Round 10 had everything—thrillers, meltdowns, and blowouts that’ll have you talking at the pub all week. Let’s crack into it.

The Dolphins edged out Parramatta in a gritty Thursday night battle. Herbie Farnworth clinched the deal late, crossing for the match-winner after Jamayne Isaako had kept them afloat all game with pinpoint goal-kicking. The Eels fought hard, getting tries from Bailey Simonsson, Matt Doorey, and Dylan Brown, but struggled to land the knockout blow. It’s a crucial win for the Dolphins as they keep their finals dreams alive. Parramatta, though, faces familiar questions about closing tight games—something they’ll need to fix pronto. Wayne Bennett’s boys keep surprising everyone, playing the kind of footy that quietly earns respect around the league. On the flip side, Brad Arthur will be tearing his hair out wondering how the Eels let this one slip away again. Losing tight ones is becoming an unfortunate habit for Parra, and that’s dangerous territory heading into the second half of the season.

In a comeback for the ages, the Titans flipped this game upside-down, erasing a 20-6 halftime deficit against Newcastle. AJ Brimson and Phillip Sami exploded after the break, each bagging doubles, while Jayden Campbell’s golden boot converted everything. The Knights completely unravelled in the second half, failing to stop the Titans’ momentum. This gutsy comeback could fire up the Titans for a finals push, but Newcastle’s second-half collapse will sting for days—they’ll need to sort their consistency fast. The Titans keep proving they’re not a team to sleep on, capable of flipping a game in a heartbeat. For Knights fans, though, it’s a painful reminder that no lead feels safe these days. Adam O’Brien will be scratching his head and wondering how his team managed to switch off so dramatically after such a commanding first half.

Latrell Mitchell took control, leading South Sydney to a solid victory over Brisbane. Mitchell did it all—scoring tries, kicking goals, and even sparking some controversy with a cheeky try celebration. Brisbane stayed competitive through Ben Hunt and Ezra Mam, but just couldn’t handle Mitchell’s game-breaking brilliance. It’s a huge confidence boost for the Bunnies after some shaky weeks, while Brisbane must figure out how to beat the heavyweights, or risk sliding away from finals contention. Souths fans will breathe easier seeing Latrell back at his dominant best; he’s the key to their premiership ambitions. Broncos coach Kevin Walters, however, must be concerned his side still hasn’t found that killer instinct against top-tier teams. Big tests are looming for Brisbane, and they can’t afford too many more nights like this.

In an unbelievable turnaround, the Bulldogs stormed back from a 20-0 halftime hole, leaving Canberra stunned. Stephen Crichton led by example, sparking an incredible run of six unanswered second-half tries. Matt Burton and Jacob Kiraz also chipped in, cutting Canberra’s defence to ribbons. For the Bulldogs, this win screams “finals bound,” but the Raiders have to wonder how they let a surefire victory slip away so spectacularly—serious soul-searching ahead. Bulldogs fans haven’t felt optimism like this in years, and Crichton’s heroics have their tails wagging all the way back to Belmore. Ricky Stuart, meanwhile, must have unleashed a legendary spray post-match—Canberra blew this one in spectacular fashion. With finals approaching fast, the Raiders better find a backbone quickly, or risk fading away when the games really count.

The Warriors snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, edging out the Dragons in a thriller. Shaun Johnson nailed a clutch field goal, sealing the deal after both teams went blow-for-blow all night. Zac Lomax did everything possible for the Dragons, but the Warriors simply had the cooler heads. It’s the type of gritty win that’ll galvanise the Warriors for the season’s back half, while the Dragons’ close-but-no-cigar result only piles on the frustration of a season slipping away. Shaun Johnson’s redemption story continues to be one of the season’s best, proving he’s still got ice in his veins. Dragons fans, however, are left wondering what it’ll take to finally see their team close out a tight match. Anthony Griffin is under huge pressure now, and these close losses only crank up the heat even more.

Absolute madness in Townsville as the Cowboys and Panthers finished locked in a rare draw. Both sides threw everything at each other, but nobody could land the golden-point knockout punch. Nathan Cleary and Scott Drinkwater were brilliant, trading blows like heavyweight fighters. Adding to the drama, Panthers trainer Shane Elford landed himself in hot water, caught spraying the ball before extra time, prompting a league investigation. Both teams walk away unsatisfied—the Panthers facing scrutiny off-field, and the Cowboys rueing missed chances. Fans will debate this draw for ages, especially with Cleary’s missed golden-point shot hitting the post—heartbreaking stuff. Todd Payten’s Cowboys continue to impress despite the near-miss, showing they’re capable of matching the league’s elite. But Penrith needs to clean up their act quickly, as unwanted off-field distractions could threaten their title defence.

Melbourne didn’t just win—they demolished Wests Tigers. Ryan Papenhuyzen was on another planet, scoring four tries and smashing the Storm’s individual points record with 36 in a single match. It was brutal viewing for Tigers fans, with Melbourne running rampant from the first whistle. The Storm reasserted their premiership credentials emphatically, but for the Tigers, this kind of humiliation will trigger major alarm bells about what’s gone wrong—and how they can possibly bounce back. Papenhuyzen’s comeback story keeps getting better; he looked like the best player on the planet out there. For the Tigers, though, it’s hard to see how Michael Maguire picks up the pieces after such an embarrassing defeat. Fans are furious, confidence is shattered, and something drastic needs to change immediately in Tiger-town.

Cronulla took care of business, comfortably handling Manly thanks to more Nicho Hynes wizardry. Hynes and Ronaldo Mulitalo combined beautifully, making Manly’s defence look lost at sea. Tolu Koula provided a brief spark with an incredible 90-metre runaway try, but overall, the Sea Eagles lacked answers. The Sharks keep rolling forward and look like real threats heading toward September. Manly, on the other hand, desperately needs to find some consistency, or they’ll quickly fade from the finals conversation. Hynes continues to justify every cent of his contract, shaping up as a genuine Dally M threat yet again. Anthony Seibold must now seriously rethink how his team defends their edges because teams are feasting on them. Sea Eagles fans won’t tolerate much more of this inconsistency, especially with their side sliding dangerously down the ladder.