There are just the three weekends remaining in the 2026 NRL season. Six teams are left to battle it out for the premiership, with two more sudden death games this weekend. With the Panthers and Dolphins waiting for their Preliminary Final opponents, who will make it through?
Good luck with your tips.
Saturday, September 19
Sydney Roosters vs. Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Allianz Stadium, 7:50pm (AEST)
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Angus Crichton 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Tommy Talau Reserves: 20. Taylor Losalu 21. Benaiah Ioelu 22. Toby Rodwell
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Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Riley Jones 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Jesse Colquhoun 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes Bench: 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Billy Burns 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Toby Rudolf Reserves: 20. Niwhai Puru 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. Mawene Hiroti
Officials
Referee: Adam Gee Touchies: Matt Noyen, Daniel Luttringer
Bunker: Wyatt Raymond
Prediction: The Roosters were right in their clash with the Panthers last week despite missing Sam Walker. Daly Cherry-Evans may not have played his best game, but the Roosters have enough weapons across the park to make up for some missing creativity at half. Captain James Tedesco was once again in everything, Mark Nawaqanitawase was at his brilliant best on the wing and Robert Toia continues to impress in the centres. In the engine room Lindsay Collins and Naufahu Whyte were at their destructive best, as Victor Radley made a welcome return to the pack. Locked at 12-12 for most of the second half it took a wobbly old field goal from Nathan Cleary to split the teams before a Brian To'o intercept try wrapped it up.
The Sharks were too good for the hapless Cowboys, who proved once again to be their own worst enemy, making way too many errors with the ball and in defence. Braydon Trindall was a welcome return for the Sharks, his kicking and organisational skills key to any Sharks success, but his shoulder did look very tender. Nicho Hynes looks a better player with Trindall alongside him and the whole Sharks machine runs much smoother. Addin Fonua-Blake proved his worth in the engine room and Siosifa Talakai was explosive when called on from the bench. Still, it was a performance that might not have troubled any other team in the Top 8.
This week they meet a much more formidable opponent in the Roosters. Coach Trent Robinson will have his big men on assignment to test Trindall's shoulder at every opportunity. There will be absolutely nowhere for the Sharks five-eighth to hide and you can expect Cherry-Evans to bounce back and make a meaningful contribution to the Roosters cause. The clash of the forward packs will be well worth watching, with the Roosters set to win that battle as well.
The Dolphins await the winner at Suncorp Stadium, and it is hard to see how the Sharks can spring an upset in this one.
Tip: Roosters by 20
PointsBet odds: Roosters $1.42 (-7.5 $1.90) Sharks $2.80 (+7.5 $1.90)
Sunday, September 20
New Zealand Warriors vs. Newcastle Knights
Eden Park, 4:05pm (AEST)
Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark Bench: 14. Samuel Healey 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 18. Jett Cleary 20. Morgan Gannon Reserves: 21. Makaia Tafua 22. Leka Halasima 23. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Cody Hopwood 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker Bench: 14. Harrison Graham 15. Lachlan Crouch 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Thomas Cant 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Toby Winter Reserves: 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Elijah Leaumoana 22. Dylan Lucas
Officials
Referee: Ashley Klein Touchies: Tyson Brough, Phil Henderson
Bunker: Chris Butler
Prediction: The Warriors looked to be in control, holding a 10-2 lead after 20 minutes, in their clash with the Dolphins last week. But a closer examination showed that despite a mountain of possession, they had only crossed for one try and were inching their way up the scoreboard thanks to penalty goals. Into the second half the Warriors faded and the Dolphins came screaming home as they often do. The Warriors did lose centre Leka Halasima in the warmup, which would not have helped their preparations, but they just seemed to lack some of the spark that we have seen from them this season. The Dolphins waited for the inevitable holes to open up in the tiring Warriors defence before sending their attacking weapons through from a distance.
There has only been one team in the league better at scoring long distance tries this season and that is the Knights. Newcastle proved to be too good for the Cody Walker-less Rabbitohs last week. Dominic Young and Dane Gagai were at their best, causing havoc for the Rabbitohs defence, while second row forward Jermaine McEwen cashed in with a double. Kalyn Ponga had a mixed game, but he is always lurking, setting off alarm bells in any defensive line.
Despite the Warriors' previous two grand final appearances, this game looms as one of the biggest in the club's history. They are moving this clash to the much more spacious Eden Park, the spiritual home of New Zealand sport. They expect a full house to be cheering them on to another preliminary final. They really must produce the goods, and they simply have to tighten up their defence, or the Knights could shred them from anywhere on the field. I think the atmosphere might carry the Warriors to victory, but I'm not real confident.
Tip: Warriors by 10
PointsBet odds: Warriors $1.44 (-5.5 $1.83) Knights $2.75 (+5.5 $2)
All odds correct at time of publication. Check pointsbet.com.au for the latest.