NRL 2025 – Round 7 preview, predictions and tips
Is there any such thing as a quiet week in rugby league? Thankfully not, and this week’s big news revolves around young Tigers star Lachlan Galvin, whose decision to leave at the end of his contract hasn’t gone down well at all, to say the least.
Add to that, the Johnathan Thurston and Spencer Leniu row last weekend, plus the fact 2/3 Ashes tests are sold out already, it’s been a huge week of news, and that’s before we even think about this weekend’s Easter extravaganza, starting with an intriguing clash on the Northern Beaches.
Thursday 17th April – Manly Sea Eagles vs St George Illawarra Dragons – 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Form guide
Many have lost their last two, and it’s no coincidence that Tom Trbojevic has been missing for both of them. Their 2-3 record leaves them just inside the top eight as we come into Easter.
As for the Dragons, they picked up a big 38-16 win over the Titans last weekend, with young second rower Dylan Egan continuing to impress. They’re 2-2 for the year so far and sit 10th.
Team news
Jason Saab replaces Clayton Faulalo for Manly, in the only change from last week’s 17.
Sea Eagles team: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nathan Brown 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Aaron Schoupp 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Caleb Navale 22. Michael Chee Kam
Christian Tuipulotu suffered a hamstring injury last weekend for the Dragons, so Mat Feagai comes in for him. Sione Finau replaces Feagai as the 18th man this week.
Dragons team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Mathew Feagai 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. Sione Finau 19. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 20. Finau Latu 21. Lyhkan King-Togia 22. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
My prediction – Manly Sea Eagles 20-12 St George Illawarra Dragons
I’m not convinced by either of these sides at the moment and the absence of Tom Trbojevic for Manly can’t be underestimated. That being said, I still think they’ll have too much for the Dragons this week, particularly as they’re at home.
Betting tips
Manly are just 8/13 to win, while Jason Saab is just 8/11 to score an anytime try. Go for the double at 6/4 for better value.
Friday 18th April – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Accor Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
Everyone will have their own opinion, but for me this is the match of the round without a doubt. A crowd of more than 70,000 are expected at Accor, and that’s a great starting point.
Throw in a Bulldogs side with a 100% record so far against a rejuvenated Rabbitohs in 5th spot, and this should be an absolute cracker.
Team news
Matt Burton is back from injury for the Bulldogs and comes straight into the starting side. His return sees the impressive Bailey Hayward drop to the bench. He’ll be joined on the interchange by Sitili Tupouniua, whose return from a ban sees Blake Taafe drop out of the 17. Viliame Kikau is a chance of returning too, after being named on the extended 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. Josh Curran 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Jack Todd 17. Bailey Hayward 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Blake Wilson 21. Jake Turpin 22. Lipoi Hopoi 23. Viliame Kikau
There are a couple of big boosts for the Rabbitohs, with Campbell Graham and Cody Walker returning earlier than expected. Alex Johnston and Jayden Sullivan are missing from last week’s team – Johnston through injury and Sullivan through suspension. Englishman Lewis Dodd should finally make his NRL debut after being named on the bench, while Josh Schuster is back in first grade contention and could make his club debut, after being named on the extended bench.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Campbell Graham 3. Euan Aitken 4. Jack Wighton 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Latrell Mitchell 7. Cody Walker 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Lewis Dodd 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Davvy Moale 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Salesi Ataata 20. Thomas Fletcher 21. Declan Casey 22. Joshua Schuster
My prediction – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 22-18 South Sydney Rabbitohs
I can’t see past the Bulldogs in this one, although I’m expecting a close game. Souths still have some big names missing, while the Doggies will be full of confidence after winning 5/5 so far, and the return of Matt Burton will be huge for them this week.
Betting tips
The Bulldogs are just 3/10 for the win, so I’d back the Bunnies with the +10 handicap at 10/11. The Bulldogs are 9/4 to win by 1-10 points and that looks good to me too.
Friday 18th April – Dolphins vs Melbourne Storm- Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Form guide
After a dreadful start, the Dolphins have posted back-to-back wins in the past couple of rounds, and they’ve scored 66 points across those two games as well.
As for the Storm, they’re continuing to purr and lead the NRL for points scored, despite having played a game less than 11 other sides. Their first-half display against the Warriors last weekend was one of the best attacking displays you’ll see all year, and it’s fair to say they took their foot off the gas after building up a 36-0 lead.
Team news
The Dolphins have named an unchanged 17 from last weekend. Ray Stone is back from suspension as 18th man.
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. Tom Gilbert 13. Max Plath 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Josh Kerr 18. Ray Stone 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Kenny Bromwich 21. Francis Molo 22. Junior Tupou
Sua Fa’alogo is named on the wing for Melbourne Storm for his first appearance of the year. His inclusion sees Grant Anderson shift to the centres with Moses Leo making way due to injury. Jahrome Hughes is named to start, despite missing the second half last weekend with a shoulder injury.
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sualauvi Faalogo 3. Jack Howarth 4. Grant Anderson 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. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Bronson Garlick 18. Joe Chan 19. Kane Bradley 20. Keagan Russell-Smith 21. Stanley Huen 22. Lazarus Vaalepu
My prediction – Dolphins 14-32 Melbourne Storm
The only thing putting me off backing a bigger win for the Storm is the fact they’re playing away from AAMI Park. In fairness, I’ve also been impressed with the Dolphins after their past two performances, but against the Premiership favourites I can’t see them getting the win here.
Betting tips
Despite me going against the Dolphins, there’s some good value to be had for them in the tryscorer market. Jamayne Isaako would be my anytime bet at 6/4, and it’s the same price for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who exploded back into form with a hat-trick last weekend.
Saturday 19th April – New Zealand Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos- Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Form guide
The Warriors have been ticking along steadily so far, but were brought back down to earth with a bump last week, in a 42-14 hammering in Melbourne. The loss of star prop James Fisher-Harris to a pec injury didn’t help their cause either.
Similar can be said for the Broncos, whose three-game winning streak was surprisingly ended at home by the Roosters in round six. A 16-26 win for the Chooks leaves Brisbane still in 3rd spot on the ladder, but on equal points with this weekend’s opponents.
Team news
Jackson Ford will replace James Fisher-Harris in the Warriors’ starting side following his pectoral injury. Jacob Laban comes onto the bench for Ford. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad misses out through concussion, so Taine Tuaupiki moves to fullback and Ed Kosi comes in on the wing. Rocco Berry’s suspended, so Kurt Capewell shifts to centre and Leka Halasima joins the starting side in the back row. Te Maire Martin is on the bench for what will be his first game of the year.
Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Ed Kosi 3. Kurt Capewell 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 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. Bunty Afoa 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Te Maire Martin 18. Tanah Boyd 20. Tanner Stowers-Smith 21. Samuel Healey 22. Freddy Lussick 23. Morgan Harper
Jordan Riki is back from suspension for the Broncos, and his return is timely with fellow back rower Jack Gosiewski suspended. Martin Taupau comes out of the 17 with Tyson Smoothy replacing him for what will be his first appearance of the year, in the only other change to last week’s 17.
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. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Tyson Smoothy 18. Deine Mariner 19. Martin Taupau 20. Jock Madden 21. Benjamin Te Kura 22. Blake Mozer
My prediction – New Zealand Warriors 10-26 Brisbane Broncos
I don’t like going against the Wahs in Auckland, but they’ve just got too many players missing for me to back them this week. Nicoll-Klokstad and Fisher-Harris are big losses from last week, and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is still missing too. Also, I can’t see Brisbane losing too many back-to-back games this year, and I can imagine Michael Maguire will have got stuck into them this week.
Betting tips
I really like the look of Brisbane to be leading by 1-10 points at half-time, which is priced at 13/8. In the handicap market, you can get 11/10 on the Broncos at -10.5, which also looks good to me.
Saturday 19th April – Sydney Roosters vs Penrith Panthers- Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
It’s astonishing to think this is a match between the teams sitting 15th and 16th on the ladder, but that’s where we’re at after a strange start to the year.
I’m not just being wise after the event, but I was expecting the Roosters to struggle this year, although not quite to the extent they have. Still, they beat the Broncos 16-26 in Brisbane last week in a hugely impressive display. That win was just their second of the year, with the first one being against…
…the Panthers, who have been so far off it in 2025 it’s untrue. After a tight win over the Sharks in round one, the four-peat Premiers have lost their last five games in a row, and if history’s anything to go by, that record rules them out of Premiership contention already. First, they just need to string a couple of wins together though and get back into the top eight. Even that looks a long shot right now.
Team news
Billy Smith was outstanding for the Roosters last week, but his suspension allows Mark Nawaqanitawase to return to the side. Victor Radley will start at number 13 after returning on the bench last week.
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Nat Butcher 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. Spencer Leniu 18. Ethan King 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Chad Townsend 21. Tom Rodwell 22. Taylor Losalu
Hooker Mitch Kenny is back from injury for the Panthers, while Casey McLean and Luke Garner will form a new centre pairing with Izack Tago dropping to the bench and Thomas Jenkins going onto the wing. Jack Cole is available again after concussion, but Blaize Talagi gets the nod ahead of him in the number six jumper with Cole only making the extended bench.
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Luke Garner 4. Casey McLean 5. Thomas Jenkins 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. Brad Schneider 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Liam Henry 17. Izack Tago 18. Daine Laurie 19. Luron Patea 20. Mavrik Geyer 21. Luke Sommerton 22. Jack Cole
My prediction – Sydney Roosters 24-16 Penrith Panthers
Every week I back the Panthers to bounce back and every week they let me down, so this week I’m finally going against them. It’s not just out of pettiness though. Their performance against the Dolphins last week was very worrying, whereas the Roosters were superb in their win over the Broncos, and they’ve already got the better of Penrith once this season.
Betting tips
Incredibly the Panthers are odds-on favourites again this week, so I think there’s a great opportunity to take advantage. A Roosters win is 11/8, which looks an absolute steal. Even if the Panthers are to bounce back this week, it should be a close one, so the Roosters with a +4 handicap looks a reasonable shout at 10/11.
Sunday 20th April – Gold Coast Titans vs Canberra Raiders- Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Form guide
The Titans are one of those strange teams who could win by 30 one week, lose by 30 the following week, and neither of those results would raise any eyebrows. As it is, they’ve lost their last two games, conceding 74 points in the process, but their two wins this year have been by 18 and 20 points, so as inconsistency goes, it’s hard to find a team that matches them.
On the other hand, the Raiders have really surprised me, and they’re going from strength to strength. The capital club sit 4th at this stage, and they smashed the Eels 12-50 in Darwin last time out.
Team news
Skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui returns from suspension for the Titans, while winger Jojo Fifita and forward Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui are also back. Klese Haas and Chris Randall drop to the bench and Brock Gray, Arama Hau and Allan Fitzgibbon all drop out of the 17.
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. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. Klese Haas 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 18. Arama Hau 19. Allan Fitzgibbon 20. Josiah Pahulu 21. Tom Weaver 22. Jacob Alick-Wiencke
Zac Hosking returns on the bench this week for the Raiders, with Simi Sasagi dropping out of the 17, in the only change from last week’s win over Parramatta.
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. Matty Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Zac Hosking 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota 18. Pasami Saulo 19. Simi Sasagi 20. Jed Stuart 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi
My prediction – Gold Coast Titans 16-34 Canberra Raiders
I can see this being a high-scoring contest, but I just can’t see the Titans winning it. The Raiders are in far too strong a form, but I’d still expect Gold Coast to put some points on the board.
Betting tips
The Raiders are 10/11 with a -2 handicap, which looks far too good to pass up. I also like the look of Xavier Savage to score anytime and Canberra to win, at 15/8.
Sunday 20th April – Newcastle Knights vs Cronulla Sharks- McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Form guide
The Knights comfortably have the worst attack in the NRL, with just 46 points scored across their opening five games, including just four in their past two games. In a bizarre twist though, they also have the second-best defence, so they’re not an easy team to beat.
Cronulla, meanwhile, bounced back from two straight losses to see off Manly last week in a 24-18 win. The Sharks have only showed flashes of what they’re capable of so far this year, but their 3-3 record sees them sitting right outside the top eight.
Team news
Tyson Gamble is back for the Knights this weekend and goes straight into the halves. His return sees Phoenix Crossland go to his usual position of hooker and Jayden Brailey moves to the bench. James Schiller is also back for Newcastle this week on the wing in place of Kyle McCarthy. Matt Arthur drops out of the 17, while Jack Cogger is on the extended bench as he looks to make his comeback from injury.
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Thomas Cant 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Tyrone Thompson 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Brodie Jones 18. Kyle McCarthy 19. Paul Bryan 20. Jack Cogger 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Jackson Hastings
The Sharks are unchanged from 1-17, with Addin Fonua-Blake passed fit to start, despite going off with a knock last weekend.
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. Siosifa Talakai 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Jayden Berrell 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Billy Burns 22. Chris Veaila
My prediction – Newcastle Knights 6-16 Cronulla Sharks
This could really go either way, but on balance I have to go with the Sharks. They’ve showed more promise than the Knights so far, and Newcastle continue to lack a solid halves pairing, which will be their downfall over the course of the year.
Betting tips
Newcastle’s record so far would suggest a low-scoring game, so under 40.5 points in this match looks a great shot at 11/10. And given their attacking struggles, the Knights to score under 16.5 looks too good to pass up at 4/5.
Monday 21st April – Wests Tigers vs Parramatta Eels- CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The Tigers have started the year in fine fettle, and their 4-20 win over Newcastle last week saw them move into the top eight, where they’ll be hoping to finish for the first time since 2011. There’s still a long way to go this year, and their cause hasn’t been helped by the off-field dramas surrounding young gun Lachlan Galvin this week. His decision to move on at the end of his contract has potential to derail the team’s promising start to the season, but on the other hand it could galvanise the rest of the players.
As for the Eels, they finally got off the mark with a one-point win in round five…before being smashed 12-50 last week by the Raiders. And with 202 points conceded in six games, they have comfortably the worst defence in the NRL. Right now, anything other than a wooden spoon would look like success for Parra.
Team news
One big bit of news surrounds the Tigers this week, and that’s the dropping of Lachlan Galvin. With his contract not due to expire until the end of next year, it’ll be interesting to see how long they dig their heels in, but it’s no surprise to see him dropped to reserve grade this week. Adam Doueihi takes his place in the halves, which opens up a gap for Brent Naden to return in the centres. Luke Laulilii replaces the injured Jeral Skelton on the wing.
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Brent Naden 4. Starford To’a 5. Luke Laulilii 6. Jarome Luai 7. Adam Doueihi 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 Eels have their own big bit of team news, with Mitchell Moses named for his first appearance of the season after injury. He comes straight in for Dean Hawkins, who drops out of the 17. Jack Williams returns in the starting side this week, while Matt Doorey and Luca Moretti have been added to the bench. Shaun Lane, Joe Ofahengaue, Ryan Matterson and Charlie Guymer have all dropped out, with only Matterson making the extended squad.
Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Josh Addo-Carr 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Bailey Simonsson 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. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti 18. Ryan Matterson 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Dean Hawkins 21. Brendan Hands 22. Jordan Samrani
My prediction – Wests Tigers 18-10 Parramatta Eels
The return of Mitchell Moses for Parra and the loss of Lachlan Galvin for Wests almost had me going in the Eels’ favour, but despite that I still can’t go against the Tigers. Parramatta have been woeful so far this year and even the return of Moses won’t necessarily shift their fortunes dramatically. As for the Tigers, nothing unites a playing group more than one of the key men turning their back on it, so I’m expecting them to be pumped up for this one even more than they would be anyway.
Betting tips
The Tigers are 10/11 with a -2 handicap, which looks too good to pass up. In the try scoring market, Luke Laulilii looks well priced at 1/1 to cross anytime. Also, the Tigers are 15/8 to have a 1-10 point lead at half-time, which looks very generously priced.
