Magic Round 2025 is here! It’s an exciting time for rugby league football fans all around the world as the biggest festival of footy in this country kicks off on Thursday night. The women’s State of Origin will set up a blockbuster week of football as New South Wales takes on Queensland, before the NRL matches commence on Friday night. There’s a stacked line up on the cards this week, so let’s dive in and take a look at all the tips and predictions this week from Jerseys Megastore!
Cronulla Sharks v Parramatta Eels:
Magic Round 2025 will kick off with Parra and the Sharks going head to head! The Eels looked like a completely different side two weeks ago when Mitchell Moses returned, and now they look to continue that form as they come off the bye to take on the Cronulla Sharks. Not for a lack of opportunity, the Sharks failed on numerous occasions to ice their game against the Tigers last week before a late penalty goal sunk them in Golden Point. A lack of definitive leadership from the Cronulla halves seems to be really costing them at the moment, as a side that many tipped to make the top four this year is battling to stay in the eight. As we edge closer and closer to State of Origin, expect Mitchell Moses to continue putting his stamp on his matches. I’m tipping the Eels by 12 points.
Sydney Roosters v Dolphins:
The Chooks are making a habit of scoring a truckload of points on ANZAC Day, and if they can bring that form into Magic Round, good luck to any Dolphin trying to stop them! After blitzing away during the first half in Canberra, the Redcliffe club failed to put their game to bed as the Raiders ran in 30 points in the second half and ran them down. The Dolphins had previously been in very good form knocking off both Melbourne and Penrith in the previous two matches, and they will be looking to rekindle that. However, I suspect the Eastern suburbs will be ready for anything this week. I’m tipping the Roosters by 14 points.
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Newcastle Knights:
Never mind the ladder, Newcastle may well be the worst team in the NRL right now. They have looked completely lackluster in attack, and while they aren’t being blown out of the water in defence, it doesn’t make any difference if you can’t score points. South Sydney on the other hand, were valiant in their loss to Melbourne and bounced back well from their drumming by Canterbury the week before. Whilst contending with injury concerns, they are looking like a much better team right now than the Knights. I’m tipping South Sydney by 18 points.
New Zealand Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys:
This will be an exciting match, with both of these sides in electric form right now! Both sets of halves are playing some tremendous rugby league football right now, and the forward packs are powerful as ever. This game is a Smokey to be match of the round for me. The Cowboys come into the contest fresh off putting the kiss of death on the Titans premiership hopes by running in 50 points, while the Wahs made light work of the Knights in their own right. The explosiveness of the Cowboys outside backs might be enough to get them home in this one, as much as I like the Wahs here, I’m tipping the Cowboys by 8 points.
Wests Tigers v St George Illawarra Dragons:
Another game with barnstorming potential. The two merger clubs go head to head at Suncorp for Saturday’s main event. The Dragons were pumped by the Roosters on ANZAC Day, while the Wests Tigers held on in a golden point thriller. Word out of St George today is that they are set to axe Lachlan Illias this week to reserve grade, which is a bold strategy by the red and white club. The Tigers are still waiting for Jarome Luai to really put his stamp on a match this year, but the positive for the Tigers is, their run of form means they have improved remarkably in all other areas compared to last season. Is this the week Jarome goes bang? I’m tipping the Tigers by 14 points.
Gold Coast Titans v Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs:
The Dogs fell victim to an ambush last week at Suncorp stadium, being completely outclassed in the wet by Adam Reynolds and the Broncos. Was it the humbler the Belmore club needs to ensure they press on with the rest of their season? The Titans suffered an ugly loss themselves having conceded 50 points to the Cowboys. When these two sides met in Round 2, Canterbury put 40 points on the Titans. Coach Cameron Ciraldo will no doubt have the Dogs going back to their basics this week to reestablish their run of form that saw them command top spot on the ladder. I’m tipping the Bulldogs by 20 points.
Penrith Panthers v Brisbane Broncos:
All eyes will be on this match. The reigning four-peat-premiers sit solely in last position on the ladder. The Broncos have just knocked off the first placed Dogs. Can they keep their run of form going, or will Penrith take this chance to resurrect their dying season? The Panthers need a win, and what better of a stage to announce “we’re still here” than Sunday afternoon at Magic Round. The challenge is, how do you stop the red hot Broncos when they get on a roll? Answer: you can’t let them get going in the first place. However, Penrith’s edge defence hasn’t been up to that task so far this year. I’m putting the red pen through Penrith’s season now, and calling a Jesse Arthur’s hattrick this Sunday. I’m tipping the Broncos by 24 points.
Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders:
The way these two sides are playing, this is a preview of semi final football this year no doubt. Melbourne have stumbled a couple of times this year, but are otherwise knocking teams over for fun. Whilst the Raiders have absolutely established themselves as contenders in 2025 as they sit pretty in 3rd. The Raiders pack are hungry this year, working hard for each other and their fans, and this is the exact sort of game they will want to win to really set up their season. Papenhuyzen has been in some tremendous form, but he will really have his work cut out for him this week. The drums are beating in Canberra, and the Green Machine are coming for Melbourne. I’m tipping the Raiders by 7 points.
There you have it! What a weekend of football it’s set to be. How do you think we’ll fair? Make sure to let us know. Whether your tipping a Parra resurgence, a South Sydney domination, or a Raiders ambush, Jersey’s Megastore has everything you need to get yourself kitted out for this season! Jersey’s, beanies, scarves, hoodies, we’ve got it all. Show your colours with pride this season, and head out to Jersey’s Megastore, for all things footy!
