Round 27 NRL Tips 2026 | SGM Bets & Predictions

The Bulldogs are out of the finals race, which stings, but at least they get one final chance to finish the season without sulking into the off-season. They were brave enough against Penrith without ever really feeling like they had control, and this is a much friendlier landing.

Brisbane have been getting dragged around for weeks. Melbourne belted them, the defence is still a crime scene, Walsh is long gone, and the whole season has turned into a review document with football boots on.

The Dogs should have too much bite through the middle and enough motivation to finish properly. Broncos can score, but stopping points remains the tiny detail they keep treating as optional.

The Titans are limping to the line with the same old package: some speed, some chaos, some nice moments, then a defensive lapse that makes everyone stare into the distance. Lovely if you enjoy emotional tax.

The Dolphins are flying. They smacked the Roosters when it mattered, Katoa and Nikorima looked sharp, and the outside backs are still tearing into teams like they’ve found a cheat code.

Gold Coast will throw punches because they usually do, but the Dolphins have a home-final chase and way more polish. This should be business.

Souths are suddenly dangerous. Latrell is back in the picture, they hammered the Titans early, and they’re heading into finals with a bit of belief rather than the usual Souths wobble-and-pray routine.

The Roosters are in a weird spot. Two ugly losses in a row, Sam Walker gone, and now they’re trying to hold shape without one of their most important attacking pieces. DCE and Tedesco can still drag them around, but the timing is horrible.

This is nasty rivalry football. The Roosters are too good to dismiss, but Souths have the healthier feel and more momentum right now.

The Warriors are a proper contender. Even with injuries and spine reshuffles, they keep finding answers. Jett Cleary stepped in and looked comfortable, which is ridiculous because apparently calm debut halves now just grow on trees.

Manly finally found some attack again, and Turbo back changes their whole look. Annoyingly for them, it came too late to keep the season alive, which is very Manly: rediscover the fun after the house is already on fire.

In Auckland, with top-two pressure still around, the Warriors should be too strong. Manly can make it interesting if Turbo gets loose, but the Wahs pack should grind this down.

North Queensland locked in finals by getting past Wests, but it wasn’t exactly champagne football. Still, they got it done, Dearden back makes them look far more organised, and Townsville is the place you want this game.

Canberra had the bye, which probably helped after a messy few weeks. They can still be physical and annoying, but the season has already drifted away from them, and this is a hard road trip against a team with something real to protect.

The Raiders will be awkward, because that is basically their brand, but the Cowboys should have more class and more urgency.

Cronulla have not looked flawless lately, but they are still in the finals mix with enough quality to make noise. Hynes has to keep steering through the Trindall disruption, and this is exactly the kind of game they need to handle if they want anyone to trust them in September.

Melbourne are out of finals, but they are still Melbourne. They belted Brisbane, Grant and Munster looked sharp, and they will absolutely enjoy being the annoying side trying to ruin someone else’s ladder maths.

This should be tight. The Storm are dangerous with nothing to lose, but Cronulla at home should have just enough control.

The Dragons are crawling to the finish. They’ve had the odd flash, but the season has mostly been a weekly reminder that defensive structure is not just a cute suggestion.

Parramatta have been patchy all year, but there’s still more punch there. Moses gives them direction, Addo-Carr gives them speed, and when the offloads stick they can at least look like a functioning football team for long enough to hurt someone.

This is a dead-rubber special, so obviously it could become deeply stupid. Still, Parra have more ways to score.

Penrith are banged up, but they are still Penrith. Tago is out, Cogger is suspended, Yeo remains a watch, and somehow they still have enough structure and cold-blooded control to make most teams look like they forgot their homework.

Wests have at least shown a pulse late in the year. They stunned the Roosters, then gave the Cowboys a proper contest before fading. That is progress, even if the bar has been buried underground for a while.

The Tigers will have moments, but Penrith at CommBank in the final round is a brutal ask. Even with a few bodies missing, the Panthers should get it done.