NRL Women Tips & Preview | Round 5

Cronulla finally played their first day match of the season in Round 4 and clocked their first win with a quality 22-10 victory over a Canberra side that has been flying high this year. It extended the Sharks’ record to 7-1 the last two seasons in games played before 5pm with their only loss coming against the Broncos. The Tigers winning start to the season has come crashing down, conceding 40 to the Broncos and 48 to the Roosters. Cronulla are obviously easier but there will be collateral damage taken from those defeats. The Tigers have won two of three against the Sharks, so Cronulla are no morals, but on class the Sharks should run away with this. Quincy Dodd is a handy tryscoring hooker with 15 tries in 49 games including in her last two games. Georgia Ravics is a professional finisher with 22 tries in 32 games. Cassie Staples has scored in back-to-back games and now has 10 tries in her last 17 matches.

Tips

Best: Cronulla -4.5 ($1.90)
Next: Cronulla 13+ ($3.50)
Tryscorer: Quincy Dodd ($16 First, $3.35 Anytime)
SGM: Quincy Dodd Try/Georgia Ravics Try/Cassie Staples Try ($12.16)

The biggest mismatch of Magic Round sees old rivals the Roosters and Dragons square off with a 30.5-point line that is not nearly big enough separating them. The biggest betting mismatch in NRLW history, the all-conquering Tricolours will cover that by halftime if they play anywhere near their best. The Roosters have won five straight against the Dragons, all by at least 12 points. John Strange’s team come off a 48-10 win while the Dragons have lost their last two by 38 and 20. On a fast deck the Roosters could win this by 50. Jayme Fressard is an elite finisher who has 29 tries in 34 games for the Roosters including seven in four games this season. Sariah Paki has three tries in her last two games. Amber Hall is a beast who has 10 tries in her last 20 games, crossing last week in her first game of 2026.

Tips

Best: Sydney Roosters -30.5 ($1.90)
Next: Sydney Roosters -39.5 ($3.10)
Tryscorer: Jayme Fressard ($5.40 First, $1.35 Anytime)
SGM: Jayme Fressard Try/Sariah Paki Try/Amber Hall Try ($10.14)

North Queensland are no good, no good at all. Their long list of losses over the offseason has left them significantly short on talent and it has seen them open 2026 with four straight losses with three of those coming by at least 28. They have conceded at least 30 in every game and don’t have a single cover. Canberra won their first two games and covered against the Sydney Roosters before a poor loss to Cronulla. Canberra have some major attacking chops and this is virtually a home game for them while the trip from North Queensland is a long and arduous one. The Raiders win this by plenty. Elise Simpson is a future rep player who has eight tries in her last nine games. Mackenzie Wiki has scored in three of four games this year. Grace Kemp is a weapon off the bench with two tries in four games this season.

Tips

Best: Canberra -17.5 ($1.90)
Next: Canberra Over 31.5 Points ($1.90)
Tryscorer: Elise Simpson ($7.75 First, $1.73 Anytime)
SGM: Elise Simpson Try/Mackenzie Wiki Try/Grace Kemp Try ($11.72)

Canterbury have surprised the last two weeks with wins over Cronulla and St George Illawarra but even off the back of two much-improved performances are going to be no match for the Roman Empire of the NRLW. Brisbane have won all four games this season with three wins of 18-plus and two of 28-plus. When these teams met last year the score was 44-0 in favour of Brisbane and given their super regular season record where they have lost just once and have failed to cover just three times in 15 games, they have to be the play. Tamika Upton is the all-time leading tryscorer with 52 tries in 54 games including six in four games this year. Caitlin Unwin is off to a good start to her NRLW career with two tries in four games. Veteran Chelsea Lenarduzzi is always a great tryscoring option off the bench with 19 tries in 59 games including three over the last two weeks.

Tips

Best: Brisbane -22.5 ($1.90)
Next: Brisbane -29.5 ($2.80)
Tryscorer: Tamika Upton ($6 First, $1.36 Anytime)
SGM: Tamika Upton Try/Caitlin Unwin Try/Chelsea Lenarduzzi Try ($7.73)

The best match of Magic Round is shaping as a battle for the top contender to knock off one of the big two this year. The Titans have been better to date with three straight smashjobs over inferior opposition after a home loss to the Roosters. The Warriors also have three wins also but were poor last week against Parramatta while their loss to Canberra was unacceptable. The Titans won this matchup 20-10 last year and even with Mele Hufunga returning to the Warriors, Gold Coast should prove too strong. Teagan Levi has been a revelation since shifting over from union. She has four tries in four games. Phoenix-Raine Hippi is back on the wing. She has seven tries in six games on the flank.

Tips

Best: Gold Coast -4.5 ($1.98)
Next: Gold Coast 13+ ($3.25)
Tryscorer: Teagan Levi ($11.50 First, $2.50 Anytime)
SGM: Teagan Levi Try/Phoenix-Raine Hippi

Parramatta likely would have fancied their chances against Newcastle but the loss of star centre Rory Owen has severely dented the hopes of the Eels picking up their first win of 2026. Newcastle have injury worries of their own but have the talent to cover it and the Knights have owned the Eels in recent years with four straight wins of 20-plus. Celebrating Kira Dibb’s 50th game, Newcastle should win big. Amelia Pasikala is a highly underrated tryscorer with four tries in her last 12 games. Sidney Taylor has looked good since coming over from rugby union, a player with plenty of tries in her future.

Tips

Best: Newcastle -7.5 ($1.90)
Next: Newcastle 13+ ($2.65)
Tryscorer: Amelia Pasikala ($23 First, $4.80 Anytime)
SGM: Amelia Pasikala Try/Sidney Taylor Try ($13.91)