NRL Round 9 Preview

The Sharks will be looking to make up for last week’s loss with a win over the Eels this week – a team that has yet to showcase they can compete with the premier teams in the competition.

While Ronaldo Mulitalo has struggled on the edge of the field, his opposing winger and teammate Sam Stonestreet hasn’t shied away from crossing over the line.

After a stellar performance on Anzac Day, Sandon Smith will look to continue his form and won’t shy away from the big stage that is Magic Round.

The Dolphins may be outsiders, but they enter the clash in fantastic form and will have the backing of the crowd at Magic Round, thanks to them being predominantly based in Queensland.

The two teams have struggled on the attacking side of the field this season and it’s hard to see them putting multiple tries on the scoreboard this week.

The Rabbitohs may be entering the game off a few losses but their opponents have been shockingly bad and can’t see to put points on the board with their lacklustre attack.

Entering the clash as the favourites, the Cowboys have won their last three consecutive matches and are in fine form after an extremely slow start to the 2025 NRL season.

After coming into the first-grade side to replace Braidon Burns, PNG international Robert Derby has been in impeccable form and is coming off a hat-trick against the Titans – they had the bye last week.

Ranking second on the 2025 try-scoring list, Sunia Turuva continually shows up when it matters the most and Magic Round is going to be no different.

In one of the closest matches of the round, both the Tigers and Dragons enter the clash with plenty of pressure, and the winner will depend on who can stand up to expectations.

The Bulldogs have shown that they are one of the best-attacking teams in the competition and will rely heavily on their outside backs, especially Bronson Xerri and Jacob Kiraz who are contending for a spot on the NSW Blues line-up.

After a shock loss last week to Broncos, the Canterbury Bulldogs will attempt to make up for it this weekend but expect it to be closer than expected with no Matt Burton, Josh Curran and Sitili Tupouniua on deck.

Since replacing Reece Walsh in the No.1 jersey, Selwyn Cobbo has taken his game to another level and has not only been key in gaining easy meters on the first few tackles of the set but can also cross the line with ease.

At the start of the year, it’d be hard to imagine that the Broncos would enter this match as favourites, but the Penrith Panthers have struggled continuously and remain on the bottom of the ladder.

One of the competition’s best wingers, Xavier Coates is unstoppable in the air and also has the quickness to get past most defenders when near the try-line.

The Raiders have been a force to be reckoned with when they compete at home, but it’s a different story when they play away from home. Meanwhile, the Storm are the premiership favourites.