The race for the 2026 NRL finals is heating up, and with just four home-and-away games remaining, every competition point is becoming increasingly important.
This weekend marks the second week of the NRL Indigenous Round, with clubs continuing to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, history and connection through specially designed Indigenous jerseys and match-day celebrations.
Round 24 also gives us some enormous games, including a top-of-the-table battle between the Panthers and Roosters, a huge clash between the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs, and several games that could have a major impact on the finals race.
With September getting closer, here are our NRL Round 24 tips and predictions.
Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters
Our Tip: Penrith Panthers
This is the game everyone will be watching on Thursday night.
The Panthers went into Round 23 sitting on top of the NRL ladder, but their trip to New Zealand ended in disappointment as the Warriors handed Penrith a rare defeat. The Roosters, meanwhile, continued their strong season and now have a genuine opportunity to challenge for the minor premiership.
Penrith have been one of the most consistent teams in the competition all season, but there is a significant concern heading into this one with co-captain Isaah Yeo ruled out after suffering a pectoral injury against the Warriors. Thankfully for the Panthers, Dylan Edwards is expected to return, providing a major boost at the back.
The Roosters will be full of confidence, but this feels like the sort of game where Nathan Cleary and the Panthers' big-game experience can make the difference.
Prediction: Panthers by 6
Our Tip: Dolphins
Manly desperately need a win.
The Sea Eagles have slipped into a serious form slump, with five consecutive losses leaving their finals hopes hanging by a thread. Their defensive performances have been particularly concerning, conceding 128 points across their past three matches.
Unfortunately for Manly, the Dolphins are hardly the opponent you want to face when your defence is struggling.
The Dolphins have been one of the genuine success stories of 2026 and remain firmly in the battle for a top-four finish. Their attacking game has the ability to expose defensive weaknesses, and they will see this as a huge opportunity to strengthen their position heading into the final month.
Manly have enough talent to cause an upset, particularly at 4 Pines Park, but they need to rediscover their defensive intensity quickly.
Prediction: Dolphins by 10
Canterbury Bulldogs v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Our Tip: Bulldogs
This shapes as one of the most intriguing games of the round.
The Bulldogs have been one of the surprise packages of 2026, but their finals position is anything but secure with the competition tightening up around them.
South Sydney, meanwhile, are still firmly in the finals conversation and have plenty of attacking weapons capable of causing problems for Canterbury.
The Bulldogs have shown throughout the season that their defence can keep them in games, while their attack has continued to develop as the season has progressed. With the pressure increasing every week, home-ground advantage could prove important.
Expect this to be a physical contest, but we're backing the Bulldogs to find a way late.
Prediction: Bulldogs by 4
Cronulla Sharks v Canberra Raiders
Our Tip: Cronulla Sharks
The Sharks will be desperate to bounce back after suffering a shock defeat to the Dragons in Round 23.
Cronulla had been on a six-game winning streak before their disappointing loss, with coach Craig Fitzgibbon openly critical of his side's effort. Addin Fonua-Blake was also sin-binned during the defeat and now faces suspension concerns.
The Raiders, meanwhile, continue to fight to keep their season alive.
Canberra have shown plenty of resilience throughout 2026 and will know that another loss could effectively end their finals hopes. That makes this a dangerous game for Cronulla.
However, the Sharks have too much quality across the park to write them off after one poor performance. Expect a much-improved effort from the home side.
Prediction: Sharks by 8
Parramatta Eels v North Queensland Cowboys
Our Tip: North Queensland Cowboys
This could be one of the more unpredictable games of Round 24.
The Cowboys head into the clash with plenty of confidence after bouncing back from their extraordinary 82-12 loss to the Roosters by defeating the Titans 30-8 in Round 23.
That response was exactly what North Queensland needed. After conceding 80-plus points, the Cowboys could easily have folded, but instead they produced a much more disciplined defensive performance on the Gold Coast.
Parramatta, meanwhile, are playing for pride and development as they look towards the future. Jason Ryles' side has shown flashes of promise throughout the season but hasn't been able to put together the consistency required to challenge the top sides.
The Eels will be dangerous at CommBank Stadium, but the Cowboys should have too much momentum and too much to play for as they fight to secure their own finals position.
Prediction: Cowboys by 12
Brisbane Broncos v New Zealand Warriors
Our Tip: New Zealand Warriors
This could be a long night for Brisbane.
The Broncos' 2026 season has gone dramatically off course, and their Round 23 collapse against the Dolphins summed up their struggles. Brisbane led 24-0 before conceding 40 unanswered points to lose 40-32, the biggest blown lead in club history. They have now lost 11 of their past 12 games.
Standing in their way are the Warriors, who just knocked off the Panthers and continue to look like a genuine premiership threat.
The Warriors are playing confident, energetic football and have plenty of momentum heading towards September. Brisbane simply need to find answers quickly, but this looks like another difficult assignment.
Prediction: Warriors by 14
Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans
Our Tip: Newcastle Knights
The Knights will be looking to keep their top-four ambitions alive when they welcome the Titans to Newcastle.
Newcastle have been one of the more consistent teams throughout 2026 and remain in the finals picture, while the Titans have had a difficult season and are now playing primarily for pride.
The Knights have the stronger roster, the home-ground advantage and considerably more to play for.
Expect Newcastle to control the game through the middle before their outside backs get plenty of opportunities in the second half.
Prediction: Knights by 16
Wests Tigers v St George Illawarra Dragons
Our Tip: St George Illawarra Dragons
Could the Dragons be about to finish the season with a serious statement?
St George produced one of the biggest upsets of Round 23 when they defeated the Sharks, putting together their best defensive performance of the season. Hamish Stewart was outstanding, while the Dragons' young forwards showed plenty of resilience against one of the competition's top sides.
The Tigers have had plenty of positive moments this season but remain inconsistent.
After beating a top-four contender last weekend, the Dragons will enter this clash with plenty of confidence. Their young squad has nothing to lose, and that can make them a dangerous opponent at this stage of the year.
We're tipping the Dragons to back up their impressive Round 23 performance with another win.
Prediction: Dragons by 6
Our NRL Round 24 Tips
| Match | Our Tip |
|---|---|
| Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters | Panthers |
| Manly Sea Eagles v Dolphins | Dolphins |
| Canterbury Bulldogs v South Sydney Rabbitohs | Bulldogs |
| Cronulla Sharks v Canberra Raiders | Sharks |
| Parramatta Eels v North Queensland Cowboys | Cowboys |
| Brisbane Broncos v New Zealand Warriors | Warriors |
| Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans | Knights |
| Wests Tigers v St George Illawarra Dragons | Dragons |
The Run to September Starts Now
With only four home-and-away games remaining, the NRL finals race is about to go up another level.
For the teams already inside the top eight, this is about securing a strong position and earning the best possible path through September. For the teams chasing the pack, there is very little room for error.
And with the second week of Indigenous Round giving fans another chance to celebrate culture, community and connection, there is plenty to look forward to both on and off the field.
Who have you got winning Round 24?
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