All eyes turn to Allianz Stadium this Friday night when the South Sydney Rabbitohs attempt to crown Alex Johnston as the greatest try scorer in NRL history, against their bitter cross-town rivals no less.
Oscar Pannifex thinks AJ is worth backing this week, as well as a few value picks on Sunday afternoon.
Parramatta fooled me and a few others into believing they could upset Melbourne at home last week. Do we dare roll the dice again here? I’m not so sure…
Despite producing plenty of half chances with the ball in NRL Round 1, the Eels ill-discipline and poor execution ultimately put too much pressure on their defence. That pressure was most telling through the middle of the field where Parramatta were torn apart by Melbourne last week.
That same middle now goes up against a Broncos pack led by Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan.
Tips
Brisbane Broncos Win @ $1.25
Gehamat Shibasaki Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.30
Joseph Tapine has a habit of travelling across the ditch and running amok against the New Zealand Warriors. With that in mind, the Raiders are a chance of ambushing the Wahs here just as Andrew Webster’s men did to Easts last week.
Still, I’m happy to be with New Zealand in what profiles as a true contrast of playing styles; the Warriors systematic, patient approach vs. Canberra’s chaotic, unorthodox attack.
Tannah Boyd offered a run threat early in the piece last week before the pass options opened up around him. He’s providing wonderful service at halfback for now and can steer the Wahs home here.
Tips
New Zealand Warriors Win @ $1.87
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.05
Plenty has been said about Daly Cherry-Evans defence since he was spotted by New Zealand in NRL Round 1. We can expect a response from the veteran here, although his new backrower Siua Wong presents his own defensive issues one channel further infield.
If Cameron Murray and Cody Walker are allowed to make a target of Wong and isolate him in the line, it won’t matter how improved Cherry-Evans is without the ball.
With Alex Johnston’s record breaking moment beckoning, I can’t tip against the Bunnies here.
Tips
South Sydney Win @ $2.02
Alex Johnston Anytime Try Scorer @ $1.64
Alex Johnston To Score 2 or More Tries @ $3.05
Wests have been waiting the best part of three weeks to get their first taste of the 2026 NRL season while North Queensland have travelled to Las Vegas, Townsville and now down to Leichhardt…
At their best, the Cowboys attack can put this to bed early and avoid falling into a scrap with a nicely balanced Tigers outfit. Kai Pearce-Paul is named to make his first outing in orange and rounds out a dynamic starting forward pack on paper.
There’s merit in a fresh Wests side but North Queensland have the reps on the board and need a win. Reed Mahoney can orchestrate a few scoring actions if the Cowboys spend enough time on the Tigers line.
Tips
North Queensland (+4.5) @ $1.90
Reuben Cotter Anytime Try Scorer @ $9.00
Griffin Neame Anytime Try Scorer @ $11
Jaxon Purdue Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.65
St George’s ruck and goal line defence was superb in NRL Round 1, albeit on a narrower field in Las Vegas. They’ll need to be equally sound here against a Melbourne attack spearheaded by Harry Grant who toyed with Parramatta from behind the ruck last week.
Any doubts we had around Melbourne’s depth were put to bed last week in resounding fashion. Jack Howarth profiles as a big problem shifting to the right edge this year and that’s where I’m looking.
Tips
Melbourne Storm 13+ @ $2.30
Jack Howarth Anytime Try Scorer @ $3.30
Will Warbrick Anytime Try Scorer @ $1.78
Penrith have historically done a good job containing Nicho Hynes and a Sharks attack that waited for defensive cues before striking.
With Cronulla now asking plenty of questions in attack between Blayke Brailey, Hynes and new lead playmaker Braydon Trindall though, there’s a bit to like about how they match up against Penrith here. Is it enough for Cronulla to become the Panthers new bogey side?
Let’s see if they can keep it close.
Tips
Cronulla Sharks (+8.5) @ $1.90
Sam Stonestreet Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.75
Isaiah Papali’i Anytime Try Scorer @ $4.50
The Newcastle Knights threw some new looks together in Las Vegas down their right edge, where Dylan Brown and Kalyn Ponga interchanged seamlessly between first- and second-receiver. That’s a lot of different questions for Manly’s left edge to consider here – particularly given the tendencies of both Luke Brooks and Tolutau Koula to fold in towards the ball.
Dom Young scores for fun most weeks but there’s good reason to believe he will feature on the scoreboard here.
Tips
Newcastle Knights Win @ 2.45
Dom Young Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.15
Dom Young To Score 2 or More Tries @ $5.20
The Gold Coast’s defence was picked apart by Cronulla last week on either edge. It doesn’t profile well for the Titans here given Redcliffe’s willingness to attack from anywhere on the field.
We saw The Dolphins open up the park for a left edge shift through Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Herbie Farnworth on multiple occasions last week and that’s where I’m looking again. If Isaiya Katoa can isolate Arama Hau on the Titans right edge, the spaces will open up a little wider.
Tips
The Dolphins 13+ @ $2.25
Selwyn Cobbo Anytime Try Scorer @ $1.60
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Anytime Try Scorer @ $1.65
Herbie Farnworth Anytime Try Scorer @ $1.92