NRL 2025 Round 20
We kick Round 20 off with a Queensland derby up at Suncorp Stadium when the Dolphins welcome the Cowboys. I tipped the Dolphins for an upset win over the Sharks last time out, and the Dolphins played poorly. They managed to score two tries back-to-back in the 66th and 70th minutes to get back into the game. However, they then let in back-to-back tries in the 74th and 79th minutes.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is back for the Dolphins, which is a much-needed addition. However, it looks like both Mark Nicholls, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Josh Kerr are out. For the Cowboys, they have lost four of their last five games, including last time out to the Bulldogs 8-12. They might have to be without Jake Clifford again in this game, but it looks like Reuben Cotter and John Bateman are back in the fold.
Dolphins - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Max Feagai, Herbie Farnworth, Jake Averillo, Sean O'Sullivan, Isaiya Katoa, Francis Molo, Jeremy Marshall-King, Aublix Tawha, Connelly Lemuelu, Oryn Keeley, Kurt Donoghoe, Harrison Graham, Ray Stone, Josh Kerr & Peter Hola
North Queensland Cowboys - Scott Drinkwater, Jaxson Paulo, Braidon Burns, Zac Laybutt, Murray Taulagi, Jaxon Purdue, Tom Dearden, Coen Hess, Reece Robson, Griffin Neame, John Bateman, Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter, Karl Lawton, Thomas Mikaele, Kai O'Donnell & Harrison Edwards
The first of two Friday night clashes sees the Sharks up against the Roosters in what shapes up to be a pivotal top-eight clash. The Sharks are currently sitting in ninth spot, with the Roosters holding onto the final spot in the top eight. The two teams have met once so far this season, and that resulted in a 42-16 win to the Roosters. Both teams are coming off wins from their last round as well.
The Sharks beat the Dolphins 24-12, and the Roosters pulled away at the end in a close one against the Dragons, 31-24. The Sharks look to go into this clash with an unchanged side. However, for the Roosters, it looks like Hugo Savala will have a stint on the sidelines after picking up a wrist injury. The Sharks look like the more settled team, and at home, they look difficult to hold out.
Cronulla Sharks - Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien, Sifa Talakai, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Oregon Kaufusi, Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton, Cameron McInnes, Billy Burns, Jesse Colquhoun, Toby Rudolf & Braden Hamlin-Uele
Sydney Roosters - James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Sandon Smith, Sam Walker, Naufahu Whyte, Connor Watson, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Salesi Foketi, Victor Radley, Zach Dockar-Clay, Blake Steep, Egan Butcher & Spencer Leniu
The Panthers started Nathan Cleary on the bench in their last game, and when Cleary finally did come on the field, boy, did he make an impact in the match against the Eels. It was a close one with the half-time score sitting at 12-10, but the Panthers completely ran away with it in the second half, not letting the Eels score any more points. The Panthers have now won five games in a row and are sitting nicely in sixth position on the ladder.
The Panthers and Rabbitohs played each other in Round 4 this season, when the Panthers weren’t playing at the level we have become accustomed to, and the final score was 28-18 in favour of the Rabbitohs. While the Panthers are on a five-game winning streak, the Rabbitohs are on a six-game losing streak. It’s been tough going for the Rabbitohs, who have played top-four teams recently.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
 | Total points - Over 46.5 | $1.85 |
 | Total points - Over 45.5 | $1.78 |
 | Total points - Over 46.5 | $1.91 |
Penrith Panthers - Dylan Edwards, Thomas Jenkins, Paul Alamoti, Casey McLean, Brian To'o, Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Lindsay Smith, Scott Sorensen, Isaiah Papalii, Isaah Yeo, Brad Schneider, Liam Henry, Luron Patea & Luke Garner
South Sydney Rabbitohs - Latrell Mitchell, Alex Johnston, Isaiah Tass, Campbell Graham, Tyrone Munro, Jack Wighton, Jamie Humphreys, Tevita Tatola, Siliva Havili, Keaon Koloamatangi, Jai Arrow, Tallis Duncan, Lachlan Hubner, Peter Mamouzelos, Sean Keppie, Davvy Moale & Ryan Gray
Kicking things off on Saturday are the Raiders and the Eels, down at GIO Stadium. The Raiders are riding a seven-game winning streak that has propelled them up to the top position on the ladder. They had a bye last round, but in their last game, they got a 28-24 win over the Dragons. Josh Papalii and Hudson Young should return from Origin duties, which will be a massive boost to their lineup.
The Eels have won just one of their last five, and last time out, they went down to the Panthers, 10-32, after a disappointing second half. The Raiders and Eels played each other in Round 6 this season, and the Raiders dominated, winning 50-12. For the Eels, Kitione Kautoga was injured last time out and is likely going to spend some time on the sidelines. In Canberra, this one could get ugly for the Eels.
Canberra Raiders - Kaeo Weekes, Jed Stuart, Matthew Timoko, Sebastian Kris, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange, Jamal Fogarty, Josh Papalii, Tom Starling, Joseph Tapine, Hudson Young, Zac Hosking, Corey Horsburgh, Owen Pattie, Morgan Smithies, Simi Sasagi & Ata Mariota
Parramatta Eels - Isaiah Iongi, Zac Lomax, Bailey Simonsson, Sean Russell, Josh Addo-Carr, Dylan Brown, Dean Hawkins, Jack Williams, Ryley Smith, Junior Paulo, Charlie Guymer, Matt Doorey, J'maine Hopgood, Tallyn Da Silva, Dylan Walker, Sam Tuivaiti & Joash Papalii
After back-to-back losses, the Bulldogs finally managed to get back on track last time out with a narrow 12-8 victory over the Cowboys. Now, the Bulldogs welcome the Dragons to Accor Stadium. The Dragons have won just one of their last five games and have lost their last two in a row to the Raiders and Roosters. Both were narrow losses, if that is any consolation to Dragons fans.
For this clash, the Bulldogs look set to welcome back both Stephen Crichton and Kurt Mann. For the Dragons, they’ll have to play this one without both Luciano Leilua and Hamish Stewart, who picked up injuries in their game last time out. The Bulldogs and Dragons played each other in Round 1 this season, and the Bulldogs got a 28-20 win. The Bulldogs have looked a little shaky, but with Stephen Crichton and Kurt Mann back, things should settle.
Canterbury Bulldogs - Connor Tracey, Jacob Kiraz, Bronson Xerri, Stephen Crichton, Enari Tuala, Matt Burton, Toby Sexton, Max King, Reed Mahoney, Sam Hughes, Viliame Kikau, Jacob Preston, Jaeman Salmon, Bailey Hayward, Kurt Mann, Harry Hayes & Josh Curran
St. George Illawarra Dragons - Clint Gutherson, Tyrell Sloan, Moses Suli, Valentine Holmes, Sione Finau, Lyhkan King-Togia, Kyle Flanagan, Emre Guler, Damien Cook, David Klemmer, Luciano Leilua, Jaydn Su'A, Jack de Belin, Jacob Liddle, Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Blake Lawrie & Michael Molo
The final game on Saturday sees the Storm welcome the Sea Eagles to AAMI Park. The Storm are sitting in second place on the ladder, just one win behind the Raiders, and they are riding a six-game winning streak at the moment. We all know how difficult it is to travel to Melbourne and beat the Storm, and the odds for the Sea Eagles certainly reflect that. These two teams played back in Round 5 this season, and the Storm won 48-24.
The Storm should welcome back both Xavier Coates and Cameron Munster, while Ryan Papenhuyzen may also return. For the Sea Eagles, they could see a welcome boost to their lineup as Haumole Olakau'atu has a chance to return from a shoulder injury. With the Storm at home and with a lot of their first-string players back, this one could be a high-scoring game.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
| Total points - Over 46.5 | $1.85 |
| Total points - Over 45.5 | $1.70 |
| Total points - Over 47.5 | $1.91 |
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 & Ativalu Lisati
Manly Sea Eagles - Lehi Hopoate, Jason Saab, Tolutau Koula, Tom Trbojevic, Reuben Garrick, Luke Brooks, Daly Cherry-Evans, Matthew Lodge, Jazz Tevaga, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Haumole Olakau'atu, Ben Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Jake Simpkin, Corey Waddell, Ethan Bullemor & Toafofoa Sipley
Ah, the Tigers at Leichhardt Oval. We all know they grow an extra leg at the eighth wonder of the world, and they are facing off against the Titans, who are at the bottom of the ladder. Let’s hope it’s a good game for the loyal Tigers supporters. Both the Tigers and Titans have won just one of their last five games and are sitting well outside the top eight, so it looks like they are just playing for pride.
After a surprising win over the Roosters, the Tigers couldn’t back that up in New Zealand, and they went down to the Warriors 14-34. The Titans have lost their last three games in a row to the Eels, Cowboys and most recently, the Broncos. Samuela Fainu could miss this game for the Tigers after picking up an injury last time out, and it looks like Sam Verrills is out for the Titans.
Wests Tigers - Sunia Turuva, Taylan May, Adam Doueihi, Starford To'a, Jeral Skelton, Jarome Luai, Latu Fainu, Terrell May, Api Koroisau, Fonua Pole, Alex Seyfarth, Tony Sukkar, Alex Twal, Tristan Hope, Charlie Murray, Sione Fainu & Jack Bird
Gold Coast Titans - AJ Brimson, Jaylan De Groot, Brian Kelly, Jojo Fifita, Phillip Sami, Kieran Foran, Jayden Campbell, Moeaki Fotuaika, Sean Mullany, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Chris Randall, Beau Fermor, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Jacob Alick-Wiencke, Jaimin Jolliffe, David Fifita & Klese Haas
Wrapping up Round 20, we have the Knights hosting the Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium. The Knights have to be one of the most inconsistent teams in the NRL this year, and you never really know what you’re going to get. They started off well against the Storm in Newcastle last time out, but five tries to one in the second half resulted in a 14-32 loss. They have now lost back-to-back games after going down to the Raiders, 18-22, in their previous game.
The Warriors managed to get back into the winner’s circle after back-to-back losses over the Tigers in New Zealand last time out, 34-14. The Knights and Warriors played each other in Round 8 in 2025, and it was the Warriors that got the win, 26-12. More injury woes for the Knights as they will now be without Dylan Lucas. For the Warriors, they look set to welcome back Kurt Capewell, but Rocco Berry injured his shoulder in the Warriors' win over the Tigers last time out.
Newcastle Knights - Dane Gagai, Dom Young, Fletcher Hunt, Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew, Jackson Hastings, Jack Cogger, Jacob Saifiti, Phoenix Crossland, Leo Thompson, Thomas Cant, Kai Pearce-Paul, Tyson Frizell, Jayden Brailey, Mat Croker, Jermaine McEwen & Brodie Jones
New Zealand Warriors - Taine Tuaupiki, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Adam Pompey, Ali Leiataua, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Tanah Boyd, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Jackson Ford, Kurt Capewell, Marata Niukore, Erin Clark, Te Maire Martin, Leka Halasima, Jacob Laban & Demitric Vaimauga
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