The Brisbane Broncos could be without five-eighth Ezra Mam and outside back Selwyn Cobbo for the rest of the NRL season, but have received some positive news on captain Adam Reynolds.
The Broncos sent Reynolds, Mam and Cobbo for scans on Friday after the trio suffered hamstring injuries during Brisbane’s 22-2 loss to the Melbourne Storm on Thursday night.
On Friday, the Broncos said Reynolds will miss four weeks, but Mam and Cobbo will be out until midway through the finals, at least.
Ezra Mam was trying to tackle Xavier Coates when his injury occurred. (AAP: Joel Carrett)
“Adam Reynolds suffered a hamstring injury in last night’s game against the Storm and will not return to play for a period of four weeks,” the club said.
“Scans have confirmed Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo each suffered more significant hamstring injuries during the Storm game and are not likely to return to play for a period in excess of six weeks.”
In Canberra, a hat-trick to five-eighth Ethan Strange has guided the Raiders to a 28-12 win over the Manly Sea Eagles, re-establishing the Green Machine at the top of the NRL ladder.
Entering the match second after Melbourne’s win over the Broncos on Thursday, the Raiders produced a gritty defensive performance to secure a 10th win in their past 11 matches.
Ethan Strange scores three tries to held the Canberra Raiders defeat the Manly Sea Eagles. (Getty Images: Mark Nolan)
The Sea Eagles had 55 per cent of possession and several attacking sets on the Raiders’ goal line, but the Green Machine set up a blockade for much of the match.
Strange was a constant threat in attack for the Raiders, scoring three tries in an excellent performance.
His third try was the pick of the bunch, being on the receiving end of a brilliant flick pass from winger Jed Stuart, who was about to be tackled into touch.
Meanwhile, Manly’s hopes of playing finals took a blow with the loss. Manly are two points outside the top eight, and that can extend to four if the Dolphins defeat the Sydney Roosters on Saturday.
The Sea Eagles will be without star forward Jake Trbojevic for next week’s clash against West Tigers, after being concussed in the second half.
Attempting to tackle Canberra forward Josh Papalii, Trbojevic’s head hit Papalii’s shoulder flush, sending him to the ground.
Jake Trbojevic will miss next week after failing a HIA against the Canberra Raiders. (AAP: Mick Tsikas)
The former NSW Origin captain failed his Head Injury Assessment, ruling him out of next week due to concussion protocol.
Earlier, the Penrith Panthers extended their winning streak in the NRL to nine matches with a comprehensive 48-12 win over the Newcastle Knights.
The Panthers ran in nine tries in Newcastle in the 36-point win to move into the NRL’s top four. Penrith will finish the round in the top four, should the New Zealand Warriors lose to the Canterbury Bulldogs.
The Panthers have not lost since round 12 when the Knights defeated the premiers 25-6 in Bathurst, condemning the Penrith side to outright last on the ladder.
Relive all the action from Friday’s NRL action pin the blog below.
Key Events
1h ago1 hours agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 12:33pm
2h ago2 hours agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 11:51am
3h ago3 hours agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 11:20am
Show all key events1h agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 1:05pmNRL round 23 Friday scores
1h agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 12:59pm
That is all for tonight’s blog
This is where we will end tonight’s NRL live blog coverage.
The Canberra Raiders will end the weekend on top of the NRL ladder.
The Penrith Panthers, for now, are in the NRL top four.
Meanwhile, the Brisbane Broncos have learnt the severity of the hamstring injuries to Adam Reynolds, Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo.
ABC Sport will be back tomorrow for more live digital coverage of the NRL.
We hope you join us then.
1h agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 12:33pmBrisbane Broncos confirm injury news for Reynolds, Mam and Cobbo
The Brisbane Broncos have released a statement, confirming the injuries to Adam Reynolds, Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo.
Adam Reynolds suffered a hamstring injury in last night’s game against the Storm and will not return to play for a period of four weeks.
Scans have confirmed Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo each suffered more significant hamstring injuries during the Storm game and are not likely to return to play for a period in excess of six weeks.
1h agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 12:30pm
Xavier Savage gets emotional over win on Indigenous Round
Xavier Savage, a proud Aboriginal (Birri Gubba and Gunggandji) and Torres Strait Islander (Erub, Darnley, Badu and Moa) man, was emotional talking to ABC Sport after the Canberra Raiders’ win over the Manly Sea Eagles during Magic Round.
“I was getting emotional, and to see my brother Sebastian Kris get a try as well, it was a very emotional time of the game,” he told Sam Williams.
2h agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 12:20pm
Manly’s coach praises the effort of his team
Anthony Seibold is speaking after Manly’s loss to Canberra.
The Sea Eagles’ coach praised the Raiders, who are on top of the ladder, while also saying he was pleased with the effort of his side.
Seibold said his team has a “red-hot crack”, but lacked execution near the goal line in attack.
“We did plenty of good things, we just weren’t good enough tonight to finish it off in that second half,” he says.
2h agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 12:07pm
Jed Stuart thrilled with Canberra’s win
Canberra winger Jed Stuart was really good tonight.
In defence, he was rock solid, especially on the goal line.
His flick pass to Ethan Strange, helping the five-eighth score his third try, was outstanding.
Speaking to ABC Sport after Canberra’s 28-12 win over Manly, the winger said he was elated with the effort after last week’s upset loss to St George Illawarra.
“That’s good to back up after last week’s disappointment,” he says.
“It doesn’t get much better than playing at home.”
2h agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 11:51amFULL-TIME: Canberra Raiders 28 def. Manly Sea Eagles 12
— reporting by AAP
A try-scoring hat-trick from 20-year-old five-eighth Ethan Strange helped Ricky Stuart’s relentless Canberra Raiders repel an ambush from the Manly Sea Eagles to win 28-12 in chilly Canberra on Friday night.
Rebounding from a shock first defeat in 10 starts last week against St George Illawarra, the Raiders’ pivotal win knocked Melbourne off a perch the Storm only enjoyed for 24 hours after Thursday night’s 22-2 triumph over Brisbane.
With a favourable run home, Canberra remain warm favourites to secure a first-week final in the national capital, quite possibly against the four-time defending premiers from Penrith.
But Manly’s troubles only deepen, especially for under-siege coach Anthony Seibold.
After threatening to inflict back-to-back losses on the Raiders, the Sea Eagles now need to win their last four games to have a hope of scraping into the finals.
As well as potentially slipping two wins outside of the top eight with only four rounds remaining, Manly have also likely lost Jake Trbojevic for two games after he suffered a category one concussion in a nasty second-half collision with Josh Papalii.
Trbojevic’s injury came in between the Raiders running in two tries in nine minutes to turn a precarious four-point lead into a match-winning buffer at Canberra Stadium.
A length-of-the-field team effort finished off by superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic in the third minute and a Tolutau Koula strike early in the second half had cancelled out Strange’s opening five-pointer and one to slippery winger Xavier Savage.
But that’s when Strange took the game by the scruff off the neck.
First, he took on and beat the Manly defence to storm over in the 54th minute.
Then Strange skilfully reeled in a spectacular flick pass from coach Stuart’s son Jed down the left wing to realistically put the game beyond Manly’s reach.
The only concern for Canberra was hard-nosed lock Corey Horsburgh being placed on report for a late shoulder charge on Manly hooker Jazz Tevaga.
2h agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 11:49am
75′ Big men start getting physical in Canberra
The final minutes of this match have turned feisty.
It started with Canberra’s Corey Horsburgh being put on report for a shoulder charge on Manly’s Jazz Tevaga.
Since then, Horsburgh has tried to be involved in every tackle.
Fellow Canberra forward Josh Papalii has not been far off, nailing a few strong shots.
But Manly are no shrinking violets. Tevaga and Matt Lodge have volunteered to run the footy at Horsburgh and Papalii.
2h agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 11:31am
64′ TRY: Kris intercepts and scores for the Raiders
Sebastian Kris has picked up a loose ball and run 35 metres to score under the posts.
Manly number nine Jazz Tevaga had the ball and threw a pass to the right, intended for Daly Cherry-Evans.
Canberra’s Ethan Strange rushed out of the line, attempting an intercept.
The ball missed Strange, missed Cherry-Evans, and bounced along the ground until it popped into the arms of Kris, who was at full speed.
Raiders 28
Sea Eagles 12
3h agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 11:25am
57′ Jake Trbojevic off for a HIA
Manly lock Jake Trbojevic has been taken off the field for a Head Injury Assessment.
Off the kick-off, Raiders prop Josh Papalii takes the hit-up.
Trbojevic was the first to meet Papalii, and he has come off second best.
Papalii’s head has hit Trbojevic’s head flush, and the Manly lock is not well.
He will not be back tonight, and it is hard to see how he will be allowed to play next week, due to concussion protocol.
3h agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 11:20am55′ TRY: Strange has a hat-trick
Canberra five-eighth Ethan Strange has a hat-trick.
The Raiders were on the halfway line and shifted the ball to the left.
Centre Sebastian Kris made a half-break and then got the pass to Jed Stuart on the wing.
Stuart, about to be tackled into touch, produces the most amazing flick pass to Strange.
The Raiders’ five-eighth then fends off Daly Cherry-Evans and scores his third try.
Raiders 22
Sea Eagles 12
3h agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 11:15am51′ Strange strikes back for the Raiders
Ethan Strange has his second try of the night for the Canberra Raiders.
Just like his first try, Strange stepped off his left foot, burst through two tackle attempts, and crashed over the line.
The Raiders were helped by a penalty against Manly for their markers not being square.
This was the Raiders’ first opportunity at the Sea Eagles’ goal line.
Credit to hooker Tom Starling, who collected the ball from dummy-half quickly, went down the shortside, and gave the ball to Strange while Manly’s defence was unorganised.
Raiders 16
Sea Eagles 12
3h agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 11:11am47′ TRY: Manly finally crack the Raiders
Canberra’s goal line blockade has finally been broken.
Left centre Tolutau Koula, who set up Manly’s first try, has broken four tackles to score.
The Sea Eagles forced another goal line dropout, giving them another crack at the Raiders’ line.
The Green Machine held firm. it was final play and the Sea Eagles shifted the ball to the left.
However, as the Raiders’ defence rushed to the sideline, Koula stepped off his left foot, broke four tackles and scored.
Reuben Garrick converts the try.
Sea Eagles 12
Raiders 10
3h agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 11:07am
43′ Canberra’s goal line defence holds firm, again
Xavier Savage dropped the ball, taking a hit-up, giving Manly the ball just 35 metres from the goan line.
An infringement from the Raiders gave Manly a six-again restart.
Tom Trbojevic came close to scoring down the left.
Manly is running out of plays.
They go to the left again with Trbojevic, AND SAVAGE HAMMERS TURBO.
The winger got under the ribs of Trbojevic and drove him over the sideline.
3h agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 11:03am
Second half begins in Canberra
The Raiders kick off to begin the second half, holding a narrow 10-6 lead.
Manly will have first use of the ball, running to the left of your screen.
Manly show some intent in attack to start the half, spreading the ball to the right wing on the second play of the set.
Ultimately, Manly gets the ball to halfway, followed by a kick from captain Daly Cherry-Evans.
3h agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 11:00am
Titans kicker Campbell accepts Panthers trainer’s apology
— reporting by AAP
Gold Coast star Jayden Campbell has accepted an apology from the Penrith trainer who controversially ran in front of him while lining up a kick at goal.
The Titans’ halfback said on Friday he did not believe the actions of Panthers trainer Corey Bocking were deliberate and admitted to learning from the incident that has been replayed and discussed in the media all week.
Jayden Campbell of the Titans is seen in a failed attempt at goal after being interupted by a Panthers trainer. (AAP)
In a breach notice, the NRL has proposed a five-week ban for Bocking and a $50,000 fine for Penrith.
Last week, the Titans hit the front 26-24, with Campbell to attempt to convert a Phil Sami try.
Bocking ran in front of him and Campbell was forced to reset his attempt before missing.
He was visibly upset and threw the kicking tee to the ground. Bocking raised his hands in apology.
The Panthers won the match 30-26 in golden point.
On Friday, Campbell spoke for the first time about the incident ahead of 16th-placed Titans’ home clash with cellar dwellers South Sydney on Sunday.
“At the time I was visibly upset. I wasn’t too sure what was happening,” he said.
“I was a bit upset but I’ve still got to make the kick.
“Everyone’s sort of blown up. I feel like it’s a bit of a bigger deal than it should be.
“Corey reached out to me and apologised, which I was really appreciative for.
“I threw the kicking tee because I was upset. It wasn’t because he ran in front of me. It was because I knew how big the kick was and I missed it.”
3h agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 10:55am
Nathan Cleary reflects on Penrith’s win over Newcastle
The Penrith Panthers defeated the Newcastle Knights 48-12 in the earlier match this evening.
The Panthers led 26-0 at half-time, and they converted that into a great win.
It was in contrast to last week, when the Panthers blew a 24-0 lead, before claiming a win in golden point against the Titans.
Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary spoke to ABC Sport after the win, and said he was pleased with how his team finished off the win tonight.
“We probably didn’t respond to the wet enough. Up 32-0, started the second half good, whereas last week, we started the second half poor,” he said.
“Thought the response was much better.”
3h agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 10:49amHT: Canberra Raiders 10 leading Manly Sea Eagles 6
A great half of footy comes to an end.
The Canberra Raiders hold a four-point lead over the Manly Sea Eagles.
Canberra’s lead is off the back of terrific defence.
Manly have had plenty of chances to score more than the one try they have, but the Raiders’ goal line defence refused to budge in the opening 40 minutes.
3h agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 10:48am
38′ Raiders defend two more sets on their line
This has been a terrific defensive effort from the Canberra Raiders in this first half.
After Kaeo Weekes was unable to catch a bomb on his own goal line, it gave the Sea Eagles a full set at the Canberra line.
The Raiders defended doggedly, but Manly was able to force a goal line dropout.
With another set at the goal line, the Sea Eagles threatened to score. They went close to scoring. But the Green Machine put up a blockade that just will not be breached.
3h agoFri 8 Aug 2025 at 10:40am
33′ Raiders’ goal line defence holds firm
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart will be thrilled with the efforts from his side.
The Sea Eagles have spent a large part of the previous 15 minutes defending their own line.
But Canberra continue to turn up in defence.
Manly looked destined to score two or three times, but they could not break the Raiders’ defensive line.
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