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? Of course you can always try the excellent NRL Tipping Club and you should. But if none of those work for you The Gurgler website is here and nothing if not helpful, so to help the keen NRL punter we offer up our 2026 NRL Round 18 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 18 Bets & Best Bets
Here is our one betting special for every game this weekend.
Odds courtesy of Sportsbet and correct at time of use.
FRIDAY 8PM PENRITH v SOUTH SYDNEY @ CommBank Stadium
BET: South Sydney – Total Points Band 11 – 20 points @ $2.45.
You may think Souths are specials given it is Origin time and the Panthers are missing a few, but Penrith do ok during Origin period, and while Souths are doing ok this season, there didn’t last season. So going with a low Souths score. Souths have scored exactly 12 points eight times in 15 games v Penrith since 2020 and 10 points another two times in that run.
SAT 5:30PM – ST GEORGE v WESTS TIGERS  @ Kogarah
BET: Highest scoring half – First Half @ $2.03
Combined these teams score 21.2 points in the first half and 15.9 in the second half. The Dragons have passed double figures for second half points just three times this season. Wests Tigers are a little better but also have three second half nils in their last eight games. Neither side are very good in second halves this season, Wests Tigers have the better record at W5 L10, while the Dragons have won two second halves from 15 attempts.
SAT 7:30PM – BRISBANE v CRONULLA
Best Bet: Line: Broncos +6.5 Points Start @ $1.89
Broncos are on a terrible run of form, losing seven in a row, but there were green shoots last weekend against the Roosters, so at least they weren’t terrible like some of their matches in the seven game losing streak. And they have decent recent form v Cronulla with having won 10 of their last 13 games v Cronulla and 13 / 19 games played v Cronulla at Suncorp Stadium. But they have more injuries and one naughty boy, but the Broncos played better with key injuries earlier in the season. But you can’t trust them to win.
SUN 2PM – PARRAMATTA V MANLY
Best Bet: Parramatta to win @ $3.20
Form says Manly, and they were impressive last weekend against Melbourne, but they are a slightly difference beast away from home and have some Origin absences. As do Parramatta but Moses is never fit so they become used to it. Parramatta have won four in a row and ten of the last 11 home games v Manly and their record of winning 15 of the 18 Saturday games at CommBank Stadium works too. Manly are changed under Fozball, but still have won only 6 of 20 games since 2024 away against Sydney clubs. Five game rounds are usually good for an upset anyway.
SUN 4PM – NEWCASTLE v DOLPHINS
Best Bet:Â Dolphins to win @ $1.78
This is a serious Form v History match. Dolphins are mysteriously terrible against Newcastle, losing 5/6 games since joining the NRL. But who can resist an eight game winning streak, and although they lose some Origin players, including a debut for Jack Bostock, they get back KInfinny back and there’s also Tramplin’ Trai at the back while Newcastle lose their star fullback.
2026 NRL Round 18 Bets Mega 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 $34
All odds correct from Sportsbet as of Tuesday 30 June.
