Oscar Pannifex breaks down Round 8 of the NRLW, offering his usual expertise, analysis, and betting plays on the neds blog!
Newcastle don’t boast the star power of Brisbane, Easts or the Gold Coast but there’s an argument for them to be considered among the best of the rest in the NRLW, right now.
Kirra Dibb is paying back her contract value in spades as the orchestrator of an improving Knights attack that can strip you on either edge. Athletic and skillful outside backs are consistently executing on the chances Dibb creates for them in attack and while they just fell short v Canberra last week, they can make this a contest against a similarly-placed Wests side.
The Tigers are also reaping the rewards of a veteran playmaker this year. Most of what Raecene McGregor touches is turning to gold on Wests right edge and she – or five-eighth Losana Lutu on the far side of the field – can be the difference in this one.
Game of the Round potential here, folks.
Prediction: Wests Tigers 1-12 @ $3.00
Anytime Tryscorer: Losana Lutu @ $4.25, Tenika Willison @ $2.90, Shaylee Bent @ $4.60
This young Canterbury squad have been up for a while now but came crashing back to earth last week courtesy of a clinical Eels attack. The result was all but over by halftime but the Bulldogs impressed to stop the rot in the second half and threaten with a comeback for a moment.
Canberra profile similarly to Canterbury as a team that is happy to grind out a low-scoring, defensive-focussed win. The difference is in their attack.
Backrower Charlotte Bashom crossed at huge odds two weeks back while her second row partner Jordyn Preston forms lethal combination with Canberra halfback Zahara Temara on the right edge. That’s where I’m looking here.
Prediction: Canberra Raiders 1-12 @ $2.75
Anytime Tryscorer: Jordyn Preston @ $3.50, Isabella Waterman @ $3.05
I tipped North Queensland as a value Wooden Spoon pick but to their credit, the Cowboys continue to improve their way into the season. A big win over Cronulla last week – without Emma Manzelmann and Abigail Roache no less – is testament to North Queensland’s ability to get the most out of their best players. Essay Banu and Mackenzie Weale were immense through the middle while Jasmine Peters and Fran Goldthorpe were productive on the edges.
At their best, St George-Illawarra have the talent to do similar things and win this one in a few moments. Teagan Berry will likely be a part of that but I worry about the Dragons through the middle of the field once fatigue sets in.
Prediction: North Queensland Cowboys 1-12 @ $2.95
Anytime Tryscorer: Jasmine Peters @ $2.65, Essay Banu @ $7.25
Last week presented the Gold Coast with an opportunity to work through the gears and they were clinical as ever in a big win v St George.
It’s no coincidence the Titans points are coming in flurries late in each half; they play a consistent, repeatable and effective style of footy this year that sets the game up early to win it late. Those habits will serve them well in the big games; like this one against the defending champs.
Brisbane aren’t at their best right now but played themselves into something like it last week.
Tamika Upton reminded the competition of her class to almost drag the Broncos to an unlikely upset last week. She can do the same here but the Titans have more than a few genuine avenues to the tryline themselves and can keep this close.
Tips: Brisbane Broncos 1-12 @ $2.90
Anytime Tryscorer: Lauren Dam @ $3.90
I said last week that this competition is far from a two-horse race and I’m doubling down here; NRLW season 2026 is Easts to win.
Their ability to absorb pressure with their defence, relish the grind in yardage and execute on half-chances in good-ball is levels above any rival right now. Tarryn Aiken steals much of the spotlight but her halves partner Jocellyn Kelleher has been equally clinical behind the best prop rotation and the most productive backline in the game.
New Zealand should earn and potentially execute on a few highlight moments here but across a 70-minute contest, the Roosters can’t be matched.
Prediction: Sydney Roosters 13+ @ $1.98
Anytime Tryscorer: Jess Sergis @ $1.90, Keeley Nizza @ $5.20
We saw close to the best version of this Eels team last week; resilient around the ruck, disciplined to finish their sets and threatening on the edges when given room to move. On the back of an improved yardage game (86% completions last week v Canterbury), Parramatta cashed in twice beneath the posts thanks largely to the contributions of Elsie Albert in the lead up.
They’re unlikely to outscore the top teams in a shoot-out but this Eels side is at their best in the grind and they can make it two on the trot here.
The gap between Cronulla’s best and worst remains and their middle can become a spot once the bench rotates and some fatigue creeps in.
Prediction: Parramatta Eels @ $2.10
Anytime Tryscorer: Chloe Jackson @ $7.00, Elsie Albert @ $4.40
