NRL Tipping Round 20: The Roar's expert tips and predictions - It's the finals countdown and the hope that kills you

With eight rounds remaining, we finally have what the NRL diehards have been craving for the past two months, a competition free of Origin disruption.

As the teams set sail for home, everyone is a chance, technically, of getting into the finals, but nine clubs are going to be finishing 2025 in disappointment after Round 27.

There are a bunch of teams mid-table in a dogfight for the bottom rungs of the top eight and two of them are the Dolphins and Cowboys, who kick off Round 20 at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

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Cronulla and the Roosters, who are locked on 22 competition points in a share of seventh spot with Manly, are the first teams on field on Friday with Penrith looking for a sixth straight victory when they host South Sydney at CommBank Stadium later in the night.

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Canberra are heavy favourites to win in the national capital over Parramatta on Saturday before the Bulldogs host the Dragons and Melbourne get a visit from the Sea Eagles.

Wests Tigers and the Gold Coast Titans are equally desperate at Leichhardt as the both try to avoid the wooden spoon before Newcastle try to put a week of chaos behind them when the Warriors rock up at Newcastle.

Kudos to self-proclaimed tipping king Mike Meehall Wood and fellow expert Paul Suttor for getting perfect rounds last week. They both believe they have entered perfect predictions again this round but their confidence does not equate to any kind of surethingedness.

Here’s how The Roar experts see Round 20 unfolding.

Stuart Thomas

Dolphins, Sharks, Panthers, Raiders, Bulldogs, Storm, Titans, Warriors

Things are getting a little tight for the Dolphins in terms of making a run at the top eight. A loss against the Cows this Thursday will make that near impossible. Thankfully, they will get the job done with a bye still up their sleeve. The Sharks have a great run home but must start it by knocking off the Roosters. They should.

The Panthers are good things against a Bunnies team headed for the wooden spoon, if the Titans keep competing the way they have been. Good luck to the Eels heading to Canberra, you are about to be shown what a proud team looks like.

The Bulldogs should beat the Dragons, although the clash is usually a beauty given the history between the two teams. Melbourne are doing Melbourne things and still have eyes on a minor premiership. Manly hanging in there but no match for Bellamy’s boys.

I’m looking forward to the Tigers and the Titans; a desperate clash between two poor teams. It could be 4-all or 50-all. Who knows? Titans for me. The Warriors look easy winners against the Knights, despite the fact that the home side should be up for the fight at home.

Nick Wasiliev

Dolphins, Sharks, Panthers, Raiders, Bulldogs, Storm, Tigers, Warriors

Finally, the anomaly that throws all tips into chaos that is Origin has passed – and now it’s a dash to the end of the regular season. Never ceases to amaze me how fast it goes.

The Phins should be too good at home, especially with Todd Payton missing a couple of stars due to injury.

There is not much separating the Sharks and Chooks in the ladder, so this match should be a blast. I back the Sharks at home, they looked rejuvenated last week after the bye and two away games the weeks before, so that should continue this weekend.

Even with the situation around Izack Tago, Penrith should get home here. The Bunnies still have several injury concerns which has kneecapped them a lot this year – and those concerns are still there this week.Raiders are top of the ladder and at home. Eels near the bottom ladder and away. Raiders to win.

The Dragons’ injury concerns are still ongoing – and that doesn’t help with the Doggies getting a few folks back as well. Canterbury have lost their groove somewhat in the last few weeks, but one big win should change that. They should take the chocolates here.The Storm have a lot of cattle back, are at home, and are facing a Jekyll and Hyde Sea Eagles side that seem to capitulate any time they leave the peninsula. Storm to win.

Every time I’ve tipped my Tigers, they’ve lost. Every time I stick my neck out for Benji Marshall, the lad breaks it. But surely, SURELY, the Tigers can put away a Titans side that is not only bottom of the ladder, but is farewelling their coach at the end of the season? Right? RIGHT?!

Like, I should be convinced the Warriors should win in Newcastle. The Knights have a bad casualty ward, they’re in the bottom half of the ladder… and the Warriors have done better on the road this year. Maybe the last few rounds have been so erratic. Regardless, I back the Kiwi side, but weirdly with not a lot of confidence.

Mary Konstantopoulos

Cowboys, Roosters, Panthers, Raiders, Bulldogs, Storm, Wests Tigers, Warriors

The Dolphins have been one of the most electric teams in the competition, but I’m wondering whether some post-Origin vibes may help fuel the Cowboys. They came close to beating the Bulldogs last week and I would be surprised if Scott Drinkwater has two poor performances in a row. It’s getting to must win points for both these teams so this should be a cracking contest.

The next game could also go either way. Even with a win last week, the Sharks have done little to convince me of their finals hopes. The Roosters on the other hand seem to be building and I back their attack to score more points than the Sharks.

The Panthers will get the two points, as will the Raiders and Bulldogs.

The Storm are missing some players and seem to do just enough each week to beat their opponents. They will do the same against the Sea Eagles.

I’m predicting lots of points get scored in the next game and that the Tigers beat the Titans who seem to lurch from one crisis to another. Even with the home ground advantage, the Knights won’t have enough to beat a Warriors team that seem to be surging toward the end of the year.

Paul Suttor

Dolphins, Sharks, Panthers, Raiders, Bulldogs, Storm, Tigers, Warriors

The Dolphins are depleted, but they deserve to be in the play-off hunt. The Cowboys have earned no such respect. Phins by 15

Easily the hardest game to pick for the round at Shark Park – the Roosters have been consistently better but Cronulla found some spark last week against the Dolphins. Sharks by 6.

Even though Penrith are resting Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, they have too much to play for against South Sydney. Panthers by 8.

Canberra’s clash with Parra could be a tricky one, but with Jason Ryles looking to the future with a team filled with young prospects, the Green Machine should be clicking into gear, Raiders by 10.

Lachie Galvin at halfback seems like a marriage of convenience rather than putting him in his best position, but Matt Burton is adaptable and they should be able to make it work against the Dragons. Bulldogs by 12.

Melbourne are already in cruise control with Craig Bellamy resting players here and there to ensure his team is at its peak for the finals, while Manly are desperately clinging to hope that they will eventually come good. Storm by 12.

Wests and the Titans are both sure things to put in a decent performance for about 15-20 minutes, but it’s the other hour that’s the problem most weeks. Tigers by 12.

The Knights’ prospects are looking pretty dim and even though their loyal fans will turn out in force, the Warriors will send them home disappointed. Warriors by 7.

AJ Mithen

Cowboys, Roosters, Panthers, Raiders, Dragons, Storm, Tigers, Knights

No time for jibber jabber this week. Let’s tear in. Cowboys are gonna beat the Dolphins, smash the over if you’re a degenerate gambler.

Roosters will towel the Sharks, Panthers will squeak past the Bunnies. Your presumptive champions, the people’s team, the Canberra Raiders will lay a casual 56 on the hapless Eels. Bulldogs need to show a bit more points so I’m on the dragons for an upset breakthrough.

Storm to pummel Manly, Tigers better beat the Titans and I’m on the Knights to get past New Zealand.

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Mike Meehall Wood

Dolphins, Sharks, Panthers, Raiders, Bulldogs, Storm, Tigers, Warriors

A perfect round last week for your clubhouse leader, extending what is already a commanding lead at the top. How embarrassing for Australian rugby league to have a Pom romping to a third straight title, eh? Let’s hope it continues into the Ashes – first footy ,then cricket. We’re good at that now, too (maybe).

Anyway…

Yer Phins will beat the Cowboys, mostly because they smashed them by 50 points about two weeks ago. I’m not sure either side has improved since, but it’s a fair head start for Redcliffe.

Cronulla should have enough to get past Easts. They lost last time out but, at Shark Park and with Chad Townsend playing for the Roosters, it’ll be Up Up come the end. Penrith have won five straight, the Bunnies have lost six straight. Easy tip to the Panthers.

See that? Also the Dogs over the Dragons. Melbourne rarely lose at home and my Beaches Boys haven’t won at AAMI Park since 2019 – in fact, we’ve scored just six tries in our last four visits. I hope I’m wrong, but it’l lbe the Storm by a few.

The Tigers at Leichhardt is a bit of a myth, but they’ll have plenty too much for the Titans. The Knights are useless wherever they play, and while I’m not sold on the Wahs, they should get this one done.

David Shilovsky

Dolphins, Roosters, Panthers, Raiders, Bulldogs, Storm, Tigers, Warriors

Almost last chance saloon for the Cowboys, can’t see them getting it done. Roosters to pip Cronulla, Penrith are rolling towards another premiership tilt, Canberra won’t be bothered by the Eels.

The Dogs to take care of the Dragons, Storm will make it seven straight, Tigers to make some ground in avoiding another spoon and the Warriors should heap more pain on Newcastle.

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