Round 17 of the 2026 NRL season saw plenty of highlights and lowlights, headlined by the North Queensland Cowboys stunning the first-place Penrith Panthers.
COWBOYS STUN PENRITH
One week after losing to the Gold Coast Titans by one point, the first-place Penrith Panthers have been defeated again, this time being stunned by the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville.
Led by back-rower Jeremiah Nanai, the Cowboys cruised to a 26-12 victory to deliver Jason Taumalolo a fairytale 300th milestone en route to snapping a three-match losing streak in the process.
Nanai scored a double and was joined on the scoresheet by winger Murray Taulagi and halfback Jake Clifford as the hosts controlled possession of the match and continued their winning streak against the Panthers – making it four wins in the last four meetings between the two sides.
“I don’t have many really. It wasn’t great,” Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said.
DRAGONS LOSING SEASON CONTINUES
The St George Illawarra Dragons are on track to be the worst team of all time after they conceded their 14th loss of the season in Round 17 against an underperforming Canberra Raiders outfit in the nation’s capital.
While they remained in the contest, it was their own errors that cost them the match, as Raiders winger Xavier Savage took two interceptions and ran the length of the field, which proved to be the difference between the two clubs.
However, it was a number of controversial calls that overshadowed the outing which left Dragons skipper Damien Cook and coach Dean Young confused post-match.
It appeared that Raiders centre Simi Sasagi knocked Kyle Flanagan’s pass on before it landed in the hands of Xavier Savage, who sprinted 80 metres to put the ball down for a try.
Despite replays suggesting that there may have been grounds for the Bunker to intervene, they refused to do so.
“To be honest, it was pretty disappointing but if I can sum it up, even the Canberra Raiders team were pretty shocked at the decision,” Cook said.
“They didn’t even have a kicker down there and it’s not just us that’s affecting the game, it’s the fans as well. I feel like they deserve better.
“I know I’m not a professional, but there’s a couple of calls out there (that were interesting).
“There’s another one where I thought Val was pushed in the back enough to warrant a penalty at least.”
GAME III ORIGIN TEAMS ANNOUNCED
The New South Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons have both named their teams for the 2026 State of Origin series decider.
The Blues have made five changes to their side with Stephen Crichton, Bradman Best, Haumole Olakau’atu, Blayke Brailey and Jack Bostock all earning a call-up.
Blues Squad: James Tedesco, Jack Bostock, Bradman Best, Stephen Crichton, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Mitchell Moses, Nathan Cleary, Payne Haas, Reece Robson, Mitchell Barnett, Hudson Young, Liam Martin, captain Isaah Yeo, Cameron Murray, Addin Fonua-Blake, Haumole Olakau’atu, Blayke Brailey, Ethan Strange, Toluta’u Koula and Victor Radley
Meanwhile, the Maroons have only made two changes with Jeremiah Nanai and Patrick Carrigan entering the team for Lindsay Collins and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
Maroons Squad: Kurt Capewell, Patrick Carrigan, Selwyn Cobbo, Reuben Cotter, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Jojo Fifita, Thomas Flegler, Harry Grant, Corey Horsburgh, Trent Loiero, captain Cameron Munster, Jeremiah Nanai, Briton Nikora, Max Plath, Kalyn Ponga, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Murray Taulagi, Robert Toia, Sam Walker and Reece Walsh