Pattie the wrong way with a dummy before charging over. Canberra responded through Simi Sasagi and Kaeo Weekes, before Ata Mariota put the Raiders in front.

Pat Carrigan’s sin bin for a high tackle on Corey Horsburgh appeared to put Brisbane in trouble, but the Broncos somehow grew into the contest with 12 men. Walters broke through before finding Ezra Mam, who levelled the scores, and a clever pass from Perham sent Grant Anderson over to restore Brisbane’s lead.

Canberra struck twice around half-time, with Weekes completing his double before Pattie crossed early in the second half. Zac Hosking then extended the Raiders’ advantage to 30-16.

But Brisbane refused to go away. Payne Haas charged over from close range before Anderson scored his second after a Ben Hunt kick. Perham then crossed in the corner to put the Broncos back in front.

Canberra had dominated possession for long periods, but their errors and poor defensive decisions proved costly. The defeat also ends the Raiders’ hopes of reaching the finals.

Dolphins 34 – 16 Eels

The Dolphins have strengthened their position in the race for a top-four finish after overcoming Parramatta 34-16.

The Eels made the better start, with Ronald Volkman opening the scoring from dummy half before Brian Kelly crossed after a clever effort from Viliami Penisini.

Parramatta’s lead did not last. Herbie Farnworth burst through the Eels’ defence after a sharp pass from Kodi Nikorima, before Selwyn Cobbo put the Dolphins ahead following another piece of slick work involving Nikorima and Farnworth.

Jamayne Isaako then added a controversial try just before half-time after the Bunker ruled he had maintained control of the ball despite a heavy tackle from Sean Russell. The Dolphins went to the break leading 16-10.

Isaako crossed again six minutes into the second half before Max Plath barged through to put the result increasingly beyond doubt.

The Eels briefly threatened a comeback when Kelma Tuilagi pounced on a Moses chip, but Farnworth put the result beyond doubt in the closing stages. He collected a loose pass during an Eels attack and raced 85 metres to score his second.

The win leaves the Dolphins one step closer to securing a top-four finish.

Knights 24 – 46 Sea Eagles

Manly have kept their slim finals hopes alive with a stunning 46-24 comeback victory over Newcastle on Old Boys Day.

The Knights appeared to be in control after recovering from an early Clayton Faulalo try. Fletcher Hunt, Greg Marzhew and Dominic Young all crossed as Newcastle built an 18-6 advantage.

Everything changed when Caleb Navale scored for Manly and Young was sent to the sin bin for a hip drop on Tolu Koula. The Sea Eagles took full advantage, with Josh Feledy scoring twice before half-time to send Manly into the sheds 24-18 ahead.

Feledy completed his hat-trick early in the second half following a break involving Ben and Tom Trbojevic. Reuben Garrick then extended the lead before Hunt’s second briefly gave Newcastle hope.

Jason Saab killed off any prospect of a comeback by leaping over Greg Marzhew to score, while a bizarre late try to Lehi Hopoate rounded out the afternoon after a Kalyn Ponga pass ricocheted off the Manly winger’s head and into the in-goal.

For Newcastle, it was a particularly damaging defeat with a potential home final now dependent on other results and Young facing a possible suspension.

Rabbitohs 26 – 45 Warriors

The Warriors have moved into first place after a wild 45-26 victory over South Sydney at Accor Stadium.

New Zealand flew out of the blocks, with James Fisher-Harris and Leka Halasima crossing before Jack Wighton responded for the Rabbitohs. Mitch Barnett restored the Warriors’ momentum before Alex Johnston pulled one back for Souths.

Chanel Harris-Tavita then finished a sharp move after Eddie Ieremia-Toeava broke the line, giving the Warriors a 26-8 half-time lead.

South Sydney refused to disappear, however. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak’s early second-half try was followed by scores to Tallis Duncan, Johnston and Cody Walker, reducing the deficit to just six points at 32-26.

The Warriors steadied themselves at precisely the right time. Jacob Laban, Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Luke Hanson all crossed late, with Taine Tuaupiki maintaining a perfect night from the tee.

Hanson’s last-second field goal produced a never-before-seen NRL scoreline since 1908, while the victory moved the Warriors into first place and kept their minor premiership hopes very much alive.

Dragons 14 – 44 Bulldogs

Canterbury have continued their push towards the finals in emphatic fashion, dismantling St George Illawarra 44-14.

The Bulldogs lost Jonathan Sua to the sin bin early after a hip-drop tackle, but it did little to slow them down. Lachlan Galvin’s grubber set up Bronson Xerri for the opening try before Matt Burton and Jacob Preston extended the lead.

Burton then intercepted a poor pass from Daniel Atkinson and raced away for his second, giving Canterbury a 24-0 half-time advantage.

The Dragons finally opened their account through Valentine Holmes after the break, but Max King responded almost immediately for the Bulldogs. Galvin then scored after a break from Xerri.

St George Illawarra did manage a brief fightback while Matt Burton was in the sin bin, with Mathew Feagai crossing twice in five minutes. Neither try was converted, however, and Canterbury finished the game strongly.

Preston, Connor Tracey and a late penalty goal completed a convincing victory that leaves the Bulldogs heading into their clash with Penrith in excellent form.

Titans 22 – 30 Sharks

Cronulla have bounced back from consecutive defeats with a 30-22 comeback victory over the Gold Coast.

The Sharks struck first through Ronaldo Mulitalo, who moved into second on Cronulla’s all-time try-scoring list with his 111th career four-pointer.

Gold Coast answered through Jojo Fifita, although Sione Katoa restored the Sharks’ lead before the Titans took control late in the first half. AJ Brimson and Phillip Sami, who became the Titans’ all-time leading try-scorer, had the hosts 16-8 ahead at the break.

Cronulla turned the game around after half-time. Cameron McInnes crashed over before Addin Fonua-Blake powered through to put the Sharks back in front.

Katoa then produced one of the afternoon’s highlights, completing his double with a spectacular aerial finish. Mulitalo also crossed for his second as Cronulla pulled away.

Bodhi Sharpley scored his first NRL try late for the Titans, but the Sharks had already done enough to secure a valuable two points. The win puts them within two points of the top four and leaves them well placed for a home final should they finish fifth or sixth.

Roosters 24 – 25 Tigers

The Wests Tigers have delivered perhaps the biggest shock of the season, stunning the Roosters 25-24 and blowing the minor premiership race wide open.

The Roosters scored from their opening set through Billy Smith and looked set for another comfortable evening after their victory over Penrith the previous week. Instead, the Tigers gradually took control.

Jeral Skelton responded for the visitors before Tony Sukkar crossed after another Roosters error. Skelton then added his second after Lindsay Smith lost possession, with the Tigers’ dominance only partially reflected on the scoreboard thanks to Jock Madden’s struggles with the boot.

Billy Smith’s second try levelled the contest before half-time, but the Tigers regained their composure after the break. Solomone Saukuru finished a sweeping move involving Samuela Fainu and Jahream Bula before Apisai Koroisau extended the lead with a try of his own.

The Roosters eventually fought back. Robert Toia crossed before Mark Nawaqanitawase appeared certain to score, only to lose the ball. He redeemed himself shortly afterwards by putting Sam Walker over, and a penalty goal levelled the scores.

With the Roosters seemingly in control, Naufahu Whyte produced a disastrous error by offloading directly to the Tigers. Madden, who had struggled throughout the evening with his goal-kicking, made no mistake when the opportunity arrived, slotting the field goal that gave Wests the upset win.

The result is a major blow to the Roosters’ minor premiership hopes and a huge boost for a Tigers side that has shown the sort of fight that had been missing in recent weeks.