NRL 2025 Round 5
The Raiders will be happy to be back at home after playing in extreme humidity up in North Queensland in Round 4, where they lost 20-30 to the Cowboys. I thought the Raiders would play better in that one and they were only able to put in one try during the 10 minutes they had the man advantage. Next up are the Sharks and in their last clash, the Raiders weren’t able to score any points!
The Sharks are also coming off a loss to the Bulldogs, 6-20, so both teams will be keen to get back in the winner’s circle. Nothing seemed to go right for the Sharks in that game. The Bulldogs remain undefeated, so the Sharks can’t be too disappointed. I think the Sharks are the more likely team to bounce back, but at home, the Raiders won’t go down without a fight.
Canberra Raiders - Kaeo Weekes, Savelio Tamale, Matthew Timoko, Seb Kris, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange, Jamal Fogarty, Josh Papali'i, Tom Starling, Joe Tapine, Hudson Young, Matty Nicholson, Morgan Smithies, Owen Pattie, Corey Horsburgh, Trey Mooney & Ata Mariota
Cronulla Sharks - Will Kennedy, Samuel Stonestreet, Jesse Ramien, Daniel Atkinson, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Oregon Kaufusi, Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton, Cameron McInnes, Jayden Berrell, Tom Hazelton, Toby Rudolf & Tuku Hau Tapuha
Two massive inclusions for the Panthers on Friday night dramatically boost their chances of avoiding an unthinkable fourth straight defeat. They get back both Dylan Edwards and Nathan Cleary. So all Panthers fans can probably breathe a little easier now. With those two players back in the fold, the Panthers should look like a well-oiled machine and be able to get the job done.
The Cowboys, on the other hand, are flying high after a gritty win against the Raiders last time out at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. They got the win despite being a man down for 10 minutes in the second half. I think they probably would have been hoping that Cleary was on the sidelines again for this game, but alas, he isn’t. It looks a difficult task for the Cowboys, especially with the travel as well.
Penrith Panthers - Dylan Edwards, Paul Alamoti, Izack Tago, Thomas Jenkins, Casey McLean, Jack Cole, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Lindsay Smith, Luke Garner, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Daine Laurie, Liam Henry, Isaiah Papali'i & Matthew Eisenhuth
North Queensland Cowboys - Scott Drinkwater, Robert Derby, Jaxon Purdue, Viliami Vailea, Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden, Jake Clifford, Jordan McLean, Reece Robson, Jason Taumalolo, John Bateman, Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter, Sam McIntyre, Kai O'Donnell, Griffin Neame & Coen Hess
He’s baaaaack! The long-awaited return of one of the most divisive players has finally arrived, with Latrell Mitchell returning from injury. Not many people gave the Rabbitohs much of a chance coming into the early stages of the 2025 season, but Wayne Bennett just keeps doing what only Wayne Bennett can and they remain in the top eight. It’s always a fiery clash between these two clubs and I think this might be the game of the round.
The Roosters are coming off a disappointing loss to the Titans, while the Rabbits are flying high after dismantling the Panthers (who were without some of the key players). While the Roosters have won the two clashes against the Rabbitohs last season, I think the tide is about to change. Mitchell returns to race off against his old club and in his first game back, he’ll be looking to make a statement. Take Mitchell to score a try.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
 | Anytime try scorer - Latrell Mitchell | $2.00 |
 | Rabbitohs to win | $1.62 |
 | Anytime try scorer - Latrell Mitchell | $2.15 |
South Sydney Rabbitohs - Latrell Mitchell, Jye Gray, Jack Wighton, Isaiah Tass, Mikaele Ravalawa, Cody Walker, Jamie Humphreys, Sean Keppie, Peter Mamouzelos, Tevita Tatola, Keaon Koloamatangi, Jai Arrow, Lachlan Hubner, Jayden Sullivan, Davvy Moale, Tallis Duncan & Siliva Havili
Sydney Roosters - James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Robert Toia, Dom Young, Sandon Smith, Chad Townsend, Naufahu Whyte, Connor Watson, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Siua Wong, Nat Butcher, Zach Dockar-Clay, Spencer Leniu, Blake Steep & Salesi Foketi
Another interesting game awaits us as we see Zac Lomax go up against his old club. That’s not all though, Clint Gutherson also goes up against his old club! Both players will be looking to lift that extra little bit to give it to their old teammates. Putting that aspect aside, the Eels’ struggles continue on after yet another loss to the Sea Eagles in Manly last time out.
The Dragons, on the flip side, got a great win over the Storm. If they want to push their winning streak to two, they’ll have to do it on the road. I think the Eels have to come good at some point. Well, not good, good, but at least get a win on the board. Right? Could this be the time? I’m not sure, but the Eels will at least try to keep this one close and they have won the last two games against the Dragons, both pretty high-scoring as well.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
| Over points - 49.5 | $1.93 |
| Winning margin - Dragons 1-12 | $3.20 |
| Over points - 49.5 | $1.91 |
Parramatta Eels - Isaiah Iongi, Sean Russell, Will Penisini, Zac Lomax, Josh Addo-Carr, Dylan Brown, Dean Hawkins, Joe Ofahengaue, Joey Lussick, Junior Paulo, Shaun Lane, Kitione Kautoga, J'maine Hopgood, Ryley Smith, Dylan Walker, Dan Keir & Sam Tuivaiti
St. George Illawarra Dragons - Clint Gutherson, Tyrell Sloan, Moses Suli, Valentine Holmes, Christian Tuipulotu, Kyle Flanagan, Lachlan Ilias, Toby Couchman, Damien Cook, David Klemmer, Luciano Leilua, Jaydn Su'A, Jack de Belin, Jacob Liddle, Blake Lawrie, Hamish Stewart & Dylan Egan
Strap yourselves in, we have another Queensland Derby for you to feast on! The Titans will be looking for their third win in a row after beating the Knights and then the Roosters last time out. That game against the Roosters was very impressive and I honestly wasn’t expecting that. The Roosters scored first, but the Titans just kept coming, with their attacking flair resulting in five tries to the Roosters’ two.
The Dolphins were up against the Broncos last time out and it was more of the same with another loss on the board. It’s the Dolphins and the Eels who are the two teams to not have any premiership points to their name. To say they are desperate for a win would be an understatement. But the Titans are flying high and their attack is working. I reckon the Titans will pile on a few points here.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
| Titans points - Over 31.5 | $2.20 |
| Titans points - Over 31.5 | $2.15 |
| Titans -6.5 | $1.95 |
Gold Coast Titans - Jaylan de Groot, Tony Francis, Brian Kelly, Phillip Sami, Jojo Fifita, AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell, Mo Fotuaika, Sam Verrills, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Klese Haas, Beau Fermor, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Chris Randall, David Fifita, Jaimin Jolliffe & Brock Gray
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, Oryn Keeley, Max Plath, Kurt Donoghoe, Mark Nicholls, Ray Stone & Kenny Bromwich
The Broncos are looking pretty settled this season so far. Only one loss and this Saturday game will be their third in a row at Suncorp Stadium. Last time out, it was a fairly comfortable win over the Dolphins. In recent times, the Broncos have always managed to put the Tigers to the sword and with Jordan Riki the only Broncos player out, the Tigers could be in for another long night.
An absolute heart-breaker for the Tigers last time out. They should have won that one against the Warriors at Campbelltown and now they face the difficult task of heading up to Brisbane to face off against the Broncos. And that task just got even more difficult with the news that Jarome Luai has a one-match suspension. Will we see the Tigers of old again? I think so. This one could be a blowout.
Brisbane Broncos - Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Jesse Arthars, Ben Hunt, Adam Reynolds, Patrick Carrigan, Cory Paix, Payne Haas, Jack Gosiewski, Brendan Piakura, Kobe Hetherington, Billy Walters, Corey Jensen, Xavier Willison & Jaiyden Hunt
Wests Tigers - Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, Adam Doueihi, Starford To'a, Jeral Skelton, Lachlan Galvin, Latu Fainu, Terrell May, Api Koroisau, Fonua Pole, Jack Bird, Alex Seyfarth, Alex Twal, Tallyn Da Silva, Royce Hunt, Tony Sukkar & Sione Fainu
Another Tom Trbojevic injury isn’t what the Manly fans wanted, but it’s what they’ll get. At least they are used to it by now? The Storm aren’t without injury woes of their own, with the likes of Nick Meaney and Jahrome Hughes both still sidelined. The Sea Eagles were able to get the job done against the Eels last time out and play their second game in a row at 4 Pines Park.
The Storm suffered a surprising loss to the Dragons last time out in what was a low-scoring game. Despite the injuries, the Storm line-up is still stacked and we don’t often see this team lose two in a row. This one looks like a toss of the coin for me and I’m surprised to see the Storm as such heavy favourites as they are, so the value does lie with the Sea Eagles in this one.
Manly Sea Eagles - Lehi Hopoate, Jason Saab, Tolu Koula, Reuben Garrick, Clayton Faulalo, Luke Brooks, Daly Cherry-Evans, Josh Aloiai, Jazz Tevaga, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Haumole Olakau’atu, Ben Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Jake Simpkin, Corey Waddell, Ethan Bullemor & Nathan Brown
Melbourne Storm - Ryan Papenhuyzen, Will Warbrick, Jack Howarth, Grant Anderson, Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Tyran Wishart, Stefano Utoikamanu, Harry Grant, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eli Katoa, Trent Loiero, Bronson Garlick, Alec MacDonald, Tui Kamikamica & Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Bulldogs fans rejoice! Your team is still undefeated and you’re sitting pretty at the top of the table. What a win last time out against the Sharks at Sharks Stadium and I see no reason to jump off them in Round 5 when they take on the Knights at Accor Stadium. You just know the Bulldogs fans will be out in force cheering their team on to what they hope will be five wins in a row to open their 2025 campaign.
The Knights are coming off a bye, which I think was well in order after a disappointing loss to the Titans up on the Gold Coast, 6-26. The Bulldogs have a good recent record against the Knights, winning the last two and in the last clash, they held the Knights to just two points. The Knights have the players and are better than that, so I’m taking the safe option and sticking with the Bulldogs for the straight-up win.
Canterbury Bulldogs - Connor Tracey, Blake Wilson, Bronson Xerri, Stephen Crichton, Marcelo Montoya, Bailey Hayward, Toby Sexton, Max King, Reed Mahoney, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Josh Curran, Jacob Preston, Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann, Harry Hayes, Kurtis Morrin & Jack Todd
Newcastle Knights - Kalyn Ponga, James Schiller, Dane Gagai, Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew, Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Jacob Saifiti, Phoenix Crossland, Brodie Jones, Dylan Lucas, Tyson Frizell, Adam Elliott, Jayden Brailey, Jack Hetherington, Mat Croker & Thomas Cant
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