The 2012 NRL season consisted of 26 weekly regular season rounds starting on 1 March, followed by four weeks of play-offs that culminated in the grand final on 30 September.[1] The finals format for 2012 was also changed, with the new ARL Commission dispensing with the McIntyre final eight system and replacing it with the finals system employed previously by the ARL in the 1990s.[2]
Regular season
Round 1
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 14 – 15 | 1 March 2012, 7:30pm | Hunter Stadium | Matt Cecchin Ashley Klein  | 
29,189 | ||||
| 6 – 18 | 2 March 2012, 7:30pm | Parramatta Stadium | Shayne Hayne Gavin Morris  | 
11,399 | ||||
| 19 – 24 | 3 March 2012, 5:30pm | Canberra Stadium | Gavin Badger Brett Suttor  | 
7,862 | ||||
| 14 – 22 | 3 March 2012, 7:30pm | Centrebet Stadium | Jason Robinson Phil Haines  | 
9,585 | ||||
| 0 – 18 | 3 March 2012, 8:30pm | Dairy Farmers Stadium | Steve Lyons Alan Shortall  | 
16,311 | ||||
| 20 – 26 | 4 March 2012, 2:00pm | Eden Park | Tony Archer Ben Cummins  | 
37,502 | ||||
| 17 – 16 | 4 March 2012, 2:00pm | Leichhardt Oval | Jarred Maxwell Chris James  | 
19,762 | ||||
| 20 – 24 | 5 March 2012, 7:00pm | ANZ Stadium | Gerard Sutton Adam Devcich  | 
18,278 | ||||
Source: NRL 2012 Round 1 – RL Project
- After five previous unsuccessful attempts, the St George Illawarra Dragons became the last club to win a match in golden point extra time.
 - The North Queensland Cowboys were held scoreless for the first time since 2006, and at home since 2003.
 - This round saw the NRL premiership coaching debuts of the Dragons' Steve Price, the Sea Eagles' Geoff Toovey, the Warriors' Brian McClennan and the Rabbitohs' Michael Maguire.
 - 2012's Round 1 set a new record in television ratings for an opening round, up 9% on the previous season's.[3]
 - This Round was the 9th (and as of Round 15 2014, last) time since Golden Point's inception in 2003 that there were 2 Golden Point games in the same week.
 
Round 2
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 22 – 18 | 9 March 2012, 7:30pm | Bluetongue Stadium | Ben Cummins Gerard Sutton  | 
17,532 | ||||
| 26 – 28 | 9 March 2012, 7:30pm | Suncorp Stadium | Jason Robinson Gavin Reynolds  | 
43,171 | ||||
| 12 – 24 | 10 March 2012, 4:30pm | Skilled Park | Steve Lyons Alan Shortall  | 
11,378 | ||||
| 30 – 4 | 10 March 2012, 7:30pm | ANZ Stadium | Matt Cecchin Ashley Klein  | 
29,641 | ||||
| 6 – 18 | 11 March 2012, 2:00pm | Toyota Stadium | Tony Archer Phil Haines  | 
15,564 | ||||
| 0 – 18 | 11 March 2012, 3:00pm | Allianz Stadium | Adam Devcich Chris James  | 
12,746[4] | ||||
| 24 – 10 | 11 March 2012, 7:00pm | AAMI Park | Shayne Hayne Gavin Morris  | 
15,872 | ||||
| 20 – 36 | 12 March 2012, 7:00pm | Parramatta Stadium | Gavin Badger Brett Suttor  | 
12,102 | ||||
Source: NRL 2012 Round 2 – RL Project
- The Gold Coast lost at home to Canberra for the first time.
 - Canterbury defeated St. George Illawarra for the first time since Round 6, 2008.
 - Penrith prevented their opposition scoring a try for the first time since Round 17, 2003, breaking an alltime record streak of 208 games[5]
 - The Round 2 attendance total of 158,006 set a new record for Round 2, exceeding the previous high of 148,127 in 2009.
 - The Round 2 attendance total exceeded the Round 1 total for the first time since 1996.
 
Round 3
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 36 – 12 | 16 March 2012, 7:30pm | WIN Jubilee Oval | Tony Archer Phil Haines  | 
18,726 | ||||
| 10 – 24 | 16 March 2012, 8:30pm | Hunter Stadium | Shayne Hayne Gavin Morris  | 
23,894 | ||||
| 6 – 30 | 17 March 2012, 4:30pm | Skilled Park | Jason Robinson Gavin Reynolds  | 
11,254 | ||||
| 42 – 6 | 17 March 2012, 6:30pm | Dairy Farmers Stadium | Adam Devcich Chris James  | 
8,239 | ||||
| 18 – 32 | 18 March 2012, 2:00pm | Mt Smart Stadium | Matt Cecchin Ashley Klein  | 
17,067[6] | ||||
| 14 – 8 | 18 March 2012, 2:00pm | Allianz Stadium | Steve Lyons Alan Shortall  | 
10,343[7] | ||||
| 24 – 40 | 18 March 2012, 3:00pm | Centrebet Stadium | Gavin Badger Bernard Sutton  | 
13,876 | ||||
| 17 – 14 | 19 March 2012, 7:00pm | Toyota Stadium | Ben Cummins Chris Sutton  | 
8,652 | ||||
Source: NRL 2012 Round 3 – RL Project
Round 4
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 6 – 39 | 23 March 2012, 7:30pm | Parramatta Stadium | Matt Cecchin  Gavin Reynolds  | 
13,788 | ||||
| 12 – 20 | 23 March 2012, 6:00pm | nib Stadium | Ashley Klein  Chris James  | 
15,599 | ||||
| 26 – 6 | 24 March 2012, 7:30pm | Mt Smart Stadium | Jarred Maxwell  Gavin Morris  | 
12,915 | ||||
| 17 – 6 | 24 March 2012, 7:30pm | WIN Jubilee Oval | Shayne Hayne  Adam Devcich  | 
17,893 | ||||
| 14 – 20 | 24 March 2012, 8:30pm | Dairy Farmers Stadium | Gerard Sutton  Tony De Las Heras  | 
11,364 | ||||
| 44 – 4 | 25 March 2012, 2:00pm | AAMI Park | Tony Archer  Gavin Badger  | 
11,897 | ||||
| 6 – 20 | 25 March 2012, 3:00pm | ANZ Stadium | Ben Cummins  Phil Haines  | 
21,701 | ||||
| 16 – 30 | 26 March 2012, 7:00pm | Campbelltown Sports Stadium | Jason Robinson  Brett Suttor  | 
14,388 | ||||
Source: NRL 2012 Round 4 – RL Project
- Parramatta's four losses to begin a season is the first time it has done so since 1991.
 - Canberra defeated the Wests Tigers for the first time since Round 5, 2008, and at Campbelltown for the first time since Round 23, 2006.
 
Round 5 - Heritage Round
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 34 – 22 | 30 March 2012, 7:30pm | AAMI Park | Matt Cecchin  Adam Devcich  | 
11,369 | ||||
| 28 – 20 | 30 March 2012, 7:30pm | Suncorp Stadium | Ben Cummins  Brett Suttor  | 
38,012 | ||||
| 14 – 15 | 31 March 2012, 5:30pm | Centrebet Stadium | Ashley Klein  Henry Perenara  | 
13,920 | ||||
| 29 – 20 | 31 March 2012, 7:30pm | Parramatta Stadium | Grant Maxwell  Gavin Reynolds  | 
13,158 | ||||
| 26 – 8 | 31 March 2012, 7:30pm | Allianz Stadium | Tony Archer  Tony De Las Heras  | 
13,201 | ||||
| 20 – 30 | 1 April 2012, 2:00pm | Skilled Park | Gerard Sutton  Gavin Badger  | 
14,344 | ||||
| 16 – 17 | 1 April 2012, 3:00pm | Allianz Stadium | Shayne Hayne  Gavin Morris  | 
25,608 | ||||
| 6 – 22 | 2 April 2012, 7:00pm | Canberra Stadium | Steve Lyons  Chris James  | 
12,135 | ||||
Source: NRL 2012 Round 5 – RL Project
Round 6
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 20 – 10 | 6 April 2012, 4:00pm | ANZ Stadium | Ben Cummins  Gavin Badger  | 
35,221 | ||||
| 14 – 18 | 6 April 2012, 7:35pm | Allianz Stadium | Ashley Klein  Steve Lyons  | 
17,556 | ||||
| 12 – 18 | 7 April 2012, 5:30pm | Skilled Park | Brett Suttor Chris James  | 
11,478 | ||||
| 12 – 0 | 7 April 2012, 7:30pm | Toyota Stadium | Matt Cecchin  Adam Devcich  | 
21,380 | ||||
| 32 – 12 | 8 April 2012, 2:00pm | Canberra Stadium | Shayne Hayne  Alan Shortall  | 
10,800 | ||||
| 14 – 6 | 8 April 2012, 3:00pm | Hunter Stadium | Tony Archer  Tony De Las Heras  | 
24,158 | ||||
| 18 – 42 | 8 April 2012, 7:00pm | Dairy Farmers Stadium | Jared Maxwell  Gavin Reynolds  | 
20,206 | ||||
| 30 – 0 | 9 April 2012, 7:00pm | Brookvale Oval | Gerard Sutton  Henry Perenara  | 
14,255 | ||||
Source: NRL 2012 Round 6 – RL Project
- The Round 6 attendance total of 155,054 set a new record for Round 6, exceeding the previous high of 152,371 in 1995 (10 games).
 
Round 7
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 12 – 4 | 13 April 2012, 7:35pm | WIN Jubilee Oval | Jarred Maxwell  Gavin Reynolds  | 
15,291 | ||||
| 30 – 6 | 13 April 2012, 7:35pm | Suncorp Stadium | Ben Cummins  Gavin Badger  | 
30,017 | ||||
| 12 – 6 | 14 April 2012, 5:30pm | AAMI Park | Matt Cecchin  Adam Devcich  | 
14,912 | ||||
| 12 – 50 | 14 April 2012, 7:00pm | TIO Stadium | Ashley Klein  Gavin Morris  | 
10,758[8] | ||||
| 14 – 26 | 14 April 2012, 7:30pm | Brookvale Oval | Jason Robinson  Tony De Las Heras  | 
11,619 | ||||
| 44 – 22 | 15 April 2012, 2:00pm | Mt Smart Stadium | Shayne Hayne  Alan Shortall  | 
15,378 | ||||
| 24 – 18 | 15 April 2012, 2:00pm | Toyota Stadium | Steve Lyons  Henry Perenara  | 
14,327 | ||||
| 0 – 30 | 15 April 2012, 3:00pm | Centrebet Stadium | Tony Archer  Chris James  | 
15,759 | ||||
Source: NRL 2012 Round 7 – RL Project
- For the first time since Round 26, 2005, St. George Illawarra defeated Newcastle on any of its home grounds.
 - For the first time since Round 13 2005, the Cowboys scored 50 or more points against an opponent.
 - For the first time in the Panthers history and the 10th time in NRL history, they were held to nil in 2 consecutive games, becoming the first team since West Tigers in Rounds 15 & 16 2004 to do this, it was also the first time the West Tigers held a team to nil in the joint venture's history, and the first time since Round 18 1998 either team in the merger held a team to nil.
 
Round 8
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 28 – 24 | 25 April 2012, 4:00pm | Allianz Stadium | Matt Cecchin  Ben Cummins  | 
40,164 | ||||
| 32 – 14 | 25 April 2012, 7:00pm | AAMI Park | Tony Archer  Chris James  | 
20,333 | ||||
| 26 – 6 | 27 April 2012, 7:35pm | Suncorp Stadium | Jarred Maxwell  Adam Devcich  | 
30,083 | ||||
| 10 – 12 | 27 April 2012, 7:35pm | ANZ Stadium | Shayne Hayne  Brett Suttor  | 
24,743 | ||||
| 20 – 16 | 28 April 2012, 7:30pm | ANZ Stadium | Steve Lyons  Henry Perenara  | 
12,213 | ||||
| 22 – 44 | 29 April 2012, 2:00pm | Canberra Stadium | Jason Robinson  Tony De Las Heras  | 
12,227 | ||||
| 30 – 31 | 29 April 2012, 3:00pm | Parramatta Stadium | Ashley Klein  Gavin Morris  | 
19,654 | ||||
| 34 – 14 | 30 April 2012, 7:00pm | Hunter Stadium | Gerard Sutton  Gavin Badger  | 
16,892 | ||||
Source: NRL 2012 Round 8 – RL Project
- The Melbourne Storm became the first team since the Sydney Roosters in 1996 to open a season with eight successive wins.
 - The South Sydney Rabbitohs won their 1,000th ever premiership match.
 - Parramatta scored 30 points in 13 minutes, as they fell short of what would have been the greatest ever comeback in NRL history.[9]
 
Round 9
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 12 – 46 | 4 May 2012, 7:35pm | ANZ Stadium | Ashley Klein  Brett Suttor  | 
28,214 | ||||
| 30 – 6 | 4 May 2012, 7:35pm | Dairy Farmers Stadium | Tony Archer  Gavin Badger  | 
15,006 | ||||
| 30 – 20 | 5 May 2012, 7:30pm | Mt Smart Stadium | Ben Cummins  Jason Robinson  | 
19,012 | ||||
| 14 – 15 | 5 May 2012, 7:30pm | Skilled Park | Gerard Sutton  Alan Shortall  | 
14,254 | ||||
| 10 – 44 | 5 May 2012, 7:30pm | Centrebet Stadium | Steve Lyons  Henry Perenara  | 
9,517 | ||||
| 18 – 12 | 6 May 2012, 2:00pm | Brookvale Oval | Jarred Maxwell  Tony De Las Heras  | 
15,033 | ||||
| 24 – 6 | 6 May 2012, 3:00pm | Allianz Stadium | Shayne Hayne  Gavin Morris  | 
12,728 | ||||
| 34 – 28 | 7 May 2012, 7:00pm | ANZ Stadium | Matt Cecchin  Chris James  | 
13,281 | ||||
Source: NRL 2012 Round 9 – RL Project
- Parramatta recorded its worst start to a season since 1960.
 - Matt Prior became the first player to be sent off this season for his elbow hit to Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston.
 
Round 10
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 22 – 24 | 11 May 2012, 7:00pm | Suncorp Stadium | Tony Archer  Shayne Hayne  | 
41,273 | ||||
| 14 – 25 | 11 May 2012, 8:30pm | Jarred Maxwell  Brett Suttor  | ||||||
| 30 – 26 | 12 May 2012, 7:30pm | Mt Smart Stadium | Steve Lyons  Henry Perenara  | 
16,220 | ||||
| 12 – 32 | 12 May 2012, 7:30pm | Hunter Stadium | Matt Cecchin  Gavin Morris  | 
18,191 | ||||
| 40 – 34 | 13 May 2012, 2:00pm | Canberra Stadium | Gavin Badger  Adam Devcich  | 
9,210 | ||||
| 10- 12 | 13 May 2012, 3:00pm | Toyota Stadium | Ben Cummins  Jason Robinson  | 
14,595 | ||||
| 13 – 12 | 14 May 2012, 7:00pm | Centrebet Stadium | Gerard Sutton  Tony De Las Heras  | 
10,367 | ||||
| Bye:  | ||||||||
Source: NRL 2012 Round 10 – RL Project
Round 11
Players selected for Game I of the 2012 State of Origin series were not available for this round.
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 24 – 22 | 18 May 2012, 7:45pm | Leichhardt Oval | Tony Archer  Jason Robinson  | 
16,406 | ||||
| 30 – 28 | 19 May 2012, 7:30pm | Dairy Farmers Stadium | Steve Lyons  Chris James  | 
11,648 | ||||
| 18 – 10 | 20 May 2012, 2:00pm | Brookvale Oval | Ashley Klein  Jarred Maxwell  | 
12,633 | ||||
| 18 – 19 | 20 May 2012, 3:00pm | WIN Jubilee Oval | Shayne Hayne  Brett Suttor  | 
14,894 | ||||
| 26 – 6 | 21 May 2012, 7:00pm | ANZ Stadium | Gerard Sutton  Gavin Badger  | 
12,012 | ||||
| Bye:  | ||||||||
Source: NRL 2012 Round 11 – RL Project
- The Dragons became the 5th team to play Golden Point in consecutive weeks.
 
Round 12
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 34 – 10 | 25 May 2012, 7:35pm | AAMI Park | Tony Archer  Gerard Sutton  | 
10,054 | ||||
| 36 – 18 | 25 May 2012, 7:35pm | ANZ Stadium | Ashley Klein  Chris James  | 
13,200 | ||||
| 14 – 24 | 26 May 2012, 5:30pm | Hunter Stadium | Shayne Hayne  Alan Shortall  | 
15,792 | ||||
| 14 – 12 | 26 May 2012, 7:30pm | WIN Jubilee Oval | Jarred Maxwell  Tony De Las Heras  | 
12,756 | ||||
| 22 – 4 | 27 May 2012, 2:00pm | Centrebet Stadium | Matt Cecchin  Gavin Reynolds  | 
11,844 | ||||
| 26 – 18 | 27 May 2012, 3:00pm | Campbelltown Sports Stadium | Ben Cummins  Brett Suttor  | 
13,059 | ||||
| 12 – 30 | 28 May 2012, 7:00pm | Allianz Stadium | Adam Devcich  Jason Robinson  | 
11,343 | ||||
| Bye:  | ||||||||
Source: NRL 2012 Round 12 – RL Project
Round 13
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 28 – 12 | 1 June 2012, 7:35pm | Skilled Park | Shane Hayne  Alan Shortall  | 
12,092 | ||||
| 20 – 8 | 1 June 2012, 7:35pm | Brookvale Oval | Tony Archer  Chris James  | 
11,855 | ||||
| 0 – 40 | 2 June 2012, 5:30pm | Canberra Stadium | Gavin Badger  Phil Haines  | 
9,210 | ||||
| 23 – 18 | 2 June 2012, 7:30pm | ANZ Stadium | Ben Cummins  Gavin Morris  | 
19,409 | ||||
| 50 – 24 | 3 June 2012, 3:00pm | Suncorp Stadium | Ashley Klein  Gavin Reynolds  | 
26,683 | ||||
| 12 – 22 | 3 June 2012, 4:00pm | Mt Smart Stadium | Matt Cecchin  Adam Devcich  | 
20,487 | ||||
| 29 – 20 | 4 June 2012, 7:00pm | Parramatta Stadium | Steve Lyons  Henry Perenara  | 
10,009 | ||||
| Bye:  | ||||||||
Source: NRL 2012 Round 13 – RL Project
Round 14
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 6 – 10 | 8 June 2012, 7:45pm | AAMI Park | Shane Hayne  Gerard Sutton  | 
11,274 | ||||
| 16 – 32 | 9 June 2012, 7:30pm | Hunter Stadium | Ashley Klein  Jared Maxwell  | 
15,114 | ||||
| 22 – 12 | 10 June 2012, 2:00pm | Toyota Stadium | Gavin Badger  Jason Robinson  | 
8,635 | ||||
| 22 – 40 | 10 June 2012, 3:00pm | Allianz Stadium | Adam Devcich  Matt Cecchin  | 
9,738 | ||||
| 16 – 30 | 11 June 2012, 5:30pm | Centrebet Stadium | Steve Lyons  Brett Suttor  | 
5,778 | ||||
| Bye:  | ||||||||
Source: NRL 2012 Round 14 – RL Project
Round 15
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 20 – 28 | 15 June 2012, 7:35pm | WIN Stadium | Shane Hayne  Chris James  | 
16,928 | ||||
| 12 – 0 | 15 June 2012, 7:35pm | Dairy Farmers Stadium | Gavin Morris  Jason Robinson  | 
20,367 | ||||
| 20 – 19 | 16 June 2012, 5:30pm | Toyota Stadium | Ashley Klein  Steve Lyons  | 
9,271 | ||||
| 6 – 24 | 16 June 2012, 7:30pm | ANZ Stadium | Alan Shortall  Brett Suttor  | 
14,212 | ||||
| 36 – 18 | 17 June 2012, 2:00pm | Skilled Park | Gerard Sutton  Phil Haines  | 
11,591 | ||||
| 28 – 42 | 17 June 2012, 3:00pm | Leichhardt Oval | Gavin Badger  Ben Cummins  | 
20,327 | ||||
| 22 – 26 | 18 June 2012, 7:00pm | Brookvale Oval | Tony Archer  Jared Maxwell  | 
12,106 | ||||
| Bye:  | ||||||||
Source: NRL 2012 Round 15 – RL Project
- For only the second time in the club's history, the Brisbane Broncos were held scoreless in Queensland, it was also the first time the Cowboys have held a team scoreless since the 2005 Preliminary Final.
 
Round 16 - Women in League round
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 8 – 6 | 22 June 2012, 7:35pm | WIN Stadium | Gavin Morris  Jason Robinson  | 
10,194 | ||||
| 26 – 12 | 22 June 2012, 7:35pm | Suncorp Stadium | Tony Archer  Chris James  | 
33,602 | ||||
| 40 – 18 | 23 June 2012, 5:30pm | Dairy Farmers Stadium | Alan Shortall  Brett Suttor  | 
14,344 | ||||
| 18 – 19 | 23 June 2012, 7:30pm | Centrebet Stadium | Adam Devcich  Jared Maxwell  | 
15,275 | ||||
| 20 – 4 | 24 June 2012, 2:00pm | Virgin Australia Stadium | Gavin Badger  Ben Cummins  | 
11,876 | ||||
| 14 – 52 | 24 June 2012, 3:00pm | Allianz Stadium | Shayne Hayne  Steve Lyons  | 
13,531 | ||||
| 38 – 20 | 25 June 2012, 7:00pm | Hunter Stadium | Phil Haines  Gerard Sutton  | 
18,637 | ||||
| Bye:  | ||||||||
Source: NRL 2012 Round 16 – RL Project
- Petero Civoniceva (Brisbane) became the 17th player in premiership history to play 300 games.[10]
 
Round 17
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 12 – 26 | 29 June 2012, 7:35pm | Suncorp Stadium | Gavin Badger  Jason Robinson  | 
26,268 | ||||
| 12 – 20 | 30 June 2012, 7:30pm | Parramatta Stadium | Matt Cecchin  Phil Haines  | 
12,022 | ||||
| 38 – 12 | 1 July 2012, 3:00pm | ANZ Stadium | Steve Lyons  Gerard Sutton  | 
13,096 | ||||
| 35 – 18 | 1 July 2012, 4:00pm | Mt Smart Stadium | Ashley Klein  Brett Suttor  | 
15,374 | ||||
| 22 – 18 | 2 July 2012, 7:00pm | Canberra Stadium | Adam Devcich  Jared Maxwell  | 
10,462 | ||||
| Bye:  | ||||||||
Source: NRL 2012 Round 17 – RL Project
Round 18
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 20 – 32 | 6 July 2012, 7:45pm | Allianz Stadium | Gavin Morris  Jason Robinson  | 
19,034 | ||||
| 12 – 40 | 7 July 2012, 5:30pm | AAMI Park | Adam Devcich  Gerard Sutton  | 
12,214 | ||||
| 14 – 32 | 7 July 2012, 7:30pm | Skilled Park | Matt Cecchin  Phil Haines  | 
17,134 | ||||
| 34 – 14 | 8 July 2012, 2:00pm | ANZ Stadium | Ashley Klein  Brett Suttor  | 
16,104 | ||||
| 40 – 24 | 8 July 2012, 3:00pm | Brookvale Oval | Shayne Hayne  Alan Shortall  | 
16,065 | ||||
| 14 – 14 | 9 July 2012, 7:00pm | Toyota Stadium | Chris James  Jared Maxwell  | 
13,139 | ||||
| Bye:  | ||||||||
Source:
Round 19 - Rivalry Round #1
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 10 – 8 | 13 July 2012, 7:35pm | Suncorp Stadium | Ben Cummins  Chris James  | 
32,148 | ||||
| 32 – 12 | 13 July 2012, 7:35pm | ANZ Stadium | Matt Cecchin  Phil Haines  | 
31,102 | ||||
| 32 – 6 | 14 July 2012, 5:30pm | Hunter Stadium | Jason Robinson  Tony De Las Heras  | 
20,154 | ||||
| 16 – 20 | 14 July 2012, 5:30pm | AAMI Park | Tony Archer  Gavin Morris  | 
10,688 | ||||
| 26 – 18 | 14 July 2012, 7:30pm | Campbelltown Sports Stadium | Gavin Badger  Henry Perenara  | 
12,384 | ||||
| 26 – 38 | 15 July 2012, 2:00pm | Canberra Stadium | Steve Lyons  Gavin Reynolds  | 
8,240 | ||||
| 18 – 10 | 15 July 2012, 3:00pm | WIN Stadium | Ashley Klein  Adam Devcich  | 
18,282 | ||||
| 22 – 24 | 16 July 2012, 7:00pm | Allianz Stadium | Shayne Hayne  Alan Shortall  | 
19,934 | ||||
Source:
Round 20 - Rivalry Round #2
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 12 – 20 | 20 July 2012, 7:35pm | Brookvale Oval | Ben Cummins  Brett Suttor  | 
16,820 | ||||
| 14 – 10 | 20 July 2012, 7:35pm | Skilled Park | Jared Maxwell  Alan Shortall  | 
20,067 | ||||
| 19 – 24 | 21 July 2012, 7:30pm | Mt Smart Stadium | Adam Devcich  Gerard Sutton  | 
15,112 | ||||
| 36 – 14 | 21 July 2012, 7:30pm | ANZ Stadium | Tony Archer  Gavin Morris  | 
21,019 | ||||
| 16 – 10 | 21 July 2012, 7:30pm | Parramatta Stadium | Tony De Las Heras  Steve Lyons  | 
9,029 | ||||
| 4 – 36 | 22 July 2012, 2:00pm | Toyota Stadium | Shayne Hayne  Henry Perenara  | 
12,139 | ||||
| 28 – 16 | 22 July 2012, 3:00pm | Centrebet Stadium | Ashley Klein  Gavin Reynolds  | 
9,646 | ||||
| 29 – 16 | 23 July 2012, 7:00pm | Dairy Farmers Stadium | Gavin Badger  Matt Cecchin  | 
12,357 | ||||
Source:
Round 21
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 26 – 18 | 27 July 2012, 7:35pm | WIN Stadium | Ben Cummins  Chris James  | 
11,477 | ||||
| 16 – 36 | 27 July 2012, 7:35pm | Allianz Stadium | Phil Haines  Jason Robinson  | 
8,134 | ||||
| 32 – 18 | 28 July 2012, 5:30pm | ANZ Stadium | Shayne Hayne  Gerard Sutton  | 
15,650 | ||||
| 24 – 22 | 28 July 2012, 5:30pm | Patersons Stadium | Henry Perenara  Luke Potter  | 
20,095 | ||||
| 20 – 21 | 28 July 2012, 7:30pm | Toyota Stadium | Gavin Badger  Steve Lyons  | 
7,848 | ||||
| 6 – 36 | 29 July 2012, 2:00pm | Canberra Stadium | Matt Cecchin  Gavin Reynolds  | 
10,260 | ||||
| 32 – 6 | 29 July 2012, 3:00pm | ANZ Stadium | Tony Archer  Brett Suttor  | 
29,863 | ||||
| 22 – 42 | 30 July 2012, 7:00pm | Suncorp Stadium | Tony De Las Heras  Ashley Klein  | 
22,626 | ||||
Source:
- The Warriors became the first team in history to surrender an 18-point lead 2 weeks in a row.
 
Round 22 - Close the Gap Round
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 26 – 10 | 3 August 2012, 7:35pm | Allianz Stadium | Matt Cecchin  Gavin Morris  | 
12,528 | ||||
| 46 – 6 | 4 August 2012, 3:30pm | AAMI Park | Adam Devcich  Ashley Klein  | 
9,223 | ||||
| 10 – 26 | 4 August 2012, 5:30pm | Hunter Stadium | Jason Robinson  Brett Suttor  | 
29,482 | ||||
| 6 – 8 | 4 August 2012, 7:30pm | Dairy Farmers Stadium | Shayne Hayne  Gerard Sutton  | 
14,401 | ||||
| 4 – 45 | 5 August 2012, 2:00pm | Mt Smart Stadium | Tony Archer  Alan Shortall  | 
13,812 | ||||
| 28 – 12 | 5 August 2012, 2:00pm | Canberra Stadium | Gavin Badger  Chris James  | 
9,850 | ||||
| 18 – 22 | 5 August 2012, 3:00pm | Skilled Park | Ben Cummins  Phil Haines  | 
20,187 | ||||
| 51 – 26 | 6 August 2012, 7:00pm | Campbelltown Sports Stadium | Tony De Las Heras  Jared Maxwell  | 
14,822 | ||||
Source:
- The Sharks win over the Warriors was the biggest winning margin in the entire 2012 NRL Season.
 
Round 23
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 6 – 23 | 10 August 2012, 7:35pm | Bluetongue Stadium | Ben Cummins  Phil Haines  | 
17,947 | ||||
| 24 – 16 | 10 August 2012, 7:35pm | AAMI Park | Shayne Hayne  Alan Shortall  | 
9,108 | ||||
| 36 – 22 | 11 August 2012, 5:30pm | Parramatta Stadium | Jared Maxwell  David Munro  | 
12,193 | ||||
| 22 – 12 | 11 August 2012, 7:30pm | Allianz Stadium | Adam Devcich  Gerard Sutton  | 
10,546 | ||||
| 52 – 12 | 11 August 2012, 7:30pm | Dairy Farmers Stadium | Chris James  Ashley Klein  | 
13,616 | ||||
| 10 – 20 | 12 August 2012, 2:00pm | Centrebet Stadium | Jason Robinson  Brett Suttor  | 
7,437 | ||||
| 22 – 14 | 12 August 2012, 3:00pm | ANZ Stadium | Tony Archer  Gavin Badger  | 
19,870 | ||||
| 26 – 4 | 13 August 2012, 7:00pm | Hunter Stadium | Matt Cecchin  Gavin Morris  | 
15,394 | ||||
Source: NRL 2012 Round 23 – RL Project
Round 24
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 18 – 19 | 17 August 2012, 7:35pm | Suncorp Stadium | Matt Cecchin  Chris James  | 
41,467 | ||||
| 23 – 22 | 17 August 2012, 7:35pm | ANZ Stadium | Ben Cummins  Jarred Maxwell  | 
29,194 | ||||
| 24 – 20 | 18 August 2012, 5:30pm | Canberra Stadium | Shayne Hayne  Alan Shortall  | 
8,860 | ||||
| 20 – 7 | 18 August 2012, 7:30pm | Toyota Stadium | Tony Archer  Brett Suttor  | 
16,463 | ||||
| 16 – 18 | 19 August 2012, 2:00pm | Mt Smart Stadium | Gavin Badger  David Munro  | 
11,014 | ||||
| 24 – 16 | 19 August 2012, 2:00pm | Skilled Park | Gerard Sutton  Steve Lyons  | 
14,159 | ||||
| 42 – 20 | 19 August 2012, 3:00pm | Brookvale Oval | Jason Robinson  Phil Haines  | 
14,191 | ||||
| 22 – 32 | 20 August 2012, 7:00pm | WIN Stadium | Adam Devcich  Ashley Klein  | 
9,245 | ||||
Source:
- This Round Dragons and Knights both had their finals hopes killed off this week against the Cowboys and Sea Eagles respectively.
 - The Tigers played their 4th Golden point game in the season, becoming just the 3rd team to do so.
 
Round 25
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 16 – 6 | 24 August 2012, 7:35pm | Brookvale Oval | Tony Archer  Jason Robinson  | 
12,886 | ||||
| 34 – 6 | 24 August 2012, 7:35pm | Canberra Stadium | Matt Cecchin  Chris James  | 
13,158 | ||||
| 36 – 22 | 25 August 2012, 3:30pm | Centrebet Stadium | Gavin Badger  Steve Lyons  | 
7,297 | ||||
| 38 – 6 | 25 August 2012, 5:30pm | WIN Stadium | Adam Gee  Jared Maxwell  | 
11,261 | ||||
| 22 – 14 | 25 August 2012, 7:30pm | Dairy Farmers Stadium | Ben Cummins  Brett Suttor  | 
15,119 | ||||
| 44 – 20 | 26 August 2012, 2:00pm | Allianz Stadium | Adam Devcich  Ashley Klein  | 
15,736 | ||||
| 38 – 6 | 26 August 2012, 3:00pm | ANZ Stadium | Phil Haines  Gerard Sutton  | 
24,121 | ||||
| 20 – 18 | 27 August 2012, 7:00pm | AAMI Park | Shayne Hayne  Alan Shortall  | 
12,847 | ||||
Source: NRL 2012 Round 25 – RL Project
- Parramatta's loss made it mathematically impossible for them to avoid their first wooden spoon since 1972, after Penrith had beaten the Titans the day before to go 2 wins clear and kill off the Titans finals aspirations in the process.
 
Round 26
| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and Time (Local) | Venue | Referees | Attendance | |||||
| 6 – 18 | 31 August 2012, 7:35pm | Hunter Stadium | Matt Cecchin  Chris James  | 
24,127 | ||||
| 19 – 12 | 31 August 2012, 7:35pm | Suncorp Stadium | Shayne Hayne  Alan Shortall  | 
35,178 | ||||
| 16 – 24 | 1 September 2012, 5:30pm | Skilled Park | Phil Haines  Gerard Sutton  | 
14,927 | ||||
| 42 – 10 | 1 September 2012, 7:30pm | ANZ Stadium | Gavin Badger  Jared Maxwell  | 
23,391 | ||||
| 6 – 26 | 1 September 2012, 7:30pm | Leichhardt Oval | Tony Archer  Brett Suttor  | 
10,834 | ||||
| 22 – 42 | 2 September 2012, 4:00pm | Mt Smart Stadium | Adam Devcich  Jason Robinson  | 
11,455 | ||||
| 22 – 36 | 2 September 2012, 3:00pm | Toyota Stadium | Ben Cummins  Ashley Klein  | 
16,829 | ||||
| 8 – 29 | 2 September 2012, 6:30pm | ANZ Stadium | Grant Atkins Steve Lyons  | 
45,863 | ||||
Source:
- The final 8 was confirmed after the Tigers-Storm game, which the Tigers lost 26-6, meaning from this point on no other team could make the 8.
 - The Bulldogs won their first Minor Premiership since 1994 with their 42-10 win over the Roosters.
 
Finals
Week 1 - Qualifying and Elimination Finals
| Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs  | 
16 – 10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: 3 Wright Keating Barba Goals: 2 Inu  | 
1st: 6–10 2nd: 10–6 Report  | 
Tries: 2 Taufua B Stewart Goals: 1 Cherry-Evans  | 
- This was the first Finals meeting between these two clubs since the 1995 Grand Final.
 
| Melbourne Storm  | 
24 – 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: 4 Hoffman Slater Fonua Waqa Goals: 4 Smith  | 
1st: 18–0 2nd: 6–6 Report  | 
Tries: 1 Pettybourne Goals: 1 Reynolds  | 
- This was the first Finals game between these two sides.
 
| North Queensland Cowboys  | 
33 – 16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: 5 Morgan Bowen Tate Goals: 6 Thurston  | 
1st: 18–0 2nd: 15–16 Report  | 
Tries: 3 Norman Thaiday Copley Goals: 2 Wallace  | 
- This was the first Finals game since 2004 between these two sides.
 
| Canberra Raiders  | 
34 – 16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: 7 Earl Ferguson Papalii Buttriss Williams Goals: 3 Croker Dugan (0/3) Ferguson (0/1)  | 
1st: 16–6 2nd: 18–10 Report  | 
Tries: 3 Leutele Graham Stapleton Goals: 2 Carney Stapleton  | 
Week 2 - Semi-finals
| Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles  | 
22 – 12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: 4 Oldfield B Stewart Taufua Goals: 3 Lyon  | 
1st: 12–6 2nd: 10–6 Report  | 
Tries: 2 Tamou Winterstein Goals: 2 Thurston  | 
| South Sydney Rabbitohs  | 
38 – 16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: 6 Everingham Reynolds S Burgess Farrell Inglis Goals: 7 Reynolds  | 
1st: 20–10 2nd: 18–6 Report  | 
Tries: 3 Williams Earl Ferguson Goals: 2 Dugan  | 
Week 3 - Preliminary Finals
| Melbourne Storm  | 
40 – 12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: 7 Cronk Slater Chambers J Bromwich Proctor Goals: 6 Smith Widdop  | 
1st: 12–6 2nd: 28–6 Report  | 
Tries: 2 Lyon Goals: 2 Lyon  | 
Week 4 - Grand Final
| Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs  | 
4 – 14 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tries: 1 Perrett Goals: Inu (0/1)  | 
1st: 4–14 2nd: 0–0 Report  | 
Tries: 3 Hoffman Slater O'Neill Goals: 1 Smith  | 
ANZ Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 82,976 Referees: Tony Archer, Ben Cummins Clive Churchill Medal: Cooper Cronk (Melbourne)  | 
- This was the first Grand Final meeting between these 2 sides.
 - It was the Storm's first Grand Final since 2009 which they won 23–16, although the premiership title was stripped the next year after they were found guilty of salary cap cheating, for the Bulldogs it was their first decider since 2004 where they defeated the Roosters 16–13, it was the first time since the 2006 that both Grand Finalists won their last Grand Final.
 - Melbourne won their first legal title since 1999.
 - For the first time since 2008, the first and second placed teams at the end of the regular season played off in the grand final, and like that decider, the second placed team prevailed over the Minor Premiers.
 
References
- ↑ "2012 Telstra Premiership Draw". NRL.com. Telstra. 5 November 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
 - ↑ AAP (22 February 2012). "NRL dumps McIntyre system". ABC News. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
 - ↑ Read, Brent (8 March 2012). "Ratings rise augurs well for $1bn TV deal". The Australian. News Limited.
 - ↑ "NRL Game Report (Round 2: Roosters—Panthers)". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane: News Queensland. 11 March 2012.
 - ↑ "Rugby League Tables / Streaks". Stats.rleague.com. Archived from the original on 2002-07-06. Retrieved 2013-09-04.
 - ↑ "Bulldogs repel Warriors fightback". Wwos.ninemsn.com.au. Archived from the original on 2012-03-25. Retrieved 2013-09-04.
 - ↑ "NRL Game Report - Sydney Roosters v Canberra Raiders". Archived from the original on March 29, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
 - ↑ Mactaggart, Gregor (16 April 2012). "Cowboys want more time on top". NT News.
 - ↑ "Parramatta v Wests Tigers, Full Time 30-31 - NRL Results - NRL Stats". live.nrlstats.com. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
 - ↑ Heming, Wayne (June 19, 2012). "Civoniceva joins elite 300 NRL game club". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
 - ↑ "Rugby League Tables / Win–loss records / All Teams". Archived from the original on 2007-03-11. Retrieved 2008-03-11.