Recap | The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Round 17

Panthers return to form with first half scoring spree

Stewart Moses

Match summary

The Panthers have put behind them recent poor results against leading teams the Warriors and St George Illawarra Dragons with a strong first half showing to set up a 36-6 win over the seventh-placed Bulldogs tonight at Parker St Reserve, maintaining a hold on a top five spot in the process.

While both sides boasted plenty of NRL experiences, it was the Panthers who took the game by the scruff of the neck to lead 28-nil at half-time.

Penrith opened the scoring when Billy Phillips burst through the line from halfway before setting up fullback Daine Laurie for an uninterrupted run to score underneath the posts to give the Panthers a 6-0 lead after nine minutes.

A long-range line-break down the eastern touchline from winger Nick Murphy enabled the Panthers to shift across the field with Jack Cole’s cut-out pass to Harrison Hassett creating a two-on-one situation for winger Asu Kepaoa to cross in the north-west corner and extend the lead to 10-0.

Strong runs from David Fale, Laurie and Murphy put the Panthers in a strong attacking position deep inside the Bulldogs 20 and they converted their opportunity into more points when a quick play-the-ball enabled Cole and Luke Sommerton combine to put prop Matt Eisenhuth over underneath the posts for a 16-0 lead.

The Panthers then made it consecutive tries off consecutive sets when a dart from Sommerton at dummy-half from 45 metres out, put Laurie away for his second try of the evening to give the home side a commanding 22-0 lead.

It was fitting that another line-break from Murphy deep into Bulldogs territory was finished off by him a few plays later after the ball shifted right with Alamoti providing the last pass for the try. Alamoti converted from the touchline, stunning the Bulldogs with a 28-0 lead just before half-time.

Some concerted pressure into the Panthers 20 finally paid dividends for the Bulldogs when winger Blake Wilson produced a determined angled run to score from close range to finally open the visitors’ account at 28-6.

However, any remote chance of a Bulldogs comeback was put to bed when Kepaoa finished off a backline movement to the left to score his second try from close range in the southeast corner to extend the lead to 32-6.

Having withstood a mountain of pressure inside their own 20, the Panthers finished off proceeding in style with a Eisenhuth offload on halfway putting Sommerton away before he found Schneider backing up in support to score out wide and seal the result 36-6 on the stroke of full time. 

Talking points

• The Panthers (5) enjoy a 14-8 record over the Bulldogs (7) although the Bulldogs won their two previous clashes 30-12 in 2024 and 34-18 earlier this year.
• Penrith fielded possibly their strongest side of the season to date with Laurie, Alamoti, Kepaoa, Cole, Schneider, Eisenhuth, Sommerton, Riki and Geyer featuring in the run on side and recent NRL debutant Harrison Hassett named on the bench.
• Plenty of experience in the Bulldogs side too with the likes of Blake Taaffe, Blake Wilson, Enari Tuala, Sam Hughes and Kurtis Morrin featuring.
• The win was soured somewhat by second half injuries to lock forward Billy Phillips (leg) and fullback Daine Laurie (head cut).

Key moment

The Panthers got off to a solid start leading 10-nil but their back-to-back converted tries to Eisenhuth and Laurie from consecutive sets midway gave the home side a commanding 22-0 lead which they would never relinquish.

What's next?

The Panthers return to Parker St Reserve next Friday night when they take on the rejuvenated South Sydney Rabbitohs while the Bulldogs travel to Newcastle the next day to take on the Knights.

Newcastle Knights v Canberra Raiders 

Mason Cernoy

Match summary

Canberra have fought back from conceding three early tries to run away with a 40-26 victory over the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Newcastle winger Wilson De Courcey was first to cross off the back of some quick hands from Kyle McCarthy, while Fletcher Hunt came down with a bomb from Tyson Gamble for another try in the set that followed.

When Connor Votano created a break for De Courcey out on the wing and was in support to finish it off, the Novocastrians found themselves with a dominant 18-0  lead inside just eight minutes.

When they finally coughed up the ball after a 10-minute assault, the Knights had already caused severe damage to Canberra.

After getting themselves into the arm wrestle for ten minutes, Adam Cook was the man to create the first points of the afternoon for the lime green, when he rolled a grubber kick through for Kain Anderson, who managed to plant it down in the nick of time.

The right edge for Newcastle continued to cause havoc however when Votano and McCarthy linked up to send De Courcey over for his second, but Canberra were quick to find a response. Following a penalty and some powerful carries from Canberra’s pack Danny Levi snuck his way over the line.

The contest was starting to feel much more even, but when a deft chip from Gamble provided De Courcey with his first half hat-trick on the buzzer, leaving the Raiders with a mountain to climb in the second half.

They ran back out with plenty of physicality and intent, dragging McCarthy back several meters before Mitchell Prest and Jordan Martin forced an error on Tyrone Thompson. When Prest scored off a sneaky Levi grubber they’d done exactly what they needed to; score first and early into the half.

Ethan Sanders and Cook remained composed and looked to build pressure. After forcing back-to-back dropouts, a ricocheted grubber from Sanders made its way out to Jensen Taumoepeau and he showed the value of his right foot step.

He cut against the grain and brought his team within a try of the lead for the first time since the opening few minutes, before coming up with the try that would get his side in front minutes later.

The momentum was all with Canberra after they took their first lead of the match, but both sides battled hard with the game in the balance. Cook simply came up with the best last tackle options late in the game, and after forcing two more dropouts, Jake Clydsdale crashed over in between the sticks to put the match beyond reach for Newcastle.

Trailing by eight points with less than five minutes to play, Newcastle were rolling the dice, but ended up opening the door for Cook to slam the door shut with an extremely well-deserved try on full-time.

Talking points

• The creativity and composure of Cook were extremely important factors in Canberra’s win tonight. He came up with multiple assists and a try of his own without overplaying his hand and suffocated Newcastle with a number of forced drop outs.
• Votano was extremely safe in pressure situations tonight and was
  extremely dangerous with the ball in hand, creating plenty of opportunities for McCarthy and De Courcey.
• Canberra’s forward pack kept them in the fight after conceding a major lead inside the opening ten minutes and were physically dominant enough for them to wrestle their way back into the match. The Martin brothers and Mitchell Prest in
  particular were massive standouts in Canberra’s fightback.

Key moment

Jake Clydsdale’s try in the 74th minute exemplifies how the Raiders managed to win the game; simple football executed well, by a side with a next man-up mentality. A special moment for Clydsdale, who scored the match-winning try as the 18th man.

What’s next?
Both sides will be at home next week, with the Raiders hosting the Magpies and the Knights hosting the Bulldogs.

Western Suburbs Magpies v Sydney Roosters 

Magpies bounce back with convincing win over Roosters

Anthony Eltarraf

Match summary

The Western Suburbs Magpies bounced back from last week’s loss with a strong 28-14 victory over the Sydney Roosters at Lidcombe Oval.

Izaac Tu’itupou opened the scoring after the Roosters failed to clean up a cross-field kick, grounding the ball in the corner to give his side an early 6-0 lead.

The Roosters responded with a try down their left edge, with slick passing finding William Malloy, who powered his way over. Chad Townsend converted to level the scores with ten minutes remaining in the first half.

The Magpies reclaimed the lead before the break, once again capitalising on a kick. Fullback Alex Lobb soared above the pack to collect another cross-field kick and put his side ahead 10-6 at half-time.

Lobb carried that momentum into the second half, scoring just three minutes in with a slick show-and-go to extend the Magpies’ lead to 16-6.

Ethan King hit back for the Roosters, burrowing over from dummy-half to bring the visitors back within a converted try.

The Magpies gave the Roosters no room to breathe. Alex Lobb crossed for his third after a damaging run and offload from Royce Hunt, before Tu’itupou grabbed his second to seal the Magpies’ fifth try of the afternoon.

With ten minutes to go, Ben Johnson produced a moment of magic for the Roosters—grubbering ahead, tapping the ball over the fullback with his boot, and regathering to score a stunning solo try. But it was too little too late, as the Magpies secured a well-earned 28-14 win.

Talking points

• The Magpies’ outside backs were relentless, constantly getting their team on the front foot with tough carries and high work rate.
• Alex Lobb and Izaac Tu’itupou were clinical, scoring all five of the Magpies’ tries. Lobb popped up when when needed and Tu’itupou finished off nicely for his four-pointers.
• Ben Johnson’s solo effort was a rare highlight for the Roosters—a moment of brilliance in an otherwise tough afternoon.

Key moment

Alex Lobb’s try to kick off the second half was crucial in helping the Magpies keep their momentum from the second half. A right-side shift found the fullback whose dummy fooled the defence and allowed him to slice right through to score.

What’s next?

The Magpies head to Canberra next week to take on the 10th-placed Raiders, while the Roosters return home to host the Parramatta Eels.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Warriors 

Warriors keep 2025 form running with patient victory

George Al-Akiki

Match summary

The New Zealand Warriors have cruised past the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 26-4 in Round 17 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup after what promised to be a tight affair quickly turned into a landslide win.

Manly were the more dominant side for the opening 30 minutes, stunning the usually powerful Warriors, but couldn’t convert on numerous occasions.

The home side’s errors hurt them as the Warriors made the most of their first set in the attacking 20 with a try for winger Setu Tu who beat multiple defenders to reach out for the try line (4-0).

A moment of solo brilliance from Clayton Faulalo brought the Manly side back into the contest, the fullback putting in a deft grubber and regathered himself before wrestling his way to the try line (4-4).

The tight affair continued with chances for both sides before heading into the sheds still level.

It was deja vu in the second half. Manly kept the same pressure in the early as they did in the first, but still it was the Warriors who struck first.

A switch from right to left found Sio Kali in some space down the wing who put on the afterburners to cruise past Faulalo and put his side ahead (8-4).

The Warriors went back-to-back, this time running a decoy on the right side giving fullback Taine Tuaupiki and five-eighth Luke Hanson the chance to combine and find Tu over for his second (14-4). 

The same side was exposed once again, this time through former Manly centre Morgan Harper who beat four defenders to give his side complete control for the first time in the match, before they found another in Geronimo Doyle in a break down the left (26-4).

The Warriors would keep the home side to nil in the second half to sound out a resounding victory.

Talking points

• The Warriors allowed Manly into the game with their ill discipline. Early penalties gave the opposition significant field position and hurt the away side in the opening stages of the game.
• The winger matchup was key today, won by the Warriors’ Sio Kali who refused to let Jordan Swann through with a masterclass defensive performance, and an equally impressive attacking one.
• The low scoring affair in the opening 60 minutes was due to some brilliant defence, but just as equally to some sloppy errors that cost both sides. Each will need to rectify their completion rate as the backend of the season nears closer

Key moment

With 12 minutes to go and eight behind, Manly needed to pick up momentum quickly to come back into the contest, but a lazy error gave the Warriors perfect field position to extend the margin and go on to win the contest resoundingly.

What’s next?

Manly will remain at home at Brookvale with another tough test facing a surging second placed St George Illawarra side, while the Warriors will welcome a rest with the bye for Round 18.

St George Illawarra Dragons v Parramatta Eels 

Eels snap Dragons' streak

Bailey Whitton

Match summary

The Parramatta Eels have snapped the Dragons eight game winning streak to defeat the Red V 36-22 at WIN Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

The match started horribly for the Dragons, coughing up the ball just over halfway in the first set of the game and the Eels wasted no time taking advantage.

Forcing a dropout followed by a six again in the following set the Eels cracked the Dragons defence thorugh Liam Scolari who crossed for the opening try. 

The Dragons knew they had to reset in the following set and did, staying composed in their defence and not giving the Eels anything to work with before steamrolling downfield, assisted by a pair of six agains of their own.

Loko Pasifiki Tonga put them on the scoreboard in that set, dragging defenders across the line with him to level the game at 6-all. 

The Dragons looked ready to repeat that success immediately, but a tackle gone wrong on Cody Ramsey saw him writhing in pain.

The Dragons Captain tried to play on for a few sets but his limp was clear, slowing their attack and creating a deadly danger in their defence.

The Eels made their way downfield and looked to kick behind the defensive line taking advantage of the weakened Ramsey, but Tyrell Sloan rushed up in a hard hitting tackle that forced an error and prevented the coming danger.

They switched their positions around as Ramsey made his way off and rolled their way downfield off the back of the scrum, making their way over for a second try, this time by Jonah Glover, taking the lead at 12-6.

Nick Tsourgranis got the ball early in the next set and rampaged along the right edge, refusing to take a tackle. They shifted back left with Sloan now playing fullback, linking with Sione Finau running almost all the way to the try line before being brought down, passing along to Haele Finau in the process who ran in try number three for the Dragons, taking their lead out to 16-6.

The Eels got a penalty in their next set with the ball and began working their way back into the game.

Brendan Hands sneaked a grubber through the line and chased it, but was ruled to have been illegally taken out, resulting in Jonah Glover getting sent to the bin, only making matters worse for the Dragons.

With the defence down a player, Araz Nanva snuck around the left side for the Eels making it a four point game against 12 men.

The Dragons felt the pressure and got riskier to try and turn the game around and it cost them. They rushed up defensively and the Eels slipped through with a three on one following an offload, turning into a pass back inside to Te Hurinui Twidle for a try close enough to the posts to take the lead, 16-18.

The Eels wasted no time re-establishing their control of the game for the second half, putting in two tries in five minutes to Matthew Hunter and Brendan Hands running through the defence and sending the Dragons scrambling.

It took until the 60th minute for the Dragons to finally break through with a try to Sione Finau, with wide passes down the left catching defenders short and making a win look possible at only 30-22.

The Eels immediately snuffed that hope out for the WIN crowd, with a series of penalties getting them back in attacking range and Matthew Hunter getting a second try to set the difference back to 14, killing the Dragons morale.

Both teams kept pushing with both getting denied a try, and the Eels had done plenty of work to earn the win and snap the Eels winning streak in this top of the table clash.

Talking points

• Ramsey looked badly hurt after going down in a tackle gone wrong, limping off the field. The Dragons Captain has been a highlight all season and fans will be hoping it’s nothing major and will be fit to continue playing.
• Matthew Hunter and Brendan Hands were setting up the Eels attack all game and looking incredible in doing so. Whenever there was a break it was likely one of those two were instrumental in creating it and they tore the Dragons apart.

Key moment

Around the 25 minute mark, the Eels set up on the Dragons try line and just kept pushing through, ending with Glover in the sin bin and a try.

That moment gave the Eels the chance to take the momentum back after the Dragons had run in three tries in quick succession and the Dragons never took it back

What’s next?

The Dragons leave the Gong after the recent stretch of games, looking to bounce back off a loss for the first time in months against the Sea Eagles in their backyard

The Eels turn their attention to the Roosters, looking to secure a second win over them and continue their winning ways.

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Newtown Jets 

Puru masterclass leads Jets to dominant win over Rabbitohs

Claire Stegbauer 

Match summary

The Newtown Jets proved too sharp and slick for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, running in seven tries in a dominant 42-18 victory at Coogee Oval in Round 17 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup with Niwhai Puru having a first-grade worthy performance. 

The Rabbitohs started with promise, forcing an early turnover and marching into the red zone through strong carries from Tim Johannssen and Tayson Fakaosi. But the Jets' defensive line held firm, snuffing out the early threat. 

It didn’t take long for Newtown to respond. After earning a repeat set, hooker Jayden Berrell linked with five-eighth Khaled Rajab, who took on the line and flicked a ball out the back to Chris Vea'ila, the centre cruising over and planting it down under the posts. Puru added the extras for a 6-0 lead. 

Just moments later the Jets struck again. A sweeping move to the left saw Rajab and Michael Gabrael combine before finding Berrell in support, who finished the very play he helped start. Puru made no mistake, extending the lead to 12-0 within the opening 10 minutes. 

The Rabbitohs hit back in the 14th minute, thanks to their big forward pack laying the platform. Off the back of a penalty and strong field position, second-rower Thomas Fletcher charged onto a short ball and crashed over from close range. Fletcher Myers couldn’t convert, but the Bunnies were back in it at 12-4. 

The game turned gritty for the next stretch with both sides trading big hits, and Jayden Sullivan and Berrell setting the tone physically in the middle. But errors and a lack of polish haunted the Rabbitohs, while the Jets remained clinical. 

In the 28th minute, Newtown capitalised on a South Sydney mistake. A left-side shift saw Eli Clark go over untouched and Puru nailed a beautiful sideline conversion to push the score out to 18-4. 

Five minutes later, fullback Taj Ford added his name to the scoresheet slicing through with a slick show-and-go near the line after Berrell directed play left. Puru slotted the conversion and the Jets led 24-4. 

Just before half-time, the Rabbitohs earned a penalty with under a minute to play. Lewis Dodd calmly kicked the goal to offer some momentum heading into the sheds, with the Jets leading 24-6 at the break. 

Newtown wasted no time resuming their dominance after half-time. Starting deep in their half they built pressure through the middle before finding their left edge once again. Puru threw an inside ball to Ford who broke through for his second of the afternoon. The conversion made it 30-6. 

Minutes later a loose ball from Souths was scooped up by Puru, who offloaded to the explosive Michael Gabrael. With open space ahead, Gabrael hit top gear and outran the defence to score. Puru kept his perfect record with the boot intact to lead 36-6. 

The Rabbitohs showed some fight through halves Jayden Sullivan and Lewis Dodd, with Dodd eventually leading a raid that resulted in Leonard Skelton barging over in the 52nd minute. Sullivan added the two to cut the margin to 36-12. 

However, Sullivan was injured moments later after a chip-and-chase attempt went wrong, forcing a major reshuffle in the South Sydney spine. Despite the setback, Daniel O’Donnell provided a spark ducking out of dummy-half and powering over in the 65th minute. Dodd converted to bring the score to 36-18. 

To their credit South Sydney kept fighting. With 15 minutes to play, Daniel O’Donnell took matters into his own hands darting out of dummy-half and muscling over. Lewis Dodd converted, closing the gap to 36-18. 

The Rabbitohs looked inspired, led by powerful runs from Fakaosi and another line-bending effort from Thomas Fletcher. A heavy collision saw Newtown’s Jordin Leiu ruled out for the remainder of the match with a head knock. 

But as the Rabbitohs threatened to mount a late surge, Newtown slammed the door shut. With five minutes to go, a kick ricocheted into the hands of Puru, who produced a piece of magic chipping out wide to Kristian Dixon, who took it cleanly and strolled over. Puru converted yet again to cap off a perfect day with the boot. 

The Rabbitohs had one last crack, but it was the Jets who finished with the final highlight, Dixon breaking free down the right edge before the siren sounded with the Jets winning 42-18. 

Talking points 

Newtown’s left edge continues to dominate. The Jets found repeated success down the left corridor with tries to Chris Vea'ila, Eli Clark, Taj Ford, and Michael Gabrael. Their ability to expose Souths’ edge defence proved the difference. 

Niwhai Puru’s flawless day with the boot. The Jets' halfback went seven from seven off the tee and added multiple try assists, including a pinpoint cross-field kick to Kristian Dixon.

The loss of Jayden Sullivan. With several first-grade games under his belt this season, Sullivan brought composure and spark to the Rabbitohs' attack. His injury midway through the second half, which saw him stretchered off after a chip-and-chase effort, was not only a disruption to Souths' spine but a huge setback for the club. 

Key moment 

With the Rabbitohs pushing hard for a late comeback and the score at 36-18, Newtown were forced to scramble after a deflected kick landed in broken play. Niwhai Puru cleaned it up, saw space and launched a pinpoint chip out wide to Kristian Dixon. Dixon took the ball on the full and scored untouched in the 72nd minute, sealing the game for the Jets. It was a moment of brilliance that summed up Newtown’s composure and creativity, and Puru’s seventh straight conversion capped off a perfect individual performance. 

What’s next? 

The Jets will look to carry their momentum into a blockbuster clash against the North Sydney Bears next week. Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs will aim to bounce back when they face the Penrith Panthers.