Recap | The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup - Round 23

Raiders make their case in finals race

Bailey Whitton

Game summary

Saturday’s clash between St George Illawarra Dragons and the Canberra Raiders kicked off with a feeling out period, with both teams trying to measure the conditions before ramping things up.

The Dragons outmuscled the Raiders in the early stages, meeting them fast and pushing them back at every opportunity.

But eight minutes in the Raiders’ Ethan Sanders slipped Noah Martin through the defensive line, who passed back inside for Sanders to open the scoring (0-6).

The Raiders weathered the storm as long as they could, but a contested bomb from Ilias to the corner proved to be the breaking point, bouncing off a Raider player in the wet conditions for Christian Tuipulotu to swoop in and score in his return (6-6).

The Dragons maintained control of the game for most of the remaining half, slowing it right down and forcing the Raiders to push their hand but the Raiders refused to concede a second try.

A penalty got the Raiders into the Dragons’ half and a dropped intercept later, they took their shot with Trey Mooney crashing his way over to take back the lead before half-time (6-12).

The Dragons used the half-time break to reset, coming back and taking control of the game once more. The Ilias-Glover-Ramsey combination continued to create metres and threatened the right side, forcing the defence to rush over. Ilias put up another bomb to the left seeing space, only for it to be knocked back twice by Tuipulotu before he cleaned up and put in a grubber, with Nathan Lawson getting the try to bring the scoreboard level again (12-12).

The Dragons looked ready to break the Raiders open with another break downfield, but the ball missed its mark, being intercepted with the Raiders looking like taking the lead. Raymond Faitala-Mariner denied them that opportunity however.

Glover and Ramsey helped the Dragons downfield again, and threatened to score. The Raiders managed to stop them but were on the ropes, so much so they pushed a Dragons player in the attempt giving them a penalty in front of the posts, and the lead for the first time in the game (14-12).

The rain came down harder than it had since last week and this time, the Dragons couldn’t handle it. A couple of errors later and the Raiders were in the box seat, creating a two-on-one down the right edge that came close but was stopped by the Dragons. The Raiders then kicked a bomb left, the ball ricocheting off everyone in the contest until Kain Anderson got a grip of it and scored to take back the lead and start the Raiders’ run home (14-16).

With only 10 minutes left on the clock, the Raiders wanted to ensure the game was put to bed. 

They marched downfield again, bombing to Ramsey who couldn’t get a good grip of the soaked ball and Chevy Stewart scored his first of the day.

In the next set Myles Martin was throwing himself at the Dragons’ defence and sliding his way in-goal. Only a few minutes later a Sanders grubber sent Stewart over for a second, ending the initially close game in very dominant fashion, 32-14.

Talking points

- The Raiders’ defence weathered a lot in the game and just wouldn’t break, with both conceded tries coming off dropped kicks. They muscled up and scrambled hard, and when they got back on the attack they bashed their way through for the win.

- Jonah Glover was everywhere for the Dragons today. From his conversions and kicks in general play to his pass selection, combinations with Ilias and Ramsey and his defensive efforts.

- Christian Tuipulotu looked confident in his return to footy. He started off shaky with a few hesitant catches and an injury scare that turned out to just be a burner, but warmed into the game taking some hard runs and scoring with an assist to boot.

Key moment

The Raiders’ intercept was the biggest moment of the game. The Dragons spent so long in their half for the first half and had started of the second in the same way. They looked ready to score but the ball missing its mark created enough of an opportunity for the Raiders to break out and get back in the game. If that pass hit the mark and the Dragons scored, today’s result could’ve finished very differently.

What’s next?

The Dragons hit the road against Newcastle Knights next week, hoping to secure second place. The Raiders return to Canberra to take on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Warriors

Warriors pull off dramatic win over Bulldogs in NSW Cup thriller

Claire Stegbauer

Game summary

The Warriors have produced a stunning late comeback to down the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 34-30 in an electrifying The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Round 23 clash at Leichhardt Oval.

In a contest that ebbed and flowed for 80 minutes, both sides traded blows in an arm-wrestle defined by sharp kicking games, forward dominance, and an unforgettable grandstand finish.

It took just eight minutes for the Bulldogs to open the scoring. Toby Sexton directed play to the left edge, where a sweeping back-line movement looked to have come unstuck when the final pass drifted high and wide. But winger Jed Reardon read it best, reeling in the wayward ball and planting it down in the corner. Sexton nailed the extras for a 6-0 lead.

Warriors captain Kalani Going responded in style in the 14th minute. Spotting an opening from dummy-half, Going exploded into space and set off on a 60-metre dash, fending off would-be chasers before slamming the ball down under the posts. Tanah Boyd added the two to lock the game at 6-6.

Canterbury-Bankstown wrestled back momentum almost immediately. Sexton, controlling the tempo with precision, slipped Lipoi Hopoi through a perfect short hole just 10 metres out. The back-rower barely had to break stride as he crashed over untouched in the 18th minute. Sexton converted for 12-6.

The Bulldogs’ left side continued to wreak havoc. In the 27th minute, Jack Todd backed himself with a determined solo effort, lowering the shoulder and barging over defenders to score. Sexton’s flawless boot extended the lead to 18-6.

Just when it looked like the Bulldogs might carry a two-score buffer into the sheds, the Warriors hit back with a moment of finesse. In the 35th minute, a beautifully weighted grubber kick skidded toward the in-goal, where Setu Tu dived at full stretch to ground it centimetres before the dead-ball line. Boyd’s sideline conversion kept the visitors in touch at 18-12 at half-time.

The Warriors stormed out of the sheds, their forwards tearing through the middle to win the ruck and force the Bulldogs backwards. That dominance paid off just two minutes into the half when Toby Crosby took a short ball close to the line, brushed off two defenders, and crashed over beside the uprights. Boyd converted to level the game at 18-18.

The visitors struck again in the 46th minute. Off the back of another strong set, Boyd shifted the ball wide to Geronimo Doyle, who showed great reach and strength to ground it for the Warriors’ fourth try. The conversion missed, but the Warriors had the lead for the first time at 22-18.

The Bulldogs weren’t done yet. In the 51st minute, Sexton again turned to his kicking game, floating a pinpoint cross-field bomb to Blake Wilson. The winger did brilliantly to stay in the field of play, twisting and diving to score despite the sideline breathing down his neck. Sexton added the two for 24-22.

Momentum stayed with the home side when Jonathan Sua crossed in the 55th minute. A simple but well-executed left-edge sweep exposed the Warriors’ defensive numbers, and Sua slipped through to score. Sexton’s conversion made it 30-22, giving the Bulldogs an eight-point advantage with just over 20 minutes left.

The Bulldogs looked to be in control, but the Warriors’ forwards dug deep, surging through the middle once again to set up an attacking platform. In the 60th minute, Boyd steered a set play to the left edge, sending a cut-out pass to Sio Kali, who powered through the gap to score. Boyd’s conversion reduced the deficit to 30-28.

With 10 minutes to play, the match was balanced on a knife’s edge. The Warriors launched one last charge, keeping the ball alive with quick hands and in-and-out passing across the park. Then came the moment of the match when Sio Kali pounced on a Setu Tu offload, tore into open space and sprinted 60 metres to the try-line. His second try of the afternoon put the Warriors in front 32-30, and Boyd’s fifth conversion sealed the 34-30 lead.

The Bulldogs threw everything at the visitors in the dying minutes, but the Warriors’ defence held firm, securing a victory that not only showcased their resilience but sealed the minor premiership.

Talking points

- The Bulldogs were dominant early through the middle, led by a composed Toby Sexton steering them into great attacking positions and forcing repeat sets with his pinpoint kicking game. However, as the match wore on, the Warriors’ pack wrestled back control and rolled downfield with ease.

- Sio Kali’s impact was game-changing for the Warriors. The strike centre finished with a double, including the match-winning runaway try, and constantly troubled Canterbury-Bankstown’s edge defence with his speed and timing.

- Tanah Boyd’s control and conversion accuracy (five from six) kept the Warriors in striking distance all afternoon, while Sexton’s perfect night off the tee (five from five) and playmaking was equally influential for Canterbury-Bankstown.

- The match was a genuine arm-wrestle, as momentum swung back and forth for 70 minutes before the Warriors delivered the knockout punch.

Key moment

With the Bulldogs leading 30-28 and less than 10 minutes on the clock, the Warriors kept the ball alive in desperate fashion before an offload was pounced on by Sio Kali. In a blink, the centre was in the clear, sprinting 60 metres downfield to score his second try of the day, the game-winner that stunned the Bulldogs and sealed the comeback.

What’s next?

The Bulldogs face the Canberra Raiders in Round 24, while the Warriors head to St Marys to take on the Penrith Panthers.

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v Newcastle Knights 

Wondrous Willet scores treble as Sea Eagles soar home

Ellery Behan

Game summary

The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles fought their way to a 30-12 victory over the Newcastle Knights on Saturday afternoon, battling through an early deficit in wet weather to come out on top at 4 Pines Park with winger Navren Willet crossing for a hat-trick.

It was a nightmare start for the Sea Eagles, coughing up the ball on their opening set which handed the Knights a chance to open their account. They did exactly that, as Jackson Hastings floated a chip kick into the path of Francis Manuleleua who snatched it out of thin air to score. Connor Votano converted with ease to put the visitors ahead by six.

Despite the wet weather, Newcastle were determined not to shy away from playing an open, fast-paced brand of football to establish the upper hand. Hastings linked up once more with Manuleleua with a brilliant short ball that saw the back-rower earn 40 metres of territory for his side. Newcastle shifted to their right edge, with winger Wilson De Cource challenging three defenders to beat him to the corner before lofting a pass on his inside to Kyle McCarthy who crossed untouched. Votano steered the conversion between the uprights from out wide, doubling their lead to 12.

Manly refused to panic despite their poor start, continuing to try and wrestle back momentum. They eventually found space down their right edge through Clayton Faulalo, offloading the ball to Navren Willet who set sail down the eastern touchline and found Dean Matterson on his inside to score. Brandon Wakeham nailed the conversion to cut the deficit to six.

A Newcastle error coming out of their own end handed a golden opportunity to the home side to level the contest before the break. Moving the ball to the right edge, Wakeham gave an early pass to Faulalo out the back, giving him time to dig into a passive defensive line and arch a cut-out ball to Willet who outpaced his opposite man to score. Wakeham showed his class with a conversion from the sideline and rain beating the turf to lock it up at 12-all.

Refusing to let the final seconds of the first half dwindle out, Wakeham placed a chip kick into the path of Willet on the resuming set after kick-off, with a heavenly bounce into the hands of the lanky winger. He raced away to score, offering a noble salute to the home crowd who had risen to their feet in jubilation. Wakeham converted from in front to give Manly an 18-12 lead at the break after trailing 12-0 just 10 minutes into the contest.

The home side picked up where they left off in the second stanza, ruthlessly dragging the Knights out of play on the first tackle of the second half and then going on to put their possession to good use. Working their right edge, Wakeham linked up with Joey Walsh who fired a bullet pass onto the chest of Willet who dove over in the corner for the first hat-trick  of his The Knock-on Effect NSW Cup career. Wakeham impressively converted from the western touchline to establish a 24-12 advantage.

After a 25-minute period riddled with errors and barren of points, Manly ticked the scoreboard over again with a brilliant play down their left edge which saw Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega break away from his opposite man and stride through open pasture before drawing in the fullback and finding Semisi Kioa on his outside to score. Wakeham’s conversion soared between the sticks to put the home side 30-12 ahead. They defended their way to the hooter, securing a crucial home victory.

Talking points

- Brandon Wakeham put on a phenomenal performance, setting up tries off the boot and bringing the best out of his teammates, with none more grateful than Navren Willet who collected three tries in Saturday’s outing. Wakeham was faultless off the kicking tee, converting all five of the Sea Eagles’ tries in slippery conditions.

- Despite the result, the effort of the Knights cannot be questioned as the young outfit with an average age of 22 years in their starting 13 went after the game for the full 80 minutes.

- Both sides were in poor form coming into the contest, with Manly winning one of their last eight games and Newcastle managing just two victories in their previous nine outings.

Key moment

As the final minute of the contest ticked away and Manly’s 18-point upper hand guaranteed them a win, the home side refused to stop playing before the whistle had relieved them of their duties. The Knights were picking and probing for a consolation try, and halfback Jackson Hastings queried the defensive line with a chip kick collected by back-rower Francis Manuleleua. The 21-year-old looked certain to cross but the Manly defence refused to let him plant the ball as he was swarmed to the try-line and held up in-goal. The astounding show of defence was a testament to Manly’s character, who saved a certain try in the dying embers of the match when the result was beyond doubt.

What’s next?

The Knights will look to bounce back next Saturday as they host the St George Illawarra Dragons at the Newcastle Centre of Excellence at 3:15pm, while the Sea Eagles will savour this week’s victory with a bye in Round 24.

Newtown Jets v Penrith Panthers

Panthers outclass Jets at Henson Park

Anthony Eltarraf

Game summary

The Newtown Jets fell 26-16 to the Penrith Panthers at Henson Park on Saturday, with the visitors’ lethal left edge proving the difference in an entertaining contest.

A penalty in the opening set gifted Penrith prime field position and they wasted no time capitalising. Crisp ball movement found Paul Alamoti, who crossed for the opening try before converting his own effort for a 6-0 lead.

The Jets hit back after 20 minutes through Tuku Hau Tapuha, who powered towards the line and looked to be stopped short, but stretched out to plant the ball on the stripe. The successful conversion levelled the scores at 6-6.

Penrith finished the half in control, striking twice in quick succession. Asu Kepaoa scored first on the left wing, before another penalty marched them downfield. From there, Riley Price finished off a classy play sparked by Trent Toelau’s hard line and clever offload. The Panthers went into the break with a handy 16-6 advantage.

Newtown started the second half brightly, with Jayden Berrell’s well-weighted grubber finding Michael Gabrael, who managed to ground the ball just inside the field of play. Mawene Hiroti’s missed conversion kept the deficit at six points.

But just as the Jets threatened, the Panthers steadied. Once again, they went to their trusted left edge, where Kepaoa grabbed his second of the afternoon to push the margin back to double digits. Moments later, Jack Cole pounced on a tap back from a towering bomb before stepping past the last defender to score.

Kristian Dixon gave the home side late hope, chasing through to collect a perfect Niwhai Puru chip and score, but it was too little, too late, as Penrith held firm to seal a classy 26-16 win.

Talking points

- Penrith’s left edge was in irresistible form, accounting for three of their five tries, and proving to be their go-to weapon whenever they were desperate for points.

- Michael Gabrael crossed for his 15th try of the season, continuing to show why he’s become such a dependable finisher for the Jets.

- The Panthers’ goal-line defence was rock solid, with players repeatedly turning up for each other to shut down the Jets’ attack.

Key moment

With the Jets clawing back to within a converted try early in the second half, Kepaoa’s second try proved pivotal. Penrith turned to their left edge yet again, moving the ball crisply to send their winger over in the corner, halting Newtown’s momentum.

What’s next?

The Jets head to Kellyville next week to take on the Parramatta Eels, while the Panthers return home to face the Warriors in what shapes as a blockbuster clash.

Parramatta Eels v North Sydney Bears

Eels withstand Bears onslaught to win clash for the ages

Stewart Moses

Game summary

Despite the heavy conditions again on hand at a rain-soaked Kellyville Park, a 42-metre penalty goal after the siren from fullback Te Hurinui Twidle, has put an agonising end to the North Sydney Bears’ faint finals hopes with the Parramatta Eels recording a come from behind 32-30 win in the Knock on Effect NSW Cup this afternoon.

The Bears came into the round six points adrift of Penrith in fifth position and with the Panthers’ win over the Newtown Jets yesterday and just three rounds remaining following today’s loss, last year’s grand finalist are officially out of finals contention for 2025 despite being more than competitive for a large portion of the game, having led 18-16 at the break and 24-22 and 30-24 during the second half.

The visitors thought they had the opening try of the game in the fifth minute of play when back rower Bronson Garlick reached out to score but was denied when the match official ruled a double movement.

It would be the Eels who would instead open the scoring in the 11th minute of play when prop forward Toni Mataele reached out to score next to the posts and with the easy conversion landed by fullback Te Hurinui Twidle the home side led 6-0.

They soon made it 12-0 within back-to-back sets when halfback Ronald Volkman burst through Norths’ left edge defence showing considerable speed in outpacing the cover defence to score in the southwest corner in the 14th minute.

Sustained pressure from the Bears inside the Eels’ 20 enabled the visitors to open their account midway through the first half when lock forward Cody Thomas bustled his way to crash over next to the posts, converted by Kieran Hayman to half the gap, 12-6.

The Bears off the back of a penalty that took place deep inside the Eels’ 20 soon levelled the scores when interchange forward Aitasi James crashed over from close range and with Hayman again landing the easy conversion attempt, scored were level 12 a piece after 25 minutes of play.

Norths’ dominance in the forwards continued when Thomas barged his way through some feeble Eels middle defence to score his second try, again next to the posts to give the Bears a shock 18-12 lead after 32 minutes.

However a late penalty in the opening half gave the Eels one last attacking opportunity inside the Bears’ 20 and they made the most of it scoring on the siren through Twidle, the fullback finishing off a slick backline movement out left to slide over in the south-east corner to reduce the gap to 2, 18-16 at the main break.

After scrappy start to the second half with neither side able to maintain possession with any great conviction, against the run of the play the Eels regained the lead midway through the half.

The Bears put up an attacking kick inside the Eels 20, which was batted back but into the waiting arms of Volkman who ran 90 metres to streak away for his second try of the game to put Parramatta in front once more 22-18.

The Eels try sparked a reply from the Bears when a high bomb from Marschke was taken in spectacular fashion by winger Suilagi Tuimalatu-Brown, converted from out wide by Hayman, to once again put the Bears in front 24-22, with 16 minutes remaining. 

Scores were level 24 a piece, when Volkman was injured in an incident involving Nathaniel Roache, that saw the ex-Eel placed on report and sent to the sin-bin for ten minutes in the 67th minute.

But despite being down a player, it would be the Bears who bravely regained the lead, opting to run it down the blindside on the last tackle when it appeared Hayman was injured position to take a shot at field goal from close range, instead prop Philip Makatoa crashed over out wide and with Hayman continuing his perfect afternoon with the boot, to give the visitors a shock 30-24 lead with five minutes remaining.

The Eels finally took advantage of playing 13 on 12 when Volkman opted to run it on the last taking play left before producing a cutout pass that provided an overlap for the winger Jake Tago to score in the north west corner to level the scores once more with less than two minutes remaining to level the scores.

Having landed the difficult sideline conversion to level the scores, Twidle was afforded one last opportunity to put the Eels in front albeit from 42m out after the home side were awarded a penalty, which the fullback duly kicked to put the Eels within a point of second position following their dramatic 32-30 win.

Talking points

- The Eels came into the clash minus the likes of Bailey Simonsson, Haze Dunster and Kelma Tuilagi, although they were bolstered by the late inclusion of Jordan Samrani.

- Conversely the Bears although missing Marion Seve, were strengthened by the inclusion of Ogden, Garlick and Moses Leo.

- Play was held up late in the first half when Eels lock forward Saxon Pryke was stretchered from the field with what looks to be a serious leg injury.

- Roache was placed on report and sent to the sin-bin for an incident on Volkman in the 67th minute.

- The Bears also lost Tuipulotu Katoa late in the clash when he was stretched from the field. 

Key moment

Kieran Hayman may have had a perfect afternoon with the boot, it would be Parramatta’s goal kicking fullback, Te Hurinui Twidle who would come up with the clutch moments within the last two minutes of the game that would sink Bears’ fans hearts, having firstly landed a difficult sideline conversion to level the scores before kicking an even more difficult 42m penalty goal after the siren to seal an improbable victory for the home side.

What's next?

The Eels will be looking to continue their pursuit of second position on the ladder when they host the fourth-placed Newtown Jets next Saturday at Kellyville Park.

But for the Bears, who did everything but win or draw today’s dramatic clash, they will be playing for pride when they host the Sydney Roosters the next day at North Sydney Oval.

Sydney Roosters v South Sydney Rabbitohs

Alex Hrissis

Game summary

Sydney Roosters have won a thrilling contest at Redfern Oval in Round 23 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, defeating South Sydney Rabbitohs 26-24 to keep their finals chances alive.

Roosters struck first in this storied rivalry matchup through Ashton Warwick. The booming back-rower received a tidy short ball from the play-the-ball and crashed over to score a try. Sandon Smith converted the try for an early 6-0 lead.

Roosters scored back-to-back tries for a 12-0 lead thanks to a classy move from Sandon Smith. The halfback threw a dummy to cut through the line and go on a run and found his centre Reece Foley outside of him, who skipped past the last defender to score.

South Sydney clawed one back to get onto the scoreboard. Ammaron Gudgeon scooped up the ball on the 10-metre line following a failed short ball from Humphries, and the fullback pushed his way through the defence to just get the ball over the line.

Rabbitohs scored back-to-back tries to level up the match. A cross-field kick found Haizyn Mellars who looked to be locked up by his opposing winger, however Mellars managed to get an offload out to Talanoa Penitani. Penitani managed to find a wide open gap and burst through to score.

The combination for Sandon Smith and Ashton Warwick bore fruit once more as the half put up a cross-field bomb for Warwick. The young forward leapt up for a clean catch and scored his second of the day. The try was converted to send the Roosters into the sheds with an 18-12 lead.

The Roosters were awarded a penalty for a high tackle midway through the second half and opted to take the two and push the lead out to 20-12. Souths scored a try to get back into the game. The left edge was in full flight as Quinn found Gudgeon who threw a cut-out ball to Mellars to dive in the corner and score a try. Humphries nailed the conversion from the sideline to tighten the score to 20-18.

Haizyn Mellars scored himself back-to-back tries to put South Sydney in the lead for the first time in the game. Matthew Humphries put in a cross-field kick in the corner and Mellars leapt forward to take a clean catch and score his double. Humphries converted from the sideline again to make it 24-20.

Following a scuffle Declan Casey was sent to the sin bin, and with South Sydney down to 12 players the Roosters took a golden opportunity to re-take the lead. Sandon Smith threw a cut-out pass to Fetalaiga Pauga who scored in the corner, and with less than 90 seconds on the clock Smith put the Roosters in the lead after kicking the conversion from the sideline to make the final score 26-24.

Key moment

With less than two minutes on the clock and a one-man advantage the Roosters took the opportunity with both hands, as Smith and Pauga combined for the winning try and Smith converted the winning two-pointer from the sideline.

Talking points

- Sandon Smith had himself a stellar game for the Roosters as the halfback set up three tries as well as kicking the winning conversion.

- Haizyn Mellars put in an inspired performance for the Rabbitohs, scoring two tries and assisting another.

- Declan Casey's sin-binning proved to make a difference, as the outside back was sent packing with the Rabbitohs holding a slim lead with minutes on the clock.

What’s next?

In Round 24 of The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup the Rabbitohs will host the Western Suburbs Magpies, while the Roosters will travel to North Sydney Oval to play the Bears.