NRL Snapshot: Round 12

A quick look at all the important talking points across Round 12 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.

Recap: Wests Tigers dominated the game through the middle of the field with the Broncos missing key forwards to State of Origin duty, but lacked the killer blow and were almost run down in the final seconds. A Mitch Moses field-goal to put the Tigers seven in front with only five minutes on the clock looked to have iced the game, but a short kick-off and a pinpoint Ben Hunt cross-field kick set up a grandstand finish. The Broncos had a chance to win the game in the final seconds, before Hunt sprayed a field goal attempt to give the Wests Tigers a one-point win and their third victory in four starts. It was the third game the Broncos have lost by one point this season, while their only other loss was a last-gasp two point defeat to the Panthers.

Match report: Wests Tigers hang on in thriller
Five key points: Broncos almost make Tigers pay
Match stats: All the match and player stats

Injuries: Tim Simona appeared to hurt his knee in the 58th minute when he was tackled just short of the Broncos try line on the last tackle. Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough will miss up to six weeks with a broken thumb.

Judiciary: No charges.

Fantasy: Elijah Taylor top scored with 69 points, including 48 tackles, 86 metres and a try to cap off another strong performance. James Roberts, Ben Hunt (both 57), Alex Glenn (55), and Chris Lawrence (53) rounded out the top five.

Next Week: The Broncos travel to New Zealand to play the Warriors just three days after Origin I. Wests Tigers will take on the Roosters on Sunday afternoon at Allianz Stadium. 

Recap: Missing Johnathan Thurston, Michael Morgan, Matt Scott, James Tamou and Justin O'Neill, the Cowboys didn't look themselves against a Dragons outfit who were without Josh Dugan. While the premiers pushed the Red V all the way, a gritty defensive performance from the home side was enough with St George Illawarra forced into six line dropouts.

Match report: Dragons outlast undermanned Cowboys
Five key points: Frizell stars for the Red V

Injuries: No major injuries.

Judiciary: Leeson Ah Mau (grade 1 careless high tackle); Jack Granville (grade 1 dangerous throw); Jason Nightingale (grade 1 tripping).

Fantasy: Centre Euan Aitken was the top-scorer at full-time with 56*. The Country Origin representative scored a try, made a line break, 20 tackles and six tackle breaks to earn his fifth consecutive score over 50. Jake Granville (56*), Tyson Frizell (52*), Jason Nightingale (51*), and Mike Cooper (50*) rounded out the top five.

*All scores are preliminary

Next Week: The Cowboys host the Knights at 1300SMILES Stadium on Saturday night while the Dragons have their first bye of the season.

Recap: In a match that had just about everything - errors, controversial calls, sensational tries - the Canberra Raiders were poor in the first half yet finished the game with a comfortable 12-point win. Bulldogs big men James Graham, Aiden Tolman and Greg Eastwood were terrific for the visitors while the Raiders' outside backs thrived. The result pushes Canberra into the NRL top six, just behind the Bulldogs on the Telstra Premiership ladder.

Match report: Raiders romp home to tame Bulldogs

Injuries: No major injuries.

Judiciary: TBA

Fantasy: A try helped Bulldogs prop Aiden Tolman to a game-high 72*, ahead of Canberra's two-try forward Joseph Tapine (69*) and Raiders centre Joseph Leilua (66*). Bulldogs forwards Greg Eastwood (63*) and James Graham (59*) were the next best.

*All scores are preliminary

Next Week: The Raiders are at home again on Friday night against Manly while the Bulldogs return to ANZ Stadium to face the Sharks next Monday.

Recap: Despite losing skipper Kieran Foran late in the first half to a shoulder injury the Parramatta Eels have held on to a tight 20-18 win over the Newcastle Knights.

Without their captain to lead them around the Eels hung tough for the majority of the second half when tries to NRL debutant Bevan French and Michael Gordon allowed Parramatta to overhaul Newcastle's 14-10 half-time lead. 

It wouldn't be without a late heartbreaker for the Knights either when centre Nathan Ross looked to have scored his second try of the game with two minutes to go. But it was disallowed by the bunker after he was ruled to have dropped the ball over the line thanks to the amazing defensive efforts of French.

Match report: Foran injured in Eels win
Knights v Eels: Five key points

Injuries: Kieran Foran injured his shoulder and didn't take any part in the second half. Brad Takairangi also picked up an ankle injury.

Judiciary: Korbin Sims was placed on report for a high tackle.

Fantasy: Pauli Pauli (70), Semi Radradra (68), Beau Scott (60, Nathan Ross (60) and Corey Norman (59) were the top five scorers.

Next week: The Knights take on the Cowboys on Saturday night, while the Eels have a bye.

NRL Ladder after Round 12: