NRL 2025 Round 5 – Betting tips & Predictions

Round five of the NRL is where the rubber hits the road. There are no more excuses for cobwebs - teams need to start proving their worth if they want to stay in the top eight. Can the Bulldogs remain top of the pack? Will the Panthers and Storm bounce back from their losses? Read on for our breakdown of all eight matches and the latest NRL tips on each.

Both the Raiders and the Sharks come into round five sitting mid-table with two wins and two losses. Canberra, however, have lost their last two in a row, including to the woeful Cowboys last week. The Sharks, by contrast, thrashed the Cowboys earlier in March, but also fell short last week to the Bulldogs.

While the overall head-to-head is tight, Cronulla have dominated the last two meetings between these two, comfortably racking up 40 points each time. Given Canberra is playing at home, and will be desperate after back-to-back losses, it’s hard to see this one being another blowout.

We give the Sharks an edge here still, but with a few players out and the stakes high for the home side, expect the Raiders to keep this one close.

Bookmaker	Bren’s Tip	Odds
	Sharks to win	$1.56
	Under 47.5 points	$1.91
	Sharks to win 1-12	$3.40

Official Squads

Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Trey Mooney 17. Morgan Smithies

Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Billy Burns 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Few would have predicted that four-time defending champions Penrith would come into round five with just one win to show for their season so far. That’s the case, however, and they take on another battling side this Friday in the Cowboys, who are also desperate for a win.

We’d be incredibly surprised if the Panthers’ losing run continued this weekend. While they haven’t looked themselves in recent rounds, they are still a much, much better side than North Queensland. Australian betting sites agree, pricing Penrith at a low $1.25 to win.

We’ll take that bet, and are happy to take a punt on this one being a triumphant blow out too.

Bookmaker	Bren’s Tip	Odds
	Panthers to win	$1.25
	Panthers -12.5	$1.91
	Over 54.5	$2.75

Official Squads

Panthers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Thomas Jenkins 5. Casey McLean 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Blaize Talagi 15. Isaiah Papali'i 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Kai O'Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Jeremiah Nanai 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess

The Rabbitohs and Roosters have had contrasting seasons so far, with the former exceeding expectations while the latter has struggled.

Playing at home, fresh off a win against the Panthers, with Latrell Mitchell back, it’s hard to see anything other than a Rabbitohs’ victory here. The Roosters come to Accor Stadium having been upset by the Titans last week, and have just one win to their name so far in 2025 - albeit, against the Panthers too.

NRL betting sites have the odds quite tight for this one, likely because of the recent head-to-head between these two sides. The Roosters have dominated, scoring easily in their last two matches. We think there will be plenty of points again this Friday, but it goes the Rabbitohs’ way this time.

Bookmaker	Bren’s Tip	Odds
	Rabbitohs to win	$1.68
	Over 47.5 points	$1.91
	Rabbitohs -2.5	$1.91

Official Squads

Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Fletcher Myers 3. Jack Wighton 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Tallis Duncan 14. Latrell Mitchell 15. Siliva Havili 16. Lachlan Hubner 17. Tevita Tatola

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Nat Butcher 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Blake Steep 16. Salesi Foketi 17. Lindsay Collins

The Eels have nothing to cheer about so far this season, losing all four of their matches to date. The Dragon’s haven’t been much better, with just one win from three. However, that victory came last round, and was a brilliant display at home to upset table-toppers the Melbourne Storm.

We expect St George Illawarra to take their momentum from round four and ride it into this fixture against Parramatta, who are already looking like easy-beats. The Eels are on a three-match winning streak against the Dragons, which means that even an outright bet on the visitors will give a healthy return for your money.

Bookmaker	Bren’s Tip	Odds
	Dragons to win	$1.58
	Under 49.5 points	$1.91
	Dragons to win 1-12	$3.40

Official Squads

Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Ryley Smith 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Dan Keir 17. Charlie Guymer

Dragons: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hame Sele 16. Hamish Stewart 17. Dylan Egan

Another side yet to get on the board in 2025 are the Dolphins, who head to the Gold Coast to take on the high-flying Titans. The home side have had a strong start to the season, winning two from three including a big victory over the Roosters last week.

The Dolphins aren’t as bad of a side as their 0-4 record suggests, however, and we’re picking this as our first upset of the round. Kristian Woolf’s men have been there or there-abouts in most of their matches so far, and were hard done-by last weekend when the Bunker missed a foot in touch that would have given them a crucial 40/20.

Back them to grab their first win over a Titans side that have been good, but are still largely unproven this year.

Bookmaker	Bren’s Tip	Odds
	Dolphins to win	$2.65
	Dolphins 1-12	$4.00
	Dolphins +6.5	$1.87

Official Squads

Titans: 1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Tony Francis 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. David Fifita 16. Iszac Fa'asumaleaui 17. Brock Gray

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Max Plath 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Kenny Bromwich 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Ray Stone

Last week saw the Broncos scrape home against the Dolphins, while the Tigers lost at the death to the Warriors. Both sides have been decent in 2025, with Brisbane notching three wins and Wests banking two.

However, betting apps have the Tigers as $5.50 underdogs to win here. Why? Their star - and the man who seems to have made all the difference this year - is out of action due to a high-tackle suspension. With no Jarome Luai, bookies aren’t giving Wests a hope in hell of grabbing their third win here.

We agree, it’ll be tough for them to come away victorious. But, missing a key player can sometimes rally a side to dig deep, and this Tigers outfit looks like they may be made of tougher stuff now. Back them to run the Broncos closer than bookmakers expect.

Bookmaker	Bren’s Tip	Odds
	Wests Tigers -17.5	$1.91
	Broncos 1-12	$3.40
	Tigers to win first half	$4.25

Official Squads

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Brendan Piakura 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Jaiyden Hunt

Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Solomona Faatape 4. Starford To'a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu

Is this a match up we’ll be seeing in October this year? Both the Sea Eagles and Storm currently sit inside the top four on the NRL ladder, and have been playing some sharp football with the exception of one blip each.

Melbourne’s blip came last week, when an inspired effort by the Dragons handed them their first loss. Manly, meanwhile, have won two in a row after losing to the Warriors in round two. Will the Sea Eagles momentum get them a third straight? Or can the Storm bounce back strong after last week’s disappointment? 

We favour the latter. Melbourne are simply too classy of an outfit to not make amends for their shock-loss in round four. Expect some fireworks at the expense of Manly.

Bookmaker	Bren’s Tip	Odds
	Storm to win	$1.52
	Storm -5.5	$1.91
	Storm 13+	$2.70

Official Squads

Sea Eagles: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Clayton Faulalo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown

Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Will Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Grant Anderson 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tyran Wishart 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Rounding out the weekend’s action, the Bulldogs will attempt to hold on to top spot on the ladder as the Knights come to town.

Canterbury are the only unbeaten side after four weeks, and have looked like the Bulldogs of old so far. Their wins haven’t necessarily been impressive - 16-8 over the Eels isn’t exactly anything to write home about - but they certainly know how to get the job done this season.

We expect that’s what will happen this Sunday against the Knights as well. It’ll be close, might be ugly, but the doggies will go five from five in 2025.

Bookmaker	Bren’s Tip	Odds
	Bulldogs to win	$1.45
	Knights +6.5	$1.91
	Bulldogs 1-12	$3.25

Official Squads

Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Bailey Hayward 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Josh Curran 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Jack Todd

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Brodie Jones 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Adam Elliott 17. Mathew Croker

Love our tips above? Then you’re in luck, because there’s plenty more where that came from. Here at MyBettingAustralia, we’re big on rugby league, but that’s not all we’re fans of. We love our Aussie rules, mixed martial arts, horse racing and pretty much any sport under the sun as well.

So if you’re looking for a place to bet on these, check out some of our recommended international betting sites, horse racing betting apps and AFL betting sites. From BoomBet to TopSport and everything in between, we know bookies like the back of our hand.