The final game of NRL Round 25 will take place between the suddenly red-hot Wests Tigers, and the North Queensland Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval. With the Tigers coming in off two impressive wins in a row, can the Cowboys show some fight now that they are effectively out of the finals’ picture, or will the Tigers continue their dream end to the season?
Ben Bridge brings you his preview and best bets for this clash below and if you’re keen to play along, simply join Neds via this link!
Tigers vs Cowboys Prediction & Tips: 2025 NRL Round 25
Tigers One Year Away from Competing?
The Tigers come into round 25 off the back of two impressive wins in a row, overcoming the Bulldogs 28-14, before their round 23 bye, then dispatching the Sea Eagles comfortably last weekend, 26-12. For a team that looked like a real shout at their fourth straight wooden spoon just a month ago, they sure look good right now, and if they could have made the finals, I don’t think many teams would want to face them,
In their matchup with the Sea Eagles last weekend, they effectively cut the Manly side out of the game for 78 minutes, with the Sea Eagles scoring in the 1st, and last minute of the game. Other than that, it was all Tigers, with their spine really starting to gel as Bula, Luai, Doueihi and Koroisau all played well. The May brothers were also massive for the Tigers, with Terrell running for 200 metres, making 33 tackles, and popping four offloads, whilst Taylan ran for 196 metres, scored a try, set up another, broke the line twice, and busted 6 tackles. So many positives for this team heading into the off-season, and they should seriously be looking at the finals next year.
Cowboys Big Win Last Week Overrated?
The Cowboys come in off a massive win over the Knights, spanking the Novocastrians 38-4 at home last Sunday afternoon. Despite this, there are still serious concerns over the form of this Cowboys outfit, and Head Coach Todd Payten will be looking to end the season well to save his job. The ease of the victory last week surely masked some glaring issues with this Cowboys team, with their error total (23) being up there with the worst efforts all season by any team, and the massive victory surely is more an indictment on the Knights, than the Cowboys abilities.
If we are looking for positives, several attacking players had big games statistically last week, with Braidon Burns running for 260 metres, breaking a massive 13 tackles and scoring a try, Tom Dearden setting up a try and scoring one of his own, and several other players breaking the line and several would-be tackles. The highlight though was the return to form of Scott Drinkwater, who ran for 220 metres, scored two tries, set up another two, busted five tackles and scored a total of 22 points. More of the same required this week if they are to have any chance against this Tigers team.
Tigers vs Cowboys Recent History
This rivalry has been dominated by the Cowboys of late, with two massive scorelines back in the 2023 season highlighting just how inconsistent these teams have been, with the Tigers winning 66-18 in round 12, and the Cowboys winning 74-0 just six weeks later in Townsville. Some massive scores have been put on by both teams, with the average points scored over the past seven matchups equalling 66.7 points per game. Will we see more of the same this week?
The last time these teams met was back in round 13 in Townsville, where the Cowboys closed 8.5-point home favourites, with the total closing 49.5. It was a dominant first hour for the home side, with the Cowboys scoring six tries to one to lead 32-6, before four tries in 13 minutes had the Tigers storm back late, but ultimately come up short, with the Cowboys sneaking home 32-28.
Statistically, the game was about as tight as you could get, but it was very much a tale of two halves, with the Tigers good half being slightly more compact than the Cowboys. The only thing to take from it was the obvious inability for either team at this point of the season to put 80 minutes together.
Scott Drinkwater was once again leading from the front for the Cowboys, scoring a try and setting up another, whilst Tom Dearden tore the Tigers to shreds with a try, two try assists and five-line break assists. For the Tigers, Jahream Bula was huge, running for 224 metres, scoring a try and setting up another, whilst Terrell May ran for over 200 metres and made 42 tackles without a miss in the middle.
Tigers to Continue Momentum Heading into 2026
The Tigers were slated as short 1.5-point home favourites on the lookahead, and after both teams looked good last week, more Tigers money hit the market, with them re-opening at 2.5 on Monday morning. Despite their terrific form over the past three weeks, there still isn’t a lot of love for the Tigers, who still sit as 2.5-point favourites. I’m not sure if this is punters giving the Cowboys too much credit, or the lack of confidence in the Tigers, but I think this is a good spot for the Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on a Sunday afternoon to go ahead and get their third straight win. I make the Tigers a 4.5-point favourite at home, and with the numbers currently under a try, I’ll take the Tigers to cover here.
Looking towards the total, and it opened 49.5, which is pretty close to my number. I could only bet the over here, and this is based purely off the history of these two teams. The Tigers have been a heavy unders team, which scares me off a little, but a lean towards the over in this game for sure.
So, it’s the Tigers -2.5. The only real concern I have here is that the 0.01% chance the Tigers have of making the finals could be snuffed out before they even take the field this week, with a Roosters win ending the Tigers chances. If that is all the motivation they have, they could tank this game, but I’ll trust them to keep this train rolling.
Tigers (-2.5)
$1.98 (2.5 Units)
Tigers vs Cowboys Player Prop Bet: May is Too Big, Too Strong, Too Fast
Our Best Prop Bet: May 1+ Try
Taylan May is making a good fist of his second chance back in the NRL, looking very dangerous out in their left centre position. This week, I like him to score against a terrible right edge for the Cowboys.
Taylan May (1+ try)
$2.55
Same Game Multi: Tigers vs Cowboys
Leg 1: Tigers (-2.5) – See Best Bet.
Leg 2: T May (1+ try) – See Best Prop Bet.
Leg 3: B Burns (1+ try) – Looks so hard to stop out on the Cowboys wing, has scored a try in each of his past three games.
SGM Odds: $8.50 at Dabble
Tigers vs Cowboys Better Odds & Match Info
Date: Sunday, 24th August
Location: Leichhardt Oval - Leichhardt
Time: 4:05pm AEST
Weather: Fine, 17 degrees
Odds: Tigers ($1.72) vs Cowboys ($2.15)
Line: Tigers (-2.5)
Points: 49.5
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