NRL 2026 – Round 22 preview, predictions and tips
As much as I hate the fact we’re getting close to the end of the season, I do love this time of year in the NRL.
Every week sees another team (or two) fall by the wayside, and last week was surely the turn of Brisbane and Melbourne to draw a line under their campaigns.
The flip side is we get to see some teams throw the shackles off, and yes, I’m looking at the Titans. Heading into this weekend, they’re above their local rivals the Broncos, and who would have predicted that at the start of the year?
This weekend, I can see the Raiders’ Finals hopes take a hammer blow but that’s all I’m giving away for now. Read on for the full preview…
*All odds are taken from Sky Bet and correct at time of writing on 28th July 2026.
- Thursday 30th July – North Queensland Cowboys vs Sydney Roosters
- Friday 31st July – St George Illawarra Dragons vs The Dolphins
- Friday 31st July – Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
- Saturday 1st August – Gold Coast Titans vs New Zealand Warriors
- Saturday 1st August – Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders
- Saturday 1st August – Brisbane Broncos vs Newcastle Knights
- Sunday 2nd August – Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
- Sunday 2nd August – Wests Tigers vs Parramatta Eels
Thursday 30th July – North Queensland Cowboys vs Sydney Roosters
Form guide
The Cowboys just about landed the final blow on Brisbane’s Finals hopes with an 18-10 win last week. That victory kept North Queensland just inside the top eight.
The Roosters have other priorities, with their 23-22 win over the Knights lifting them to 2nd, and they’re just two points behind the Panthers. The Chooks are on a five-game winning streak.
Team news
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Tom Chester 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Jake Clifford 7. Jaxon Purdue 8. Thomas Mikaele 9. Soni Luke 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Ethan King 15. John Bateman 16. Matthew Lodge 17. Coen Hess 18. Sam McIntyre 19. Kaiden Lahrs 20. Kai O’Donnell 21. Liam Sutton 22. Ronald Philitoga
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Tommy Talau 3. Hugo Savala 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Nat Butcher 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Egan Butcher 17. Taylor Losalu 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Reece Foley 20. Tom Rodwell 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. Delasalle V’aa
My prediction – North Queensland Cowboys 12-16 Sydney Roosters
I can’t separate these two, but I’m just edging towards the Roosters. They’re six points and six places better off, plus they’re on a five-game winning run, so I’m going with logic here. This really could go either way though.
Betting tips
I think this will be close, so I’m backing the Roosters to win by 1-12 points, which is 2/1. I’m going all in and backing them in the winner/total points double market as well. It’s 2/1 for the Chooks and under 44.5 points.
Friday 31st July – St George Illawarra Dragons vs The Dolphins
Form guide
The Dragons suffered their 16th loss in 18 games last weekend with a 38-18 defeat to the Titans. It leaves them eight points adrift in 17th, with a wooden spoon all but sealed.
The Dolphins had a bye last weekend, but their 36-16 defeat of the Cowboys the previous week helped erase some of the memories of their Round 19 thrashing by the Sharks. They remain 5th, with a four-point cushion to the 9th-placed Bulldogs.
Team news
Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Setu Tu 3. Mathew Feagai 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 9. Damien Cook 10. Toby Couchman 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Ryan Couchman 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Josh Kerr 17. Jacob Halangahu 18. Moses Suli 19. Lyhkan King-Togia 20. Emre Guler 21. Christian Tuipulotu 22. Jacob Webster
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Brad Schneider 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Francis Molo 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Max Plath 16. Tom Gilbert 17. Felise Kaufusi 18. Ray Stone 19. Jake Averillo 20. Brian Pouniu 21. Tevita Naufahu 22. Isaiya Katoa
My prediction – St George Illawarra Dragons 12-32 The Dolphins
Anything other than a routine Dolphins win would be a surprise here.
Betting tips
The Dolphins should be more than comfortable with a -12.5 handicap at 5/6. Jack Bostock is well priced at 11/10 for an anytime try as well.
Friday 31st July – Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Form guide
Melbourne were beaten 28-26 by the Rabbitohs in a topsy turvy encounter last weekend. That loss has all but ended the Storm’s hopes of Finals footy this year, as they sit down in 12th – six points outside the top eight.
The Bulldogs have found form just in time, and their 18-6 win over the Warriors was their fifth in their last six. They’re up to 9th, and sit just two points behind the Cowboys.
Team news
Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 3. Manaia Waitere 4. Nick Meaney 5. Moses Leo 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Trent Toelau 10. Josh King 11. Cooper Clarke 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Trent Loiero 14. Hayden Watson 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Shawn Blore 18. Joe Chan 19. Angus Hinchey 20. Davvy Moale 21. Stanley Huen 22. Jai Bowden
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Matt Burton 4. Enari Tuala 5. Jethro Rinakama 6. Stephen Crichton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Leo Thompson 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Harry Hayes 17. Alekolasimi Jones 19. Jed Reardon 20. Sean O’Sullivan 21. Lipoi Hopoi 22. Jake Turpin 23. Jonathan Sua
My prediction – Melbourne Storm 8-18 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
I can see the Bulldogs putting the final nail in Melbourne’s coffin this week. The Storm haven’t been fully at it all year, and with Harry Grant the latest big name player to be ruled out, I can’t see where the spark will come from.
Betting tips
I’m happy to back the Bulldogs with a -5.5 handicap at 5/6. I still don’t see them running away with it, so I’ll back the 1-12 winning margin at 15/8.
Saturday 1st August – Gold Coast Titans vs New Zealand Warriors
Form guide
The Titans picked up an impressive 38-18 win over the Dragons last weekend to leap up to 13th. It was their second straight victory.
The Warriors were beaten 18-6 by the Bulldogs to slip a place to 3rd, and their cushion to 5th is just two points.
Team news
Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Zane Harrison 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Oliver Pascoe 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Arama Hau 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Josh Patston 16. Klese Haas 17. Cooper Bai 18. Sam Verrills 19. Lachlan Ilias 20. Jaylan De Groot 21. Adam Christensen 22. Jett Liu
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Samuel Healey 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima 18. Luke Metcalf 20. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 21. Rocco Berry 22. Luke Laulilii 23. Jacob Auloa
My prediction – Gold Coast Titans 12-24 New Zealand Warriors
The Titans have done well in recent weeks, but the Warriors should be winning this if they’re serious about a Premiership win.
Betting tips
I’ll back the Warriors with the -5.5 handicap at 5/6. Alofiana Khan-Pereira is just 8/15 to score against his old side, so I’ll back him to score 2+ instead, which is 5/2.
Saturday 1st August – Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders
Form guide
The Panthers just about saw off the Eels in a 24-18 win last week to remain two points clear at the top of the ladder. It was just a second win in their last five for Penrith.
The Raiders hammered the Tigers, 56-10, to climb to 11th. They’re four points off the top eight, with little margin for error.
Team news
Panthers team: 1. Jaxen Edgar 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cogger 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Billy Scott 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Liam Henry 17. Billy Phillips 18. Izack Tago 19. Jack Cole 20. Blaize Talagi 21. Luron Patea 22. Kalani Leuluai-going
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Owen Pattie 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Zac Hosking 12. Ata Mariota 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Matt Nicholson 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Daine Laurie 18. Sebastian Kris 19. Joseph Roddy 20. Coby Black 21. Savelio Tamale 22. Vena Patuki-Case
My prediction – Penrith Panthers 20-14 Canberra Raiders
I can see the Raiders pushing Penrith all the way here, but the ladder leaders should just have enough to hold them off.
Betting tips
I like the look of the Panthers to win by 1-12 points, which is 15/8. I’ll also back them to score first, lead at half-time and win, which is 11/10.
Saturday 1st August – Brisbane Broncos vs Newcastle Knights
Form guide
Any faint hopes the Broncos had of maiking the top eight were ended last week in their 18-10 loss to the Cowboys. Last year’s Premiers are now way down in 14th with an eight-point gap to make up.
The Knights were agonisingly beaten 23-22 by the Roosters, which saw them slip to 7th. They remain two points inside the top eight.
Team news
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Grant Anderson 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Va’a Semu 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Billy Walters 15. Ben Talty 16. Jaiyden Hunt 17. Ben Hunt 18. Luke Gale 19. Hayze Perham 20. Gehamat Shibasaki 21. Jesse Arthars 22. Joshua Coric
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Cody Hopwood 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Thomas Cant 17. Brodie Jones 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Lachlan Crouch 20. Toby Winter 21. Kyle McCarthy 22. Connor Votano
My prediction – Brisbane Broncos 10-20 Newcastle Knights
On paper the Broncos look the better side to me, especially with Dylan Brown and Dylan Lucas ruled out for the Knights. The difference is, they still have something to play for, whereas Brisbane will surely be glad when this sorry season is over.
Betting tips
Surprisingly, the Broncos are favourites in this one, so I’m straight on the Knights win at 13/8. I’m also backing Dom Young for an anytime try at 1/1.
Sunday 2nd August – Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Form guide
The Sharks are in red-hot form with eight wins in their last nine games, including a 48-12 mauling of Manly last weekend. They remain 4th, with one eye on the Minor Premiership, as they sit just four points off Penrith.
The Rabbitohs gained a scrappy 28-26 win over Melbourne last week to climb to 6th. They’re one of three sides locked on 26 points, with the 9th-placed Bulldogs closing in on them.
Team news
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Thomas Hazelton 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Billy Burns 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Jesse Colquhoun 18. Mawene Hiroti 19. Jayden Berrell 20. Braden Hamlin-Uele 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Niwhai Puru
Rabbitohs team: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Siegwalt 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Ashton Ward 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. John Radel 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jye Gray 15. Jamie Humphreys 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Sean Keppie 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Edward Kosi 20. Thomas Fletcher 21. Tallis Duncan 22. Adam Elliott
My prediction – Cronulla Sharks 38-20 South Sydney Rabbitohs
I have a feeling this could be high-scoring, but whether it is or not, I’m backing the Sharks. The Bunnies concede far too many points for my liking, while Cronulla have racked up 48 and 66 in two of their last three games.
Betting tips
I’m looking at the points markets in this one, and the best value I can find is the Sharks to score over 30.5, which is 1/1. I’ll also get on Ronaldo Mulitalo to score a try and the Sharks to win, with the double paying 10/11.
Sunday 2nd August – Wests Tigers vs Parramatta Eels
Form guide
The Tigers’ collapse continued last weekend in a 56-10 loss at the Raiders. It was the Tigers’ sixth-straight defeat and dropped them to 16th.
The Eels are just one place above them, but level on points. They did at least compete with Penrith in their 24-18 defeat last week, but ultimately suffered a third loss in four games.
Team news
Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Junior Tupou 3. Heamasi Makasini 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Sunia Turuva 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. Heath Mason 15. Charlie Murray 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Tony Sukkar 18. Tristan Hope 19. Starford To’a 20. Javon Andrews 21. Ethan Roberts 22. Bunty Afoa
Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Brian Kelly 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Sam Tuivaiti 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Jack Williams 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Jack de Belin 14. Dylan Walker 15. Junior Paulo 16. Teancum Brown 17. Harrison Edwards 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Toni Mataele 20. Araz Nanva 21. Ryley Smith 22. Jonah Pezet
My prediction – Wests Tigers 12-26 Parramatta Eels
The Tigers’ slump shows no signs of spotting and despite their own struggles this year, I’m expecting the Eels to take full advantage here.
Betting tips
Parramatta should be safe with a -7.5 handicap at 5/6. I also fancy them to win by 13+ points, which is 6/4.
