The footy is well and truly back and it’s as glorious as ever. The opening round of the new season saw the NRL’s name put up in Vegas lights, the Broncos title defence start with a whimper, and the competition’s all-time try scoring record become just a single four-pointer away from being equalled.

A star was born at Brookvale Oval, although he was wearing Canberra green, the Warriors showed the Roosters you can’t always buy success, and the Panthers let everyone know that their dynasty is far from done.

Elsewhere, if history is to hold, both the Eels and the Titans were instantly erased from the 2026 premiership picture after just 80 minutes of action.

Normally all of that would be a tough act to follow, but not for the Greatest Game of All. Let’s take a sneak peek at everything NRL Round 2 has to potentially offer.

For all the latest news, analysis, odds, and betting tips ahead of Round 2, check out our expert NRL Round 2 tips and predictions below.

Brisbane Broncos vs Parramatta Eels Prediction

Thursday, March 12, 8:00pm AEDT – Suncorp Stadium

NRL Round 2 opens up with two badly beaten battalions squaring off at Suncorp Stadium.

Reigning champions Brisbane were bageled in their own backyard by the Panthers, as their premiership defence got off to the worst possible start.

However, that 26-0 horror show was well and truly one-upped by their opponents this week.

Parramatta were torn limb from limb down in Melbourne by a particularly ruthless Storm side. Craig Bellamy’s chargers running out 52-4 winners, in yet another first round masterclass.

This leaves the Eels running straight to the drawing board after just 80 minutes of action and potentially out of the premiership picture altogether.

That’s right, no team who has conceded 50 or more points in a regular season match, has ever gone on to lift the Provan-Summons Trophy that year.

As awful as the beaten Broncos were last start, we simply can’t see them losing back-to-back home games to start their quest for back-to-back titles. Particularly against an Eels side already this deep down in the doldrums.

Head-to-head prediction: Brisbane Broncos.

Betting tip: Reece Walsh to score two or more tries.

New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders Prediction

Friday, March 13, 6:00pm AEDT – Go Media Stadium

Friday’s footy fiesta gets fired up with this clash between the Warriors and the Raiders at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium.

The Raiders started their season with a dramatic 29-28 golden point win over Manly, all thanks to the NRL’s latest rookie sensation.

In his first game as the Raiders new starting No.7 young gun Ethan Sanders turned in a performance for the ages, scoring a try, kicking four goals and slotting the decisive field goal at the start of overtime.

Meanwhile, the kings of proving people wrong continue to get it done, regardless of injuries or opposition.

The Warriors saw off the Roosters despite missing many a key player and being written off by a number of media outlets… including us.

Honestly, when will we learn? Well, the answer is this week! At home, the Warriors are simply a different beast. Up the Wahs.

Head-to-head prediction: New Zealand Warriors.

Betting tip: Ethan Sanders anytime try scorer.

Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Prediction

Friday, March 13, 8:00pm AEDT – Allianz Stadium

Good golly, what a game we have here under Friday night lights. Age-old arch rivals the Rooster and Rabbitohs will reignite their rivalry at Allianz Stadium this week and there’s more than just competition points on the line.

For the Rabbitohs, in addition to the two points, there is a shot at history up for grabs, for one of their players at least.

Red and Green winger Alex Johnston is one try away from equalling Ken Irvine’s record as the NRL’s greatest ever try scorer and two away from breaking it.

Oh how he would love to break the record against the Roosters and he is certainly in with a shot, as the Tri-colours were pretty poor last week against the Warriors.

The same can’t be said for South Sydney who saw off The Dolphins at Suncorp on Sunday.

With the likes of Mitchell, Murray, Fifita and Graham all fit and firing, Wayne Bennett’s side were unrecognisable to the one that limped to 14th last season.

Yes, their defence was patchy in places as they shipped 30 against the Dolphins, but their attack more than made up for it.  

We expect them to run in tries a plenty here if given the opportunity, as well as shovelling the ball out to the left edge as much as possible in an attempt to write their great mate Johnston’s name into the NRL history books.

Head-to-head prediction: South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Betting tip: Alex Johnston to score two or more tries.

Wests Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys Prediction

Saturday, March 14, 3:00pm AEDT – Leichhardt Oval

The Tigers will get their first taste of regular season footy when they welcome the Cowboys to Leichhardt Oval on Saturday arvo.

Blessed with the bye to start the season, Benji Marshall’s boys will be extra fresh heading into this one against a North Queensland side who flew to the other side of the world just to lose to the Knights.

It’s pretty clear all is not well up in the tropics and Todd Payten’s job is in serious danger. His side were well below their best in Vegas and surely the commutes are starting to add up.

We’re tipping the Tigers at home here, simply due to how fresh their legs will be in comparison to their counterparts.

Head-to-head prediction: Wests Tigers.

Betting tip: Under total match points.

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Melbourne Storm Prediction

Saturday, March 14, 5:30pm AEDT – WIN Stadium

How do you stop the Storm? Simple answer: you don’t. It doesn’t seem to matter who comes and goes from their side, as long as Craig Bellamy is the one putting the names up on the whiteboard.

No Ryan Papenhuyzen? No problem. Melbourne started life without their superstar No.1 with a scintillating showing that put Parramatta to the sword to the tune of 52 points.

Meanwhile, St George’s struggles continued, this time stateside, as they went down in golden point to the Bulldogs.

In a somewhat surprising statistical turn, the Dragons have actually beaten Melbourne in their last two games. However, we can’t see them completing the hat-trick here.

Head-to-head prediction: Melbourne Storm.

Betting tip: Sualauvi Faalogo first try scorer.

Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks Prediction

Saturday, March 14, 7:35pm AEDT – Carrington Park

Start your engines, we’re heading to Bathurst on Saturday night thanks to the Panthers and Sharks.

Penrith once again are taking one of their home games to Carrington Park, this time in Round 2.

What a game the locals in Bathurst have on their hands here. Both sides were big winners last week over a pair of Queensland clubs.

The Panthers saw off Brisbane 26-0 at Lang Park no less, while the Sharks obliterated the Titans 50-10.

While the Sharks win was impressive, the quality of their opposition was not. Beating up the Titans at your own home is one thing, taking down the defending Champions on their patch is another.

The way in which Penrith dispatched the Broncos, keeping them scoreless in the process, should serve as a massive warning for the rest of the competition.

Will the Sharks heed this warning? We shall see.

Head-to-head prediction: Penrith Panthers.

Betting tip: Casey McLean first try scorer.

Manly Sea Eagles vs Newcastle Knights Prediction

Sunday, March 15, 4:05pm AEDT – Brookvale Oval

A tough one to tip here, as the Sea Eagles host the Knights at Brookvale Oval to start Sunday’s Round 2 action.

Newcastle looked a side reborn in their Vegas opener, as they saw off the Cowboys, but the trip stateside cost them Fletcher Sharpe who appears to have torn his ACL.

Still, new man Dylan Brown has already started to justify his multi-million-dollar price tag and Kalyn Ponga looks set for a big year at the back.

Speaking of new men, Jamal Fogarty was very impressive in his Sea Eagles debut, scoring a late try and converting a last-gasp penalty to force golden point against his former side.

Ultimately, he couldn’t guide his side to the win, as they went down 29-28, but Manly’s efforts were easily worth at least a point, if not two.

With matchups like this, we always turn to the odds and home ground advantage and at the time of writing, both favour the Sea Eagles, so we shall too.

Head-to-head prediction: Manly Sea Eagles.

Betting tip: Dylan Brown anytime try scorer.

The Dolphins vs Gold Coast Titans Prediction

Sunday, March 15, 6:15pm AEDT – Suncorp Stadium

The final game of NRL Round 2 is an all-Queensland affair, as The Dolphins host the Titans at Suncorp Stadium.

Both of these sides were involved in games that breached the 60-point mark last week, however, that’s not exactly a good thing.

The Phins fell short in a crazy 70-point shootout against the Bunnies, scorning 30 points and still losing. While the Titans copped 50 against the Sharks, landing in the “history says no premiership for you” basket alongside the Eels.

Yes, the Dolphins clearly have some serious defensive deficiencies, but their attack should be able to make up for it.

As for the Titans, they’re straight back in our “do not tip until further notice” category, after just one round.

Head-to-head prediction: The Dolphins.

Betting tip: Over total match points.

Canterbury Bulldogs – BYE

The Bulldogs get the week off in NRL Round 2 to get over the jetlag from their successful trip to Vegas that saw them defeat the Dragons in a golden point thriller.