NRL 2025 – Round 10 preview, predictions and tips
It’s Women in League Round this week in the NRL and if it’s half as good as Magic Round then we’re in for a treat.
Almost 150,000 fans packed into Suncorp Stadium over the three days, so it’s fingers crossed for some more bumper crowds this weekend, starting on Thursday in Parramatta…
Thursday 8th May – Parramatta Eels vs The Dolphins – CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The Eels were beaten 28-18 last weekend by the Sharks, meaning they dropped back to the bottom of the ladder with a 2-6 record. There were plenty of positives though, and they do appear to have turned a slight corner in recent weeks.
The Dolphins on the other hand, have conceded 76 points in the past couple of weeks, but they have managed 54 of their own, so you’re certainly getting your money’s worth if you follow them. They’re 14th at the moment, with a 3-6 record.
Team news
Matt Doorey replaces Sam Tuivaiti on the Eels bench in the only change from last weekend.
Felise Kaufusi and Kurt Donoghoe are back in the Dolphins’ starting side, but Jeremy Marshall-King is ruled out. Mark Nicholls moves to the bench and Oryn Keeley drops out of the 17.
My prediction – Parramatta Eels 20-30 The Dolphins
No team has conceded more points than Parra, while the Dolphins have been scoring points for fun in recent weeks – and conceding them too. I’m expecting a high-scoring contest, but with the Dolphins a marginally better side right now, they’re my tip.
Betting tips
The Eels are slight favourites for this game, so I’m getting straight on a Dolphins win at 11/10. I’m backing over 46.5 points at 4/5 and over 22.5 points for the Dolphins at 10/11, as well.
Friday 9th May – Newcastle Knights vs Gold Coast Titans – McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Form guide
On paper this looks like an absoulte stinker of a game, but it could be the most interesting of the round.
The Knights finally came to life last week, with their 4-30 win over the Rabbitohs following a run of five straight losses. They’re 12th on the ladder and incredibly, they’re just two points off finals footy as it stands.
As for the Titans, they went down 18-38 to the table-topping Bulldogs at Magic Round. That defeat made it five in a row for Gold Coast, who sit 16th. They did beat the Knights 26-6 back in Round Three though.
Team news
The Knights are unchanged from last weekend.
Jayden Campbell and Jojo Fifita are back in a welcome boost for the Titans. There’s still no David Fifita, who reportedly has an ankle injury, while Tom Weaver is ruled out with concussion.
My prediction – Newcastle Knights 18-10 Gold Coast Titans
You never know if a team really have bounced back or if it’s just a one-off, but based on last week’s performance I’m backing the Knights this weekend. They were outstanding against the Rabbitohs and blew them away in the first half. If they can get off to a fast start in this one, I can’t see the Titans coming back.
Betting tips
I’m not expecting a high-scoring contest, so 1/1 for under 47.5 points looks good to me. I also like the look of Bradman Best at 6/5 for an anytime try.
Friday 9th May – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Brisbane Broncos – Accor Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
After a bright start to the year, the Rabbitohs have lost four straight matches to leave them in 13th with a 4-5 record. Last weekend they were beaten comfortably by struggling Newcastle, 4-30.
It’s a testament to how tight the league is so far that the Broncos are up in 5th, but only two points above the Bunnies with a 5-4 record. They also suffered a disappointing loss at Magic Round, going down 32-8 to a Panthers side who started the weekend bottom.
Team news
Latrell Mitchell and Jamie Humphreys are back for the Rabbitohs this week, which are huge boosts. Humphreys’ return sees Lewis Dodd drop out of the 17 after making his first start last weekend, while Tevita Tatola also drops out of the 17 this week. Siliva Havili is named at hooker in place of the injured Peter Mamouzelos, while Fletcher Myers is on the wing in a reshuffled back line.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Fletcher Myers 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jye Gray 15. Sean Keppie 16. Davvy Moale 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Tevita Tatola 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Joshua Schuster 21. Shaquai Mitchell 22. Jacob Host
For the Broncos, Fletcher Baker comes in for Jaiyden Hunt in the only change to last week’s 17. Ezra Mam is available again after a lengthy suspension, but he’ll have to wait another week at least.
My prediction – South Sydney Rabbitohs 16-28 Brisbane Broncos
The Bunnies should be better with Latrell Mitchell back in the side and they should be much improved from last weekend. However, the Broncos have looked the better side when they’ve put it together this year, the only problem is knowing which Brisbane is going to show up.
Betting tips
The Broncos are 1/1 to win by 13+ and 2/1 to win by 1 to 12 points, so if you get on both, the worst you’ll do is break even. You can also get 13/10 on the Broncos to be leading after 10 minutes, and based on their fast starts this year, that looks a good price.
Saturday 10th May – Canberra Raiders vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – GIO Stadium, Canberra
Form guide
It’s 2nd vs 1st in the nation’s capital this weekend, as surprise package Canberra take on the Bulldogs.
The Raiders have been outstanding this year, and their Golden Point victory over Melbourne Storm at Magic Round made it 7-2 for the season to leave them two points behind this weekend’s opponents.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, bounced back from their first defeat of the year in Round 8 to see off the Titans 18-38 at Magic Round and preserve their place at the top of the ladder.
Team news
The Raiders have named an unchanged 17 again this weekend, as they continue their remarkable continuity.
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. Manaia Waitere 19. Simi Sasagi 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi
Jacob Preston was named in the Bulldogs’ starting side, but he’s since been suspended for four weeks, so Harry Hayes or Kurtis Morrin is the likely replacement in the starting side. Matt Burton is back from suspension to take his place in the halves with Bailey Hayward dropping to the bench.
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 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. Bailey Hayward 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Blake Wilson 21. Lipoi Hopoi 22. Luke Smith 23. Drew Hutchison
Saturday 10th May – St George Illawarra Dragons vs New Zealand Warriors – WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Form guide
The Dragons were narrowly beaten 34-28 by the Tigers at Magic Round, which made it back-to-back losses. They’re 10th on the ladder with a 3-5 record.
The Warriors have been outstanding so far and their 30-26 win over the Cowboys last weekend lifted them into 3rd with a 6-2 record.
Team news
Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga will make his debut off the bench for the Dragons, with Emre Guler ruled out through injury. Lyhkan King-Togia will continue in the halves instead of Lchlan Ilias, who only makes the extended bench.
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. Luciano Leilua 17. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 18. Nathan Lawson 19. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Blake Lawrie 22. Finau Latu
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will play his first game of 2025 in a huge boost for the Warriors. Ed Kosi is the man to make way. Rocco Berry is out injured, so Kurt Capewell shifts to the centres. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is on the extended bench, but he’s unlikely to make the matchday squad.
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Taine Tuaupiki 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Jackson Ford 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Bunty Afoa 18. Te Maire Martin 20. Tanah Boyd 21. Tanner Stowers-Smith 22. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 23. Eddie Ieremia
My prediction – St George Illawarra Dragons 14-24 New Zealand Warriors
I can’t see past the Warriors in this one. Playing in Wollongong should give the Dragons a slight edge, but this is the sort of game the Warriors should be winning if they’re serious about staying in the top four this year.
Betting tips
The Warriors with a -2.5 handicap looks a shoo-in to me at 1/1. I’m backing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to mark his return with a try, as well. It’s 4/6 anytime or 7/1 for the first try, which I’d be willing to go for.
Saturday 10th May – North Queensland Cowboys vs Penrith Panthers – Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Form guide
After four staright wins, the Cowboys were narrowly beaten by the Warriors at Magic Round, suffering a 30-26 defeat. That left them 4-4 for the year, just outside the top eight.
As for the Panthers, after a false dawn in Round 7, they were comfortably beaten by Manly the following week before stuffing the Broncos 32-8 last weekend. It’s hard to know whether they’ve turned a corner or not, but their 3-6 record has them down in 15th.
Team news
Skipper Reuben Cotter is suspended for the Cowboys, so Sam McIntyre moves into the starting side and Thomas Mikaele gets his first NRL action of the year from the bench.
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. Sam McIntyre 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Zac Laybutt 19. Thomas Duffy 20. Semi Valemei 21. Karl Lawton 22. Kai O’Donnell
Brian To’o and Mitch Kenny are two huge returns for the Panthers this weekend. Their comebacks see Thomas Jenkins move to the bench and Luke Sommerton drop out of the 17. Trent Toelau and Mavrik Geyer have also dropped out, while Brad Schneider returns in the number 14 jersey.
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Thomas Jenkins 18. Luke Sommerton 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Casey McLean 21. Daine Laurie 22. Trent Toelau
My prediction – North Queensland Cowboys 14-20 Penrith Panthers
I thought the Panthers had bounced back the other week and was left with egg on my face, but that won’t stop me tipping them again this weekend. The return of Brian To’o and Mitch Kenny is probably what’s tipped it for me, but this game could really go either way.
Betting tips
I can see this being a close one, so I’m backing the Panthers to win by 1-10 points, at 9/4. I also like the look of under 49.5 points, at 10/11.
Sunday 11th May – Melbourne Storm vs Wests Tigers – AAMI Park, Melbourne
Form guide
The Storm haven’t looked their imperious selves in recent weeks, with two defeats in their last three games and a narrow win over the Rabbitohs. Still, it says a lot about them that they’re still 4th and that’s considered disappointing.
As for the Tigers, they’re up into the top eight after a couple of narrow wins in the past two weeks. Their 34-28 win over the Dragons at Magic Round leaves them with a 5-4 record for the year.
Team news
No changes for the Storm this weekend. Nelson Asofa-Solomona is again named on the extended bench as he eyes a return to first grade action after concussion.
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 Tigers have also named an unchanged 17. Brent Naden left the field with a knee injury last week, but he’s in the starting side again.
My prediction – Melbourne Storm 26-14 Wests Tigers
I’m expecting a bit of a response from Melbourne this week, but they won’t have it all their own way against a resilient Tigers side. Harry Grant is still a big miss for the Storm, but they should have enough to get the job done still.
Betting tips
I’m not seeing loads of value in this one, but I like the look of Sua Fa’ alogo to score anytime and Melbourne to win at 5/6.
Sunday 11th May – Manly Sea Eagles vs Cronulla Sharks – 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Form guide
Manly had the weekend off over Magic Round, but they comfortably saw off the Panthers, 10-26, in their previous game. That win and the two bye round points from last week sees the Sea Eagles sitting in 7th.
The Sharks, meanwhile, saw off the Eels 28-18, to move up to 6th on the ladder. In their previous meeting with Manly, just four weeks ago, they picked up the win – 24-18.
Team news
Jason Saab and Jake Trbojevic are back this week for Manly, which is a huge boost. Tommy Talau and Ethan Bullemoor move to the bench.
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Jake Trbojevic 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Tommy Talau 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown 18. Caleb Navale 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Michael Chee Kam 22. Aitasi James
The Sharks have made one change from last weekend. Siosifa Talakai suffered a concussion, so Daniel Atkinson comes on to the bench.
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. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Niwhai Puru 22. Chris Veaila
My prediction – Manly Sea Eagles 30-18 Cronulla Sharks
This one could go either way so a 12-point margin seems a bit strong, but I just have a feeling that Manly will come out flying on Sunday and catch the Sharks off guard.
Betting tips
I like the look of Manly to win with a -2 handicap at 10/11. It’s also 6/4 for Jason Saab to score an anytime try and Manly to win, which looks way too tempting to pass up.
