Canberra have come back from a 14-point deficit to shock Melbourne 20-18 after a series of controversial decisions rocked the final match of Magic Round.

Nathan Cleary was the star of the show as out-of-sorts NRL premiers Penrith scored a breakthrough win over Brisbane at Magic Round.

Gold Coast coach Des Hasler has explained his controversial omission of David Fifita after Canterbury winger Jacob Kiraz scored a hat-trick in a 38-18 win.

Reuben Cotter has received a two-match ban for a shot that the NRL match officials did not detect on the field at Magic Round.

Fletcher Sharpe had his best game at five-eighth yet as Newcastle thrashed South Sydney and the young gun can thank some advice from Andrew Johns.

St George Illawarra outside back Corey Allan learned plenty spending almost 600 days away from the game he loves.

Luke Metcalf isn't daunted by the task of replacing Shaun Johnson in the Warriors' No.7, embracing the role and the ability to continue learning from him.

St George Illawarra came up with one of the most inexplicable bombed tries in recent memory as Wests Tigers eked out a win in Magic Round.

Brisbane skipper Adam Reynolds is fit to lead the side against a Penrith outfit the Broncos have only beaten once in the last nine outings.

David Fifita will play his first Queensland Cup match since 2018 when he lines up with the Ipswich Jets, and he has taken his axing by Gold Coast on the chin.

Four years after a sickening head knock kicked off a cruel run of injuries for Ryan Papenhuyzen, the Melbourne ace will bring up 100 NRL games at Magic Round.

More than a decade after making an NRL debut as a centre, Canterbury lock Kurt Mann believes he is more ready than ever to take his chance in State of Origin.

Sydney Roosters prodigy Robert Toia wants to represent Queensland like Greg Inglis did, and credits mentoring from club legend Joey Manu for his red-hot form.

Versatile Dolphins lock Max Plath is facing a month on the sidelines after foot surgery as the side's season reaches a critical point.

James Tedesco's hot form for Sydney Roosters has kept the heat on Dylan Edwards for the NSW fullback spot and forced coach Laurie Daley to make a tough call.

Jason Ryles says he'll only comment on the officiating of Parramatta's loss at Magic Round if Mitch Moses lends him money to pay his probable fine.

Sam Burgess has confirmed that he is interested in becoming inaugural coach of the new NRL team based in Perth.

A win at Magic Round could lift the Warriors onto equal points with the team atop the NRL ladder but don't expect coach Andrew Webster to know that.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has outlined the reasons why Lachlan Ilias was dropped - and why he believes the halfback will fight his way back to NRL level.

Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien has defended his decision to leave Jackson Hastings in reserve grade as the Knights' attack continues to sputter.