NRL Week 16

By Stephen Gallagher

FRIDAY: Tigers V Raiders – Campbelltown Stadium – 22.00NZT

Big ask here for the Tigers. Their form suggests they are likely to win a fourth wooden spoon, and the Raiders form sets them up for a strong finish and contention for the JJ Giltinan Shield.

Tigers don’t have a great record at Campbelltown of late, but now is the time to really knuckle down. After a bye, they need to show to everyone that Benji can coach, and that they’re a good side.

We know Raiders are.

Both Origin players are expected to back up for their respective sides, and note that Jed Stuart, the coach’s son, is making his first-grade debut on the wing.

TIP: Raiders 1-12

SATURDAY: Warriors V Panthers – Go Media Stadium – 17.00NZT

Wahs to romp home in this one, surely!

None of Penrith’s Origin stars are backing up, and the Warriors are leaps and bounds better than Penrith this season.

But then again, if anyone is to create some history and climb back into a position to win the comp, it’s the Panthers.

I think the young Warriors guns are further along than Penrith’s, and that cohesion and skill will go a long way to getting them the dub.

TIP: Warriors 13+

 

Dolphins V Knights – HBF Park, Perth – 19.30NZT

Two games in Perth in one week – what a treat for prospective Bears fans!

And it is a treat, especially with the form the Dolphins are in, scoring 158 points in their last three appearances.

Which is close to dwarfing Newcastle’s total season points, 193.

I think that Newcastle do get a boost with Dom Young back on the wing, but the Dolphins are way better and should win this comfortably.

TIP: Dolphins 13+

 

Rabbitohs V Storm – Accor Stadium – 21.30NZT

Rabbitohs are close to make or break when it comes to season 2025. It doesn’t get any easier against the Storm.

South Sydney almost got the better of Melbourne in Melbourne a couple of months ago – but now they have to.

But of course, this Storm side are stacked. Their Origin stars are expected to back up, and with some confidence about them – they’ll be looking to make rabbit stew.

TIP: Storm 13+

 

SUNDAY: Broncos V Sharks – Suncorp Stadium – 16.00NZT

Brisbane Broncos and Cronulla Sharks. Two sides that you can say, despite being more than halfway through the comp, have really failed to live up to the hype we were expecting.

Brisbane’s form has been off, except when they donned that all black jersey and played like the All Blacks.

The Sharks got a win last week too, albeit in an unconvincing fashion.

Cronulla’s forwards are always their key if they can win the battle up front, which opens the door for Brailey, Hynes, and Trindall to have some fun.

Brisbane’s edge defence has been a weakness this season. No doubt something they worked on over the bye.

TIP: Broncos 1-12

 

Roosters V Cowboys – Accor Stadium – 18.05NZT

I can’t pick this game.

Roosters are slightly better than the Cowboys, but that humiliating loss the Cowboys suffered last week puts them in the ‘bounce back’ category for this week.

Roosters also look better without their Origin stars for some reason, but their troops will back up and look to add to this and help out on attack and bring some mongrel to their D.

North Queensland looked all sorts last week. They definitely have the attacking weapons, but it’s just silly errors and poor discipline holding them back.

TIP: Roosters 1-12

 

Eels V Titans – CommBank Stadium – 20.15NZT

No Moses or Brown in the halves, you think to yourself that it could be tough, especially when it’s an Eels side coming up against a near full-strength Gold Coast side.

But then you remember the Titans won a game they shouldn’t have last week, so this week there’s no chance they win because people expect them to.

That’ll make everything right in the world if that happens.

Seriously, though, the Titans have experience in key areas and played really well last week. This is a test for both sides. Pretty evenly matched.

TIP: Eels 1-12

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