As it happened: Sharks muzzle Dogs; Titans tame Tigers; Panthers snare seventh

Katoa all class: Sharks wingers Ronaldo Mulitalo and Sione Katoa were superb with 333 run metres between them while Katoa came up with a massive 12 tackle breaks.

Bench blitz: Tom Hazelton and Siosifa Talakai combined for 25 runs and 233 metres for the Sharks, providing huge impact when Addin Fonua-Blake and Toby Rudolf left the field.

Complete performance: The Sharks' ball control was exceptional as they completed 44 of 46 sets at 95 per cent. Nicho Hynes kicked to corners all night and the Sharks strangled the Bulldogs with powerful defence from Blayke Brailey (41 tackles), Billy Burns (33) and Teig Wilton (33).

Full-time: The Sharks have made a huge statement with a magnificent defensive display to restrict the Bulldogs to just one try. The Sharks have finished fifth and now head into an elimination final blockbuster against the red-hot Roosters.

78 min: Marcelo Montoya looks to be in serious discomfort as he limps off with an ankle injury. Nicho Hynes is placed on report for the tackle on Montoya for an alleged hip drop.

75 min: The Bulldogs' attack again looks flat as Lachlan Galvin kicks across field and Jacob Preston puts it down for the 10th error of the night for Canterbury.

70 min: Matt Burton kicks a neat grubber into the in goal and Will Kennedy comes across hard in cover to knock the ball out. The Sharks go long with the dropout and back their defence again to repel the Bulldogs.

69 min: The Sharks are penalised for KL Iro tackling Enari Tuala without the ball on a kick chase. The Sharks challenge the call and come up empty. 

65 min: A dropped ball by Stephen Crichton puts the Bulldogs under the pump but the blue and whites hang tough and come away with a 20m tap.

64 min: The Sharks elect to run the ball on the last and turn the ball over three metres out from the Bulldogs line.

63 min: The Sharks launch a successful captain's challenge against a knock on call and get a fresh set from 30 metres out.

59 min: Stand-in five-eighth Daniel Atkinson delivers a quality ball to Ronaldo Mulitalo who evades Enari Tuala before delivering a return pass to Atkinson who scores. Nicho Hynes converts. Sharks 24-6.

57 min: Lachlan Galvin picks up a loose ball and beats a couple of defenders before putting in a grubber that goes dead in goal to hand the Sharks a seven-tackle set.

53 min: Addin Fonua-Blake is sent back into the game for his second stint.

49 min: Matt Burton runs the ball on the last and can't find any support and the set comes to a meek end with a dropped ball.

48 min: Sitili Tupouniua is placed on report for late contact on Tom Hazelton after he had passed the ball.

46 min: A turning point with the Sharks on the attack and Nicho Hynes going to the air and the ball spilling to Enari Tuala who goes 90 metres to get the Bulldogs on the board. Matt Burton converts. Sharks 18-6.

44 min: Another Matt Burton bomb is expertly defused by Sione Katoa and the Sharks march up field on the back of a penalty for offside.

41 min: The Sharks come out full of intent in defence and restrict the Bulldogs to 30 metres in their first set.

Half-time: A dominant opening 40 from the Sharks who had 59 per cent of possession and completed 22 of 24 sets at 91 per cent. The Sharks racked up 815 run metres to the Dogs' 545 and had 22 tackle breaks to 15.

38 min: Daniel Atkinson launches a bomb which Connor Tracey collects but then loses the ball in a Teig Wilton tackle. Siosifa Talakai swoops on the ball and finds Blayke Brailey who goes over for the Sharks' third try. Nicho Hynes again adds the extras. Sharks 18-0.

32 min: Nicho Hynes sends a precise long pass to Sione Katoa who picks up Jesse Ramien and the centre crosses in his 150th game for the club. Hynes adds the extras. Sharks 12-0.

30 min: Sharks props Addin Fonua-Blake and Toby Rudolf get their first break of the night after a powerhouse opening that saw them combine for 20 runs and 146 metres.

29 min: Bulldogs back-rower Viliame Kikau leaves the field for a HIA. He passes the assessment and is right to return.

28 min: Tom Hazelton goes to the line and slips a short ball to Teig Wilton but the pass is ruled forward.

26 min: The Sharks strike the first blow when Nicho Hynes picks up edge forward Billy Burns who runs a great line and surges past Bailey Hayward and around Connor Tracey to score. Hynes converts. Sharks 6-0.

24 min: Sensational defence by the Bulldogs on both sides of the field from Stephen Crichton and Josh Curran but the Sharks get another set after an accidental offside.

22 min: Reed Mahoney is placed on report for a lifting tackle on Nicho Hynes.

21 min: Lachlan Galvin goes to the air looking for Stephen Crichton but Ronaldo Mulitalo comes up with a great take.

20 min: Matt Burton jumps out of dummy half and catches the markers offside to earn the Bulldogs a six-again.

14 min: More sharp attack from the Bulldogs but Matt Burton's flick pass goes astray and Nicho Hynes cleans it up.

11 min: Brilliant hands from Matt Burton to Marcelo Montoya who goes for the corner but Will Kennedy comes up with a great trysaver. Nicho Hynes also came across in cover but made high contact and the Bulldogs get a penalty.

10 min: Sione Katoa knocks down a pass to give the Bulldogs a scrum feed and a shot inside the Red Zone.

7 min: The Sharks go right, Sione Katoa is bundled towards touch and lobs a pass back infield which Josh Curran intercepts. The Dogs get a penalty when Jesse Ramien is pinged for a second effort in the tackle.

5 min: Bronson Xerri is gone for the night after he cops a hip to the head trying to make a tackle and is ruled a Category One head knock. Reed Mahoney is sent into the game.

4 min: Nicho Hynes goes to the line and looks to slip a pass which Matt Burton manages to knock down and the Sharks get a scrum feed.

Late Mail

Bulldogs: Josh Curran will start with Sam Hughes going to the bench in a late switch. With Jacob Kiraz (ankle) sidelined, Enari Tuala gets the nod on the wing. Viliame Kikau (infection) is back on deck. Jethro Rinakama is the 18th man.

Sharks: Oregon Kaufusi has been added to the bench an hour before kick-off as he returns a calf injury. Five-eighth Braydon Trindall was ruled out in the 24-hour team update after leaving the field last Sunday with an ankle injury. Daniel Atkinson will partner Nicho Hynes at the scrumbase. Jesse Ramien returns after two games out with a thumb injury. Mawene Hiroti is 18th man.

 

Titans v Wests Tigers at Cbus Super Stadium

Special K: Titans fullback Keano Kini was electric in his sixth appearance of the season with 267 metres from 22 runs, seven tackle breaks, a line break and a try assist.

Farewell Foz: The Titans dug very deep for the 17-year veteran in his last game as they came from 28-12 down at half-time to win 36-28. Foran came up with two try assists, two line break assists and 53 run metres from seven runs. 

Full-time: Kieran Foran goes out a winner in his final NRL game and Des Hasler leaves the Titans on a winning note as well as the Gold Coast get home 36-28.

78 min: The Tigers get a late shot but a pass from Api Koroisau to Alex Twal out of dummy half is called forward and the Titans look home.

73 min: After trailing 28-12 at the break the Titans now have four second-half tries and an eight-point lead after AJ Brimson burns the Tigers' right edge to grab his double and Jayden Campbell converts. Titans 36-28.

70 min: Jaylan De Groot leaves the field for a HIA.

67 min: A stunning Titans comeback as they go down the left side and AJ Brimson puts Brian Kelly away before the winger sends it back inside for Beau Fermor to lock it up at 26-26 before Jayden Campbell adds the extras. Titans 30-28.

65 min: The Titans are back thanks to a brilliant piece of play from Tino Fa'asuamaleaui who climbs high to bring down a Jayden Campbell bomb before offloading to Kieran Foran who lobs the ball out to Brian Kelly who completes his double. Campbell converts. Tigers 28-24.

62 min: Jayden Campbell is penalised for high contact on Api Koroisau. The Titans throw in a captain's challenge but the bunker rules there was high contact.

60 min: Jayden Campbell launches a kick from just inside his own 40m line and Jahream Bula flirts with the sideline and does well to keep the ball in play and deny the 40-20.

58 min: Latu Fainu leaves the field with a shoulder injury and won't return.

56 min: Cooper Bai bursts through and the Titans threaten to score but Moe Fotuaika falls over as he tries to play the ball and the Tigers are off the hook.

55 min: A poor set by the Tigers finishes with a dusty kick by Jarome Luai and the Titans start their set on halfway.

52 min: The Titans go to the air and the ball spills to Josh Patston who finds Cooper Bai who crosses for what would have been a magical moment but Keano Kini is penalised for being a disruptor and the try is ruled out.

51 min: Cooper Bai gets his first taste of the NRL off the bench and kicks things off with a powerful run.

50 min: The Titans blow a golden opportunity when Reagan Campbell-Gillard spills a pass that was thrown well behind him and proved too tough for the prop to reel in.

49 min: Fonua Pole loses the ball, the Tigers use a captain's challenge to allege a strip. The bunker rules Pole had lost control and the challenge is lost.

47 min: Royce Hunt leaves the field for a HIA. He passes the assessment and is free to return.

45 min: The Titans draw first blood in the second term with Jayden Campbell showing great hands to scoop up a rolling Sam Verrills pass and go over under the posts. Tigers 28-18.

Debut dazzler: Youngster Heamasi Makasini had 10 runs for 94 metres in a memorable 40 minutes that also included a try in front of a huge contingent of family and friends on hand to cheer him on.

Half-time: The Tigers had less possession but completed 16 of 19 sets and piled on five tries to take a 16-point lead to the break as they look to spoil Kieran Foran's retirement party. Jarome Luai, Api Koroisau and Latu Fainu controlled the game well and Royce Hunt came up with his first career double as Benji Marshall's men took control.

38 min: Latu Fainu skips past Kieran Foran and Reagan Campbell-Gillard to make it three tries in 10 minutes for the Tigers who have now posted 28 points - their biggest tally in a first half in 2025. Tigers 28-12.

36 min: Keano Kini comes up with an error trying to play the ball and the Titans are under the pump again.

33 min: Royce Hunt makes it a double in quick time after Latu Fainu goes to the air, Samuela Fainu takes the catch and offloads to Hunt who has taken his career tally from eight tries to 10. Api Koroisau converts. Tigers 22-12.

29 min: Royce Hunt carries three Titans defenders over the line and somehow manages to get the ball down for his first try of the season in his first involvement off the bench. Api Koroisau converts. Tigers 16-12.

28 min: The Tigers come up with an error through Terrell May but the Titans hand it straight back on play one when debutant Carter Gordon puts the ball down.

24 min: The Titans make it a double strike when Kieran Foran and Keano Kini combine to put Brian Kelly over in the corner. Jayden Campbell nails the conversion from touch. Titans 12-10.

22 min: The Titans make the Tigers pay for Seyfarth's mistake when AJ Brimson comes up with some sizzling footwork to get over from 15 metres out. Jayden Campbell adds the extras. Tigers 10-6.

21 min: Kieran Foran dabs the ball into the in goal, Sunia Turuva cleans up, the Tigers go short dropout and get the ball back through Alex Seyfarth who drops it as he tries to offload.

14 min: A memorable moment for debutant Heamasi Makasini who finishes off a slick left side raid from the Tigers that featured Samuela Fainu and Jarome Luai. The conversion from Api Koroisau hits the upright. Tigers 10-0.

13 min: Keano Kini crouches low to catch a kick and is hit immediately by Samuela Fainu in a crunching tackle that forces the ball loose.

11 min: Some slick attack from the Titans which breaks down on the final play when AJ Brimson's chip kick is cleaned up easily by Sunia Turuva.

8 min: Jarome Luai goes to the air and Jahream Bula comes up with a spectacular leap to outjump Keano Kini and cruise in for the game's opening try. Api Koroisau converts. Tigers 6-0. 

7 min: Kieran Foran looks to play short to Tino Fa'asuamaleaui but the pass is high and goes to ground off Tino's shoulder.

5 min: The Tigers are forced into a short dropout which is contested by several players and the visitors are deemed to have knocked on so the Titans reload.

3 min: Latu Fainu is penalised for a lifting tackle on Beau Fermor and the Titans go on the attack early.

Late Mail

Titans: One late change for the Titans with Klese Haas coming into the starting side at lock and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui shifting to prop. Reagan Campbell-Gillard moves to the interchange. Tony Francis is the 18th man. Phil Sami has failed to overcome a groin injury and was replaced on Friday by Jaylan De Groot. Former Wallaby Carter Gordon and teenager Cooper Bai will make their NRL debuts in Des Hasler's final game as Titans coach. 

Wests Tigers: One change for the Tigers as well, with Alex Seyfarth to start at prop and Fonua Pole moving to the interchange. Tristan Hope is the 18th man. Winger Jeral Skelton (concussion) is replaced by 18-year-old debutant Heamasi Makasini, a rugby union sensation at Newington College who was the 2024 Harold Matthews Cup Player of the Year. Bench forward Alex Seyfarth's return from suspension pushes Charlie Murray to the reserves. 

Numbers Game

• The Titans have won five of their past seven games against the Tigers.
• Wests Tigers have not defeated the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium since 2017.
• The Titans have conceded 122 points in their past three games.
• Wests Tigers can claim their 10th win of the season for the first time in six years.

 

Dragons v Panthers at WIN Stadium

Full-time: The Panthers rack up win No.13 for the season to lock up seventh spot - a remarkable achievement given they were last on the ladder after 12 rounds. Nathan Cleary starred with four line break assists, two try assists, 131 run metres and 16 points. Wingers Thomas Jenkins and Paul Alamoti combined for 362 run metres and three tries.

79 min: The Panthers ice the win with Paul Alamoti crossing after slick hands on the inside from Isaah Yeo, Nathan Cleary, Daine Laurie and Izack Tago. Panthers 40-20.

76 min: Jaydn Su'A comes up with a neat grubber which is regathered by Tyrell Sloan who unloads back inside to Su'A who races away to score a consolation try. Kyle Flanagan converts. Panthers 34-20.

74 min: Jack de Belin is placed on report for dangerous contact.

72 min: Luke Garner breaks the line and puts boot to ball with a chip which Brad Schneider can't quite regather and knocks the ball on.

68 min: Dylan Edwards is given an early mark by Ivan Cleary with 20 runs and 219 metres to his name.

67 min: Another try assist for Nathan Cleary as he delivers a perfect pass for Lindsay Smith to crash over from close range. The halfback converts. Panthers 34-14.

65 min: Clint Gutherson is penalised for dissent to hand the Panthers a full set from close range.

61 min: Scott Sorensen is dragged down just short and plays the ball quickly for Casey McLean to jump into dummy half and find a rampaging Isaiah Papalii for a try to give the Panthers breathing space. Nathan Cleary converts. Panthers 28-14.

56 min: A mistake by Dylan Edwards in the play-the-ball offers the Red V another shot at points but the attacking set is poor and they come up empty when Jaydn Su'A is shut down on the last.

54 min: On the back of a one-on-one steal by Jacob Liddle the Dragons sweep the ball to the right and Clint Gutherson produces a clever flick pass to Tyrell Sloan who crosses for his 17th try of the season. Kyle Flanagan comes up with another poor attempt at conversion to leave the margin at eight. Panthers 22-14.

51 min: Jacob Liddle tries to burrow over from dummy half but the Panthers get down low and deny him and the ball comes loose.

50 min: Brad Schneider is penalised for ruck interference, the Panthers challenge and come up empty. Both sides have now lost their captain's challenge.

48 min: Kyle Flanagan and Clint Gutherson combine to create space for Corey Allan who produces an acrobatic finish to slam it down in the corner and the Dragons strike first with the breeze at their backs. Flanagan pulls the conversion way left. Panthers 22-10.

The Scenario: If the premiers can go on with the job in the second half they will leapfrog the Roosters into seventh spot on the ladder. That would set up a blockbuster elimination final against the Warriors in Auckland in week one of the finals. Should they drop their intensity and the Dragons spring an upset, Penrith will finish eighth and face the Sharks next week.

Half-time: The Panthers dominated possession (55 per cent to 45 per cent) and completed 17 of 21 sets to take control of the contest. Dylan Edwards ran for 109 metres and Paul Alamoti 102m while Nathan Cleary snared a try and came up with a try assist and two line break assists.

37 min: The Panthers assert their superiority with Luke Garner getting through a poor attempted tackle by Lykhan King-Togia before picking up Nathan Cleary back on the inside and the champion No.7 races away to score. Panthers 22-6.

33 min: Good hands on the inside from Isaiah Papalii, Scott Sorensen and Nathan Cleary create space for Casey McLean who puts Thomas Jenkins away down the left and the winger kicks back inside for McLean to regather and score. Cleary converts. Panthers 16-6.

29 min: Lyhkan King-Togia goes to the air and Dylan Edwards makes a confidence building catch to allow the Panthers to clear the danger zone.

26 min: Mat Feagai is penalised for not allowing Paul Alamoti a fair catch at a bomb. The Dragons throw in a captain's challenge but they are unsuccessful.

25 min: The Panthers keep the ball alive and Casey McLean launches himself with an acrobatic dive for the corner but Hayden Buchanan comes up with a good cover tackle and McLean's foot goes into touch.

22 min: Kyle Flanagan makes a meal of catching the kick-off and stumbles back over the dead ball line forcing a dropout.

20 min: Kyle Flanagan goes to the air, Dylan Edwards spills it, David Klemmer picks it up and finds Emre Guler who sends it to Flanagan who dummies his way through a hole and over for the Dragons' first try. The halfback converts. Panthers 10-6.

16 min: Nathan Cleary has started the game in style and he lays on a try for Paul Alamoti with a 20m pass that cuts out two players and gives the winger a saloon passage to the line. Cleary converts. Panthers 10-0.

14 min: Dylan Edwards finds half a break on kick return but the Dragons round him up and push him towards the sideline and he spills it.

13 min: Nathan Cleary puts in a chip close to the line and Luke Garner flies high to bring it down but the Dragons shut him down just short of the stripe.

9 min: Lindsay Smith is pinged for not being square at marker so the Dragons get their first real shot at points.

6 min: The Panthers strike first with Isaah Yeo, Nathan Cleary, Blaize Talagi and Casey McLean all handling to create space for Thomas Jenkins to cross in the left-hand corner. Cleary pushes the conversion wide. Panthers 4-0.

5 min: Nathan Cleary's bomb comes down right on the Dragons line and Tyrell Sloan is forced back in goal after taking the catch.

Late Mail

Dragons: The Dragons were forced into a last-minute change with Christian Tuipulotu suffering a hamstring strain in the warm-up and Corey Allan coming into the side. The Dragons have won three of their past four games at WIN Stadium. No changes in Friday's 24-hour update with Ben Murdoch-Masila the 18th man and Corey Allan also retained.

Panthers: Daine Laurie has been added to the bench an hour before kick-off with Matt Eisenhuth dropping out. Winger Brian To'o and back-rower Liam Martin will be given another week off after enduring a huge workload in 2025. Paul Alamoti holds his place on the wing. Mavrik Geyer is 18th man.

Numbers Game

• The Dragons have won three of their past four games at WIN Stadium.
• The Panthers have won seven of their last eight games against the Dragons.
• Dragons winger Tyrell Sloan has scored seven tries in his last seven games.
• Panthers captain Nathan Cleary has scored six tries in his last six games against the Dragons.
• The Dragons have beaten four of the current top eight teams this season.