NRL 2025 Round 14
We kick Round 14 off when the Knights welcome the Sea Eagles to Newcastle. Both teams have been a little inconsistent as of late, but it is the Knights in particular that have been struggling. The Knights lost last time out to the Dragons 6-20, while the Sea Eagles put on a show against the Broncos, winning 34-6. Kalyn Ponga is expected to return for the Knights and the Sea Eagles will be boosted by the return of Jason Saab.
Tom Trbojevic remains out for the Sea Eagles, but after the performance replacement Lehi Hopoate put in last time out, that doesn’t seem to be of any concern to the team. I just don’t think I can trust the Knights, even though they are playing at home. Yes, the Sea Eagles are a tad inconsistent, but they seem to be gaining some momentum and their win last time out is too good to ignore.
Newcastle Knights - Kalyn Ponga, James Schiller, Dane Gagai, Kyle McCarthy, Greg Marzhew, Fletcher Sharpe, Tyson Gamble, Tyson Frizell, Phoenix Crossland, Brodie Jones, Dylan Lucas, Kai Pearce-Paul, Mat Croker, Jayden Brailey, Jack Hetherington, Thomas Cant & Mason Teague
Manly Sea Eagles - Lehi Hopoate, Jason Saab, Tolu Koula, Reuben Garrick, Tommy Talau, Luke Brooks, Daly Cherry-Evans, Ethan Bullemor, Jake Simpkin, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Haumole Olakau’atu, Ben Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Lachlan Croker, Jazz Tevaga, Corey Waddell & Nathan Brown
We all know how difficult it is for teams to come to Melbourne and win. The Cowboys will be the next team to try and leave Melbourne victorious. Both teams are coming off a win in the last round with the Storm beating the Titans 28-16 and the Cowboys just holding off a fast-finishing Tigers, 32-28. For the Storm, Xavier Coates and Harry Grant look set to return after being rested from Origin.
The Cowboys also look set to welcome back Murray Taulagi from a calf injury which will be a great boost to the squad. Ryan Papenhuyzen has been on fire this season for the Storm, scoring 12 tries in 11 appearances. He loves playing at AAMI Park as well, so look for him to have a great game. The Storm have lost the last two games against the Cowboys, so I think a little revenge is in order on Friday.
Melbourne Storm - Ryan Papenhuyzen, Grant Anderson, Jack Howarth, Nick Meaney, Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Stefano Utoikamanu, Harry Grant, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eli Katoa, Trent Loiero, Tyran Wishart, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Tui Kamikamica & Joe Chan
North Queensland Cowboys - Scott Drinkwater, Robert Derby, Zac Laybutt, Viliami Vailea, Murray Taulagi, Jaxon Purdue, Tom Dearden, Jordan McLean, Reece Robson, Jason Taumalolo, John Bateman, Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter, Harrison Edwards, Kai O’Donnell, Griffin Neame & Coen Hess
The Dragons have been building nicely after a somewhat unlucky start to the season and they are now in the top eight. Now, they face off against the Dolphins, who are sitting just outside the top eight, up at Suncorp Stadium. The Dragons will be looking to build on their current two-game winning streak after wins against the Broncos and Knights. Meanwhile, the Dolphins have won two from their last three, which includes wins over the Eels and Bulldogs.
The Dolphins are the favourites coming into this one, but I think if this was played at Jubilee Stadium, the Dragons would be the favourites. Expect to see the likes of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jeremy Marshall-King and Daniel Saifiti back for the Dolphins. For the Dragons Christian Tuipulotu is set to return and Jaydn Su'A is in doubt after an ankle injury. The Dragons have winning form, but with the Dolphins welcoming back some key players, this looks a little difficult.
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, Ray Stone, Kurt Donoghoe, Francis Molo, Mark Nicholls & Josh Kerr
St. George Illawarra Dragons - Clint Gutherson, Tyrell Sloan, Moses Suli, Valentine Holmes, Christian Tuipulotu, Lyhkan King-Togia, Kyle Flanagan, Jack de Belin, Damien Cook, David Klemmer, Luciano Leilua, Toby Couchman, Hamish Stewart, Jacob Liddle, Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Blake Lawrie & Hame Sele
The Sharks will be looking to get back into the winner’s circle when they welcome the Warriors to Sharks Stadium. The home team had their three-game winning streak broken in their last match when they went down to the Roosters 16-42. They had a bye last round, so they have had a bit of time to stew on that surprising loss. Ronaldo Mulitalo is out of this game for the Sharks as he is serving his suspension, while Teig Wilton should return.
The Warriors have had a great season so far, sitting in third position on the ladder, they have won four of their last five games. Their only loss during that time came against the Raiders 10-16, who are sitting in second place. Mitch Barnett suffered a knee injury last time out for the Warriors and he looks set to miss this game. The Warriors have won their last four away games and I’m surprised their odds aren’t a little shorter.
Cronulla Sharks - Will Kennedy, Mawene Hiroti, Jesse Ramien, KL Iro, Daniel Atkinson, Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Oregon Kaufusi, Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton, Cameron McInnes, Sifa Talakai, Jesse Colquhoun, Toby Rudolf & Braden Hamlin-Uele
New Zealand Warriors - Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Adam Pompey, Rocco Berry, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Luke Metcalf, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Marata Niukore, Kurt Capewell, Leka Halasima, Erin Clark, Te Maire Martin, Jacob Laban, Demitric Vaimauga & Jackson Ford
It’s big brother versus little brother when the Broncos play host to the Titans at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night. I’m not going to lie, the Broncos really did let me down last week when I thought they had a chance against the Sea Eagles. They played terribly and ended up losing 6-34, extending their losing streak to four games in a row, also losing to the Dragons, Rabbitohs and Panthers.
It looks like the Titans are in a similar boat, only winning one of their last five games, which was a 24-20 victory over the Knights. A lot of their other games have been blowout losses as well. With both teams needing a win, their desperation will be on full display. The Broncos are the heavy favourites, but after their last performance, I just don’t think I can back them outright. Three of the last four games between the teams have gone over the total points.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
 | Total points - Over 50.5 | $1.88 |
 | Total points - Over 51.5 | $1.86 |
 | Total points - Over 51.5 | $1.91 |
Brisbane Broncos - Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Jesse Arthars, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds, Patrick Carrigan, Cory Paix, Payne Haas, Jack Gosiewski, Jordan Riki, Kobe Hetherington, Billy Walters, Corey Jensen, Xavier Willison & Brendan Piakura
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, Chris Randall, Beau Fermor, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, David Fifita, Jaimin Jolliffe, Klese Haas & Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui
Ricky’s men return to GIO Stadium where they welcome the Rabbitohs. This presents as an interesting coach's battle as the two experienced coaches don’t exactly get along. For the Raiders, Tom Starling is due to return from suspension, while the Rabbitohs look set to welcome back both Jack Wighton and Cody Walker. The Raiders have won their last two games against the Rabbitohs and playing at home, I have to back them to get the job done.
Hudson Young has been a try-scoring machine for the Raiders, scoring 10 tries in his 12 appearances this season. While I think the Raiders will win this one, there isn’t a lot of value in tipping them outright. Also, with the likes of Jack Wighton and Cody Walker plus their Mitchell, I can see the Rabbitohs keeping this one pretty close. Take the Rabbitohs to cover the line for this Sunday afternoon clash.
Canberra Raiders - Kaeo Weekes, Savelio Tamale, Matthew Timoko, Seb Kris, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange, Ethan Sanders, Corey Horsburgh, Tom Starling, Joe Tapine, Hudson Young, Zac Hosking, Morgan Smithies, Owen Pattie, Simi Sasagi, Josh Papali'i & Ata Mariota
South Sydney Rabbitohs - Latrell Mitchell, Alex Johnston, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham, Isaiah Tass, Cody Walker, Jamie Humphreys, Jai Arrow, Siliva Havili, Keaon Koloamatangi, Euan Aitken, Tallis Duncan, Lachlan Hubner, Jayden Sullivan, Sean Keppie, Davvy Moale & Tevita Tatola
Despite having a man in the bin on two separate occasions, the Tigers mounted a massive comeback and almost got the better of the Cowboys last time out. If they were able to win that game, it would have been one of the biggest comeback victories in NRL history, however, it wasn’t meant to be. We also have to consider if the Galvin drama is truly over as well. Now, they come up against the Panthers, who might be looking to get into their groove.
The Panthers got the better of the Eels last time out and while they have been a tough team to bet on this year, it’s hard to go against them in this game. The Tigers do have fight though and this will be the first time that Luai will be up against his old team. There’s a lot of interesting storylines coming into this one and while I think the Panthers will win, the Tigers should keep this one close.
Wests Tigers - Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, Adam Doueihi, Starford To'a, Charlie Staines, Heath Mason, Jarome Luai, Terrell May, Api Koroisau, Royce Hunt, Samuela Fainu, Alex Seyfarth, Jack Bird, Brent Naden, Sione Fainu, Tony Sukkar & Reuben Porter
Penrith Panthers - Dylan Edwards, Thomas Jenkins, Izack Tago, Casey McLean, Brian To'o, Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Lindsay Smith, Scott Sorensen, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Luke Sommerton, Isaiah Papali'i, Luke Garner & Luron Patea
Who doesn’t love a bit of long weekend footy? It’s the King's Birthday match between the Bulldogs and Eels. The two teams have had fairly contrasting seasons so far, with the Bulldogs sitting pretty atop the ladder and the Eels down in second-last position. The question on everyone’s lips is - will Lachlan Galvin play his first game for the Bulldogs? I reckon he will and it’s a massive boost to an already stacked lineup.
The two teams have already played this season, which resulted in a 16-8 victory to the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs had a bye last round but in their last game, they went down to the Dolphins 8-44. The Eels suffered a defeat last round at the hands of the Panthers, which put an end to their two-game winning streak. I think the Bulldogs will be looking to make a statement and Galvin will be looking to prove his worth. A big win is on the cards.
Canterbury Bulldogs - Connor Tracey, Blake Wilson, Bronson Xerri, Stephen Crichton, Marcelo Montoya, Matt Burton, Lachlan Galvin, Max King, Reed Mahoney, Josh Curran, Viliame Kikau, Harry Hayes, Kurt Mann, Bailey Hayward, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Sam Hughes & Lipoi Hopoi
Parramatta Eels - Isaiah Iongi, Zac Lomax, Sean Russell, Will Penisini, 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 & Jordan Samrani
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