NRL 2025 – Round 14 preview, predictions and tips
The games are coming thick and fast at the moment, and there’s the added bonus of a Monday match this weekend.
I’ll get to that in good time, but first up the Knights are looking to kickstart their year at home against a Tommy Turbo-less Manly…
- Thursday 5th June – Newcastle Knights vs Manly Sea Eagles – McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
- Friday 6th June – Melbourne Storm vs North Queensland Cowboys – AAMI Park, Melbourne
- Friday 6th June – The Dolphins vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- Saturday 7th June – Cronulla Sharks vs New Zealand Warriors – Sharks Stadium, Sydney
- Saturday 7th June – Brisbane Broncos vs Gold Coast Titans – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- Sunday 8th June – Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – GIO Stadium, Canberra
- Sunday 8th June – Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers – CommBank Stadium, Sydney
- Monday 9th June – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Parramatta Eels – Accor Stadium, Sydney
*All odds taken from Paddy Power and correct at time of writing, on 3rd June 2025.
Thursday 5th June – Newcastle Knights vs Manly Sea Eagles – McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Form guide
They’re not quite in desperation territory yet, but sitting 15th going into the second half of the year, there’s plenty of work to do for the Knights. They still have the worst attack in the NRL and are the only team yet to score 200 points. Last week they were soundly beaten 20-6 by the Dragons.
Manly, meanwhile, continue to be one of the most inconsistent teams in the comp. They haven’t won back-to-back games since Round 3 and 4, but last week they stuffed the Broncos, 34-6, to move into the top eight.
Team news
Kalyn Ponga returns at fullback for the Knights after being rested following Origin. Fletcher Sharpe shifts to five-eighth and Jack Cogger to halfback. Leo Thompson’s suspended for four games, so Brodie Jones starts in the front row, while Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana will make his NRL debut off the bench. Winger Greg Marzhew is part of the extended squad as he eyes a comeback from injury and out-of-favour halfback Jackson Hastings is 18th man as he looks to make his first appearance of 2025.
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Kyle McCarthy 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Brodie Jones 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Thomas Cant 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Elijah Leaumoana 18. Jackson Hastings 19. Tyrone Thompson 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Wil Sullivan 22. Greg Marzhew
Jake Trbojevic is back from concussion for Manly, so Jazz Tevaga goes to the bench and Matt Lodge drops out. Toafofoa Sipley replaces the injured Josh Aloiai.
Sea Eagles team: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Clayton Faulalo 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Toafofoa Sipley 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Corey Waddell 17. Nathan Brown 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Navren Willett 21. Chris Patolo 22. Matthew Lodge
My prediction – Newcastle Knights 10-20 Manly Sea Eagles
I’m backing Manly to follow up an impressive win over the Broncos with another victory here. The Knights’ attack has been woeful for most of the year, and I can’t see it drastically improving in this one.
Betting tips
The Sea Eagles are 10/11 with a -6 handicap, while Tolutau Koula is a nicely priced 6/4 for an anytime try. I’m getting on both of those.
Friday 6th June – Melbourne Storm vs North Queensland Cowboys – AAMI Park, Melbourne
Form guide
The Storm got back to winning ways in Round 13 with a 16-28 win on the Gold Coast, but it wasn’t entirely convincing. They remain 4th though, comfortably inside the top eight.
As for the Cowboys, they edged a thriller with the Tigers, 32-28. That victory moved them up to 6th – a point inside the top eight.
Team news
Origin stars Xavier Coates and Harry Grant are back for Melbourne after being rested last week and Trent Loiero comes into the starting side. Bronson Garlick drops to the bench, and Sua Fa’alogo and Joe Chan both drop out of the 17. Alec MacDonald is named in the extended squad as he closes in on a return from injury.
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Grant Anderson 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Bronson Garlick 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Sua Fa’alogo 20. Alec MacDonald 21. Joe Chan 22. Kane Bradley
The Cowboys go with the same 17 who saw off the Tigers last weekend.
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Kai O’Donnell 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Jake Clifford 19. Karl Lawton 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Braidon Burns 22. Kaiden Lahrs
My prediction – Melbourne Storm 24-18 North Queensland Cowboys
This could be a thriller and if the Cowboys turn up, they should run Melbourne close. I’m backing the Storm to have enough at home though.
Betting tips
The Storm have been given a -14 handicap, which looks way too big for me. Therefore I’m going with the Cowboys at +14, which is 10/11. I’m also getting behind the Storm to win by 1-12 point, at 23/10.
Friday 6th June – The Dolphins vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Form guide
The Dolphins had a bye in Round 13, but the previous week they smashed the table-topping Bulldogs 8-44 in their pre-Origin clash. That victory and their two bye round points sees them sitting in 10th coming into this weekend.
The Dragons are two points and two places better off following a 20-6 win over the Knights last week, which squeezed them into the top eight.
Team news
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow returns for the Dolphins after missing the Bulldogs game due to Origin. Jake Averillo shifts bac to the centres with Max Feagai dropping out of the 17. Jeremy Marshall-King and Max Plath are both named on the extended bench as they look to come back from injury.
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. Francis Molo 9. Kurt Donoghoe 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Ray Stone 14. Harrison Graham 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Josh Kerr 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Aublix Tawha 20. Max Feagai 21. Jeremy Marshall-King 22. Max Plath
Luciano Leilua replaces the injured Jaydn Su’A in the Dragons’ starting side. Raymond Faitala-Mariner joins the bench. Christian Tuipulotu is back on the wing following injury, while Tyrell Sloan drops to the reserves.
Dragons team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Nathan Lawson 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Jack de Belin 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Toby Couchman 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 18. Emre Guler 19. Lachlan Ilias 20. Hame Sele 21. Tyrell Sloan 22. Michael Molo
My prediction – The Dolphins 26-14 St George Illawarra Dragons
This one could go either way, but something’s leaning me towards the Dolphins this week. Maybe it’s the fact it’s at Suncorp or the fact some players need a big performance ahead of Origin Two, but whatever it is, I’m going with them.
Betting tips
The Dolphins are 10/11 with a -5 handicap, which I’m jumping straight on. I also like the look of the Dragons to score less than 20.5 points, at 4/5.
Saturday 7th June – Cronulla Sharks vs New Zealand Warriors – Sharks Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The Sharks had the week off in Round 13, but the previous week they were put to the sword by the Roosters, 42-16. They remain 5th on the ladder, two points inside the top eight.
The Warriors saw off a stubborn South Sydney last weekend, 30-36. That win kept them in 3rd, just two points off top spot and comfortably inside the top eight as they look to cement their finals spot.
Team news
Ronaldo Mulitalo is suspended for the Sharks, so the return of Sione Katoa for his first game of the season is very timely. Teig Wilton is back from injury, too, so Billy Burns drops to 18th man.
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Mawene Hiroti 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. Siosifa Talakai 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Billy Burns 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Niwhai Puru
Mitch Barnett suffered a season-ending ACL injury last weekend, so Jackson Ford comes into the starting side for the Warriors. Leka Halasima moves into the starting side this week, Kurt Capewll has shifted to the centres for the injured Rocco Berry, and Jacob Laban and Tanner Stowers-Smith both join the bench.
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 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. Tom Ale 20. Samuel Healey 21. Tanah Boyd 22. Ali Leiataua 23. Taine Tuaupiki
My prediction – Cronulla Sharks 16-22 New Zealand Warriors
There’s a steeliness about the Warriors this year that hasn’t always been there, and I can see them going into this game brimming with confidence. The Sharks will make life difficult for them, but I’m backing the Aucklanders to get over the line.
Betting tips
The Sharks are favourites in this one, so the 9/5 for a Warriors victory looks great to me. It’s also 13/5 for them to win by 1-12 points, so I’m backing that too.
Saturday 7th June – Brisbane Broncos vs Gold Coast Titans – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Form guide
The Broncos have fallen off a cliff in recent weeks, with just one win from their last seven and a 34-6 thumping at Manly last time out. They’re 11th currently, but still within touching distance of the top eight.
Things are even worse for their neighbours, who sit rock bottom. It’s just three wins from their opening 11 games for the Titans, although they’re only two points behind the Broncos in what’s an incredibly tight ladder.
Team news
There’s one huge return for the Broncos this week as star fullback Reece Walsh is back from injury. His comeback means Jesse Arthars goes back to the wing and Deine Mariner drops out. Corey Jensen will start this week too, with Pat Carrigan shifting to lock and Kobe Hetherington going onto the bench. Brendan Piakura comes into the starting side for Xavier Willison as well.
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Xavier Willison 17. Benjamin Te Kura 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Deine Mariner 20. Josiah Karapani 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Blake Mozer
For the Titans, Jojo Fifita is injured, so Allan Fitzgibbon comes onto the wing and Phil Sami goes to the centres. Sam Verrills is also injured, so Sean Mullany starts. Arama Hau replaces Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui on the bench.
Titans team: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Allan Fitzgibbon 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tom Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sean Mullany 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Klese Haas 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 17. Arama Hau 18. AJ Brimson 19. Josh Patston 20. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 21. Tukimihia Simpkins 22. Ryan Foran
My prediction – Brisbane Broncos 24-20 Gold Coast Titans
Despite their dreadful form recently, I’d still back the Broncos to get the job done here, at home. The Titans are bottom for a reason, but they’ll also be sniffing blood against a wounded Brisbane side. I can see them giving their neighbours a good game, but Reece Walsh’s timely return should give the Broncos the edge.
Betting tips
I like the look of Brisbane to score first, lead at half-time and win, which is priced at 1/1. I’m backing Reece Walsh to score an anytime try on his comeback too, at 4/5.
Sunday 8th June – Canberra Raiders vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – GIO Stadium, Canberra
Form guide
The Raiders just keep on going, and their 24-26 win over the Roosters last weekend kept them in 2nd, right on the tail of the ladder-leading Bulldogs.
The Rabbitohs were on the wrong end of a narrow scoreline in Round 13, going down 30-36 to the Warriors. They sit just outside the top eight on points difference.
Team news
Josh Papali’i will play his 319th game for the Raiders – a new club record. Elsewhere, Corey Horsburgh moves to lock and Morgan Smithies to the bench, while Jamal Fogarty is named after missing last weekend through injury.
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota 18. Noah Martin 19. Trey Mooney 20. Danny Levi 21. Jed Stuart 22. Ethan Sanders
The Rabbitohs have a couple of big stars back on deck this week. Jack Wighton and Cody Walker both return, which means Isaiah Tass shifts to the wing, Jayden Sullivan goes to the bench, and Bayleigh Bentley-Hape and Jye Gray drop out. Liam Le Blanc comes on to the bench.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Sean Keppie 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Davvy Moale 19. Jye Gray 20. Tyrone Munro 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Jacob Host
My prediction – Canberra Raiders 30-14 South Sydney Rabbitohs
I can’t see past the Raiders in this one. They’re at home, they’re in form and they’ve been the better side all year. That said, if the Bunnies turn up, they could cause them some problems, but this Canberra side will be too clinical to slip up.
Betting tips
I’m backing the Raiders with a -8 handicap, at 10/11. Hudson Young’s been on fire this year too, so I’m backing him for an anytime try at 1/1.
Sunday 8th June – Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers – CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The Tigers have lost their last three, but they came extremely close in Round 13, just being edged out 32-28 by the Cowboys. They currently sit down in 13th, but they’re just two points off the top eight.
The Panthers, meanwhile, have been one of the worst reigining Premiers in history so far, but their 18-10 win over the Eels last weekend lifted them to 14th, and they’re just three points off the top eight.
Team news
Latu Fainu and Jeral Skelton return from injury for the Tigers. Alex Twal is out due to concussion, so Alex Seyfarth moves to lock and Tony Sukkar comes into the second row. Brent Naden and Charlie Staines have dropped out of the 17, while Kit Laulilii is named on the bench for what could be his first NRL appearance of the year and Charlie Murray will make his first grade debut from the bench.
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Heath Mason 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Sione Fainu 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Alex Seyfarth 14. Latu Fainu 15. Jack Bird 16. Kit Laulilii 17. Charlie Murray 18. Luke Laulilii 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Charlie Staines 21. Brent Naden 22. Elie El-Zakhem
The Panthers have named an unchanged 17 from last weekend’s win over the Eels. Isaiah Papali’i and Luke Garner are named on the extended bench as they eye returns from injury.
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Luke Sommerton 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Luron Patea 17. Daine Laurie 18. Brad Schneider 19. Isaiah Papali’i 20. Trent Toelau 21. Luke Garner 22. Paul Alamoti
My prediction – Wests Tigers 18-22 Penrith Panthers
The Panthers aren’t exactly purring yet, but I think last weekend’s win could be the start of something fro them. The Tigers put up a great fight last weekend in a losing effort, and I’d expect the same again this week.
Betting tips
I don’t expect the Panthers to have this all their own way, so the 15/8 on a 1-12 winning margin looks very well priced to me. Liam Martin is overdue a try, and the 10/3 on him to score anytime looks much better value than the usual suspects for Penrith.
Monday 9th June – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Parramatta Eels – Accor Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The Bulldogs had a bye in Round 13, but they were comprehensivley beaten, 8-44, by the Dolphins in Round 12. That followed a couple of comeback wins, which have left some people questioning if the wheels are starting to fall off. They’re still top though, with only two losses in 11 games.
The Eels were beaten 18-10 by local rivals Penrith in Round 13 – a defeat which dropped them to 16th. In this crazy season though, they’re still only four points outside the eight, so there’s plenty left to play for.
Team news
The big news for the Bulldogs is that new recruit Lachlan Galvin only makes the extended bench following his arrival from the Tigers. Don’t be surprised to see him in the matchday 17 though. Stephen Crichton, Max King (Origin), Kurt Mann, Jacob Kiraz and Daniel Suluka-Fifita are all back after missing the Dolphins game due to Origin call-ups and injuries.
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. Josh Curran 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Harry Hayes 16. Lipoi Hopoi 17. Kurtis Morrin 19. Jake Turpin 20. Blake Wilson 21. Samuel Hughes 22. Blake Taaffe 23. Lachlan Galvin
Joash Papali’i drops out of the Eels side with Will Penisini returning in the centres, which means Jordan Samrani moves back to the bench.
Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 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. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Jordan Samrani 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Matt Doorey 20. Joey Lussick 21. Dean Hawkins 22. Samuel Loizou
My prediction – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 28-12 Parramatta Eels
Any talk of the Bulldogs struggling is nonsense in my opinion, and I can see them bouncing back with a double-digit winning margin this week. The Eels have shown plenty of fight in recent weeks, but there’s a reason why one of these sides is 1st and one’s in 16th.
Betting tips
The Bulldogs are 10/11 with a -8 handicap, which I’m getting behind. I like the look of the Bulldogs to be leading by 9+ at half-time as well, which is 17/10.
