NRL Round 26 Tips, Predictions & Top Try Scorer Picks

Ryan Tucker

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Last updated: Mon 25 Aug 2025 21:27

Ryan Tucker 25 Aug 2025

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NRL Round 26 Expert Tips and Preview
Deine Mariner & Tolu Koula in hot try-scoring form.
Penrith, Melbourne, & Canberra excel in finals positioning.
Key clashes could reshape playoffs, with big scores expected.

NRL Round 26 Tips, Predictions & Top Try Scorer Picks

NRL Round 26 Tips & Predictions - Finals Spots on the Line

With just two weeks to play, Round 26 of the NRL season looms as a defining moment in the finals race.

The Ahead of the Game crew have run the numbers, projected the scores, and identified the try scorer form players who could decide your tips and multis this weekend.

Try Scorer Locks

Two names stand out in hot form:

Deine Mariner (Broncos): 4 tries in his last 4 games and a major threat against a leaky Cowboys defence.

Deine MarinerAnytime TryscorerBet Here

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Tolu Kola (Sea Eagles): 9 tries in his last 11, including 5 straight, and faces a Dragons outfit that’s conceded 40+ far too often.

Tolu KoulaAnytime TryscorerBet Here

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Key Match-Ups

Bulldogs vs Panthers: Canterbury’s Thursday night record (3–7 since 2019) is against them, while Penrith are peaking despite recent narrow losses. Nathan Cleary will be rested which changes the dynamics of this matchup.

Warriors vs Eels: Parramatta have found spark with Mitch Moses back, but the Warriors’ home defence (3rd best in the league) makes them hard to tip against.

New Zealand Warriors -4.5Line $2.00Bet Here

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Storm vs Roosters: Without Sam Walker, the Roosters lose their creative spark. Melbourne’s defence has been top-two over the last month and they’re chasing the minor premiership.

Raiders vs Tigers: Canberra’s belief is sky-high after their win over Penrith. With the minor premiership within reach, expect another strong home performance.

Dragons vs Sea Eagles: The Dragons surprisingly boast the 4th best home defence in the comp, but Manly’s finals hopes and Kola’s form make this a genuine toss-up.

Broncos vs Cowboys: Reece Walsh has found balance between flair and control, sparking Brisbane’s attack at the right time. Against the league’s worst defensive unit, expect the Broncos to score big.

Sharks vs Knights: Cronulla continue to punish bottom-eight teams, while Newcastle’s defence has collapsed, leaking 44 points per game over the last month.

Knights Under 14.5 pts $1.95Team TotalBet Here

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Dolphins vs Titans: Pride and a derby atmosphere on the Gold Coast. The Dolphins’ defence is leaking badly, while the Titans’ attacking sparks could cause an upset.

The Finals Race

Round 26 could completely reshape the top eight. With Penrith, Melbourne and Canberra all jostling for positioning, and Manly, the Dolphins and the Roosters in a scrap for survival, this weekend promises twists, shocks and big scores.