NRL Week 25

By Stephen Gallagher

THURSDAY: Rabbitohs V Dragons – Accor Stadium – 21.50NZT
After three days of rain, Sydney’s throwing up the worst conditions for two teams who are riddled with injuries and can barely field 17 blokes.

Dragons are worse off with injury concerns, so that’s why I think Souths are in the box seat to win this.

It won’t be a sexy game, but everyone will be keeping an eye on Alex Johnston – waiting for him to score 4 tries.

TIP: Rabbitohs 1-12

FRIDAY: Panthers V Raiders – Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee – 20.00NZT

Is this the best ever game to be played in a country town!? The Mudgee locals are in for a treat.

Panthers still on the hunt for a top four finish. The Raiders are on the hunt for the Minor Premiership, and roll into town fresh off the bye.

What makes Penrith so good is their form. So after a loss, we’re all interested to see how they go in this.

Raiders love scoring long-range tries. It’s been something they’ve done well all season. Penrith D needs to be on.

TIP: Panthers 1-12

 

Storm V Bulldogs – AAMI Park – 22.00NZT
Woof – another excellent Friday Night game. 2 versus 3. Potentially playing each other in round one of the finals, too.

The Storm are excelling in their opponents’ red-zone. Coates is almost unstoppable at the moment.

Bulldogs lack of connection has meant their results have fallen of late, too.

This is the sorta game they wanna play, though.

A true test of their ability. They are good enough to win the comp this year, but the Storm will have a say.

TIP: Storm 1-12

 

SATURDAY: Sea Eagles V Dolphins – 4 Pines Park – 17.00NZT

This is going to be a bright day, or a dark day in the history of Manly.

It’s DCE’s 350th – and he might be booed. That’s the harsh reality of it

The way Manly’s season has spiraled has been very disappointing.

The Dolphins are circling like sharks. This is their chance to make the finals for the first time. And they’re good enough to get there. I think they’ll dominate the Sea Eagles.

TIP: Dolphins 1-12

 

Titans V Warriors – Cbus Super Stadium – 19.30NZT

Ooooooh, banana peel alert! The Titans LOVE to beat the Warriors. It was only a month ago where they did so on New Zealand soil!

But come on, The Wahs? Really? It’s crunch time. A loss here will see their top four hopes all but over.

The Titans have nothing to lose. They’re great when they’re on, but they’re so off most of the time.

I think the Warriors will know what’s expected of them. It’s time for them to show up.

TIP: Warriors 1-12

 

Eels V Roosters – CommBank Stadium – 21.35NZT

The Eels season is done, but they’re still such a competitive force. The Roosters though, my favourite team to watch right now. They’re in a giant-killing mood over the last fortnight and it’s looking like they could squeeze into the 8 come Round 27.

For Parramatta, this is almost a trial for 2026. If they get the result, that’s a very promising thing.

The Roosters can’t afford to drop this. They need to bully Parra through the middle and get the result that way.

TIP: Roosters 13+

SUNDAY: Knights V Broncos – McDonald Jones Stadium – 16.00NZT

Not too much to say about this. Newcastle are abysmal. Broncos are way better than that. It’ll be a training run out there and the Broncos will notch up 50.

TIP: Broncos 13+

 

Tigers V Cowboys – Leichhardt Oval – 18.05NZT

I like the way the Tigers are playing. They’ve full of confidence. They’ve worked out their best 17 – and they’re shining brightly for 2026.

Cowboys are hard to get a gauge on. They’re up, they’re down. The Tigers should pull out a statement performance and really put the Cowboys to the sword.

TIP: Tigers 1-12

BYE: Sharks

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