NRL 2023 Round 12 – Betting Tips, Odds & Predictions

Round 12 just about marks the halfway point of the NRL season, with 13 rounds remaining after this one and the ladder very much beginning to take shape. It’s also Indigenous Round, a weekend which celebrates First Nations history and culture and its contribution to the NRL. The round kicks off with what looms as an enthralling encounter between the Broncos and the Panthers on Thursday night, before the Rabbitohs and the Eels lock horns the following evening. A Dolphins vs Storm matchup headlines Saturday night’s action, before the round concludes with the in-form Raiders taking on the Sea Eagles. Take a look our match previews for all eight games set to take place in Indigenous Round below.

Indigenous Round kicks off with a top of the table clash between two teams who will very possibly be meeting once again much later in the season. The Broncos and the Panthers currently occupy second and third spots on the NRL ladder respectively, Brisbane having only lost their hold on top spot after last week’s loss to the Storm, which, though just their third of the season, was also their second in three weeks. The Panthers, meanwhile, put together one of the most ominous displays of 2023 to date. They absolutely annihilated the Roosters, jumping out of the blocks with four converted tries to zip in the first half before ending the game 48-4 winners. That was the kind of performance which reminded the NRL world of what they’re capable of, and they have a great chance to flex their muscles once again against a team trying to insert itself into Premiership calculations. The Broncos have been great this year, but with their fixture beginning to get more difficult the losses are starting to come. As improved as they are, this is a side which is still a level below the absolute top tier, and the Panthers can prove as much with a solid win at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

Predicted Squads

Brisbane Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Tom Flegler  9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Kobe Hetherington17. Martin Taupau 18. Deine Mariner 19. Keenan Palasia 20. Brendan Piakura 21. Xavier Willison 22. Jordan Pereira

Penrith Panthers : 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To'o  6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Zac Hosking 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Martin 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Jack Cogger 19. Luke Garner 20. Tom Jenkins 21. Chris Smith 22. Liam Henry

Things are going from bad to worse for the Dragons, who have now lost six in a row after their last 42-22 drubbing at the hands of the Cowboys. They’ll have a tough time ending that losing streak this Friday night, though they do get the Roosters at the right time. They’ve lost their last two and four of their past six, with their latest defeat a humiliating 48-4 loss at the hands of the Panthers. One of those two wins they’ve had in that period did come against the Dragons, though that was at Sydney’s home ground and by just a point. That result and their form over the past fortnight would suggest that the Roosters are vulnerable, but they are also a hell of a lot better a side than what the Dragons are. Even if they’re below their best, the Roosters should be able to get back on the winners’ list relatively comfortably in this game.

Predicted Squads

St. George Illawarra Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mat Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt  8. Jack De Belin 9. Jacob Liddle  10. Blake Lawrie 11. Jack Bird 12. Jaydn Su'a 13. Michael Molo 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Toby Couchman 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Josh Kerr 18. Francis Molo 19. Moses Mbye 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Zane Musgrove 22. Max Feagai

Sydney Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Corey Allan 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Billy Smith 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves  9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Jake Turpin 15. Nat Butcher 16. Angus Crichton 17. Matt Lodge 18. Sandon Smith  19. Fletcher Baker 20. Nathan Brown 21. Junior Pauga 22. Terrell May

The Rabbitohs are looking scary. Following their latest victory they deservedly claimed top spot on the ladder, with the 20-0 win over the Tigers their sixth in a row. The Panthers are the only side to have got close to them over that period, with the Bunnies having now scored the equal-third most points in the league this season and conceded the second least. The Eels, meanwhile, are seeing their season gradually slip away after two consecutive losses, the latest an eight-point loss to the Raiders. They’re certainly nowhere near as bad as their 4-7 record and 14th place would suggest – they’re one of just seven teams in the league with a positive points differential – but those losses are beginning to pile up to an alarming extent, and if they don’t start winning soon their finals hopes will be getting very slim. Unfortunately for them, they’ve got the most difficult test in the league at the moment this weekend. The Bunnies don’t look like losing to anyone, and the Eels in their current form certainly don’t look capable of walking away from Allianz Stadium with a win. 

Predicted Squads

South Sydney Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Hame Sele 11. Michael Chee Kam 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray 14. Blake Taaffe 15. Jai Arrow 16. Liam Knight 17. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 18. Ben Lovett 19. Richard Kennar 20. Peter Mamouzelos 21. Shaq Mitchell  22. Dean Hawkins

Parramatta Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Wiremu Greig 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Andrew Davey 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Ofahiki Ogden 15. Brendan Hands 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Makahesi Makatoa 18. Jake Arthur 19. Haze Dunster 20. Ky Rodwell 21. Daejarn Asi 22. Luca Moretti

• Four of the Titans past five games have seen over 50 points scored.
• The Roosters have won nine of their last ten games against the Dragons, and with the exception of their most recent clash, all of those wins have been by ten points or more.
• The Broncos have lost their last three games against the Panthers in Brisbane.

Multi of the Week

The Sharks survived a late scare from the Sea Eagles last week, running out 20-14 winners, but realistically they looked a lot more comfortable than that scoreline would suggest throughout the course of the game. That win was their fourth in five weeks, and though they haven’t been at their absolute best over the past couple of weeks, they still find themselves 6-4 and in fourth position on the NRL ladder. The Knights, meanwhile, have been struggling, but put in perhaps their best performance of the year last weekend when beating the Titans 46-26. They haven’t exactly been a force to be reckoned with this season but they certainly looked like it at times in that game, though it’s worth noting that they were up against a team which concedes more points than anyone in the league with the exception of the Bulldogs. The Sharks are a different story entirely. They haven’t been quite as dominant defensively this year as they were last, but they’re gradually getting there and will certainly not be letting the Knights score 46 points for the second week in a row. They should be too good this weekend.

Predicted Squads

Cronulla Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Connor Tracey 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Braydon Trindall 15. Jack Williams 16. Wade Graham 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Braden Hamlin-Uele 21. Jesse Colquhoun 22. Jayden Berrell

Newcastle Knights: 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Kalyn Ponga 
7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Jack Hetherington 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Leo Thompson 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Jacob Saifiti  16. Adam Elliott 17. Mat Croker  18. Jack Johns 19. Enari Tuala 20. Adam Clune 21. Hymel Hunt 22. Simi Sasagi

After a couple of consecutive wins, the Tigers were back to their Wooden Spoon form last weekend, failing to score a single point against the Rabbitohs in a 20-0 defeat. The Cowboys have had a very disappointing season to date, but after two strong wins they’re beginning to come into some form and will be looking at this as an opportunity to really sink the boots in. Over the past fortnight, they’ve beaten first the Roosters by 14 points and then last week the Dragons by 20 points, and they will be expecting to give the Tigers a similar sort of beating. The Tigers have been able to avoid heavy defeats for the most part this season, but last weekend they looked powerless against a very, very good Rabbitohs side. The Cowboys aren’t at that level, but nonetheless they’re more than capable of earning a pretty comfortable win this weekend. 

Predicted Squads

Wests Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Starford To'a  4. Tommy Talau 5. Junior Tupou 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jake Simpkin  15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Alex Twal 17. Asu Kepaoa 18. Alex Seyfarth 19. Shawn Blore 20. Justin Matamua 21. Daine Laurie 22. Aitasi James

North Queensland Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jack Gosiewski 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Mitch Dunn 16. Riley Price 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 18. Zac Laybutt 19. Ben Hampton 20. Sylvester Namo 21. Brendan Elliot 22. Sam McIntyre

The Dolphins enjoyed a well-deserved break after one of their most impressive wins in what has been a very impressive season, beating the Sharks 36-16 a couple of weeks ago to take their record to 6-4. They’re joined on that record by four other teams, one of whom is the side they’ll welcome to Suncorp Stadium this weekend. It’s been an indifferent start to the year for the Storm, but they were very good last Thursday night when beating the Broncos 24-16. Without Ryan Papenhuyzen they’re obviously a worse team, but they’re nonetheless hanging around with the top tier which is breaking away from the chasing pack as the Premiership favourites. The Dolphins are in that pack on the ladder, but that’s about it. Impressive as they’ve been, they’ll struggle to keep pace with the likes of the Panthers, Sharks and Storm, sides with whom they’re currently fighting for the same spots. The Storm should be too good for them this weekend, and may be able to jump into the top four with a strong win.

Predicted Squads

The Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken  4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Kenny Bromwich 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Anthony Milford 16. Ray Stone 17. Herman Ese'ese 18. Mark Nicholls 19. Kurt Donoghoe 20. Edrick Lee 21. Valynce Te Whare 22. JJ Collins

Melbourne Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Will Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Aaron Pene 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Tui Kamikamica 18. Grant Anderson 19. Tariq Sims 20. Tepai Moeroa 21. Tyran Wishart
22. Jayden Nikorima

An already disappointing 2023 season for the Bulldogs keeps getting worse by the weekend, with their latest effort a 24-12 loss to the Warriors last Friday. That made it five losses in six games and took their points differential to a woeful -95, the worst in the league. The Titans, meanwhile, have shown a hell of a lot more improvement than their opponent this weekend so far this year, but were thoroughly disappointing last weekend when giving up 46 points to the Knights, of all teams. Both of these teams have plenty to prove this weekend, but while each is coming off poor losses, such performances for the often erratic Titans have been a lot fewer and further between than for the Bulldogs. Anything could happen in this game and the Titans leaky defence could provide a great opportunity for Canterbury to find some confidence, but they’ve been so poor over the past few weeks that it's very difficult to tip anything but a Titans win here.

Predicted Squads

Canterbury Bulldogs: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Karl Oloapu 7. Matt Burton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tevita Pangai Junior  11. Corey Waddell 12. Jacob Preston 13. Harrison Edwards 14. Josh Reynolds 15. Jayden Okunbor 16. Samuel Hughes 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 19. Blake Wilson 20. Jackson Topine 21. Ryan Sutton 22. Kyle Flanagan 23. Kurtis Morrin

Gold Coast Titans: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami  6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 14. Kruise Leeming 15. Erin Clark 16. Klese Haas 17. Joe Vuna 18. Aaron Schoupp 19. Thomas Mikaele 20. Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui 21. Keano Kini 22. Ken Maumalo

The Raiders are a great example of the idea that winning breeds winning. A four-game winning streak heading into last weekend’s game could easily have yielded a couple of losses, and they certainly weren’t firing on all cylinders every weekend. They were, however, sneaking over the line, and continued that trend with an impressive 26-18 victory over the Eels last weekend. All of a sudden they’ve won five games in a row after a slow start to the season to take their record to 6-4 and jump into the eight, and with a home game against the Sea Eagles to come this weekend they’re a great chance to take themselves to 7-4. The Sea Eagles suffered a third straight defeat last weekend, going down 20-14 to the Sharks in a game in which the scoreboard probably flattered them. In contrast to the Raiders, they’re starting to really struggle after a strong start to the season, and have dropped down to 4-1-5 and 12th position on the ladder. They’re certainly capable of going close in this game and a win isn’t beyond them, but it’s hard to go past the Raiders to conclude Round 12 with a win.

Predicted Squads

Canberra Raiders: 1. Sebastian Kris  2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker  4. Matt Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Danny Levi15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Ata Mariota 18. James Schiller 19. Hohepa Puru 20. Brad Schneider 21. Corey Harawira-Naera  22. Nick Cotric

Manly Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolu Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Sean Keppie 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Karl Lawton 15. Samuela Fainu 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Ben Condon 18. Kaeo Weekes  19. Morgan Harper 20. Cooper Johns 21. Morgan Boyle 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

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