You don’t have to look hard to find the game of the round ahead of Round 24, with the top spot on the ladder up for grabs on Thursday night between the Panthers and the Roosters!
Another must-see game between the Rabbitohs and the Bulldogs follows on Friday, and our rugby league expert, Oscar Pannifex, is here to steer you through every game!
Physically beaten by New Zealand in the first half last week, the pressure eventually told as Penrith fumbled their way to 10 errors and just 12 points in NRL Round 23. The loss of Isaah Yeo now looms over the Panthers approaching finals campaign; the first time in a long time that they will carry serious injuries into September.
For the Roosters, it was important they backed up a big win against North Queensland and they just managed exactly that; fighting back against Canterbury and sealing it late (and ugly).
That’s the beauty of this Roosters side in season 2026; stacked with class down every channel, they’ve proven happen to fight and scrap their way to ugly wins this year when needed.
I like them to do the same here.
Prediction: Sydney Roosters 1-12 @ $3.05
Anytime Tryscorer: James Tedesco @ $2.60
Redcliffe looked dead in the water early on in the Battle of Brisbane last week. Ezra Mam tore them up in a few special moments and before they knew it, the Phins were down four tries to zip.
To then tie it up with 30 minutes to play is testament to the qualities of this young Dolphins side. Back from 50+ point losses this year and back from a 24-0 start last week, Redcliffe are unique in their ability to play with a short memory and without any fear of failure.
Assuming they start better here, I like Redcliffe to make another statement in the 2026 NRL finals race. Once they promote some fatigue into Manly’s middle, Isaiya Katoa could have a field day running downhill on the edges.
Prediciton: Dolphins 13+ @ $2.10
Anytime Tryscorer: Herbie Farnworth @ $2.20, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki @ $3.75
South Sydney almost ran out of gas last week but were saved by the bell. Their best attacking footy makes them a genuine premiership chance but their inconsistencies – week-to-week or half-to-half as was the case in NRL Round 23 – remains a concern.
In contrast, Canterbury have played themselves into a winning style of footy in the past month. There’s a nice balance to how Stephen Crichton and Lachlan Galvin are combining in attack behind a forward pack that is winning the ruck most weeks.
My Bunnies bias gives Souths a chance to get up for a big game, but the smart money says Dogs in a grind.
Prediction: South Sydney Rabbitohs to Cover Line (+2.5) @ $1.90
Anytime Tryscorer: Alex Johnston @ $1.83, Stephen Crichton @ $3.15
Corey Horsburgh was made the unlucky scapegoat in Canberra’s season-ending loss to Newcastle last week but the Raiders issues run deeper than that.
After a slow start, Ricky Stuart’s men played themselves back into finals contention courtesy of a full strength forward rotation only to then lose three backrowers in consecutive weeks. Stretched thin through the middle to leave inexperienced edges isolated and under pressure on both sides of the ball, it’s been difficult for Canberra to play to their ceiling consistently this year.
In contrast (barring last week), Cronulla have been a model of consistency in NRL season 2026.
Providing they respond to last week’s hiccup, I like the Sharks to resume their run into September here. They’ve done an excellent job of isolating Ronaldo Mulitalo onto smaller defending outside backs in recent weeks and I’m looking for more of the same in this one.
Prediction: Cronulla Sharks 13+ @ $2.15
Anytime Tryscorer: Ronaldo Mulitalo @ $1.62
Eels fans are understandably tired of losses but the results column isn’t where to look for Parramatta’s improvements this year. They continue to make it a contest most weeks despite a horror injury toll and an already thin roster.
The loss of Isaiah Iongi, one of the Eels best again this year, is a cruel blow with one month to play. Parramatta don’t have the points to trouble this Cowboys attack if they warm up and their best approach will be to make this a battle of attrition through the middle.
The Eels mobile middles profile well in the grind early but once North Queensland’s big bodies start rolling downhill, the points should follow.
Prediction: Cowboys to Win @ $1.52
Anytime Tryscorer: Scott Drinkwater @ $2.30, Tom Chester @ $2.50
Not for the first time this season, this powerhouse Warriors forward pack bashed their opposition into submission before a lethal backline cashed in on the edges.
Wayde Egan’s wizardry around the ruck made a mockery of the best defensive systems in the NRL while Luke Metcalf made an ominous return to the No.7 jumper with four weeks til finals.
Throughout all of that, Leka Halasima’s promotion to starting left centre may prove the deciding factor in New Zealand’s premiership push. His point-of-difference in a side that already does so much right is must-watch television in the coming month.
For Brisbane, we wait to see how they respond after letting slip a 24-point lead in the Battle of Brisbane. The Broncs are a tough team to tip against right now but the smart money says Wahs win.
Prediction: Warriors to Win @ $1.45,
Anytime Tryscorer: Leka Halasima @ $2.45
Last week felt like a winnable game for this trending Gold Coast side but they simply missed too many chances early on against the Cowboys.
AJ Brimson was preferred over Lachlan Ilias at halfback but the utility struggled to execute on the ballplaying looks he earned down that right edge. Couple that with a few soft early tries conceded around the ruck and the result was too far gone for the Titans last week.
It doesn’t get any easier for Josh Hannay’s men here; Newcastle are simply refusing to beat themselves right now and profile far better in the grind – or in a shoot-out – against this Titans side.
While the Knights complete highly and defend with discipline, Kalyn Ponga and Fletcher Sharpe should win enough moments to be the difference again.
Prediction: Knights to Win @ $1.22
Anytime Tryscorer: Bradman Best @ $2.15
Shame on the punters who said St George wouldn’t win a game this year! Given no chance last week against Cronulla, the Dragons produced arguably the upset of the season to grind the Sharks into errors, poor decisions and the wrong end of a 24-16 scoreline.
All the positives of St George’s horror year were on show last week; a skillful, hardworking forward pack, a disciplined defensive system and some repeatable kicking actions for points in good-ball.
They can run it back here against a Wests side that in comparison is still searching for a winning formula in attack. At their best, Adam Doueihi and the Tigers can outscore St George in this one but on recent form, I like the Dragons in a grind.
Prediction: Dragons 1-12 @ $3.05
Anytime Tryscorer: Valentine Holmes @ $2.25
