NRL 2025 – Round 8 preview, predictions and tips
It’s ANZAC Round in the NRL this week, and with the Easter Monday game just a few days ago it feels like we’ve not even had a day off before this weekend’s action.
Not that I’m complaining of course! There’s a few big ins and outs this week, most notably the return of Lachlan Galvin for the Tigers after just one week in exile.
Before his return though, round 8 kicks off with a cracker in Brisbane on Thursday…
Thursday 24th April – Brisbane Broncos vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Form guide
The Broncos were poor in Auckland last weekend, but they still managed to take the Warriors to Golden Point before going down 20-18. Their 4-3 record has them in 5th going into this weekend.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, keep going from strength to strength. A 32-0 win over the Rabbitohs on Good Friday maintained their 100% start to the year and they sit four points clear.
Team news
Reece Walsh is ruled out for the Broncos with a knee injury he picked up last weekend, so Selwyn Cobbo shifts to fullback and Deine Mariner comes in on the wing. Brendan Piakura is back from suspension and goes straight onto the bench.
Broncos team: 1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Brendan Piakura 17. Jaiyden Hunt 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Martin Taupau 20. Jock Madden 21. Josiah Karapani 22. Benjamin Te Kura
Harry Hayes replaces Jack Todd on the bench for the Bulldogs after he picked up an injury in the Good Friday win over Souths. That’s the only change this week for Canterbury.
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. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes 17. Bailey Hayward 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 20. Blake Wilson 21. Blake Taaffe 22. Lipoi Hopoi 23. Luke Smith
My prediction – Brisbane Broncos 14-24 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are going to see their winning run come to an end at some point, but I can’t see it this weekend in Queensland. The Broncos will sorely miss Reece Walsh and the Doggies are in a rich vein of form, so I can’t see past them in this one.
Betting tips
Jesse Arthars has nine tries in seven games for the Broncos this year, so at 1/1 to score anytime that’s hard to pass up. The Bulldogs look well priced at 11/10 in the half-time/full-time market too.
Friday 25th April – Sydney Roosters vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The Roosters suffered a fifth defeat in seven last time out, as the Panthers found their form in a 12-40 win at Allianz. Having beaten the Broncos the previous week, it looked as though the Chooks might have turned a corner, but maybe that was premature, as they sit 16th.
The Dragons, meanwhile, edged past Manly in an 18-20 thriller to leave then 3-3, and inside the top eight going into ANZAC round.
Team news
Billy Smith’s back from suspension for the Roosters, which means Mark Nawaqanitawase shifts to the wing and Dom Young is dropped. Angus Crichton returns from a week out with injury, which pushes Salesi Foketi to the bench. And in very welcome news, Egan Buthcher makes his comeback having been missing with an ACL injury since round 12 last year. His return on the bench means Taylor Losalu drops out of the 17.
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Spencer Leniu 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. Egan Butcher 18. Ethan King 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Chad Townsend 21. Dominic Young 22. Makahesi Makatoa
Mat Feagai suffered a broken leg last weekend for the Dragons, so Sione Finau takes his place on the wing. Emre Guler replaces Hamish Stewart on the bench, after he suffered a head knock last weekend.
Dragons team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Sione Finau 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. Emre Guler 17. Dylan Egan 18. Lyhkan King-Togia 19. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 20. Finau Latu 21. Corey Allan 22. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
My prediction – Sydney Roosters 14-20 St George Illawarra Dragons
The Roosters have won 11 of their past 13 games against the Dragons, including four of the past five clashes on ANZAC Day. BUT, I still have the Dragons as slight favourites on current form. Their team looks stronger to me and the Chooks have only showed glimpses of what they’re capable of, so I’m backing the Red Vee this weekend.
Betting tips
The Roosters are favourites for this one, so the 11/10 on the Dragons to win is a good outright price. Sione Finau and Tyrell Sloan are both 7/2 to be the first Dragons try scorer, and they would be my top two choices, so a bet on both of those would still return a profit.
Friday 25th April – New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights – Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Form guide
The Warriors overcame the Broncos in Golden Point last weekend. Their 20-18 win saw them climb to 4th on the ladder.
The Knights’ struggles continued as they were beaten 14-34 by the Sharks, which leaves them in 14th. They’re the only team yet to score 100 points this year too, and they’re quite a way off that mark, with just 60 from their opening six games.
Team news
The big news for the Warriors is the return of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad from a head knock. His inclusion means Taine Tuaupiki moves to the wing and Ed Kosi drops out, despite his try last weekend. Rocco Berry is also back from suspension in the centres, so Kurt Capewell shifts to the back row and Leka Halasima drops to the bench.
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Rocco Berry 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Jackson Ford 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Leka Halasima 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Jacob Laban 18. Te Maire Martin 20. Tanah Boyd 21. Tanner Stowers-Smith 22. Samuel Healey 23. Edward Kosi
Dylan Lucas is back for the Knights, so Thomas Cant moves to the bench and Jermaine McEwen drops out. Jack Cogger is in the extended squad as he looks to return from a finger 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. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Tyrone Thompson 16. Thomas Cant 17. Brodie Jones 18. Kyle McCarthy 19. Paul Bryan 20. Jack Cogger 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Logan Aoake
My prediction – New Zealand Warriors 22-8 Newcastle Knights
I was impressed with the Warriors in their win over Brisbane last week, and this week they’ve got a couple of players back on deck, so they should be even stronger. As for Newcastle, they’ve only scored 20 points or more once this year, so it’s hard to back a team with an attack that poor.
Betting tips
With the Knights having such a blunt attack, I think the value here is in the points markets. It’s 1/1 for under 21.5 half-time total points, which I like the look of. You can also get 5/4 on Newcastle to score under 2.5 tries, which based on their form across the year, looks a great shout.
Friday 25th April – Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – AAMI Park, Melbourne
Form guide
The Storm threw away a 2-16 lead against the Dolphins last weekend to go down 42-22 in a huge shock. They remain in 2nd though, despite that loss, and have a 4-2 record for the year so far.
As for the Rabbitohs, they suffered a 32-0 mauling at the hands of the Bulldogs. They remain just inside the top eight though with a 4-3 record, but it’s back-to-back defeats for the Bunnies.
Team news
There’s good news for Melbourne, as Nick Meaney returns for his first game since round three. He comes straight in for Jack Howarth who has a shoulder injury. Tui Kamikamica is out with an ankle injury and Lazarus Vaalepu comes in for him, while Nelson Asofa-Solomona has a chance of returning from concussion after being named on the extended bench.
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Kane Bradley 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. Joe Chan 17. Lazarus Vaalepu 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Sualauvi Faalogo 20. Keagan Russell-Smith 21. Coby Williamson 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Latrell Mitchell is back in his usual fullback position for the Rabbitohs for the first time this year, as Jye Gray moves to the bench despite being an early Dally M contender. Bayley Bentleigh-Hape is named on the wing, so Campbell Graham shifts to centre and Euan Aitken to the back row, while Jayden Sullivan is back from suspension to partner Cody Walker in the halves. Lachlan Hubner is out with concussion so Jai Arrow is named at lock. Englishman Lewis Dodd is dropped from the 17 following a short cameo on his debut last weekend.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Cody Walker 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Jai Arrow 14. Jye Gray 15. Siliva Havili 16. Davvy Moale 17. Tallis Duncan 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Thomas Fletcher 21. Salesi Ataata 22. Declan Casey
My prediction – Melbourne Storm 42-14 South Sydney Rabbitohs
The idea of Melbourne losing two in a row is almost unthinkable, and their record over Souths makes for grim reading if you’re a Bunnies fan. The Storm have won all 19 previous meetings with the Rabbitohs in Melbourne, while a Wayne Bennett-coached team hasn’t beaten the Storm since 2016, so there’s not much going in Souths’ favour this week.
Betting tips
Melbourne have scored 128 points in just three home games this year and their fast starts have blown plenty of teams out of the water, so that’s where I see the value this week.
Over 14.5 points for the Storm at half-time looks a shoo-in at 5/6, while over 8.5 total match tries looks good at the same price. You can also get the same price on over 23.5 points at half-time, which I’d also be backing.
In the try scoring market, Campbell Graham has six tries in seven games against the Storm, so the 5/2 on him to cross anytime looks good value.
Saturday 26th April – North Queensland Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans- Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Form guide
The Cowboys had the bye over the Easter weekend, but they’ve won their three previous games to push themselves right into the top eight mix after a poor start to the year.
The Titans, meanwhile are 2-4, having lost their last three in a row. Last time out they were beaten 20-30 at home by the Raiders – a loss which leaves them 13th on the ladder.
Team news
John Bateman returns for the Cowboys, while Jeremiah Nanai has been moved into the starting side as well. Kai O’Donnell and Sam McIntyre drop to 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. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Kai O’Donnell 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Harrison Edwards 19. Zac Laybutt 20. Thomas Duffy 21. Karl Lawton 22. Thomas Mikaele
Jayden Campbell is missing for the Titans with an ankle injury, but Alofiana Khan-Pereira returns from injury. David Fifita is a surprise inclusion having picked up a hamstring injury, while. Brock Gray. Klese Haas and Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui drop out of the 17.
Titans team: 1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tom Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. David Fifita 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Brock Gray 17. Arama Hau 18. Tony Francis 19. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Allan Fitzgibbon 22. Josiah Pahulu
My prediction – North Queensland Cowboys 28-16 Gold Coast Titans
The Cowboys have won three in a row and the Titans have lost three in a row, so this one looks fairly straightforward to me, especially with the Cowboys playing at home.
Betting tips
Jeremiah Nanai is back in the starting side for the Cowboys and I’m backing him to come back strong with an anytime try at 13/8. There’s some good value to be had in the half-time winning margin as well. Personally, I’d go for the Cowboys by 1-10 at 13/8, but the 3/1 on them to be leading by 11-20 also looks good value.
Saturday 26th April – Penrith Panthers vs Manly Sea Eagles CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The Panthers finally bounced back last weekend with a commanding 12-40 win over the Roosters. Incredibly it was their first win in Australia since the Grand Final and the win lifted them a place to 15th.
Manly were edged out 18-20 by the Dragons over Easter, which made it three defeats in a row. They’ve dropped to 11th on the ladder.
Team news
Mitch Kenny is suspended for the Panthers, so Luke Sommerton takes over at hooker. Izack Tago is back in the centres in place of Luke Garner, who suffered a concussion last week. Mavrik Geyer is on the bench for the first time in 2025.
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Liam Henry 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Lindsay Smith 17. Mavrik Geyer 18. Daine Laurie 19. Luron Patea 20. Asu Kepaoa 21. Matt Eisenhuth 22. Jack Cole
There’s great news for Manly with Tom Trbojevic named at fullback after three games out. His return sees Lehi Hopoate shift to the wing, Tommy Talau moves to the bench and Clayton Faulalo drops out of the 17. Jake Trbojevic is ruled out with concussion, so Jazz Tevaga moves to lock and Jake Simpkin is named at hooker. Josh Aloiai and Corey Waddell are both back from injury and suspension respectively, while Toafofoa Sipley is suspended.
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. Josh Aloiai 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. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Michael Chee Kam 22. Caleb Navale
My prediction – Penrith Panthers 30-18 Manly Sea Eagles
The Panthers finally clicked back into gear last week, and while it’s just one game, it does give me the confidence to back them this week. The return of Tommy Turbo for Manly is huge, but even with him at fullback, I can’t see the Sea Eagles stopping Penrith.
Betting tips
It’s not a huge profit, but you’ll still get 50% returns on a Penrith win at 1/2, which looks good to me. Casey McLean has scored five tries in his past six games for Penrith, so at 6/4 he’s generously priced for an anytime try.
Sunday 27th April – Canberra Raiders vs Dolphins – GIO Stadium, Canberra
Form guide
The Raiders have been something of a surprise package so far, and their 20-30 win on the Gold Coast last weekend moved them up to 3rd on the ladder with a 5-2 record.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, have recovered from a dreadful start to win their last three, including big wins over last year’s top two, Penrith and Melbourne. They sit 10th following their impressive 42-22 demolition of the Storm over Easter.
Team news
The Raiders are unchanged from 1-17 from last weekend’s win over the Titans.
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. Simi Sasagi 19. Jed Stuart 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi
Francis Molo will make his Dolphins debut in the front row with Mark Nicholls shifting to lock. Felise Kaufusi misses out through 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. Daniel Saifiti 9. Max Plath 10. Francis Molo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Mark Nicholls 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Ray Stone 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Josh Kerr 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Tevita Naufahu 22. Junior Tupou
My prediction – Canberra Raiders 28-18 Dolphins
With both teams in excellent form this is a close one to call, but I’m backing the Raiders. Not only are they at home, but they’ve been in form since round one and it’s their home record which will be the difference as the year wears on.
Betting tips
The Raiders are 11/10 in the half-time/full-time market, which looks good to me. You can also get 10/11 for the Raiders with a -2 handicap at half-time, so I’d be backing that too.
Sunday 27th April – Wests Tigers vs Cronulla Sharks – Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Form guide
The Tigers suffered a fourth defeat of the year against the Eels on Easter Monday to leave them 12th on the ladder with a 3-4 record.
The Sharks, meanwhile, made it back-to-back wins with a 14-34 win at Newcastle to climb up to 6th with a 4-3 record.
Team news
The big news for the Tigers is the return of young five-eighth Lachlan Galvin after just one week in exile. How his teammates will get on with him is up for debate, but there’s no doubting the Tigers are a better side with him in it. His return sees Adam Doueihi go back to the centres, Brent Naden switches to the wing and Luke Laulilii drops out. Royce Hunt is back on the bench this week after missing the Easter Monday clash against the Eels.
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Brent Naden 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 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
Toby Rudolf misses out through injury for the Sharks, with Tukupa-Ke Hau Tapuha coming in to replace him in the only change. Braden Hamlin-Uele is an outside chance of making his first appearance since round three after being named on the extended bench.
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. Tuku Hau Tapuha 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Braden Hamlin-Uele 20. Billy Burns 21. Hohepa Puru 22. Jesse Colquhoun
My prediction – Wests Tigers 18-26 Cronulla Sharks
I just can’t see past the Sharks in this one. They’re a stronger side and they’re in better form. The Tigers will be competitive and the return of Lachlan Galvin will make them stronger, but I can’t help thinking all the disruption around him over the past couple of weeks could derail them a little.
Betting tips
I’m backing the Sharks in the half-time/full-time market at 4/5. You can also get 8/1 on Sam Stonestreet to score the first try and Cronulla to win, while it’s the same price for Ronaldo Mulitalo to do the same. I’d get on both, which would still turn a tidy profit if either one comes in.
For context, Stonestreet has six tries in his last six games, while Mulitalo has six tries in his last six games against the Tigers.
