Live Blog: Hanging in again to secure another gritty win

Fulltime: The Panthers and Cowboys have played a 30-30 Golden Point draw after PNG Kumuls winger Robert Derby and North Queensland captain Tom Dearden scored late tries to send the game to extra time. Derby redeemed himself after a horror night, in which he committed six handling errors, to breath hope into the Cowboys after they trailed 30-18 with just seven minutes to go. Derby's try was followed by a 60-metre effort started and finished by Dearden. The Panthers appeared set to record back-to-back wins after rookie five-eighth Blaize Talagi laid on four tries and scored one himself but the Cowboys fought back against the odds after Penrith dominated possession and field position. The Panthers twice led by 12 points but neither team could break the deadlock after 90 minutes.

90 min: Clifford sprayed another field goal attempt right of the posts.

88 min: Harrison Edwards has charged down a Cleary field goal attempt. Referee Todd Smith awarded a scrum feed to Penrith for accidental offside but the Cowboys successfully challenged the rule after replays showed the ball had come off Cleary. 

85 min: Clifford missed a shot at field goal as the first half of extra time comes to an end.

83 min: Drinkwater has missed a field goal attempt after Derby forced the ball loose from Jenkins to put the Cowboys within range.

80 min: We are headed to Golden Point after Cleary and Drinkwater missed field goal attempts. 

75 min: Dearden started and finished a 60 metre movement that drew the scores level after linking with Drinkwater, who passed to Purdue and received the ball back from the teen star before racing into the clear and finding his captain in support. Drinkwater converted from in front. Cowboys 30 Panthers 30,

73 min: At last Derby got his chance to redeem himself when he crossed for a try in the corner and Drinkwater converted to reduce Penrith's lead to just one converted try. Panthers 30 Cowboys 24.

66 min: Talagi scored a try of his own after Derby's horror night continued when he lost the ball trying to carry the ball into the field of play after fielding a kick in-goal. Panthers 30 Cowboys 18.

52 min: Tom Jenkins scored on his first touch after coming on to replace Liam Henry. Talagi was again the provider, kicking over the defence for the outside back who is playing in the centres, with Garner moving into the forwards. Panthers 24 Cowboys 18.

46 min: Jaxon Purdue has got the home fans jumping after sprinting down the touchline and passing infield to Drinkwater, who was tackled.

Purdue then jumped into dummy half and beat the defence with a jinking run before putting halfback Jake Clifford over for a try. Drinkwater converted. Cowboys 18 Panthers 18

Halftime summary: Rookie five-eighth Blaize Talagi is coming off age for the Panthers as the four time premiers starve the Cowboys of possession in a high tempo opening 40 minutes. In just his sixth NRL match for Penrith, Talagi has laid on all three first half tries as the visitors take advantage of a 62 per cent share of possession. Cowboys winger Robert Derby has had an unhappy first half, committing four errors as Talagi and the Panthers target the North Queensland right edge. However, he is not alone and the nine Cowboys errors and three six again calls have forced the home team to make 190 tackles to 125 by Penrith.

35 min: Cowboys centre Viliami Vailea got one back against Garner after Drinkwater chimed into a backline shift to create an overlap for the Tonga-born former Warrior to score. Drinkwater converted. Panthers 18 Cowboys 12

29 min: Talagi laid on his third try of the night with a grubber behind the North Queensland defence for Garner to dive and get a hand to score again. Cleary converted from out wide. Panthers 18 Cowboys 6 

23 min: Cleary combined with five-eighth Blaize Talagi to put centre Luke Garner over for a try that regains the lead for the visitors. Cleary converted. Panthers 12 Cowboys 6.

16 min: The Cowboys hit back through Jeremiah Nanai after he caught a Scott Drinkwater bomb and passed to Tom Dearden who shifted the ball out to Murray Taulagi before it was sent back in the opposite direction for the strike second-rower to score. Drinkwater converted. Cowboys 6 Panthers 6

6 min: The Panthers picked up where they left off last weekend when Blaize Talagi put fellow 2025 recruit Isaiah Papali'i over for the opening try in a blistering start to the match by the four-time premiers. Nathan Cleary converted. Panthers 6 Cowboys 0.

Late Mail

Cowboys: The Cowboys announced on Friday morning that prop Jason Taumalolo has been ruled out of clash with a calf injury. Coen Hess comes into the starting side as a result, while Kai O'Donnell will come into the 17. Sam McIntyre will start the game at lock in place of co-captain Reuben Cotter, who is serving a two-game ban for a careless high tackle. Thomas Mikaele has been named on the bench for his first NRL game of 2025 after a strong run of form in the Queensland Cup with the Mackay Cutters. Zac Laybutt is 18th man.

Panthers: A huge boost for the premiers with Brian To'o set for his first game since Round 4 after recovering from a hamstring injury while hooker Mitch Kenny (suspension) and utility Brad Schneider (eye) are also back on deck. Thomas Jenkins has moved to the interchange while Trent Toelau, Luke Sommerton and Mavrik Geyer drop out of the 17. Sommerton is 18th man.

Dragons v Warriors at WIN Stadium

A Luke Metcalf field goal has lifted the Warriors into second place on the NRL ladder after hanging on to down the Dragons 15-14 at WIN Stadium. The Warriors led 14-4 at halftime and Metcalf's 70th minute field goal was their only point of the second half but it made the difference. The win was the fourth in a row by the Warriors, including a 20-18 defeat of the Broncos after Metcalf kicked a 50m extra time penalty kick while they hung on to win 30-24 against the Cowboys last week.

75th min: Holmes missed a field goal attempt.

70th min: Metcalf has slotted a field goal to put the Warriors in front. Warriors 15 Dragons 14

53rd min: Corey Allan has scored his first try in the Red V to level the scores after swooping on a grubber by rookie playmaker LyhkanKing-Togia. Holmes missed the conversion from out wide. Dragons 14 Warriors 14.

49th min: The momentum has shifted towards the Dragons since halftime with rookie second-rower Dylan Egan, one of three Gerringong products in the match along with team-mate Hamish Stewart and Ford, scoring off a short ball from De Belin. Holmes converted. Warriors 14 Dragons 10.

45th min: Ford has been ruled out with a Category 1 headknock.

42nd min: Couchman has been ruled out for the remainder of the game with a shoulder injury.

41 min: Warriors prop Jackson Ford has been taken from the field for a HIA after a head clash with Jack De Belin as he returned the ball from the kick-off. De Belin left Wayde Egan reeling in the next tackle after a driving tackle as the Warriors hooker was wrapped up by team-mates. 

Halftime summary: The Warriors dominated the opening 40 minutes on the back of an almost perfect completion rate (20/21 sets) and some clever play from halfback Luke Metcalf, who scored a try and produced a try assist. In contrast, errors and discipline are costing the Dragons, who completed 15 of their 20 sets with the ball and conceded seven errors, four penalties and two six-again calls. As a result the home side were forced to make 30 more tackles than the Warriors and while they scored late the high work rate may take its toll in the second half.

39 min: The Dragons won a captain's challenge and Gutherson scored a try out wide after centre Val Holmes poked through the tackle of Kurt Capewell and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. Holmes missed the sideline conversion. Warriors 14 Dragons 4

31 min: Metcalf kicked a second penalty goal. Warriors 14 Dragons 0

29 min: Much touted Dragons rookie Loko Pasifiki Tonga is on the field for his first taste of NRL. Couchman has returned to the bench and is expected to be sent back into the fray later in the match.

25 min: Boom Dragons prop Toby Couchman has come from the field and immediately been taken to the sheds with a shoulder injury.

19 min: Dragons winger Corey Allan spilled a Metcalf bomb to give the Warriors another attacking opportunity.

16 min: The Dragons best scoring chance so far went begging when Damien Cook's grubber went dead in-goal and the Warriors travelled 100 metres in the set to score after Adam Pompey batted back a Chanel Harris-Tavita for Metcalf to catch and pass to unmarked winger Taine Tuaupiki. Metcalf missed the sideline conversion. Warriors 12 Dragons 0.

12 min: Metcalf extends the Warriors lead with a penalty goal from close range after Dragons fullback Clint Gutherson stripped the ball from Erin Clarke on his own line with team-mates in the tackle. Warriors 8 Dragons 0 

8 min: Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf takes on the defence close to the Dragons line and reaches out to score after the home side conceded two six-again calls. Metcalf converts his own try. Warriors 6 Dragons 0.

4 min: Dragons winger Tyrell Sloan flew high to snatch a Clint Gutherson kick but came down just short of the tryline and landed awkwardly on his elbow.

1 min: The Dragons have received a penalty after just three tackles.

Late Mail

The Dragons are 1-17 with no late changes. Prop Emre Guler (shoulder) has been replaced on the bench by 19-year-old Loko Pasifiki Tonga, who makes his NRL debut. 

Bunty Afoa comes into the starting side an hour before kick-off for the Warriors and Jackson Ford goes to the bench. Te Maire Martin was added to the bench in Friday's update, with hooker Sam Healey dropping out of the squad. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has also dropped off the extended bench, with the Warriors opting to give the winger another week to recover from a hamstring injury.

Raiders v Bulldogs at GIO Stadium

Killer Kiraz: The Bulldogs winger staked a massive claim for a Blues Origin jersey with 12 tackle breaks, 143 run metres and a sensational late try.

Captain Crichton: With his side staring down the barrel of an embarrassing loss, Stephen Crichton stood tall in the second half with a try in the 45th minute before playing a hand in several others. Crichton ran for 161 metres and had three line breaks and five tackle breaks.

Full-time: For the first time in 31 years the Bulldogs are 8-1 to start a season and this incredible comeback equals the biggest in their history. They trailed the Northern Eagles 20-0 after 23 minutes at Gosford in 2001 and came back to win 32-20. 

80 min: Matty Nicholson leaves the field with a leg injury in a final insult for the Raiders after giving up 32 points in the second half.

77 min: The Bulldogs muscle up on Xavier Savage and almost force him back into the in goal and he loses it on the way down. Matt Burton and Kurtis Morrin were the defenders and they celebrate as they close in on a remarkable victory.

72 min: Jacob Kiraz powers through three defenders while dancing along the sideline and crosses for another Bulldogs try as the home crowd sits stunned. Stephen Crichton again played his part before Kiraz showed great balance to stay in and score. Crichton lands the kick from touch to make it 32-20.

70 min: Matt Burton launches a bomb which is spilt by Kaeo Weekes and the Bulldogs get a full set from 20 metres out before Jamal Fogarty knocks down a pass and the Dogs can reload.

68 min: Jaeman Salmon limps from the field with the help of two Bulldogs trainers.

64 min: The Bulldogs go left again and Reed Mahoney, Bailey Hayward and Matt Burton handle before Viliame Kikau slices through to hand the blue and whites their fourth try of the second half. Stephen Crichton misses the conversion and the lead stays at six. Bulldogs 26-20.

58 min: The Bulldogs make it four tries in 14 minutes with Max King crossing after a barnstorming run by Bronson Xerri puts them into range and Toby Sexton delivers the final pass for the prop to crash over. Stephen Crichton adds the extras. Bulldogs 22-20.

52 min: Just a momentary reprieve for the home side with Matt Burton finding Viliame Kikau who puts Marcelo Montoya over in the corner. Stephen Crichton pushes the conversion wide. That ends his streak of 24 successful kicks in a row. Raiders 20-16.

51 min: The Dogs are denied a third try in five minutes when Ethan Strange produces a stunning trysaver on Connor Tracey.

47 min: Stephen Crichton explodes into the back field again after taking an inside pass from Connor Tracey. The skipper makes 40 metres before turning the ball inside for Jaeman Salmon to score. Crichton's conversion makes it 20-12.

45 min: Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton lifts his side with a try from 30 metres out which showcases his speed and power to get his team on the board. Crichton lands the conversion. Bulldogs 20-6. 

43 min: Ata Mariota chases a grubber and gets up celebrating a try but replays show he failed to ground the ball and the Bulldogs survive.

41 min: The Bulldogs pick up where they left off with Matt Burton making a simple error to invite Canberra onto the attack again.

Half-time: The Raiders get a standing ovation from the fans as they head to the sheds with a 20-point lead over the ladder leaders. The Raiders had 66 per cent of possession and completed 23 of 25 sets while the Bulldogs had only 18 sets. Joe Tapine, Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies combined for 43 runs and 387 metres as the Raiders forwards ran riot. The Bulldogs were forced to make 246 tackles compared to Canberra's 129.

38 min: The Raiders put an exclamation mark on a stunning first half when Hudson Young powers into space for his eighth try of the season after Josh Papalii and Jamal Fogarty combined on the right edge. Fogarty misses the conversion. Raiders 20-0.

36 min: The Bulldogs get two six-again calls but can't get their attack to click with a final pass from Jacob Kiraz going astray.

34 min: A Xavier Savage error coming out of yardage gives the Bulldogs a chance to salvage something from a tough opening half.

31 min: Reed Mahoney goes in search of a 40-20 but puts it out on the full.

31 min: Bulldogs bench forward Harry Hayes comes reeling out of a tackle after copping the shoulder of Ata Mariota as he tries to make a front-on tackle and is forced from the field for a HIA. Hayes passed his HIA.

29 min: Joe Tapine gets a breather after a sensational opening stint in which he made 146 metres from 16 runs and broke four tackles.

28 min: The Bulldogs launch a captain's challenge and come up trumps after the referee had ruled Kurtis Morrin had knocked on in contact.

26 min: Marcelo Montoya makes a meal of a bomb and the Raiders are inside the Red Zone again. On the back of a penalty for an illegal steal the Raiders get another full set but the Dogs dip deep to keep their line intact.

23 min: A packed house at GIO Stadium is in raptures again as Jamal Fogarty runs the ball on the last and finds Matty Nicholson who tips on to Matt Timoko who delivers a perfect pass for Xavier Savage to race away and score his fifth try of the season. Fogarty converts to make it 16-0.

21 min: The Bulldogs mount a left side raid but Bronson Xerri's pass to Marcelo Montoya is way too hard and the winger puts it down.

20 min: The Raiders have had 70 per cent of possession and completed 13 of 14 sets to suffocate the Bulldogs.

18 min: Hot on the heels of his stunning Magic Round try Kaeo Weekes comes up with another solo special as he explodes through a hole from 20 metres to make it 10-0. Jamal Fogarty misses the conversion. Raiders 10-0.

14 min: Xavier Savage returns the favour and comes up with an error for the Raiders but the Bulldogs fail to cash in on the opportunity.

13 min: Ethan Strange goes on report for a lifting tackle and the Bulldogs finally make it to the other side of halfway but Toby Sexton puts the ball down.

12 min: The Raiders reload and go again with a grubber but Savelio Tamale is penalised for a push and the Bulldogs come away.

11 min: Tom Starling continues his hot start to the game when he retrieves a rolling ball after a Joe Tapine offload and crashes over under the sticks but the bunker rules he was tackled when Daniel Suluka-Fifita had a hand on him.

8 min: A mistake by Jacob Kiraz coming out of his own end puts the Bulldogs under more pressure as the Raiders ride the emotion of the crowd early. A well weighted grubber by Tom Starling earns a line dropout for his side.

4 min: The Green Machine are on fire early with a try to Zac Hosking off a short ball out of dummy half from Tom Starling. The conversion from Jamal Fogarty makes it 6-0 to the home side.

2 min: Matt Burton launches a high ball from 40 metres out but it sails long and is easily taken in the in goal for a seven-tackle set for Canberra.

Late Mail

Zac Hosking will start at prop in the absence of Corey Horsburgh due to concussion. Simi Sasagi has been added to the bench. 

A late switch on game day for the Dogs with Jaeman Salmon moving to the second row and Kurt Mann joining the starting side at lock. Harry Hayes stays on the bench and Lipoi Hopoi is the new face in the 17 after Jacob Preston was banned for four games on Tuesday night.

Numbers Game

• The Raiders have won nine of their past 10 games against the Bulldogs.
• The Bulldogs have not won at GIO Stadium since 2015.
• Raiders second-rower Hudson Young has scored six tries in his last four games at GIO Stadium.
• Bulldogs centre Stephen Crichton has scored nine tries in seven games against the Raiders.