NRL 2026 - Round 5 Preview
- Nic Ashman
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
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.
THURSDAY MANLY v DOLPHINS Redcliffe 8pm
Manly lead this matchup 2 to 1 overall
Dolphins won the only clash played in Queensland
These games are high scoring with an average of 73 points
Both sides play with width which creates repeat edge opportunities
Tom Trbojevic and Tolu Koula have scored in all three meetings
Manly’s shape gets early ball to both edges which suits them again here
TIP
MANLY 13+
FRIDAY DOGS v BUNNIES Accor Stadium 4pm
Bulldogs lead the last five meetings 3 to 2
Recent games average 46.7 total points
Scoring can swing quickly depending on momentum
Tallis Duncan and Jack Wighton have both scored twice in the last three meetings
Duncan runs strong lines through the middle and supports well around the ruck
TIP
TALLIS DUNCAN ANYTIME TRY SCORER $5.30
FRIDAY STORM v PANTHERS CommBank Stadium 8pm
Storm have won four of the last five against Penrith
Overall record sits 33 to 16 in Storm’s favour
Recent clashes have been tight with last three decided by eight points or less
Average total points sits around 44 in those games
Penrith have won eight straight against teams below them on the ladder
Nathan Cleary has scored in his last three games against Melbourne
He often backs up through the middle when the defence compresses
TIP
NATHAN CLEARY ANYTIME TRY SCORER $3.80
SATURDAY TITANS v BRONCOS Cbus Stadium
Titans lead the last five meetings 3 to 2
Broncos hold a strong record at this ground 12 to 7
They have won three of the last four here including a 26 to 14 result last time
Broncos are chasing three straight wins after a slow start to the season
Titans have lost their last 10 against reigning premiers
Four of the last five meetings have produced 58 points or more
Both sides play fast which creates high scoring games
TIP
BRONCOS 13+ / OVER 51.5 TOTAL POINTS $2.95
SATURDAY DRAGONS v COWBOYS Jubilee Stadium 5.30pm
Cowboys have won the last five meetings
They lead the overall record 23 to 17
At Jubilee it is tighter with Dragons leading 4 to 3
Last game here was a 46 to 24 Cowboys win
Recent meetings have been high scoring with totals of 64, 70 and 70
Tom Dearden has scored in his last three against the Dragons
He supports well through the middle when the tempo lifts
TIP
COWBOYS / OVER 48.5 TOTAL POINTS $3.26
SUNDAY SHARKS v WARRIORS Shark Park
Sharks lead 14 to 8 at this venue
Overall record sits 29 to 22 in their favour
Despite that they have won just one of the last six against the Warriors
Sharks have scored 16 points or less in four of the last five meetings
This points to a slower and more controlled contest
TIP
WARRIORS / SHARKS UNDER 4.5 TRIES $2.57
SUNDAY KNIGHTS v RAIDERS McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights lead 16 to 11 at this venue
They trail 33 to 27 overall
Last game here was a tight 22 to 18 Raiders win
Knights have lost their last seven at this ground
Recent history is even with five wins each from the last ten meetings
Kaeo Weekes has scored in his last three against Newcastle
Greg Marzhew has scored in five of his last six against Canberra
Both players benefit from early ball on the edges
TIP
WEEKES ANYTIME TRY SCORER / MARZHEW ANYTIME TRY SCORER $4
MONDAY TIGERS v EELS CommBank Stadium
Eels lead the last five meetings 3 to 2
They hold a 31 to 19 overall advantage
At this venue they lead 6 to 3
Tigers scoring has been consistent ranging between 17 and 32 points in their last eight games
They regularly land in the low to mid 20s which is a key range here
TIP
TIGERS TO SCORE 21 TO 30 POINTS $2.70
CHECK OUT NIC'S WEEKLY SHOW WITH AUSTRALIAN TEST STAR AARON WOODS
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