Here is a preview of all the Round 2 action around the NRL this weekend, starting on Thursday night footy with the Knights up against the Dolphins.
Newcastle Knights (8th) vs Dolphins (10th)
The Knights come into this clash riding the momentum of a gritty Round 1 victory over the Tigers, where Kalyn Ponga’s brilliance proved decisive on both sides of the ball. Adam Elliott’s return strengthens an unchanged side that showed resilience in their season opener, with Greg Marzhew continuing his strong scoring record at McDonald Jones Stadium. Newcastle has had the upper hand against the Dolphins, winning all three previous encounters, and they’ll be eager to extend that streak in front of their home fans.
The Dolphins will look to bounce back after a frustrating late-game fadeout against the Rabbitohs, with key reinforcements in Kodi Nikorima, Mark Nicholls, and Kenny Bromwich providing a timely boost. However, the loss of Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Connelly Lemuelu forces a reshuffle in the forward pack. Jamayne Isaako remains a constant scoring threat, having registered points in 49 straight games, and the milestone of their 50th NRL match adds further motivation. With each meeting between these sides being closely contested, Wayne Bennett’s men will be eager to claim their first win over the Knights.
Stadium Record
Newcastle are 4-6 in their last 10 games at this venue. Dolphins are 1-1 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
The Knights are 3-1 against the Dolphins in the last 5.
Best Bet
The under is 4-0 in the Knights last 4 games and I don't see this being a high-scoring affair either.
Same Game Multi
The Knights are 5-1 ATS at home and have won their last 3 against the Dolphins by a 1-12 margin.
Knights Win / Under 46.5 / Knights 1-12 = $5.00
New Zealand Warriors (13th) vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (7th)
The Warriors return home looking to rebound from a disappointing Round 1 loss to the Raiders in Las Vegas, where their attack struggled in the post-Shaun Johnson era. Coach Andrew Webster has kept faith in the same 17 despite the underwhelming performance, hoping for a much-improved effort in front of their home crowd. However, their recent record at Go Media Stadium is far from dominant, and with just one win in their last six meetings against Manly, they face a tough challenge. Captain James Fisher-Harris will need to lead from the front as they look to rediscover their attacking rhythm.
Manly stormed into the new season with a statement win over the Cowboys, running in seven tries in a dominant 42-12 victory. Tom Trbojevic was at his brilliant best, while the right-edge combination of Haumole Olakau’atu, Reuben Garrick, and Jason Saab caused havoc. Saab, who scored a hat-trick in his only previous game at Go Media Stadium, will be a key threat again. With Josh Aloiai slotting in for the injured Siosiua Taukeiaho, the Sea Eagles will aim to maintain their early-season momentum and extend their strong recent record against the Warriors.
Stadium Record
New Zealand are 6-4 in their last 10 games at this venue. Manly are 0-2 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10, the Sea Eagles are 5-4 (1 draw) against the Warriors.
Best Bet
Manly are 6-0 against the Over and they were impressive in the first half last week. The Warriors aren't in great form and I think their defence will struggle.
Penrith Panthers (2nd) vs Sydney Roosters (3rd)
The defending premiers kicked off their season with a gritty 28-22 win over the Sharks in Las Vegas and will now look to extend their dominance over the Roosters, having won their last 10 meetings. Brian To’o’s return strengthens an already impressive backline, while Casey McLean has cleared concussion protocols to take his place. With an 11-day turnaround, Ivan Cleary’s side should be fresh and ready to capitalize on the Roosters’ defensive struggles. Izack Tago and Paul Alamoti have both been in strong try-scoring form, adding to Penrith’s attacking threats as they aim to continue their winning start.
The Roosters endured a nightmare start to 2024, conceding 50 points to the Broncos in a performance full of defensive lapses. Adding to their woes, Victor Radley joins an already lengthy list of unavailable players, with Salesi Foketi stepping into the starting lock role. The return of Spencer Leniu is still a week away, meaning Trent Robinson will have to find a way to tighten up his side’s defensive structures against a well-drilled Panthers outfit. While Dominic Young remains a constant try-scoring threat, the Roosters will need a drastic turnaround to snap their 10-game losing streak against Penrith.
Stadium Record
Penrith are 5-4 at this venue since 2018. Sydney are 8-2 in their last 10 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Panthers are 11-2 against the Roosters since 2018.
Best Bet
The Over is 8-2 in the Roosters last 10 games and the Panthers should be able to put on most of this total after the Roosters allowed 50 pts last week.
St. George Illawarra Dragons (11th) vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (16th)
St George Illawarra showed glimpses of promise in their narrow loss to the Bulldogs but were ultimately undone by poor ball control, making 15 handling errors and completing at under 70 percent. Shane Flanagan’s side will need a much sharper performance if they are to overcome a Rabbitohs team that looked strong in Round 1. The return of Blake Lawrie adds some experience to the forward pack, while winger Christian Tuipulotu remains in red-hot try-scoring form. With a solid recent record against South Sydney, including three wins in their last four meetings, the Dragons will be eager to bounce back at home.
Wayne Bennett’s second stint at the Rabbitohs started with a hard-fought win over the Dolphins, with young fullback Jye Gray starring in the absence of Latrell Mitchell. However, they’ll be without two-try hero Tyrone Munro, with debutant Bayleigh Bentleigh-Hape stepping in on the wing. Fletcher Myers also replaces the suspended Jack Wighton in the backline, while English recruit Lewis Dodd returns from suspension but remains among the reserves. Cody Walker is closing in on his 100th NRL try and will be a key attacking spark as Souths look to build on their opening-round victory.
Stadium Record
St. George are 6-4 in their last 10 games at this venue. South Sydney are 0-1 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10 meetings, the Rabbitohs have won 7 games against the Dragons.
Best Bet
The total looks a bit high here and the Rabbitohs are 5-0 against the Under in Sydney.
North Queensland Cowboys (5th) vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (4th)
North Queensland returns home eager to put their Round 1 disaster behind them after being blown off the park by Manly. A slow start saw them fall 16 points behind in just 10 minutes, and they never recovered, exposing major defensive frailties. The possible return of Jason Taumalolo would be a massive boost, while coach Todd Payten has made a bold call by dropping Jeremiah Nanai in favour of Kai O’Donnell. The Cowboys have a strong recent record in Townsville, winning five of their last six at home, but they’ll need a vastly improved effort to overcome a Sharks side that has troubled them in recent years.
Cronulla may have fallen short against the Panthers in Vegas, but there was plenty to like about their performance, especially from new recruit Addin Fonua-Blake, who made 190 metres and crossed for a try in his club debut. With an unchanged 17 named, Craig Fitzgibbon will be expecting his side to build on that effort against a Cowboys team still reeling from last week’s heavy defeat. Braydon Trindall has been a standout in this matchup, scoring five tries in his last three games against North Queensland, while Siosifa Talakai will celebrate his 100th appearance for the club.
Stadium Record
North Queensland are 3-7 in their last 10 games at this venue. Cronulla are 4-1 in their last 5 games at this venue.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10, the Sharks are 7-2 (1 draw) against the Cowboys.
Best Bet
The Over is 4-1 in the Sharks last 5 games and the Cowboys were awful defensively last week so the Sharks should be able to take advantage.
Canberra Raiders (9th) vs Brisbane Broncos (12th)
Canberra kicked off their season in style with a dominant win over the Warriors in Las Vegas, but they’ll need to step up again against a Broncos side that put 50 on the Roosters. The suspension of star prop Joe Tapine is a major blow, with Josh Papalii shifting to prop and Morgan Smithies starting at lock, while English recruit Matty Nicholson joins the bench. Albert Hopoate replaces the suspended Xavier Savage on the wing, but the Raiders will be counting on Hudson Young and Corey Horsburgh to lead the charge. With a strong recent record at GIO Stadium, the Green Machine will look to make home advantage count.
Brisbane was at their ruthless best in Round 1, running riot against the Roosters in a 50-18 demolition. Payne Haas, Patrick Carrigan, and Xavier Willison set the platform up front with a combined 552 metres, while Reece Walsh and Selwyn Cobbo provided the finishing touches. Cobbo, who has scored six tries in his last four games against the Raiders, will again be a key attacking weapon. Michael Maguire has named an unchanged 17, backing his side to maintain their momentum and extend their strong record against Canberra, despite the challenge of playing in cold conditions at GIO Stadium.
Stadium Record
Canberra are 5-5 in their last 10 games at this venue. Brisbane are 1-3 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
The head-to-head is tied at 4-4 since 2018.
Best Bet
The Raiders looked good in Las Vegas and I think they'll fire up in-front of their home fans. Brisbane is 0-6 ATS after a win too.
Canberra Raiders +10.5 = $1.90
Parramatta Eels (15th) vs Wests Tigers (17th)
Parramatta’s season started in disastrous fashion with a 56-18 thrashing at the hands of the Storm, conceding 46 points in the first half alone. Defensive lapses and missed tackles proved costly, and with Mitch Moses still sidelined, Dylan Brown must step up as the chief playmaker. Jason Ryles has made several changes, with Shaun Lane returning from injury, Jordan Samrani making his NRL debut on the wing, and Kitione Kautoga joining the bench. After beating the Tigers 60-26 in their last meeting, the Eels will be desperate to rediscover their attacking rhythm and avoid slipping to a 0-2 start.
The Tigers put up a strong fight in their season opener against the Knights and will be buoyed by the return of inspirational captain Api Koroisau from suspension. Jahream Bula and Starford To’a are also back, adding further strike power to Benji Marshall’s side. Winger Sunia Turuva has been a standout in recent clashes with the Eels, scoring four tries in his last two games against them, while the Tigers also hold a solid recent record at CommBank Stadium. With the Eels reeling from their Round 1 embarrassment, this could be the perfect opportunity for the Tigers to pounce.
Stadium Record
In their last 10 games at the CommBank Stadium, Parramatta hold an 8-2 record. Since 2018, Wests have a 9-15 record at this venue.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10, the Eels hold an 8-2 record.
Best Bet
The Over is 6-0 when the Eels are involved so look for a high-scoring affair on Sunday afternoon footy.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (6th) vs Gold Coast Titans (14th)
Canterbury started their 2025 campaign in strong fashion with a hard-fought victory over the Dragons, and they’ll look to build on that momentum as they return to Belmore Sports Ground. The Bulldogs welcome back Josh Curran from suspension, adding further grunt to a forward pack that was instrumental in their Round 1 success. With Matt Burton leading the attack and the team’s defensive structures looking solid, Cameron Ciraldo’s men will be eager to make a statement against a Titans side that hasn’t played a competitive match in weeks. The Bulldogs dominated this fixture last season, winning 32-0 at Belmore, and they’ll be hoping for a similar outcome to secure back-to-back wins for the first time since 2016.
The Titans finally begin their 2025 season after a long wait and will be desperate to avoid the slow start that derailed their 2024 campaign. Des Hasler’s men have plenty of firepower, with Reagan Campbell-Gillard making his club debut in the front row and captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui returning from the ACL injury that ended his season early last year. The AJ Brimson-Jayden Campbell halves combination is an exciting but unproven pairing, and how they handle the Bulldogs’ pressure will be crucial. Winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has a phenomenal strike rate, scoring 44 tries in 44 NRL games, and he could be the X-factor the Titans need to break their Belmore curse.
Stadium Record
Canterbury are 1-4 in their last 5 games at this venue. Gold Coast are 1-1 at this venue since 2018.
Head to Head Record
In the last 5 meetings, the Bulldogs hold a 3-2 record against the Titans.
Best Bet
The Doggies love playing the Titans and I think they get the job done. Gold Coast have lost their last 7 in Sydney as well.
