NRL 2025 Round 6
Well, I don’t think many people saw this one coming. The Panthers are sitting 15th on the ladder. They haven’t won since Round 1 in Las Vegas and coach Ivan Cleary must be scratching his head, especially after their performance against the Cowboys last time out where they didn’t put on any points in the second half. It’s looking like they might get Dylan Edwards, which would be a massive boost.
On the flip side, the Dolphins were able to chalk up their first win of the 2025 season last round against the Titans on the Gold Coast. While it was a good win, I just can’t see the Panthers losing five games in a row, especially now that all their key players are back. The Panthers have won the last two games against the Dolphins. With the Panther's form still shaky, I’ll take them for the win straight up.
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, Max Plath, Tom Gilbert, Kurt Donoghoe, Mark Nicholls, Connelly Lemuelu & Josh Kerr
Penrith Panthers - Dylan Edwards, Paul Alamoti, Izack Tago, Thomas Jenkins, Daine Laurie, Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Lindsay Smith, Scott Sorensen, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Brad Schneider, Isaiah Papali'i, Liam Henry & Luke Garner
The Dragons went down in a heartbreaker last time out against the Eels in golden point and just to rub salt into the wound, it was former Dragons player, Zac Lomax, that kicked the 1-point field goal. After a great win against the Storm in Round 4, many thought they could get the job done against the then-winless Eels. That just shows how inconsistent the Dragons are in 2025.
Speaking of inconsistency, we have the Titans! They backed up their dominant win against the Roosters in Round 4 with a poor performance against the Dolphins (who were also winless coming into that clash). The Titans are now on the road and this one could go either way I think. It’ll be about the team that decides to show up on the day and with the Dragons playing at home, I think they are the more likely and Gutho will look to steer them in the right direction.
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
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, Chris Randal, Sean Mullany, David Fifita, Jaimin Jolliffe & Josiah Pahulu
The Broncos and Roosters do battle once again in 2025 after the Broncos piled on 50 points to the Roosters 14 in Round 1. This time the Roosters have to travel up to Brisbane and that doesn’t bode well. The Broncos were in a tight tussle in the first half with the Tigers last round, but their class proved too strong in the second half. The Broncos ended up running away with it, winning 46-24.
If anyone can explain to me what the hell is going wrong with the Roosters, that would be greatly appreciated! They put in a poor performance against the Titans in Sydney last round and this drops them to 16th on the ladder. Yes, that’s right. Even the Dolphins are higher on the ladder than the Roosters. The Rooster have only won one game so far this season and that was to the Panthers (who are also struggling right now).
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
 | Over points - 49.5 | $1.85 |
 | Over points - 50.5 | $2.00 |
 | Over points - 50.5 | $1.91 |
Brisbane Broncos - Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Jesse Arthars, Ben Hunt, Adam Reynolds, Patrick Carrigan, Cory Paix, Payne Haas, Jack Gosiewski, Jaiyden Hunt, Kobe Hetherington, Billy Walters, Corey Jensen, Xavier Willison, Ben Te Kura
Sydney Roosters - James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith, Robert Toia, Dom Young, Sandon Smith, Chad Townsend, Spencer Leniu, Connor Watson, Naufahu Whyte, Angus Crichton, Siua Wong, Nat Butcher, Zach Dockar-Clay, Salesi Foketi, Blake Steep & Makahesi Makatoa
The first of two games at Optus Stadium sees the Sharks do battle with the Sea Eagles. The Sharks went down to the Raiders last time out, despite Hudson Young being in the bin for 10 minutes. They will be desperate to get back in the winner’s circle and not lose three games in a row. It was a difficult loss after the Raiders scored in the 78th minute with some ad-lib footy to steal the game right under the Shark's nose.
The Sea Eagles are also looking for a bounce-back win here after a very disappointing show in front of their home crowd against the Storm. Manly looked all over the shop in the second half and it was honestly difficult to watch even as a neutral. Things aren’t getting better either, with Jason Saab also expected to miss this clash (and Tom Trbojevic is still on the sidelines). With all the injuries, go with the Sharks to get the win.
Cronulla Sharks - Will Kennedy, Samuel Stonestreet, Jesse Ramien, Mawene Hiroti, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Oregon Kaufusi, Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton, Cameron McInnes, Daniel Atkinson, Sifa Talakai, Tom Hazelton & Toby Rudolf
Manly Sea Eagles - Lehi Hopoate, Tommy Talau, Tolu Koula, Reuben Garrick, Clayton Faulalo, Luke Brooks, Daly Cherry-Evans, Nathan Brown, Jazz Tevaga, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Haumole Olakau’atu, Ben Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Jake Simpkin, Dean Matterson, Ethan Bullemor & Tof Sipley
It was feast or famine with Latrell Mitchell’s plays in his first game back from injury in 2025. Whether or not you think THAT pass was forward, it doesn’t matter, the refs didn’t and the Rabbitohs beat the Roosters 20-14. The Rabbitohs are one of the biggest surprise packs of 2025 so far, dropping just one game so far to the Shark in Round 3. Their win in the last round came at a cost though, with Mikaele Ravalawa, Cody Walker and Jamie Humphreys all out.
Not many saw this coming, but the Cowboys got the win against the Panthers last time out and they are now sitting in 13th position on the ladder. The Cowboys have got the better of the Rabbitohs in the last two meetings and while the Rabbits are missing some key players, they know how to win gritty. I’m surprised we are getting such good odds for the Rabbithos, so I’ll be jumping on them while I still can.
South Sydney Rabbitohs - Jye Gray, Isaiah Tass, Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton, Tyrone Munro, Jayden Sullivan, Lewis Dodd, Sean Keppie, Peter Mamouzelos, Tevita Tatola, Keaon Koloamatangi, Jai Arrow, Lachlan Hubner, Siliva Havili, Tallis Duncan, Davvy Moale & Liam Le Blanc
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, Kai O'Donnell, Reuben Cotter, Sam McIntyre, Jeremiah Nanai, Griffin Neame & Coen Hess
What a win by the Eels last time out. It was a massive battle to get their first win of 2025 on the board, but Zac Lomax stood up when it counted. They still sit last on the ladder though and will be desperate to get another win on the board against the Raiders on Saturday. We head to Darwin for this clash, so it will be interesting to see how both teams travel, but I think it will be the Raiders who will struggle with the heat more than the Eels.
The Raiders broke the hearts of Sharks fans last time out with their ad-lib footy snatching the win in the 78th minute in front of their adoring fans. Despite the Darwin heat, I think the Raiders will be able to take advantage of the inconsistency of the Eels and they should get a decent win here. They have won their last two games with the Eels and in their last clash, the scoreline was 41-8 to the Raiders.
Parramatta Eels - Isaiah Iongi, Sean Russell, Will Penisini, Zac Lomax, Josh Addo-Carr, Dylan Brown, Dean Hawkins, Joe Ofahengaue, Ryley Smith, Junior Paulo, Shaun Lane, Kitione Kautoga, J'maine Hopgood, Dylan Walker, Luca Moretti, Sam Tuivaiti & Charlie Guymer
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, Corey Horsburgh, Owen Pattie, Simi Sasagi, Morgan Smithies & Ata Mariota
The Storm are back in Melbourne after a dominant win over the Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park last time out. Despite missing a few key players, the Storm put the Sea Eagles to the sword, especially in the second half and ended up claiming a 48-24 victory. Melbourne has only lost one clash so far this season, in Round 4 and they bounced back well last time out. There’s just so much depth in this team.
It’s always a difficult task coming to Melbourne to play the Storm and the Warriors face an uphill battle on Sunday afternoon. The Warriors have always seemed to struggle when making the trip across the ditch to Melbourne and despite them being fresh off a bye, I expect more of the same here. The Warriors were fairly lucky to get the win against the Tigers in Round 4 as well. The Storm could run away with this on.
Melbourne Storm - Ryan Papenhuyzen, Will Wabrick, Jack Howarth, Grant Anderson, Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Stefano Utoikamanu, Harry Grant, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eli Katoa, Trent Loiero, Tyran Wishart, Alec MacDonald, Tui Kamikamica & Nelson Asofa-Solomona
New Zealand Warriors - Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Taine Tuaupiki, Rocco Berry, Ali Leiataua, Adam Pompey, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Luke Metcalf, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Mitch Barnett, Kurt Capewell, Marata Niukore, Erin Clark, Jackson Ford, Demitric Vaimauga, Leka Halasima & Bunty Afoa
Oh, the Knights. What are we going to do with you? Coming off a bye, you would have thought they would have some pep in their step. But no, the Bulldogs held them to nothing. The Bulldogs are the last remaining team who haven’t lost yet, but to not score any points, that’s not good. Not to mention they only scored six points in their game before that. The Tigers might be an easier opponent, but not as easy as they might think.
Yes, I understand the Tigers faded badly in the second half against the Broncos, but this is a team that is sitting near the top of the ladder and the Tigers were without Laui. So, it’s surprising they are such underdogs. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not convinced they’ll win this, but I think they will keep it close. Remember, when they played the Knights in Round 1 it was without Api and they only lost by two points.
Newcastle Knights - Kalyn Ponga, Taj Annan, Dane Gagai, Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew, Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Brodie Jones, Phoenix Crossland, Leo Thompson, Kai Pearce-Paul, Tyson Frizell, Adam Elliott, Jayden Brailey, Thomas Cant, Jermaine McEwen & Mat Croker
Wests Tigers - Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, Adam Doueihi, Starford To'a, Jeral Skelton, Lachlan Galvin, Jarome Luai, Terrell May, Api Koroisau, Fonua Pole, Samuela Fainu, Alex Seyfarth, Alex Twal, Tallyn Da Silva, Royce Hunt, Jack Bird & Sione Fainu
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