NRL 2025 Round 11
To kick Round 11 off, we see two teams that are near the bottom of the ladder do battle. Both teams will obviously be desperate for a win, with the Knights winning just one of their last five and the Eels winning two of their last five. The Knights let a 20-6 half-time lead against the Titans disappear last time out and they ended up going down 20-24, with Brimson scoring his last of two tries in the 77th minute.
It was a disappointing loss at home for the Knights, but they remain at McDonald Jones Stadium for this clash against the Eels. The Eels couldn’t get the job done against the Dolphins last time out, going down 16-20, with their two missed conversion attempts really letting the team down. They could be in for a boost this time out, as Zac Lomax is a chance for returning one week early. At home, though, I have to side with the Knights, only just.
Newcastle Knights - Kalyn Ponga, James Schiller, Dane Gagai, Bradman Best, Kyle McCarthy, Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Jacob Saifiti, Phoenix Crossland, Leo Thompson, Dylan Lucas, Kai Pearce-Paul, Tyson Frizell, Jayden Brailey, Mat Croker, Adam Elliott & Thomas Cant
Parramatta Eels - Isaiah Iongi, Zac Lomax, Will Penisini, Sean Russell, Josh Addo-Carr, Dylan Brown, Mitch Moses, Jack Williams, Ryley Smith, Junior Paulo, Charlie Guymer, Kitione Kautoga, J'maine Hopgood, Dylan Walker, Luca Moretti, Jordan Samrani & Matt Doorey
The Bulldogs manufactured one of the best comeback victories I have seen in recent times. It looked all doom and gloom for the Dogs heading into half-time as they were 0-20 down. Then they did a complete 180 and piled on 32 points in the second half to win 32-20. Captain Crichton was essential in that game in getting the Bulldogs back in the fight. Now, they come up against the Roosters, who are sitting just outside the eight.
Fresh off a bye, the Roosters have been putting together some good performances as of late and have won their last two games against the Dragons and the Dolphins. The injuries and suspensions are starting to add up for the Dogs, with the likes of Enari Tuala, Sam Hughes, Jack Todd, Jacob Preston, Josh Curran and Sitili Tupouniua all sidelined. Meanwhile the Roosters look set to be unchanged from their last match.
Canterbury Bulldogs - Connor Tracey, Jacob Kiraz, Bronson Xerri, Stephen Crichton, Marcelo Montoya, Matt Burton, Toby Sexton, Max King, Reed Mahoney, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Viliame Kikau, Harry Hayes, Kurt Mann, Blake Taaffe, Kurtis Morrin, Bailey Hayward & Lipoi Hopoi
Sydney Roosters - James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Sandon Smith, Hugo Savala, Spencer Leniu, Connor Watson, Naufahu Whyte, Angus Crichton, Siua Wong, Victor Radley, Zach Dockar-Clay, Salesi Foketi, Blake Steep & Egan Butcher
The 12th-placed Dolphins are up against the second-placed Warriors on Saturday afternoon. I feel like the Dolphins are playing better than 12th, but are a little inconsistent at times. They have won three of their last five, including last time out, where they were just able to hold on against the Eels, winning 20-16. Meanwhile, the Warriors are coming into this game on a four-game winning streak, including wins against the Broncos, Knights, Cowboys and Dragons.
Both teams could be welcoming back some key players and with this clash up at Suncorp Stadium, I can see why the odds are close. The Dolphins are potentially getting Jeremy Marshall-King and Daniel Saifiti back into the fold, while the Warriors may see Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and James Fisher-Harris return. I have to go with consistency here and side with the Warriors. Their fans do tend to follow them around, so that may work in their favour.
Dolphins - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Jake Averillo, Herbie Farnworth, Jack Bostock, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiya Katoa, Daniel Saifiti, Jeremy Marshall-King, Felise Kaufusi, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Connelly Lemuelu, Tom Gilbert, Kurt Donoghoe, Mark Nicholls, Francis Molo & Ray Stone
New Zealand Warriors - Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Adam Pompey, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Taine Tuaupiki, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Luke Metcalf, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Mitch Barnett, Leka Halasima, Kurt Capewell, Erin Clark, Te Maire Martin, Jacob Laban, Demitric Vaimauga & Marata Niukore
Two tries in two minutes helped the Cowboys get back in contention last time out against the Panthers. However, it was only good enough for a 30-30 draw and they are now sitting in sixth place. Only a couple of steps down are the Sea Eagles, who went down to the Sharks, 14-30, last time out. The Sea Eagles will have to make the trip up to Queensland Country Bank Stadium and this will be the second game in a row at home for the Cowboys.
Jason Taumalolo was a late scratching for the Cowboys with a calf injury and it remains unclear whether he’ll be back this round. For the Sea Eagles, we could see Lachlan Croker back for his first game of the season after overcoming a knee injury. The Cowboys and Sea Eagles have already played this season, which resulted in a 42-12 win for the Sea Eagles. The Cowboys should win this, especially considering they are playing at home.
North Queensland Cowboys - Scott Drinkwater, Braidon Burns, Jaxon Purdue, Viliami Vailea, Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden, Jake Clifford, Jordan McLean, Reece Robson, Coen Hess, John Bateman, Jeremiah Nanai, Sam McIntyre, Harrison Edwards, Thomas Mikaele, Griffin Neame & Kai O’Donnell
Manly Sea Eagles - Tom Trbojevic, Jason Saab, Tolu Koula, Reuben Garrick, Lehi Hopoate, Luke Brooks, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake Trbojevic, Jake Simpkin, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Haumole Olakau’atu, Ben Trbojevic, Jazz Tevaga, Lachlan Croker, Corey Waddell, Ethan Bullemor & Nathan Brown
The Sharks seem to be humming along fairly nicely and have won four of their last five games, which has helped them claim fifth spot on the ladder. They proved too good for the Sea Eagles last time out, winning 30-14 and now they look set to welcome back the likes of Sifa Talakai and Teig Wilton to the team. Meanwhile, the Storm completely embarrassed the Tigers last time out, winning 64-0.
Things might just get even better for the Storm (if that was even possible) as they are welcoming Harry Grant back from his hamstring injury. Having a team like they do and putting together results like they did last time out, it’s easy to see why they are the clear Premiership favourites at the moment. Two winning teams will clash and even though it is a Sharks home game, it is difficult to go past the Storm.
Cronulla Sharks - Will Kennedy, Samuel Stonestreet, Jesse Ramien, KL Iro, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Oregon Kaufusi, Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton, Cameron McInnes, Daniel Atkinson, Sifa Talakai, Braden Hamlin-Uele & Jesse Colquhoun
Melbourne Storm - Ryan Papenhuyzen, Sua Fa'alogo, Grant Anderson, Nick Meaney, Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Stefano Utoikamanu, Harry Grant, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eli Katoa, Trent Loiero, Tyran Wishart, Alec MacDonald, Joe Chan & Nelson Asofa-Solomona
The Broncos are coming into this game against the Dragons, suffering back-to-back losses after a shock loss to the Rabbitohs last time out. A brilliant performance by Mitchell for the Rabbitohs was too much for the Broncos, who have won just one of their last five games. The Dragons haven’t been performing much better and come into this clash on a three-game losing streak.
It was a heartbreaking loss for the Dragons last time out, as they went down to the Warriors at WIN Stadium by one point. Can the Broncos be seriously considered as Premiership contenders anymore? Well, they’ll need to put the Dragons in their place to prove they are and at Suncorp Stadium, I think that’s just what they’ll do. I’m expecting a lot of points from the Broncos and a dominant win.
Brisbane Broncos - Selwyn Cobbo, Deine Mariner, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Jesse Arthars, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds, Patrick Carrigan, Billy Walters, Payne Haas, Xavier Willison, Jordan Riki, Kobe Hetherington, Cory Paix, Corey Jensen, Brendan Piakura & Fletcher Baker
St. George Illawarra Dragons - Clint Gutherson, Tyrell Sloan, Moses Suli, Valentine Holmes, Corey Allan, Kyle Flanagan, Lyhkan King-Togia, Jack de Belin, Damien Cook, David Klemmer, Dylan Egan, Jaydn Su'A, Hamish Stewart, Jacob Liddle, Blake Lawrie, Luciano Leilua & Loko Pasifiki Tonga
The Raiders looked primed to steal top spot in the Premiership off the Bulldogs last time out and then the capitulation of all capitulations saw them give up a 20-0 lead at half-time to end up going down 20-32. They remain at home for this game and they face a somewhat easier task against the Titans. The Titans do have flair, though, when they want to show it and mounted a comeback themselves last time out against the Knights.
The Gold Coast team was down 6-20 at half-time last time out and they were able to win that game 24-20, with back-to-back Brimsom tries helping to seal the deal. The Raiders are a tougher team than the Knights and I don’t think Ricky Stuart will let his team make the same mistake twice in a row, especially in front of their home crowd. The Raiders will have a point to prove and they won’t let this one slip through their fingers.
Canberra Raiders - Kaeo Weekes, Savelio Tamale, Matthew Timoko, Seb Kris, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange, Jamal Fogarty, Corey Horsburgh, Tom Starling, Joe Tapine, Hudson Young, Zac Hosking, Morgan Smithies, Owen Pattie, Josh Papali'i, Ata Mariota & Simi Sasagi
Gold Coast Titans - Jaylan de Groot, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Brian Kelly, Phillip Sami, Jojo Fifita, AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell, Mo Fotuaika, Sam Verrills, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Klese Haas, Beau Fermor, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Kieran Foran, Chris Randall, Arama Hau & Jaimin Jolliffe
It was always going to be a tough ask for the Tigers to win against the Storm down in Melbourne, but there was nothing good about the way they played. After letting in 34 points by half-time, the second half wasn’t any better and the Tigers went down without scoring any points, 0-64. A bounce-back performance will be just what the doctor ordered, especially considering they are playing at home, at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
The Rabbitohs effected one of the many comeback performances last time out against the Broncos. They were down 0-14 by half-time, but they looked a much better team in the second half and ended up winning 22-14. Latrell Mitchell was the star of the show and his two-point field goal in the 77th minute got the Bunnies to 14 all. Then, he scored a try in the 79th minute to seal the deal. Both teams are inconsistent, but can score points at will if they are on it.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
 | Total points - Over 46.5 | $1.88 |
 | Total points - Over 46.5 | $1.90 |
 | Total points - Over 45.5 | $1.91 |
West Tigers - Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, Adam Doueihi, Starford To'a, Brent Naden, Lachlan Galvin, Jarome Luai, Terrell May, Api Koroisau, Royce Hunt, Samuela Fainu, Alex Seyfarth, Alex Twal, Tallyn Da Silva, Jack Bird, Tony Sukkar & Sione Fainu
South Sydney Rabbitohs - Latrell Mitchell, Alex Johnston, Isaiah Tass, Campbell Graham, Fletcher Myers, Jayden Sullivan, Jamie Humphreys, Jai Arrow, Siliva Havili, Keaon Koloamatangi, Euan Aitken, Tallis Duncan, Lachlan Hubner, Jye Gray, Sean Keppie, Davvy Moale & Liam Le Blanc
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