NRL 2025 – Round 5 preview and predictions
It’s Multicultural Round this weekend in the NRL, and a few big names are back on deck, including Nathan Cleary and Latrell Mitchell.
Two sides remain winless, and only one has a 100% record so far, in what’s shaping up to be a very open season in 2025. Here’s how I see this weekend going…
Thursday 3rd April – Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks – GIO Stadium, Canberra
Form guide
The Raiders are 2-2 so far this year, but come into this game off the back of two straight defeats, including last week’s 30-20 loss to a previously unbeaten Cowboys.
As for the Sharks, they’re also 2-2 for the season. Their two victories have been sandwiched by defeats to the Panthers and the Bulldogs, with the latter coming last weekend in a 6-20 loss at Shark Park.
Team news
Morgan Smithies returns from concussion for the Raiders, with Trey Mooney dropping out of the 17 in the only change from last week.
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. Matt Nicholson 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota 18. Danny Levi 19. Jed Stuart 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Trey Mooney 22. Adam Cook
Kayal Iro is out for the Sharks with a hamstring injury sustained last weekend, so Mawene Hiroti comes into the side. Siosifa Talakai is also ruled out with concussion, which has opened up a spot for Tom Hazelton to return.
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 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. Thomas Hazelton 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Chris Veaila 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Jesse Colquhoun 22. Billy Burns
My prediction – Canberra Raiders 22-18 Cronulla Sharks
This is a really tough one to call, as both teams have shown their good and bad sides in the opening four rounds. With Canberra at home though, I’m backing them to just about edge this one in the capital.
Betting tips
The Sharks go into this game as favourites, so 11/8 for a Raiders win looks good if you’re happy to back the home team. I’m expecting a few points in this one, so each team to score 2+ tries in each half looks a reasonable shout too, at 4/1.
Friday 4th April – Penrith Panthers vs North Queensland Cowboys – CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The wheels appear to have come off the Penrith juggernaut in 2025, with the Panthers coming into this game off the back of three straight losses. And for a team that’s had the best defence in the competition for five years in a row, it’s astonishing to see they’ve conceded close to 30 points per game on average so far.
As for the Cowboys, they haven’t been much better, but then again they’re not reigning Premiers. After three straight defeats, they finally got off the mark last weekend with a 30-20 win over the Raiders.
Team news
The real headline news for the Panthers is the return of star halfback Nathan Cleary, who missed out last week through concussion. His return is timely, given that winger Brian To’o has been ruled out for up to a month with a hamstring injury. Casey McLean returns to the team in his place, with Trent Toelau making way for Cleary. Scott Sorensen is also missing this week through concussion, so Isaiah Papali’i replaces him in the starting side and Matt Eisenhuth joining the bench. Daine Laurie continues at fullback in place of the injured Dylan Edwards.
Panthers team: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Thomas Jenkins 5. Casey McLean 6. Jack Cole 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. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner 18. Blaize Talagi 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Luron Patea 21. Luke Sommerton 22. Jesse McLean
The Cowboys are unchanged from 1-17 from last weekend’s win over Canberra. Zac Laybutt is on the extended bench as he closes in on a return from an ACL injury.
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. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Jeremiah Nanai 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Harrison Edwards 19. Zac Laybutt 20. Thomas Duffy 21. Karl Lawton 22. Thomas Mikaele
My prediction – Penrith Panthers 24-12 North Queensland Cowboys
Every weekend I back the Panthers to bounce back and every weekend they seem to let me down, but I’m sticking with them again this week. The return of Nathan Cleary will make a huge difference, and they’re 4th in the table for points scored, so their attack isn’t the issue. The Cowboys picked up a good win last week, but back on the road, I can’t see them turning over Penrith. If they do, then I’ll have to start believing the Panthers really are in trouble.
Betting tips
Casey McLean was dropped last week, so I’m expecting a reaction from him this weekend, especially with Brian To’o missing, it gives him a chance to nail down a starting spot. I’m backing McLean to score a brace at 9/4. Izack Tago is a well-priced 11/8 for an anytime try, too. For a team averaging four tries a game so far, he looks a good shout.
Friday 4th April – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Sydney Roosters – Accor Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
I wasn’t overly convinced by the Rabbitohs in their opening two wins, but their victory over the Panthers last week may have just proved me wrong. They’re 3-1 to start the year, and my top eight prediction for 2025 is looking a strong possibility at this early stage.
As for the Roosters, maybe it just says more about Penrith that their only victory came against the struggling Panthers. The Chooks have lost their other three games, and the defeat in Auckland against the Warriors was the only one they’ve lost by less than 18 points.
Team news
Huge news for the Rabbitohs, as Latrell Mitchell is back from injury for his first appearance of 2025. Such has been the form of Jye Gray, though, that Mitchell will start in the centres, with Gray at fullback. Latrell’s return sees Isaiah Tass switch to the wing, with Alex Johnston missing after just one game back. Lachlan Hubner’s back from suspension, too, and replaces Tallis Duncan in the starting side. He’ll start from the bench. There’s still no NRL debut in sight for Englishman Lewis Dodd, who can only make the extended bench for a fifth straight week.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Davvy Moale 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Fletcher Myers 20. Lewis Dodd 21. Salesi Ataata 22. Thomas Fletcher
Nat Butcher, Connor Watson and Salesi Foketi are all back for the Roosters. Victor Radley’s missing through injury, Zach Dockar-Clay has been shifted from the starting side to the bench, and Hugo Savala misses out on the 17.
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Nat Butcher 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Hugo Savala 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Ethan King 21. Billy Smith 22. Taylor Losalu
My prediction – South Sydney Rabbitohs 30-14 Sydney Roosters
I can see the Bunnies inflicting even more pain on their struggling rivals this week, and if they’re serious about being a contender in 2025, they should be sniffing blood here. Latrell Mitchell usually fires up for these big games and the Roosters aren’t the team they were.
Betting tips
The Bunnies are 10/11 with a -2 handicap. I can’t see it being as close as that, so I’d definitely get behind that. You can also get 5/4 on the Bunnies with a -6 handicap, which looks much better priced. Sky bet are also offering a price boost on Latrell Mitchell to score a try and the Rabbitohs to win, at 3/1, which I like the look of.
Saturday 5th April – Parramatta Eels vs St George Illawarra Dragons – CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
Parra have been woeful so far this year, and as well as sitting bottom of the ladder, they’re also the worst team for points scored and points conceded.
As for the Dragons, they picked up a surprise 14-8 win over Melbourne last weekend for their forst win of the year. Their two defeats were narrow ones though – an eight-point loss to the Bulldogs and a single-point defeat against the Rabbitohs.
Team news
Dylan Walker will make his debut off the bench for the Eels, after arriving from the Warriors last week. Ryley Smith has been named as the starting hooker with Joey Lussick dropped from the squad altogether and Brendan Hands only being named on the extended bench. Charlie Guymer is another who’s been given the axe, as he’s only been named in the extended squad. Luca Moretti comes into the 17 this week on the bench.
Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Sam Tuivaiti 17. Dan Keir 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Charlie Guymer 20. Bailey Simonsson 21. Brendan Hands 22. Ronald Volkman
Toby Couchman replaces the suspended Emre Guler for the Dragons. Blake Lawrie was left out last week, but he’s back on the bench for this one.
Dragons team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Hamish Stewart 17. Dylan Egan 18. Mathew Feagai 19. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 20. Sione Finau 21. Lyhkan King-Togia 22. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
My prediction – Parramatta Eels 12-20 St George Illawarra Dragons
It’s hard to see where a win’s coming from right now for the Eels, who are desperately missing main man, Mitchell Moses. The Dragons had a great win last weekend, and that should give them a springboard to pile more misery on Parra this week.
Betting tips
Nothing’s jumping out at me in terms of value for this one, but the Dragons to be leading by 1-10 at half-time looks OK at 7/4. In the handicap betting, the Dragons are 10/11 with a -4 start, which should be safe.
Saturday 5th April – Gold Coast Titans vs Dolphins – Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Form guide
The Titans have surprised me so far with their 2-1 start, including last week’s impressive 18-30 win over the Roosters.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, are still to get off the board, staring at an 0-4 start to the year. They only lost by eight last week against the Broncos, but in reality they never looked like winning that match.
Team news
Jaimin Jolliffe is back from a calf injury for the Titans and starts on the bench alongside Sean Mullany, who’ll make his NRL debut. Sam Verrills is missing from last weekend’s victory over his old Roosters side.
Titans team: 1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Tony Francis 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Sean Mullany 15. David Fifita 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Brock Gray 18. Arama Hau 19. Tom Weaver 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Tukimihia Simpkins 22. Josiah Pahulu
Connelly Lemuelu returns for the Dolphins in place of the suspended Tom Gilbert, in the only change from last week’s 17.
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. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Max Plath 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kenny Bromwich 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Josh Kerr 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Max Feagai 22. Junior Tupou
My prediction – Gold Coast Titans 24-18 Dolphins
I can see the Titans continuing their excellent start to the year here, but it won’t be an easy game against a Dolphins side who haven’t got going yet. There’s plenty of talent in their team though, and at some point I can see it clicking – just not enough for the two points this weekend.
Betting tips
It might not be amazing value, but a Titans win is 1/2, and a 50% return sounds OK to me. In the anytime try scoring market, Phillip Sami looks to be good value at 5/4 for the Titans, and Herbie Farnworth would be my tip for the Dolphins at 6/4.
Saturday 5th April – Brisbane Broncos vs Wests Tigers – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Form guide
Aside from a poor performance in Canberra in round two, the Broncos have looked strong so far this year, and their 3-1 record has them third on the ladder.
The Tigers are 2-2 so far, but they look a far more competitive outfit than they have been in years. In fact, both of their losses have been by only two points.
Team news
Jordan Riki is suspended for the Broncos, so Brendan Piakura comes into the side in his place. Jaiyden Hunt comes onto the bench for what should be his first appearance in 2025.
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Brendan Piakura 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Jaiyden Hunt 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Deine Mariner 20. Martin Taupau 21. Benjamin Te Kura 22. Jock Madden
Jarome Luai’s absence is the big news for the Tigers, with the star man ruled out through suspension this week. Latu Fainu will wear the number 7 in his place. Adam Doueihi is back and comes into the centres for Jack Bord, who moves to the bench. Solomona Faataape has been dropped, with Luke Laulilii taking his spot on the wing.
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Luke Laulilii 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Latu Fainu 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. Heath Mason 19. Kit Laulilii 20. Solomona Faataape 21. Reuben Porter 22. Tony Sukkar
My prediction – Brisbane Broncos 26-16 Wests Tigers
I’ve been impressed with the Tigers so far, but with Jarome Luai missing and the Broncos playing at home, I can see Brisbane edging this one.
Betting tips
The Broncos are just 2/15, which seems pretty harsh to me, so I’d back the Tigers with a +14 handicap at 6/5. Kotoni Staggs came back from injury last weekend with a try, and I’m backing him to do the same again and cross anytime at 11/10.
Sunday 6th April – Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm – 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Form guide
Manly sit second on the ladder with a 3-1 record, and they’re the highest points scorers in the competition after four rounds. Last weekend they bounced back from their first defeat of the year in round three, to see off the Eels, 26-12.
As for the Storm, they were brought back down to earth with a bump last weekend, as they lost their first game of the year, 14-8, to the Dragons.
Team news
Superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic is ruled out for Manly, with Lehi Hopoate replacing him. His switch from the wing sees Clayton Faulalo called into the side on the left wing. Josh Aloiai is another missing through injury, so Nathan Brown is named in the starting side and Toafofoa Sipley comes onto the bench.
Sea Eagles team: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Clayton Faulalo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Nathan Brown 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Aaron Schoupp 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Dean Matterson 21. Caleb Navale 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Tyran Wishart continues in the number seven jersey for Melbourne, although Jahrome Hughes is named on the extended bench, so could be a late inclusion. Lazarus Vaalepu has been named on the bench in place of Marion Seve, in the only change to the 17 from last week.
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Grant Anderson 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Lazarus Vaalepu 18. Joe Chan 19. Kane Bradley 20. Sualauvi Faalogo 21. Moses Leo 22. Jahrome Hughes
My prediction – Manly Sea Eagles 14-26 Melbourne Storm
The Sea Eagles just aren’t the same team without Tom Trbojevic, and Melbourne rarely lose two in a row, so I’m backing the Storm to bounce back with a win this week.
Betting tips
At 1/2 for the win, you’ll make a tidy 50% profit on a Storm victory. The -6 handicap looks good at 10/11, as well. Jason Saab looks a great shout to score an anytime try for Manly at 1/1, too.
Sunday 6th April – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Newcastle Knights – Accor Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The Bulldogs are the only side with a 100% record after four rounds, and they were mightily impressive in their 6-20 win at Cronulla last weekend.
The Knights had the bye in round four, but they’re 2-1 from their opening three fixtures. Their last outing resulted in their first loss of the campaign, as they went down 26-6 to the Titans.
Team news
Sitili Tupouniua is serving a suspension for the Bulldogs, so Kurtis Morrin joins the bench in his absence. Jacob Kiraz has been named in the extended squad as he eyes a comeback from injury, having not featured so far this year.
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 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. Josh Curran 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Jack Todd 17. Kurtis Morrin 19. Lipoi Hopoi 20. Blake Taaffe 21. Jake Turpin 22. Luke Smith 23. Jacob Kiraz
Leo Thompson is back from injury for the Knights and goes straight into the starting side for Brodie Jones. Jones has been left out of the 17 completely, and will be 18th man.
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. Thomas Cant 12. Tyson Frizell 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Mathew Croker 18. Brodie Jones 19. Kyle McCarthy 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Jackson Hastings 22. Tyrone Thompson
My prediction – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 18-10 Newcastle Knights
I can see the Bulldogs’ winning run continuing this weekend in front of an expectant home crowd. Newcastle will cause them more than a few problems, but I’ve been impressed with the Doggies, and I can’t see them losing this one.
Betting tips
The Bulldogs are another team at 1/2 for the win and 10/11 with a -6 handicap, and both of those look solid to me. Stephen Crichton scored his first try of the year last weekend, and I’m backing him to follow up with another one at anytime this week at 6/4.
