The Rugby League gods manifested a drama-heavy round 5 for the Easter weekend, with a new coach getting his first win, a historic Penrith blowout score that weathered the storm and finishing in golden point style in the heart of western Sydney on Easter Monday.

Will the Dragons stop the bleeding and get their first win of the season?

Can the Broncos cope during their injury crisis?

Can the Knights go into Tiger land and continue their winning ways?

Fans will be excited to see how the stories unfold in this upcoming round. For all the latest news, analysis, odds, and betting tips ahead of the Easter long weekend, check out our expert NRL Round 6 tips and predictions below.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers Prediction

Thursday, April 9, 7:50pm AEST – Accor Stadium

Round 6 starts with a 2025 semi-finals rematch, with the undefeated Penrith Panthers hoping to continue their elite start against the Bulldogs, who struggle to stick with their halves and play them in centre when they have the depth to cover the outside backs. 

The Bulldogs are expected to be missing their leader, Stephen Crichton, for this clash, which would be a huge blow considering the slow start to the season the club has had.

Tom Jenkins and Casey McLean are playing at such a high level on the left edge that Jenkins is breaking records for most tries in the first five rounds of the season, and both players are being thrown into State of Origin conversations. 

Didn’t we already go through the soul-searching of whether the Penrith system and a high volume of Panthers players translates into Origin two years ago?

The Panthers continue to show that they’re taking back the league into their hands, and we’re backing Penrith to come away with the points in what’s expected to be a dog fight.

Head-to-head prediction: Penrith Panthers

Betting tip: Thomas Jenkins 2+ tries. 

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Manly Sea Eagles Prediction

Friday, April 10, 6pm AEST – WIN Stadium

With a coach near tears in front of the media, pressure is mounting at the Dragons for Shane Flanagan, and if they can’t get a win this round, it is expected the rugby league world will see Illawarra turn themselves inside out more than they already have.

Even with a huge win against the Dolphins, Manly has some question marks about their play at the moment.

The biggest question will be how Kieran Foran fares against one of the most experienced coaches in the current game.

Despite the Dragons needing a win as they are on a nine-game losing streak, Manly have won the last two of three meetings at WIN Stadium and with the chaos brewing in Wollongong, it’s hard to pass up the Sea Eagles ambitious mission to turn their season around.

Head-to-head prediction: Manly Sea Eagles

Betting tip: Haumole Olakau'atu first try scorer. 

Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys Prediction

Friday, April 10, 8pm AEST – Suncorp Stadium

The iconic battle of Queensland on prime time television can’t get any better… actually, it can be worse, as this game won’t have Ben Hunt, Adam Reynolds and Reece Walsh. Oh no, not Walshy!

The Broncos have a lot of injuries piling up, and this matchup will be a true test of their depth in front of their home fans.

The Cowboys will head to Suncorp after an attacking clinic on the road, and will look to take advantage of an injury-riddled Broncos squad.

Todd Payten has something brewing with his side. After a huge comeback against the Storm and holding the Dragons scoreless, it could easily be the Cowboys executing their rodeo to a tee and reeling in those Broncos.

Head-to-head prediction: North Queensland Cowboys

Betting tip: Over total match points.

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canberra Raiders Prediction

Saturday, April 11, 3:00pm AEST – Optus Stadium

It’s not 2027 yet, so no bears present, but there will be sightings of Rabbitohs and Raiders if fans are interested.

Headlining the double header, Wayne Bennett hopes his side can continue their hot form against a struggling Raiders side.

Ricky’s Raiders haven’t stuck with their winning ways like last season, and will hope to find some life of winning ways with a young side.

Despite the Raiders' dominance against the Bunnies in their last five meetings, the Rabbitohs have health on their side this time, and they are ready to pounce on a team needing to accept the things they cannot change, and have the courage to change the things they can, and find the wisdom to know the difference.

Head-to-head prediction: South Sydney Rabbitohs

Betting tip: Simi Sasagi anytime try scorer.

Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters Prediction

Saturday, April 11, 5:30pm AEST – Optus Stadium

Another finals rematch, with the Sharks and Roosters concluding the showcase in Perth. 

The Sharks are coming off back-to-back wins, but this time they will go up against a Roosters side that has added experience and talent since the last time they saw each other in September.

The Roosters had a nice, relaxing long weekend coming off a bye in round 5, but will now go up against a side that knows how to score a lot of points.

While we’re expecting a very entertaining clash, the Sharks have found form and have more continuity than the Roosters are still searching for at this point in the season.

Head-to-head prediction: Cronulla Sharks

Betting tip: Under total match points.

Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors Prediction

Saturday, April 11, 7:35pm AEST – AAMI Park

Melbourne did something historic against the Panthers… until you realise the ‘something historic’ was that they conceded 50 points for the first time since 2003.

The last time the club has lost three games in a row happened over 1300 days ago! 

This matchup is crucial for the Warriors, with Melbourne winning the last five times they have played against each other. 

Melbourne losing and losing in the fashion they have lost is not normal, clearly, and with the Warriors struggling just as much, we expect Craig Bellamy to give his side the loudest and most dramatic yelling monologue they have experienced and see the Storm unleash and earn a victory.

Head-to-head prediction: Melbourne Storm

Betting tip: Melbourne Storm by 13+ points.

Parramatta Eels vs Gold Coast Titans Prediction

Sunday, April 12, 2:00pm AEST – Commbank Stadium

Injuries are cursing the Eels at the moment…knock on wood, no more happen, and will hope even down on troops, they redeem themselves after an iconic Easter Monday showdown, so that they can beat the struggling Gold Coast Titans.

The Eels got a breath of fresh air in the second half with the historic debut of Apa Twidle, who scored two tries in his first touches of the ball in his career.

The Titans, on the other hand, showed positive signs against the Broncos. They can hang in there and make their opposition earn their points, but it still wasn’t enough to stop them.

While the Titans could still make this game a worthy contest, the Eels showed that when the ball is in Mitch Moses’ hands, things can happen and may be too much for the road team. 

Head-to-head prediction: Parramatta Eels

Betting tip: Under total match points.

Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights Prediction

Sunday, April 12, 4:05pm AEST – Campbelltown Sports Ground 

The battle between the teams sitting second and third. That’s right, this is very real, the Tigers and Knights, especially the Knights, are in the top three on the ladder five rounds into 2026. 

The Knights under Justin Holbrook continue to dominate and play clinically without their two superstars, and the Tigers played another game finding a way to win when things don’t go their way to start the game.

Jock ‘Joey Johns’ Madden was the heroic difference in the Easter Monday showdown against the Eels, and to be doing this without Jarome Luai is a huge testament to the calmness and toughness Benji and the club have been instilling.

While the Knights are still a very good chance in this game and could overwhelm the Tigers in a similar fashion to the Eels before the Tigers made their comebacks, there’s firepower the Tigers have besides the halves, with Kai Pearce-Paul being arguably the best back-rower to start the season as he takes on the team that first believed in him and signed him from the UK. 

Head-to-head prediction: Wests Tigers

Betting tip: Kai Pearce-Paul anytime try scorer.

The Dolphins - BYE

After being blown off the park against the Kieran Foran led Sea Eagles, the Dolphins will be busy making adjustments post Easter period.

*Odds are subject to change.

NRL 2026 Premiership Odds