Biggest Loses in NRL History

There’s nothing like a 60-point loss in an NRL game. Each season features a few lopsided scorelines, but some matches stand out, leaving fans shocked for years. This overview highlights the largest losses in league history, featuring the most lopsided scorelines ever recorded. Some clubs appear more often than they’d like, and a few results seem more suited for junior footy. Let’s explore these monumental defeats, starting from the smallest of the biggest to the unforgettable blowout.

St. George Illawarra Dragons: 60-point loss (2000)

The Storm put on a show at the MCG, piling on 70 points to the Dragons’ 10. It shocked everyone because it was a rematch of the 1999 Grand Final, a game that was meant to be tight and emotional. Instead, Melbourne turned it into a track meet.

What made it even stranger was that the Dragons actually finished the season pretty well. They missed finals by a single win and somehow still had a better points differential than multiple teams below them. Tasesa Lavea posted 24 points on his own as Melbourne broke records and snapped a four-game losing streak in style.

Penrith Panthers: 62-point loss (2008)

The late 2000s were bumpy for Penrith, and the Raiders made sure that point was clear when they thumped the Panthers 74-12. Canberra tied the record for most points ever scored in an NRL match, and Terry Campese had a day out with four tries and nine goals. Penrith responded the following week by putting 52 on the Bulldogs, then conceded 40 the week after that. It was that kind of year.

Wests Tigers: 64-point loss (2001)

The early days of the joint venture were rough. The Tigers struggled for consistency, and the Storm took full advantage, cruising to a 64-0 win. The Tigers didn’t trouble the scoreboard once, but in classic Tigers fashion, they followed the embarrassment with a three-game winning streak. At the time, this was their worst loss, but unfortunately, it wouldn’t stay that way.

Wests Tigers: another 64-point loss (2024)

AAMI Park has never been a friendly place for visiting teams, but the 2024 clash against the Storm got ugly very early. Ryan Papenhuyzen crossed for a hat-trick just 17 minutes in and finished with a club-record 36 points. The most unusual aspect was the final score. It ended 64-0, the exact same margin Melbourne beat the Tigers by in 2001. Different decade, same pain.

Newcastle Knights: 65-point loss (2007)

The retirement of Andrew Johns left a huge hole, and the Knights felt it hard. Brisbane put 71 points on Newcastle, including 46 in the second half. It remains both the Broncos’ biggest-ever win and the Knights’ heaviest defeat. The loss summed up their season as the side limped to the finish line, only one win ahead of last place.

Wests Tigers: 66-point loss (2022)

Another tough chapter for Tigers fans came in Round 23 of 2022. The Roosters put on a clinic, rolling to a comfortable 72-6 victory. Sam Walker nailed 12 conversions, tying the NRL record for most goals in a single match. This result sat right in the middle of the Tigers’ 12-game run to finish the year. They lost 11 of those matches and took home the wooden spoon.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: two 66-0 losses (2021 & 2023)

Two years apart, two identical scorelines, two very long afternoons for Bulldogs fans. The Sea Eagles and Knights both tore Canterbury to shreds at home, keeping them completely scoreless. Reuben Garrick and Kalyn Ponga each kicked 11 goals in their respective wins, landing themselves in the record books. While Manly went on to enjoy a strong season in 2021, the Knights were only sitting one spot above the Dogs when they belted them in 2023.

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FAQs

Which team has suffered the most big losses?

The Tigers appear multiple times on this list, far more than any other club. Some of it comes down to rebuilding phases, but they’ve definitely copped their share of rough nights.

Has any team come close to breaking the 74-point margin since?

A few have come close in individual halves or high-scoring matches, but the full-time record still stands comfortably on its own. It will take a perfect storm for anyone to get near it.