NRL Round 18 Results: Highlights & Expert Analysis

Newcastle's late field goal ended the Dolphins' eight-game winning streak and lifted the Knights into the top four, while ladder leaders Penrith rolled on without their Origin stars in a five-game Round 18.

Newcastle’s late field goal ended the Dolphins’ eight-game winning streak and lifted the Knights into the top four, while ladder leaders Penrith rolled on without their Origin stars in a five-game, Origin-week NRL Round 18.

NRL 2026: Round 18 in Focus

A reduced Origin-week round — just five games, with the big names rested ahead of the State of Origin III decider on Wednesday 8 July — still served up a one-point thriller and a shake-up of the eight. Here is our full NRL Round 18 wrap, with every result, the standout performers and the head-to-head reads. Catch up on Round 17 results and track the run home in our round-by-round predictions.

Knights break Dolphins’ hearts with a late field goal

Newcastle Knights 13 def. Dolphins 12

A genuine thriller at McDonald Jones Stadium. Newcastle led 12-0 at the break (Dylan Lucas 15′, Fletcher Hunt 36′), the Dolphins stormed back to level through Jamayne Isaako (50′) and Kurt Donoghoe (58′), and then Dylan Brown settled it with a 75th-minute field goal. Greg Marzhew was immense on the wing (241 run metres). The one-point win ended the Dolphins’ eight-game winning streak and lifted the Knights into the top four.

For the complete statistical head-to-head between Knights and Dolphins, check out our full Knights vs Dolphins head-to-head record & tips →.

Jenkins hat-trick fires Penrith past Souths

Penrith Panthers 36 def. South Sydney Rabbitohs 14

Even without their Origin trio of Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin, the ladder leaders pulled clear after the break at CommBank Stadium. Thomas Jenkins scored a second-half hat-trick — taking him to 25 tries for the season — and Dylan Edwards opened the scoring. Souths, who lost captain Cody Walker to an early sin-bin, trailed just 12-10 at half-time before Jenkins broke it open.

For the complete statistical head-to-head between Panthers and Rabbitohs, check out our full Panthers vs Rabbitohs head-to-head record & tips →.

Katoa hat-trick sinks Broncos at Suncorp

Cronulla Sharks 28 def. Brisbane Broncos 16

Sione Katoa bagged a hat-trick and Braydon Trindall sealed it with a late try as Cronulla won away at Suncorp, with Nicho Hynes controlling the halves. The Sharks led 10-6 at the break and had enough in hand to repel a Broncos rally — a result that extended Brisbane’s losing run and further dented their finals hopes.

For the complete statistical head-to-head between Sharks and Broncos, check out our full Sharks vs Broncos head-to-head record & tips →.

Holmes masterclass powers the Dragons

St George Illawarra Dragons 24 def. Wests Tigers 10

Valentine Holmes produced a 16-point haul — two tries in five minutes plus the boot — to break open a tight contest (6-4 at half-time) for just the Dragons’ second win of the season. It came at a cost for both sides: fullback Tyrell Sloan (hamstring) went off, while Wests Tigers hooker Api Koroisau suffered a suspected torn pectoral.

For the complete statistical head-to-head between Dragons and Wests Tigers, check out our full Dragons vs Wests Tigers head-to-head record & tips →.

Eels grind past Manly behind Iongi and Pezet

Parramatta Eels 23 def. Manly Sea Eagles 14

Parramatta were far too strong through the middle at CommBank Stadium, fullback Isaiah Iongi running for 231 metres and half Jonah Pezet capping it with a try and a field goal. Lehi Hopoate (261 run metres) was the pick of the Sea Eagles in a losing side.

For the complete statistical head-to-head between Eels and Sea Eagles, check out our full Eels vs Sea Eagles head-to-head record & tips →.

Ladder implications

Penrith remain clear on top (13-3, 30 points) after the win over Souths. The big mover was Newcastle, whose golden-point-style victory over the Dolphins vaulted them into the top four; the Dolphins slipped to fifth. Cronulla climbed with their Suncorp win, while Manly and South Sydney both lost but cling to the last two eight spots on differential — the Cowboys sit ninth, still outside the eight. Model the run home with the NRL Ladder Predictor.

Round 18 awards

• Match-winner: Dylan Brown (Newcastle) — the 75th-minute field goal to sink the Dolphins.
• Try-scoring machine: Thomas Jenkins (Penrith) — a hat-trick to reach 25 tries for the season.
• Best on the wing: Sione Katoa (Cronulla) — a hat-trick at Suncorp; Valentine Holmes’ 16-point haul runs him close.

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FAQ

Who won the biggest game of NRL Round 18 2026?

Newcastle beat the Dolphins 13-12, Dylan Brown kicking a 75th-minute field goal to end the Dolphins’ eight-game winning streak and lift the Knights into the top four.

Why was NRL Round 18 only five games?

Round 18 was an Origin-week round played around State of Origin III, so several clubs had byes and the remaining teams rested their Origin representatives.

Who leads the NRL ladder after Round 18?

Penrith remain on top with a 13-3 record, four points clear, after their 36-14 win over South Sydney.

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