NRL Round 25

By Stephen Gallagher

THURSDAY: Tigers V Sea Eagles – Leichhardt Oval – 21.50NZT

Momentum is building on the Northern Beaches for Manly, who are really looking to capitalise on their run home.

Tigers are desperate to avoid the spoon, but it’s looking like they will battle Parra for it in the last round, despite their win last week.

While this Tigers side have been poor defensively last year, they were a lot better last week. Manly strike when the iron’s hot – so if they get a couple early, expect them to open those floodgates up and punish Wests.

TIP: Sea Eagles 13+

FRIDAY: Warriors V Bulldogs – Shaun Johnson Stadium – 20.00NZT

The narrative will definitely be about Shaun Johnson playing his last home game, so this one will have lots of emotion. 

For the Bulldogs, they will know what they’re getting themselves into. The intensity of the Warriors will have to be there if they want to beat Canterbury-Bankstown. Something they’ve lacked all season.

It will be sad to see Johnson run out on home soil for the last time. I really hope the Warriors can win for him, I just don’t trust them. Bulldogs defence is too good.

TIP: Bulldogs 1-12

 

Broncos V Eels – Suncorp Stadium – 22.00NZT

Both have written off 2024 but in different capacities. Broncos let their season slip late and you can see the strict standard that served them so well last season hasn’t been there.

Parra were done after ten weeks. Lots of injuries. Lots of sub par performances. Lots of concern around contracts.

I see, despite missing the eight, the Broncos putting on a bit of a clinic. They are just too good to be sucked into the Eels style of play.

TIP: Broncos 13+

 

SATURDAY: Raiders V Panthers – GIO Stadium – 17.00NZT

There’s a bit of drama to this one. Raiders, well, disappointing to say the least after looking strong and competitive for most part of the year.

Penrith, what’s going to happen without Cleary, again? We know they’re good enough. They still sit 2nd with him missing the majority of the season. I don’t think there is panic stations yet.

But surely Ricky’s Raiders want to farewell 2024 with a dominant performance where they compete with the best? They were so disappointing in Townsville last week.

Penrith are just getting through to the finals. They will know they’re good enough to head down and scoop up a win. All the focus will be about just getting through.

TIP: Panthers 1-12

 

Storm V Dolphins – AAMI Park – 19.30NZT

After a hard-fought victory last week, Melbourne are happy to be at home against a Dolphins side that is struggling for form.

And that’s a shame for Redcliffe, who for their second season have shit the bed with the finals on the horizon. Something that will need addressing in the off-season for sure.

For Melbourne, it’s just back to the drawing board. Nil all. All those cliche’s. One forced change to last weeks side and they will secure the minor premiership with a win.

TIP: Storm 13+

 

Rabbitohs V Knights – Accor Stadium – 21.35NZT

Souths injuries are once again the talking point as their season has wasted away.

But here’s Newcastle, with all the hope in the world of making the top eight ready to chase that dream yet again.

I liked what I saw from Newcastle last week, and were unlucky in my eyes not to win.

The Rabbitohs will work hard up front. They have Cam Burray and Keaon Koloamatangi who have not let anyone down this season.

Knights just have to combat that. Work them over. Win the middle. Win the game. It’s simple, even with their revolving door of halves.

TIP: Knights 1-12

 

SUNDAY: Titans V Roosters – CBus Super Stadium – 16.00NZT

The up-and-down Titans will dread coming up against the on-the-up Roosters.

Concerns around Gold Coast’s bench rotation and how they can get players more involved has been hindering their performances over the last fortnight.

Roosters are in one of those moods where they don’t care who they play (Unless it’s Melbourne or Penrith) they will win. You can see the connection there. It’s a galvanised side and I believe that Brandon Smith has been really unlocking that from dummy half.

Titans will hang in for a bit, but expect the Roosters to play too quick and beat them late.

TIP: Roosters 13+

 

Dragons V Sharks – WIN Stadium – 18.05NZT

It’s the Dragons loss week this week, after winning last week, losing the week before, and winning the week before that.

But, surely for a big clash like this with a finals berth on the line they won’t be that predictable and lose?

And hope that Shane Flanagan has found out who they are playing by the time kick off rolls around…

Sharkies, they are playing well enough to win. That came mainly from Daniel Atkinson with two clutch moments last week against Newcastle.

For a side that has a very stable and strong forward pack, they haven’t been able to win the middle enough. This must be a target against the Red V

Game of the round!

TIP: Sharks 1-12

BYE: Cowboys

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