NRL 2025 Round 23
Round 23 kicks off with a top-eight clash as the Broncos head to Melbourne to take on the Storm. The Storm are currently the Premiership favourites and are sitting in second place on the ladder. Meanwhile, the Broncos are in sixth spot, and it’s a tad congested around that area on the ladder, but a win can help boost them up. Both the Storm and Broncos have won four of their last five games.
Last time out, the Storm got the job done in a close one over the Eels, 16-10. The Broncos put on a great performance at home over the Rabbitohs, winning 60-14. A lot of the Storm’s recent clashes have been close, but they seem to have what it takes to just pip their opponents at the post. The Broncos haven’t really been that consistent, so I’ll be playing it safe and take the Storm to get the outright win.
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, Tui Kamikamica, Alec MacDonald & Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Brisbane Broncos - Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Deine Mariner, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds, Corey Jensen, Ben Hunt, Payne Haas, Jack Gosiewski, Jordan Riki, Patrick Carrigan, Billy Walters, Kobe Hetherington, Ben Talty & Tyson Smoothy
Will the Knights’ slide continue on Friday night in front of their home crowd? All signs point to yes as they take on the Panthers, who just keep winning. The Knights had the bye last round, so they will have fresh legs at least, but they have lost four games in a row to the Raiders, Storm, Warriors and the Raiders again. That hasn’t been the easiest of draws, and now the Panthers - what did the Knights do in their previous lives to deserve this?!
It was a thrilling game with the Titans last time out, with a Nathan Cleary two-point field goal taking the game to golden point. The Panthers were able to score a try in extra time, winning 30-26. If the Knights can hold onto any hope, it’s that they have already beaten the Panthers this season, 25-6, back in Round 12. The Panthers look to be a different beast now, though.
Newcastle Knights - Dane Gagai, Dom Young, Fletcher Hunt, Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew, Tyson Gamble, Jack Cogger, Jacob Saifiti, Jayden Brailey, Leo Thompson, Jermaine McEwen, Kai Pearce-Paul, Phoenix Crossland, Jackson Hastings, Mat Croker, Tyson Frizell & Brodie Jones
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, Isaiah Papali'i, Brad Schneider, Liam Henry, Luron Patea & Scott Sorensen
The Raiders’ winning streak was put to bed last time out, courtesy of the Dragons of all teams! For the Sea Eagles, they didn’t do themselves any favours going down to the Roosters, who are close to them on the ladder, last time out. Now, the Sea Eagles are sitting in 10th spot on the ladder and are at real risk of not making the top eight this season. Despite the loss, the Raiders are still at the top of the ladder, with 36 points.
This looks like a tough game for the Sea Eagles, who have lost their last two games in a row, scoring just four points on both occasions. Also, they will be without Ben Trbojevic for this game, after he suffered a head knock. The Sea Eagles did get the win over the Raiders back in Round 3, 40-12, but the trajectory of these teams looks completely different now.
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
Manly Sea Eagles - Tom Trbojevic, Jason Saab, Tolutau Koula, Reuben Garrick, Lehi Hopoate, Luke Brooks, Daly Cherry-Evans, Matthew Lodge, Jake Simpkin, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Corey Waddell, Michael Chee Kam, Jake Trbojevic, Tommy Talau, Caleb Navale, Ethan Bullemor & Toafofoa Sipley
Kicking things off on Saturday, we have the Dragons welcoming the Sharks to Jubilee Stadium in what looks like a must-win for both teams. The Dragons got a surprising win over the Raiders last time out, 18-12, and they currently sit in 11th position on the ladder. For the Sharks, they look to be peaking at just the right time and have now won four games in a row. They are just inside the top eight, sitting in seventh spot.
Was the Dragons' win last time out just a flash in the pan? A loss here for the Dragons all but seals their fate for the 2025 season. It’s hard to knock the winning form of the Sharks, but I think the Dragons, especially at home, have the fire in their bellies to keep this one close. The Dragons and Sharks have played each other once so far this season, with the Sharks getting the win, 30-18.
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, Michael Molo, Jack de Belin, Jacob Liddle, Hamish Stewart, Hame Sele & Blake Lawrie
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, Toby Rudolf, Thomas Hazelton & Braden Hamlin-Uele
In terms of shaping the top eight, this is the game to keep your eye on. The Dolphins are currently sitting in eighth spot with 26 points, and the Roosters are one spot behind them, with 24 points. This game is effectively a four-point swing for the winners. Talk about pressure! The Dolphins will be looking to build on their two-game winning streak after wins over the Cowboys and Warriors last time out.
For the Roosters, they gave themselves a massive boost by beating the Sea Eagles last time out, 20-4, who were also near them on the ladder. The win for the Dolphins came at a cost, though, as Herbie Farnworth suffered a hamstring injury. Felise Kaufusi may also be out for dangerous contact. I’m not sure which way this one will go, but if you look at the recent meetings between these two teams, there have been a lot of points scored.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
 | Total points - Over 47.5 | $1.85 |
 | Total points - Over 46.5 | $1.76 |
 | Total points - Over 49.5 | $1.91 |
Dolphins - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Max Feagai, Jake Averillo, Tevita Naufahu, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiya Katoa, Francis Molo, Jeremy Marshall-King, Aublix Tawha, Connelly Lemuelu, Oryn Keeley, Kurt Donoghoe, Ray Stone, Kulikefu Finefuiaki, Mark Nicholls & Josh Kerr
Sydney Roosters - James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Hugo Savala, Sam Walker, Naufahu Whyte, Connor Watson, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Siua Wong, Victor Radley, Benaiah Ioelu, Egan Butcher, Salesi Foketi & Spencer Leniu
The grudge match between Galvin and the Tigers worked out well if you’re a Tigers fan, with the Tigers getting a shock 28-14 victory over the Bulldogs last time out in terrible conditions. With the Raiders losing earlier in the round, the Bulldogs could have leapfrogged themselves to the top of the table, but it wasn’t to be. The Warriors are currently sitting in the top four, but there are several teams making a charge towards them.
Both teams have been a bit shaky in the last few weeks, which doesn’t give me a lot of confidence when picking a team. The Warriors lost at home, though, and the Bulldogs’ loss was in awful conditions, so I have a little more faith in the Bulldogs right now. I think the Warriors should be good enough to keep this one close, though, and they look set to welcome Chanel Harris-Tavita and Wayde Egan back into the fold.
Canterbury Bulldogs - Jacob Kiraz, Jethro Rinakama, Bronson Xerri, Stephen Crichton, Enari Tuala, Matt Burton, Lachlan Galvin, Max King, Reed Mahoney, Sam Hughes, Viliame Kikau, Jacob Preston, Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann, Sitili Tupouniua, Josh Curran & Bailey Hayward
New Zealand Warriors - Taine Tuaupiki, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Adam Pompey, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Tanah Boyd, Marata Niukore, Wayde Egan, Jackson Ford, Leka Halasima, Kurt Capewell, Erin Clark, Te Maire Martin, Freddy Lussick, Tanner Stowers-Smith & Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
These are two teams that will be playing for pride on Sunday afternoon, as the Titans welcome the Rabbitohs to the Gold Coast. The Titans are 16th on the ladder, and the Rabbitohs are 17th, so last and second-last on the ladder. I’m not sure where or how the Titans’ season went so wrong. They have a good group of players; they just couldn’t put it all together. For the Rabbitohs, it’s a season of what might have been, as they have dealt with injury after injury.
It was a heartbreaker for the Titans last time out, as it took a brilliant play from Nathan Cleary to get the game to golden point, and then the Titans lost it in extra time. The Rabbitohs were wiped off the field with the Broncos last time out, 14-60. While the Rabbitohs have won 92% of their games at Cbus Super Stadium, the sheer amount of injuries they are dealing with makes me favour the Titans for this clash.
Gold Coast Titans - AJ Brimson, Jaylan De Groot, Brian Kelly, Jojo Fifita, Phillip Sami, Kieran Foran, Jayden Campbell, Moeaki Fotuaika, Sam Verrills, Jaimin Jolliffe, Chris Randall, Beau Fermor, Klese Haas, Jacob Alick-Wiencke, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui & Josh Patston
South Sydney Rabbitohs - Jye Gray, Alex Johnston, Isaiah Tass, Tallis Duncan, Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, Lewis Dodd, Jamie Humphreys, Jai Arrow, Brandon Smith, Sean Keppie, Euan Aitken, Jacob Host, Lachlan Hubner, Peter Mamouzelos, Siliva Havili, Liam Le Blanc & Thomas Fletcher
The final game of the round sees the Eels up against the Cowboys. These are two teams well outside the top eight, and it looks very difficult, if not impossible, for one or both of these teams to make the top eight. The Eels almost extended their winning streak to two games, but ended up going down in a close tussle to the Storm, 10-16. After beating the Dragons two games ago, the Cowboys were back to their losing ways, going down to the Sharks, 12-32.
Both teams have lost four of their last five games. The Cowboys should look like a completely different team compared to last time out, as they are set to welcome back Jake Clifford, Jordan McLean, Jason Taumalolo and Sam McIntyre to the fold. Even though the Cowboys are welcoming back all those players, I have to give the slight edge to the Eels, who have been playing more consistently and are also playing at home.
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, Charlie Guymer, Jack Williams, Dylan Walker, Tallyn Da Silva, Luca Moretti, Matt Doorey & Sam Tuivaiti
North Queensland Cowboys - Scott Drinkwater, Jaxson Paulo, Jaxon Purdue, Zac Laybutt, Braidon Burns, Jake Clifford, Tom Dearden, Jordan McLean, Reece Robson, Griffin Neame, John Bateman, Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter, Harrison Edwards, Jason Taumalolo, Sam McIntyre & Coen Hess
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