Round 13 of the 2025 NRL season has wrapped up, so we’re looking over the results and digging into three big takeaways from the weekend.
Around The NRL
State of Origin impacted Round 13 following a dominant New South Wales Blues victory over Queensland on Wednesday night. The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Dolphins and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks ended up as the lucky three this time to have a bye in the same week.
The Newcastle Knights, on the other hand, weren’t so lucky with Kalyn Ponga not able to backup. Already struggling to find points, the Knights couldn’t keep up with the St George Illawarra Dragons while going down 20-6.
Early tries in each half provided some hope for the Gold Coast Titans faithful, but, in the end, the Melbourne Storm proved too strong at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Watch all the highlights as the Titans take on the Storm in Round 13!#NRLTitansStorm pic.twitter.com/tk4UmilygL
— NRL (@NRL) May 31, 2025
The final 32-28 scoreline flatters the Wests Tigers in the end. It wasn’t a game the North Queensland Cowboys ever really looked like losing despite their poor finish. It’s another defeat for the Tigers who are tumbling down the NRL ladder following a promising start to the season.
There are worrying signs in the Brisbane Broncos camp after Round 13. Their 34-6 defeat to the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles will force a number of tough conversations around the club this week. This can’t all be put down to Reece Walsh being unavailable and Origin players coming in banged up. There is a disconnect somewhere and they’ll run out of time to fix it if they can’t arrest this current four-game slide.
FT. pic.twitter.com/7j8pToysz6
— Brisbane Broncos (@brisbanebroncos) May 31, 2025
In contrast, something is brewing with the New Zealand Warriors. Their 36-30 win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs made it nine wins for the season – good for 3rd on the NRL ladder. Although, the big story is Mitch Barnett limping off the field.
A Nathan Cleary special allowed the Penrith Panthers to pick up an 18-10 win over the Parramatta Eels. He masterminded an under-strength and out-of-form Panthers outfit to a much-needed win if they’re to stay in the hunt for finals football.
Finally, the Canberra Raiders just keep winning…
It’s time to stop doubting this group. It’s not always the best looking footy. There are still long periods in which they give the opposition an opportunity to pull away. However, so long as the Raiders are within reach, they’re capable of a late win. It took four second-half tries to complete their 26-24 comeback win over the Sydney Roosters in this one.
Watch all the highlights as the Roosters take on the Raiders in Round 13!#NRLRoostersRaiders pic.twitter.com/BI2k98EP1q
— NRL (@NRL) June 1, 2025
3 Takeaways From Round 13
Knights Attack
The Newcastle Knights attack isn’t able to consistently threaten and apply pressure to the opposition at the moment. While their approach seems to be built around applying pressure through completing sets, kicking to corners and winning the territory battle, it’s translated into only 159 points in 12 matches so far this season.
Newcastle has a handful of excuses up their sleeve with the impact of State of Origin particularly notable. However, they’re running thin with the lack of improvement in recent weeks.
“In (the Ponga) battle, we lost to the scheduling and the draw. Someone’s got to play Friday. OK, we get that. But then they give us next Thursday as well, hit us again? It would have been three games in eight days. That’s not looking after our players, so I had to step in and I had to look after him.” – Adam O’Brien
With back-to-back games at McDonald Jones Stadium against the Sea Eagles and Roosters, the Knights are playing for their season. They can’t rely on another late-season run to make the Top 8. The competition is too close.
All eyes on team list Tuesday…
Maguire Under Fire
Michael Maguire is known for being able to deliver an almighty spray when he feels it’s necessary. The fire burned so hot in the Broncos coach following their defeat to the Sea Eagles that he ushered his players into a private room and away from cameras to offer his immediate reaction.
More calm for the post-match press conference, Maguire offered up an explanation on their inconsistency and how he intends on improving it.
“I’ve got to grow the team to be able to build pressure. We showed signs but we just have to do it longer, that’s what the teams further up the ladder are doing. When the opportunities come you’ve got to make sure you’re in position to take them. We need to be a bit smarter in that area and it’s something we need to improve on.”
The idea to “build pressure” is something a bit different for this group compared to their time under Kevvie Walters. It requires patience and belief in the system. Right now, the Broncos don’t have the patience and without it, they’re not executing enough to believe in it.
Change is coming to the Broncos. It must. A move back to lock for Patrick Carrigan is the first place to start. Provide him with more influence on the yardage game and put what is still a dangerous Brisbane spine and backline into positions to do what they do best.
State Of Origin Debrief
“Something needs to change,” said Billy Slater.
His Queensland Maroons side looked beaten after 15 minutes despite the New South Wales Blues not starting to pile up the points until later in the first half.
Penalties and errors plagued the Maroons who over-cooked the intensity of the opening exchanges to hand the Blues the ascendancy from the start.
Daly Cherry-Evans is under fire following his performance. While Slater won’t point the finger, he looks the most likely to sit out for Game 2. Queensland’s attack hasn’t been able to make a dent against a 13-man New South Wales. Eight of their tries since Game 1 last year have come with a Blues player in the bin. With only two tries scored against 13 men, one came this year on the back of Latrell Mitchell’s yardage error.
Something does need to change, and it might be the #7.
Tom Dearden offers something different. What he lacks in Cherry-Evans’ kicking game, he brings with his running game and direct approach. Queensland’s strength is on the edges, and Dearden profiles well as a halfback who can create space out wide.
New South Wales can be confident in wrapping the series up in Game 2. They dominated the opener without really hitting their straps. Provided they stick with what they did well in Game 1, the series could be all over before the finale.