NRL Round Up 26: Cowboys upset Storm, Bulldogs lose at home, Dolphins thump Broncos and Eels score 44 against Dragons

Sep 3, 2024

Here are the latest happenings in the NRL at the end of round 26.

1. Cowboys Upset Storm 38-30

With the minor premiership locked up, Craig Bellamy decided to rest 10 Melbourne stars. Even without all of that firepower, the Storm were the favourites. However, the Cowboys put on a show for the Townsville crowd, with Kyle Feldt scoring a double and Valentine Holmes crossing the line. Jeremiah Nanai’s try in the 68th minute proved to be the game-winner.

2. Sea Eagles Too Strong For Bulldogs 34-22

The Sea Eagles handed the Bulldogs their first home loss of the season. The Bulldogs got off to the perfect start after Josh Addo-Carr palmed, stepped and ran past defenders before finding Reed Mahoney, who galloped over the line in the first minute of the game. However, the Doggies went to sleep as Manly scored three unanswered tries, and thanks to Lehi Hopoate’s double and Reuben Garrick’s five conversions, the game was over after 50 minutes.

3. Dolphins Demolish Broncos 40-6

Kevin Walters was talking a big game, claiming that the Broncos would make it to the finals. Well, the Dolphins had other ideas, scoring seven tries and slotting six conversions. Jamayne Isaako scored the opener in the 13th minute, which came off the back of a lovely backline move, and from there, the tries kept rolling in, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Herbie Farnworth both got a double.

Sloppy tackling from the Broncos and great line running from the Dolphins proved to be Brisbane’s downfall. With the loss, the Broncos’ season is over, and they will have to prepare for next year’s campaign. The Dolphins are clinging onto the 8th position and will most likely need a win next week to secure a finals spot.

4. Eels Win a Shootout Against Dragons 44-40

The Eels were desperate to avoid losing the wooden spoon coming into this one, while the Dragons needed a win to stay in the top 8. A quick ball from dummy half saw Will Penisini cross the line in the 3rd minute. Before the Dragons knew what was happening, they were down 26-6 going into halftime.

The game looked to be over after Maika Sivo scored the Eels’ 8th and 9th tries in the 55th and 61st minute. However, the Dragons mounted an incredible comeback, scoring five unanswered tries, including a hat trick from Mathew Feagai, but they left their run just a little late!