NRL 2026 – Round 21 preview, predictions and tips
If it wasn’t already crunch time in the NRL, it almost certainly is now. Whilst teams like the Dragons and the Titans have seen their seasons come to an end weeks ago, the likes of the Broncos, the Bulldogs and the Storm are in the last chance saloon if they’re going to secure a top eight spot.
There are some absolute crackers to look forward to this weekend, including a Queensland derby in Townsville, which the Broncos cannot afford to lose.
And in amongst it all, 17th takes on 16th as the Dragons look to take a step towards escaping the wooden spoon at home to the Titans.
It promises to be another great weekend, and here’s how I see it going…
*All odds are taken from Paddy Power and correct at time of writing on 21st July 2026.
- Thursday 23rd July – Parramatta Eels vs Penrith Panthers
- Friday 24th July – Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters
- Friday 24th July – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Melbourne Storm
- Saturday 25th July – Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers
- Saturday 25th July – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs New Zealand Warriors
- Saturday 25th July – North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos
- Sunday 26th July – St George Illawarra Dragons vs Gold Coast Titans
- Sunday 26th July – Manly Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sharks
Thursday 23rd July – Parramatta Eels vs Penrith Panthers
Form guide
The Eels had a bye in Round 20, and they’ve picked up a little in recent weeks with two wins from their last four games. They remain down in 15th.
The Panthers were narrowly beaten 14-12 by the Broncos last weekend, which was their third defeat in four games. They remain top, but their lead over the Warriors and the Roosters has been cut to two points.
Team news
Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Brian Kelly 3. Jordan Samrani 4. Araz Nanva 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Sam Tuivaiti 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Jack Williams 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Jack de Belin 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Teancum Brown 17. Harrison Edwards 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Toni Mataele 20. Jonah Pezet 21. Ryley Smith 22. Viliami Penisini
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Billy Scott 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Liam Henry 17. Billy Phillips 18. Izack Tago 19. Jack Cole 20. Jaxen Edgar 21. Sione Fonua 22. Kalani Leuluai-going
My prediction – Parramatta Eels 12-24 Penrith Panthers
I’d expect the Panthers to bounce back with a win here. Parra usually raise themselves for this one, but I can’t see them having enough to win it.
Betting tips
I’m backing Casey McLean for an anytime try for the Panthers. I don’t expect the Eels to be kept scoreless, so the 6/4 on a Josh Addo-Carr try also looks good value.
Friday 24th July – Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters
Form guide
The Knights were edged out 20-18 by the Sharks in Round 20 to slip to 6th. That was their second straight defeat.
The Roosters saw off Melbourne in a 14-6 win to move within two points of ladder leaders Penrith. The Chooks are on a four-game winning streak.
Team news
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Dylan Brown 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker 14. Sandon Smith 15. Cody Hopwood 16. Lachlan Crouch 17. Thomas Cant 18. Harrison Graham 19. Brodie Jones 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Elijah Leaumoana 22. Connor Votano
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Nat Butcher 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Hugo Savala 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Egan Butcher 17. Connor Watson 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Benaiah Ioelu 21. Tommy Talau 22. Toby Rodwell
My prediction – Newcastle Knights 14-20 Sydney Roosters
This should be extremly close and could go either way. I’m edging towards the Roosters though. They’re in better form right now and all their Origin stars are back.
Betting tips
This should be close, so I’m backing the Roosters to win by 1-12 points at 21/10. I’ll also back them with the -2 handicap at 10/11.
Friday 24th July – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Melbourne Storm
Form guide
The Rabbitohs were beaten 36-24 by the Raiders last weekend to slip to 7th. They’re just two points clear of the chasing pack in the battle for a top eight spot.
Melbourne were beaten 14-6 by the Roosters to drop to 11th. They have a four point gap to make up if they’re to crack the eight.
Team news
Rabbitohs: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Siegwalt 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Ashton Ward 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Euan Aitken 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Jye Gray 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Jamie Humphreys 18. Bronson Garlick 19. John Radel 20. Thomas Fletcher 21. Edward Kosi 22. Peter Mamouzelos
Storm: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Moses Leo 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Cooper Clarke 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Trent Loiero 14. Trent Toelau 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Angus Hinchey 17. Jack Hetherington 18. Stanley Huen 19. Manaia Waitere 20. Davvy Moale 21. Hugo Peel 22. Gabriel Satrick
My prediction – South Sydney Rabbitohs 24-16 Melbourne Storm
I’m struggling with this one. The Rabbitohs have been so inconsistent, but when they get it right they’re hard to stop. By their standards, Melbourne are having a very poor year, and with Cameron Munster missing still, I can see the Bunnies striking a blow to their top eight hopes.
Betting tips
The bookies can’t split these two, so I’m straight on the Rabbitohs win at 1/1. Latrell Siegwalt looks a great price for an anytime try at 23/10.
Saturday 25th July – Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers
Form guide
The Raiders saw off the Rabbitohs in a 36-24 victory last weekend. They’ve won their last three games as they mount a late surge for a spot in the Finals.
The Tigers’ dismal collapse continued as they were beaten 32-0 by the Bulldogs. They’ve lost their last five games and scored a total of just 22 points in the last four. They’ve also slipped to 14th.
Team news
Raiders: Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Zac Hosking 12. Noah Martin 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Ata Mariota 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Daine Laurie 18. Matt Nicholson 19. Sebastian Kris 20. Coby Black 21. Vena Patuki-Case 22. Sione Finau
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Junior Tupou 3. Sunia Turuva 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Faaletino Tavana 6. Jarome Luai 7. Javon Andrews 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Ethan Roberts 13. Alex Twal 14. Jared Haywood 15. Sione Fainu 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Bunty Afoa 18. Starford To’a 19. Jock Madden 20. Heamasi Makasini 21. Latu Fainu 22. Adam Doueihi
My prediction – Canberra Raiders 36-6 Wests Tigers
This could be one of those games that leaves me with egg on my face, but on current form I can’t see anything other than a comfortable home win. Even if this is closer than I expect, Canberra won’t allow a chance like this to slip through their fingers as they make a late charge for the Finals. The Tigers, meanwhile, are all but done for 2026.
Betting tips
I’m backing the Raiders to win by 13+, which is 5/6. It’s the same price for them to score first, lead at half-time and win, which I’d also expect to come in.
Saturday 25th July – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs New Zealand Warriors
Form guide
The Bulldogs’ late run towards the Finals continued to gather pace in Round 20 with a 32-0 win over the Tigers. They’ve won four of their last five to climb to 10th, and sit just two points off the top eight.
The Warriors’ ground out a 20-12 win over the Dragons last weekend to close the gap on Penrith to two points.
Team news
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Matt Burton 4. Enari Tuala 5. Jethro Rinakama 6. Stephen Crichton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Leo Thompson 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Sean O’Sullivan 15. Josh Curran 16. Harry Hayes 17. Lipoi Hopoi 19. Jed Reardon 20. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 21. Alekolasimi Jones 22. Jack Underhill 23. Bronson Xerri
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima 18. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 20. Marata Niukore 21. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 22. Luke Metcalf 23. Rocco Berry
My prediction – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 14-10 New Zealand Warriors
It’s do or die time for the Bulldogs now, and I can see them getting over the line here. The Warriors’ form has dropped off a little in recent weeks, and Canterbury know they have to keep winning.
Betting tips
Unsurprisingly the Warriors are favourites, so I’m backing the Bulldogs to win at 8/5. Jethro Rinakama did the business for me again last week, and his odds are even better this week, so I’m tipping him for an anytime try at 11/10.
Saturday 25th July – North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos
Form guide
The Cowboys were beaten 36-16 by the Dolphins last weekend, but they remain just inside the top eight after Manly’s surprise loss to the Titans.
The Broncos ended a run of eight straight losses to beat ladder leaders Penrith, 14-12. They’ve climbed to 13th, and a win this weekend will close the gap on North Queensland to four points.
Team news
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tomas Chester 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Thomas Mikaele 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Griffin Neame 16. Matthew Lodge 17. Coen Hess 18. Zac Laybutt 19. Ethan King 20. Sam McIntyre 21. Kaiden Lahrs 22. Liam Sutton
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Preston Riki 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Ben Hunt 15. Ben Talty 16. Va’a Semu 17. Grant Anderson 18. Billy Walters 19. Luke Gale 20. Hayze Perham 21. Jesse Arthars 22. Joshua Coric
My prediction – North Queensland Cowboys 18-24 Brisbane Broncos
The Broncos are another side in the last chance saloon, with no room for error in the final weeks of the season. Last week’s win over the Panthers was a great starting point and I have a feeling they’ll back it up here against a Cowboys side with four defeats in their last six.
Betting tips
I’ll take the Broncos with a -2 handicap at 10/11. None of the tryscorer odds look that great to me, so I’ll take a punt on them scoring 21 to 30 points as well, which is 13/8.
Sunday 26th July – St George Illawarra Dragons vs Gold Coast Titans
Form guide
The Dragons went down fighting against the Warriors last week, but ultimately fell short in a 20-12 loss. They’re six points adrift at the bottom of the ladder.
Just above them are the Titans, who had a magnificent 38-32 win over Manly in Round 20. A win this week could see them climb as high as 13th.
Team news
Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Setu Tu 3. Mathew Feagai 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Ryan Couchman 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Josh Kerr 17. Jacob Halangahu 18. Moses Suli 19. Lyhkan King-Togia 20. Emre Guler 21. Christian Tuipulotu 22. Jacob Webster
Titans: 1. Keano Kini 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Jojo Fifita 4. Jaylan De Groot 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Zane Harrison 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Oliver Pascoe 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Josh Patston 16. Klese Haas 17. Cooper Bai 18. Sam Verrills 19. Lachlan Ilias 20. Michael Molo 21. Sialetili Faeamani 22. Adam Christensen
My prediction – St George Illawarra Dragons 10-22 Gold Coast Titans
As dead rubbers go, this one’s right up there, but I can see this being better than I imagine. With just two wins in 17 games, it’s impossible for me to back the Dragons. The Titans have put in some good performances in recent weeks and I can see them sealing the Dragons’ wooden spoon fate this week.
Betting tips
This one’s split straight down the middle, so I’m getting straight on a Titans win at 10/11. Jojo Fifita is very well priced for an anytime try as well, at 17/10.
Sunday 26th July – Manly Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sharks
Form guide
Manly were surprisingly beaten 38-32 by the Titans in Round 20, which has left them one place and two points outside the top eight.
Meanwhile, the Sharks saw off the Knights in a 20-18 win. It was a seventh win in eight for Cronulla, who remain 4th.
Team news
Sea Eagles: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Josh Feledy 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tolutau Koula 6. Joey Walsh 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Simione Laiafi 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Nicholas Lenaz 15. Nathan Brown 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Ethan Bullemor 18. Fletcher Baker 19. Blake Wilson 20. Onitoni Large 21. Aaron Schoupp 22. Zaidas Muagututia
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Thomas Hazelton 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jesse Colquhoun 15. Billy Burns 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Oregon Kaufusi 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Mawene Hiroti 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Niwhai Puru
My prediction – Manly Sea Eagles 12-26 Cronulla Sharks
With Manly losing four of their last five and the Sharks winning seven of their last eight, I can’t see past a Cronulla win here. Especially with the Sea Eagles missing Tom Trbojevic at fullback.
Betting tips
The Sharks should be very safe with a -2 handicap at 10/11. Ronaldo Mulitalo is the same price for an anytime try, and that looks too good to miss as well.
