With just three weeks of the regular season remaining, the movement at both ends of the table. 

While there are a few select sides who have nothing to play and are destined to finish somewhere between 14th-9th, most sides are either in contention for one of: the top 8, the minor premiership, or the dreaded wooden spoon.

NRL Round 25 will get us one step closer towards settling the standings for 2026 as the sands of time begin to run out on the regular season. 

Who will make the eight? Can the Roosters hold onto top spot? And can the Broncos avoid going from first to worst in the space of a single season? Let’s find out! 

For all the latest news, analysis, and predictions ahead of this week's action, check out our NRL Round 25 tips and predictions below.

Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers Prediction 

Thursday, August 20, 7:50pm AEST – AAMI Park 

NRL Round 25 opens with a match that would have once been worthy of headline billing, but the Storm’s slump this season has bumped this clash with the Panthers down to a B tier listing. 

Sitting in 11th, the Storm’s season is all but over, unless a mathematical miracle befalls them. 

As for Penrith, they slid down to second for the first time in a while, after losing to the Roosters in last week’s top of the table tussle. 

If they want to stay in the race for the minor premiership, they’ll need to shoot down the Storm and after putting 50 on them earlier this season, they’ll no doubt fancy their chances against their once fearsome premiership rivals. 

Somewhat surprisingly, despite their recent downturn and 50-point shellacking earlier this season, Melbourne actually have the upper hand in the last five meetings between these sides. 

They’ve won two of their last three against the Panthers and have also won each of their last 14 matches at AAMI Park after a bye.

Despite all this, we’ll be picking the Panthers, as the Storm look set to be without two of their big three with Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes both still in doubt.

Head-to-head prediction: Penrith Panthers. 

Betting tip: Under total match points. 

Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos Prediction

Friday, August 21, 6:00pm AEST – GIO Stadium Canberra

Two teams whose seasons are run and done kick-off NRL Round 25’s Friday night action when the Canberra Raiders welcome the Brisbane Broncos to town. 

It appears these two sides have been having a “who can fall harder from grace” competition this season.

The Raiders have traded last season’s minor premiership for 12th on the ladder, while Brisbane are on track to go from first to worst in the space of one season, with the once dismal Dragons now officially within striking distance. 

Yes, that’s right, if a run of very realistic results unfold, Brisbane will go from premiers to wooden spooners in what will be undoubtedly the worst premiership defence in NRL history. 

Brisbane have lost 12 of their last 13 matches and will now be without the services of Reece Walsh for the rest of the season. Yikes.

We’re tipping for the first result needed for Brisbane to win the spoon to take place here, with the Raiders recording a convincing win in front of their own. 

Head-to-head prediction: Canberra Raiders. 

Betting tip: Xavier Savage first try scorer. 

The Dolphins vs Parramatta Eels Prediction

Friday, August 21, 8:00pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium

Friday Night’s NRL Round 25 action continues when a couple of sea creatures in the Dolphins and Eels do battle at Suncorp Stadium. 

Apparently, all you need is to lose 66-0 to go on a serious run of form. Who knew? After getting slaughtered by the Sharks just over a month ago, the Dolphins have won their last four in a row to swim into the top four and now turn their attention towards the unpredictable Eels.

Parramatta did what they did best last week and won when no one was expecting them too, taking down the Cowboys 32-30 in a controversial thriller. 

Hooker Tallyn Da Silva starred with a double, but Eels fans beware, there are two damning statistics working against your side ahead of this one. 

Parra have only won back-to-back games once this season and that was all the way back in rounds two and three. Also, the Phins seem to love it under the lights, winning each of their last nine night matches.

On the precipice of five straight wins and all but locking up a top four spot, as well as getting to play at home, the ball seems to be firmly in the Dolphins’ court here. 

Head-to-head prediction: The Dolphins. 

Betting tip: Tallyn Da Silva anytime try scorer. 

Newcastle Knights vs Manly Sea Eagles Prediction

Saturday, August 22, 3:00pm AEST – McDonald Jones Stadium

The Knights will be looking to mathematically sew up a top eight spot in NRL Round 25 when they welcome the struggling Sea Eagles to McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

Two wins ahead of eighth, they are all but guaranteed to be playing finals footy, but a win against Manly will put any fears of a slew of shock slip ups to bed. 

It was a case of double trouble for the Knights in their win over the Titans last week, but the good kind, with Dane Gagai, Greg Marzhew and Fletcher Sharpe all crossing for two tries apiece. 

No doubt they’ll all fancy their chances of crossing the stripe again this week, against a Sea Eagles side whose season has well and truly gone off the rails. 

They’ve lost six in a row, they’re playing away from home here and they were kept scoreless last start. Unsurprisingly, we won’t be tipping them to topple the Knights in this one. 

Head-to-head prediction: Newcastle Knights. 

Betting tip: SGM - Dane Gagai, Greg Marzhew and Fletcher Sharpe to score anytime. 

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs New Zealand Warriors Prediction

Saturday, August 22, 5:30pm AEST – Accor Stadium

Injury and suspension are threatening to derail the Warriors season right at the wrong time, after their massive win last week came at serious cost to two of their spine players.

Luke Metcalf injured his hamstring during a routine conversion and could miss the rest of the reason, while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has been handed a two-match ban for a hip drop tackle on Broncos’ star Reece Walsh that saw him sin binned on the night. 

The Bunnies’, meanwhile, gave their hopes of playing finals a massive boost with a convincing win over the Bulldogs, as big boy Dave Fifita and try scoring GOAT Alex Johnston continued their hot form. 

We’re actually going to take the underdogs here, with more than just pure value working for the Rabbits here.

South Sydney has won 14 of its last 17 matches against the Wahs, they’ve got home ground advantage, and their opponents are set to be without both their starting halfback and fullback. 

Head-to-head prediction: South Sydney Rabbitohs. 

Betting tip: David Fifita anytime try scorer. 

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury Bulldogs Prediction

Saturday, August 22, 7:30pm AEST – Allianz Stadium

The Dragons will be looking to make it three wins a row this week – now there’s a sentence we didn’t think we’d be writing this season.

Well, after hanging on for a two-point win over the terrible Tigers, the hat-trick is officially alive for St George.

Don’t get too excited Dragons fans, beating the Tigers barely counts as a legitimate result these days and Canterbury’s record against the Red V when the sun goes down is scary stuff. 

The Bulldogs won each of their last 11 night matches against the Dragons and we’re backing them to make it 12 here, despite losing last week to the Rabbitohs. 

Head-to-head prediction: Canterbury Bulldogs.

Betting tip: Under total match points. 

Gold Coast Titans vs Cronulla Sharks Prediction

Sunday, August 23, 2:00pm AEST – Cbus Super Stadium

Hey Cronulla, this is not the time to stop winning games. Someone has to tell them, as they’ve thrown away their top four spot in the last fortnight, after losing their last two games in a row.

However, their opponents this week, the Titans, have them pipped in terms of consecutive losses, bringing their third straight defeat last week, going down 26-36 to the Knights. 

A loss here would be detrimental for the Sharks top four hopes, but we’re not about to tip Titans, as Cronulla have won 12 of its last 13 matches against the Gold Coast.

Head-to-head prediction: Cronulla Sharks.

Betting tip: Ronaldo Mulitalo first try scorer. 

Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers Prediction

Sunday, August 23, 4:05pm AEST – Allianz Stadium

NRL Round 25 ends with one of the mismatches of the season, with the newly minted first-placed Roosters taking on a Tigers side who have lost eight games in a row.

That’s right, there’s a new sheriff in town, the Chooks took down the Panthers to move into outright first, with three games to play. 

While the Tricolours were beating the team sitting first, the Tigers were losing to the team sitting last. 

In case you were having delusions of a Tigers upset, here are some stats to consider. 

The Roosters have won each of their last 11 matches in New South Wales and the Tigers have scored 10 points or less in four of their last five matches against the Chooks.

This one has all the makings of a seriously lopsided scoreline, what will the scorecard read at fulltime? Watch this space. 

Head-to-head prediction: Sydney Roosters. 

Betting tip: Roosters to win by 50+ 

North Queensland Cowboys – BYE 

After their late, high scoring and controversial 30-32 loss to the Eels, the Cowboys get a week off to head back to the drawing board in NRL Round 25.