The penultimate round of the rugby league season for 2025 is finally here. As the season approaches its climax, it is do or die for several clubs across the NRL. The Raiders are so close to securing the minor premiership they can almost taste it, while the Knights and Titans are battling to ensure they aren’t eating with the Wooden Spoon for the next six months. All eyes turn to the footy this week as we get closer to finding out who will play finals football in 2025. We’ve dissected all eight games for the upcoming round 26 of the NRL with all of our tips and predictions. Let’s dive in.
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs v Penrith Panthers:
The Round kicks off with a must see clash. When these two sides met in June, it was dubbed the greatest game of the last ten years, and on Thursday will we see Rugby League’s Godfather Part II? Both sides come into the match off two consecutive losses and will be desperate to keep their premiership contender statuses alive. A win all but secures a top four finish for the Dogs, while the Panthers chase a home final in Week 1. Perhaps both club’s biggest test of character comes this week, who will be up for the challenge? With Penrith set to rest Nathan Cleary this week, I’m tipping the Bulldogs by 6 points.
New Zealand Warriors v Parramatta Eels:
How good are the Parramatta Eels with Mitchell Moses?! Fresh off dishing up a hiding to the Roosters, Parramatta’s rebuild looks well and truly back on track as their season approaches its end. The Warriors on the other hand have struggled for form since Luke Metcalf’s season ending injury. They have the potential to still finish inside the top four, and will no doubt be eager to prove that in front of their home fans this Friday night. I’m tipping the Wahs by 4 points.
Melbourne Storm v Sydney Roosters:
If not for injuries and suspensions, this would have had all the makings of an instant classic. However with at least Sam Walker (HIA), Jahrome Hughes (injury) and Harry Grant (suspension) all set to miss out on selection this week, this could be anyone’s game. The stage is set for Jonah Pezet and Tyron Wishart to add major value to their market prices with PNG and Perth coming knocking all too soon. I’ll be tipping the Storm by 12 points.
Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers:
There isn’t a Rugby League fan in the country who isn’t riding the Canberra wave right now. The Green Machine has an opportunity to lock up the Minor Premiership at home this weekend on a Saturday afternoon. After knocking off Penrith in the Miracle at Mudgee last week, the boys will be beaming with confidence, while the Tigers come in to this contest having conceded 3 tries in 5 minutes to blow a lead at Leichardt Oval on Sunday afternoon. This could get very ugly. I’m tipping the Raiders by 30 points.
St George Illawarra Dragons v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles:
The season that could have been for both of these proud clubs. Manly are still clinging to faint chances of a finals birth, while the Dragons are playing for pride this weekend. The Dragons come in off a 40-point loss to the injury-riddled Bunnies, while Manly come in off a demolition job of the Dolphins. A week is a long time in Rugby League but the momentum Manly will carry from that game, and the focus DCE will have on finishing at the Northern Beaches in style ought to be enough to carry them home. I’m tipping the Sea Eagles by 18 points.
North Queensland Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos:
The OG battle of Queensland gets its next installment on Saturday night as the Cowboys host the Broncos. The Broncos are chasing top-four glory, whilst the Cowboys would love nothing more than to rain on their parade. The Broncs have looked good the last two weeks, and Reece Walsh seems to be finding career-best form. On the other hand, the Cowboys snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against the Tigers last week and looked unstoppable at times. With Queensland pride and bragging rights on the line this could go either way. I have a sneaking suspicion there could be an upset here, though. I’m tipping the Cowboys by 8 points.
Cronulla Sharks v Newcastle Knights:
One is chasing a top-four spot, the other is fighting to avoid the Wooden Spoon. Both have everything to play for in these last two weeks of rugby league football, so who wants it more? The Knights have struggled in attack this year, scoring by far the fewest points in the competition, and for obvious reasons, that has hurt them. The Sharks defence has been reasonably strong in 2025 as well, they’re not a side I can see Newcastle working the chinks in their armour out against. I’m tipping the Sharks by 24 points.
Dolphins v Gold Coast Titans:
How the mighty have fallen. It was only a month ago that the Dolphins were putting mammoth scores on sides week in week out. Now, with the loss of a few players to injury, they find themselves sitting outside the top eight, and coming off conceding 58 points of their own last week. The Titans will come into this game battling to avoid the wooden spoon, after parting ways with coach Des Hasler on Monday. We’ve seen it plenty of times before where a side can manage a big win after splitting with their coach. I suspect we may see that again. I’m tipping the Titans by 14 points.
There they are, all eight games dissected for the Jersey’s Megastore tips and predictions for Round 26 of the NRL. There are massive season implications to almost every game this weekend, as the fight for the top eight only heats up. All eyes will be on the Bulldogs v Panthers clash on Thursday night, before turning to mighty Green Machine on Saturday afternoon as the Raiders look to lock down the minor premiership for the first time in three decades! Whoever you’re backing this finals season, make sure you’re fully decked out in the latest officially licensed NRL Supporter gear from Jersey’s Megastore, for all things footy!
