Round 7 NRL Tips 2026 | SGM Bets & Predictions

The Cowboys are getting it done on all fronts at the minute, binning last year’s Premiers in their own home last week and making it four wins on the trot. That win over Brisbane was one of the better ones of the round too, not just because it was the derby, but because they had to find a way late when it looked like they’d blown it.

Manly were solid enough against the Dragons, but that isn’t exactly the toughest assignment in rugby league right now. Heading up to Townsville against a Cowboys side full of confidence is a very different kettle of fish, and I can see the home side getting on top through the middle and rolling on again.

Storm are in all sorts at the minute. They’ve now dropped four on the bounce, including two at home, and suddenly sitting 13th on the ladder with their only two wins coming against teams below them is hardly cause for celebration. It’s been a weird old start to the year from a side that usually has everyone else looking over their shoulder.

That being said, this still feels like the sort of game where Melbourne remember who they are. The Raiders got the chocolates last week, but leaking 34 to Souths and nearly coughing it up after being well on top isn’t exactly screaming trust me either. If the Storm are going to put a bit of respect back onto their season, this is the sort of spot to do it.

Penrith got a bit of a wake up call last week, and to be honest they were probably due one. They’ve spent the best part of the last few years bullying the comp, so one off night against a fired up Bulldogs side doesn’t exactly mean the sky is falling in. More often than not, a loss like that just pokes the bear.

The Dolphins have had their moments this year, but they can still go missing when the game gets ugly and the ruck starts turning into a war. That’s where Penrith usually make teams hate life. Darwin might throw a bit of weirdness into it, but I still think the Panthers turn up in a foul mood here and hand out a decent whacking.

The Warriors finally got the monkey off their back against Melbourne and did it properly too. Beating the Storm is one thing, but getting on top of them physically and then putting them away is a different story. That was one of those wins that makes you think maybe there’s a bit more about this side than just patchy momentum and the odd good night.

The Titans belted Parramatta, but let’s be honest, everyone is belting Parramatta at the minute. Heading across the ditch is a much tougher assignment, especially against a Warriors side that should be full of confidence and have the crowd right behind them. I can see the home side breaking their necks through the middle and running away with it late.

Souths would’ve been filthy not to pinch that one against Canberra. They looked gone, then jagged three tries in no time and nearly turned it into one of the better steals of the round. Even in the loss, there was enough there to say they’re not far away from putting a few teams to the sword if they can stop falling asleep for chunks of games.

The Dragons on the other hand just continue to not do themselves any favours. They hang around for a bit, let in soft points, then spend the rest of the night chasing their tail. Against a Souths side that can pile on points when they get a sniff, that feels like a dangerous little recipe.

The Tigers finally gave their fans something to cheer about last week, and fair enough too. Putting 42 on a Knights side sitting in the top four isn’t something you fluke your way into. They looked dangerous with the ball, had a bit of swagger about them, and for once didn’t find a way to turn a good position into a dumb loss.

Brisbane are still capable of turning it on, but they’re looking a bit battered and a bit clunky at the minute. They let the Cowboys off the hook last week and that sort of loss can sting for a while. Campbelltown can get scrappy, the Tigers will be up for it, and this has a bit of a Freaky Friday feel about it.

The Roosters looked in all sorts at half time last week before deciding enough was enough and putting the Sharks to the sword in the second half. That sort of comeback tends to put a bit of steel back into a side, and they’ll fancy themselves here against a Knights outfit that is starting to look a little bit patched together.

Newcastle have had a decent enough start in patches, but they got properly handled by the Tigers and didn’t look like turning it around once the game got away from them. Heading to Allianz against a Roosters side coming off a big second half ambush doesn’t feel ideal, and I can see the Chooks getting on top early and staying there.

It is very hard to make a case for Parramatta at the minute. Getting absolutely walloped by the Titans is bad enough, but doing it at home and looking completely out of ideas while it’s happening is another thing altogether. At the moment they look like a side waiting for something to go wrong, and funnily enough it usually does.

The Bulldogs meanwhile pulled off the upset of the round by rolling Penrith, and they didn’t do it with smoke and mirrors either. They were up for the fight from the jump and never really let the Panthers settle. If they bring that same energy here, the Eels could be in for another long afternoon and another rough drive home.