A bit of normality returned to Footy tipping last week as there were less upsets, and we managed to jag six from eight tips in Round 6 of the NRL. The Storm flexed their might, the Raiders ended Parra’s title hopes, and the Roosters bumped off the Broncos. As we turn to the round ahead, there are some ripping match ups in store for this weekend, and Jersey’s Megastore has all the tips and predictions you’ll need ahead of Round 7 of the National Rugby League. Let’s have a look!
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v St George Illawarra Dragons:
Round 7 of the NRL will kick off with a return to 4 Pines Park, as Manly take on the inconsistent Dragons. Coming into the clash off the back of a close loss to the Sharks, the Sea Eagles will be looking to bounce back, but the Dragons are currently in form after pumping the Titans 38-16. The issue with that being, the same starting seventeen that beat the Storm in the wet, also lost to the Eels in the same seven-day window. I think as we turn the corner into the State of Origin stretch, the contenders for selection will look to really turn it up a notch in their performances. I’m expecting a big game out of DCE, and in turn, I’m tipping the Sea Eagles by 14 points.
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs v South Sydney Rabbitohs:
South Sydney comes into this Good Friday battle after a loss to the Cowboys, and down on troops. The undefeated Bulldogs come in fresh off the bye, but it’s highly unlikely there were any holidays taken in Belmore. Canterbury will welcome back the likes of Matt Burton and potentially Viliame Kikau to the fold, which will only strengthen their line-up. It’s hard to see the undermaned Souths getting the win this week, but will full strength line ups, this would have been a battle for the ages. I’m tipping the Bulldogs by 10 points.
Dolphins v Melbourne Storm:
The Dolphins managed to pull off a remarkable win as they dismantled the declining Penrith Panthers, however Melbourne absolutely decemated the Warriors. The Dolphins seem to be improving on a week to week basis undwer coach Kristian Woolf, which gives positive signs that this may not be the walk over effort some pundits are anticipating for the Storm. The Melbourne spine is certainly in red-hot form though, with Grant and Papenhuyzen delivering stand out performances on Sunday. While it won’t be a blow-out, I’d expect Melbourne to still keep the Redcliffe side at arm’s length. I’m tipping the Storm by 12 points.
New Zealand Warriors v Brisbane Broncos:
These two sides haven’t met in nearly a year, but when they did the Warriors managed to run home with a 32-16 win over the Broncos. How much has changed in Brisbane in that time though. The Broncos have reestablished themselves as a powerhouse in the competition, and were firing on all cylinders... until a surprise loss to the Roosters on Friday! New coach Michael Macguire will surely look to work the Queensland side hard this week, to get a rejuvenated performance out of his team. The Brisbane bounce back is inevitable, and I’m tipping the Broncos by 24 points.
Sydney Roosters v Penrith Panthers:
The rematch of the year is set to take place at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night. The last time these two met, the Roosters pulled off the greatest underdog win in Rugby League history, a win that kicked off a streak of five straight losses for the Panthers. It’s never wise to write off a champion team, let alone a champion team thats won four premierships in a row. However, Ivan Cleary almost looks to be out of answers right now. The juniors at the Roosters look hungry, and after knocking off Penrith and Brisbane the two times they’ve played, it’s not hard to see them knocking off the big scalp again. I’m tipping the Roosters by 8 points.
Gold Coast Titans v Canberra Raiders:
Another contender for the match of the round takes place on Sunday as the Gold Coast Titans host the Canberra Raiders. Two of the competition’s toughest forward packs will collide as the Titans look to get back into winning ways. However, the Raiders come into the clash having just decemated Parramatta’s premiership hopes by putting 50 points on them. Having lost two in a row to hit-and-miss sides, the Gold Coast need to reestablish some form in front of a home crowd this weekend, but the Raiders are sitting pretty inside the top four, and have pulled off two commanding wins back to back. This contest will likely go the distance, and there isn’t a clear winner here. I’m leaning towards the experience of Jamal Fogarty being enough to guide the green machine home though, and I’m tipping the Raiders by 2 points.
Newcastle Knights v Cronulla Sharks:
Two sides who have drastically under-performed so far in 2025 will meet in the second match on Sunday, as the Newcastle Knights take on the Cronulla Sharks. Newcastle have managed just 10 points in the last month of NRL competition football, and four of those points came in the 79th minute of the match against the Tigers on Sunday. One has to ask, where are the points going to come from for this attack? Cronulla on the other hand, while not meeting expectations still look like a genuine top 8 side, showing positive signs on both sides of the ball. Once their halves combination gels a little better, they will look more dangerous. This Sunday is a great opporunity to work out those kinks. I’m tipping the Sharks by 18 points.
Wests Tigers v Parramatta Eels:
Easter Monday football is back as the Parramatta Eels play visitor at their own home ground (Commbank Stadium) as they take on the Wests Tigers. Parramatta are in some woeful form, having just conceded fifty points in Darwin. The Tigers however, are resurrecting themselves well ahead of schedule on both sides of the ball. Parramatta are playing for pride at the moment, as they continue to look absolutely lost without Mitchell Moses and Zac Lomax. This could get tremendously ugly as the Tigers look to flex their muscles. I’m expecting Galvin to put in a stellar performance as he looks to prove his worth when he tests the open market. I’m tipping the Tigers by 36+ points.
Round 7 of the NRL is shaping up to be another blockbuster week of footy, with fierce rivalries, redemption arcs, and finals implications already beginning to brew. So whether you're backing the Roosters to continue their giant-killing run, tipping the Storm to maintain momentum, or expecting a Tigers blowout on Easter Monday, one thing is certain, footy fans are in for a treat. Make sure you’re geared up for every tackle, try, and triumph with the latest officially licensed NRL jerseys, supporter gear, and merchandise available now at Jerseys Megastore. For all things footy!
