The NRLW returns this week for another exciting instalment of rugby league action. With the Broncos entering the season as Premiers, all teams will be setting out to stop their run of form. With a settled year following stable growth, the quality has improved. If the NRLW State of Origin series is anything to go by, the 2026 season promises to be exhilarating. Each week, Before You Bet will be here with a look at each contest with the aim of finding you a winner or two to add to your viewing enjoyment.
Check out our preview and NRLW Betting Tips for Round 1 below and good luck to everyone following along!
NRLW Round 1 Preview & Betting Tips
Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights
Ocean Protect Stadium – Thursday 2nd July – 7:45pm (AEST)
The Sharks found their way into the NRLW Finals and succeeded causing an upset in Week 1 over the Cowboys. The Knights also did the same, with both ultimately defeated in Week 2 by the eventual Grand Final teams. The Knights task of replicating their 2025 form is made harder with the departure of halfback Southwell from their team. In the 4th season of the Sharks, they are beginning to find consistency in their performances.
The Sharks have strengthened their forward pack and will look to dominate the middle of the field, especially in the front row. While Southwell does depart, Kirra Dibb will partner Roache in the halves, looking to offer stability for the Knights. The quality remains for the Knights; such is their depth, Vette-Welsh has been named in the reserves. This will be a tough, grinding contest but eventually, the Sharks should prevail by a narrow margin.
Gold Coast Titans vs Sydney Roosters
Cbus Super Stadium – Saturday 4th July – 12:45pm (AEST)
After scraping into the Finals series, the Titans were bundled out in the first week. They’ve since gone a recruiting drive and appear to have built a formidable team with Levi, Bostock, and Isa’ako joining the team. The Roosters field yet another strong team. They will be out for revenge following their Grand Final lost in 2025. They have two big inclusions with Aiken & Elliott returning after missing last season.
As much improvement as the Titans have made, they will find it tough in this contest. Not only do the Roosters possess a strong pack of forwards, they have talented outside backs that will strike; they can also generate momentum if they’re pressured. This gives the Roosters an edge and will give them a strong chance of winning this contest and covering the spread.
St George-Illawarra Dragons vs Canberra Raiders
St George Venues Jubilee Stadium – Saturday 4th July – 3:15pm (AEST)
It was a disastrous 2025 campaign whereby they won just 3 matches. That has led to a change in roster, with coach Cross in his second year bringing through the exciting prospects of Ciesiolka and Hudson. The Raiders also suffered the same fate with the same total of wins in 2025. They were competitive in matches but lack experience to close out tight matches when it mattered. Recruiting strongly also, Gallagher, Law, and Blackwell are notable additions to their team.
There is little between these two sides on paper. It will come down to which one demonstrates the greatest composure when it matters most. The experience of the Raiders suggests they will be more capable in this area, but you cannot discredit the chances of the home team. The injection of youth offers a new edge not yet seen before. This is a game which should be avoided rather than investing money on it. If you must though, take this game to be a close contest.
Either team by 6 points or less
$2.60
Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys
Suncorp Stadium – Saturday 4th July – 5:15pm (AEST)
The reigning premiers the Broncos will be ready to defend their title and have a key acquisition in Southwell to steer the ship at halfback. Just when you thought they couldn’t get any better, they take another leap forward, with the talented playmaker joined by representative forward Mato. The Cowboys will want to improve upon their strong showing in 2025 whereby they made the Finals but were bundled out in the first week. They were a strong team last year and are boosted further by union convert Marsters joining their team.
Despite the improving quality and depth of the Cowboys, this appears to be beyond them to start the season. Their day against the Broncos can still come, but that will be at the end of the year (if they get the chance). The lingering stat that the Broncos have only ever won one Round 1 match does create some concern but the experience and quality within their team is too much to ignore. It will be tight though, with the Cowboys up for the contest. Eventually though, the Broncos should prevail in a hard-fought match.
Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers
CommBank Stadium – Sunday 5th July – 11:50am (AEST)
Neither team qualified for the Finals last season and have hopes on improving on that it 2026. It was a far better showing for the Eels who managed 5 victories and missed the Finals by 1-point. It was a slow start for them, but they grew in confidence the longer the season went. Not much changes for them ahead of this season either. The Wests Tigers need a change following the solitary win in Round 7 for 2025. They were poor structurally and lacked quality in key positions. With new coach Sandercock at the helm, they will need him to work his magic to reverse the fortunes of this team.
It appears another long year is ahead for the Tigers. Despite the recruitment of McGregor, who is named at halfback for this game, to the club, they appear short several experienced players. The Eels have far stronger attacking players at their disposal including Church and Owen. Once they gain enough momentum, they should pull away from their opponents and replicate their commanding victory over them in 2025.
New Zealand Warriors vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
FMG Stadium – Sunday 5th July – 1:45pm (AEST)
The concluding game of the round heads to New Zealand for an intriguing matchup between the Warriors and Bulldogs. Both teams missed the Finals last season and will want to improve on what they delivered. The Warriors promised a lot but fell short at key moments. This is just their second season since their reintroduction to the competition, and they’ve added Broughton and Nu’uausala to their squad to improve their depth. In their second season, the Bulldogs will focus on consistency. A few key recruits will aim to establish this, especially with Jones playing in the backrow after joining from rugby.
The Warriors are always tough at home but lost all three games at this ground in 2025. There isn’t much between two sides this season and it is as if the home team has a slight edge based only on the experience at their disposal. There is every chance that the Bulldogs come out and cause an upset. With little between these sides and a lot of uncertainty around their performance, it is best to wait and watch this game to see what each deliver. If you need to have a bet on this game, invest around this game being a close contest, with neither team prevailing by more than 10 points.
Either team by 10.5 points or less
$2.35
