NRL 2026 - R22 Preview

Here are the stats and predictions for the upcoming round of the NRL.

These are the notes I use for 2GB radio and other media gigs for NRL updates.

ECOWBOYS V ROOSTERS — THURSDAY 8:00PM @ QLD COUNTRY BANK STADIUM

The Roosters have dominated this matchup, leading the overall record 32-15 and winning all three meetings played at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Each of those victories has come by 13 points or more.

Sydney also arrive on a winning streak, but North Queensland have one player who consistently delivers in this fixture. Braidon Burns has scored in each of the Cowboys' last three games against the Roosters and shapes as the home side's biggest attacking threat.

NIC'S BEST: BRAIDON BURNS ANYTIME

VALUE SGM: ROOSTERS / B BURNS ATS $4.06

DRAGONS V DOLPHINS — FRIDAY 6:00PM @ JUBILEE STADIUM

The Dolphins hold a narrow 3-2 advantage in the rivalry, although both Dragons victories have come at home. Interestingly, every game St George has won against the Dolphins has produced 40 points or fewer.

Home ground has been a significant factor in this fixture, with neither side winning away from home. Expect another tight contest where points could again prove difficult to come by.

NIC'S BEST: UNDER 49.5PTS

VALUE SGM: DRAGONS +12.5 / UNDER 49.5PTS / FIRST HALF UNDER 24.5PTS $3.75

STORM V BULLDOGS — FRIDAY 8:00PM @ AAMI PARK

Melbourne lead the overall rivalry 26-23 and have won nine of the 13 meetings played at AAMI Park. Recent clashes have generally been defensive battles, with five of the last six producing 44 points or fewer.

Jacob Kiraz has been one player to consistently trouble the Storm, crossing in each of his last three appearances against Melbourne.

NIC'S BEST: DOGS TO WIN

VALUE SGM: DOGS / UNDER 44.5PTS / KIRAZ ATS $4.90

TITANS V WARRIORS — SATURDAY 3:00PM @ CBUS SUPER STADIUM

The Warriors lead the overall series 22-15 and hold a slender 10-9 advantage at CBUS Super Stadium. While the head-to-head is close, recent meetings have generally produced plenty of points.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira has been outstanding in this fixture, scoring seven tries across his last three games playing for both Gold Coast and the Warriors. Four of the last five clashes have also produced 48 points or more.

NIC'S BEST: OVER 46.5PTS / KHAN-PEREIRA ANYTIME

VALUE SGM: KHAN-PEREIRA 2+ TRIES / OVER 46.5PTS $4.20

PANTHERS V RAIDERS — SATURDAY 5:30PM @ GLEN WILLOW STADIUM

Penrith hold a narrow 44-39 lead overall, but Canberra have already shown they can win at Glen Willow after defeating the Panthers there 20-16 in August 2025. The Raiders have lost their only other two appearances at the venue.

Recent meetings have been highly competitive, with the last three decided by 12 points or fewer. Kaeo Weekes has also enjoyed playing Penrith, scoring in each of his last three games against the Panthers.

NIC'S BEST: RAIDERS +12.5 / UNDER 48.5PTS

VALUE SGM: RAIDERS +12.5 / WEEKES ATS $3.56

BRONCOS V KNIGHTS — SATURDAY 7:35PM @ SUNCORP STADIUM

Brisbane have dominated this rivalry, leading 39-17 overall and 10-5 at Suncorp Stadium. They've also won the last six meetings against Newcastle.

Despite that record, the Knights have been extremely competitive in defeat recently, with each of their last three losses coming by two points or fewer. They have plenty to play for here with several teams vying for top 8 spots. If there's ever been a time for Newcastle to break the streak, this could be it.

NIC'S BEST: KNIGHTS TO WIN

VALUE SGM: KNIGHTS / KNIGHTS TO WIN FIRST HALF / KNIGHTS TO SCORE FIRST TRY $4.49

SHARKS V RABBITOHS — SUNDAY 2:00PM @ SHARK PARK

Cronulla lead the overall rivalry 52-44 and have been particularly dominant at Shark Park, winning 34 of the 47 meetings played there. They've also won five of the last six clashes against South Sydney.

Defence has largely dictated this matchup in recent years, with six of the last seven meetings producing 48 points or fewer. That trend again points towards another low-scoring contest.

NIC'S BEST: UNDER 50.5PTS

VALUE SGM: CRONULLA / UNDER 50.5PTS / FIRST HALF UNDER 25.5PTS $3.30

TIGERS V EELS — SUNDAY 4:05PM @ COMMBANK STADIUM

Parramatta lead the overall record 31-19 and hold a 6-4 advantage over the Tigers at Commbank Stadium. Recent meetings have been more even, with Wests winning three of the last five.

The Tigers have consistently found points against Parramatta, scoring between 21 and 30 points in five of their last eight meetings with the Eels. If they can maintain that trend, they'll give themselves every chance of causing an upset.

NIC'S BEST: TIGERS 21-30PTS

VALUE SGM: TIGERS / TIGERS 21-30PTS $5.30

NIC'S WEEKEND BEST

"The game that scream points is Titans v Warriors - 4 of their last 5 H2H clashes have produced 48pts or more. Take the alternative total points line of 46.5 or over and couple it with one of the game's best try scorers in Alofiana Khan-Pereira, who will relish going back to his old stomping ground. He's scored 7 tries in these last 3 fixtures."

TITANS V WARRIORS — SATURDAY 3:00PM @ CBUS SUPER STADIUM

OVER 46.5PTS / KHAN-PEREIRA ANYTIME @$2.43