The extravaganza that is Magic Round heads into its eighth edition in 2027 and we can't wait to see who lights it up on the big weekend.
Since 2019, some of the NRL's biggest stars have thrived under the bright lights of Suncorp Stadium, while some clubs are still waiting for the magic to happen.
From tryscoring machines to teams that just can’t stop winning, here’s who has made Suncorp Stadium their own playground and who has struggled to get out of first gear at the festival of footy.
WHO’S FEELING HOT, HOT, HOT
Most tries
Josh Addo-Carr is the Magic Round king with eight tries, including a hat-trick for the Storm against the Dragons in 2021.
Selwyn Cobbo has bagged seven four-pointers while former Eel Maika Sivo and Dolphins gun Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow have six each at Magic Round.
The greatest tryscorer in the game's history Alex Johnston has five, as do Jacob Preston, Jason Saab, Fletcher Sharpe, Cody Walker, Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Dom Young.
Cobbo loves Magic Round
Hat-trick heroes
Nine players have scored a Magic Round hat-trick but Selwyn Cobbo is the only man to do it twice – in 2022 and 2023 for the Broncos. It will certainly be 'Phins up, baby' if Selwyn can do it again in 2027 against the Roosters in a Friday night blockbuster.
Green with envy
There must be something in the air when the Raiders swap chilly Canberra for sunny Brisbane. The Green Machine have won five of their six Magic Round games, their only loss coming against the Roosters in 2019 at the inaugural Magic Round. In 2027, the Raiders face Wests Tigers at Magic Round as they look to continue their streak.
The Knights have also won five of six at Magic Round while the Panthers have notched five wins from seven starts and the Dolphins are three from four, including a 32-10 mauling of Souths in 2026. Magic Round 2027 sees the Knights face the Bulldogs in the final match on Sunday night.
Titans v Knights – Round 11, 2026
Cleary’s masterclass
Nathan Cleary holds the record for most points in a Magic Round game. His 28-point haul against the Titans in 2021, from a hat-trick and eight conversions, came during one of the breakout seasons of his career.
Adam Doueihi had 20 points (2 tries, 6 goals) for Wests Tigers against Newcastle also in 2021 while Manly's Reuben Garrick kicked nine goals for a tally of 18 points against the Broncos in 2021.
Cameron Smith, Adam Reynolds, Luke Metcalf and Nicho Hynes have all scored 18 points in a match at Magic Round.
Cleary finishes the game how he started
BRRRR, IT’S COLD IN HERE
You’ve got to take the good with the bad, and some clubs probably wish Magic Round didn’t come around every May, but there’s still plenty of time to flip the script.
Still waiting for the magic
The Dragons are the only club yet to win at Magic Round. They’ve lost all six games they’ve played there, including a 28-6 loss to Penrith in 2026 and a narrow 34-28 loss to Wests Tigers in 2025. The Red V have a new-look team in 2027 and are expected to make some big improvements but they will face a stern test at Magic Round against the Warriors.
Not much better
The Bulldogs and Eels have won just one from seven at Magic Round while the Titans are two from seven.
Papalii sent off for high contact on Tuipulotu Katoa
Bad memories for Papa
Raiders legend Josh Papalii is probably happy he never has to front up at Magic Round again having been sent off once (2021) and sin-binned twice (2024 and 2025).
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
