NRL 2026 – Round 5 preview, predictions and tips
Easter’s already here, which means it’s time for a bumper weekend of NRL games.
The Rabbitohs and the Bulldogs will lock horns on Good Friday, followed by the Panthers and the Storm. Then, on Saturday, the Queensland derby between the Titans and the Broncos is arguably the pick of the bunch.
And of course, there are five other games taking place across the weekend too. So, let’s get straight into it…
- Thursday 2nd April – The Dolphins vs Manly Sea Eagles – Kayo Stadium
- Friday 3rd April – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – Accor Stadium
- Friday 3rd April – Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm – CommBank Stadium
- Saturday 4th April – St George Illawarra Dragons vs North Queensland Cowboys – Jubilee Stadium
- Saturday 4th April – Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos – Cbus Super Stadium
- Sunday 5th April – Cronulla Sharks vs New Zealand Warriors – Ocean Protect Stadium
- Sunday 5th April – Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders – McDonald Jones Stadium
- Monday 6th April – Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers – CommBank Stadium
*All odds are taken from Paddy Power and correct at time of writing on 1st April 2026.
Thursday 2nd April – The Dolphins vs Manly Sea Eagles – Kayo Stadium
Form guide
The Dolphins were beaten 26-12 by neighbours Brisbane in Round 4, to leave them with a 2-2 record.
At least they’re going better than Manly though, whose 33-16 loss to the Roosters last week made it 0-3 to start the year, and meant the end of Anthony Seibold’s tenure as head coach.
Team news
Kurt Donoghoe is back on the Dolphins’ six-man bench for what will be his first involvement in 2026.
Jason Saab is suspended for Manly, so Clayton Faulalo comes into the team for his first game of the year.
My prediction – The Dolphins 26-14 Manly Sea Eagles
Manly will come good at some point, but with no coach and an away fixture against a Dolphins side who can score points from anywhere, I can’t see past the home side in this one.
Betting tips
Jamayne Isaako is 8/13 for an anytime try, which I’m happy to back, but the odds are quite low. Instead, I’ll be getting on him to score the first, second or third try at 5/2. The Dolphins should also be ok with the -10 handicap at 10/11.
Friday 3rd April – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – Accor Stadium
Form guide
The Rabbitohs had a bye in Round Three, but they’re 2-1 from their opening three fixtures.
The Bulldogs suffered a 24-16 loss at home to the Knights last weekend, which leaves them with a 2-1 record as well.
Team news
Campbell Graham returns for the Rabbitohs after missing the Tigers game with an injury. Moala Graham-Taufa drops to the six-man bench.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Moala Graham-Taufa 20. Salesi Ataata 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Latrell Siegwalt
Sam Hughes and Harry Hayes are back for the Bulldogs this week, but Josh Curran is out injured. Bronson Xerri is back on the six-man interchange after being dropped.
My prediction – South Sydney Rabbitohs 22-18 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
This should be really tight and it really could go either way. Souths will be fresher for the week off though and the Doggies are under some pressure after last week’s loss, so I’m backing the Bunnies…just.
Betting tips
There’s no handicap in this one, so it’s a straight up 5/6 for the Rabbitohs to win, which I’ll be backing. I’m expecting this to be close, so the Rabbitohs to win by 1-12 points looks good as well, at 21/10.
Friday 3rd April – Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm – CommBank Stadium
Form guide
The Panthers look unstoppable so far, with four wins from four games and just 30 points conceded. They’re the highest points scorers too, with 140.
Meanwhile, Melbourne, are 2-2. After winning their first two games and scoring 98 points in the process, they’ve suffered back-to-back defeats in the last couple of weeks.
Team news
Mitch Kenny is banned for the Panthers, so Freddy Lussick starts at hooker. Izack Tago is back on the six-man bench.
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cogger 15. Billy Phillips 16. Scott Sorensen 17. Luke Garner 18. Izack Tago 19. Kalani Going 20. Tom Ale 21. Billy Scott 22. Jack Cole
Nick Meaney returns for Melbourne, and comes straight in for Moses Leo, who has concussion issues. Lazarus Vaalepu replaces Tui Kamikamica, who suffered a suspected stroke earlier this week.
Storm team: 1. Sua Fa’alogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Alec MacDonald 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Davvy Moale 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Cooper Clarke 18. Lazarus Vaalepu 19. Manaia Waitere 20. Angus Hinchey 21. Trent Toelau 22. Preston Conn
My prediction – Penrith Panthers 32-14 Melbourne Storm
It’s hard to back three straight losses for Melbourne, but this Panthers side are so good right now, I can’t see anything other than a home win. I’m expecting them to get at least 20 points as well, and I’m not convinced the Storm can match that.
Betting tips
It’s 4/5 for Penrith to score more than 25.5 points, which looks a solid shout to me. They’re also 6/4 in the race to 30 points, which I’ll be backing.
Saturday 4th April – St George Illawarra Dragons vs North Queensland Cowboys – Jubilee Stadium
Form guide
The Dragons have had a horror start to 2026 with four straight losses. The latest was a 22-14 loss to the struggling Titans.
The Cowboys are one of seven teams locked on 2-2 so far, following last week’s impressive win over Melbourne Storm.
Team news
Lyhkan King-Togia replaces Kyle Flanagan, who was badly concussed last week. Moses Suli and Toby Couchman are also back for the Dragons. David Fale makes his debut on the wing, while Tyrell Sloan drops to the bench.
Tom Chester is back from suspension for the Cowboys, so Zac Laybutt goes to the bench. Kai O’Donnell and Liam Sutton drop out, with Laybutt and Harrison Edwards taking their spots on the bench.
My prediction – St George Illawarra Dragons 12-20 North Queensland Cowboys
I just can’t see the Dragons getting off the mark here. They’re going to win sooner or later, but the Cowboys will be boosted by last week’s surprise win over Melbourne, and they’ll be expecting to back it up here.
Betting tips
I’m getting straight on the Cowboys with a -2 handicap at 10/11. Jaxon Purdue is a regular go-to for me in the anytime try market, and he’s still well priced at 11/10.
Saturday 4th April – Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos – Cbus Super Stadium
Form guide
The Titans got off the mark in Round Four with a 22-14 win over the struggling Dragons.
Neighbours Brisbane saw off the Dolphins to make it back-to-back wins after an 0-2 start to the year.
Team news
The Titans have named the same 19-man-squad who saw off the Dragons in Round Four.
The Broncos have Payne Haas back from injury, but Grant Anderson is ruled out. Anderson’s absence sees Jesse Arthars come in for his first game of the season, while Gehamat Shibasaki also comes back into the starting side with Josiah Karapani dropping out altogether. 19-year-old Antonio Verhoeven is on the bench and will make his first grade debut if he comes on.
My prediction – Gold Coast Titans 18-42 Brisbane Broncos
I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Titans score a few points here, but I can see Brisbane blowing them away. Back-to-back wins will have quietened some of the Broncos’ critics, and this is a game they’ll expect to win.
Betting tips
The Broncos with a -12 handicap looks a shoo-in to me at 10/11. They’re 6/5 to have a 9+ lead at half-time as well, which I like the look of.
Sunday 5th April – Cronulla Sharks vs New Zealand Warriors – Ocean Protect Stadium
Form guide
The Sharks are 2-2 after last week’s 34-22 win at Canberra Raiders.
Meanwhile, the Warriors’ unbeaten start came to an end last week, when they were beaten 32-14 at home by the Tigers.
Team news
Briton Nikora is named in the Sharks’ extended squad as he eyes a return from a broken nose. Mawene Hiroti is in the 19-man-squad after returning from injury in NSW Cup last weekend.
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Thomas Hazelton 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Mawene Hiroti 19. Hohepa Puru 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Michael Gabrael 22. Briton Nikora
Demitric Vaimauga replaces the injured Mitch Barnett in the only change to Warriors’ 19. Englishman Morgan Gannon is back on the extended bench following a concussion in Round Three.
My prediction – Cronulla Sharks 16-18 New Zealand Warriors
This one’s almost too close to call, but my instinct says to back the Warriors. They’ve been the more impressive of the two sides so far this season, and although they don’t often travel well, I just have a feeling they’ll edge this one.
Betting tips
The Sharks are favourites, so I’m getting straight on a Warriors win at 7/5. Leka Halasima is too good to pass up for an anytime try as well, at 13/10.
Sunday 5th April – Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders – McDonald Jones Stadium
Form guide
After finishing bottom in 2025, the Knights have flipped things on their head so far this year. Their 24-16 win at the Bulldogs last weekend pushed them up into 4th with a 3-1 record.
It’s the opposite story for last year’s Minor Premiers, Canberra. The Raiders were beaten 34-22 at home by the Sharks in Round Four, which leaves them down in 15th with a 1-3 record.
Team news
Trey Mooney is back from suspension for the Knights, so he goes straight into the starting side. Pasami Saulo drops to the bench.
Josh Papali’i goes straight back into the Raiders’ starting side after suspension. Matt Timoko and Chevy Stewart have been elevated to the 19-man squad, with Daine Laurie and Jed Stuart dropping out.
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Noah Martin 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Zac Hosking 16. Ata Mariota 17. Morgan Smithies 18. Chevy Stewart 19. Matthew Timoko 20. Owen Pattie 21. Jed Stuart 22. Daine Laurie
My prediction – Newcastle Knights 22-14 Canberra Raiders
I can’t see past the Knights in this one. They’re in form, they’re at home, and even without Dylan Brown and Kalyn Ponga, they’re still looking dangerous in attack. The Raiders are out of sorts and I’m expcting Newcastle to be sniffing blood.
Betting tips
Canberra are favourites in this one, so I’m getting straight on a Newcastle win at 6/4. I can’t see them running away with it, so the 13/5 on a 1-12 winning margin looks good to me too.
Monday 6th April – Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers – CommBank Stadium
Form guide
The Eels were soundly beaten by rivals Penrith last weekend in a 48-20 loss. That leaves Parra with a 2-2 record so far.
The Tigers’ very impressive 32-14 win at the Warriors last weekend has them sitting in 3rd, with a 2-1 record.
Team news
The Eels will be without fullback Isaiah Iongi for at least six weeks, so Joash Papalii takes the number one jersey. Matt Doorey suffered an ACL injury last week, so Charlie Guymer joins the bench. Jack de Belin and Apa Twidle also joins the six-man interchange.
Eels team: 1. Joash Papali’i 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Brian Kelly 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Jonah Pezet 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Sam Tuivaiti 16. Charlie Guymer 17. Luca Moretti 18. Jack de Belin 19. Apa Twidle 20. Ronald Volkman 21. Teancum Brown 22. Araz Nanva
Bunty Afoa joins the the six-man bench for the Tigers, with Tristan Hope dropping out of the 19.
My prediction – Parramatta Eels 10-14 Wests Tigers
I’m expecting this to be a close affair, but I’m backing the Tigers to edge it. They’ve made an impressive start to the season and I can see them continuing that here.
Betting tips
The Eels are slight favourites, so I’m getting straight on the Tigers to win at 1/1. As I’m expecting a tight game, I’ll also back the 1-12 winning margin, at 21/10.
