With finals spots up for grabs in the QLD Cup and NSW Cup. There was plenty to play for in the final round of the season.
This week saw plenty of thrills, spills and some massive moments that shifted the dynamic of the finals race in the state-based competitions.
Unknown Dolphin becomes hot property
For those who don't watch the QLD Cup, the name Tane Kiriona might not be known to you. But after his season for the Central QLD Capras, he will become hot property for NRL clubs in very quick fashion.
Having arrived via a train-and-trial deal with the Dolphins in 2025, the young forward endured a tough first season in Central QLD. Having taken several lessons from a gruelling initiation in QLD football, the 23-year-old former QLD U19 representative has become the first picked on the team sheet and a consistent performer for the Dolphins affiliate club.
So much is his improvement, Kiriona was the recipient of The League Scene's prestigious Will Partridge Medal for the best player in the QLD Cup this season.
His performance for the Capras in clinching a top four finish was sensational on the weekend. The forward scored a try, ran for over 160 metres, busted seven tackles and made 32 without missing. More importantly, the Capras continued a five-game winning streak having lost twice since Round 13.
To put Kiriona's season into context, it's important to acknowledge his improvement year-on-year. Last season, he averaged 77 metres a game, had 30 tackle breaks and three offloads. This season, his numbers are off the charts, averaging 126 metres a game, busting 52 tackles and 21 offloads.
Given the glut of edge backrowers on the market, the improvement in the former Raiders second-rower will surely not go unrecognised as clubs look to add the final pieces to their 2027 rosters.
Penrith's junior talent claims top billing
The Penrith Panthers are the talk of the rugby league world. Having secured, at best, a top-two finish in the NRL, their junior nursery has once again been the best across the code with history-making accomplishments.
For the first time, the Panthers have qualified for the finals in all of the NSWRL Junior Representative competitions while also qualifying for the Senior competition finals in every grade as well. The only catch is that they hadn't qualified for a grand final, so their feat of claiming every premiership from U/19 onwards in 2022 won't be repeated.
Their NSW Cup side has been a step above the rest in recent months, claiming the Minor Premiership following a 42-28 victory over the Bulldogs at Parker Street Reserve.
Having missed the finals last year and undergone further coaching staff changes, the Panthers gave the keys to Matt Eisenhuth, who successfully guided the club to the top of the table in the regular season. Overall, their squad has been most impressive despite the ongoing departures of depth pieces looking for permanent NRL placements.
Fullback Jaxen Edgar claimed the official NSW Cup Player of the Year award and was the highest-ranked Panther in The League Scene's NSW Cup awards, scoring 16 tries in 18 games this season. The custodian also busted 68 tackles and averaged 117 metres a game whilst also doing a great job filling in for Dylan Edwards whilst he was out injured.
Other talking points
The Warriors and Knights played a 10-all draw on Sunday morning in a result that secured the New Zealand club's finals spot from the Roosters. Despite missing Luke Hanson and Jett Cleary on NRL duties, replacement half Jack Thompson stood up, scoring a great individual try and controlling the game well.
Josh Schuster made his return to rugby league for the first time in 468 days when he lined up for Wests against Souths at Lidcombe Oval. The playmaker is on a no-frills train-and-trial deal with the Tigers as he looks to resurrect his NRL career. The 25-year-old set up a try in the first half in an otherwise quiet return to the field in the Magpies 28 point loss to the Rabbitohs.
Despite not being able to qualify for the finals, the Tweed Seagulls made Mackay's preparation for their first finals series in 13 years tough with a 37-28 upset victory. The match also saw the open-age debut of talented prospect Jai Bilish.
The 2026 Australian Schoolboy was a star off the bench, scoring a try, setting up two others and causing carnage around the ruck. He is certainly a prospect of the future at the Titans and could earn himself an NRL debut at some stage next season.
In the ultimate match of the QLD Cup season. Wynnum Manly played Brisbane in a winner-take-all clash. Despite trailing 18-0 at half-time, the Tigers came from behind to claim the final spot in the finals series. Centre Jodeci Baker was in everything for the Tigers as their right edge torched the Seagulls.
Unfortunately for Wynnum, the re-emergence of Talatau Amone came to a crashing halt, with his worst performance of the season at the most inopportune time. The former Tongan international missed seven tackles and made several backbreaking errors that stunted the hosts in the second half.
NSW Cup R26 Results
St George 40 d Manly 14
Penrith 44 d Canterbury 28
Souths 44 d Wests 16
Norths 32 d Melbourne 6
Warriors 10 drew Knights 10
Newtown 50 d Eels 16
NSW Cup Finals Week 1
Elimination: Newtown v Warriors - Saturday 5th September - Kogarah - 1pm
Qualifier: North Sydney v Newcastle - Saturday 5th September - Kogarah - 3pm
QLD Cup R23 Results
Central QLD 42 d Burleigh 6
Northern Pride 50 d PNG 26
Tweed 37 d Mackay 28
Townsville 24 d Norths 22
Redcliffe 44 d Western 26
Sunshine Coast 34 d Ipswich 16
Brisbane 28 d Wynnum 24
QLD Cup Finals Week 1
Elimination: Townsville v Brisbane - Saturday 5th September - Jack Manski Oval - 12:05pm
Qualifier: Sunshine Coast v Burleigh - Saturday 5th September - Sunshine Coast Stadium - 2pm
Qualifier: Redcliffe v Central QLD - Sunday 6th September - Kayo Stadium - 12:05pm
Elimination: Ipswich v Mackay - Sunday 6th September - Richardson Park - 2:10pm
