NRL 2025 Round 8 – Betting Tips, Odds & Predictions

It always looked likely to be a tight season in the NRL, and hasn’t that proven to be the case so far. With each team having played either six or seven games, every team has won at least twice and lost at least twice with the sole exception of the Bulldogs, who sit two games clear atop the ladder with a 6-0 record. With so little separating so many teams, the ladder will shift plenty and often over the coming weeks and potentially the rest of the season. There are a lot of close games forecast for this weekend, kicking off when the undefeated Bulldogs take on the Broncos, and below you can check out our NRL tips and predictions for all eight of them.

The Bulldogs’ winning ways continued last season, and in emphatic fashion. A week after demolishing the Knights 20-0, they managed to keep their opponent scoreless for the second week running in a 32-0 rout of the Rabbitohs. They now have an incredible three-week aggregate score of 72-6, and have flown into second-favouritism for this year’s Premiership following their brilliant start to the year. They have surpassed a number of teams on that list along the way, including the one they will face this week.

The Broncos have stayed roughly the same in the Premiership betting over the first few weeks of the season, though they haven’t exactly set the world on fire with a 3-3 start. They’ve lost two in a row, too, having gone down by two points in New Zealand to the Warriors last week, and will be eager to get back on the winning list ASAP, particularly with competition for spots in the top eight and top four likely to be very hot this season. Unfortunately for them, they are facing a team rapidly establishing itself as one of the best of the best in the league, and will have to do so without Reece Walsh, who is set to miss a few weeks with a knee injury. One of the Premiership favourites they might be, but it’s impossible to tip the Broncos against the Bulldogs at the moment.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Bulldogs to win	$1.53
	Bulldogs 1-12	$2.90
	Under 42.5 total match points	$1.80

Predicted Squads

Brisbane Broncos: 1. Selwyn Cobbo 2. Deine Mariner 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Xavier Willison 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jensen 16. Brendan Piakura 17. Jaiyden Hunt 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Martin Taupau 20. Jock Madden 21. Josiah Karapani 22. Ben Te Kura

Canterbury Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes 17. Bailey Hayward 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 20. Blake Wilson 21. Blake Taaffe 22. Lipoi Hopoi 23. Luke Smith

The Roosters’ erratic start to the season continued last weekend, as they followed up a really solid ten-point win over the Broncos with a relatively insipid 28-point loss to the struggling Panthers. They now find themselves at 2-5, and though those wins have been impressive enough, their bad performances have comfortably outweighed the good. Entering the season this would have loomed as a matchup they would back themselves in, but while the season of the Roosters has been by and large pretty poor to start, the Dragons have outperformed expectations.

The visitors in this game had already been on the wrong end of a couple of close games this year, but finally they ended one on the right side of the ledger as they upset the Sea Eagles – in Manly no less – by two points. That was their third win in four weeks, each of those victories impressive in different ways, and squared their record at 3-3. They are no world beaters, the Dragons, but as they have been multiple times in recent years, they are much more competitive than many expected entering the season. There is quite a big gap between the Roosters’ ceiling and floor which makes them a little hard to predict, but right now the Dragons look like a much more solid proposition and are a good value proposition at better than even money odds.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Dragons to win	$2.05
	Dragons +1.5	$1.93
	Dragons 1-12	$3.30

Predicted Squads

Sydney Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Egan Butcher 18. Ethan King 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Chad Townsend 21. Dom Young 22. Makahesi Makatoa

St. George Illawarra Dragons: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Sione Finau 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Emre Guler 17. Dylan Egan 18. Lyhkan King-Togia 19. Loko Pasifiki Tonga 20. Finau Latu 21. Corey Allan 22. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

The Warriors secured their second two-point win in the last three weeks last weekend, holding off the Broncos 20-18 to take their record to 4-2. Unsurprisingly, it has been at home where they have done the bulk of their damage, winning all three games in New Zealand. Impressively, last week’s win came without a number of key players, and while the likes of James Fisher-Harris will remain sidelined this weekend, the home side will see the return of some important personnel.

That doesn’t bode particularly well for the Knights. Their hapless run of form continued, and while they did at least manage to score 14 points – worth noting given they had scored just ten in their previous three outings – the bulk of those came in the dying minutes with the game already well and truly beyond doubt, and they also conceded 34. They have now lost four games in a row by at least 16 points – and three of them, in a strange little quirk, by exactly 20 points – and it’s easy to see this one going a similar way. The Knights’ season is quickly spiralling, and the Warriors are in a good position to take advantage at home.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Warriors to win	$1.34
	Warriors -8.5	$1.91
	Warriors 13+	$2.30

Predicted Squads

New Zealand Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Rocco Berry 4. Ali Leiataua 5. Adam Pompey 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. Jackson Ford 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitch Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Leka Halasima 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Jacob Laban 18. Te Maire Martin 20. Tanah Boyd 21. Tanner Stowers-Smith ​​​​​​​22. Samuel Healey 23. Edward Kosi

Newcastle Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mat Croker 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Tyrone Thompson 16. Thomas Cant 17. Brodie Jones 18. Kyle McCarthy 19. Paul Bryan 20. Jack Cogger 21. Matthew Arthur ​​​​​​​22. Logan Aoake

• Courtesy largely of some unbelievable defensive form, none of the Bulldogs’ last four games have seen more than 32 points scored.
• The Warriors are yet to lose at home this year, while the Knights have lost their last two away games by 20 points apiece.
• It’s safe to say Melbourne has not been a happy hunting ground for the Rabbitohs. They have never beaten the Storm there, losing a huge 19 in a row against them in Melbourne, the last six by an average of just under 20 points.

Multi of the Week

The Storm have by and large had a good start to the season and the struggles of the Panthers have seen them establish themselves as relatively comfortable Premiership favourites, but they certainly did not look like it last weekend. They were no match for the Dolphins in just their second loss of the season, uncharacteristically conceding 42 points en route to a 20-point defeat. Even more strangely, they opened up a 16-0 lead in the first 20 minutes of that game before conceding seven consecutive tries in the kind of performance that the Storm have very rarely put up over the years. But they won’t be hitting the panic button just yet. It’s still been a solid start to the season for last year’s Grand Finalists, and they get a good chance to bounce straight back at home this weekend.

The Rabbitohs have had a decent start to the season themselves – certainly a lot better than what they dished up last year – but last week’s effort was easily their worst of the season. Granted the Bulldogs are an excellent side, but a 32-0 loss was nonetheless not the kind of performance Wayne Bennett will be willing to accept. Unfortunately for them, they follow up an away match against the second-favourite for the flag with an away match against the favourite for the flag, so it’s hard to see their fortunes turning around this weekend. They’ll surely bring a better effort than they did against the Bulldogs, but regardless they will likely be in for another relatively hefty defeat.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Storm 13+	$1.88
	Storm -14.5	$1.97
	Storm 7+	$1.50

Predicted Squads

Melbourne Storm: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mat Croker 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Tyrone Thompson 16. Thomas Cant 17. Brodie Jones 18. Kyle McCarthy 19. Paul Bryan 20. Jack Cogger 21. Matthew Arthur ​​​​​​​22. Logan Aoake

South Sydney Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Cody Walker 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Jai Arrow 14. Jye Gray 15. Siliva Havili 16. Davvy Moale 17. Tallis Duncan 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Thomas Fletcher 21. Salesi Ataata ​​​​​​​22. Declan Casey

The Cowboys have been the kings of the streaks over the past couple of years, both winning and losing ones, and they have continued that trend so far in 2025. After a woeful start which saw them lose their first three games, they have turned things around to square the ledger at 3-3, beating the Raiders, Panthers and then Rabbitohs in succession before enjoying a well-deserved rest last week. Finals are now well and truly back on the agenda, and another win this weekend would see them jump inside the top eight for the first time this year.

The Titans’ season to date has, in many ways, been the complete opposite of that of the Cowboys. After a couple of impressive wins in a row in March, they have lost their last three games, and not in particularly gallant fashion. In fact, that three-game stretch loomed as a great opportunity for them to get their season off to a flying start, with each of the Dolphins, Dragons and Raiders among the favourites for the Wooden Spoon. Instead, the Titans lost that trio of games by an average of just under 20 points, and have looked like a contender for bottom spot themselves during that stretch. Their best remains quite good and they have shown that ability at times this season, but it has entirely deserted them in recent weeks. Anything could happen in this game given the penchant for inconsistency both of these teams’ possesses, but based on their recent form it’s hard to go past the Cowboys, particularly on their home turf.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Cowboys to win	$1.42
	Cowboys 7+	$1.85
	Cowboys -8.5	$1.95

Predicted Squads

North Queensland Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Kai O'Donnell 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Harrison Edwards 19. Zac Laybutt 20. Thomas Duffy 21. Karl Lawton ​​​​​​​22. Thomas Mikaele

Gold Coast Titans: 1. Jaylan de Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tom Weaver 8. Mo Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 14. David Fifita 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Brock Gray 17. Arama Hau 18. Tony Francis 19. Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Allan Fitzgibbon ​​​​​​​22. Josiah Pahulu

It’s hard to feel too concerned about the Panthers given they have won four consecutive Premierships, but after five consecutive defeats the alarm bells were certainly starting to ring. And while they have still put their backs against the wall courtesy of that poor start to the season, a 28-point thumping of the Roosters last week came not a moment too soon. Their hopes of picking up Premiership number five in a row have certainly taken a hit over the early stages of the year, but it would be a brave punter to count them out just yet and it would be no surprise if that victory last weekend proves to be the catalyst that propels them up the ladder.

The Sea Eagles, however, will be eager to prevent themselves from being a part of that propulsion, though the way they are playing of late they may not have much choice. They have lost three on the trot to fall to 2-4, once again suffering from the absence of Tom Trbojevic, and last weekend’s loss to the Dragons in Manly was probably the most disappointing of the lot, though they will be boosted dramatically this weekend by the return of Tommy Turbo. These two teams have conceded the third and fourth most points in the league so far this season and it would be no surprise to see plenty of tries scored throughout the 80 minutes, and in a high-scoring game, the home side can continue to build their way into the season after last week’s win with another solid victory.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Panthers to win	$1.47
	Panthers -6.5	$1.95
	Panthers 13+	$2.50

Predicted Squads

Penrith Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Tom Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Liam Henry 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Isaiah Papali'i 16. Lindsay Smith 17. Mavrik Geyer 18. Daine Laurie 19. Luron Patea 20. Asu Kepaoa 21. Matthew Eisenhuth ​​​​​​​22. Jack Cole

Manly Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolu Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Tommy Talau 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown 18. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jake Arthur 21. Michael Chee Kam ​​​​​​​22. Caleb Navale

There were not particularly high hopes for either of these two teams entering the season, but so far, both have proven that lack of expectation wrong. The Raiders, in particular, have been really impressive from the outset, and somewhat unbelievably find themselves in 3rd spot. They picked up their third win on the trot last weekend, beating the Titans by ten points, and while they won’t likely continue to win at the rate that they have all season long, they have banked some pivotal early points and are increasingly looking like a finals contender this season.

The Dolphins, too, have won three on the trot, and their run has probably been even more impressive than that of their opponent in this game. The winning streak of the league’s newest team came after three losses in a row to start the season, and has seen them beat the Titans by 26 points before thumping both of last year’s Grand Finalists – the Panthers by 18 points and the Storm by 20. It’s been an unpredictable run of form given their start to the season, but a wildly impressive one. No one would have picked this as a clash between two of the in-form teams in the comp entering the season, but here we are. Both of these teams will come out with a point to prove as they each look to make it four in a row, and while the Raiders’ favouritism is probably justified on their home turf, the Dolphins have been simply brilliant over the last three weeks and it would be no surprise to see them cause an upset.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Dolphins to win	$2.35
	Dolphins +4.5	$1.91
	Dolphins 1-12	$3.60

Predicted Squads

Canberra Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Seb Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joe Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Matty Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Zac Hosking 16. Josh Papali'i 17. Ata Mariota 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Jed Stuart 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Trey Mooney ​​​​​​​22. Danny Levi

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Max Plath 10. Francis Molo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Mark Nicholls 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Ray Stone 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Josh Kerr 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. Sean O'Sullivan 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Tevita Naufahu ​​​​​​​22. Junior Tupou

The Wests Tigers have already shown plenty of improvement so far this season, but last week’s effort was not their best. Up against one of numerous teams they appear to have surpassed in 2025 in the Eels, they conceded 38 points to fall to their third loss in four weeks. The 38-22 scoreline did, however, conceal how close that game was, and with the Tigers only down by four with a few minutes remaining it could easily have gone the other way. Alas, it did not, and their confidence appears to be on a downwards slope after a positive start to the season.

The Sharks, meanwhile, look to be on the up. They’ve put a couple of disappointing losses in a row behind them to win two on the trot, backing up a six-point defeat of the Sea Eagles with a 20-point win over the Knights which would have been even bigger had they not taken the foot off the pedal in the dying stages. In a season with a lot of teams trying to establish themselves as potential contenders, they are right at the top of the list outside of the top four of the Storm, Bulldogs, Broncos and Panthers. The Tigers will not go down without a fight, but this looks like a great opportunity for the Sharks to win a third game on the trot.

Bookmaker	James’ Tip	Odds
	Sharks to win	$1.43
	Sharks 1-12	$3.00
	Over 46.5 total match points	$1.88

Predicted Squads

Wests Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To'a 5. Brent Naden 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 18. Tony Sukkar 19. Heath Mason 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Solomona Faataape ​​​​​​​22. Tristan Hope

Cronulla Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti 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. Tuku Hau Tapuha 17. Tom Hazelton 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Braden Hamlin-Uele 20. Billy Burns 21. Hohepa Puru ​​​​​​​22. Jesse Colquhoun

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