Just like that we’re arrived at the penultimate round of the 2026 NRL Season. In the blink of an eye the Broncos and Storm have gone from grand finalists to also rans, the Panthers and Roosters have rocketed back towards the top and the Warriors have snuck up on everyone and head into Round 26 in pole position. 

With the Wahs ahead of the Roosters and Panthers on points difference alone (they are in fact only a single point of PD ahead of Penrith), Round 26 results will go a long way to deciding who will be this year’s Minor Premiers. 

There’s plenty to play for elsewhere as well, with the race for the remaining finals places going down to the wire between the likes of the Rabbitohs, Cowboys and Bulldogs.

It’s also D-Day for the Dragons, one more loss and the spoon is theirs for 2026, with the Titans the only other team they could potentially pass it to.

With so much to play for, NRL Round 26 is not to be missed and neither are our expert tips and predictions! 

For all the latest news, analysis, and predictions ahead of this week's action, check out our NRL Round 26 tips and predictions below.

Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm Prediction 

Thursday, August 27, 7:50pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium

Believe it or not, these two teams contested last year’s grand final. It goes to show just how much can shift in the space of a season. 

When they meet to open NRL Round 26, the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm will be sitting in 15th and 11th respectively. 

The Broncos' 2026 season has been one of the great NRL disappointments. Sitting 15th on the ladder after winning the comp last year, they've been well out of finals contention for a while now. 

Melbourne, meanwhile, are in 11th and also out of the finals race, meaning they come to Suncorp with nothing but pride to play for, which can actually make them dangerous, as they rarely take their foot off the gas regardless of the situation.

That said, the Broncos showed plenty of grit last week when they came from behind to beat the Raiders 34-30. 

They’re at home here too, which would usually be a good thing. However, they have lost each of their last eight matches at Suncorp Stadium. Number nine loading? We think so. 

Head-to-head prediction: Melbourne Storm. 

Betting tip: Hayze Perham anytime try scorer. 

Manly Sea Eagles vs St George Illawarra Dragons Prediction

Friday, August 28, 6:00pm AEST – 4 Pines Park

Sitting 10th on 26 points, Manly’s finals chances are technically still alive after their win last week. However, they need a lot of results to go their way elsewhere.

Making their task somewhat harder, there are question marks surrounding Tolu Koula who is in doubt with a syndesmosis injury. 

The Dragons, meanwhile, had an absolutely torrid time last week, conceding 44 points to the Bulldogs. 

They're rock bottom and running out of chances to avoid the wooden spoon. A loss here and they’ll be taking home the kitchen utensil no one wants. 

We’re tipping Manly to hand deliver the spoon here, even without the services of strike centre Koula.

Head-to-head prediction: Manly Sea Eagles. 

Betting tip: Josh Feledy first try scorer. 

Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bulldogs Prediction

Friday, August 28, 8:00pm AEST – CommBank Stadium

This is one of the most intriguing matches of NRL Round 26. The Panthers are level with the Warriors at the top of the table and trail only on points differential (+294 vs +295), meaning every match is a must win in the race for the minor premiership. 

The Bulldogs meanwhile have been all over the place this year and currently sit 9th.

They’ve shown genuine intent in recent weeks, most notably in their demolition of the Dragons last start. 

However, they could be without Jonathan Sua, who faces a one-game ban. 

Penrith also have a judiciary concern: Jack Cogger faces a three-match ban, which will meddle with their combinations in the middle of the park. 

Still, Penrith at home, chasing top-of-the-ladder bragging rights, should take care of business.

Head-to-head prediction: Penrith Panthers. 

Betting tip: Brian To’o first try scorer. 

Gold Coast Titans vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Prediction

Saturday, August 29, 3:00pm AEST – Cbus Super Stadium

The Rabbitohs have been on a tough run but remain in the eight. They pushed the Warriors hard before going down 45-26 last week and now turn their attention to the lowly Titans.

Not only are South Sydney firmly in the finals picture, but they may get a major boost as Latrell Mitchell is reportedly targeting a return for this clash against the Gold Coast.

If he's cleared to play, the Rabbitohs' attack becomes a different proposition entirely.

The Titans are precariously close to the foot of the table and can still ‘win’ the spoon, should the Dragons get their ducks in a row at the 11th hour. 

In their defence though, they were competitive against the Sharks before losing 30-22, but Beau Fermor remains a doubt with an abdominal injury, which weakens their forward pack considerably. 

If Latrell does finally return, South Sydney should be well poised to win this one comfortably.

Head-to-head prediction: South Sydney Rabbitohs. 

Betting tip: Alex Johnston to score three tries. 

Sydney Roosters vs The Dolphins Prediction

Saturday, August 29, 5:30pm AEST – Allianz Stadium

The Roosters must regroup in NRL Round 26 after being on the receiving end of the upset of the season last start. 

That Tigers ambush, combined with the Warriors' win, means they now trail New Zealand on points differential despite having the same 38 points. A response is needed ASAP. 

Elsewhere, The Dolphins sit 4th and have been one of the form teams of the competition, adding another win to their streak when they beat the Eels 34-16 last round. 

This matchup has genuine finals-preview energy, with both clubs in the top four and playing some of the most dynamic football in the competition.

This is the game of the round no doubt, and we expect the Roosters to come out with intensity after last week's heartbreak, but don’t expect the Dolphins to roll over easily. 

Head-to-head prediction: Sydney Roosters. 

Betting tip: Billy Smith first try scorer. 

North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Prediction

Saturday, August 29, 7:30pm AEST – Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Boy, were we wrong. Tigers’ fans we owe you an apology after predicting there was a Tricoloured cricket score heading your way last week.

After pulling off the upset of the season, knocking off the Roosters 25-24 courtesy of Jock Madden's extraordinary field goal in the 79th minute, Benji’s boys now head north to face the Cowboys.

The Cows sit precariously in eighth, and need a win to protect their finals spot with the regular season winding down.

North Queensland have been difficult to beat at home this season and will be desperate to consolidate their position against a Tigers side that have lost each of their last five interstate matches when playing with a rest disadvantage.

Head-to-head prediction: North Queensland Cowboys. 

Betting tip: Over total match points. 

New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights Prediction

Sunday, August 30, 2:00pm AEST – Go Media Stadium

The penultimate game of the penultimate round sees newly minted table-toppers New Zealand take on Newcastle at Go Media Stadium.

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows for the Wahs at the moment though, as Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is in doubt with an AC joint injury, and Luke Metcalf is confirmed out for the remainder of the regular season with a hamstring problem.

The Knights have personnel concerns of their own, as Dom Young and Tyson Frizell both face one-game bans for hip drop tackles. If both suspensions are upheld, the Knights will lose genuine strike power.

All things considered, the Warriors, despite their injury concerns, are at home and will be desperate to protect top spot heading into the final round. We’re tipping them to take another step towards winning their first minor premiership since 2002 with a hard-fought win here.

Head-to-head prediction: New Zealand Warriors. 

Betting tip: Alofiana Khan-Pereira to score 2+ tries. 

Parramatta Eels vs Cronulla Sharks Prediction

Sunday, August 30, 4:05pm AEST – CommBank Stadium

The final game of NRL Round 26 sees the Parramatta Eels welcome the Cronulla Sharks to CommBank Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Sharks are in excellent shape heading into this one, sitting 5th and guaranteed to be playing finals footy after accounting for the Titans last start. 

The Eels, not so much. Their loss to the Dolphins was another disappointing result in another disappointing season and they’ve been playing for pride alone for some time now.

Cronulla should account for the Eels without too much trouble, even without the services of Braydon Trindall who is nursing a shoulder injury at the moment. 

Head-to-head prediction: Cronulla Sharks. 

Betting tip: Ronaldo Mulitalo first try scorer. 

Canberra Raiders – BYE 

The Raiders will get the week off to reflect on where it all went wrong this season, after their 30-34 loss to the beleaguered Broncos last start officially ended their finals hopes.