Looking for a way to get into this weekend’s NRL action, but don’t have the time to examine the form guide, Facebook pages, Fox Sports website, or watch the Channel Nein Sports news to help with your selections? The Gurgler website is nothing if not helpful, so to help the keen NRL punter we offer up our 2026 NRL Round 1 Bets & Best Bets.
We’ve done the math and the homework of all our stats and offer up just our favourite suggested bet in each game. Then roll them up in a mega multi at the end.
2026 NRL Round 1 Bets & Best Bets
Here is our one betting special for every game this weekend.
Odds courtesy of Sportsbet.
THURSDAY 8pm – MELBOURNE v PARRAMATTA
BET – Melbourne to Win @ $1.43
You can argue with Melbourne’s Round 1 record. We won’t. They are also unbeaten at AAMI Park on a Thursday.
FRIDAY 6pm – WAHS v ROOSTERS
BET – Warriors – Pick Your Own Line +8.5 start @ $1.58
Warriors have a perfect Friday record v Roosters, and the Roosters are not great in Round 1, but that’s still not enough to bet on the Warriors outright.
FRIDAY 8pm – BRISBANE v PENRITH
BET – Penrith to win @ $2.23
Going back to 2017, only Melbourne in 2018 has won the first game of the season after playing in the World Club Challenge.
SATURDAY 5:30pm – CRONULLA v GOLD COAST
BET – Nicho Hynes to score 1+ Tries @ $3.45
Four tries in five games v Titans for Nicho Hynes, and the Sharks have such a good record v Titans.
SATURDAY 7:30pm – MANLY v CANBERRA
BET – Reuben Garrick to score 1+ Tries @ $2.90
Eight tries in six games v Canberra and Manly at home.
SUNDAY 4pm – DOLPHINS v SOUTH SYDNEY @ Suncorp Stadium
BET – Over 43 points scored @ $1.85.
The four games between these sides average 55.5 points per game, and the two games at Suncorp Stadium have seen 128 points scored in total.
2026 NRL Round 1 Bets MMMMMega Multi
Add all the specials together for turning $1 into plenty. But gamble responsibly, by betting within your limits and ignoring our tips all together.
$1 for $93.26
READ MORE ON THIS WEEKEND’S NRL
The Gurgler’s Round 1 NRL Predictions
The NRL Donkey’s Round 1 Expert Tips and Opinion
The Gurgler’s NRL Round 1 Ratings
NRL Las Vegas R1 One Minute Match Review
