NRL Round 26 Tipping: The Roar’s expert tips and predictions

It’s the ultimate countdown, do-doo-do-doooo, do-doo-do-do-doooo.

Nicely, not fairly however we’re preilously near the end of the NRL common season with two rounds to go.

It’s really the final we’ll see of the Warriors in 2024 as they’ve the bye subsequent week and subsequently, the ultimate time Shaun Johnson will run onto an NRL discipline, fittingly after his dwelling farewell in Auckland final weekend he’ll say goodbye at his different dwelling floor of Shark Park on Saturday evening.

The judiciary has thrown a number of curveballs at groups heading into Round 26 with Souths skipper Cameron Murray, Roosters veteran Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sharks centre Jesse Ramien, Manly ahead Corey Waddell and Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton rubbed out.

Waddell and Crichton’s groups go face to face on Friday evening in what shapes up as one of many essential matches of the spherical.

Manly have to get their finals marketing campaign again on observe to keep away from a street journey within the first spherical of the playoffs after sinking to seventh whereas the fifth-placed Canine have to win and hope the sliding Panthers, or the Roosters or Sharks, drop a sport within the last fortnight to allow them to sneak into the highest 4.

This week’s different key matches are the Cowboys at dwelling to the depleted Storm on Thursday, the Dragons needing to beat the Eels on Saturday to carry onto eighth spot adopted by the Dolphins and Broncos squaring off at Suncorp Stadium with the dropping crew knocked out of the playoff race.

North Queensland Cowboys

v

Melbourne Storm

NRL : Head To Head

Thu, 29 Aug 2024, 19:50

Canterbury Bulldogs

v

Manly Sea Eagles

NRL : Head To Head

Fri, 30 Aug 2024, 18:00

Penrith Panthers

v

South Sydney Rabbitohs

NRL : Head To Head

Fri, 30 Aug 2024, 20:00

Parramatta Eels

v

St. George Illawarra Dragons

NRL : Head To Head

Sat, 31 Aug 2024, 15:00

Dolphins

v

Brisbane Broncos

NRL : Head To Head

Sat, 31 Aug 2024, 17:30

Cronulla Sharks

v

New Zealand Warriors

NRL : Head To Head

Sat, 31 Aug 2024, 19:35

Newcastle Knights

v

Gold Coast Titans

NRL : Head To Head

Sun, 1 Sep 2024, 14:00

Sydney Roosters

v

Canberra Raiders

NRL : Head To Head

Sun, 1 Sep 2024, 16:05

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In The Roar‘s expert tipping panel, Mike Meehall Wood holders a slender lead over Nick Wasiliev heading into the final couple of rounds.

Sledges have been flying back and forth. Management was forced to step in at one stage to separate them at one stage. But the Bunker reviewed the footage and found there was no further punishment required. Just like Stephen Crichton last Friday in Auckland.

Here’s how the consultants see Round 26 unfolding.

Stuart Thomas

The Cowboys are finals sure and now jostling for place. Fifth helps lots however a win over the ladder leaders could be wanted to take action. They can handle it. Bulldogs and Sea Eagles is a ripper and might play out once more within the finals. Canterbury have much better type.

For the primary time shortly, Penrith are below just a little stress to carry onto a spot within the prime 4. Two factors in opposition to the Rabbitohs can be a cinch. The Dragons have a banana pores and skin sport in opposition to the Eels on the street and a slip up might make the race for eighth unimaginable heading into the ultimate spherical. Eels to shake up the ultimate’s aspirants.

Each the Dolphins and Broncos are in that race, but Brisbane have the weapons to win what is going to doubtlessly be one of many video games of the season. The Sharks can not afford to slide up within the quest for second place and they received’t in opposition to the Warriors within the shire.

One thing tells me the season would possibly finish for the Knights once they face the Titans within the Hunter. Realistically, they don’t need to be there. The last match of the spherical will see off one other pretender when the Chooks beat the Raiders in Sydney.

Tyrell Sloan is tackled. (Picture by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Photographs)

Nick Wasiliev

Storm, Bulldogs, Panthers, Dragons, Broncos, Sharks, Knights, Roosters

The penultimate spherical of the competitors is right here –  and earlier than we all know it, the season can be over. Take pleasure in it when you can!

Regardless of the personnel getting rested, I nonetheless again the Storm. Momentum turns into the precedence in case you are in Melbourne’s state of affairs, and the younger weapons can be hungry to take care of the fad for finals. That is the actual indication of Melbourne’s premiership credentials if the again ups can ship.

The Sea Eagles are deservedly reeling from their loss to the Tigers (woo!), and it doesn’t assist they now need to face the Bulldogs in hostile territory. Sadly, the Doggies are wanting bloody good proper now and, regardless of a number of modifications, ought to get the job performed.

Panthers are deservedly pissed after getting some public rockets fired up them by Ivan Cleary. They’ll be within the temper to make a press release. The Bunnies are the sacrificial lamb.

Ditto the Eels, the Dragons are combating for finals right here and have seemed nice in components this season, they’ve received extra on the road.That is the query mark sport.

Brisbane weren’t convincing of their win over the Eels final week, however given Kevin Walters’ rev-up and the actual fact the Dolphins have been painfully mediocre the final fortnight, I’m going with the Broncos.Sharks ought to dispatch the Warriors, they’re at dwelling and taking part in good footy.

The Knights must be favourites within the Metal Metropolis, however the Titans have had their moments of promise this 12 months to place a little bit of doubt into predicting this match. Going with the hosts.

Lastly, whereas the Raiders received the win over the Panthers final week, their file on the street is just not good, by no means thoughts the actual fact they’re taking part in on the SFS. Roosters can be heavy favourites to shut out the spherical with a win. 

Mary Konstantopoulos

Storm, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Eels, Broncos, Sharks, Knights, Roosters

The Storm could also be resting a number of key gamers this week, however I actually don’t wish to tip in opposition to them. Even with a number of key gamers lacking, the Storm nonetheless have loads of attacking weapons and will show a degree by beating the Cowboys on their very own dwelling turf.

The Bulldogs are working excessive on vibes proper now, however I’m tipping the upset with the Sea Eagles to win. The Canine are lacking Stephen Crichton and I’m curious to see who steps as much as lead in his absence.

The Panthers by no means lose two weeks in a row, particularly to a Bunnies crew that appears as listless as this one.

For enjoyable, I’m additionally tipping the Eels to beat the Dragons. The Eels could also be final on the ladder, however they’ve had moments in latest weeks the place they appear to be a good footy crew. After tight losses to the Storm and the Panthers, this is likely to be the Eels solely probability to get another win this 12 months.

The Broncos will beat the Dolphins and the Sharks will proceed to fly below the radar and beat the Warriors.

The Knights can nonetheless make the finals and it is a good alternative for them to creep nearer to that 8^th spot with a win over the Titans. The Roosters love beating up on groups decrease on the ladder than they’re and I feel they’ll beat the Raiders.

Paul Suttor

Cowboys, Bulldogs, Panthers, Dragons, Broncos, Sharks, Knights, Roosters

The Cowboys get the good thing about a depleted, not fairly a Storm, a low degree stress system heading to the tropics, with Craig Bellamy giving his stars some R&R as a reward for wrapping up the minor premiership with two rounds remaining. North Qld by 12

Canterbury are exhibiting indicators of damage and tear whereas Manly are displaying their annoying behavior of being powerful to foretell. Canine by 10

Penrith are beneath their greatest however they could possibly be caught in first gear and nonetheless have sufficient horsepower to place away the Bunnies. Panthers by 12

St George Illawarra have lots to play for however so do Parra with the picket spoon race happening to the wire. Beware the upset however Dragons by 2 

The battle for Brisbane is being fought out by popgun assaults with the Broncos and Dolphins each nicely down on type, expertise and effort. Dolphins by 4

Cronulla get a number of of their huge weapons again and will dispatch of the Warriors with out an excessive amount of fuss. Sharks by 18

The Knights have lucked out with the Titans and Dolphins to complete the 12 months, each on dwelling turf. Knights by 24

Canberra will take the battle to the Roosters, as is their trademark this 12 months, however they are going to be Faders (new time period, simply made it up) within the last 20 minutes. Roosters by 10

Canberra rejoice a strive. Picture by Mark Nolan/Getty Photographs)

AJ Mithen

Hasn’t entered his tips. We’ve been a bit apprehensive about his predictions for some time.

We’ll give him the Raiders as a result of he’s tipped them each different spherical.

Mike Meehall Wooden

Cowboys, Bulldogs, Panthers, Dragons, Broncos, Sharks, Knights, Roosters

I can’t imagine I’m tipping in opposition to the Storm, however with NQ taking part in a full crew and Melbourne not, plus the important thing level that the Cows even have one thing to play for, I’ll take them.

Canterbury are in purple sizzling type and, whereas I would love my Seashores Boys to convey them again to earth, I’ll hedge that by tipping the Bulldogs. 

Penrith are good, the Bunnies usually are not. Subsequent.

It will be peak Parra to beat the Dragons at this juncture and peak Dragons to lose to Parra as nicely. That stated, again the crew that has one thing to play for over the one which does. SGI ton win.

The formlines are in every single place with the Phins and Broncos, and there’s no discernable dwelling floor benefit both. I haven’t the primary clue however I feel Haas will play off the reserves record, so a wild stab tells me Broncos.

The Sharks have to win, the Wahs don’t. Up Up.

Newcastle have to win, the Titans don’t and are additionally trash.

The Roosters are good, the Raiders are sometimes good however largely meh. Easts to win.