NRL 2025 Round 13
In the first game of Round 13, all eyes will be on the State of Origin reps and if they can back up. For the Dragons, we will be watching for Valentine Holmes and for the Knights, we’ll be on the lookout for Kalyn Ponga. The Dragons had a bye last round, meanwhile, the Knights put the Panthers to the sword, scoring four tries in the first 23 minutes, winning 25-6.
The last time we saw the Dragons, they beat the Broncos up in Brisbane, 30-26. Christian Tuipulotu looks set to return from injury for the Dragons as well, but Dylan Egan has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to an ACL injury. Both Paul Bryan and Adam Elliott won’t be in the lineup for the Knights due to injuries. The Knights have won the last two games between these two teams, but at home, I think the Dragons look primed to turn around that stat.
St. George Illawarra Dragons - Clint Gutherson, Tyrell Sloan, Moses Suli, Valentine Holmes, Christian Tuipulotu, Kyle Flanagan, Lyhkan King-Togia, Jack de Belin, Damien Cook, David Klemmer, Luciano Leilua, Jaydn Su'A, Hamish Stewart, Jacob Liddle, Emre Guler, Loko Pasifiki Tonga & Blake Lawrie
Newcastle Knights - Kalyn Ponga, James Schiller, Dane Gagai, Kyle McCarthy, Fletcher Hunt, Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Brodie Jones, Phoenix Crossland, Leo Thompson, Dylan Lucas, Kai Pearce-Paul, Tyson Frizell, Jayden Brailey, Mat Croker, Thomas Cant & Jack Hetherington
After the last round I am certain of nothing, but of all the games this round, it looks the easiest to pick, even though the Storm are making the trip up to Gold Coast to take on the Titans. We have to keep an eye on a whole raft of Origin players for this game as well. For the Titans, we’re looking at Moeaki Fotuaika, Beau Fermor and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, and for the Storm, the likes of Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Trent Loiero could all back up.
Both teams had a bye last round, so should otherwise have fairly fresh legs. The Storm will be looking to get back into the winner’s circle with a disappointing loss in Round 11 to the Sharks, 26-31. As will the Titans, who let in 40 points against the Raiders in Canberra, while scoring 24 of their own. The Storm are a quality team and they don’t usually lose two in a row, so I’m expecting a big bounce-back performance.
Gold Coast Titans - AJ Brimson, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Brian Kelly, Jojo Fifita, Phillip Sami, Kieran Foran, Jayden Campbell, Mo Fotuaika, Sam Verrills, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Klese Haas, Beau Fermor, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Chris Randall, Jaimin Jolliffe, Arama Hau & Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui
Melbourne Storm - Ryan Papenhuyzen, Sua Fa'alogo, Jack Howarth, Nick Meaney, Grant Anderson, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Stefano Utoikamanu, Bronson Garlick, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eli Katoa, Trent Loiero, Harry Grant, Tyran Wishart, Tui Kamikamica & Nelson Asofa-Solomona
When it comes to the Cowboys and Tigers, we seem to never see a close or low-scoring game. The last four games have seen blowout wins to one team. Tigers put on the performance of the year in 2023 at Leichhardt against the Cowboys, winning 66-18, which was followed up later that season by a 74-0 thumping by the Cowboys up in North Queensland. The two times these teams met in 2024 resulted in victories to the Cowboys, 42-28 and 48-30.
The Cowboys have a few Origin stars that could be backing up, including the likes of Tom Dearden, Reece Robson, Jeremiah Nanai and Reuben Cotter. For the Tigers, it looks like Lachlan Galvin has already played his last game and reports say he is joining the Bulldogs. Both teams had a bye last round and in Round 11 they both suffered losses. I think the Cowboys will win this one and there will be a stack of points as well.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
 | Total points - Over 49.5 | $1.88 |
 | Total points - Over 49.5 | $1.88 |
 | Total points - Over 49.5 | $1.91 |
North Queensland Cowboys - Scott Drinkwater, Robert Derby, Zac Laybutt, Viliami Vailea, Braidon Burns, Jaxon Purdue, Tom Dearden, Jordan McLean, Reece Robson, Coen Hess, John Bateman, Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter, Harrison Edwards, Sam McIntyre, Griffin Neame & Kai O’Donnell
Wests Tigers - Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, Adam Doueihi, Starford To'a, Charlie Staines, Latu Fainu, Jarome Luai, Terrell May, Api Koroisau, Fonua Pole, Samuela Fainu, Alex Seyfarth, Alex Twal, Brent Naden, Royce Hunt, Jack Bird & Sione Fainu
Here we have two inconsistent teams, which always makes it difficult to tip. Both the Sea Eagles and Broncos have a record of five wins and six losses and they hope to welcome back their Origin stars as well. I expect Daly Cherry-Evans will back up from Origin for the Sea Eagles and we’ll be looking to Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan to see if they are fit enough after the first State of Origin game.
Along with Daly Cherry-Evans, the Sea Eagles look set to welcome back a host of players, including Josh Aloiai, Tof Sipley, Jake Trbojevic and Ben Trbojevic. They’ll need every bit of star power back after their poor performance last time out which saw them lose 10-30 to the Eels. The Broncos could welcome back Reece Walsh in this game. They had a bye last round but in Round 11, they went down to the Dragons 26-30.
Manly Sea Eagles - Tom Trbojevic, Jason Saab, Tolu Koula, Reuben Garrick, Lehi Hopoate, Luke Brooks, Daly Cherry-Evans, Ethan Bullemor, Jake Simpkin, Josh Aloiai, Haumole Olakau’atu, Ben Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Lachlan Croker, Jazz Tevaga, Corey Waddell & Nathan Brown
Brisbane Broncos - Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Jesse Arthars, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds, Patrick Carrigan, Billy Walters, Corey Jensen, Xavier Willison, Jordan Riki, Kobe Hetherington, Cory Paix, Brendan Piakura, Fletcher Baker & Ben Te Kura
The Rabbitohs still have a host of injury concerns and Wayne Bennett will be keeping an eye on Latrell Mitchell in the State of Origin, hoping he makes it through injury-free. Mikaele Ravalawa could return from injury this game, but Jack Wighton and Cody Walker are both still on the sidelines. The Warriors should be welcoming back James Fisher-Harris and Mitch Barnett in Round 13, which is a massive boost.
The Rabbitohs had their feet up last time out thanks to a bye, but in Round 11, they got a 22-12 win over the Tigers in wet conditions. The Warriors played last round and suffered a disappointing loss in Auckland against the Raiders, 10-16. This looks to be a difficult game to tip a winner, but the Warriors have the edge in my mind, as they haven’t been impacted by Origin. Latrell Mitchell has been relatively quiet on the try-scoring front, so he is due.
South Sydney Rabbitohs - Latrell Mitchell, Alex Johnston, Isaiah Tass, Campbell Graham, Mikaele Ravalawa, Jayden Sullivan, Jamie Humphreys, Jai Arrow, Siliva Havili, Keaon Koloamatangi, Euan Aitken, Tallis Duncan, Lachlan Hubner, Jye Gray, Tevita Tatola, Davvy Moale & Liam Le Blanc
New Zealand Warriors - Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Adam Pompey, Ali Leiataua, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Luke Metcalf, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Mitch Barnett, Leka Halasima, Kurt Capewell, Erin Clark, Te Maire Martin, Marata Niukore, Jackson Ford & Bunty Afoa
It’s been 13 rounds and I still can’t believe what I’m seeing with the Panthers. They are currently holding the wooden spoon and they’ll need a win against their rivals, the Eels, who sit 15th on the ladder. The wheels have well and truly already come off for the Panthers and they weren’t even winning when they were full strength. Origin stars for the Panthers include Brian To'o, Dylan Edwards, Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo.
For the Eels, it’s looking a little better, especially after getting a 30-10 win last time out against the Sea Eagles. They are back at CommBank Stadium again and look set to welcome Zac Lomax and Mitch Moses back from Origin duties. The Panthers also played last round and they lost to the Knights 6-25. Both teams will be desperate for a win and I think the Eels can cause the upset here, based on recent form.
Penrith Panthers - Dylan Edwards, Paul Alamoti, Izack Tago, Luke Garner, Thomas Jenkins, Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Lindsay Smith, Scott Sorensen, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Brad Schneider, Matthew Eisenhuth, Preston Riki & Luron Patea
Parramatta Eels - Isaiah Iongi, Zac Lomax, Sean Russell, Jordan Samrani, Josh Addo-Carr, Dylan Brown, Mitch Moses, Jack Williams, Ryley Smith, Junior Paulo, Kelma Tuilagi, Kitione Kautoga, J'maine Hopgood, Dylan Walker, Luca Moretti, Ryan Matterson & Joash Papalii
The final game of the round looks to be another difficult one to tip in my eyes, despite the Roosters sitting 11th on the ladder, while the Raiders are in second. The Roosters, despite losing a host of experienced players to Origin, caused a massive upset over the Sharks last time out, winning 42-16. This time out, they could welcome back Lindsay Collins, Spencer Leniu, Connor Watson and Angus Crichton to the lineup.
For the Raiders, they will likely see Hudson Young return into the fold from Origin duties. The Green Machine has been on fire as of late and they got a 16-10 statement win over the Warriors in New Zealand last time out. Thanks to that win, the Raiders have now won four of their last five and the Roosters have won three of their last five. The Raiders don’t have a lot of success at Allianz Stadium, winning just 20% of their games. An upset could be brewing.
Sydney Roosters - James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Sandon Smith, Hugo Savala, Lindsay Collins, Connor Watson, Egan Butcher, Angus Crichton, Siua Wong, Victor Radley, Zach Dockar-Clay, Nat Butcher, Blake Steep & Spencer Leniu
Canberra Raiders - Kaeo Weekes, Savelio Tamale, Matthew Timoko, Seb Kris, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange, Jamal Fogarty, Corey Horsburgh, Owen Pattie, Joe Tapine, Hudson Young, Zac Hosking, Morgan Smithies, Danny Levi, Simi Sasagi, Josh Papali'i & Ata Mariota
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