Round 19 of the NRL season is shaping up to be a blockbuster, with finals hopes, club pride, and momentum all on the line. The Broncos are surging at the right time, the Panthers continue their title defence with typical grit, and the high-flying Dolphins will look to extend their dominant run against a struggling Sharks outfit. Elsewhere, the Knights are desperate to keep their season alive against the Storm, while the Dragons and Roosters battle it out in a crucial mid-table showdown. The Bulldogs will be hunting redemption in Townsville, the Warriors return home aiming to snap a losing streak, and the Eels face a tough test against the reigning premiers. Strap in for another massive weekend of action for all things footy, Jerseys Megastore has you covered.
Cronulla Sharks v Dolphins:
The Dolphins take on Cronulla this week in Sydney. The NRL’s newest expansion club have never lost at Shark Park, and having passed 50 points in three of their past four games, it’s very hard to look past them here again. The Sharks have only won a singular match in their last five starts, and that came against a lackluster Dragons attack. I’ll be tipping the Dolphins by 14 points.
Newcastle Knights v Melbourne Storm:
The Knights will be hoping to defy the odds and keep their finals hopes alive when they host the Storm in Round 19. Newcastle’s patchy form has continued, going L-W-L-W-L over their past five games, including a narrow loss to the ladder-leading Raiders before last week’s bye. With Kalyn Ponga now sidelined long-term, they’ll need to dig deep against a Melbourne side bolstered by the return of several Origin stars. The Storm showed plenty of grit in their Round 18 win over the Cowboys, with Nick Meaney stepping up at fullback to score a crucial double. I’ll be tipping Melbourne by 18 points.
St George Illawarra Dragons v Sydney Roosters:
With just one win separating seventh from 11th on the ladder, every match matters and this clash between the Dragons and Roosters could prove decisive. St George Illawarra have managed just one win from their past four outings, while the Roosters are licking their wounds after a shock loss to the Tigers. The Bondi boys will be hoping their Origin contingent; Crichton, Toia, Collins, Leniu and Watson can back up and lift them to a vital victory. Having thumped the Dragons 46-18 on Anzac Day, the Roosters will head to Kogarah confident of completing the season sweep. I’ll be tipping the Chooks by 14 points.
North Queensland Cowboys v Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs:
The Bulldogs will be out to make amends in Townsville after blowing an 18-point lead against a depleted Broncos outfit in Round 18, a loss that saw them slip from second on the ladder. Despite missing their Origin stars, Canterbury would’ve expected to seal the deal, and they’ll be eager to bounce back against a Cowboys side struggling for consistency. North Queensland showed plenty of heart against the Storm but slumped to their ninth loss of the season—four of those coming at home. With the Cowboys owning the leakiest defence in the league, the Bulldogs’ attacking threats could make it a long night for the locals. I’m tipping the Bulldogs by 24 points.
New Zealand Warriors v Wests Tigers:
The Warriors will be looking to snap a two-game home skid when they host the Tigers on Sunday, with a big crowd expected to welcome both their side and returning Kiwi legend Benji Marshall. The last time Marshall’s men visited Go Media Stadium, the Warriors claimed a 28-16 win, with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck starring. The Tigers arrive with confidence after an upset over the Roosters, led by the impressive Fainu brothers and Terrell May, and will be eyeing back-to-back wins. But with Andrew Webster demanding a response and the Warriors eager to deliver in front of their fans, expect a fiery contest in Auckland. I’m tipping the Warriors by 8 points.
Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers:
Fresh off a bye and riding a four-game winning streak, the Panthers return in Round 19 with momentum on their side after a gritty 8-6 win over the Bulldogs that had all the hallmarks of finals footy. With their Origin stars, Cleary, Yeo, Martin, Edwards and To’o all set to be assessed post-game, Penrith’s hopes of extending their streak hinge on who backs up. The Eels, still smarting from an 18-10 defeat to the premiers in Round 13, will be hoping Zac Lomax comes through Origin unscathed, with his aerial prowess key to sparking an upset against the title-chasing Panthers. Assuming more of the Penrith Origin stars back up than don’t, I’ll be tipping Penrith by 12 points
Gold Coast Titans v Brisbane Broncos:
The Broncos head into Round 19 brimming with confidence after producing a stunning comeback to down the Bulldogs, erasing an 18-point deficit to notch their fourth straight win. With momentum building and a favourable run of games ahead, Michael Maguire’s men have a real shot at cementing their place in the eight—or even challenging for a top-four finish. Standing in their way are the Titans, who were thrashed 44-14 by Brisbane just a month ago. Des Hasler will be desperate to flip the script, but it’ll take something special to derail the Broncos’ surge. I’ll be tipping Brisbane by 30 points.
As the race to the finals heats up, every game in Round 19 carries weight; whether it’s ladder positioning, building momentum, or simply staying in the hunt. With mouth-watering matchups across the board, fans can expect fireworks from start to finish. From potential upsets to rivalry clashes and title contenders flexing their muscle, this round promises to deliver plenty of drama. No matter who you’re backing, make sure you’re geared up and ready for all things footy, head to Jerseys Megastore.
