It's Round 9 of the 2025 NRLW season and things are beginning to heat up as teams position themselves for a spot in the NRLW Finals. Amazingly, all teams still have a chance of achieving this, but some sides are expected to have their hopes dashed this weekend. This promises to deliver another exciting weekend of action and, if the first 8 weeks of the season are anything to go by, this competition is only going to get better. Before You Bet is here to help find a winner by looking at possible outcomes ahead in the games this weekend.
Check out our preview and NRLW tips for Round 9 below, and if you're looking for a new Australian sportsbook to try, then why not check out TradieBET for a great range of markets and excellent odds!
2025 NRLW Round 9 Predictions & Tips
Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers
GIO Stadium – Saturday 30th August – 12:45pm (EST)
The Raiders surprised many with a spirited and powerful 56-24 road victory over the Bulldogs. The 10-try display was surprising to say the least given their form this season but credit where credit is due, they were great. In their best performance this year they controlled possession (57%), had a strong completion rate (81%), averaged 10.1m per carry and made 10 line breaks. It was a vastly different look to the team that had only one win prior. The Tigers tried hard in their home game against the Cowboys but that only counted for so much as they were comprehensively defeated 30-8. Trailing 12-8 at HT, they were kept scoreless in the second half, failing to capitalise on their 52% share of possession and 86% completion rate. They were the inferior team in most areas and are stuck to the bottom of the competition ladder with just one win to their name.
The recent form of the Raiders, on top of returning home, makes them strong favourites to win this game. It will be closer than the odds are suggesting though. The Tigers welcome back Crichton for her first game of the season, and this strengthens their edge defence, while also adding another dimension to their attack. The Tigers will sense that the Raiders will give their chances; they must ensure they are making the most of them. Confidence is low in this contest overall so, keep your stake low. Otherwise, the added points for the visiting team is too much to overlook in an NRLW match of this calibre.
Tigers +10.5
$1.90 (1 unit)
St George-Illawarra Dragons vs New Zealand Warriors
Jubilee Stadium – Saturday 30th August – 3:15pm (EST)
The Dragons were outclassed 22-4 on the road by the Titans last week, managing just one try in the first half to ignite some hope. It is no surprise of the result given they had just 45% possession and completed at one 58%. If it were not for a strong defensive structure (allowed 4 line breaks and missed 26 tackles), they score could’ve been far greater. The Warriors were spirited but ultimately, couldn’t match it with the Sharks as they were defeated 22-14 at home. With an equal share of possession, they only have themselves to blame with a 68% completion rate, 7.5m per carry, 8 line breaks allowed and 34 missed tackles. They are not performing to the standard they are capable of.
The odds have these two sides evenly matched and there is little confidence to invest on either team. Team changes hardly make the picture clearer either. Each have their own strengths; this result will simply come down to which team desires victory more. The Warriors certainly have the greater scope in attack and have the defensive structure to limit their opponents’ opportunities. If forced to select, they would be the preferred option. In terms of a winner, given how little there is between either side, take either team to win by fewer than 10 points and enjoy watching this one play out.
Either Team by 10.5 points
$1.57 (1.5 units)
North Queensland Cowboys vs Sydney Roosters
Queensland Country Bank Stadium – Saturday 30th August – 5:15pm (EST)
The Cowboys easily accounted for the Tigers on the road last week 30-8 and with that win, solidified their standing in the Top 6. It wasn’t as easy as they would’ve liked though, with just a 48% share of possession and a 79% completion rate making things difficult. Thankfully, they lead their opponents in most areas including metres per carry (8.5m), line breaks (6) and missed tackles (22) to help capture victory. The Roosters remained undefeated and made another statement in their 56-12 victory over the Eels. The 10-try display was established by controlling possession (55%) and completing at 78%, allowing them to average 9.8m per carry, create 13 line breaks and only miss 24 tackles. Those areas show why they’re leading the competition.
The Cowboys are a chance in this game. Whether that means they can win is another question altogether. The chance lies within the line. The Cowboys are a better team than the odds are giving them credit for. The Roosters are still without Baxter and must contend with a trip north to Townsville; the expected conditions will also make things challenging for the visitors. The Cowboys also welcome back Polata to the starting team after a strong return last week. If they are to lose before the Finals, this is the ideal game for that to occur. If not, the Cowboys will make them work for the victory.
Cowboys +12.5
$1.90 (1 unit)
Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights
Sharks Stadium – Sunday 31st August – 11:50am (EST)
The Sharks captured a much needed 22-14 road victory over the Warriors last week. Overcoming a 10-6 HT deficit and a horror 66% completion rate, they were aided by making 8.7m per carry and 8 line breaks to continually have their opponents on the back foot. Defensive structure is still an issue they will need to address as they missed 34 tackles for the match. The Knights received a reality check in their 46-16 home loss to the Broncos. Only trailing 18-16 at HT, the Knights couldn’t match their opponents in the second half, hampered by less possession (49%), a poor completion rate (71%), conceding 11 line breaks and missing 54 tackles. These statistics are unlike any Knights team from previous seasons.
As the odds suggest, this is going to be a close contest. Each team has a different set of player challenges to overcome also; there are reshuffles for each team that will impact their performance. The fact that the Knights are trying to avoid a 3rd consecutive loss should count for something. The winner of this game should also finish higher on the competition ladder compared to their opponents. The Knights are a dangerous attacking team and while the Sharks have a rigid defensive structure, they still have issues when pressured. Rather than select a team to win, use the similarities between these teams to your advantage. It’s an early Finals preview and this match will go down to the wire.
Either team by 6.5 points or less
$2.25 (1.5 units)
Brisbane Broncos vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Totally Workwear Stadium – Sunday 31st August – 1:45pm (EST)
The Broncos showed their class in their commanding 46-16 victory over the Knights on the road. Controlling possession (51%) and having a superior completion rate (77%), they averaged 10.6m per carry, made 11 line breaks and 507PCM’s. the fact that they only lead 18-16 at HT meant they needed to lift in the second half and did so with authority. The Bulldogs were poor in their 56-24 home loss to the Raiders. With defence appearing optional for both sides, the game was all but over at HT as they trailed 28-12. Having just 43% possession and completing at 75% hurt their cause, as did conceding 10 line breaks and missing 44 tackles; these are effort areas which indicate a lot about a team.
All signs point towards the Broncos winning this game and they are unbackable odds. The form of the Bulldogs cannot be trusted. Therefore, you must go looking for value to find a winner. The line (22.5 points) is large but the attacking power of the home team, supported by their defensive structure, means that the Broncos can cover this. As the season draws to a close, the first-year pressure of the competition appears to be getting too much for the Bulldogs and in the end, the Broncos should win this game comfortably.
Broncos -22.5
$1.90 (2 units)
Gold Coast Titans vs Parramatta Eels
Cbus Super Stadium – Sunday 31st August – 6:15pm (EST)
The Titans did what was needed to capture victory in their 22-4 defeat of the Dragons in front of their home fans. The better team throughout the match, they controlled possession (55%), had a superior completion rate (70% - still not great), made 8.9m per carry and had 579PCM’s. They also only missed 22 tackles. The Eels were embarrassed 56-12 at home by the Roosters, overpowered in every area. Despite completing at 81%, their 45% share of possession meant they were unable to build on their 8.5m per carry. They let themselves down defensively too, allowing 13 line breaks and missing 55 tackles. A better effort is expected from a capable team.
Neither team has injury issues to contend with. This means that the form heading into this game should be true to what has been witnessed recently. The Titans have a similar attack to their opponents; the difference between these sides is defensively. The Titans have a better record this season and the Eels are guilty of switching off during matches and conceding many points. The Titans have the power in attack to make this happen. While they will need to establish a strong platform first, once they get going, they should cover the line.
Titans -6.5
$1.90 (2 units)
