Round 24 of the 2026 NRL season saw plenty of highlights and lowlights, headlined by the Roosters defeating the Panthers and moving to the top of the ladder.
ROOSTERS MOVE TO TOP OF LADDER
The Sydney Roosters have moved to the top of the NRL ladder with only a few more weeks left in the regular season after defeating the Penrith Panthers by six points (12-6) on Thursday night at CommBank Stadium.
In the blockbuster clash between the two premiership contenders, the Roosters were able to control the contest through the kicking game of Daly Cherry-Evans and Sam Walker, while the former crossed over the line for a double in the 19th and 76th minutes.
Unfortunately, the Panthers will have to return to the drawing board ahead of the upcoming finals series. Front-rower Moses Leota scored a try, but it wasn’t enough for them to gain the two points, while Paul Alamoti is set for a sideline stint with a hamstring injury.
DCE hits the gas! 🔥 #NRL pic.twitter.com/8DgbPELlUe
— NRL (@NRL) August 13, 2026
RABBITOHS SECURE FINALS SPOT
They may have been without their superstar Latrell Mitchell, but the South Sydney Rabbitohs have managed to secure a spot in this year’s upcoming finals series after defeating the Canterbury Bulldogs by 16 points (22-6).
The Rabbitohs got off to a perfect start with three tries in the opening half (David Fifita, Alex Johnston and Tallis Duncan) before adding another two after the half-time break via back-line stars Campbell Graham and fullback Matthew Dufty.
The Belmore-based Bulldogs were no match for the Cardinal and Myrtle as their halves combination continued to struggle and they were only able to score once through centre Enari Tuala.
“I thought we started great,” Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said post-match.
“We came here with a lot of intent, I thought we started really well, created some opportunities (and) to Souths’ credit they came up with some big try stops there, which they have been (doing) all year.
“We weren’t good enough to do it at the other end. We were playing a pretty physical game and playing the game the way we wanted it.
“But to come out and start like that after half time just killed ourselves.”
Fifita wins the race! 🏁 #NRL pic.twitter.com/Me7tnrSqFE
— NRL (@NRL) August 14, 2026
MANLY’S FINALS HOPES COME TO A CLOSE
Manly Sea Eagles’ finals hopes have come to a disappointing and crushing close as they were embarrassed by the Dolphins at their home venue by 22 points (22-0).
Kept scoreless for the first time in three decades at Brookvale Oval, the Sea Eagles let in four tries (Kodi Nikorima, Selwyn Cobbo, Jack Bostock and Jamayne Isaako) and were disastrous in attack as they failed to create any try-scoring opportunities.
“It hurts for sure,” Sea Eagles head coach Kieran Foran said.
“We’re a proud club and we certainly have really high hopes for ourselves as a footy team and we understand the expectation of playing in this jersey and playing at this club.
“It’s disappointing to be held to nil but it is what it is. That’s happened (and) we’ve got to come together and stay connected in this time.
“We’re clearly up against it in that sense but we’re the only ones that will turn that and I thought from an attitude and intent point of view really turned up tonight.
“I think we got found out in our execution and ability to sort of problem solve there. They did a better job at that than us.
“They were able to execute when it mattered and they were able to problem solve when it mattered and that was the difference tonight.”
That's an IMPRESSIVE finish from Cobbo! 🔥 #NRL pic.twitter.com/fFaY7GSQuW
— NRL (@NRL) August 14, 2026