NRL 2025 – Magic Round preview, predictions and tips
I don’t know about you, but I can’t believe we’re already into Round Nine this weekend, with a third of the season gone already.
Easter’s done, ANZAC Round’s over and now we head to Brisbane for the NRL’s annual Magic Round. All eight games will take place at Suncorp Stadium over three days and if I could, I’d be there like a shot.
Sadly it’s not happening this year, but I’ll be sitting back to soak it all up from home, starting with an intriguing clash between two sides in need of improvement…
Friday 2nd May – Cronulla Sharks vs Parramatta Eels
Form guide
The Sharks were beaten in Golden Point by the Tigers in ANZAC Round to leave them 7th with a 4-4 record.
As for the Eels, they had the weekend off with a bye following their 22-38 win over the Tigers on Easter Monday. That was just their second victory of the year, but they’re finally off the bottom, and they’re just two points behind this weekend’s opponents.
Team news
KL Iro is back from a hamstring injury for the Sharks. His return is timely with Mawene Hiroti ruled out with an MCL injury, so Iro replaces him in a straight swap. Braden Hamlin-Uele is on the bench as he eyes a first appearance since round three.
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Billy Burns 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jesse Colquhoun 21. Hohepa Puru
Charlie Guymer has been recalled for the Eels in place of the suspended Kelma Tuilagi.
Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti 18. Ryan Matterson 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Dean Hawkins 21. Bryce Cartwright 22. Jordan Samrani
My prediction – Cronulla Sharks 24-20 Parramatta Eels
Parra are a different proposition with Mitchell Moses back in the side, but I still think the Sharks will just have enough to edge them in this one.
Betting tips
A Sharks win by 1-10 points looks nicely priced to me, at 9/4.
Friday 2nd May – Sydney Roosters vs The Dolphins
Form guide
The Roosters picked up a morale-boosting win on ANZAC Day, seeing off the Dragons, 46-18. That moved them up to 13th on the ladder with a 3-5 record.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, saw their winning run come to an end in a high-scoring contest with Canberra. The Raiders prevailed 40-28 to leave the Dolphins in 12th, and only above the Roosters on points difference.
Team news
The Roosters are unchanged from last weekend, with big-money winger Dom Young left out for a second-straight week.
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Egan Butcher 18. Ethan King 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Chad Townsend 21. Dominic Young 22. Makahesi Makatoa
Jeremy Marshall-King, Felise Kaufusi and Kurt Donoghoe are all back in the 17 this week for the Dolphins. Daniel Saifiti has been ruled out with a shoulder injury, though.
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Felise Kaufusi 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Francis Molo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Mark Nicholls 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Ray Stone 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Josh Kerr 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Harrison Graham 22. Max Feagai
My prediction – Sydney Roosters 20-32 The Dolphins
These two sides are so unpredictable, this game really could go either way. I’m backing the Dolphins though with ‘home’ advantage at Suncorp this weekend.
Betting tips
These two are split straight down the middle with both sides priced at 10/11. I’m expecting a high-scoring contest, so I’d be backing over 48.5 points instead, at 1/1.
Saturday 3rd May – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights
Form guide
The Rabbitohs were spirited against Melbourne last week, but ultimately went down 24-16. That made it three straight losses, which leaves them in 11th on the ladder.
Things are far worse for the Knights though, who suffered a fifth-straight loss, and after seven games they’re still the only side who haven’t reached 100 points.
Team news
The Rabbitohs have had a reshuffle with Latrell Mitchell suspended. Jye Gray moves to fullback, Euan Aitken goes into the centres and Tallis Duncan’s in the starting side from the bench. Jack Wighton was named in the halves originally, but he’s ruled out with a calf injury, so English import Lewis Dodd will make his first start in a Bunnies jumper.
Souths team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Euan Aitken 4. Campbell Graham 5. Isaiah Tass 7. Jayden Sullivan 19. Lewis Dodd 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Jai Arrow 14. Liam Le Blanc 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Davvy Moale 17. Fletcher Myers 18. Thomas Fletcher 20. Joshua Schuster 21. Salesi Ataata 22. Nazareth Taua
Jacob Saifiti and Adam Elliott are back this week for the Knights. Tyson Gamble is on the extended bench as he eyes a return from injury.
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 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. Adam Elliott 17. Brodie Jones 18. Thomas Cant 19. Tyson Gamble 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Tyrone Thompson
My prediction – South Sydney Rabbitohs 20-10 Newcastle Knights
I’m backing the Bunnies to bounce back with a win this weekend. Despite three straight losses, they’ve shown some grit in their recent defeats – aside from the Bulldogs game – and with the Knights’ attack so toothless, Souths should be sniffing blood.
Betting tips
This is another game that’s split straight down the middle, so I’d definitely be backing the Rabbitohs at 10/11. The only thing that concerns me is the number of players missing, but Newcastle haven’t pulled up any trees with everyone available, so there’s no reason to think they’ll put on a score this week.
In the try scoring market, Bayleigh Bentley-Hape scored his first try in forst grade last weekend, and 11/10 for an anytime try looks a good price. For an outside bet, Keaon Koloamatangi is high at 25/1 for the first try. He’s already crossed twice this year, so he knows where the line is.
Saturday 3rd May – New Zealand Warriors vs North Queensland Cowboys
Form guide
The Warriors’ impressive start to the year continued in Christchurch last weekend as they saw off the Knights, 26-12. They sit 4th on the ladder with a 5-2 record so far.
As for the Cowboys, they put 50 on Gold Coast Titans to make it four straight wins. They’re up into 6th on the ladder.
Team news
Te Maire Martin replaces Jacab Laban on the bench for the Warriors. Laban’s missing due to concussion protocols. Otherwise, they’re unchanged from last week.
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Rocco Berry 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Marata Niukore 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Leka Halasima 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Bunty Afoa 18. Tanner Stowers-Smith 20. Samuel Healey 21. Tanah Boyd 22. Eddie Ieremia 23. Edward Kosi
The Cowboys are unchanged from 1-17 for this one.
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Zac Laybutt 19. Karl Lawton 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Kaiden Lahrs 22. Thomas Mikaele
My prediction – New Zealand Warriors 18-22 North Queensland Cowboys
This has the potential to be the match of the round with two in-form sides going head-to-head, looking to cement their top eight spots. I’m tipping the Cowboys though, just.
Betting tips
I can’t see this being a really high-scoring game, so I’d back under 47.5 points at 4/5. Murray Taulagi would be my anytime try scorer tip as well, at 1/1.
Saturday 3rd May – Wests Tigers vs St George Illawarra Dragons
Form guide
With the Lachlan Galvin situation having blown over – for now at least – the Tigers bounced back last weekend with a Golden Point victory over the Sharks, 20-18. That leaves them just outside the top eight with a 4-4 record.
The Dragons suffered a 46-18 pasting against the Roosters on ANZAC Day, but that was off the back of a run of three wins from four. They’re just one place below this week’s opponents.
Team news
Benji Marshall has named an unchanged 17 for the Tigers this week.
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Brent Naden 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Tony Sukkar 19. Heath Mason 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Solomona Faataape 22. Tristan Hope
The big bit of news as far as the Dragons are concerned is the dropping of Lachlan Ilias. The halfback will play NSW Cup this week, so 19-year-old Lyhkan King-Togia comes in for just his fifth NRL game. Corey Allan has been named on the wing for his first NRL appearance in over a year as well, following an ACL injury.
Dragons team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Corey Allan 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lyhkan King-Togia 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Dylan Egan 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Jack de Belin 16. Emre Guler 17. Luciano Leilua 18. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 19. Nathan Lawson 20. Blake Lawrie 21. Lachlan Ilias 22. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
My prediction – Wests Tigers 22-14 St George Illawarra Dragons
I’m backing the Tigers in this one, but they won’t have it all their own way against a Dragons side who should be much improved from last weekend.
Betting tips
The Tigers are 10/11 with a -2 handicap, which looks a solid bet to me. I’d also back them to win by 1-10 points, at 9/4.
Sunday 4th May – Gold Coast Titans vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Form guide
The Titans were hammered last weekend, 50-18, by the Cowboys. That made it four straight losses to leave them down in 14th.
The Bulldogs’ bubble was well and truly burst in Brisbane, where the Broncos took them apart, 42-18. It was 34-0 at half-time as well. That first loss of the year didn’t knock the Bulldogs off top spot though, as their 6-1 record still leaves them sitting pretty.
Team news
The big news for the Titans is David Fifita being dropped. That move sees Josiah Pahulu come onto the bench for his first NRL action of the year. Jaimin Jolliffe is suspended.
Titans team: 1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tom Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Klese Haas 15. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 16. Arama Hau 17. Josiah Pahulu 18. Tony Francis 19. David Fifita 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Tukimihia Simpkins 22. Allan Fitzgibbon
Matt Burton, Josh Curran and Sitili Tupouniua all picked up suspensions for the Bulldogs last weekend, so so Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Kurtis Morrin and Blake Taaffe come into the 17.
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Bailey Hayward 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Blake Taaffe 19. Lipoi Hopoi 20. Blake Wilson 21. Jake Turpin 22. Luke Smith 23. Drew Hutchison
My prediction – Gold Coast Titans 14-46 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
The Bulldogs will be fuming after last weekend’s mauling at the hands of the Broncos and someone will have to pay this week. Fortunately for them, they’re playing a Titans team who are out of form, so this should be a comfortable win for the Doggies.
Betting tips
The Bulldogs with a -12 handicap looks too good to pass up, at 10/11. It’s also 5/2 on Alofiana Khan-Pereira to be the first Titans try scorer. For a player with 46 tries in 46 games, that’s far too tempting to pass up.
Sunday 4th May – Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos
Form guide
Oh dear. Just when it looked like the Panthers had been resurrected over Easter, they came back down to Earth with a bump last week, as Manly deservedly beat them, 10-26. That loss left the defending Premiers rock bottom and they’re fast running out of time to turn things around and make the finals, especially with Origin coming up.
As for the Broncos, they did the opposite. After an underwhelming performance in Auckland over Easter, they smashed the previously unbeaten Bulldogs last weekend, 42-18. They were 34-0 up at half-time too, as they tore the Doggies to shreds.
Team news
Scott Sorensen was named in the Panthers line-up, but he’s since lost his appeal at the judiciary, so there’ll likely be a reshuffle. Mavrik Geyer could come into the starting side. Brad Schneider is ruled out with an eye injury, while Casey McLean has been dropped.
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Liam Henry 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Trent Toelau 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Lindsay Smith 17. Mavrik Geyer 18. Daine Laurie 19. Luron Patea 20. Casey McLean 21. Billy Scott 22. Jack Cole
Jordan Riki is back for the Broncos this week and he replaces Brendan Piakura in the starting side, with Piakura shifting to the bench.
Broncos team: 1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Brendan Piakura 17. Jaiyden Hunt 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Martin Taupau 20. Josiah Karapani 21. Jock Madden 22. Benjamin Te Kura
My prediction – Penrith Panthers 16-28 Brisbane Broncos
I’m backing the Broncos to pile more misery on the struggling Premiers this week. While this is classed as an away game for Brisbane, the fact it’s at their home ground will be a huge advantage for them, and with most of the crowd behind them, I can see them building on last weekend’s impressive display with another win here.
Betting tips
I’m not seeing loads of value in this one, so my tip would be Deine Mariner to score anytime and Brisbane to win, at 11/8. I like the look of over 22.5 points at half-time too, which is priced at 10/11.
Sunday 4th May – Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders
Form guide
Melbourne bounced back from a diappointing defeat against the Dolphins to beat South Sydney last weekend. The 24-16 win wasn’t overly convincing, but it kept them in 2nd, just two points behind the Bulldogs.
The Raiders, meanwhile, continued their impressive start to the year with a 40-28 win over the Dolphins. That win kept them 3rd, level on points with the Storm.
Team news
Tui Kamikamica is back for Melbourne this week, while Nelson Asofa-Solomona is named in the extended squad again as he eyes a return.
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sualauvi Faalogo 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Joe Chan 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Kane Bradley 21. Keagan Russell-Smith 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
The Raiders are unchanged from 1-17 as they eye up a fifth straight win.
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Zac Hosking 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Manaia Waitere 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi
My prediction – Melbourne Storm 18-24 Canberra Raiders
I said that the Warriors and Cowboys could be the match of the round, but this one might just top it. 2nd vs 3rd on the ladder and the 2nd and 3rd highest points scorers so far, so this should be a cracker. Something’s tempting me to go with the Raiders though. I wasn’t particularly convonced by Melbourne last weekend and Harry Grant is a huge miss for them, whereas Canberra have some momentum behind them and a very settled team.
Betting tips
The Storm are favourites for this one, so 13/8 on a Canberra win looks good value. In the try scroing market, Hudson Young has seven in eight games this year, so 13/8 for him to cross anytime looks huge. It’s a similar story with Matty Nicholson, who has five in seven. He’s priced at 15/8, which again, looks far too high.
