NRL 2025 Round 9
Cronulla Sharks vs Parramatta Eels
It’ll be a quick turnaround for the Sharks, who lost heartbreakingly to the Tigers on Sunday in golden point. The Eels are fresh off a bye and in their last game, they won. And who exactly did they beat? That’s right, the Tigers! However, the Tigers did have Galvin back for their clash against the Sharks. Mitchell Moses was excellent in his return against the Tigers and the Eels will have their work cut out for them on Friday.
The Eels will have the fresher legs and I’m certainly tempted to pick the upset here. Both teams have won two of their last three and while the Sharks look like the better team on paper, they are known to let the underdogs in with a chance. This is something we saw last time out with the Sharks. There’s certainly a bit of value with the Eels, but I think I’ll play it safe, tipping them to cover the spread.
Predicted Squads
Cronulla Sharks - Will Kennedy, Samuel Stonestreet, Jesse Ramien, Kayal Iro, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Oregon Kaufusi, Briton Nikora, Billy Burns, Cameron McInnes, Daniel Atkinson, Sifa Talakai, Tuku Hau Tapuha & Tom Hazelton
Parramatta Eels - Isaiah Iongi, Josh Addo-Carr, Will Penisini, Sean Russell, Bailey Simonsson, Dylan Brown, Mitch Moses, Jack Williams, Ryley Smith, Junior Paulo, Matt Doorey, Kitione Kautoga, J'maine Hopgood, Dylan Walker, Luca Moretti, Ryan Matterson & Sam Tuivaiti
Sydney Roosters vs Dolphins
The Roosters will be riding high after getting the win over the Dragons in their ANZAC Day clash. It wasn’t just the fact they won, but also the way they won, beating the Dragons 46-16, with Teddy scoring a double. Trent Robinson will probably stick with the same side for this game. The Roosters seem to finally be gaining some momentum, winning two of their last three games.
The Dolphins let a massive half-time lead of 28-10 slip last time out, to go down to the Raiders 28-40. Yep, that’s right, they didn’t score any second-half points! In better news, they are playing at Suncorp Stadium, where they have won three of their last four. They are also looking for the trifecta of wins here at Suncorp after beating the Storm and Panthers. Bookies can’t split them, go with the overs for two teams that like to put on a show.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
 | Total points - Over 48.5 | $1.88 |
 | Total points - Over 47.5 | $1.75 |
 | Total points - Over 48.5 | $1.91 |
Predicted Squads
Sydney Roosters - James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Sandon Smith, Hugo Savala, Spencer Leniu, Connor Watson, Naufahu Whyte, Angus Crichton, Siua Wong, Victor Radley, Zach Dockar-Clay, Salesi Foketi, Blake Steep & Egan Butcher
Dolphins - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Jake Averillo, Herbie Farnworth, Jack Bostock, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiya Katoa, Felise Kaufusi, Jeremy Marshall-King, Francis Molo, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Tom Gilbert, Max Plath, Ray Stone, Mark Nicholls, Connelly Lemuelu & Josh Kerr
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights
Two teams who desperately need a win will battle it out on Saturday afternoon when the Rabbitohs and Knights clash. For the Bunnies, they will miss Latrell Mitchell again. He is set for one week on the sidelines after a high tackle in the game against the Storm. That high tackle also got Mitchell sin-binned and he became the most sin-binned player in history (in the NRL era), with eight sin bins.
The Rabbitohs have lost three in a row while the Knights are on a five-game losing streak, scoring just 36 points across those five games, for an average of 7.2 points per game. It’s difficult to see where the Knights will score their points from and even without Mitchell, the Rabbitohs do have solid attacking flair. Play it safe and stick with the Rabbitohs to take the win at Suncorp Stadium.
Predicted Squads
South Sydney Rabbitohs - Jye Gray, Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham, Isaiah Tass, Jayden Sullivan, Lewis Dodd, Sean Keppie, Peter Mamouzelos, Tevita Tatola, Keaon Koloamatangi, Jai Arrow, Lachlan Hubner, Siliva Havili, Euan Aitken, Davvy Moale & Tallis Duncan
Newcastle Knights - Kalyn Ponga, James Schiller, Dane Gagai, Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew, Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Tyson Frizell, Phoenix Crossland, Leo Thompson, Dylan Lucas, Kai Pearce-Paul, Mat Croker, Jayden Brailey, Tyrone Thompson, Thomas Cant & Brodie Jones
New Zealand Warriors vs North Queensland Cowboys
Both the Warriors and Cowboys are coming into this clash with some good form under their belts. The Warriors have won four of their last five games and the Cowboys are currently on a four-game winning streak. The way the Cowboys won last time out really has caught my attention though. I thought the Titans would put up a fight, but it was all the Cowboys and they won 50-18.
The Warriors have to make the trip across the ditch to head to Brisbane after spending two weeks in New Zealand. The Warriors have only won once away from New Zealand so far this season and that was a two-point victory against the Tigers. So, with a game that I can see going either way, I have to side with the Cowboys, who will only have to make the short trip from North Queensland and will likely have more support in the crowd.
Predicted Squads
New Zealand Warriors - Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Taine Tuaupiki, Rocco Berry, Ali Leiataua, Adam Pompey, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Wayde Egan, Mitch Barnett, Kurt Capewell, Leka Halasima, Erin Clark, Jackson Ford, Bunty Afoa, Demitric Vaimauga & Jacob Laban
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, Griffin Neame, Coen Hess & Harrison Edwards
Wests Tigers vs St. George Illawarra Dragons
It was a Tigers victory for the ages last time out, as they won in golden point against the Sharks. The Sharks did shoot themselves in the foot a little bit, but the Tigers will certainly take the win. Galvin was back on deck and any off-field drama was put to the side, for the game at least. The Dragons, on the other hand, couldn’t string together three wins in a row as they went down to the Roosters in the classic ANZAC Day clash, 18-46.
Despite the exciting victory for the Tigers last time out, there was a sight that no Tigers fan wanted to see, Api Koroisau limping off the field in the closing stages. If he isn’t fit to go this time out, the co-captain will likely be replaced by Tallyn Da Silva. Both teams aren’t the most consistent and I think a lot will ride on whether Api is good to go. I think I’ll stick with the Tigers though, they would be buzzing from that win, while the Dragons will be looking for answers.
Predicted Squads
Wests Tigers - Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, Adam Doueihi, Starford To'a, Brent Naden, 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
St. George Illawarra Dragons - Clint Gutherson, Tyrell Sloan, Moses Suli, Valentine Holmes, Sione Finau, Lyhkan King-Togia, Kyle Flanagan, Toby Couchman, Damien Cook, David Klemmer, Luciano Leilua, Jaydn Su'A, Jack de Belin, Jacob Liddle, Emre Guler, Hamish Stewart & Dylan Egan
Gold Coast Titans vs Canterbury Bulldogs
I honestly thought the Titans were in with a decent enough chance last time out and boy did they prove me wrong. They lost to the Cowboys, 18-50 and this has extended their losing streak to four in a row. On the other side of the coin, the Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season to the Broncos and it was a comprehensive loss at that, going down 18-42. They will be playing at Suncorp Stadium in back-to-back weeks.
The Bulldogs will come into this clash with a different lineup after a couple of their players are on the sidelines due to bans. Matt Burton has copped a one-match ban and Josh Curran has copped a three-game ban. These are two key players for the Bulldogs, but with the way the Titans have been playing at the moment, I’m not sure if that even matters. I expect the Dogs to bounce back in a big way here.
Predicted Squads
Gold Coast Titans - Jaylan de Groot, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Brian Kelly, Phillip Sami, Jojo Fifita, AJ Brimson, Tom Weaver, Mo Fotuaika, Sam Verrills, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Chris Randall, Beau Fermor, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, David Fifita, Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui, Brock Gray & Arama Hau
Canterbury Bulldogs - Connor Tracey, Jacob Kiraz, Bronson Xerri, Stephen Crichton, Marcelo Montoya, Bailey Hayward, Toby Sexton, Max King, Reed Mahoney, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Viliame Kikau, Jacob Preston, Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann, Harry Hayes, Kurtis Morrin & Lipoi Hopoi
Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos
It’s officially listed as a Panthers home game, but up at Suncorp, it’ll feel like a Broncos home game. Every time I think the Panthers have reached the bottom and they can only go up from there, they continue to surprise me and go down another level. Now, they are sitting at the bottom of the table, so there is literally nowhere to go but up! Can things get any worse? Well, they do play the Broncos at Suncorp, so…you be the judge.
The Panthers just didn’t show up against the Sea Eagles last time out. Meanwhile, the Broncos handed the Bulldogs their first loss of the season and in convincing style as well, winning 42-18. The Broncos will also be playing their second game in a row at Suncorp, so that should be pretty settled. Even though the Panthers will get Brian To'o back and question marks around Adam Reynolds, the Panther's inconsistency is worrying. The Broncos are the safer bet.
Predicted Squads
Penrith Panthers - Dylan Edwards, Paul Alamoti, Izack Tago, Tom Jenkins, Brian To'o, Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Luke Sommerton, Liam Henry, Luke Garner, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Brad Schneider, Isaiah Papali'i, Lindsay Smith & Mavrik Geyer
Brisbane Broncos - Selwyn Cobbo, Deine Mariner, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Jesse Arthars, Ben Hunt, Adam Reynolds, Patrick Carrigan, Billy Walters, Payne Haas, Xavier Willison, Jordan Riki, Kobe Hetherington, Cory Paix, Corey Jensen, Brendan Piakura & Tyson Smoothy
Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders
The Storm got back into the winner’s circle last time out after a surprising loss to the Dolphins at home two games back. They beat the Rabbitohs, 24-16, but the win probably wasn’t as convincing as many would have expected. On the other side, the Raiders overcame a sizable half-time deficit to win against the Dolphins last time out. This takes their winning streak to four games now.
Both teams come into this one as genuine Premiership contenders and with their recent form, it’s easy to see why. No real home advantage for either team to feed on either, but the Storm have won their last two meetings against the Raiders. The Storm do seem to enjoy Magic Round and I expect Craig Bellamy will have his men in line after two scrappy performances.
Predicted Squads
Melbourne Storm - Ryan Papenhuyzen, Will Warbrick, Grant Anderson, Nick Meaney, Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Stefano Utoikamanu, Bronson Garlick, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eli Katoa, Trent Loiero, Tyran Wishart, Alec MacDonald, Joe Chan & Lazarus Vaalepu
Canberra Raiders - Kaeo Weekes, Savelio Tamale, Matthew Timoko, Seb Kris, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange, Jamal Fogarty, Corey Horsburgh, Tom Starling, Joe Tapine, Hudson Young, Matty Nicholson, Morgan Smithies, Owen Pattie, Zac Hosking, Josh Papali'i & Ata Mariota
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