Oscar Pannifex breaks down Round 9 of the NRLW, offering his usual expertise, analysis, and betting plays on the neds blog!
Fresh off their biggest score of the season, this will give us a better indication of where Canberra sit right now in the 2026 NRLW premiership race.
Easts and the Gold Coast are top of the ladder at time of writing but there’s a case to be made for Brisbane, Wests, Canberra and Newcastle to be best of the rest on their day. With wins over the Broncos and Knights already in the bank, the Raiders get another look this week at a rival they’re likely to meet in the approaching finals.
Stylistically, the Titans and Raiders are quite similar; two organising & kicking halfbacks, two running five-eighths, two tireless forward packs and two dynamic backlines.
In a battle of attrition, I like the Titans discipline to be the difference… just.
Prediction: Gold Coast Titans 1-12,
Anytime Tryscorer: Evania Isa’ako try
The market certainly didn’t anticipate this kind of year for Cronulla and I didn’t either. With quality & experience in the forwards, backs and spine, I liked the Sharks to feature in the finals this year even if they couldn’t replicate their preliminary final efforts of 2025.
To now be shy of the Wooden Spoon on for and against speaks to the issues in Cronulla right now.
Conversely, the Roosters are coming off a 66-point demolition job of New Zealand and profile well to keep the wheels rolling here.
Once they put some fatigue into this Sharks pack, we should see Easts kick straight through the front door. Roosters props haven’t been getting on the scoreboard this year but Saturday afternoon might be their best chance yet.
Prediction: Sydney Roosters 13+
Anytime Tryscorer: Otesa Pule, Aliyah Nasio, Keeley Nizza
Newcastle lost no supporters in a comeback loss to Wests last week, falling short 27-26 but confirming their finals credentials in the process.
Between Kirra Dibb and Georgia Roche, the Knights play with wonderful control and balance in attack right now. Both are run-threats first and pass-threats second, which forces the defence to consider them before sliding across-field. That in turn is creating space for dynamic centres to go to work; both crossed last week and are appealing tips again here.
It’s difficult to deny the improvements in North Queensland but I can’t follow them in here. We cashed in on Essay Banu at enormous odds last week courtesy of the Cowboys direct approach in good-ball but that style doesn’t profile so well here against Newcastle’s middle.
Prediction: Newcastle Knights to Cover the Line (-2.5) @ $1.90,
Anytime Tryscorer: Sidney Taylor, Tenika Willison
This trending Dragons attack couldn’t convert on their best performance of the season last week, posting 28 points from six tries and leaving a few more out there, too.
With every other positive action St George managed to produce with the ball though, a cheap or unforced error often followed.
At their best, the Dragons can make this a shoot-out and finish on top of an inconsistent Warriors outfit this week. Given New Zealand’s form at home this year though, this feels like the Wahs to win.
Ivana Lauitiiti impressed through the middle in a losing side last week, repeatedly standing in the tackle and generating second-phase play or ruck speed close to the line. I like her to be the catalyst for Warriors points in some way or another.
Prediction: New Zealand Warriors 1-12
Anytime Tryscorer: Ivana Lauitiiti, Kaiyah Atai
Not even a Scotty Prince spray could save Brisbane last week against a red-hot Gold Coast Titans outfit.
The absence of Ali Brigginshaw has been felt keenly by the Broncos and she makes a timely return here. The pressure and defensive attention she takes off Jesse Southwell and Tamika Upton is key to getting the best out of both stars in attack, and I’m expecting Brisbane to be back somewhere close to their best here.
Parramatta have played themselves into form and mathematical finals contention but need two more big wins to be a real chance. They made light work of an ill-disciplined Cronulla side last week but can’t expect Brisbane to gift them so much cheap ball.
We picked Wests v Newcastle as the Game of the Round last week and this one’s got a similar feel about it. Bronx in a contest.
Prediction: Brisbane Broncos 1-12,
Anytime Tryscorer: Deleni Paitai
Ash Quinlan provides so much in this Bulldogs attack but she continues to be a defensive spot on Canterbury’s left edge. The Raiders cashed in four times targeting the spaces around Quinlan whenever they worked into good-ball last week and I’m expecting Wests to do the same here.
Raecene McGregor slotted her first NRLW field-goal last week in what is already a career year for the veteran half. She’s playing with time and space courtesy of a winning Tigers forward rotation and I like her to pull apart this Bulldogs left edge a few times.
Harmony Crichton had some promising involvements (and a maiden NRLW try) at right centre last week and can fight her way into the in-goal in the corner here.
Prediction: Wests Tigers 13+
Anytime Tryscorer: Harmony Crichton
