NRL 2026 - R25 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.

STORM V PANTHERS – THURSDAY

Melbourne lead the overall head-to-head 33-17 and have dominated Penrith at AAMI Park with a 9-1 record. The Storm won the most recent clash here 30-24 and lead the last five meetings 3-2.

But Melbourne are enduring their worst season in a long time and Penrith put 50 points on them back in Round 5. Thomas Jenkins leads the NRL try-scoring race by two, while Nathan Cleary has crossed in each of his last two games against Melbourne.

TIP: PENRITH / THOMAS JENKINS ATS / NATHAN CLEARY ATS @$6.20

CANBERRA V BRISBANE – FRIDAY

Brisbane lead the overall head-to-head 34-24, but Canberra hold a narrow 16-13 advantage at GIO Stadium.

The Broncos have lost 12 of their last 13 NRL matches, while each of the last four clashes between these sides has produced at least 44 points.

TIP: RAIDERS 13+ / OVER 44.5PTS @$3.00

DOLPHINS V EELS – FRIDAY

The Dolphins lead the short history between these clubs 2-1, with this their first meeting at Suncorp Stadium.

Two of the three previous clashes have produced at least 60 points, while Jake Bostock has scored four tries in his only two appearances against Parramatta.

TIP: DOLPHINS / JAKE BOSTOCK ATS / OVER 59.5PTS @$5.75

MANLY V NEWCASTLE – SATURDAY

Manly lead the overall head-to-head 36-25, but Newcastle hold a 17-11 advantage at McDonald Jones Stadium and have won three of the last four clashes.

Four of the last six meetings have produced at least 50 points, while Manly arrive on a six-game losing streak. Faulalo moves to five-eighth to replace Joey Walsh, while Tom Trbojevic returns for his first game against Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium since 2021.

Haumole Olakau'atu has scored in each of his last three games against the Knights.

TIP: MANLY / OLAKAU'ATU ATS / OVER 49.5PTS @$9.50

SOUTHS V WARRIORS – SATURDAY

Nothing separates these clubs overall at 21 wins apiece, although the Warriors lead 5-3 at Accor Stadium.

Khan-Pereira has never played in a winning side against Souths, while Alex Johnston sits just two tries behind Thomas Jenkins in the race to be the NRL's leading try-scorer. Johnston also boasts an outstanding record against the Warriors with 15 tries from 11 appearances.

TIP: EITHER TEAM UNDER 12.5 / ALEX JOHNSTON ATS @$2.60

CANTERBURY V ST GEORGE – SATURDAY

Canterbury lead the overall head-to-head 32-17 and hold a 16-8 advantage over the Dragons at Accor Stadium.

Three of the last four clashes between these sides have produced fewer than 40 points.

TIP: DOGS / UNDER 40.5PTS @$3.30

CRONULLA V GOLD COAST – SUNDAY

Cronulla lead the overall head-to-head 20-9 and hold a 6-3 advantage over the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium.

The Sharks have scored at least 44 points in each of their last three games against Gold Coast, while Nicho Hynes has bagged a double in each of the last two clashes.

TIP: SHARKS OVER 38.5PTS / NICHO HYNES ATS @$10.00

TIGERS V ROOSTERS – SUNDAY

The Roosters dominate the overall head-to-head 30-10 and lead 2-1 against the Tigers at Allianz Stadium.

The Tigers did upset the Chooks here 30-28 last year, snapping a drought against the Roosters that stretched back to 2018. Victor Radley has scored in each of his last two games against the Tigers.

TIP: ROOSTERS -24.5 / VICTOR RADLEY ATS @$6.00