NRL Round 5 Recap: Storm Nab Win, Bulldogs Hold Off 11 Men

The fifth week of NRL was about as exciting as it gets. In a close match, the Storm managed to come out on top as the final whistle sounded against the Broncos. Defending champs the Panthers broke down yet again against the Sea Eagles, while Dom Young got sent off forcing the Roosters to play with 11 men at one stage.  

We break down all the major talking points of NRL round five and look at the good, the bad, and the ugly from the weekend’s action. 

The Good: Storm vs. Broncos Doesn’t Disappoint, Dolphins Retain Top Spot 

The first game of round five in NRL was just as action-packed as any fan could hope for. The matchup between the Storm and Broncos kept the audience on the edge of their seats for the whole 80 minutes. Despite leading for the majority of the match, the Broncos ended up conceding the victory due to Storm’s clutch play in the final 10. 

Elsewhere, the Dolphins managed to hold their place as the top team by defeating the Wests Tigers (26-16). They secured a 14-0 lead in the first half, and even though Wests Tigers showed promise in the second stage, it wasn’t enough to secure the win. 

The draw between Knights and Dragons was another entertaining watch. The Knights showed true dominance even when the field became slippery due to heavy rainfall.  

But this was nothing compared to the match between the Raiders and Eels. From minute one, it was one attack after another from the Canberra Raiders’ side. Both Hudson Young and Matthew Timoko delivered sensational performances as the latter scored a gravity-defying try against the Eels to take the crown. 

The Bad: Sea Eagles Shut Down Panthers, Gold Coast Titan Lose Again 

The Penrith Panthers, following their three consecutive wins, were looking almost unbeatable in NRL 2024 yet again. In their matchup against the Manly Sea Eagles, they were even the first to get on the leaderboard. But the Sea Eagles were a challenge they couldn’t overcome this time around. 

The Sea Eagles delivered a truly spectacular performance, intercepting many try attempts from the Panthers’ side, showing that often a good defence is the best offence. When the final whistle blew, the score read 32-18 in favour of the Manly Sea Eagles. 

After four appearances, you’d think that the Gold Coast Titans would finally figure out what’s keeping them away from the win. But it seems that there’s no end to Des Hasler’s woes as the North Queensland Cowboys snatched the win from their hand once again. 

The Cowboys completely dominated the first half; there’s no other word for it. And although the Gold Coast Titans showed some promise in the second half of the game, it wasn’t enough to save them from defeat. The Titans are now at the bottom of the ladder, only above the Rabbitohs thanks to their bye. It’s safe to say betting sites have them as the heavy favourite for the wooden spoon this year. 

The Ugly: Roosters Fall Short Against Bulldogs, Rabbitohs Fall Apart 

The Canterbury Bulldogs and the Sydney Roosters draw was full of intense drama and heartbreak for the Rooster fans. Bulldogs took an early lead due to a mistake in the Rooster’s defence, but that wasn’t something they couldn’t come back from. But when Dominic Young got sent off, it was the final straw for the Sydney team. For what it’s worth, despite being one man down, they managed to give the Bulldogs a solid run for their money. 

The same cannot be said, however, for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, who absolutely crumbled in their matchup against the Warriors. From the start, a relentless barrage of offensive moves from the New Zealand Warriors side demolished the Rabbitohs’ defence and confidence. The final tally was 34-4, a demoralising defeat without a doubt. 

NRL round five delivered plenty of ups and downs. The Storm, Bulldogs and Sea Eagles got impressive wins, while the Warriors also hit their stride finally. The same can’t be said for the Roosters and Rabbitohs, however, who fell apart in round five and will have some big questions to answer ahead of next weekend.