NRL 2026 Round 8 – Betting Tips & Predictions

Anzac Day footy always brings out the best in the players, and we have the classic rivalry between the Dragons and Roosters to kick off the day, followed by the Warriors and Dolphins, and then wrapping things up with the Storm and Rabbitohs. The Panthers remain at the top of the table, but they do have a few teams still breathing down their necks.

Get ready for all the Round 8 action with our NRL betting tips. The BettingTop10 provided their guidance for all eight games this round. 

What a game to kick Round 8 off! It’s always a treat to see the Tigers play at Leichhardt Oval, and when they are sitting in third spot on the ladder as well, the place will be packed. The Tigers just couldn’t get over the line last time out against the Broncos, going down by just one point. That loss put an end to their three-game winning streak. The Raiders are slowly starting to look like the team that won the minor Premiership last season, and have chalked up back-to-back wins.

I don’t think the Tigers will make too many changes to their lineup, but look out for Jahream Bula and Adam Doueihi taking knocks in their last game; they might be in doubt for this one. For the Raiders, Hudson Young is out for two weeks for his high tackle in the Storm game, and big Josh Papali’i is out due to injury. The Raiders are still an inconsistent side, and with some key players missing, take the Tigers to win.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Tigers to win	NZ$1.50
	Tigers to win	NZ$1.56
	Tigers to win	NZ$1.50

Predicted Squads

Wests Tigers - Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, Taylan May, Patrick Herbert, Heamasi Makasini, Jarome Luai, Adam Doueihi, Terrell May, Api Koroisau, Fonua Pole, Samuela Fainu, Kai Pearce-Paul, Alex Twal, Jock Madden, Sione Fainu, Royce Hunt, Alex Seyfarth, Latu Fainu & Luke Laulilii

Canberra Raiders - Kaeo Weekes, Sebastian Kris, Simi Sasagi, Matthew Timoko, Jed Stuart, Ethan Strange, Ethan Sanders, Ata Mariota, Tom Starling, Joe Tapine, Zac Hosking, Noah Martin, Corey Horsburgh, Jayden Brailey, Morgan Smithies, Joe Roddy, Jake Clydsdale, Daine Laurie & Owen Pattie

Kicking off Friday’s games are the Cowboys and Sharks. I don’t know what I was watching in the Cowboys’ last game, but the Sea Eagles wiped the floor with them, up at Queensland Country Bank Stadium as well! The Cowboys do get a chance for redemption, though, as they are playing up in Townsville for this game. The Sharks had to stew on their Round 6 defeat to the Roosters for a while, as they had the bye last round.

The Cowboys were looking strong coming into their clash with the Sea Eagles last time out, but that performance just shows how inconsistent they really are. In some good news, both Reed Mahoney and Murray Taulagi should be back for the Cowboys. The Sharks have won the two clashes with the Cowboys in 2025, both by fairly convincing margins as well. I think this one will be closer, but the Sharks are good enough to get the win on the road.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Sharks to win	NZ$1.77
	Sharks to win	NZ$1.73
	Sharks to win	NZ$1.77

Predicted Squads

North Queensland Cowboys - Scott Drinkwater, Braidon Burns, Jaxon Purdue, Tom Chester, 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, Zac Laybutt & Mason Barber

Cronulla Sharks - Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Mawene Hiroti, KL Iro, Sam Stonestreet, Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Toby Rudolf, Billy Burns, Teig Wilton, Jesse Colquhoun, Briton Nikora, Siosifa Talakai, Oregon Kaufusi, Thomas Hazelton, Hohepa Puru & Tuku Hau Tapuha

This one presents as an intriguing affair. We saw the Broncos get somewhat of a surprising win over the Tigers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium last time out (albeit by one point, but a win’s a win). Meanwhile, the Bulldogs suffered a shock defeat to the Eels. The Bulldogs will be keen to bounce back against a heavily undermanned Broncos team, and the Dogs do get their captain, Stephen Crichton, back for this game.

Adam Reynolds effectively single-handedly won the game for the Broncos against the Tigers last time out. Now, the Broncos face even more injuries, with the key out of Payne Haas due to an MCL, and both Kotini Staggs (foot) and Jesse Arthurs (calf) are in doubt. The news gets worse, though, as it has been reported that Corey Jensen has been hospitalised with a pulmonary embolism. Even at Suncorp Stadium, this looks difficult for the Broncos.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Bulldogs to win	NZ$1.58
	Bulldogs to win	NZ$1.59
	Bulldogs to win	NZ$1.58

Predicted Squads

Brisbane Broncos - Hayze Perham, Josiah Karapani, Deine Mariner, Gehamat Shibasaki, Antonio Verhoeven, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds, Xavier Willison, Cory Paix, Jaiyden Hunt, Brendan Piakura, Jordan Riki, Jack Gosiewski, Thomas Duffy, Ben Talty, Va'a Semu, Cam Bukowski & Josh Rogers

Canterbury Bulldogs - Connor Tracey, Jonathan Sua, Stephen Crichton, Bronson Xerri, Marcelo Montoya, Matt Burton, Lachlan Galvin, Samuel Hughes, Bailey Hayward, Leo Thompson, Viliame Kikau, Jacob Preston, Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann, Sitili Tupouniua, Harry Hayes, Jake Turpin, Josh Curran & Sean O'Sullivan

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

1. The Tigers always seem to grow an extra leg when playing at Leichhardt Oval, and they are coming up against a Raiders team that is without Hudson Young and Josh Papali’i. The Tigers should win this one.
2. Saying that the Broncos have a lot of players missing at the moment is a massive understatement. They did beat the Tigers on the road last time out, but more players are out since then. The Bulldogs look the more likely team.
3. The Warriors are back to their winning ways, while the Dolphins have lost their last three. Don’t complicate things; take the Warriors to get the win in front of their home crowd.

Multi of the Week

My multi of the week comes across three different games in Round 8:

• Leg 1 - Wests Tigers vs Canberra Raiders
• Leg 2 - Brisbane Broncos vs Canterbury Bulldogs
• Leg 3 - New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins

Anzac Day footy wouldn’t be Anzac Day footy without the Dragons and Roosters. But there is a lot of off-field drama coming into this one. Shane Flanagan finally got the boot after yet another Dragons defeat in Round 7. Can the Dragons pull a Sea Eagles and win three on the trot under their new interim coach, Dean Young? The Roosters are the heavy favourites for this one, and they have won their last three in a row over the Sea Eagles, Sharks and Knights.

All three of the Roosters’ last matches were high scoring, and so were the last two matches between these teams. The 2025 Anzac Day match between the Dragons and Roosters resulted in a 46-18 Roosters win. With the weather looking good for Saturday, expect a fast, dry track that could produce a lot of points. The Roosters are unlikely to show mercy and put the cue on the rack if they get a decent lead early in the piece.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Total Points - Over 50.5	NZ$1.75
	Roosters Total Points - Over 33.5	NZ$1.85
	Total Points - Over 50.5	NZ$1.75

Predicted Squads

St. George Illawarra Dragons - Tyrell Sloan, David Fale, Mathew Feagai, Hayden Buchanan, Setu Tu, Daniel Atkinson, Kyle Flanagan, Emre Guler, Damien Cook, Toby Couchman, Luciano Leilua, Hame Sele, Hamish Stewart, Kade Reed, Blake Lawrie, Jacob Halanaghu, Ryan Couchman, Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga & Josh Kerr

Sydney Roosters - James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Hugo Savala, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Daly Cherry-Evans, Sam Walker, Naufahu Whyte, Reece Robson, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Siua Wong, Victor Radley, Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu, Nat Butcher, Salesi Foketi, Cody Ramsey & Billy Smith

The middle Anzac Day game sees the Warriors welcome the Dolphins to Wellington. The Warriors have been performing pretty well this season, and they currently sit second on the ladder. Their win over the Storm two games back was impressive, and they built on that last time out, taking down the Titans, 28-20. The Dolphins, on the other hand, have been on a little bit of a slide as of late, losing their last three to the Broncos, Sea Eagles and Panthers. 

That loss to the Panthers last time out was particularly heartbreaking, as the game went to Golden Point, but a Nathan Cleary field goal sealed the Dolphins’ fate. For the Dolphins, Kodi Nikorima is out for two weeks after his shot on Mitch Kenny. Some other players, like Kurt Donoghoe and Jeremy Marshall-King, are nearing a return, but it remains to be seen if they’ll make an appearance in this one.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Warriors to win	NZ$1.47
	Warriors to win	NZ$1.52
	Warriors to win	NZ$1.47

Predicted Squads

New Zealand Warriors - Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Adam Pompey, Ali Leiataua, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Tanah Boyd, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Jackson Ford, Leka Halasima, Kurt Capewell, Erin Clark, Sam Healey, Marata Niukore, Demitric Vaimauga, Jacob Laban, Taine Tuaupiki & Alofiana Khan-Pereira

Dolphins - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Jake Averillo, Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo, Brad Schneider, Isaiya Katoa, Tom Gilbert, Max Plath, Felise Kaufusi, Connelly Lemuelu, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Morgan Knowles, Kurt Donoghoe, Tom Flegler, Ray Stone, Francis Molo, Oryn Keeley & Trai Fuller

The Storm need a win, and they need it badly. They have lost five in a row (the first time since 2012!) and are on a massive wobble right now, but they are still the favourites for the final Anzac Day match. This might have a little something to do with the fact that the Rabbitohs are 0-20 in their last 20 games against the Storm in Melbourne. The Storm are also 36-7 in the 43 games played between these two teams. 

However, those are just stats, and there has never been a better time to change that, if you’re a Rabbitohs fan! The Rabbitohs have won three of their last four games, with their only loss coming to the Raiders, 34-36. Matt Dufty was quite impressive for the Rabbitohs in his return to the NRL last time out, and I think he’ll play another key role in this game. Melbourne is still Melbourne, and I’m just not confident enough to tip against them at AAMI Park.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Rabbitohs +6.5	NZ$1.60
	First 10 Minutes Points Handicap - Rabbitohs +0.5	NZ$1.42
	Rabbitohs +6.5	NZ$1.60

Predicted Squads

Melbourne Storm - Sua Fa'alogo, Will Warbrick, Jack Howarth, Nick Meaney, Manaia Waitere, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Stefano Utoikamanu, Harry Grant, Josh King, Ativalu Lisati, Shawn Blore, Trent Loiero, Tyran Wishart, Alec MacDonald, Jack Hetherington, Cooper Clark, Joe Chan & Hugo Peel

South Sydney Rabbitohs - Matt Dufty, Alex Johnston, Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham, Cody Walker, Jamie Humphreys, Tevita Tatola, Brandon Smith, Keaon Koloamatangi, Lachlan Hubner, Tallis Duncan, Cameron Murray, Peter Mamouzelos, Bronson Garlick, Sean Keppie, Jayden Sullivan, Edward Kosi & Thomas Fletcher

The first of two Sunday games sees the Knights welcome the Panthers to McDonald Jones Stadium. The Knights’ surprising run of form has come to an end with back-to-back losses to the Tigers and the Roosters. They do still sit in the top eight, though, but will likely slip down further with another loss here. The Panthers were close to suffering back-to-back losses, but a Golden Point field goal from Nathan Cleary broke the hearts of Dolphin fans in Darwin.

The Knights' forward line-up is getting a little skinny, and now Thomas Cant is out for several weeks after injuring his calf before the clash with the Roosters. For the Panthers, we see Mitch Kenny out for at least a couple of months after fracturing his leg against the Dolphins. The Knights have conceded a lot of points this season (180 in total), and I think the Panthers are just waiting to take advantage of that.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Total Points - Over 48.5	NZ$1.75
	Panthers Total Points - 30.5	NZ$1.91
	Total Points - Over 48.5	NZ$1.75

Predicted Squads

Newcastle Knights - Fletcher Sharpe, Dominic Young, Dane Gagai, Fletcher Hunt, Greg Marzhew, Sandon Smith, Dylan Brown, Jacob Saifiti, Phoenix Crossland, Trey Mooney, Francis Manuleleua, Jermaine McEwen, Mat Croker, Harrison Graham, Pasami Saulo, Cody Hopwood, Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana, Kyle McCarthy & Peter Hola

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, Luke Garner, Isaah Yeo, Jack Cogger, Scott Sorensen, Kalani Going, Billy Phillips, Sione Fonua & Izack Tago

Wrapping up Round 8 are the Sea Eagles and Eels. The Eels put on a great performance for the old boys in Round 7 and ended up walking away with a surprise victory over the Bulldogs. Are they good enough to build on that performance against a Manly side that saw Tommy Turbo go down with yet another hamstring injury in his last game? The Sea Eagles continue to build on their winning streak under Kieran Foran, and they have won three in a row.

The way the Sea Eagles came out against the Cowboys up in Townsville was very impressive, and they got a 38-6 win. The likes of Sean Russell, Sam Tuivaiti and Kelma Tuilagi should all return for the Eels. Tom Trbojevic is a massive out for the Sea Eagles, and I also think they may underestimate the Eels. The Sea Eagles are the clear favourite, but this one could be closer than many think.

Bookmaker	Katherine’s Tip	Odds
	Eels +6.5	NZ$1.95
	First 10 Minutes Points Handicap - Eels +0.5	NZ$1.48
	Eels +6.5	NZ$1.95

Predicted Squads

Manly Sea Eagles - Tolu Koula, Jason Saab, Clayton Faulalo, Reuben Garrick, Lehi Hopoate, Luke Brooks, Jamal Fogarty, Taniela Paseka, Brandon Wakeham, Kobe Hetherington, Haumole Olakau'atu, Ben Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Jake Simpkin, Corey Waddell, Ethan Bullemor, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Nathan Brown & Josh Feledy

Parramatta Eels - Joash Papali'i, Brian Kelly, Will Penisini, Sean Russell, Josh Addo-Carr, Ronald Volkman, Mitchell Moses, Luca Moretti, Ryley Smith, Junior Paulo, Kelma Tuilagi, Jack Williams, Dylan Walker, Tallyn Da Silva, Sam Tuivaiti, Charlie Guymer, Saxon Pryke, Teancum Brown & Araz Nanva

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