DOLPHINS 22 PENRITH PANTHERS 23
TOM SMITH, TIO Stadium, Darwin, Friday

NATHAN CLEARY’S 85th-minute field-goal snatched victory for the Panthers over the Dolphins in tropical Darwin. 

Penrith made a hot start in the sweltering Northern Territory, posting an 18-0 half-time lead thanks in part to Kodi Nikorima’s sin-binning for a hip-drop tackle which injured Mitch Kenny. 

But Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Herbie Farnworth inspired a stirring comeback, with the Phins taking a four-point edge into the dying moments. 

Thomas Jenkins’ second try – his seventh straight two-plus-try effort to start 2026 – levelled things at 22-22. 

And although Cleary missed that conversion, he took his moment in golden point. 

Cleary released Dylan Edwards for the opener before Adam Gee punished Nikorima’s dangerous tackle. 

Blaize Talagi cashed in on Penrith’s one-man advantage, then moments before the break, Jenkins soared to collect a Talagi bomb. 

The second half looked very different. 

First Farnworth shrugged off Cleary to score, then Tabuai-Fidow raced 50 metres to leave a trail of pink jumpers in his wake. 

Selwyn Cobbo’s powerful effort and Jamayne Isaako’s sideline conversion squared it 18-18, then Jake Averillo put the Phins in front – but the Panthers weren’t about to give up. 

Jenkins found the left corner to complete his double, giving Cleary a difficult conversion to regain the lead. 

He missed that shot, but after Isaiya Katoa and Cleary traded unsuccessful drop-goal attempts, the Penrith skipper drilled home the winner from 20 metres out, directly in front.

DOLPHINS: 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2 Jamayne Isaako, 3 Jake Averillo, 4 Herbie Farnworth, 5 Selwyn Cobbo, 6 Kodi Nikorima, 7 Isaiya Katoa, 8 Tom Gilbert, 9 Max Plath, 17 Francis Molo, 11 Connelly Lemuelu, 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 13 Morgan Knowles. Subs: 10 Felise Kaufusi, 14 Brad Schneider, 15 Thomas Flegler, 16 Ray Stone, 18 Oryn Keeley (not used), 19 Trai Fuller (not used)

Tries: Farnworth (46), Tabuai-Fidow (52), Cobbo (55), Averillo (61); Goals: Isaako 3/3, Katoa 0/1; Sin bin: Nikorima (18) – dangerous tackle

PANTHERS: 1 Dylan Edwards, 2 Thomas Jenkins, 3 Paul Alamoti, 4 Izack Tago, 5 Brian To’o, 6 Blaize Talagi, 7 Nathan Cleary, 8 Moses Leota, 9 Mitch Kenny, 10 Lindsay Smith, 11 Isaiah Papali’i, 12 Luke Garner, 13 Isaah Yeo. Subs: 14 Jack Cogger, 15 Scott Sorensen, 16 Kalani Going, 17 Billy Phillips, 18 Sione Fonua (not used), 19 Freddy Lussick 

Tries: Edwards (13), Talagi (20), Jenkins (39, 76); Goals: Cleary 3/4; Field-goals: Cleary (85)

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-12, 0-18; 6-18, 12-18, 18-18, 22-18, 22-22; 22-23  

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Dolphins: Herbie Farnworth; Panthers: Nathan Cleary 

Penalty count: 1-6; Half-time: 0-18; Referee: Adam Gee; Attendance: 12,570