NRL 2025 Round 7
Round 7 kicks off a 4 Pines Park and after suffering back-to-back losses, the Sea Eagles will be desperate to get back on track here and they are boosted by the return of some key players, including Jason Saab. The Sea Eagles weren’t at their best at home against the Storm in Round 5 and then a trip to Cronulla didn’t provide the results they were looking for, going down 24-18.
After their heartbreaking golden point loss in Round 5, the Dragons bounced back last time out, with a 38-16 win over the Titans in Wollongong. Like the Sea Eagles, the Dragons get a host of players back, so that boosts their chances as well. While it’s a little bit of a risk taking the Dragons on the road, I think the Sea Eagles are in a little bit of a downward spiral and not even their home fans can get them out of it. There’s value with the Dragons as well.
Manly Sea Eagles - Lehi Hopoate, Jason Saab, Tolutau Koula, Reuben Garrick, Tommy Talau, Luke Brooks, Daly Cherry-Evans, Josh Aloiai, Jazz Tevaga, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Haumole Olakau'atu, Ben Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Jake Simpkin, Nathan Brown, Ethan Bullemor & Toafofoa Sipley
St. George Illawarra Dragons - Clinton Gutherson, Tyrell Sloan, Moses Suli, Valentine Holmes, Mathew Feagai, Kyle Flanagan, Lachlan Ilias, Toby Couchman, Damien Cook, David Klemmer, Luciano Leilua, Jaydn Su'A, Jack de Belin, Jacob Liddle, Blake Lawrie, Hamish Stewart & Dylan Egan
Who is good enough to give the Bulldogs their first loss of the 2025 season? Is it the Rabbitohs? Well, they certainly haven’t hurt their chances with the likes of Campbell Graham and Cody Walker both returning to the fold, but Alex Johnston and Jayden Sullivan are both out. The Bulldogs are fresh off a bye and in their previous match, they held the Knights to nil.
The Rabbitohs put up a bit of a fight but couldn’t get the job done against the Cowboys last time out in Perth, going down 16-24. We all know just how much of a wizard Wayne Bennett is and he does get some key players back. Look, the Bulldogs will eventually lose at some point and it is usually against a team they will underestimate. I’m not brave enough to pick the Rabbitohs outright, but they should be good enough to cover the line.
Canterbury Bulldogs - Connor Tracey, Jacob Kiraz, Bronson Xerri, Stephen Crichton, Marcelo Montoya, Matt Burton, Toby Sexton, Max King, Reed Mahoney, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Josh Curran, Jacob Preston, Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann, Sitili Tupouniua, Jack Todd & Bailey Hayward
South Sydney Rabbitohs - Jye Gray, Campbell Graham, Euan Aitken, Jack Wighton, Isaiah Tass, Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Sean Keppie, Peter Mamouzelos, Tevita Tatola, Keaon Koloamatangi, Jai Arrow, Lachlan Hubner, Lewis Dodd, Siliva Havili, Tallis Duncan & Davvy Moale
The Dolphins will be looking to claim their third win in a row on Good Friday against the Storm. They are playing at Suncorp Stadium, so the home crowd will certainly be on their side. They scored 36 points against the Titans in Round 5 and then backed it up with another 30-point game against the Panthers. They will have to be on their a-game though, taking on the in-form Storm side.
The Storm are also coming into this clash looking for their third win in a row after scoring 48 points against Manly and then 42 points against New Zealand. The Dolphins have never managed to beat the Storm in three attempts and if we look at the last two games specifically, they have both been high-scoring, with 54 points scored on both occasions. All signs point towards a high-scoring clash again on Friday.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
 | Over points - 49.5 | $1.82 |
 | Over points - 50.5 | $1.91 |
 | Over points - 48.5 | $1.82 |
Dolphins - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Jake Averillo, Herbie Farnworth, Jack Bostock, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiya Katoa, Daniel Saifiti, Jeremy Marshall-King, Felise Kaufusi, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Tom Gilbert, Max Plath, Kurt Donoghoe, Mark Nicholls, Connelly Lemuelu & Josh Kerr
Melbourne Storm - Ryan Papenhuyzen, Sualauvi Faalogo, Jack Howarth, Grant Anderson, Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Stefano Utoikamanu, Harry Grant, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eliesa Katoa, Trent Loiero, Tyran Wishart, Alec MacDonald, Tui Kamikamica & Bronson Garlick
The effort of the Warriors in their performance last time out in Melbourne against the Storm must have left a sour taste in their fan’s mouths. They went down 14-42 and at times didn’t even look like they wanted to be there. On top of this, they head back to New Zealand with a few key players down. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Rocco Berry and James Fisher-Harris will all miss this clash.
The Broncos will be looking for a bounce-back victory here after going down to the Roosters in what was the shock result of last round. They were ambushed, with the half-time score sitting at 12-20 and they ended up finishing 16-26. The trip over to New Zealand is never an easy one and with both teams coming off a loss, it makes it a little tricky tipping-wise. The Warriors are a hot and cold team and will likely struggle with the pace of the Broncos.
New Zealand Warriors - Taine Tuaupiki, Edward Kosi, Kurt Capewell, Ali Leiataua, Adam Pompey, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Luke Metcalf, Jackson Ford, Wayde Egan, Mitchell Barnett, Leka Halasima, Marata Niukore, Erin Clark, Bunty Afoa, Jacob Laban, Demitric Vaimauga & Te Maire Martin
Brisbane Broncos - Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Jesse Arthars, Ben Hunt, Adam Reynolds, Patrick Carrigan, Cory Paix, Payne Haas, Jaiyden Hunt, Jordan Riki, Kobe Hetherington, Billy Walters, Corey Jensen, Xavier Willison & Tyson Smoothy
What in the world is happening to the Panthers? They come into this clash on a five-game losing streak, meanwhile, the Roosters caused the upset of the round last time out, defeating the Broncos in what was a game that showcased their mental toughness. On top of this, they welcome back a few players, including Chad Townsend, while Billy Smith is out. The Roosters have already beaten the Panthers this season, 38-32.
Both teams have the quality there, they just aren’t delivering. This game is proving quite difficult to tip as the difference between each team’s best and worst performance is so vast. How many times can I tip the Panthers only to get burnt by them? While the Panthers are the favourites, there is value in the Roosters, who seem a little hungrier. You can play it safe by taking them on the line, or take a bolder approach, taking them to win outright.
Sydney Roosters - James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Robert Toia, Dominic Young, Sandon Smith, Hugo Savala, Nat Butcher, Connor Watson, Naufahu Whyte, Angus Crichton, Siua Wong, Victor Radley, Zach Dockar-Clay, Salesi Foketi, Blake Steep & Spencer Leniu
Penrith Panthers - Dylan Edwards, Paul Alamoti, Luke Garner, Casey McLean, Thomas Jenkins, Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Lindsay Smith, Scott Sorensen, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Brad Schneider, Isaiah Papali'i, Liam Henry & Izack Tago
The Titans might be sitting 11th on the ladder with the Raiders in fourth spot, but I think this is a close call, especially considering the Titans are playing at home. The last two matches between these teams have been close as well, with the Raiders getting the victory both some, but with score lines of 21-20 and 26-22. Those last two clashes have also come in Canberra, so I’m interested to see what the Titans can do at home.
The home team is looking to avoid a third loss in a row after going down to the Dragons last time out, 16-38. Meanwhile, the Raiders are looking for a third straight win after a dominating win against the Eels in Round 6, 50-12. The Raiders got that win in Darwin as well, so that shows they have no problem with the heat. The Titans are a better team than the Eels, but I still think the Raiders will have their number.
Gold Coast Titans - Jaylan De Groot, Tony Francis, Brian Kelly, Phillip Sami, Jojo Fifita, AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell, Moeaki Fotuaika, Sam Verrills, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, David Fifita, Beau Fermor, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Chris Randall, Klese Haas, Jaimin Jolliffe & Iszac Fa'asumaleaui
Canberra Raiders - Kaeo Weekes, Savelio Tamale, Matthew Timoko, Sebastian Kris, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange, Jamal Fogarty, Corey Horsburgh, Tom Starling, Joseph Tapine, Hudson Young, Matt Nicholson, Morgan Smithies, Owen Pattie, Zac Hosking, Josh Papali'i & Ata Mariota
The Knights' attack has been awful in their last three losses, scoring a combined 10 points. Last time out against the Tigers, their one and only try came in the 79th minute, when the game was clearly over. So, they could have easily gone two games in a row without scoring a single point. If you aren’t scoring tries, there is no way you are going to win. Simple as that.
Now they come up against the Sharks who have scored 20 points or more in four of their last five games. This includes last time out when they got back into the winner’s circle with a 24-18 victory over the Sea Eagles. The Knights are playing at home again, but after their performance against the Tigers at home, that’s no guarantee of a solid performance. Their attack is struggling and I think it continues against a decent Sharks side.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
| Knights Points - Under 13.5 | $2.45 |
| Sharks 13+ | $2.15 |
| Knights Points - Under 14 | $2.30 |
Newcastle Knights - Kalyn Ponga, James Schiller, Dane Gagai, Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew, Fletcher Sharpe, Tyson Gamble, Tyson Frizell, Phoenix Crossland, Leo Thompson, Thomas Cant, Kai Pearce-Paul, Mathew Croker, Jayden Brailey, Tyrone Thompson, Jermaine McEwen & Brodie Jones
Cronulla Sharks - William Kennedy, Samuel Stonestreet, Jesse Ramien, Mawene Hiroti, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Oregon Kaufusi, Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton, Cameron McInnes, Daniel Atkinson, Siosifa Talakai, Toby Rudolf & Thomas Hazelton
A bit of drama this week surrounding the Tigers and their five-eighth Lachlan Galvin. Benji Marshall had to make the tough call, but it was the right call in my opinion, with Galvin not featuring in the team’s lineup this week. Putting that aside for now, the Tigers and Eels have already played each other this season with the Tigers getting a 32-2 victory back in Round 2.
The Tigers found themselves back in the winner’s circle last time out after a great win against the Knights in Newcastle. The Eels, on the other hand, were back to their losing ways after going down to the Raiders 12-50. Conceding 50 points is never a good look for a team and I still think there’s a little bit of value around the Tigers, despite them being the favourites. Even without Galvin, the Tigers should win this.
Wests Tigers - Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, Brent Naden, Starford To'a, Luke Laulilii, Jarome Luai, Adam Doueihi, Terrell May, Apisai Koroisau, Fonua Pole, Samuela Fainu, Alex Seyfarth, Alex Twal, Tallyn Da Silva, Royce Hunt, Jack Bird & Sione Fainu
Parramatta Eels - Isaiah Iongi, Josh Addo-Carr, Viliami Penisini, Sean Russell, Bailey Simonsson, Dylan Brown, Mitchell Moses, Jack Williams, Ryley Smith, Junior Paulo, Kelma Tuilagi, Kitione Kautoga, J'maine Hopgood, Dylan Walker, Luca Morett, Matt Doorey & Sam Tuivaiti
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