NRL 2026 Round 5
Dolphins vs Manly Sea Eagles
Kicking off the round of Easter footy action are the Dolphins and Sea Eagles. Both teams are coming off losses last time out, with the Dolphins going down to the Broncos 12-26, and the Sea Eagles losing to the Roosters, 16-33. The Sea Eagles have certainly had a difficult start to the season, going 0-3, and now they have sacked their head coach, Anthony Seibold. Kieran Foran, who only retired from the game in 2025, is the interim coach.
For the Sea Eagles, Jason Saab will be out for one game for a high shot on Hugo Savala. The last two games between the Dolphins and Sea Eagles have been high-scoring affairs. Looking at both their games so far this season, they all seem to have a lot of points in them. No matter what’s been happening off the field, these are two teams that don’t have the best defence.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
 | Total Points - Over 48.5 | NZ$1.90 |
 | Dolphins Total Points - Over 29.5 | NZ$1.89 |
 | Total Points - Over 48.5 | NZ$1.90 |
Predicted Squads
Dolphins - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Jake Averillo, Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiya Katoa, Tom Gilbert, Max Plath, Francis Molo, Connelly Lemuelu, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Morgan Knowles, Kurt Donoghoe, Tom Flegler, Felise Kaufusi & Oryn Keeley
Manly Sea Eagles - Tom Trbojevic, Clayton Faulalo, Tolu Koula, Reuben Garrick, Lehi Hopoate, Luke Brooks, Jamal Fogarty, Taniela Paseka, Jake Simpkin, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Haumole Olakau'atu, Ben Trbojevic, Kobe Hetherington, Nathan Brown, Jake Trbojevic, Brandon Wakeham & Corey Waddell
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury Bulldogs
Good Friday footy returns to Accor Stadium as the Rabbitohs and Bulldogs do battle. The Rabbitohs had their bye last round, but will be looking to build on the momentum from their last win over the Tigers. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs will be looking to get back on track after a surprising loss to the Knights at home saw their two-game winning streak (over the Dragons and Raiders) snapped.
Campbell Graham should be back for the Rabbitohs, while Sam Hughes looks set to return for the Bulldogs. Although it does look like Josh Curran is in doubt for this game for the Bulldogs, after leaving the field with a rib issue. This one shapes up to be a close battle. The Rabbitohs will be rested, but have lost their last two games to the Bulldogs. I’m going to take a chance on the Rabbitohs; their star players love to stand up in the big moments.
Predicted Squads
South Sydney Rabbitohs - Jye Gray, Alex Johnston, Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham, Cody Walker, Jamie Humphreys, Tevita Tatola, Brandon Smith, Keaon Koloamatangi, David Fifita, Tallis Duncan, Cameron Murray, Bronson Garlick, Sean Keppie, Jayden Sullivan & Tom Fletcher
Canterbury Bulldogs - Connor Tracey, Jacob Kiraz, Enari Tuala, Stephen Crichton, Marcelo Montoya, Matt Burton, Lachlan Galvin, Max King, Bailey Hayward, Samuel Hughes, Viliame Kikau, Jacob Preston, Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann, Sitili Tupouniua, Harry Hayes & Lipoi Hopoi
Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm
The Friday night game sees the Panthers up against the Storm. I can’t remember the last time I saw the Storm with odds in the $3.00’s! I get that the Panthers are firing on all cylinders, and the Storm have their struggles at the moment, but $3.00+ seems very generous to me. The Panthers are yet to lose this year, while the Storm have suffered back-to-back losses to the Broncos and Cowboys.
Mitch Kenny will be out for the Panthers after copping a one-match ban for his hip drop. Things are a little bit more dicey for the Storm. Nick Meaney was a late scratching for their last game, and could miss this one again. Jack Howarth left the field with a hip issue last time out. Plus, Tui Kamikamica suffered a major health scare off the field on Monday. He was rushed to hospital after suffering a suspected stroke. Not a lot of value for the Panthers, but going to play it safe.
Predicted Squads
Penrith Panthers - Dylan Edwards, Thomas Jenkins, Paul Alamoti, Casey McLean, Brian To'o, Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Freddy Lussick, Lindsay Smith, Isaiah Papali'i, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Jack Cogger, Billy Phillips, Scott Sorensen & Luke Garner
Melbourne Storm - Sua Fa'alogo, Will Warbrick, Jack Howarth, Moses Leo, Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Stefano Utoikamanu, Harry Grant, Josh King, Joe Chan, Alec MacDonald, Trent Loiero, Tyran Wishart, Jack Hetherington, Davvy Moale & Cooper Clark
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs North Queensland Cowboys
The bottom-of-the-table Dragons welcome the Cowboys to Kogarah on Saturday. The Dragons are yet to chalk up their first win of the 2026 season and have losses to the Bulldogs, Storm, Eels, and Titans. The Cowboys, on the other hand, have back-to-back wins over the Titans and Storm. The two teams have played each other 40 times since 1998, and it’s the Cowboys who have won on 23 occasions, including the last two.
With the Cowboys coming into this one in some sort of form, you’d have to give them the edge. Especially considering Kyle Flanagan will miss at least this game for the Dragons after being stretchered off the field and taken to hospital in the game against the Titans. The bookmakers have this one close, but I think the Cowboys can get the job done on the road. I don’t have any confidence tipping the Dragons anymore.
Predicted Squads
St. George Illawarra Dragons - Clint Gutherson, Christian Tuipulotu, Moses Suli, Valentine Holmes, Tyrell Sloan, Lyhkan King-Togia, Daniel Atkinson, Emre Guler, Damien Cook, Toby Couchman, Luciano Leilua, Jaydn Su'A, Hame Sele, Jacob Liddle, Josh Kerr, Blake Lawrie & Hamish Stewart
North Queensland Cowboys - Scott Drinkwater, Braidon Burns, Jaxon Purdue, Zac Laybutt, Murray Taulagi, Jake Clifford, Tom Dearden, Coen Hess, Reed Mahoney, Jason Taumalolo, Heilum Luki, Sam McIntyre, Reuben Cotter, Soni Luke, Griffin Neame, Thomas Mikaele & Matthew Lodge
Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos
After tackling the Dolphins last time out, the Broncos face another Queensland team in the Titans. The Broncos got off to the rockiest of starts but have started to stabilise slightly, thanks to back-to-back wins over the Storm and Dolphins. The Titans managed to get their first win on the board last round after beating the bottom of the table Dragons, 22-14. The Broncos have been quite dominant in this matchup, winning 26 of the 39 games they have played.
Grant Anderson suffered an MCL rupture in the Broncos’ last game and will miss a couple of months. Josiah Karapani will also be absent due to disciplinary reasons after a nightclub incident at Fortitude Valley following the team’s win. Even without some of their usual starters, the Broncos should take care of the Titans. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Titans put up a fight, but a big win for the Broncos is on the cards.
Predicted Squads
Gold Coast Titans - Keano Kini, Sialetili Faeamani, Jojo Fifita, AJ Brimson, Phillip Sami, Lachlan Ilias, Jayden Campbell, Klese Haas, Sam Verrills, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Arama Hau, Beau Fermor, Chris Randall, Kurtis Morrin, Moeaki Fotuaika, Max Feagai & Cooper Bai
Brisbane Broncos - Reece Walsh, Deine Mariner, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Jesse Arthars, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds, Corey Jensen, Cory Paix, Xavier Willison, Brendan Piakura, Jordan Riki, Patrick Carrigan, Ben Hunt, Ben Talty, Aublix Tawha & Jack Gosiewski
Cronulla Sharks vs New Zealand Warriors
To kick things off on Sunday afternoon, we have the Sharks welcome the Warriors to Ocean Protect Stadium. The Sharks travelled to Canberra last time out and snagged a win over the Raiders, 34-22. Meanwhile, the Warriors suffered the shock loss of the round, going down to the Tigers in New Zealand, 14-32. The Warriors will obviously be looking to bounce back so they can maintain their high position on the ladder.
The last two games these teams have played have both gone to the Warriors, and interestingly, those two wins also came at this ground. So, while the Warriors only have a 35% win rate at this stadium, they have won the last two. The Warriors come into this clash as the underdogs, but I think they have a decent enough chance of winning this. The Sharks are inconsistent, and the performance the Warriors put together against the Tigers seemed a little uncharacteristic.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
| Warriors +3.5 | NZ$1.90 |
| Sharks First Half Points - Under 12.5 | NZ$1.80 |
| Warriors +3.5 | NZ$1.90 |
Predicted Squads
Cronulla Sharks - Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien, KL Iro, Sam Stonestreet, Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Thomas Hazelton, Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton, Jesse Colquhoun, Sifa Talakai, Toby Rudolf, Oregon Kaufusi & Braden Uele
New Zealand Warriors - Taine Tuaupiki, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Adam Pompey, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Luke Metcalf, Tanah Boyd, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Jackson Ford, Leka Halasima, Jacob Laban, Erin Clark, Sam Healey, Marata Niukore, Demitric Vaimauga & Tanner Stowers-Smith
Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders
Despite losing two of their key stars, the Knights managed to beat the Bulldogs on the road last time out, 24-16. The same luck wasn’t there for the Raiders, who went down to the Sharks at home, 22-34. It’s difficult to know what we’re going to get from the Knights, and the difference between their best and worst performances is massive. After a Golden Point win to kick off the season, the Raiders have gone on to lose their next three games.
Fletcher Sharpe may have re-injured his knee in the Knights’ game last time out, and a lot will be riding on his fitness, given that both Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown are still out. For the Raiders, Josh Papali’i has served his one-match ban and will return to the lineup. I think that will make the difference for the Raiders. Look for the Raiders to make a statement over the Knights on Sunday.
Predicted Squads
Newcastle Knights - Fletcher Hunt, Dominic Young, Dane Gagai, Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew, Fletcher Sharpe, Sandon Smith, Jacob Saifiti, Phoenix Crossland, Trey Mooney, Dylan Lucas, Jermaine McEwen, Mat Croker, Tyson Frizell, Cody Hopwood, Pasami Saulo & Thomas Cant
Canberra Raiders - Kaeo Weekes, Savielo Tamale, Simi Sasagi, Sebastian Kris, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange, Ethan Sanders, Josh Papali’i, Tom Starling, Joe Tapine, Hudson Young, Noah Martin, Corey Horsburgh, Jayden Brailey, Zac Hosking, Ata Mariota & Morgan Smithies
Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers
Easter Monday looks pretty good with the Eels and Tigers doing battle. An undermanned Tigers team were dominant against the then top of the table Warriors, in New Zealand. I believe that was the shock of the round, which was riddled with upsets. That performance still wasn’t good enough for the Tigers to come into this game as the favourites against the Eels. People (and bookmakers) are continuing to underestimate the Tigers, but they seem to be a genuine top-eight team.
The Eels couldn’t overcome the force that is the Panthers, and went down 48-20. They now sit 13th on the ladder. Both teams are dealing with injury troubles, but it seems like the Eels are the ones suffering the most. The Eels have lost J'maine Hopgood for the season, and now Isaiah Iongi and Matt Doorey look set for a stint on the sidelines. So why are the Tigers the underdogs?
Predicted Squads
Parramatta Eels - Joash Papali'i, Bailey Simonsson, Brian Kelly, Sean Russell, Josh Addo-Carr, Jonah Pezet, Mitchell Moses, Jack Williams, Ryley Smith, Junior Paulo, Kelma Tuilagi, Kitione Kautoga, Dylan Walker, Tallyn Da Silva, Sam Tuivaiti, Jack de Belin & Luca Moretti
Wests Tigers - Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, Starford To'a, Heamasi Makasini, Luke Laulilii, Jock Madden, Adam Doueihi, Terrell May, Api Koroisu, Fonua Pole, Samuela Fainu, Kai Pearce-Paul, Alex Twal, Jeral Skleton, Sione Fainu, Royce Hunt & Alex Seyfarth
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