In a worrying trend, injuries seem to be stealing the spotlight in the second half of the 2026 NRL season. 

A number of teams have simply been massacred but unfortunate on-field incidents involving their star players, with the NRL infirmary simply overflowing at the moment. 

Still, there’s no time to sit and sulk, as NRL Round 22 is on the horizon. Which injury ravaged team will adopt the “next man up” mentality the best as clubs across the land scramble to make the eight, avoid the spoon and push for the minor premiership? 

Let’s find out! For all the latest news, analysis, and predictions ahead of this week's action, check out our NRL Round 22 tips and predictions below. 

North Queensland Cowboys vs Sydney Roosters Prediction

Thursday, July 30, 7:50pm AEST – Queensland Country Bank Stadium 

NRL Round 22 gets underway with the Cowboys looking to solidify their place in the eight, when they welcome the high-flying Roosters to town. 

Both of these teams recorded very close and very vital wins last start, with the Cows defeating fellow Queenslanders the Broncos by eight points and the Chooks sneaking past the Knights by a solitary point thanks to a DCE field goal.

North Queensland’s victory over Brisbane saw them sail into the eight and that’s where they’ll look to stay following full-time of this one.

That’s easier said than done however, with the Roosters now up to second in the standings following their single digit shootdown of the Knights.

Former Origin captains James Tedesco and Daly Cherry-Evans combined for the Tricolours to see them home, with Teddy crossing for a hat-trick, before DCE iced proceedings with a game-deciding field goal three minutes from time. 

With the Warriors faltering, the Roosters appear to be the ones who are going to push Penrith all the way for the minor premiership, and we see them continuing that push here in a close one. 

Head-to-head prediction: Sydney Roosters.

Betting tip: James Tedesco first try scorer. 

St George Illawarra Dragons vs The Dolphins Prediction

Friday, July 31, 6:00pm AEST – WIN Stadium

Still stuck on just two wins, St George will go looking for that all elusive third victory when they welcome the fully rested Phins to Win Stadium on Friday night.

A bright start against the Titans quickly gave way to loss number 16 of the season for the Dragons as they continue to count down the days until the curtain finally comes down on this catastrophic campaign.

The Dolphins meanwhile had the week off thanks to the bye and will be hoping to capitalise on the Red V’s misfortunes as they look to stay in the race for an all-important top four spot. 

Head-to-head prediction: The Dolphins. 

Betting tip: Big win little win – Dolphins 13+ 

Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Prediction

Friday, July 31, 8:00pm AEST – AAMI Park

Melbourne look set to be without Cameron Munster and Harry Grant for this clash against the Bulldogs at AAMI Park.

If there was ever a time to face Melbourne on their own patch, this is it. They’ve dropped to 12th after back-to-back losses and with half their spine sidelined, we fancy the Doggies chances of getting something from this one.

In the exact opposite of Melbourne’s recent trajectory, Canterbury have won their last two on the trot and their composed 18-6 win over the Warriors will have them brimming with confidence going into this one.

Skipper Stephen Crichton has been standing up with the six on his back, with the ball in hand and off the tee. 

Should he produce another captain’s knock here, there’s no reason why the Doggies can’t record a hat-trick of wins while condemning Melbourne to a hat-trick of the opposite. 

Head-to-head prediction: Canterbury Bulldogs. 

Betting tip: Stephen Crichton first try scorer. 

Gold Coast Titans vs New Zealand Warriors Prediction

Saturday, August 1, 3:00pm AEST – Cbus Super Stadium

Saturday’s NRL Round 22 action kicks-off with the competition’s newest proponents of razzle dazzle footy the Titans welcoming the Warriors to the Glitter Strip.

The Gold Coast arrive here with real momentum after dismantling the Dragons 38–18 last week. Their attack is clicking, largely thanks to the exploits of Jayden Campbell and confidence, and playing at home is never a bad thing.

Meanwhile, the Warriors were badly outplayed by the Bulldogs in a 6–18 defeat, a scoreline that raises serious questions about their attacking ability away from home.

However, still sitting third, we can’t just turn on New Zealand who have been excellent for most of the season. 

Form is temporary and class is permanent as they say, so we’re giving them one more chance to show their quality before we jump off the bandwagon for good. 

Head-to-head prediction: New Zealand Warriors. 

Betting tip: Jayden Campbell anytime try scorer. 

Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders Prediction

Saturday, August 1, 5:30pm AEST – Glen Willow Oval

We’re off to Mudgee for this one between the Panthers and Raiders and Canberra will be hoping for a rerun of last year’s proceedings.

Last season saw these two tangle at Glen Willow Oval for the first time with the Green Machine recording a stunning golden point victory.

After putting 56 on the tumultuous Tigers last week, the Raiders might fancy their chances of another Mudgee miracle here, but if there is anyone who learns from the lessons of yesteryear, it’s the Penrith Panthers.

Ivan Cleary’s men enter this one top of the pops after winning the West with a comeback win against the Eels last week.

They continue to have the tightest defensive structure in the league, one even a free-flowing Raiders attack will find difficult to expose.

With key players Cleary, Martin and Milky Jenkins peaking all at once, we expect Penrith to avenge last year’s loss here in some style. 

Head-to-head prediction: Penrith Panthers. 

Betting tip: Thomas Jenkins first try scorer. 

Brisbane Broncos vs Newcastle Knights Prediction

Saturday, August 1, 7:30pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium

Brisbane will be playing for pride and pride alone when they welcome the injury-ravaged Knights to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

The Broncos premiership defence ended with a whimper last week, as their 18-10 loss to fellow Queenslanders the Cowboys officially put finals footy beyond their reach for 2026.

Meanwhile, sitting seventh, the dream of finals footy is alive and well in the Hunter Valley, but a slew of cruel injuries have arrived at the exact wrong time for the Knights.

They’re down a double dose of Dylan, with Brown and Lucas both gone for the season after going down injured in their single point loss to the Roosters last week.

Main man Kayln Ponga missed that game with a quad injury and is still in doubt here. 

For all the Broncos recent shortcomings, with a full contingent at their disposal, at home and up against what will effectively be a second-string Newcastle side, they should be able to get the job done here. 

Head-to-head prediction: Brisbane Broncos. 

Betting tip: Under total match points. 

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Prediction

Sunday, August 2, 2:00pm AEST – Shark Park

Two teams with genuine finals aspirations go at it on Sunday arvo when Cronulla welcome South Sydney to Shark Park. 

The Sharks were extraordinary last week, running riot over the Sea Eagles 48–12 in a performance that showed just how dangerous they are at full tilt. 

South Sydney, on the other hand, knocked off the Storm 28–26, without key names such as Murray and Mitchell in what was a genuine statement win. 

Both teams are in form, both have plenty to play for, but Cronulla are simply on another level at the moment.

Nicho Hynes is hitting the kind of form that saw him win the Dally M a few years ago and his supporting cast of Kennedy, Trindall and Brailey are arguably the most in form spine in the competition. 

While the Rabbitohs proved last week that they have the necessary grit to absorb pressure and hit back, we can’t see them stopping Cronulla here. 

Head-to-head prediction: Cronulla Sharks. 

Betting tip: Nicho Hynes to score and assist. 

Wests Tigers vs Parramatta Eels Prediction

Sunday, August 2, 4:05pm AEST – CommBank Stadium

In what has become a worrying trend for the Wests Tigers over the last few seasons, they have once again hit the self-destruct button on their season. 

A bright start has given way to dysfunctional dressing room and a cascade of cataclysmic defeats.

Their two most important players Luai and Doueihi have mutinied against coach Benji Marshall and look unlikely to ever play for the joint venture ever again. 

The Eels are in similarly disastrous form, but the Tigers are essentially untippable from here on out. Parra in a drab and dour affair to close out NRL Round 22. 

Head-to-head prediction: Parramatta Eels.

Betting tip: Under total match points. 

Manly Sea Eagles – BYE 

After a wretched run of form and injuries, the Sea Eagles get a much needed week off in NRL Round 22 to regroup and return to the drawing board and they aim to make Fozball great again.