NRL 2025 Round 2 – Betting Tips, Odds & Predictions

Every team except for the Titans now has one game in the books in 2025, after the second week of a split Round One saw a couple of thrillers and a couple of absolute thumpings. We had a very tidy week ourselves on the betting front, ending up that second weekend eight units up and hitting on our $8 NRL multi. The action continues this Thursday night with the first full weekend of games, so let’s jump right in and preview the lot of them.

Both of these teams found themselves in thrillers in their respective opening games of the season, though they ended up on opposite sides of them. The Knights were very nearly the first victims of a new-look Tigers team in a defensive game which they trailed 8-0 at the break, but they fought back valiantly with two tries in the second half to sneak over the line 10-8.

The Dolphins, meanwhile, traded tries with the Rabbitohs – or more correctly, Tyrone Munro traded tries with Jamayne Isaako – before taking the lead in the 52nd minute, but they were unable to hold onto that lead and conceded what proved to be a match-winner with less than 15 minutes to go. Those two games likely demonstrated how tight the mid-lower sections of the ladder will be this season, and there is every chance both of these teams are in for another tight one in Round 2. This could go either way, but on their home turf the Knights can sneak over the line.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Knights to win	$1.55
	Knights 1-12	$3.10
	Under 46.5 total match points	$1.88

Predicted Squads

Newcastle Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Adam Elliott 17. Mathew Croker

Dolphins: B: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Junior Tupou 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Oryn Keeley 12. Max Plath 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Josh Kerr 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Ray Stone

The Warriors are hopeful that they can bounce back from a really disappointing 2024 this season, but their start would not exactly have inspired a great deal of hope in their fanbase. They were pumped by the Raiders in Vegas, but they’ll be looking to prove that game was simply a Sin City anomaly when they return to New Zealand to take on the Sea Eagles.

In complete contrast to the Warriors, the Sea Eagles were brilliant in Round One, systematically dismantling a disappointing Cowboys’ outfit. Within 10 minutes they had opened up a 16-0 lead and didn’t look back, eventually getting out to a 42-0 lead before conceding a couple of late tries. The difference between these two teams’ respective performances in Round One have seen the Sea Eagles come into comfortable favouritism, but the Warriors are a lot better than the showed in that game. Back on their home turf, expect a much better showing, and it would be no surprise to see them secure an upset win.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Warriors to win	$3.00
	Warriors 1-12	$4.33
	Warriors +8.5	$1.88

Predicted Squads

New Zealand Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitch Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima

Manly Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Tof Sipley

After a couple of pivotal off-season personnel losses, the Panthers look a little more vulnerable this season than they have in recent years, though given they’ve won four flags in a row that isn’t saying all much. They weren’t at their dominant best in their season-opener in Vegas against the Sharks, but their experience came to the fore in a tight game.

Now back in Australia, they get a good chance to make it two from two against a Roosters’ side that looks set for a fall this year. That was always possible given the mass exodus they suffered in the off-season, and the early signs weren’t good as they gave up 50 points and went down by 36 to the Broncos. That doesn’t bode well for their chances in Penrith. Hopefully the Roosters can muster up a little more defensive intensity than they showed last week, but it’s hard to see them getting close to the reigning Premiers.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Panthers 13+	$1.42
	Over 48.5 total match points	$1.91
	Panthers 7+	$1.21

Predicted Squads

Penrith Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Casey McLean 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To'o 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Isaiah Papali'i 16. Matthew Eisenhuth 17. Luke Garner

Sydney Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dom Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Salesi Foketi 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Blake Steep 17. Taylor Losalu

• The Warriors are generally a much stronger team at home – they went 6-5 in NZ last year compared to 2-9 on the road. Conversely, the Sea Eagles had a terrible 3-7 record away compared to 9-2 at home last year. The home side is good value here.
• The Panthers have an incredible recent record against the Roosters, having beaten them ten times in a row by an average of more than 16 points.
• The Bulldogs won their first ten games at home last season by an average of 13 points.

Multi of the Week

The Dragons looked likely to be on the receiving end of a hammering in Round One when they went down 28-6 early in the second half against the Bulldogs. But they limited the damage and even nearly got themselves back in the game with three tries in a row, ultimately falling eight points short. This week they get their second consecutive game at home, where they will welcome the Rabbitohs on the back of a thrilling win.

In their first game with Wayne Bennett back at the helm, the Bunnies looked a hell of a lot better than they did for a lot of last season, and a 67th minute try to Isaiah Tass ultimately gave them a two-point lead they wouldn’t relinquish. That gives them as many wins as they had through ten games last season already, and it would be no surprise to see them come away from Illawarra with another as the underdog.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Rabbitohs to win	$2.65
	Rabbitohs 1-12	$4.10
	Rabbitohs +6.5	$1.88

Predicted Squads

St. George Illawarra Dragons: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. Emre Guler 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Hamish Stewart

South Sydney Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Fletcher Myers 4. Campbell Graham 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9.  Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Tevita Tatola

There were a few disappointing teams in Round One, but the Cowboys may very well be at the top of that list. They were woeful against the Sea Eagles, a side with whom they were neck and neck for much of last year, conceding seven tries in the first 55 minutes of the game to go down 42-0. They at least managed to stop the damage there and score a couple themselves, but that did little to mask just how dreadful an effort that was. Play like that against the Sharks, and they will be in for another thumping.

Cronulla has had two weeks off after their opening round clash in Vegas, a game in which they were very competitive against the reigning Premiers but ultimately fell six points short. This is a travel-heavy first couple of weeks of the season, but having enjoyed two weeks off and with the Cowboys having looked as bad as they did last weekend, the visitors will be expecting to come away from this game with the points.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Sharks to win	$1.37
	Sharks 7+	$1.80
	Over 50.5 total match points	$1.88

Predicted Squads

North Queensland Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Thomas Duffy 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Sam McIntyre 11. John Bateman 12. Kai O'Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess

Cronulla Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2.  Sam Stonestreet 3.  Jesse Ramien 4.  Kayal Iro 5.  Ronaldo Mulitalo 6.  Braydon Trindall 7.  Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9.  Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Sifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Tom Hazelton

Many expect the Raiders to drop down the ladder this season, but they certainly didn’t look like they had any intentions of doing that in Round One. In the first game of the season, they were terrific against the Warriors, scoring just five minutes in and never looking back en route to a 30-8 win. They head home to the nation’s capital for their second game, but they will have their work cut out against another side coming off a terrific win.

The Broncos are more than capable of bouncing back from a disappointing 2024, and showed as much in a dominant 50-16 win over the Roosters in Round One. They were offensively unstoppable in that game, and while the Raiders were very sound defensively against the Warriors, the visitors this weekend will provide a sterner test and can come away with a win.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Broncos to win	$1.23
	Broncos -12.5	$1.94
	Broncos 7+	$1.50

Predicted Squads

Canberra Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Seb Kris 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Tom Starling 10. Corey Horsburgh 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Matty Nicholson 17. Ata Mariota

Brisbane Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Deine Mariner 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Brendan Piakura

Last year’s bottom two sides kick off the Sunday action, but with both hoping to haul themselves off the bottom this year this should be an intriguing clash. The Eels, unfortunately, did not start the way they would like, failing to put up a fight in a 38-point loss to the Storm in Melbourne. The Tigers are a much easier opposition, though will be far from the easy beats they have been in recent years in 2025 and showed as much last week.

The new-look Tigers were really solid against the Knights, but fell two points shy after holding their opposition scoreless in the first half. Still, it was a solid enough effort by the reigning Wooden Spooners, and if they play with the same level of discipline in Parramatta this Sunday it would be no surprise to see them walk away with their first win of the season.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Tigers to win	$1.67
	Tigers 1-12	$3.30
	Under 50.5 total match points	$1.88

Predicted Squads

Parramatta Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Will Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Jordan Samrani 6. Dylan Brown 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Jack Williams 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Ryley Smith 15. Matt Doorey 16. Kitione Kautoga 17. Sam Tuivaiti

Wests Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To'a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Api Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu

After a terrific 2024 season which ended in disappointing fashion, the Bulldogs started this year in style against the Dragons – at least for the first 55 minutes of that game. They would be disappointed to have let their opponents back into it, but the damage was done early as they looked to show that last year was not just a flash in the pan. Now back at their home ground where they were so good last year, they will be expecting to make it two from two this Sunday.

The Titans are the only team yet to take to the field this year after a Round One bye, and enter the season with split views about how they’ll fare. For a long period last year they were really competitive against plenty of good teams, and all that without Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, but at the start and end of the season they were not good. They’re capable of challenging for their eight if all goes right this year, but they will struggle to win what is a tough first game of the year.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Bulldogs to win	$1.43
	Bulldogs -8.5	$1.95
	Bulldogs 13+	$2.50

Predicted Squads

Canterbury Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Josh Curran 17. Jaeman Salmon

Gold Coast Titans: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Mo Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. David Fifita 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Brock Gray

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