NRL
  • Home
  • NRL

Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL Round 17 Tips - Doggies out grind the masters

jeremy-darke
Editor
Last updated: Tue 24 Jun 2025 14:56

The upcoming NRL match between Penrith Panthers and Canterbury Bulldogs is poised to be a strategic showdown focused on possession and territory control. Experts predict a low-scoring first half, with the Bulldogs gaining the upper hand, especially due to Nathan Cleary's injury concerns. Key player Thomas Jenkins is expected to maintain his impressive scoring form for the Panthers. Betting trends favor the Bulldogs, who lead the league in defensive stats, while the Panthers struggle with defensive consistency despite a recent winning streak.

Jeremy Darke 24 Jun 2025
Share this article
Or copy link
  • Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bulldogs expert predictions for Thursday’s Round 17 NRL game
  • Kick off is at 7:50 PM (AEST) at CommBank Stadium
  • The match is predicted to be a possession battle with a low-scoring first half.
  • Thomas Jenkins of Panthers remains a key scoring threat amidst defensive challenges.
Jez's Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bulldogs Tips

Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bulldogs, Round 17 2025 - Expert Prediction


This game will be about the grind with the new masters the Canterbury Bulldogs outplaying the old dog, the Penrith Panthers. 
  • Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bulldogs, Round 17 2025 - Expert Prediction
  • Head to Head 
  • Penrith Panthers Form Analysis & Betting Trends
  • Penrith Panthers Team News
  • Penrith Panthers Team List
  • Canterbury Bulldogs Form Analysis & Betting Trends
  • Canterbury Bulldogs Team News
  • Canterbury Bulldogs Team List
  • Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 2025 Round 17 FAQ’s


Canterbury sit on top of the ladder and for one simple reason, they control the game and make sure that it is played in their opposition half. A tactic that Cameron Ciraldo took with him from his time in Penrith. 

I expect this match to be a battle of possession and territory with the first half being a game of force ‘em back, with both teams trying to pin their opponent in their own end and make them do the work with the ball to get out of trouble. This will result in a low-scoring first half. 

With Nathan Cleary being underdone with a groin injury it is expected that the Bulldogs  will win the kicking battle and eventually take control of the match and get the win against the Panthers.

You can’t ignore the try scoring form of Thomas Jenkins at the moment, crossing the line 5 times in his last 3 games and 8 times in his past six matches. Getting over double your money feels like a steal.

  • Penrith have a 2-3 record at CommBank Stadium in 2025. 
  • Canterbury concedes an average of 17.8 points per game, the least of any team in the NRL.
  • The last 3 Penrith Panthers matches have had a halftime total under 21.5 points.
  • Thomas Jenkins has scored in 3 straight games for Penrith Panthers.

Head to Head 


Penrith have won the last 7 matches against Canterbury, dating back to the 2020 season.

The pair played each other just once last season with Penrith getting up 16-10.

Three of the last 4 matches between the Panthers and Bulldogs have gone over the game total.

Penrith Panthers Form Analysis & Betting Trends


Recent Form
Last 5 W/LLast 5 ATSLast 5 O/U
3-22-32-3

The Panthers have found some form with three consecutive wins that has pushed them back into the top eight after being on the bottom of the ladder just over one month ago.

I’m not sold though. The Panthers beat Parramatta and Wests before getting a surprising 28-18 victory last weekend in New Zealand. The competition on this three-game run hasn’t been great, yes they beat the Warriors but still conceded 18 points and that is where the concern lies.

The Penrith defence has been their downfall this season, where throughout their dynasty it has been their strength. Despite still managing to rank third in territory, the Panthers have been giving up points with poor defence in their own half.  

2025 Betting Trends
ATSOver/Under1-1213+
6-86-84-42-3

Penrith Panthers Team News


Despite playing through a groin injury in Origin 2, Nathan Cleary has been named to start at halfback for the Panthers. Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o , Liam Martin and Isiah Yeo have also been named to return after representative duties. 

Daine Laurie and Paul Alamoti have been dropped out of the backline while Trent Toelau and Matthew Eisenhuth have also been forced to make way. 

Scott Sorensen was influential for the Panthers last week, but will now have a stint on the sideline after being charged with a hip-drop. 

Penrith Panthers Team List


1. Dylan Edwards 
2. Thomas Jenkins 
3. Izack Tago  
4. Casey McLean
5. Brian To'o 
6. Blaize Talagi 
7. Nathan Cleary 
8. Moses Leota
9. Mitch Kenny 
10. Lindsay Smith 
11. Isaiah Papalii 
12. Liam Martin 
13. Isaah Yeo  

Interchange
14. Brad Schneider 
15. Liam Henry 
16. Luron Patea
17. Luke Garner 

Reserves
18. Paul Alamoti 
19. Matthew Eisenhuth 
20. Daine Laurie 
21. Trent Toelau 
22. Luke Sommerton

Canterbury Bulldogs Form Analysis & Betting Trends


Recent Form
Last 5 W/LLast 5 ATSLast 5 O/U
4-12-32-3

Canterbury steadied the ship once again in between their byes with a couple of wins over Parramatta 30-12 and Souths 24-18.

With all of their Origin players returning it is expected that Canterbury will return to the machine they are and fall back to their grind out style of footy this weekend. 

The Dogs rank first in plenty of the key stats indicators with both their attack and defence being built on their ability to control where the game is being played, leading the comp in possession and territory and also tackles inside 20m in both attack and defence. 

This results in Canterbury controlling the game and it is why they leak the least amount of points (17.8/G) of any team in the NRL

2025 Betting Trends
ATSOver/Under1-1213+
8-56-75-06-2

Canterbury Bulldogs Team News


Stephen Crichton and Matt Burton return after Origin which moves Jacob Kiraz to the wing and Lachie Galvin to the bench with Balke Wilson dropping out.

Max King also returns to prop with Josh Curran moving to the bench, joining Kurt Mann who will start the match in the No. 14. 

Canterbury Bulldogs Team List


1. Connor Tracey 
2. Jacob Kiraz 
3. Bronson Xerri 
4. Stephen Crichton 
5. Marcelo Montoya 
6. Matt Burton  
7. Toby Sexton  
8. Max King 
9. Reed Mahoney 
10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 
11. Viliame Kikau 
12. Jacob Preston 
13. Bailey Hayward 

Interchange
14. Kurt Mann 
15. Harry Hayes
16. Josh Curran
17. Lachlan Galvin 

Reserves
19. Kurtis Morrin 
20. Mitch Woods
21. Sam Hughes
22. Jethro Rinakama
23. Blake Taaffe

Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 2025 Round 17 FAQ’s

How to watch Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 2025 Round 17?

You can watch the Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 2025 Round 17 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchNRL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 2025 Round 17?

To buy tickets to the Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 2025 Round 17 game check the NRL website or the official Penrith Panthers site.

Verdict

The first half of this match will be a stalemate with the total staying under. The Dogs will get on top in the end, however the Panthers’ Thomas Jenkins will cross.
Best Bet1: Canterbury -1.5 Handicap/Line $1.90 at Elitebet - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Under 21.5 First Half Game Total $2.10 at OnlyBets - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Tom Jenkins Anytime Tryscorer $2.05 at dabble - 2 Units
Best Bet4: Tom Jenkins First Tryscorer $10.00 at dabble - 1 Unit
Canterbury -1.5
Handicap/Line
$1.90 - 3 Units
Lightning fast betting
Join with code BETSAU

18+. T&Cs apply

Bet at Elitebet
Under 21.5
First Half Game Total
$2.10 - 2 Units
Newest Australian Bookie
Referral Code: MAXBET

The OnlyBets referral code is MAXBET. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Bet at OnlyBets
Tom Jenkins
Anytime Tryscorer
$2.05 - 2 Units
Download the dabble app
with referral code BETSAU

Download the dabble app, enter referral code BETSAU to enjoy Dabble, the betting app with a difference! Bet as normal with & also be part of Australia's betting community where you can follow punters and sports stars, copy their bets, have banter with your mates & watch Sky Racing channels. 18+. T&Cs apply. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at dabble
Tom Jenkins
First Tryscorer
$10.00 - 1 Unit
Download the dabble app
with referral code BETSAU

Download the dabble app, enter referral code BETSAU to enjoy Dabble, the betting app with a difference! Bet as normal with & also be part of Australia's betting community where you can follow punters and sports stars, copy their bets, have banter with your mates & watch Sky Racing channels. 18+. T&Cs apply. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at dabble

Top Betting Sites

Betting offers

Upcoming Events

Betting Slip | 26 Jun 2025

Penrith Panthers v Canterbury Bulldogs