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The NRL is as tight a competition as ever, but we have seen some major blowouts over the years with some massive margins.
Twice in 2023, fans have been clamouring to ask: Parramatta went 42-4 up at half time against the Dolphins in Round 17, only to be bettered a week later by North Queensland, who were 42-0 to the good at the break against the Wests Tigers.
The Cowboys ended up winning out 74-0 in the end, the biggest NRL margin of all time, four points higher than when Parramatta beat Cronulla 74-4, and the biggest in any of the NRL, NSWRL or BRL competitions since 1935.
Back then, St George defeated Canterbury 91-6 in the Bulldogs’ first year in first grade. Amazingly, they lost 87-7 to Eastern Suburbs a week later, still the second largest margin.
These are not close to the widest rugby league margins anywhere, however. Super League’s record stands at 80 points, which was achieved by Leeds Rhinos over Huddersfield Giants in 1999 with an 86-6 score, and then equalled the next year by Bradford Bulls over Salford Reds with a 96-6 scoreline.
In professional competition, York City Knights won 144-0 over West Welsh Raiders in 2018 in the third grade, while Barrow’s 138-0 win over Nottingham City in the Regal Trophy in 1984 is the highest in a cup competition.
Highest margins in NRL/NSWRL history
1935, Round 5: St George def Canterbury 91-6
1935, Round 6: Easts def Canterbury 87-7
2023, Round 18: North Queensland Cowboys def Wests Tigers 74-0
2003, Round 24: Parramatta Eels def Cronulla Sharks 74-4
1993, Round 21: Canberra Raiders def Parramatta Eels 68-0
Penrith’s blinding start to the 2022 NRL Grand final brought back memories of the biggest ever margin in NRL and NSWRL Grand Final history.
The Panthers roared an 18-0 lead inside the opening 28 minutes as the Parramatta Eels were caught cold, by the defending premiers.
It had the Nine commentators wondering just how wide the margin could get, including Cam Smith who was banned for the 2008 decider which Manly won 40-0 against his Melbourne Storm team to set the record margin.
That result edged the Roosters 38-0 win over St George in 1975. The Rabbitohs hold the record for the most points scored by a team in a Grand Final, with 42 in the 1951 decider.
The Panthers kept the pressure right on the Eels up to the halftime break and should have scored another try just before the break only to be denied by Waqa Blake’s desperate scramble.
“It’s hard to think of a more dominant first half effort from the Panthers all season and they have saved it until Grand Final night,” said commentator Mathew Thompson. “They have started with military precision.”
Here are the top six winning margins in NRL and NSWRL Grand Final history
40 points: Manly bt Melbourne 40-0 – 2008
38 points: Eastern Suburbs bt St George 38-0 – 1975
32 points: North Sydney bt Glebe 35-3 – 1922
29 points: Balmain bt South Sydney 33-4 – 1939
28 points: South Sydney bt Manly 42-14 – 1951
28 points: Melbourne bt North Queensland 34-6 – 2017
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