NRL 2026 Round 23 – Betting Tips & Predictions

Round 23 is Indigenous Round, and we’ve got a couple of top-eight clashes to boot! The game of the round is probably on Friday night when the third-placed Warriors welcome the first-placed Panthers to Go Media Stadium. With just a handful of rounds to go, everyone’s eyes are well and truly on the finals.

Teams like the Cowboys, Sea Eagles, and Raiders are still in with a shot, but wins are critical at this stage. Whereas we won’t see teams like the Storm and Broncos in the finals this season! Round 23 kicks off in the traditional Thursday night time slot, with the Titans up against the Cowboys.

We’re up on the Gold Coast for the first game of the round when the Titans play host to the Cowboys. Both teams are coming off heavy losses last time out, but it was the Cowboys’ loss that was especially newsworthy. The Cowboys went down to the Roosters, 12-82, in one of the heaviest defeats on record. The Cowboys are sitting just outside the top-eight, and they not only need to win, but need to win big to help their points differential. 

The Titans are out of contention for the finals, and have been for a while. However, other than their defeat last time out, they had been playing some decent footy. They had back-to-back wins over the Dragons and Sea Eagles, and kept things close against the Storm the game before that. Will both coaches make some major changes to their playing 13 considering the significant losses they both suffered last time out?

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Total Points - Over 44.5	NZ$1.60
	First Half Total Points - Over 23.5	NZ$1.85
	Total Points - Over 44.5	NZ$1.60

Predicted Squads

Gold Coast Titans - Keano Kini, Dean Ieremia, Jojo Fifita, AJ Brimson, Phillip Sami, Jayden Campbell, Lachlan Ilias, Moeaki Fotuaika, Oliver Pascoe, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Arama Hau, Beau Fermor, Chris Randall, Kurtis Morrin, Josh Patston, Klese Haas, Cooper Bai, Sam Verrills & Jaylan De Groot

North Queensland Cowboys - Scott Drinkwater, Braidon Burns, Zac Laybutt, Tom Chester, Murray Tualagi, Jaxon Purdue, Jake Clifford, Tom Mikaele, Reed Mahoney, Jason Taumalolo, Heilum Luki, Jeremiah Nanai, Rueben Cotter, Soni Luke, Coen Hess, Matthew Lodge, Ethan King, John Bateman & Sam McIntyre

This shapes up to be the game of the round when we see two top-four teams face off. The Warriors are at home as the Panthers make their way across the ditch. Both teams have won three of their last five games, and they both won their last game. The Warriors beat the Titans 42-6, and the Panthers beat the Raiders 42-18. The Warriors will be hoping to finish in the top two, which means they get home games up until the Grand Final.

These two teams played each other back in Round 13, and that was an epic game, with the Panthers just scraping through, 20-18. For the home side, Demitric Vaimauga is in some doubt for this game once again after a rib injury. On the other side, Dylan Edwards will probably sit out this one as well, plus Casey McLean is out after breaking his thumb last time out.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Warriors +5.5	NZ$1.90
	Tries Handicap - Warriors +1.5	NZ$1.57
	Warriors +5.5	NZ$1.90

Predicted Squads

New Zealand Warriors - Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Ali Leiataua, Leka Halasima, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Te Maire Martin, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Mitch Barnett, Kurt Capewell, Jacob Laban, Erin Clark, Sam Healey, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Demitric Vaimauga, Adam Pompey, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava & Luke Metcalf

Penrith Panthers - Jaxen Edgar, Thomas Jenkins, Izack Tago, Paul Alamoti, Brian To'o, Jack Cogger, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Freddy Lussick, Lindsay Smith, Liam Martin, Isaiah Papali'i, Isaah Yeo, Billy Scott, Scott Sorensen, Liam Henry, Billy Phillips, Blaize Talagi & Jack Cole

Another top-eight clash awaits us when the second-placed Roosters face off against the eighth-placed Bulldogs. In the last few rounds, the Roosters have been winning but haven’t exactly been at their best. They were certainly at their red-hot best last time out, as they piled on a whopping 82 points on the Cowboys. The Bulldogs have seemingly found their form at the right time as well, winning four of their last five, including their last three in a row.

As if things couldn’t get any better for the Roosters, they look set to welcome back Billy Smith, with the likes of Daniel Tupou and Lindsay Collins the only key players missing from the starting line-up. The same can be said for the Bulldogs, who welcome back Sitili Tupouniua for the first time since Round 16, and they have a virtually healthy squad. The Roosters have one of the best attacks in the game, so I think more points are on the cards in this game.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Total Points - Over 44.5	NZ$1.90
	Total Tries - Over 7.5	NZ$1.70
	Total Points - Over 44.5	NZ$1.90

Predicted Squads

Sydney Roosters - James Tedesco, Billy Smith, Hugo Savala, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Daly Cherry-Evans, Sam Walker, Naufahu Whyte, Reece Robson, Spencer Leniu, Nat Butcher, Siua Wong, Victor Radley, Connor Watson, Salesi Foketi, Egan Butcher, Taylor Losalu, Cody Ramsay & Fetalaiga Pauga

Canterbury Bulldogs - Connor Tracey, Jacob Kiraz, Matt Burton, Enari Tuala, Jethro Rinakama, Stephen Crichton, Lachlan Galvin, Max King, Bailey Hayward, Leo Thompson, Jacob Preston, Viliame Kikau, Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann, Harry Hayes, Sitili Tupouniua, Josh Curran, Jack Underhill & Sean O'Sullivan

A lot is happening this round, but here are the key factors that will most likely impact your bets:

1. The Titans had 42 points put on them last time out, and the Cowboys had 82. Each team’s defence has been shaky this season, and their attack is good enough to pile on the points. Expect a high-scoring affair.
2. More injuries to key players for the Storm side, and now they are out of contention for the finals; will they show up? The Sea Eagles are still in the hunt, so they should be hungrier for the win.
3. The Dolphins are fighting for a top-four spot, while the Broncos are out of contention. This shapes up to be another clash between a team that has nothing to play for against one that has everything to play for.

Multi of the Week

My multi of the week comes across three different games in Round 23:

• Leg 1 - Gold Coast Titans vs North Queensland Cowboys
• Leg 2 - Melbourne Storm vs Manly Sea Eagles
• Leg 3 - Dolphins vs Brisbane Broncos

We kick things off on Saturday by heading out west to Perth! The Storm are effectively out of finals contention for the first time since 2010. Meanwhile, the Sea Eagles still have a chance, but they’ll need to win pretty much the rest of their games, and hope other results fall their way as well. One thing that is helping the Sea Eagles is their points differential, which is currently sitting at +90, and could potentially shoot them up to seventh if results fall their way this round. 

It was only back in Round 17 that we saw the Sea Eagles and Storm play each other, and on that occasion, it was the Sea Eagles that won, 30-4. There are a few question marks around both Jack Howarth and Jahrome Hughes for this game for the Storm, so watch this space. For the Sea Eagles, both Corey Waddell and Clayton Faulalo are getting close, but may still be out for a round or so.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Sea Eagles to win	NZ$1.61
	Sea Eagles to win	NZ$1.60
	Sea Eagles to win	NZ$1.61

Predicted Squads

Melbourne Storm - Sua Fa’alogo, Suilagi Tuimalatu-Brown, Jack Howarth, Nick Meaney, Moses Leo, Tyran Wishart, Jahrome Hughes, Stefano Utoikamanu, Trent Toelau, Josh King, Cooper Clark, Oryn Keeley, Trent Loiero, Hayden Watson, Jack Hetherington, Shawn Blore, Alec MacDonald, Joe Chan & Manaia Waitere

Manly Sea Eagles - Lehi Hopoate, Jason Saab, Josh Feledy, Reuben Garrick, Tolo Koula, Joey Walsh, Jamal Fogarty, Taniela Paseka, Jake Simpkin, Simione Laiafi, Haumole Olakau'atu, Ethan Bullemore, Jake Trbojevic, Nicholas Lenaz, Nathan Brown, Kobe Hetherington, Corey Waddell, Clayton Faulalo & Blake Wilson

It’s another all-Queensland affair when we see the Dolphins and Broncos fight it out at Suncorp Stadium. The Dolphins have put their 0-66 loss to the Sharks to bed, winning back-to-back games now over the Cowboys and Dragons. For the Broncos, I actually gave them a chance against an injury-riddled Knights squad, but they simply didn’t show up. Now, it looks like they’re just waiting for the season to be over.

This shapes up to be an interesting game, as the Dolphins are fighting for potentially a top-four spot, while the 2025 Premiers are only fighting for pride. It looks like the Dolphins are another squad that’s peaking at the right time, and they are virtually back to full strength. It’s certainly a different story for the Broncos, who will be without their star Adam Reynolds for this one.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Dolphins to win	NZ$1.44
	Dolphins to win	NZ$1.44
	Dolphins to win	NZ$1.44

Predicted Squads

Dolphins - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Jack Bostock, Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiya Katoa, Tom Flegler, Jeremy Marshall-King, Francis Molo, Connelly Lemuelu, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Morgan Knowles, Kurt Donoghoe, Max Plath, Tom Gilbert, Felise Kaufusi, Brad Schneider & Tevita Naufahu

Brisbane Broncos - Reece Walsh, Josiah Karapani, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Deine Mariner, Ezra Mam, Tom Duffy, Va'a Semu, Cory Paix, Payne Haas, Xavier Willison, Jordan Riki, Pat Carrigan, Ben Hunt, Ben Talty, Jaiyden Hunt, Grant Anderson, Billy Walters & Aublix Tawha

The Rabbitohs are sitting just inside the top-eight, and really need a win over the Eels if they want to remain there. It’s not like the Rabbitohs have been that consistent as of late, though, going L-W-L-W-L in their last five games. The Eels did manage to get the win last time out over the Tigers, and if you watched that game, you deserve a medal! Error after error. No team deserved the two points from that game. 

These two sides have played each other once this season, which was back in Round 17, and the Rabbitohs pulled off a convincing 32-12 win. Cameron Murray may return to the field for this game, but we will see David Fifita, who returns from suspension for the Rabbitohs. Tallis Duncan may also return for the Rabbitohs. A trio of Eels stars (Luca Moretti, Sean Russell, and Bailey Simonsson) may be back this week, in a much-needed boost.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Rabbitohs -7.5	NZ$1.90
	Tries Handicap - Rabbitohs -2.5	NZ$2.70
	Rabbitohs -7.5	NZ$1.90

Predicted Squads

South Sydney Rabbitohs - Matt Dufty, Campbell Graham, Tallis Duncan, Jack Wighton, Alex Johnston, Cody Walker, Ashton Ward, Tevita Tatola, Bronson Garlick, Keaon Koloamatangi, David Fifita, Euan Aitken, Cameron Murray, Lachlan Hubner, Jamie Humphreys, John Radel, Jye Gray, Liam Le Blanc & Adam Elliott

Parramatta Eels - Isaiah Iongi, Bailey Simonsson, Jordan Samrani, Will Penisini, Josh Addo-Carr, Ronald Volkman, Mitchell Moses, Junior Paulo, Tallyn Da Silva, Jack Williams, Kelma Tuilagi, Kitione Kautoga, Jack De Bellin, Dylan Walker, Luca Moretti, Sam Tuivaiti, Teancum Brown, Sean Russell & Brian Kelly

The Raiders and Knights kick off Sunday footy action in Round 23. I’ve been asking this for a while, but have the Raiders left their run to the finals too late? They are currently sitting in 11th spot on the ladder, and don’t exactly have the best points differential either, so they’ll need to bag the two Premiership points. The Raiders had their winning streak broken last time out at the hands of the Panthers, 18-42.

Meanwhile, the Knights got a surprising win over the Broncos, 30-6 (it was surprising considering how many injuries they have). The Knights are now sitting in sixth spot and could very well play finals this season without some of their biggest stars. For the Raiders, expect Simi Sasagi to miss this game as well with a hamstring injury. Both Jermaine McEwen and Phoenix Crossland could be in doubt for the Knights.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Raiders to win	NZ$1.77
	Raiders to win	NZ$TBA
	Raiders to win	NZ$1.77

Predicted Squads

Canberra Raiders - Kaeo Weekes, Jed Stuart, Sebastian Kris, Matthew Timoko, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange, Ethan Sanders, Josh Papalii, Owen Pattie, Joe Tapine, Zac Hosking, Matty Nicholson, Corey Horsburgh, Tom Starling, Morgan Smithies, Joe Roddy, Ata Mariota, Daine Laurie & Savelio Tamale

Newcastle Knights - Kalyn Ponga, Dominic Young, Dane Gagai, Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew, Fletcher Sharpe, Sandon Smith, Cody Hopwood, Phoenix Crossland, Trey Mooney, Francis Manuleleua, Jermaine McEwen, Mat Croker, Fletcher Hunt, Tyson Frizell, Thomas Cant, Lachlan Crouch, Brodie Jones & Harrison Graham

Last, but not least, we have the Dragons welcoming the Sharks to Kogarah. The Dragons have been well and truly out of finals contention for a while now, and have been cemented at the bottom of the ladder for virtually the entire season. The Sharks, on the other hand, are another side that’s running hot at the moment, and this streak (which currently sits at five wins) could see them hold onto a top-four spot.

We may not see Toby Couchman for the Dragons in this game after he failed his HIA last time out against the Dolphins. For the Sharks, KL Iro also failed his HIA and is set to miss this game. Siosifa Talakai is also out with a bicep injury, and he could miss three weeks (or more). The Sharks are flying at the moment, and with a spot in the top-four to protect, they’ll come out firing for this one. 

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Dragons +15.5	NZ$1.90
	Dragons +15.5	NZ$TBA
	Dragons +15.5	NZ$1.90

Predicted Squads

St. George Illawarra Dragons - Clint Gutherson, Setu Tu, Moses Suli, Valentine Holmes, Christian Tuipulotu, Lyhkan King-Togia, Kyle Flanagan, Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga, Damien Cook, Toby Couchman, Dylan Egan, Hamish Stewart, Ryan Couchman, Jacob Liddle, Emre Guler, Josh Kerr, Jacob Halangahu, Mathew Feagai & Daniel Atkinson

Cronulla Sharks - Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien, Mawene Hiroti, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Tom Hazelton, Blayke Brailey, Addin Fanua-Blake, Briton Nikora, Jesse Colquhoun, Cam McInnes, Jayden Berrell, Oregon Kaufusi, Toby Rudolf, Teig Wilton, Billy Burns & Sam Stonestreet

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