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 options 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 26 Bets Analysis with 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.
NRL Round 26 Bets & Advice
Here is our one betting special for every game this weekend.
Odds courtesy of Sportsbet and correct at time of use.
THU 8PM – BRISBANE v MELBOURNE
Best Bet: Broncos to win @ $2.21
A few years ago there’s no way you’d pick the Broncos over the Storm. Broncos consistently lost to Melbourne and the Storm had a much better record at Suncorp Stadium than the Broncos. Brisbane have won their last three games v Melbourne and two of the last three at Suncorp Stadium. Before that, the Storm had won 13 in a row at Suncorp Stadium v Broncos. Brisbane might well have a rare spring in their step after winning last weekend, and may also want to do it for Adam Reynolds given his retirement announcement this week. It’s not as if Melbourne are going that much better than the Broncos, away from home they’ve lost eight of their last nine.
FRI 6PM – MANLY v ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA1.53
Best Bet: Total Match Points – Under 48.5 @ $1.90
The last nine matches between these sides have fallen under the 48.5 Total Match Points threshold. Although Manly scored plenty last weekend in Newcastle, they did score zero in their last home game. The Dragons have passed 20 points away just twice this season so far. The two teams’ combined home (Manly) and away (Dragons) average points this season comes to 37 points.
FRI 8PM – PENRITH v BULLDOGS @ CommBank Stadium
Best Bet: Alternative Total Match Points – Under 44.5 @ $1.53
For starters, three of the four games at CommBank Stadium between these sides have finished with less than 30 total points, with a four game average of 27.5 points. Plus nine of the last 12 games for Penrith have seen 42 points or less. Combined with four of the last six games for the Bulldogs have seen 40 points or less in total.
SAT 3PM – GOLD COAST v SOUTH SYDNEY
Best Bet: South Sydney to win @ $1.35
Although 2026 has been a bit about long streaks of stats ending, with the Jai Arrow inclusion, and the Titans having very little to play for, it’s hard to see the Gold Coast overturning 11 straight losses at CBUS Stadium and winning their win game there v Souths since 2009.
SAT 5:30PM – ROOSTERS v DOLPHINS
Best Bet: Roosters to Score First @ $1.66
Given the Dolphins are slow starters, and the Roosters are equal first for scoring the opening try of a game with 15 from 22 games, and the Roosters have scored the first try in their past seven games, and given the Dolphins have scored first twice in the last six rounds and are third worst for scoring first, the bet on Roosters scoring first look a goodun.
SAT 7:30PM – NORTH QUEENSLAND v WESTS TIGERS
Best Bet: Total Match Points Over +52.5 @ $1.98
These teams have a history of scoring lots of points against each other. Especially in 2023 when the Tigers beat North Queensland in Sydney by 66-18, then the Cowboys returned fire in Townsville with a 74-0 win. Over the past seven games between these two teams there has been 60 points or more scored at an average of 70 per game. At Queensland Country Bank Stadium the five games there between Cowboys and Tigers averages 59.4 points, and 60+ for the last three.
SUN 2PM – WARRIORS v NEWCASTLE
Best Bet: Warriors to win @ $1.33
The Warriors will have plenty to play for on Sunday with a Minor Premiership on the line. Not that Newcastle don’t want to win either, but the Wahs have the wood on the Knights in New Zealand. The Warriors have won 14 of their last 16 games at Mt Smart Stadium v Newcastle and the Warriors have won eight of their last nine games at Mt Smart Stadium v Newcastle on a Sunday.
SUN 4PM – PARRAMATTA v CRONULLA
Best Bet: Parramatta to win @ $2.63
Parramatta are building a nice run of form at home, won their last two games at CommBank Stadium and have been competitive for most of the recent games. Plus not a bad bunch of stats for a $2.63 outsider – Parramatta have won three of their last four home games v Cronulla. Parramatta have also won their last three and 6 of the last 7 Sunday games at CommBank Stadium. Plus Parramatta have won all four games at CommBank Stadium in 2026 v Sydney teams.
2026 NRL Round 26 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 $140
All odds correct from Sportsbet as of Tuesday 25th August, but don’t rely on us to do your job for you. Prices are just a guide.
2026 NRL Round 26 Helpful Betting Stats
FIRST & LAST TRY SCORER
HALF PERFORMANCE
POINTS
