NRL 2025 – Round 25 preview, predictions and tips
It’s that strange time of year in the NRL. On the one hand I’m gutted that the season’s drawing to a close, but on the other, the games are getting better and more intense by the week.
There can’t have been too many better Friday nights than the one in store this weekend, as four of the top five sides face each other. The outcomes of those two games could go a long way towards seeing who wins the Minor Premiership and who makes the top four.
Elsewhere, it’s looking do-or-die this week for the Dolphins, while the Roosters have a chance to pull away.
And a special mention to two Queensland stalwarts this week, who both play their 350th NRL games – Ben Hunt and Daly Cherry-Evans.
Now, without further ado, let’s see what’s on the cards this week…
- Thursday 21st August – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Accor Stadium, Sydney
- Friday 22nd August – Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders – Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee
- Friday 22nd August – Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – AAMI Park, Melbourne
- Saturday 23rd August – Manly Sea Eagles vs The Dolphins – 4 Pines Park, Sydney
- Saturday 23rd August – Gold Coast Titans vs New Zealand Warriors – Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
- Saturday 23rd August – Parramatta Eels vs Sydney Roosters – CommBank Stadium, Sydney
- Sunday 24th August – Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos – McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
- Sunday 24th August – Wests Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys – Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
*All betting odds are taken from Paddy Power and correct at time of writing on 20th August 2025.
Thursday 21st August – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Accor Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The Rabbitohs made it back-to-back wins with their 20-16 victory over the Eels in Round 24. They’ve still got a bye to come as well, so even though they’ll be nowhere near the top eight at season’s end, it would seem they’ll avoid the dreaded wooden spoon at least.
The Dragons let a 10-point lead slip in Auckland last week as they were beaten 14-10 by the Warriors. That loss followed back-to-back victories, and with six points separating them from the top eight, it’s all about finishing the year on a high now for the Red Vee.
Team news
The Rabbitohs welcome back Keaon Koloamatangi, ahead of schedule. Lachlan Hubner returns from concussion, but Bayleigh Bentley-Hape is missing this week with the same issue. Liam Le Blanc is ruled out for the rest of the year, while Latrell Mitchell is also missing after being a late withdrawal last week.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Tallis Duncan 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Ashton Ward 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Jacob Host 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Brandon Smith 16. Cody Walker 17. Thomas Fletcher 18. Shaquai Mitchell 19. Fletcher Myers 20. Salesi Ataata 21. Haizyn Mellars 22. Lewis Dodd
Hamish Stewart, Jack de Belin and Hame Sele have all entered the concussion protocols for the Dragons. Jacob Halangahu, Ben Murdoch-Masila and Blake Lawrie come into the 17. Tyrell Sloan also comes into the 17 after being named 18th man last weekend.
Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Hayden Buchanan 4. Mat Feagai 5. Corey Allan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jacob Halangahu 13. Ben Murdoch-Masila 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 17. Tyrell Sloan 18. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 19. Viliami Fifita 20. Nathan Lawson 21. Lachlan Ilias
My prediction – South Sydney Rabbitohs 20-16 St George Illawarra Dragons
This one could go either way, but with some big names back recently, including Cody Walker, I’m backing the Bunnies to edge this one.
Betting tips
These two are split down the middle in the handicap market, so I’m going with Souths to win, which is 5/6. I’m expecting a back-and-forth battle in this game, so I like the look of there NOT being three unanswered tries. That’s priced at 6/4.
Friday 22nd August – Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders – Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee
Form guide
After nine straight victories, the Panthers’ winning run finally came to an end in dramatic fashion last week as Melbourne beat them in Golden Point. The loss also dropped Penrith to 5th, but they remain five points inside the Finals spots.
The Raiders had a week off in Round 24, but the two points they picked up for their final bye round of the year means they remain top – two points clear of Melbourne Storm.
Team news
Panthers skipper Isaah Yeo is back in the extended squad after two games out with a shoulder injury. Otherwise, Penrith are unchanged from 1-17.
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. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaiah Papali’i 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Scott Sorensen 18. Paul Alamoti 19. Isaah Yeo 20. Mavrik Geyer 21. Daine Laurie 22. Luke Sommerton
The Raiders also name an unchanged 17 from their last outing against Manly.
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 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. Manaia Waitere 20. Danny Levi 21. Trey Mooney 22. Ethan Sanders
My prediction – Penrith Panthers 14-16 Canberra Raiders
This is another game where it’s a 50/50 split, but I’m leaning towards the Raiders. They’re top of the ladder, they’ve picked up five more wins than Penrith this year and they’ve had a week off heading into this, so there’s enough pointing me towards them.
Betting tips
I’m a bit surprised to see the Panthers have been given a -3 handicap in this game. That makes the Raiders an easy choice in the outright market, at 7/5. I have a feeling we’ll see two strong defences here, so I also like the look of under 41.5 points, which is 10/11.
Friday 22nd August – Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – AAMI Park, Melbourne
Form guide
Melbourne picked up an impressive Golden Point victory over the Panthers last week. That win made it four in a row for the Storm, who are just two points behind ladder leaders Canberra.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, suffered a second defeat in three games in Round 24, and it was a convincing one. The Roosters got the better of them, 32-12, to leave the Dogs in 3rd – four points off top spot.
Team news
Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona are back in the extended squad for Melbourne, so they could return. Shawn Blore is ruled out, so Joe Chan comes into the starting side and Bronson Garlick comes onto the bench.
Storm team: 1. Cameron Munster 2. Grant Anderson 3. Marion Seve 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Jonah Pezet 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Ativalu Lisati 18. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 19. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Kane Bradley 21. Ryan Papenhuyzen 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Sitili Tupouniua and Marcelo Montoya are back in the extended squad for the Bulldogs. Otherwise, their 1-17 is the same as last week’s run-on side, with Connor Tracey named in the number 1 jersey after a successful return last week.
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Reed Mahoney 19. Toby Sexton 20. Jake Turpin 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Marcelo Montoya 23. Sitili Tupouniua
My prediction – Melbourne Storm 24-16 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
I can’t see past the Storm in this one. The Bulldogs have had a few wobbles recently, and I struggle to back an away side down in Melbourne at the best of times, but especially when they’re not in form.
Betting tips
I’m backing Melbourne to score 21-30 points, which is priced at 17/10. It’s the same price for Enari Tuala to score an anytime try, and he looks the best value out of the likely scorers for either side. He has four in his past four games for Canterbury.
Saturday 23rd August – Manly Sea Eagles vs The Dolphins – 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Form guide
Manly’s form has fallen off a cliff in recent weeks, at just the wrong time of the year. After a mightily impressive 16-18 win at Melbourne in Round 20, it’s now four straight losses for the Sea Eagles, whose Finals hopes are just about done.
The Dolphins have had a tough couple of weeks of their own, with last week’s 38-28 loss in Brisbane hot on the heels of a 12-64 hammering by the Roosters. On the plus side, they’re just two points outside the top eight, but a loss this weekend could finish them off.
Team news
Tommy Talau comes into the centres for Manly in place of Reuben Garrick. It’s unlikely we’ll see Garrick again this year. Aaron Schoupp joins the bench.
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tommy Talau 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Aaron Schoupp 15. Caleb Navale 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Joey Walsh 21. Simione Laiafi 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
The Dolphins welcome Felise Kaufusi and Francis Molo back from suspension, which means Aublix Tawha drops out of the 17. Max Feagai is back from injury, so the reshuffle in the backline sees Trai Fuller slide to the bench.
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Max Feagai 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe 14. Trai Fuller 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Josh Kerr 18. Ray Stone 19. Aublix Tawha 20. Peter Hola 21. LJ Nonu 22. John Fineanganofo
My prediction – Manly Sea Eagles 18-32 The Dolphins
I’m expecting a reaction from the Dolphins this week after a couple of disappointing defeats. Manly look shot to bits, and this is a chance for the visitors to put the final nail in their coffin and keep their own top eight hopes alive.
Betting tips
The Dolphins are 1/1 in the outright win market, so I’m jumping straight on that. It’s the same price for Manly to score under 23.5 points, and I’m backing that too.
Saturday 23rd August – Gold Coast Titans vs New Zealand Warriors – Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Form guide
The Titans got the win when these tow last met as recently as Round 21, but since then it’s been three straight losses for the Gold Coast, who remain rock bottom.
The Warriors have had some struggles of their own recently, but their 14-10 win over the Dragons last week lifted them back up to 4th heading into this weekend.
Team news
Jaimin Jolliffe will be missing for the rest of the year for the Titans. However, there’s good news with Brian Kelly, Klese Haas and Jojo Fifita returning this week.
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. Keano Kini 15. Klese Haas 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 17. Josh Patston 18. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 19. Tukimihia Simpkins 20. Sean Mullany 21. Tom Weaver 22. Tony Francis
The Warriors will have Kurt Capewell, Te Maire Martin and Rocco Berry back on deck this weekend. Jackson Ford is suspended for the next three games though.
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 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. Demitric Vaimauga 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 16. Tanner Stowers-Smith 17. Leka Halasima 18. Taine Tuaupiki 20. Samuel Healey 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Kalani Going
My prediction – Gold Coast Titans 14-22 New Zealand Warriors
This is the sort of game the Warriors have to win if they’re serious about a Premiership push this year. They’ve got three big names returning this week and they’re playing a side with five wins in 21 games, so anything other than an away win here should be a surprise.
Betting tips
The Warriors have been given just a -2 handicap, so I’m getting on them in that market at 10/11. The Titans to score under 21.5 points looks too good to pass up as well, at 1/1.
Saturday 23rd August – Parramatta Eels vs Sydney Roosters – CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The Eels’ performances have picked up in recent weeks, although their 20-16 loss to the Rabbitohs last weekend has seen them drop a place to 14th.
The Roosters have been on fire in recent weeks, and their 32-12 victory over the Bulldogs last week made it three wins on the spin and saw them climb into the top eight.
Team news
Luca Moretti is out for the Eels, so Dylan Walker comes into the starting side and Jordan Samrani comes onto the bench. Otherwise, the Eels’ 17 is the same that took the field last week.
Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Dylan Brown 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Joash Papali’i 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Charlie Guymer 16. Matt Doorey 17. Jordan Samrani 18. Dean Hawkins 19. Haze Dunster 20. Dan Keir 21. Toni Mataele 22. Joey Lussick
Junior Tupou replaces namesake Daniel on the wing for the Roosters, with the veteran ruled out through concussion. Siua Wong is back from his own concussion, which pushes Blake Steep out of the 17.
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Junior 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. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Ethan King 19. Blake Steep 20. Taylor Losalu 21. Sandon Smith 22. Tom Rodwell
My prediction – Parramatta Eels 12-38 Sydney Roosters
The Eels have started to put it together in recent weeks, and they’ve named a spine which resembles something close to next season’s. That being said, the Chooks have really caught fire at just the right time, and having beaten teams in and around the top eight over the past three weeks, they’ll see this as very winnable.
Betting tips
The Roosters with a -10 handicap should be ok at 10/11. I’m tipping Junior Tupou to cross for an anytime try on his club debut too, at 5/6.
Sunday 24th August – Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos – McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Form guide
The Knights suffered a miserable 38-4 defeat to the Cowboys in Round 24, which made it six straight losses. They’ve also dropped to 16th, just two points above rock-bottom Gold Coast.
The Broncos won a thriller in the ‘Battle of Brisbane’ last week, as they saw off the Dolphins, 38-28. That victory keeps them 6th, four points clear of the chasing pack outside the top eight.
Team news
Phoenix Crossland returns from concussion for the Knights, with Matt Arthur dropping out if the 17. Elijah Salesa leaumoana joins the bench with Brodie Jones dropping out.
Knights team: 1. Connor Votano 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Thomas Cant 17. Elijah Leaumoana 18. Francis Manuleleua 19. James Schiller 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Fletcher Hunt 22. Lachlan Crouch
Jack Gosiewski is missing for the Broncos with a fractured collarbone, so Jaiyden Hunt comes into the back row and Jesse Arthars joins the bench.
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Billy Walters 7. Ben Hunt 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Ben Talty 17. Jesse Arthars 18. Fletcher Baker 19. Delouise Hoeter 20. Jock Madden 21. Va’a Semu 22. Luke Gale
My prediction – Newcastle Knights 8-24 Brisbane Broncos
This is another one of those games where one side should be licking their lips at the prospect of a straightforward two points ahead of bigger tests to come.
Betting tips
Again, the -10 handicap should be safe here, so I’m backing Brisbane in that market, at 10/11. When it comes to points this year, the Knights have been the gift that keeps on giving, so I’m getting on them to score under 17.5, which is 5/6.
Sunday 24th August – Wests Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys – Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Form guide
The Tigers are ending the year on a bit of a high, and their 26-12 win over Manly in Round 24 made it three wins from their last four games. They’re up to 11th, and after three straight wooden spoons they’re going to finish a lot closer to the top eight than they have for quite some time.
As for the Cowboys, they picked up a morale-boosting 38-4 win over the Knights last week. It means very little in the overall context of their season, but they climbed a place to 13th as they look to end a disappointing year on a high note.
Team news
No changes for the Tigers this week. Starford To’a has been named to play despite going off with a shoulder injury last week. Brent Naden is named in the extended squad as the likely replacement if needed.
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Sione Fainu 13. Alex Twal 14. Latu Fainu 15. Royce Hunt 16. Charlie Murray 17. Tony Sukkar 18. Heath Mason 19. Brent Naden 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Krystian Mapapalangi 22. Luke Laulilii
No changes for the Cowboys this week.
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Semi Valemei 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Zac Laybutt 17. Thomas Mikaele 18. Kai O’Donnell 19. Marly Bitungane 20. Nicholas Lenaz 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Kaiden Lahrs
My prediction – Wests Tigers 20-12 North Queensland Cowboys
With neither side having anything to play for except pride, this could be a cracker of a game. It could go either way, but with home advantage and a bit more momentum behind them in recent weeks, I’m tipping the Tigers.
Betting tips
The Tigers start with a -2 handicap, which I’m getting straight on. Jaxon Purdue has been one of my go-tos all year for an anytime try and he’s always criminally underpriced by the bookies. When he plays in the centres he has 12 in 14 games, so he’s great value at 6/4.
