NRL Week 13

By Stephen Gallagher

FRIDAY: Dragons V Knights – Jubilee Stadium – 22.00NZT

The Dragons are fresh from a bye and ready to stick it to the Knights who came away from Bathurst looking like a finely tuned Holden Commodore driven by Peter Brock.

They need to try and take what worked for them against Penrith and bring it to the Dragons.

For the Red V – they welcome Aussie 7s star Nathan Lawson on the wing on debut.

A clunky game with no real clear winner. Dragons are at home, that should be enough.

TIP: Dragons 1-12

 

SATURDAY: Titans V Storm – CBus Super Stadium – 17.00NZT

Those Storm players returning from Origin will be very unhappy with their performances. Munster and Grant played two of their worst game in their careers, which means the Titans could be on the end of a hiding.

All Origin players are looking to back up, which does help Gold Coast – but really, this is the Storm’s game to win and win well. They’ve been day-game champions this season.

TIP: Storm 13+

 

Cowboys V Tigers – Queensland Country Bank Stadium – 19.30NZT

Interesting match up here, the 05 final re-match. The Tigers not affected by Origin are brining up a fresh side to take on North Queensland in what is always a tough road trip.

Cowboys, other than their Origin players should be relatively fresh with two bye’s already in twelve weeks.

I think this game is won up front. Cowboys forwards will be looking to stick it to Wests, whose forwards have been formidable all season.

TIP: Cowboys 1-12

 

Sea Eagles V Broncos – 4 Pines Park – 21.30NZT

Manly will have circled this game on their calendars at the beginning of the year, but both sides haven’t fulfilled their potential in 2025 which means this game could either be a flop or a stunner.

Broncos are more under pressure than the Sea Eagles – and all Origin players expected to back up.

If Brisbane wants this season to go their way, this tough away game is one they need to get up and win. Especially as they’ve marinated in poor form over the last couple weeks.

TIP: Broncos 1-12

 

SUNDAY: Rabbitohs V Warriors – Accor Stadium – 16.00NZT

A tough loss for the Wahs will be a reflection on building resilience last week. And there’s a bit of uncertainty about how the Rabbitohs will go – so this is going to be a tough game.

The Warriors are definitely the better of the two sides, but I feel like things are moving for Souths and they’re in a very important part of the season for them. They need to win these games to show they’re capable of a top-eight finish.

I think the Wahs forward pack is better, but the Rabbitohs one can definitely get the job done.

Think it might just come down to the halves. Metcalf and CHT are better.

TIP: Warriors 1-12

 

Panthers V Eels – CommBank Stadium – 18.05NZT

The battle of the west as Penrith play the Eels at both their home grounds! Woo!

Penrith are done. Cooked. They won’t come back from this poor form this season, and the Eels are in way better form than they are, coming into this game with two wins in a row.

But how can the Panthers be cooked!? They’ve won four titles in a row!

I just think people are expecting them to get better, but not getting the job done.

Eels are more dangerous and have more to offer all over the park.

TIP: Eels 1-12

 

Roosters V Raiders – Allianz Stadium – 20.15NZT

Damn, this is a good game too!

Roosters got a huge confidence-boosting win last week, and their five Origin players will come back with a big of swagger which gives them a really good chance to get the choccies in the last game of the round.

This is the sort of team the Raiders hate to play. All over the show. Unpredictable. Hard to defend. The Raiders playing with and playing against structure.

That win in NZ last week was huge for Canberra. That felt like a litmus test for their season and it’s looking good.

Two young teams with plenty of confidence and won’t back down against each other. How good!

TIP: Raiders 1-12

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