As it happened: Top Dogs; Clifford inspires Cowboys; Dragons stun Storm

Bronson Xerri returned to Sharks Stadium in style by scoring two tries as the Bulldogs moved to outright first place on the NRL ladder after a 20-6 defeat of Cronulla.

Xerri, 24, appeared destined for stardom with the Sharks after a stunning debut season in 2019 but the speedster tested positive for an illegal substance while recovering from a shoulder injury and served a four-year ban.

Thrown a lifeline by the Bulldogs last season, he played his first match at Sharks Stadium in six years and scored two tries after combining with lock Jacob Preston and five-eighth Bailey Hayward.

Despite missing star five-eighth Matt Burton and strike second-rower Viliame Kikau, the Bulldogs overpowered the Sharks to remain as the only unbeaten team in the Telstra Premiership after four rounds.

It is the first time the Bulldogs have been top of the NRL ladder since 2016.

For the Sharks, the loss was compounded by a hamstring injury to star centre Kayal Iro and interchange utility Sifa Talakai failing a HIA, with both players to miss Thursday night's game against the Raiders in Canberra.

The Bulldogs play the Knights next Sunday night and may be without hooker Reed Mahoney after he was placed on report twice.

80th min: Sitili Tupouniua was sinbinned after the fulltime siren for a late tackle on Trindall and will face an anxious wait for the NRL match review committee to announce charges on Sunday.

64th min: Xerri got his second try after turning to charge onto an inside ball from Hayward on an angled run and powering through the attempted tackles of Kennedy and Oregon Kaufusi. Bulldogs 20 Sharks 6

53rd min: Mahoney is placed on report for the second time after launching himself on the ground at Atkinson and appearing to contact the Italian international's head with his shoulder. 

47th min: With Daniel Atkinson replacing Iro, the Bulldogs targeted that Cronulla's left edge and found immediate success through Crichton, who converted his own try. Bulldogs 14 Sharks 6 

Half-time Analysis

The Bulldogs' scrambling defence denied repeated Cronulla scoring chances and their constant targeting of the Sharks left edge paid dividends with two tries and a third disallowed.

Despite the absence of star five-eighth Matt Burton and strike second-rower Viliame Kikau, the Bulldogs have not changed the way they play with Bailey Hayward and Jacob Preston combining for both of their first half tries.

After passing his HIA, Rudolf is set to return in the second half but Talakei has failed and will watch the rest of the match from the sideline. 

40th min: The Bulldogs were denied another try before halftime after Xerri was ruled by the bunker to have grabbed the jersey of Sam Stonestreet in a collision as Marcelo Montoya raced away.  

39th min: Iro limps from the field with a hamstring injury, leaving the Sharks with just one player on the bench as Rudolf and Talakai are undergoing HIAs.

39th min: Xerri put the Bulldogs ahead at halftime after Hayward and Preston again combined before the latter stood in a tackle and passed to Canterbury's right centre. Crichton's conversion again hit the uprights. Bulldogs 8 Sharks 6

37th min: Sharks utility Sifa Talakei has been taken from the field for a HIA after connecting the hip of Sitili Tupouniua in an attempted tackle.

36th min: Cronulla fullback Will Kennedy saved a certain try as he stuck out his hand to know down a pass from Preston to Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri.

32nd min: Kayal Iro finally got the Sharks on the board after halfback Nicho Hynes swept around behind five-eighth Braydon Trindall to link with the Cook Islands centre. Hynes converted from out wide to put Cronulla ahead. Sharks 6 Bulldogs 4 

30th min: Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney has been placed on report for a high shot on Cronulla prop Toby Rudolf as the visitors scramble to stop the home side from scoring. Rudolf has been taken from the field for a HIA.

12th min: Jacob Preston charged over for the opening try of the match off a pass from stand-in five-eighth Bailey Hayward. Stephen Crichton's conversion attempt hit the post. Bulldog 4 Sharks 0

Late Mail

Sharks: Prop Toby Rudolf has been cleared for his first game of 2025 after completing his recovery from off-season shoulder surgery. The forward was added to the interchange in Friday's team update, with Tom Hazelton dropping out as he continues to battle a back complaint. Siosifa Talakai has also overcome an ankle injury and remains on the interchange for Saturday night's match. Hohepa Puru is 18th man. 

Bulldogs: Cameron Ciraldo will hand a debut to Jack Todd after calling the rookie on to the bench in place of Kurtis Morrin. Centre Bronson Xerri has scored nine tries in 11 games at Sharks Stadium. Jonathan Sua is 18th man.

Cowboys v Raiders at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Cowboys captain Tom Dearden has inspired his side to a gripping 30-18 defeat of the Raiders as Jake Clifford did everything within his powers to secure the No.7 jersey.

Trailing 8-0 midway through the first half, the Cowboys took an 18-8 lead at halftime after back-to-back Clifford tries and another by winger Murray Taulagi.

Despite the sinbinning of forward Coen Hess midway through the second half, the Cowboys managed to hang on to record their first win of the season.

76th min: Cowboys captain Tom Dearden all but ensured his side's first win of the season after carrying defenders over the tryline to score through sheer determination. Cowboys 30 Raiders 18

65th min: Rookie winger Savelio Tamale forced his way over the tryline from dummy half as the Raiders took advantage of their one-man advantage while Hess was in the sinbin. Fogarty converted from out wide. Cowboys 22 Raiders 18

58th min: Cowboys forward Coen Hess has been sent to the sinbin after making a tackle from an offside position near his own line. Referee Adam Gee said it was third consecutive infringement by the Cowboys as their defended their tryline.

53rd min: Raiders winger Xavier Savage kept the visitors in the game when he raced through and leapt above Drinkwater to snatch a Fogarty bomb and score. Cowboys 22 Raiders 12

49th min: Kumuls international Robert Derby scored his first NRL try after a Drinkwater grubber was kicked by Weekes only to be caught by Clifford, who shifted the ball to the rookie winger. Cowboys 22 Raiders 8

41st min: Despite the heat and humidity in Townsville, Raiders players were seen wearing beanies during the halftime break. The Raiders had placed the beanies in fridges in the dressing room and put them on the cool down.

Halftime analysis

Jake Clifford is doing everything possible to convince Cowboys coach Todd Payten that he is North Queensland's long term halfback after scoring two sensational tries to give the home side a 16-8 halftime lead. 

The Cowboys trailed for most of the half until tries to winger Murray Taulagi and Clifford's double in the last 14 minutes ensured they would head to the break ahead.

Clifford started the season in Queensland Cup, with Payten preferring rookie halfback Tom Duffy but after losing the first two matches he was recalled and has made every post a winner against the Raiders.

Raiders fullback Kaeo Weekes has had a horror outing under the high ball, while the Cowboys targeted Canberra's right edge defence and achieved success, with centre Jaxson Purdue making two line breaks.

34th min: Clifford then scored his second try after outleaping Weekes to snatch a Dearden kick and ground the ball. Cowboys 16 Raiders 8

32nd min: Halfback Jake Clifford put North Queensland in front for the first time with one of the best individual tries of the season after stepping across the face of seven Raiders defenders, beating Tom Starling and pushing off Matt Timoko to score. Cowboys 10 Raiders 8

29th min: Raiders veteran Josh Papali'i has been placed on report after back-to-back high tackles. Tapine was also placed on report for a chicken wing tackle. Referee Adam Gee has also warned Fogarty that he won't stand for the Raiders "deliberately" conceding six-again re-starts near their own line and a player would be sinbinned if they continue.

27th min: Samoa winger Murray Taulagi finally got the home side on the board after quick hands and a cutout pass from Drinkwater created an overlap. Raiders 8 Cowboys 6

23rd min: Jamaal Fogarty puts the Raiders further ahead with a penalty goal after Cowboys second-rower John Bateman interfered with fellow Englishman Matty Nicholson as he chased a kick. Raiders 8-0

20th min: The teams have had their first drinks break and play has resumed with the Cowboys winning a scrum 10m from their own line.

15th min: The Cowboys had another scoring chance but Drinkwater lost the ball over the tryline in a tackle by Hudson Young. 

12th min: Raiders captain Joe Tapine made an impact in his return from suspension by scoring his first try in more than a year after swivelling out of the attempted tackle of Kai O'Donnell. Raiders 6-0 

5th min: Raiders fullback Kaeo Weekes bundled Jaxson Purdue over the sideline to make a try saving tackle after the Cowboys five-eighth Tom Dearden and fullback Scott Drinkwater combined to send the speedster racing into the clear.

With 88% humidity after torrential rain and the temperature at 27 degrees in Townsville at kick-off, officials have allowed a drinks break midway through each half.

The Raiders travelled to North Queensland after last Sunday night's match against Manly in Sydney and coach Ricky Stuart said his players had acclimatised to the conditions.

"It was something that we've planned for a number of weeks now, so it was, it's worked well, and it's been a good week for us so far," Stuart told Fox League.

"In these conditions it's important to complete our sets of six, it's so important because it is very humid, it's a little bit slippery, but the deck itself is quite good.

"The amount of rain, I mean it's been over 3 metres over the last number of weeks, so it' been a big drop for them in regards to rain, but they've done a good job on the ground here."

Late Mail

The Cowboys will line up 1-17 with no late changes while Ricky Stuart has brought Trey Mooney into the starting side and Josh Papalii goes to the bench in a late switch an hour before kick-off. 

The Numbers Game

• The Cowboys have won their last six games against the Raiders.
• The Raiders have won only one from five at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
• The Cowboys have conceded 104 points in their first three games.

 

Dragons v Storm at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

By the numbers: The Dragons' back five ran for 669 run metres while back-rowers Luciano Leilua and Jaydn Su'A combined for 24 runs and 227 metres. The Dragons made 381 tackles compared to 337 by the Storm.

Full-time: The Dragons pull off a stunning upset to down the Storm 14-8. The Storm were held to their lowest score against the Dragons since 2011 despite having 46 tackles inside the Red Zone. The Dragons have now won four of their past five games against the Storm at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

79 min: A huge play by Jaydn Su'A when he carries Xavier Coates back into the in goal to force a dropout. The Storm throw in a challenge claiming foul play on Coates but the bunker rules there was no foul play.

76 min: A penalty against Jack de Belin puts the Dragons under pressure again but Cam Munster loses the ball in a Jacob Liddle tackle.

71 min: A strip by Jack Howarth deep in Dragons territory gives the Storm another set in the Red Zone but Clint Gutherson cleans up a Cam Munster grubber to keep the line intact.

68 min: On the back of a Grant Anderson error the Dragons go on the attack and hit the front when Jacob Liddle burrows over from dummy half. Val Holmes' conversion makes it 14-8 to the home side.

65 min: A pinpoint left footed kick by Cam Munster is pulled down by Eli Katoa who looks to have scored but the bunker rules he knocked the ball on into Kyle Flanagan and the score remains at 8-8.

61 min: Tui Kamikamica is penalised for knocking the ball out of Jacob Liddle's hands after being not square at marker. Val Holmes lands the easy penalty goal to lock it up at 8-8.

59 min: A lost ball by Tyran Wishart on halfway puts the Red V on the attack and Clint Gutherson gets over from dummy half but is held up.

53 min: A towering Cameron Munster bomb is spilled by Tyrell Sloan before the Dragons are pinged for a time violation for not packing the scrum and Shawn Blore gets over the line before losing the ball on the way to the ground.

52 min: Dragons hooker Damian Cook leaves the field for a HIA which he passed.

51 min: A penalty against Tyran Wishart for obstructing Val Holmes on the kick chase gives Holmes a shot at two points to draw the scores level but he hits the upright and the Storm remain 8-6 in front.

50 min: Grant Anderson makes a line break for the Storm but the final pass to Tyran Wishart goes astray.

Half-time: The Storm complete 20 of 24 sets at 83 per cent while the Dragons complete at just 68 per cent. Damian Cook and Jack de Belin get through 59 tackles between them as the home side keep the Storm at bay until the dying stages of the half. Dragons centre Val Holmes ran for 125 metres while Will Warbrick racked up 115 metres for the visitors.

38 min: The Dragons' defence finally cracks when Eli Katoa delivers the final pass for Ryan Papenhuyzen to score Melbourne's opening try and the 66th of his career. Tyran Wishart converts and the Storm take an 8-6 lead.

35 min: A mistake by Christian Tuipulotu from the kick-off gives the Storm the chance to answer immediately but some desperate goal line defence denies Harry Grant a trademark dummy half try.

33 min: The Dragons strike first through Val Holmes courtesy of a short ball from Clint Gutherson on the left edge. Holmes adds the extras for a 6-2 Dragons lead.

33 min: Dylan Egan takes the field for his NRL debut for the Dragons.

28 min: The Storm go down a short side but Will Warbrick spills the final pass and the Dragons continue to hang tough despite Melbourne having 63 per cent of possession.

27 min: Dragons prop Emre Guler goes on report for a crusher tackle as the home side's ill-discipline continues to invite the Storm into the Red Zone.

25 min: The Dragons concede three quick penalties against Luciano Leilua, Jaydn Su'A and Jack de Belin, giving the Storm the shot at first points through a penalty goal. Tyran Wishart bangs it over for a 2-0 lead.

20 min: Dragons halfback Lachlan Ilias' clearing kick goes long and the Storm get a seven-tackle set but Tyran Wishart puts the ball down while trying to play it and the home side start a set from 40m out.

14 min: Harry Grant chases a grubber and tries to knock it back into play from the dead ball line. It hits Clint Gutherson's leg and goes dead so the Dragons drop it out and the Storm reload but Trent Loiero puts it down and the opportunity is lost.

11 min: Dragons back-rower Luciano Leilua is placed on report for a high shot on Tyran Wishart.

10 min: A poor kick by Cameron Munster is easily taken by Tyrell Sloan in the in goal and the Red V come away.

8 min: A cross field kick out of dummy half by Harry Grant is put down by Tyrell Sloan and the Storm get another set from close range.

5 min: The Dragons hold firm in defence to force Xavier Coates over the sideline in the slippery conditions.

2 min: The Dragons burn their captain's challenge after Clint Gutherson held back Eli Katoa who was trying to chase a kick. 

By the numbers

• The Dragons have won three of their past four games against the Storm at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
• The Storm won 10 from 12 away from home in 2024 (equal best in NRL).
• Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu has scored six tries in his past four NRL games.
• Storm second-rower Eliesa Katoa has scored five tries in six games against the Dragons.

Late Mail

Dragons: A late switch an hour before kick-off with Toby Couchman moving to the bench and former Blues and Kangaroos prop David Klemmer starting the game in his club debut. Young back-rower Dylan Egan also joins the interchange for his NRL debut. 

Storm: Marion Seve has been added to the bench an hour out from kick-off in place of prop Lazarus Vaalepu, with Kane Bradley the 18th man. The versatile Tyran Wishart takes over at halfback from Jahrome Hughes (hand) while Grant Anderson moves to centre to replace Nick Meaney (jaw). Will Warbrick returns from concussion on the wing.