NRL Editorial and Opinion

The top ten matches from the 2024 season

Which one was your favourite?

Published by
Sofia Bamonte

This season has delivered some unforgettable contests filled with dramatic finishes, comeback victories, and standout individual performances.

Let's take a look back at some of the most thrilling games.

Canberra Raiders vs Manly Sea Eagles (24-26, Round 9)

– Raiders down 20-0 with a massive comeback victory

In a remarkable turnaround, the Canberra Raiders fought back from a 20-point deficit to claim a thrilling 26-24 victory over the Manly Sea Eagles.

Manly dominated early, scoring four tries in the first 30 minutes of the match. However, Canberra regained momentum, with Elliot Whitehead scoring a double just four minutes apart in the second half.

The match finished with a try from Hudson Young just three minutes before the final whistle, securing the Raiders' comeback win.

Despite a last-minute attempt from Daly Cherry-Evans, who went for a two-point field goal, Manly could not steal back the lead.

In addition to Whitehead's impressive surge, former Sea Eagle Kaeo Weekes and Ethan Strange showed their potential in the halves, with both players contributing crucial clutch plays that helped Canberra secure the remarkable victory.

Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors (30-26, Round 2)

– Coates' try of the year seals the win for the Storm. 

In a breathtaking game, the Melbourne Storm pulled off an unlikely victory over the New Zealand Warriors with a stunning try from Xavier Coates.

The Storm were trailing until the final moments of the game, but they scored two crucial tries to secure a 30-26 win.

Coates, in a moment of pure brilliance, leapt over Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to score the try of the year, sealing the win for Melbourne with only 20 seconds on the clock.

Ryan Papenhuyzen had given the Storm a crucial lead with a try four minutes before the end, putting them ahead 26-18.

The Warriors fought hard but couldn't manage to clinch the win in the final moments, leaving Melbourne to take the victory. 

Newcastle Knights vs North Queensland Cowboys(21-20, Round 2)

– Townsend's clutch field goal on the buzzer for a dramatic win.

In a thrilling, nail-biting finish, the North Queensland Cowboys secured the victory over the Newcastle Knights with a clutch field goal from Chad Townsend in the 81st minute, right on the buzzer.

The Knights started strong, leading 12-0 at the halftime break, but the Cowboys came out firing in the second half, scoring two quick tries within the first four minutes.

The game continued to build in intensity, and with just four minutes to go, Jeremiah Nanai crossed over to level the scores at 20-20.

However, Valentine Holmes' conversion attempt was missed, leaving the game wide open for the final moments.

With seconds remaining, Townsend slotted the match-winning field goal to give the Cowboys the 21-20 win. 

Parramatta Eels vs Penrith Panthers (34-36, Round 23)

– Panthers' incredible 14-point comeback in 7 minutes to win the game.

In an exciting Battle of the West, the Penrith Panthers pulled off a fantastic comeback to defeat the Parramatta Eels 36-34.

Down by 14 points with just six minutes left to play, the Panthers staged a remarkable fightback, scoring three tries in the final moments of the game.

Eels captain Clint Gutherson looked to have sealed the win with his second try in the 68th minute, giving Parramatta a commanding 34-20 lead.

However, the Panthers once again proved their composure under pressure. In the 76th minute, Izack Tago's try, followed by a successful conversion, put the Panthers ahead 36-34.

In the final moments before the buzzer, a penalty against Nathan Cleary for an escort gave the Eels one last chance to level the score with a two-point penalty attempt. But Gutherson's kick missed, and the Panthers took the win. 

New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers (22-20, Round 11)

– Warriors' upset win over the defending champions.

The Warriors pulled off a stunning upset over the three-time premiership winners, defeating the Penrith Panthers 22-20 in a hard-fought battle.

Despite missing star halfback Shaun Johnson and losing hooker Wayde Egan to a HIA early in the match, the Warriors showed resilience and determination throughout.

The match started poorly for the Warriors, with their kickoff going out on the full and conceding a try to Edwards before they even touched the ball.

The early setback and Egan's exit made the Warriors' comeback even more remarkable.

The game was tightly contested, with both teams exchanging tries in the first half. Penrith's Izack Tago crossed over in the 66th minute to give the Panthers the lead, but the Warriors quickly responded.

Taine Tuaupiki scored a crucial try, putting the Warriors ahead 22-20 with less than 10 minutes remaining.

In the final minute, Penrith had a chance to tie the game when Dylan Edwards lined up a penalty goal to kick for two points. However, his attempt went wide, and the Warriors beat the reigning premiers. 

New Zealand Warriors vs Cronulla Sharks (28-30, Round 26)

- Shaun Johnson's last game, the game-winning try assist. 

A perfect ending to Shaun Johnson's successful NRL career, the Warriors secured a dramatic 30-28 victory over the Cronulla Sharks in Johnson's final game.

Trailing 22-4 at halftime, the Warriors staged a stunning second-half comeback, capped off by a match-winning try set up by Johnson in the dying seconds.

After being down by 18 points, the Warriors' momentum started to build with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scoring back-to-back tries just five minutes apart. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad followed up with another try, bringing the Warriors back with 20 points on the board.

In the 64th minute, Marcelo Montoya gave the Warriors the lead for the first time at 24-22, but the Sharks responded quickly with a try from Samuel Stonestreet in the 68th minute, reclaiming the lead at 28-26.

With just one minute remaining, Johnson set up the match-winning try for his winger, marking a perfect send-off for the Warriors legend.

In a final display of his playmaking brilliance, Johnson was involved in four of the Warriors' six tries, securing the win and leaving a lasting legacy on the game.

Wests Tigers vs Parramatta Eels (16-17, Round 4)

- Sezer's field goal to win it for the Tigers.  

In a low-scoring, tight contest, the Parramatta Eels edged out the Wests Tigers 17-16 in a thrilling finish. Justin Olam opened the scoring just three minutes into the game, but Parramatta quickly responded, with Maika Sivo crossing the line to even the score.

The battle continued with momentum swinging back and forth. Parramatta looked strong early in the second half, extending their lead to 14-6 with a try and a penalty kick.

However, the Tigers fought back with another try from Olam, followed by Jahream Bula's score, pushing them ahead 16-14.

A late penalty for an escort gave Parramatta a chance to level the game, with Clint Gutherson nailing the kick to tie it at 16-16.

In the 79th minute, Aidan Sezer emerged as the hero, sealing the win for Parramatta with a clutch field goal to secure a 17-16 victory in the dying seconds of the match.

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Melbourne Storm (18-16, Round 22)

– The upset of the year, dragons taking the win. 

In one of the biggest upsets of the season, the St. George Illawarra Dragons defeated the top-of-the-table Melbourne Storm 18-16 in a hard-fought battle. Jaydn Su'A's double proved decisive as the Dragons edged out the Storm in a thrilling contest.

Melbourne opened the scoring, but the Dragons quickly responded with two tries in quick succession, giving them a 12-10 lead at halftime.

Su'A crossed over for his second try just nine minutes into the second half, putting the Dragons ahead 18-10 and looking strong.

Storm hooker Harry Grant kept Melbourne in the game with his own double, scoring to bring the Storm back within two points at 16-18.

Despite Melbourne's best efforts in the final 20 minutes, they struggled to break through the Dragons' defence, and the Dragons held on for a stunning victory.

Manly Sea Eagles vs New Zealand Warriors (22-22, Round 6)

– Warriors down 16-0 and make it a draw in the close game. 

In a thrilling contest between veteran halfbacks Daly Cherry-Evans and Shaun Johnson, the Manly Sea Eagles and Warriors played out a dramatic 22-22 draw.

Manly started strong, racing to a 16-0 lead with three tries in the first 27 minutes of the game. However, the Warriors fought back, scoring two tries in the final five minutes of the first half to bring the score to 16-10 at halftime.

Manly extended their lead early in the second half, scoring just four minutes in to make it 22-10. The Warriors needed a fightback, and Johnson sparked the comeback, scoring a try in the 52nd minute.

The game remained tight until the dying moments when try-scoring machine Dallin Watene-Zelezniak crossed over with one minute left on the clock, closing the gap to 22-20.

After missing a two-point field goal attempt, Johnson was given another chance following a penalty for early pressure from Josh Aloiai. Johnson nailed the penalty kick, securing a 22-22 draw in a tense and thrilling finish.

Published by
Sofia Bamonte