NRL 2025 Round 22
To kick things off in Round 22, we head to CommBank Stadium, where the Eels will be looking to build on their win last week. They caused one of the upsets of the round when they beat the Broncos, 22-20, in Brisbane. Realistically, the Eels won’t be playing finals this year, but they can still play spoiler to several teams. Can they upset the Storm here? I don’t give them much of a chance.
The Storm were in a tight tussle with the Roosters last time out, but managed to put the game away in the 72nd minute. I think the Eels might be able to keep this one closer than some would expect, but the Storm just know how to get the job finished, and they certainly want to hold onto a top-four spot in the competition. Especially now, considering that both Ryan Papenhuyzen and Cameron Munster are set to return.
Parramatta Eels - Joash Papali’i, Zac Lomax, Will Penisini, Sean Russell, Josh Addo-Carr, Dean Hawkins, Mitch Moses, J’maine Hopgood, Ryley Smith, Junior Paulo, Kelma Tuilagi, Jack Williams, Dylan Walker, Tallyn Da Silva, Luca Moretti, Charlie Guymer & Sam Tuivaiti
Melbourne Storm - Ryan Papenhuyzen, Grant Anderson, Jack Howarth, Nick Meaney, Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Tyran Wishart, Stefano Utoikamanu, Harry Grant, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eli Katoa, Trent Loiero, Jonah Pezet, Ativalu Lisati, Tui Kamikamica & Alec MacDonald
Two teams in the top eight will clash in the first of two Friday games. The Warriors welcome the Dolphins to Go Media Stadium, and they will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing 16-24 loss to the Titans last time out. The Dolphins had their bye last round, but they did win their last game, 43-24, over the Cowboys; however, they haven’t exactly been consistent. The same goes for the Warriors, who have won just two of their last five games.
In the run to the finals, that’s not the sort of form you want to be bringing in. The Warriors are sitting in the top four while the Dolphins are in eighth spot. Wayde Egan looks set to miss this match after a head knock last time out, and for the Dolphins, they could welcome back Mark Nicholls and Felise Kaufusi to the fold. It is very tight around the eighth position on the ladder, so is that the extra motivation the Dolphins need?
New Zealand Warriors - Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Adam Pompey, Kurt Capewell, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Tanah Boyd, James Fisher-Harris, Sam Healey, Jackson Ford, Leka Halasima, Marata Niukore, Erin Clark, Te Maire Martin, Jacob Laban, Demitric Vaimauga & Tanner Stowers-Smith
Dolphins - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Max Feagai, Herbie Farnworth, Tevita Naufahu, Jake Averillo, Isaiya Katoa, Francis Molo, Jeremy Marshall-King, Felise Kaufusi, Connelly Lemuelu, Oryn Keeley, Kurt Donoghoe, Ray Stone, Mark Nicholls, Josh Kerr & Aublix Tawha
The Broncos remain in Brisbane for this game after going down to the Eels at home last time out. It was one of the upsets of the round, and the Broncos can’t keep slipping up like that because the ladder is quite congested around the bottom of the top eight. The Rabbitos tried as much as they could last time out, but still couldn’t get the job done over the Sharks, going down 12-14. They are now the new wooden spooners.
These two teams have faced off once so far this season, resulting in a 22-14 win to the Rabbitohs back in Round 10. Eyes will be on Payne Haas for the Broncos after he hurt his ankle in the closing stages of the last game. I don’t know how things continue to go from bad to worse for the Rabbitohs, but they are. More injury woes are on the cards for the Rabbitohs with both Jack Wighton and Tevita Tatola set to miss this game.
Brisbane Broncos - Reece Walsh, Josiah Karapani, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Jesse Arthars, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds, Xavier Willison, Ben Hunt, Payne Haas, Brendan Piakura, Jordan Riki, Patrick Carrigan, Billy Walters, Kobe Hetherington, Corey Jensen & Jack Gosiewski
South Sydney Rabbitohs - Jye Gray, Alex Johnston, Isaiah Tass, Tallis Duncan, Tyrone Munro, Jack Wighton, Jamie Humphreys, Shaq Mitchell, Siliva Havili, Sean Keppie, Euan Aitken, Jai Arrow, Lachlan Hubner, Peter Mamouzelos, Liam Le Blanc, Jacob Host & Ryan Gray
The Titans are finally off the bottom of the ladder thanks to a surprise 24-16 win over the Warriors in New Zealand. Things don’t get much easier for them now, though, as they face off against the Panthers, who are on a complete tear at the moment. The Panthers are currently riding a seven-game winning streak and are pushing their way up the ladder. Now they are sitting just outside the top four, in fifth spot.
They were ruthless against the Tigers last time out, winning 36-2. The Titans and Panthers haven’t played each other this season yet, but the last time they faced off, it resulted in an 18-12 win to the Panthers. Expect Liam Martin to return in this game for the Panthers, as he has recovered from his wrist injury. All signs point to the Panthers for this one, and I think they will be able to cover the spread as well.
Gold Coast Titans - AJ Brimson, Jaylan De Groot, Brian Kelly, Jojo Fifita, Phillip Sami, Kieran Foran, Jayden Campbell, Moeaki Fotuaika, Sam Verrills, Jaimin Jolliffe, Jacob Alick-Wiencke, Beau Fermor, Klese Haas, Keano Kini, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui & Josh Patston
Penrith Panthers - Dylan Edwards, Thomas Jenkins, Izack Tago, Casey McLean, Brian To'o, Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Lindsay Smith, Luke Garner, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Brad Schneider, Isaiah Papalii, Liam Henry & Luron Patea
The middle game sees the Dragons welcome the top-of-the-table Raiders to WIN Stadium. The Dragons are sitting in 12th spot on the ladder, but it is looking unlikely that they will be able to make the finals. Their losing streak couldn’t have come at a worse time, and they have currently lost four games in a row to the Raiders, Roosters, Bulldogs and Cowboys.
The Dragons and Raiders only just played each other in Round 18, and it was a narrow 28-24 victory to the Raiders. Things are looking very good for the Raiders at the moment, and they are currently riding a nine-game winning streak. It’s difficult to see the Raiders losing, especially to the Dragons, who aren’t exactly lighting it up at the moment. However, will the Raiders get complacent? I’ll be playing it safe and taking the Raiders to get the outright win.
St. George Illawarra Dragons - Clint Gutherson, Tyrell Sloan, Moses Suli, Mathew Feagai, Corey Allan, Lyhkan King-Togia, Kyle Flanagan, Emre Guler, Damien Cook, David Klemmer, Luciano Leilua, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Jack de Belin, Jacob Liddle, Blake Lawrie, Hamish Stewart & Michael Molo
Canberra Raiders - Kaeo Weekes, Jed Stuart, Matthew Timoko, Seb Kris, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange, Jamal Fogarty, Josh Papali’i, Tom Starling, Joseph Tapine, Hudson Young, Zac Hosking, Corey Horsburgh, Owen Pattie, Simi Sasagi, Morgan Smithies & Ata Mariota
Wrapping things up on Saturday, we see the Sea Eagles and the Roosters battle it out. This could be one of the most interesting matches of the round, as the Sea Eagles are currently sitting in ninth spot on the ladder, while the Roosters are in 10th. The last time these two teams played each other was back in Week 2 of the finals in 2024, and the Roosters got the better of the Sea Eagles, 40-16.
Both teams will be desperate to get the win here after losing their previous game. The Sea Eagles went down to the Bulldogs 4-42, and the Roosters couldn’t get the job done over the Storm, losing 30-34. Haumole Olakau'atu reinjured his shoulder during the Sea Eagles’ last match and looks to be out for the remainder of the season. Meanwhile, the Roosters could welcome some players back, with the likes of Billy Smith and Nat Butcher set to return.
Manly Sea Eagles - Lehi Hopoate, Jason Saab, Tolutau Koula, Tom Trbojevic, Reuben Garrick, Luke Brooks, Daly Cherry-Evans, Matthew Lodge, Jazz Tevaga, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Corey Waddell, Ben Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Jake Simpkin, Caleb Navale, Ethan Bullemor & Toafofoa Sipley
Sydney Roosters - James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Hugo Savala, Sam Walker, Naufahu Whyte, Connor Watson, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Salesi Foketi, Siua Wong, Zach Dockar-Clay, Blake Steep, Nat Butcher & Spencer Leniu
Lachie Galvin comes up against his former team, the Tigers, for the first time at CommBank Stadium this Sunday afternoon. Just from that factor alone, it looks to be a juice match. However, these are two teams on opposite sides of the scales. The Tigers have lost three of their last five, including a 2-36 loss to the Panthers last time out. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are in second spot on the ladder and have won their last three games in a row.
Last time out, the Bulldogs were ruthless against the Sea Eagles, winning 42-4. The Tigers and Bulldogs haven’t played each other yet this season, and the last time they faced off was in Round 9 in 2024, with the Bulldogs winning 22-14. In a major boost to the Tigers' chances, Jahream Bula looks set to return to the fold. I think the Tigers will be desperate to at least keep this one close.
Wests Tigers - Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, Taylan May, Starford To'a, Jeral Skelton, Jarome Luai, Latu Fainu, Terrell May, Api Koroisau, Alex Twal, Alex Seyfarth, Tony Sukkar, Adam Doueihi, Tristan Hope, Jack Bird, Fonua Pole & Sione Fainu
Canterbury Bulldogs - Connor Tracey, Jacob Kiraz, Bronson Xerri, Stephen Crichton, Enari Tuala, Matt Burton, Lachlan Galvin, Max King, Reed Mahoney, Sam Hughes, Viliame Kikau, Jacob Preston, Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann, Harry Hayes, Josh Curran & Bailey Hayward
The Sharks and Cowboys close us out for Round 22, and the Sharks are just clinging on to a top-eight spot, sitting in seventh position. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are down in 11th and will need to win and win well in the majority of their last games of the season if they want any chance of making the top eight. These two teams have played once this season, in Round 2, and it resulted in a 36-12 victory for the Sharks.
The Cowboys don’t have a particularly good record here at Sharks Stadium, winning 29% of their games at this venue. The Sharks look to have found form at the right time and have peeled off three wins in a row over the Dolphins, Roosters and Rabbitohs. The Cowboys managed to get back into the winner’s circle last time out after three losses, and they got the win over the Dragons, 38-32.
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, Daniel Atkinson, Jesse Colquhoun, Braden Hamlin-Uele & Billy Burns
North Queensland Cowboys - Scott Drinkwater, Robert Derby, Jaxon Purdue, Zac Laybutt, Braidon Burns, Jake Clifford, Tom Dearden, Jordan McLean, Reece Robson, Jason Taumalolo, John Bateman, Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter, Harrison Edwards, Griffin Neame, Kai O'Donnell & Coen Hess
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