<p>Then there were none. North Queensland’s loss to Sunshine State rivals Brisbane means there are no undefeated teams left in the NRL in 2024.</p> <p>The first four rounds have made it clear we are in for one of the most closely fought and unpredictable seasons in some time.</p> <p>What will round 5 bring? Can The Dolphins keep hold of top spot or will the Tigers continue their renaissance under Benji Marshall?</p> <p>What about the Warriors? Will rocking Roger stay at fullback against the Rabbitohs after his masterclass last week? And will the Penrith juggernaut keep rolling despite Nathan Cleary sitting on the sidelines?</p> <p>For the latest round 5 analysis, news, odds and betting tips, check out our NRL round 5 tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, April 4, 7:00pm AEDT – AAMI Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Round 5 kicks off with a blockbuster between two old sparring partners the Brisbane Broncos and the Melbourne Storm.</p> <p>The result of this one hinges largely on the availability of the Storm’s stars. Before the bye they were decimated by injuries with the likes of Munster, Hughes and more sidelined.</p> <p>If some of their big hitters return this week, then they can definitely get the best of the Broncos who they have an exceptional record against.</p> <p>The Broncos have injury concerns of their own with Payne Haas and Reece Walsh still sidelined, but skipper Adam Reynolds was back on deck in their thrilling win over the previously undefeated Cowboys.</p> <p>The equation here is simple, if Munster and Hughes are named, tip Melbourne at home, if not, back the Broncs, who in Tristan Sailor, have a more than capable replacement for the injured Walsh. As it stands the Storm’s six and seven are still in doubt.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/melbourne-storm-v-brisbane-broncos-8120138">Brisbane Broncos.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Tristan Sailor anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Canterbury Bulldogs vs Sydney Roosters Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, April 5, 6:00pm AEDT – Stadium Australia</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Bulldogs revival was short lived, as they succumbed to the previously winless Rabbits on Good Friday.</p> <p>The Roosters were also outclassed last time out, although by far stronger opposition. There is no shame in losing to Penrith, even sans Cleary, so the Chooks should bounce back here against the dismal Dogs.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/canterbury-bulldogs-v-sydney-roosters-8120149">Sydney Roosters.</a>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Roosters to score 21 to 30 points.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawarra Dragons Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, April 5, 8:00pm AEDT – McDonald Jones Stadium</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>&nbsp;</strong></em></p> <p>The Dragons continue to oscillate between the sublime and the ridiculous, bouncing back from two hefty losses with an impressive win against the Sea Eagles last week.</p> <p>Young fullback Tyrell Sloan has been reborn under new mentor Shane Flanagan and crossed for a double last week.</p> <p>His Newcastle counterpart and reigning Dally M medalist Kalyn Ponga was equally as impressive in his side’s loss to the Warriors.</p> <p>This one is shaping as a battle of the fullbacks and we’re anticipating both to star, but for the Dragons to come out on top at home.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/newcastle-knights-v-st-george-illawarra-dragons-8120156">St George Illawarra Dragons.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Both Tyrell Sloan &amp; Kalyn Ponga to score.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>South Sydney Rabbitohs vs New Zealand Warriors Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 6, 3:00pm AEDT – Stadium Australia</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Rocking Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has made it very hard on his coach Andrew Webster to pick anyone else at Fullback after his clinic last week against the Newcastle Knights.</p> <p>Originally tapped to play Centre this season. RTS deputized at No.1 last week due to injuries to all or the Warriors other Fullback options.</p> <p>Against the Knights he played the type of footy that saw him win the Dally M at the back and we expect him to line up there again this week regardless of who is available for the New Zealand club.</p> <p>We also expect him to help his side to victory over the Rabbits, who only just scraped to their first win of the season against cellar-dwellers Canterbury.</p> <p><strong>Sugar says: </strong>I’m taking the early line price here. I’ll be stunned if it remains the same come kick off. The Warriors are just looking a far more buttoned up and harmonious team than the Bunnies at the moment. In most metrics, the Wahs have the upper hand.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/newcastle-knights-v-st-george-illawarra-dragons-8120156">New Zealand Warriors.</a></p> <p><strong>Sugar's tip:</strong>&nbsp;Warriors line.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Manly Sea Eagles vs Penrith Panthers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 6, 5:30pm AEDT – Brookvale Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Apparently, it doesn’t matter who turns out for the Penrith Panthers, they just win. Even with Nathan Cleary sidelined they comprehensively took care of the Roosters, who many thought would be able to overpower the wounded Panthers.</p> <p>Back-up Halfback Brad Schnider oozed class in Cleary’s stead, showing how bullet-proof the structure and system are at the foot of the mountains.</p> <p>We’re backing that system to see off the Sea Eagles who were well and truly off the pace in their loss to the Dragons last time out.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/manly-sea-eagles-v-penrith-panthers-8120175">Penrith Panthers.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Izack Tago first try scorer.</p>

<h2>The Dolphins vs Wests Tigers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, April 6, 7:35pm AEDT – Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Wait, are the Tigers good now? It seems so after their thrilling one-point win over the Parramatta Eels on Easter Monday.</p> <p>That’s two on the trot for Benji’s boys and against quality opposition. This week they face the Dolphins who, to the surprise of everyone and probably themselves, find themselves at the top of the pile.</p> <p>Despite our glowing endorsement of the Tigers, we’re actually siding with the Phins here. The Tigers will be without rookie half Lachlan Galvin, who has incurred a two-match suspension after a nasty hip drop on Eels forward Kelma Tuilagi.</p> <p>Galvin has arguably been Wests’ stand out performer so far in 2024 and his absence may be too much to overcome for the Tigers, especially on the road.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/dolphins-v-wests-tigers-8120177">The Dolphins.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Herbie Farnworth first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Queensland Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, April 7, 4:05pm AEDT – Queensland Country Bank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Cowboys undefeated streak came to an end last week in their high-scoring loss to Queensland rivals the Broncos.</p> <p>This means there are now no undefeated teams left in the NRL this season. Even though they lost the game, young half Tom Dearden produced one of the plays of the season, with his remarkable chase down on a tearaway Selwyn Cobbo.</p> <p>His effort has drawn comparisons to that of Scott Sattler’s famous tackle in the 2003 grand final, with some pundits saying it is now the new benchmark for last ditch tackles.</p> <p>Their opponents this week, the Titans, produced no such heroics in their game and despite a fast start against the Dolphins, they were soon put in the blender and subsequently sliced and diced.</p> <p>Unfortunately for the Gold Coast faithful, the boys from the Glitter Strip are on a losing bender, one that looks set to keep on raging this weekend.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/nth-queensland-cowboys-v-gold-coast-titans-8120194">North Queensland Cowboys.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> SGM – Titans to score 10 or less points &amp; Scott Drinkwater to score or assist anytime.</p>

<h2>Canberra Raiders vs Parramatta Eels Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, April 7, 7:15pm AEDT – GIO Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Wrapping up NRL round 5 are the Raiders and Eels down in the nation’s capital. Both sustained heartbreaking losses last week with the Eels losing by a solitary point and the Raiders blowing an 18-point lead.</p> <p>Parra had a chance to break the Tigers hearts with a penalty goal after the siren, but with first choice goalkicker Mitchell Moses sidelined, back up Clint Gutherson couldn’t convert.</p> <p>It was apparent just how big of a loss Moses is going to be for the Eels over the next two months and we are anticipating the Green Machine to make the most of his absence in this one.</p> <p><strong>Sugar says: </strong>The Eels win percentage falls through the floor without Mitchell Moses. Marry this with Ricky Stuart’s post-match press conference last week and the Green Machine should be fired up for this one. The Raiders at home will make a fine addition to most multis, with Jamal Fogarty’s kicking game a huge edge in this one.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/canberra-raiders-v-parramatta-eels-8120197">Canberra Raiders.</a></p> <p><strong>Sugar's tip:&nbsp;</strong>Raiders H2H.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cronulla Sharks – BYE</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Sharks get the week off after pulling off a miraculous come from behind win against the Raiders, which saw them overturn an 18-0 deficit.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NRL 2024 Premiership Odds</h2>