NRL Round 5: Bulldogs Shock Panthers, Tigers Run Riot into Second

Edward Briggs

Round 5 delivered one of the biggest statements of the season so far, as Penrith’s unbeaten run came crashing down and several sides piled on points in dominant displays. Canterbury produced a famous upset, the Tigers continued their surge, and the Titans embarrassed Parramatta in a weekend that further blurred the early-season hierarchy.

Canterbury Bulldogs 32 – 16 Penrith Panthers

The Bulldogs pulled off the upset of the season, handing Penrith their first loss of 2026 with a commanding win at Accor Stadium. Canterbury capitalised on errors and ill-discipline early, with Viliame Kikau, Jacob Kiraz and Samuel Hughes all crossing to build a 16-0 lead.

Penrith fought back through Tom Jenkins and Dylan Edwards to close within six, and briefly looked set to take control after halftime when Jenkins grabbed his second. But Canterbury responded through Lachlan Galvin and Jacob Preston, whose combination again proved decisive. A late try to Sitili Tupouniua and penalty goals from Matt Burton sealed a famous 16-point win.

Manly Sea Eagles 28 – 18 St George Illawarra Dragons

Manly controlled key moments to secure a composed win over the struggling Dragons at WIN Stadium. Reuben Garrick’s double and Tom Trbojevic’s involvement helped the Sea Eagles race to a 16-0 lead.

The Dragons fought back through Luciano Leilua, Jacob Liddle and Setu Tu to briefly take the lead early in the second half, but Manly steadied. Kobe Hetherington crashed over to regain the advantage before a sweeping play finished by Lehi Hopoate sealed the result. St George Illawarra’s sixth straight loss highlighted their ongoing struggles.

North Queensland Cowboys 35 – 31 Brisbane Broncos

The Cowboys edged out the Broncos in one of the games of the season, a frantic end-to-end clash decided in the final minutes. Brisbane struck first, but a sin bin to Patrick Carrigan shifted momentum as North Queensland piled on points through Jaxon Purdue, Zac Laybutt and Soni Luke.

The lead changed hands repeatedly in the second half, with Ezra Mam and Ben Talty helping Brisbane edge in front before a field goal shootout levelled the scores. In the dying moments, Tom Dearden and Scott Drinkwater combined to send Heilum Luki over for the match-winner in a thrilling finish.

Canberra Raiders 36 – 34 South Sydney Rabbitohs

The Raiders snapped their losing streak in dramatic fashion, holding off a late South Sydney comeback in a 10-try thriller in Perth. Canberra dominated the first half, with Hudson Young scoring twice and Kaeo Weekes and Savelio Tamale also crossing to build a commanding 24-4 lead.

Souths roared back after the break, with Cody Walker, Alex Johnston and Latrell Mitchell all producing big moments to close the gap. Weekes produced a stunning solo try to keep Canberra ahead, and despite late tries from Johnston and Jack Wighton, the Raiders held on in a frantic finish.

Sydney Roosters 34 – 22 Cronulla Sharks

The Roosters staged a remarkable comeback from 22-6 down to defeat Cronulla in Perth. The Sharks dominated early through Jesse Colquhoun, Mawene Hiroti and Braydon Trindall, punishing a string of Roosters errors.

But momentum shifted before halftime, and the Roosters carried it into the second half. Sam Walker, Daniel Tupou and Daly Cherry-Evans all crossed as the Tricolours surged ahead. Mark Nawaqanitawase was influential throughout, helping turn the game as the Roosters overpowered the Sharks late.

New Zealand Warriors 38 – 14 Melbourne Storm

The Warriors ended a long drought against Melbourne with a dominant display at AAMI Park. Early tries to Ali Leiataua and Marata Niukore set the tone, while Tanah Boyd controlled proceedings.

After a brief Storm fightback, the Warriors exploded in the second half through Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jackson Ford and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Their physicality overwhelmed Melbourne, who slumped to a rare fourth straight defeat in a statement performance from the visitors.

Gold Coast Titans 52 – 10 Parramatta Eels

The Titans produced their most complete performance of the season, thrashing Parramatta in a one-sided contest. Arama Hau opened the scoring before Keano Kini and AJ Brimson carved through a fragile Eels defence.

Parramatta briefly responded through Will Penisini and Josh Addo-Carr, but errors and injuries continued to hurt them. The Titans ran riot in the second half, with Jayden Campbell and Phillip Sami among the scorers as they piled on 50 points in a dominant display.

Wests Tigers  Forty-Plus – Newcastle Knights

The Tigers capped the round with another emphatic performance, overwhelming Newcastle at Campbelltown. Adam Doueihi was again at the centre of everything, setting up Sunia Turuva for a first-half double as the Tigers raced to a 28-4 halftime lead.

Patrick Herbert starred in his return, while Jahream Bula and Terrell May added second-half tries. Newcastle managed a few late consolations, but were comprehensively outplayed as the Tigers continued their surge with another 40-point performance at home.