NRL 2025 – Round 19 preview, predictions and tips
Wow. Origin’s over for another year already and I made the fatal mistake of writing off Queensland – never a good idea. The Maroons were magnificent in Game III, as they took the series decider, 12-24, but now we’re on the home straight to Finals Footy in the NRL.
Three sides have a bye this weekend following Origin, then it’s completely back to normal from Round 20. So, without further ado, let’s look at this week’s runners and riders…
- Friday 11th July – Cronulla Sharks vs The Dolphins – Sharks Stadium, Sydney
- Saturday 12th July – Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm – McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
- Saturday 12th July – St George Illawara Dragons vs Sydney Roosters – Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
- Saturday 12th July – North Queensland Cowboys vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – QCB Stadium, Townsville
- Sunday 13th July – New Zealand Warriors vs Wests Tigers – Go Media Stadium, Auckland
- Sunday 13th July – Parramatta Eels vs Penrith Panthers – CommBank Stadium, Sydney
- Sunday 13th July – Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos – Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
*All odds are taken from Paddy Power, and correct at time of writing on 10th July 2025.
Friday 11th July – Cronulla Sharks vs The Dolphins – Sharks Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The Sharks had the week off in Round 18, but back-to-back defeats in their two games before that have seen them drop out of the top eight, and they currently sit 10th. On the plus side, they’re level on points with the team sitting in 7th, which happens to be…
The Dolphins, who also had a bye last weekend. The previous week they put 50 on the Rabbitohs, which was their fourth win in five games.
Team news
Just one change for the Sharks this week, with Daniel Atkinson coming onto the bench in place of Billy Burns.
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Billy Burns 19. Hohepa Puru 20. Niwhai Puru 21. Michael Gabrael 22. Jayden Berrell
Kodi Nikorima is ruled out for the Dolphins, so Sean O’Sullivan comes into the halves for his first game since Round 9. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been named to back up from Origin and should be good to go. Trai Fuller is back on the extended bench as he eyes a first appearance in 2025 following an ACL injury.
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Max Feagai 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jake Averillo 6. Sean O’Sullivan 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe 14. Aublix Tawha 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Ray Stone 17. Josh Kerr 18. Harrison Graham 19. Trai Fuller 20. Tevita Naufahu 21. LJ Nonu 22. Peter Hola
My prediction – Cronulla Sharks 12-24 The Dolphins
This is a close one to call with both teams sitting on an 8-8 record, but given the two sides’ current form, it’s hard for me to look past the Dolphins in this one.
Betting tips
The Sharks are the favourites in this one, so I’m jumping straight on a Dolphins win, at 7/5. In the try scoring market, Herbie Farnworth looks the best value at 11/10 to score anytime. He’s got 10 in 16 games this year for the Dolphins.
Saturday 12th July – Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm – McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Form guide
The Knights had a bye in Round 18, but the previous week they went down 18-22 to the Raiders in a close contest. Inconsistency has been one of their biggest issues this year, and they head into this weekend in 13th – four points outside the top eight.
Melbourne, on the other hand, are starting to show signs that they’re motoring towards the finish line. Last week’s 20-26 win over the Cowboys in Townsville made it five straight victories, and saw them climb up to 2nd.
Team news
Greg Marzhew and Leo Thompson are back for the Knights in a huge double boost. Fletcher Hunt is named at fullback with Kalyn Ponga out injured, while James Schiller and Thomas Cant drop out of the 17.
Knights team: 1. Fletcher Hunt 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Brodie Jones 18. Thomas Cant 19. James Schiller 20. Tyson Gamble 21. Jack Hetherington 22. Kyle McCarthy
Ryan Papenhuyzen returns for Melbourne after one game out with a calf strain, so Nick Meaney goes back to centre and Grant Anderson pushes back out to the wing. Stefano Utoikamanu is named on the bench following Origin duty, while Queensland trio Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Trent Loiero are on the extended bench, and Xavier Coates is left out completely. Jack Howarth is named as 18th man after recovering from appendicitis.
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Grant Anderson 3. Joe Chan 4. Nick Meaney 5. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 14. Jonah Pezet 15. Stefano Utoikamanu 16. Lazarus Vaalepu 17. Ativalu Lisati 18. Jack Howarth 19. Trent Loiero 20. Cameron Munster 21. Harry Grant 22. Kane Bradley 23. Moses Leo 24. Keagan Russell-Smith
My prediction – Newcastle Knights 10-36 Melbourne Storm
The Storm are ticking along nicely at the moment, just in time for the run home, and even if their Origin players don’t back up this weekend I can see them having too much for a Knights team missing their own star man.
Betting tips
The Storm should be safe with a -12 handicap, at 10/11. In the try scoring market, Ryan Papenhuyzen is well-priced at 1/1 for an anytime try. For even better value, it’s 15/8 for Jahrome Hughes to go over the line – he’s got four in his past four games.
Saturday 12th July – St George Illawara Dragons vs Sydney Roosters – Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The Dragons narrowly lost 28-24 to the table-topping Raiders last weekend in a spirited display. Despite the defeat, they remain just two points short of the top eight, although they currently sit down in 11th heading into this weekend.
The Roosters suffered a surprise 28-30 loss to the Tigers last weekend, which dropped them out of the top eight. They’re level on points with 7th-placed Dolphins and 8th-placed Manly though, as they look to climb back into the Finals spots.
Team news
Valentine Holmes has been named to back up from Origin III for the Dragons, with Corey Allan shifting to 18th man. Luciano Leilua and Hamish Stewart are back from injury, with Michael Molo moving to the bench, and Viliami Fifita and Loko Pasifiki Tonga dropping out.
Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Sione Finau 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hamish Stewart 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Michael Molo 18. Corey Allan 19. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Viliami Fifita 22. Nicholas Tsougranis
Sam Walker is back for the first time since Round 25 last year, in a major boost for the Roosters. Billy Smith and Victor Radley are also back this week, while Origin contingent Rob Toia, Connor Watson, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton and Spencer Leniu have all been named to back up.
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Salesi Foketi 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Blake Steep 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Ethan King 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Sandon Smith 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. Max McCathie 23. Tom Rodwell 24. Makahesi Makatoa
My prediction – St George Illawara Dragons 14-22 Sydney Roosters
I can see the Dragons pushing the Roosters close here, but I’d expect the Chooks to have a bit too much for them here. This is the sort of game I’d expect hem to nail if they’re going to get into the top eight and cement their spot.
Betting tips
I’m jumping straight on the Roosters with a -4 handicap at 10/11. They’re also priced at 11/10 to score first and win, which looks a solid shout to me.
Saturday 12th July – North Queensland Cowboys vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – QCB Stadium, Townsville
Form guide
The Cowboys pushed Melbourne all the way last weekend, but came up just short in a 20-26 home loss. That made it four defeats in their past five games, which has seen them drop to 12th – three points outside the Finals spots.
The Bulldogs blew an 18-0 lead last weekend, as they went down 18-22 to the Broncos. That loss has seen them drop to 3rd, but they head into this weekend just two points off ladder leaders, Canberra.
Team news
Origin stars Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson have all been named to back up for the Cowboys. Karl Lawton is back from suspension on the bench, while Murray Taulagi is on the extended bench as he eyes a return from injury. Sam McIntyre and John Bateman remain sidelined through injury.
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Reuben Cotter 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Harrison Edwards 14. Karl Lawton 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kai O’Donnell 17. Coen Hess 18. Ryan Rivett 19. Temple Kalepo 20. Kaiden Lahrs 21. Dane Aukafolau 22. Murray Taulagi 23. Marly Bitungane 24. Jaxson Paulo
Stephen Crichton has been named to back up for the Bulldogs after Origin, and if he plays, Matt Burton will shift back to the halves and Lachlan Galvin will go to the bench. Max King and Kurt Mann have also been named to play following Origin.
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Bailey Hayward 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Lachlan Galvin 19. Jake Turpin 20. Jaeman Salmon 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Kurtis Morrin 23. Blake Wilson 24. Jethro Rinakama 25. Jack Todd
My prediction – North Queensland Cowboys 14-28 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
The Cowboys can’t afford too many more slip-ups if they’re going to make the top eight, but I can see the Bulldogs bouncing back this week, especially if their Origin stars are all back on deck.
Betting tips
The Bulldogs should be safe with a -6 handicap, at 10/11. In the try scoring market, Jaxon Purdue looks the best value for me, at 17/10.
Sunday 13th July – New Zealand Warriors vs Wests Tigers – Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Form guide
The Warriors had a bye in Round 18, but their 26-12 loss to Brisbane the previous week has left their top four spot looking a little shaky. They heaqd into this weekend four points clear of the 5th-placed Broncos, who still have another bye round to come.
The Tigers had a huge win last weekend, as they edged past the Roosters, 28-30. That ended a run of six straight defeats, and while a top eight spot is a long shot, they’ve closed the gap to four points.
Team news
Taine Tuaupiki comes in for the injured Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad at fullback for the Warriors. Tanah Boyd replaces Luke Metcalf at halfback after he was ruled out for the rest of the year in the Warriors’ last game. Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is back ahead of schedule from injury, while Maroons forward Kurt Capewell is named on the extended bench following Origin.
Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Rocco Berry 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Eddie Ieremia 20. Samuel Healey 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Edward Kosi 23. Kurt Capewell
Jarome Luai has been named to back up from Origin for the Tigers, so Luke Laulilii drops out. Api Koroisau is back from concussion, while Jack Bird is named on the bench after dropping out late last weekend.
Tigers team: 1. Sunia Turuva 2. Charlie Staines 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Alex Twal 14. Tristan Hope 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Sione Fainu 17. Jack Bird 18. Heath Mason 19. Charlie Murray 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Brent Naden 22. Luke Laulilii
My prediction – New Zealand Warriors 24-10 Wests Tigers
The Warriors will sorely miss Luke Metcalf for the rest of the year, but I’d still fancy them to have too much for a Tigers team sitting down in 14th.
Betting tips
The Warriors look good with a -8 handicap at 10/11. I like the look of Wests Tigers to score under 9.5 points in the first half too, which is priced at 1/1.
Sunday 13th July – Parramatta Eels vs Penrith Panthers – CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The Eels had a bye in Round 18, but their 34-20 loss to the Dragons the previous week sees them sitting down in 15th, although they remain just four points outside the top eight.
Any doubts about whether the Panthers are getting back to their best were surely extinguished in their last game – an 8-6 win over the Bulldogs. That was their fourth victory in a row, and with one of the others coming against the Warriors, they’re picking off the teams near the top. Last weekend they also had a bye, and they head into this round in 6th – but only one point inside the Finals spots.
Team news
Tallyn Da Silva will make his Eels debut from the bench after arriving from the Tigers. Sam Tuivaiti is back from injury and also takes a spot on the bench, while Charlie Guymer replaces the suspended Kelma Tuilagi in the back row. Zac Lomax has been named in the starting side following Origin.
Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Jordan Samrani 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Jack Williams 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Dylan Walker 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti 18. Dan Keir 19. Toni Mataele 20. Ronald Volkman 21. Bailey Simonsson 22. Joash Papali’i
Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Dylan Edwards and Brian To’o have all been named on the extended bench for the Panthers, so it’s touch and go whether they back up from Origin. Brad Schneider has been named to start at halfback, and Daine Laurie and Matt Eisenhuth fill the fullback and lock roles for the time being.
Panthers team: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Matt Eisenhuth 14. Jack Cole 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Mavrik Geyer 18. Luke Sommerton 19. Nathan Cleary 20. Dylan Edwards 21. Brian To’o 22. Liam Martin 23. Isaah Yeo 24. Preston Riki
My prediction – Parramatta Eels 16-30 Penrith Panthers
This game’s a tough one to call with the Panthers potentially missing so many, but if all or most of their Origin stars play, then it changes things completely. Even without them, I’d still back Penrith to win this though, given the momentum they currently have.
Betting tips
I’m struggling to see a lot of value in this game, especially with the uncertainty around the Panthers lineup. It’s 4/5 for Penrith to score first and win though, which looks a pretty good shout to me.
Sunday 13th July – Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos – Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Form guide
The Titans had a week off in Round 18, which at least gave them some respite from a run of one win in six games. They sit rock bottom heading into this weekend, with just four wins to their name all year.
As for their neighbours Brisbane, last weekend’s magnificent come-from-behind win at the Bulldogs was their fourth victory in a row, and they’re closing on on the Warriors as they look to secure a top four spot.
Team news
David Fifita is back on the bench for the Titans following an ankle injury, while Jayden Campbell returns in the halves after a head knock. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has been named to back up from Origin in the starting side.
Titans team: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. David Fifita 17. Klese Haas 18. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 19. Arama Hau 20. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 21. Sean Mullany 22. Tom Weaver
Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas and Gehamat Shibasaki have all been named by the Broncos to back up from Origin, while the Maroons’ 18th man Reece Walsh also returns at fullback, which means Selwyn Cobbo drops to the bench. Ben Hunt is back after six games out, while Jesse Arthars is on the extended bench after missing out last weekend with a rib injury.
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Xavier Willison 9. Ben Hunt 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Jack Gosiewski 17. Tyson Smoothy 18. Selwyn Cobbo 19. Ben Talty 20. Cory Paix 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Delouise Hoeter 23. Benjamin Te Kura 24. Jesse Arthars
My prediction – Gold Coast Titans 10-42 Brisbane Broncos
The Broncos should be sniffing blood in this one. They’re in great form and playing against a rock-bottom side with a coach on his way out at the end of the year, if not sooner. Anything other than a comfortable Brisbane win would be a big surprise.
Betting tips
The Broncos have just a -10 handicap, which looks an absolute shoo-in to me, at 10/11. I’m expecting Brisbane to pile on some points, which means the try scoring market looks golden. Josia Karapani would be my top anytime pick, but at 8/13, it’s not amazing value. Reece Walsh at 11/10 looks a better price, and Kotoni Staggs at 9/5 would be my slight outsider.
