NRL 2025 Round 8
The Broncos will be looking to snap a two-game winning streak on Thursday. It was a heartbreaking loss to the Warriors last time out in New Zealand, going down in golden point. On top of this Reece Walsh suffered a knee injury and is likely to miss up to six weeks. There seems to be a lack of cohesion with this Broncos side as of late and while this game might be close, I’m not sure they are good enough to win this.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs remain the only undefeated team in the NRL. So far they have beaten the Dragons, Titans, Eels, Sharks, Knights and Rabbitohs. I think the Broncos will be their toughest test to date, especially considering they are playing up in Brisbane. What has impressed me the most about the Bulldogs has been their defence. In their last two games, they have managed to hold the opposition to zero points.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
 | Under points - 42.5 | $1.82 |
 | Under points - 43.5 | $1.90 |
 | Under points - 42.5 | $1.91 |
Brisbane Broncos - Selwyn Cobbo, Deine Mariner, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Jesse Arthars, Ben Hunt, Adam Reynolds, Patrick Carrigan, Cory Paix, Payne Haas, Xavier Willison, Jordan Riki, Kobe Hetherington, Billy Walters, Corey Jensen, Brendan Piakura & Tyson Smoothy
Canterbury Bulldogs - Connor Tracey, Jacob Kiraz, Bronson Xerri, Stephen Crichton, Marcelo Montoya, Matt Burton, Toby Sexton, Max King, Reed Mahoney, Josh Curran, Viliame Kikau, Jacob Preston, Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann, Sitili Tupouniua, Sam Hughes & Bailey Hayward
ANZAC Day footy, it doesn’t get more iconic than this! There’s always a bit of fire in this clash and both teams always want to put on a show for their fans. The Roosters were no match for the Panthers last time out, going down 12-40 but they do get a stack of players back for this clash including Angus Crichton, Billy Smith, Egan Butcher and others. The Roosters will be desperate for a win and I think they’ll get it.
The Dragons were well on top in their last clash against the Sea Eagles and then they clocked off a bit and let their opposition back into the game. They can’t afford to do that against the Roosters here. The Roosters have won their last two clashes against the Dragons and in pretty dominant fashion as well. I think this one will be a little closer, especially with the Dragons playing well, but with the Roosters getting back a stack of players, I’m sticking with them.
Sydney Roosters - James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Sandon Smith, Hugo Savala, Spencer Leniu, Connor Watson, Naufahu Whyte, Angus Crichton, Siua Wong, Victor Radley, Zach Dockar-Clay, Blake Steep, Salesi Foketi & Taylor Losalu
St. George Illawarra Dragons - Clint Gutherson, Tyrell Sloan, Moses Suli, Valentine Holmes, Sione Finau, Kyle Flanagan, Lachlan Ilias, Toby Couchman, Damien Cook, Emre Guler, Luciano Leilua, Jaydn Su'A, Jack de Belin, Jacob Liddle, Blake Lawrie, David Klemmer & Dylan Egan
The Warriors were able to successfully bounce back last time out and got a golden point victory over the Broncos. They remain in New Zealand for the second ANZAC Day clash. The Warriors are sitting in the top four at the moment and they will get back a few key players for this game, including Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. It seems like points have come at a premium for the Warriors, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see another low-scoring game.
The Knights have the players, but they just can’t seem to put it all together and they enter this game on a four-game losing streak. The trip over the ditch doesn’t make things easier either. Their attack looks completely lost and they have scored just 24 points in their last four games. If they can’t score points, they won’t win games. It seems like we may be in for another low-scoring affair.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
| Under points - 44.5 | $1.82 |
| Under points - 44.5 | $1.83 |
| Under points - 44.5 | $1.91 |
New Zealand Warriors - Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Taine Tuaupiki, Rocco Berry, Ali Leiataua, Adam Pompey, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Luke Metcalf, Jackson Ford, Wayde Egan, Mitch Barnett, Kurt Capewell, Marata Niukore, Erin Clark, Bunty Afoa, Leka Halasima, Demitric Vaimauga & Te Maire Martin
Newcastle Knights - Kalyn Ponga, James Schiller, Dane Gagai, Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew, Fletcher Sharpe, Tyson Gamble, Jacob Saifiti, Phoenix Crossland, Leo Thompson, Thomas Cant, Kai Pearce-Paul, Mat Croker, Jayden Brailey, Tyrone Thompson, Jermaine McEwen & Brodie Jones
The third and final clash on ANZAC Day will see the Storm up against the Rabbitohs. The Storm were handed a surprising loss against the Dolphins last week. It wasn’t just the fact that they lost, but it was also the way they lost, going down 22-42 after piling on the first three tries. The Storm do get some players back for this game as well, with the likes of Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Nick Meaney and others returning.
The Rabbitohs were held scoreless by the undefeated Bulldogs last time out, extending their losing streak to two games. I can’t see the Storm losing two games in a row, especially with the way they lost last time out, they would have been given an almighty boot up the you-know-where by Craig Bellamy. The Storm are the heavy favourites, but I do think this one will be closer than the bookies think.
Melbourne Storm - Ryan Papenhuyzen, Will Warbrick, Kane Bradley, Grant Anderson, Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Stefano Utoikamanu, Bronson Garlick, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eli Katoa, Trent Loiero, Tyran Wishart, Alec MacDonald, Joe Chan & Nelson Asofa-Solomona
South Sydney Rabbitohs - Jye Gray, Isaiah Tass, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham, Tyrone Munro, Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Sean Keppie, Peter Mamouzelos, Tevita Tatola, Keaon Koloamatangi, Euan Aitken, Jai Arrow, Jayden Sullivan, Siliva Havili, Tallis Duncan & Davvy Moale
The first of two Saturday clashes sees the Cowboys host the Titans. The Cowboys look to be on an upward trajectory after winning their last three games and they are fresh off a bye. The Titans, on the other hand, seem to be heading in the opposite direction after losing their last three games. Looking at the team lists, both teams will get back some key players which should boost their chances equally.
The Cowboys look like the better team in several different areas. They have the form coming into this one and will have the fresher legs. Although, consistency is not something we really see from either team, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see either of these teams to get the W. The Cowboys look the most likely though, especially when you consider they are playing at home.
North Queensland Cowboys - Scott Drinkwater, Robert Derby, Jaxon Purdue, Viliami Vailea, Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden, Jake Clifford, Jordan McLean, Reece Robson, Jason Taumalolo, John Bateman, Kai O'Donnell, Reuben Cotter, Sam McIntyre, Jeremiah Nanai, Griffin Neame & Coen Hess
Gold Coast Titans - Jaylan de Groot, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Brian Kelly, Phillip Sami, Jojo Fifita, AJ Brimson, Tom Weaver, Mo Fotuaika, Sam Verrills, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Klese Haas, Beau Fermor, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Chris Randall, Jaimin Jolliffe, Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui & Brock Gray
Well, the Panthers finally managed to get a win on the board after a significant drought. In fact, they piled on the points against the Roosters last time out, winning 40-12. The Sea Eagles seem to be slipping and they have now lost three in a row to the Storm, Sharks and Dragons. Both the Panthers and Sea Eagles will get a raft of players back for this Saturday night game.
I don’t know what I watched last time out with the Sea Eagles, but that wasn’t exactly a good game and with the Panthers potentially finding their mojo again, this could end up in a blowout at CommBank Stadium. The Panthers will be looking to build on their efforts last time out, so I’m expecting a lot of points from them. Dylan Edwards always seems to pop up when needed and he could again here.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
| Anytime try scorer - Dylan Edwards | $2.25 |
| Panthers -6.5 | $1.80 |
| Panthers -6.5 | $1.91 |
Penrith Panthers - Dylan Edwards, Paul Alamoti, Izack Tago, Casey McLean, Tom Jenkins, Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Luke Sommerton, Lindsay Smith, Scott Sorensen, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Brad Schneider, Isaiah Papali'i, Liam Henry & Matthew Eisenhuth
Manly Sea Eagles - Tom Trbojevic, Jason Saab, Tolu Koula, Reuben Garrick, Lehi Hopoate, Luke Brooks, Daly Cherry-Evans, Josh Aloiai, Jazz Tevaga, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Haumole Olakau’atu, Ben Trbojevic, Nathan Brown, Jake Simpkin, Corey Waddell, Caleb Navale & Clayton Faulalo
Both the Raiders and the Dolphins come into this clash in some decent form, both on a three-game winning streak. Last time out, the Raiders got the win against the Titans up on the Gold Coast. The Dolphins managed to pull off the upset of the round last week when they dismantled the Storm 42-20, despite letting in the first three tries. So, expect a lot of confidence from these teams.
I do have to give the edge to the Raiders though, considering they are playing at home and are better equipped to deal with the cool weather compared to the Dolphins. Both teams are on the up, but I just feel like the Raiders have more consistency within their team. While the Raiders are the favourite, I still think there is a little bit of value there, so I’ll be taking the Raiders straight up.
Canberra Raiders - Kaeo Weekes, Savelio Tamale, Matthew Timoko, Seb Kris, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange, Jamal Fogarty, Corey Horsburgh, Tom Starling, Joe Tapine, Hudson Young, Matty Nicholson, Morgan Smithies, Owen Pattie, Zac Hosking, Josh Papali'i & Ata Mariota
Dolphins - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Jake Averillo, Herbie Farnworth, Jack Bostock, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiya Katoa, Daniel Saifiti, Jeremy Marshall-King, Mark Nicholls, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Connelly Lemuelu, Tom Gilbert, Kurt Donoghoe, Josh Kerr, Ray Stone & Francis Molo
In the final game of Round 8, the Tigers will be looking to put all the drama behind them and focus on footy. They lost to the Eels last time out in a game that had a little bit of everything, from three sin bins to heaps of points and more. After missing the Tigers last game, Lachie Galvin comes back into the frame. There’s no doubt that the Tigers are a better team with Galvin in it, but the off-field drama he has created will have an impact on how the side gels.
The Sharks got the job done against the Knights last time out and will be looking to extend their winning streak to three on Sunday. I don’t think Craig Fitzgibbon is expected to make any changes to their squad this time out. The Sharks have the attack to make the most of what is likely going to be an incohesive Tigers team. I think there are a lot of points in this one, so take the overs.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
| Over points - 46.5 | $1.85 |
| Over points - 47.5 | $1.90 |
| Over points - 47.5 | $1.90 |
Wests Tigers - Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, Brent Naden, Starford To'a, Lachlan Galvin, Jarome Luai, Adam Doueihi, Terrell May, Api Koroisau, Fonua Pole, Samuela Fainu, Alex Seyfarth, Alex Twal, Tallyn Da Silva, Royce Hunt, Jack Bird & Sione Fainu
Cronulla Sharks - Will 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, Sifa Talakai, Toby Rudolf & Tom Hazelton
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