With all eyes on next week’s State of Origin decider, it’s easy to forget that there’s still regular season footy to be played this weekend.

When the superstars are away, the up and comers come out to play and there will be plenty of players set to start that wouldn’t normally thanks to both Origin camps being underway.

This is the perfect opportunity for young, hungry players to make their mark and for clubs to flex their squad depth and pick up points despite misusing their best players.

So, let’s find out which teams are deep, which teams are shallow and which teams are simply too over-reliant on their big guns. 

For all the latest news, analysis and predictions ahead of this week’s shortened action, check out our expert NRL Round 18 tips and predictions below.

Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Prediction

Friday, July 3, 8:00pm AEST – CommBank Stadium 

NRL Round 18 gets off to a scorching start with the table-topping Panthers entertaining top four hopefuls South Sydney.

The Bunnies are the lucky bunch who get to face the Penrith machine minus their Origin cogs, with Nathan Cleary, Issah Yeo and Liam Martin all away this week.

Surprisingly however, they won’t be without Brian To’o who was sensationally dropped for Game II despite being one of NSW most consistent performers in recent years.

Still, NSW loss is Penrith’s gain, and we expect Bizza to be fired up and ready to prove a point here. 

Away from Origin news, Penrith will be looking to avoid their third loss in a row. A losing streak like this seemed unfathomable earlier in the season, but times have changed and the Panthers no longer carry that invincible aura. 

On the flipside South’s are looking to win three on the bounce after two impressive wins, centred around the magic of seemingly ageless stand-off Cody Walker.

If Walker can continue to produce with the ball in hand here, Souths are certainly decent value to upset a Penrith side missing their biggest creative force in Nathan Cleary. 

Head-to-head prediction: South Sydney Rabbitohs. 

Betting tip: Brian To’o first try scorer.

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Wests Tigers Prediction

Saturday, July 4, 5:30pm AEST – Jubilee Stadium

At least they got one. That all elusive second win of the season continues to elude St George, as they start another unenviable losing streak.

Their loss to fellow cellar dwellers Canberra on the weekend was their third in a row and their 14th for the season. 

They’re still very much in the “do no tip” bucket, despite coming up against a Tigers side here who have lost three on the trot themselves. 

Despite being condemned to a hat-trick of Ls last start by the Knights, they defended with gusto away from home and only lost by six points in the end.

We are tipping the Tigers to take plenty of positives from that showing and be the ones to return to the winner’s circle out of these two. 

Head-to-head prediction: Wests Tigers. 

Betting tip: Under total match points. 

Brisbane Broncos vs Cronulla Sharks Prediction 

Saturday, July 4, 7:35pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium 

Worst premiership defence of the NRL era? It has to be up there. Brisbane’s losing streak ticked over to seven in their 24-18 loss to the Roosters at Suncorp last Friday. 

Despite ending Red Hill’s 20 year wait to house the Provan-Summons Trophy again, Brisbane head coach Michael Maguire’s future now hangs in the balance, with reports indicating he could be sacked come season's end.

A loss here could all but seal his fate and based on current form we are tipping the Sharks, who have been barely affected by Origin, to play executioner at Lang Park. 

Head-to-head prediction: Cronulla Sharks. 

Betting tip: Sione Katoa first try scorer. 

Parramatta Eels vs Manly Sea Eagles Prediction

Sunday, July 5, 2:00pm AEST – CommBank Stadium 

Manly will look to continue their push to rejoin the top four when they head to CommBank Stadium on Sunday to face the Parramatta Eels.

If they are to finish among the four best teams in the comp, they’ll have to do so without five-eighth Luke Brooks, who suffered a suspected ACL tear in their win over Melbourne last week. 

It appears every silver lining has a cloud and losing Luke was a hefty price to pay for seeing off the Storm.

Still, under Foran, Manly have adopted a real “next man up” mentality and they all seem to be playing for one another. 

With other key men Turbo and Fogarty avoiding the draft that is Origin selection, they’ll still have plenty of firepower on deck and should be able to knock off a 15th placed Parramatta missing main man Mitch Moses.  

Head-to-head prediction: Manly Sea Eagles. 

Betting tip: Tom Trbojevic first try scorer. 

Newcastle Knights vs The Dolphins Prediction

Sunday, July 5, 4:05pm AEST – McDonald Jones Stadium 

The final game of the shortened NRL Round 18 sees the season’s two biggest surprise packets go head-to-head.

Both the Knights and the Dolphins are genuine top four contenders, with the Phins currently second favourites for the premiership behind Penrith.

Any title aspirations they may have will have taken a hit with the news that main man Isaiya Katoa sustained a fractured wrist in their stunning win over the Warriors last week. 

The Dolphins without Katoa are like peaches without cream. However, the Knights will be without their lynchpin Kayln Ponga who is away on Origin duty. 

With Newcastle also losing the cream to their peaches, the playing field draws level once again. When games are this close on paper, we tend to turn to the H2H odds and despite Katoa’s absence, they still have the Dolphins as slight favourites, so that’s where our money is going. 

Head-to-head prediction: The Dolphins. 

Betting tip: Herbie Farnworth first try scorer. 

Canterbury Bulldogs, North Queensland Cowboys, Canberra Raiders, Sydney Roosters, Melbourne Storm, Gold Coast Titans, New Zealand Warriors – BYE 

Thanks to Origin Game III being next week, NRL Round 18 serves as the final major bye round of 2026, with seven sides sitting out this week.