NRL Weekly Tips | WishTips

Stay ahead of the competition with our NRL weekly tips and previews. This week, check out the tips for Round 18!

NRL – Round 18

State of Origin messes with the schedule for the last time this year, with only five games to be played this weekend. Plenty to consider here so let’s take a look!

Panthers v Rabbitohs

The Panthers open the round looking to steady the ship after back-to-back losses, but Origin has stripped plenty of class from Ivan Cleary’s side. South Sydney arrive full of confidence after piling on 80 points across their past two games, setting up a fascinating clash between the ladder leaders and a Rabbitohs side suddenly eyeing off the top four.

Penrith rarely lose two in a row, so there will be no shortage of motivation after shock defeats to the Titans and Cowboys. The absence of Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin is significant, with Jack Cogger taking over the halfback role and Dylan Edwards needing to shoulder even more responsibility from the back. Brian To’o will also have a point to prove after being left out of the NSW side for Origin III, which spells danger for a South Sydney edge that can be vulnerable under pressure. The Panthers may be undermanned, but their systems and defensive standards have usually held up well during representative periods.

South Sydney has clicked back into gear over the past fortnight, comfortably accounting for Brisbane and Parramatta to keep themselves firmly in the finals mix. Cameron Murray’s absence is a major blow through the middle, but Jack Wighton’s return gives the Rabbitohs another strong attacking option alongside Cody Walker, Jye Gray and Brandon Smith. Their attack has looked far more fluent recently and they will fancy their chances against a Penrith side missing so many key organisers. If Ashton Ward can control the end of sets and limit Penrith’s back five on kick returns, the Rabbitohs are more than capable of pushing this right to the wire.

TIP: Rabbitohs

While the Panthers still deserve favouritism, the Bunnies look a nice bet at the price.

Price: $2.50

Dragons v Tigers

The Dragons and Tigers kick off Super Saturday in Kogarah, with both sides desperate for two points for very different reasons. St George Illawarra remains anchored to the bottom of the ladder but has shown more fight in recent weeks, while the Tigers need to respond quickly if they are to stay in touch with the top eight.

The Dragons are still searching for just their second win of the season, but their recent performances have at least offered some encouragement. They pushed the Sharks, Knights and Raiders in patches, with their young forward pack beginning to provide a stronger platform through Toby Couchman, Ryan Couchman and Dylan Egan. Clinton Gutherson and Damien Cook give them experience through the middle, while Valentine Holmes and Setu Tu shape as important attacking outlets on the edges. If the Dragons can drag this into another grind and target an unsettled Tigers defensive edge, they are capable of making this very uncomfortable.

The Tigers have lost momentum after a promising start to the season, winning just two of their past eight, but this is a game they simply need to be winning if they are serious about staying in the finals hunt. Jarome Luai’s absence is a blow, though Jock Madden’s inclusion alongside Adam Doueihi gives Wests a halves pairing with some familiarity, while Alex Twal’s return strengthens the middle. Terrell May and Fonua Pole should give the Tigers the go-forward advantage, and with Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva and Jeral Skelton offering strike out wide, they still look the more dangerous attacking side. It may not be pretty, but Wests should have enough class to get the job done.

TIP: Dragons (+4.5) + V.Holmes anytime

While struggling to convert field position to points, there’s promising signs at St George.

Price: $3.30

Knights v Dolphins

The best game of the round closes out Sunday, with Newcastle and the Dolphins locked together on 10 wins apiece and fighting for position inside a congested top-four race. Both sides are heavily impacted by Origin and injury, but that only adds another layer of intrigue to a clash that could have major finals implications.

The Knights continue to find ways to win, with last week’s gritty victory over the Tigers another sign of how far they have come under Justin Holbrook. Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best are big outs, but Newcastle still look the more settled of the two sides, with Dylan Brown steering the team around and Fletcher Sharpe shifting to fullback. Their outside backs remain a major weapon, particularly Greg Marzhew and Dominic Young, while Jacob Saifiti, Trey Mooney and Phoenix Crossland should give them a strong enough platform through the middle. At home, and with a genuine chance to strengthen their top-four push, this feels like a game the Knights need to take.

The Dolphins have been one of the stories of the season, riding an eight-game winning streak and continuing to find answers even when things go against them. The loss of Isaiya Katoa is enormous, particularly given how important his kicking game and control have been to their rise, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jack Bostock and other Origin absentees strip away plenty of strike. Bradley Schneider is a handy replacement at halfback and Trai Fuller brings plenty of spark from the back, while Herbie Farnworth and Jamayne Isaako still give the visitors genuine danger out wide. The Dolphins have handled adversity superbly all year, but this shapes as one of their biggest depth tests yet.