NRL | The NRL Donkey’s 2025 NRL Round 21 Expert Tips and Opinion

July 22, 2025

Angrier than a room full of Fox League writers, colder than a Titans shower, and ducking for cover like a Melbourne Storm Assistant Coach, it’s time for the weekly Rugby League rant of The Gurgler’s NRL Donkey, who provides his NRL Donkey’s 2025 NRL Round 21 Expert Tips as well as offers an alternative, slightly unhinged view full of sass of the world of rugby league and beyond for another week.

The NRL Donkey’s 2025 NRL Round 21 Weekly Rant

For a change of pace this week and away from the constant ranting about Lachlan Galvin, NRL Bunker, various Governments all around, the value of fifty cent public transport, Askley Klown, State of Origin ruining rugby league and Channel Nein, I’ve got an special for all the NRL Donkey fan out there.

Using Coldplay as an inspiration, not the band or their music, although I did once try and get a pub in downtown Strathpine to change the words in Yellow to Noel Callow. Not only did I get bemused and angry stares from the locals, but my ranting on the microphone on stage kicking off the band scolding everyone from not knowing the King aka Noel Callow saw me ejected without my hooves touching the ground.

This is more about the now worldwide cultural moment of the cheating Kiss Cam.

Not only was that funny, seeing proper professionals ducking for cover like naughty teenagers, but it provided this NRL Donkey with an idea to secretly install a Kiss Cam at every NRL ground last weekend.

So for a one-off Gurgler NRL Donkey exclusive, here are the best of the NRL Kiss Cams from over last weekend.

The first explains why they are constantly sniping at each other. Because they secretly enjoy each other’s company.

The NRL Kiss Cam exposed some very unlikely couples, including this one from Sydney.

This one is getting a bit Roman. But Lachlan Galvin news usually does end up in a big all-in love fest.

Of course this rugby leaguer personality was grumpy to be caught on Kiss Cam. He’s grumpy being in any media.

We found this one at a ground in Sydney where there were too Sydney teams playing. Or potentially at Suncorp Stadium on a Friday night.

Some couples are made for each other. Both lovers in this picture stink.

One fan was very unhappy about being caught on Kiss Cam. Or just unhappy in general. Hard to tell.

Cameras often capture people doing things they probably wish they didn’t do.

And our Kiss Cam also caught out one other celebrity, but he seemed to enjoy the limelight. As ever.

I guess the best advice is to avoid the Kiss Cam if you can. Or kissing. In fact maybe even love itself.

The NRL Donkey’s 2025 NRL Round 21 Expert Tips

Thu – ROOSTERS v MELBOURNE

I’ve said it once, and a million times. Rugby League and sport in general needs a Bellamy Box cam. Always.

Storm by 10

Fri – NORTH QUEENSLAND v ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA

An early who cares fixture for finals as it looks like neither of these teams will feature in September. Well in the NRL anyways. They’ll probably feature in Bali or Thailand. <Checks draw>. Friday 6pm. Yep, that’ll do it for a game like this. Perfect.

Cowboys by 1

Fri – BRISBANE v PARRAMATTA

Somehow Brisbane’s prospects for 2025 have got better during Origin. I say it’s all down to more game time for Xavier Willison. Oh, and maybe Reece Walsh helps. A real back in the day feeling with this game on a Friday. Takes me back to pre Fox League days. Which weren’t good days.

Brisbane by 20

Sat – WAHS v GOLD COAST

The only showers the Gold Coast Titans are getting at the moment are golden ones. Although, if it’s close, I’d not be confident if Tanah Boyd got the ball.

Wahs by 12

Sat – PENRITH v WESTS TIGERS (CommBank)

The Wests Tigers are getting better and better as they add more and more Penrith players. So this game could be a decent shopping window. After getting bored of winning every year, the Panthers are looking to win from outside the top four for fun.

Penrith by 10

Sat – SOUTH SYDNEY v CRONULLA (Gosford)

I wonder if those giant sauce bottles are still at one end of the ground in Gosford.

Cronulla by 8

Sun – CANBERRA v NEWCASTLE

The only thing going right for Newcastle ahead of this game is that it is on a Sunday afternoon and not Saturday night.

Canberra by 26

Sun – BULLDOGS v MANLY (Allianz)

Lachlan Galvin, Lachlan Galvin. Lachlan Galvin. Lachlan Galvin. With special guest, Lachlan Galvin.

Bulldogs by 6

NRL 2025 NRL Season Stats

NRL | 2025 NRL Round 21 Tips Predictions & Stats

Max Layne

July 21, 2025

Just six rounds to go and still so much yet to be decided – top four, top eight, bottom one. Talking of a six pack, our 2025 NRL Round 21 Tips Predictions & Stats Preview is here and is a more tin of beer than a well sculpted stomach.

Each week this season we offer up a quick preview glance for each match, throw in a bunch of barely interesting stats, and mix in a pinch of opinion, some spicy tips and you have a rugby league soup with probably more flavour than one could ever need or want. It’s all you can eat NRL stats.

2025 NRL Round 21 Tips

Here are our tips for the week ahead. How did we get to here? By going through all the visuals and stats below.

MELBOURNE by 10

NORTH QLD by 8

BRISBANE by 20

GOLD COAST by 2

PENRITH by 4

CRONULLA by 12

CANBERRA by 18

MANLY by 2

2025 NRL Round 21 Tips Weekly H2H Stats Summary Cheat Sheets

Looking for a cheat sheet for the weekend’s upcoming games?

Here’s as much information that we could cram into one size fits all visual.

Plus our famed barely interesting stats all in the one place for this week of fewer games.

2025 NRL Round 21 Tips Weekly Barely Interesting Stats

Our famed barely interesting stats all in the one place for you convenience and arguments.

Thu – ROOSTERS v MELBOURNE

Melbourne have won six in a row v Roosters and 11 of their last 12 matches.

It’s five in a row on the road too.

Better still, Melbourne have never lost to the Roosters on a Thursday (five games).

Melbourne have won 11 of their last 12 Thursday games and seven straight v Sydney teams.

They are less better v Sydney teams away this season on all days – W2 L2.

Roosters have won one of their last six at home on a Thursday v non-Sydney clubs.

It’s not much better on other days with just five wins in 14 games at home v non-Sydney clubs at home.

Fri – NORTH QUEENSLAND v ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA

North Qld have won five in a row v Dragons.

It’s W12 L4 at home to the Dragons.
It’s three wins each for Cowboys v Dragons on a Friday.

North Queensland have won their last two games at home on a Friday. But overall their Friday home form is patchy. Since 2020 it is W6 L8.

Dragons have lost seven away games in a row on a Friday.

It could be worse. The Dragons have won five of their last 35 away games on a Friday going back to 2011.

Dragons have won one of their last ten away games on a Friday v Qld sides.

Fri – BRISBANE v PARRAMATTA

Brisbane have won four games straight v Parramatta on a Friday. The last four games have all been played on a Friday.

Broncos are W6 L3 on a Friday at Suncorp Stadium v Parramatta.

Brisbane have won just five of their last 14 home games on a Friday to Sydney sides since 2020.

Parramatta have lost four away games in a row.

It’s also four games in a row away v Qld sides.

Parramatta have lost all nine games v top eight sides this season. (Top eight at the time of fixture).

Broncos are only W5 L4 v bottom half sides this season. . (Bottom half at the time of fixture).

Sat – WAHS v GOLD COAST

Gold Coast have won five of their last six v Warriors.

Gold Coast have won their last two games v Warriors, and scored exactly 27 points in both of those games.

Warriors have won their last four home games v Qld sides on a Saturday.
Gold Coast have lost their last seven away games on a Saturday.

Going back to 2022, the Titans are W7 L27 on the road outside of Qld.

Sat – PENRITH v WESTS TIGERS (CommBank)

The last nine games for the Panthers v Wests Tigers – results follow this pattern. Most recent game first – WWLWWLWWL. So a loss is due.

Panthers are 3/3 v Tigers at CommBank Stadium.

Wests Tigers have won four of the last seven clashes v Penrith on a Saturday.

But Penrith have won their last five games at CommBank Stadium this season.

Wests Tigers have won one of their last ten away games on a Saturday.

Wests Tigers have won one of their last 11 away games on a Saturday v Sydney sides.

Sat – SOUTH SYDNEY v CRONULLA (Gosford)

Cronulla have won four in a row v South Sydney. All those four games were on a Saturday.

Souths are W8 L9 at Central Coast Stadium. Cronulla are W4 L3.

Souths have at least won their last three Saturday games at Central Coast Stadium.

Souths have lost their last five Saturday games.

Cronulla have won one of their last five away games on a Saturday.

Sun – CANBERRA v NEWCASTLE

Canberra have won eight games in a row coming into this game. They have a couple of wins to go to match their most recent long streak of ten wins in 2016.
Newcastle have won their last two visits to Canberra and won four of their last five.

Newcastle have won seven of their last nine v Canberra on a Sunday.

Canberra have won seven games in a row on a Sunday and their last five home games on a Sunday.

Canberra have won all four home games v non-Sydney teams this season.

Newcastle have lost all four Sunday games this season.

Sun – BULLDOGS v MANLY (Allianz)

Manly have won four in a row v Bulldogs and ten of the last 11 match ups.

Manly have also won five in a row v Bulldogs on a Sunday.

Bulldogs have won the only game between these sides at Allianz Stadium – 18-17 in 2014.

Bulldogs have won one of their last six at Allianz Stadium. Manly have lost their last four.

Manly have won seven of their last nine v Sydney teams away on a Sunday.

Bulldogs have won two of their last 12 home games v Sydney clubs on a Sunday.

2025 NRL Season Stats

The best of the stats from the season that has been.

NRL | 2025 NRL Round 20 Team of the Week & Player Stats

Max Layne

July 20, 2025

2025 NRL Team of the Week featured image

Time to separate the rugby league Wheat/Chaff or the NRL Mutton/Lamb and present the 2025 NRL Round 20 Team of the Week & Player Stats.

First we have our Team of the Week, which takes some of the key player stats from the weekend and using various scoring methods come up with the best players in their positions from the latest round of the NRL.

Then there’s additional player stats from this weekend that was and the season that is.

2025 NRL Round 20 Team of the Week

We’ve used the stats for each position and picked the best starting 13 players from the most recent round, the stats and points assigned are explained at the end.

On top of the best starting 13, we also include the best four interchange players of the week. Seeing who has provided maximum impact from the bench.

2025 NRL Round 20 Player Stats Summary

Want to see which players topped the key stats for the latest round of the NRL this weekend?

2025 NRL Team of the Season….So Far

Here’s our stats rolled up into the team of the season so far.

2025 NRL Season Player Stats…So Far

2025 NRL Team of the Origin Period

Given the State of Origin is no longer ruining the weekly NRL, it’s time to reflect on which players overcome the interruptions and shone most b rightly during Rounds 12 to 19.

NRL | 2025 NRL Round 20 Results Stats Summary & Stuff

Max Layne

July 20, 2025

Want more NRL information than just the draw, results or the current ladder? Then you are in the right place and the right time with the home of the right NRL Stats and Stuff via our 2025 NRL Round 20 Results Stats Summary for the weekend that was.

Each week we compile and keep up to date a wide range of stats from the latest weekend of NRL action plus the best 2025 NRL Season Stats to help you to the top of the tipping competition, land a few responsible winners or even make your Supercoach team better. And now with a match by match summary full of all the stats you need and/or want.

It’s all stats, and never Slats. Never.

2025 NRL Round 20 Results and Match Summaries

Want or need a quick summary of every game from last weekend? Well here they all are in all their summary glory.

Thursday, 7:50 pm	Dolphins 43 North Queensland 24
Friday, 6:00 pm	Cronulla 31 Roosters 18
Friday, 8:00 pm	Penrith 30 South Sydney 10
Saturday, 3:00 pm	Canberra 40 Parramatta 16
Saturday, 5:30 pm	Bulldogs 20 St George Illawarra 18
Saturday, 7:35 pm	Melbourne 16 Manly Warringah 18
Sunday, 2:00 pm	Wests Tigers 21 Gold Coast 20
Sunday, 4:05 pm	Newcastle 15 Warriors 20

2025 NRL Round 20 Results – Key Learnings

CRONULLA HAVE SOME BITE ON A FRIDAY NIGHT

Cronulla beat the Roosters despite a H2H record of 2/11 v Roosters and 1/6 at Shark Park. But they do have an awesome record on a Friday at home, which seems to outrank H2H form. Cronulla have now won nine games in a row at Shark Park on a Friday and 12 of their last 13. Cronulla’s Friday night record overall is pretty handy too, they have won 13 of their last 15 Friday games anywhere v anyone. Plus 8/9 v Sydney teams. Sadly for Sharks fans they have no more Friday games left in 2025.

CANBERRA THE COMEBACK KINGS

Despite leading the competition, the Raiders have actually been behind or drawing at half time 10 times from their 18 games this season. But to their credit they have won eight of the 10 second halves when not winning. They’ve only thrown away one of eight half time leads to too. Hard to beat they are.

MELBOURNE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SATURDAY NIGHTS

Leading into the game this weekend our Previews pointed out Melbourne were vulnerable at home on a Saturday, and so it proved as they went down to Manly. Melbourne are indeed vulnerable to Sydney teams at AAMI Park on a Saturday. Since 2018 their record is W6 L8. Over that same period the record is W11 L12 v all teams at the ground on a Saturday. Throw in Canberra and the record gets even worse. The H2H at AAMI Park is now Melbourne 6 Manly 5. It’s 3-4 on a Saturday. Rabbitohs aside (who have yet to win in Melbourne v Melbourne) Sydney teams have a big chance on a Saturday in Melbourne. shame for them that Melbourne play only Thursdays and Fridays from here.

AWAY DAYS IN NSW NO WAH-RRIES

Despite the travel required the Warriors away record v Sydney/NSW teams this year is very good. If you exclude the loss to the Raiders, who are neither from NSW nor was the game in Australia, the Warriors have won all five away games to NSW sides. That’s a good thing because at this stage their first finals match could be away to either Canberra or Bulldogs.

GOLD COAST AWAY ON SUNDAY? FORGET IT.

The Wests Tigers were the Gold Coast’s bunny, the team they beat the most, the only team where the Gold Coast have a win rate of over 50%. But that wasn’t enough to get them over the line. Going back to 2022, the Gold Coast have now won four of 23 matches away to Sydney clubs. It’s W1 L12 on a Sunday away over the same period. It’s 1/17 away on a Sunday over the same period at any ground other than Suncorp Stadium.

2025 NRL Season Stats Summary

Do you need NRL 2025 Season stats, or just want 2025 NRL Season stats?

Either way, here’s more than you could probably ever need, or want.

F1 | 2025 Belgian F1 Grand Prix Prix-View

Perry Thrust

July 18, 2025

F1 keeps the classic circuits coming as the circus moves to the Belgian Grand Prix, held in Spa, which makes sense as there’s usually a lot of wet races. Talking of raining, our 2025 Belgian F1 Grand Prix Prix-View is raining stats for you to soak up.

The Gurgler’s 2025 Belgian F1 Grand Prix Prix-View brings some thoughts on the track and race itself, a more than a few barely interesting stats.

Essentially a quick summary of what a casual F1 fan needs in the shortest possible time for your convenience.

And for F1 opinion, stand by for the F1 Donkey’s Bold Predictions and Opinion.

2025 Belgian F1 Grand Prix Prix-view – Race Potential Rating

By Will Pittenger - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7699160 — By Will Pittenger – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7699160

The Gurgler does like to use some obscure drivers in our Race previews and report, so who better to use than Teo Fabi to determine a race rating system.

So before each race we give a rating out of ten for four key category that are loosely based on each letter of Teo Fabi’s surname. Don’t know who Teo Fabi is, you should.

FAST? 10 / 10 – Not the fastest outright, but everything about the track seems fast. Makes sense, the track layout does look a little like a machine gun. The dipping and rising Eau Rouge not long after the start is one of the finest sections in F1. The sweeping section towards the end of the lap is mega. In between there’s no slouching either.

ACTION? 8 / 10 –Wet helps, but Spa does produce memorable races more than most tracks. Watching the cars go through Eau Rouge is almost enough action as it is.

BIG HISTORY? – 10 / 10 – Held a Grand Prix since the first season in 1950. Went off the calendar during the 1970’s and 1980’s because it was too dangerous but came back in it’s new glory in 1983. So many great races, moments, and always a marvel to watch cars go around.

INCLEMENT WEATHER? – 10 /10 – It’s Spa, so the weather is anyone’s guess. Weather Channel says between 40-50% of rain over the weekend, and you can double that because it’s Spa.

RACE POTENTIAL RATING 95% – It’s a race to look forward to every year. Not just because it rains all the time, but like Monaco, even if the race is dull it’s still amazing to see the cars go around this masterpiece of F1 circuit-ry.

DRIVER PREVIEW RATINGS

We have compiled a whole bunch of stats from this season, and recent seasons at this weekend’s venue, added a multiplier for recent results and come up with a score out of 100% which equates to each driver’s chances of doing well this weekend.

Here are The Gurgler Driver Preview Ratings for this weekend.

2025 Belgian F1 Grand Prix Prix-view – Stats Summary

Want to know if your favourite driver for this weekend is a master of the track or the track is a master of them? Here then are some barely interesting facts and stats.

Fernando Alonso has never won this race.
Max Verstappen has only taken pole position once.
Esteban Ocon has only failed to score points at Spa once in eight starts.

Driver Stats – Belgian Grand Prix

Team Stats – Belgian Grand Prix

Stats from 2000 season onwards.

History Stats – Belgian Grand Prix

99 = a DNF. Grid position 20 is overstated as that was also used for cars starting in pitlane. Results from 2000 unless otherwise stated.

F1 2025 Season Stuff

We’ve worked hard getting ready for the 2025 F1 Season, and this is our best work below. Read it before it become too/more irrelevant.

2025 F1 SEASON PREVIEW – DRIVERS

2025 F1 SEASON PREVIEW – TEAMS

2025 F1 SEASON – THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR AND AVOID

2025 F1 SEASON SUMMARY

AI DOES F1 – TURNING CARS INTO ANIMALS

F1 EXPLAINED – CHEEVER’D – AN A to Z OF F1 CAREERS EXPLAINED

F1 2024 Season Stats

Want to remember what happened last season? Here’s a bunch of our best work to sum up the 2024 F1 Season.

F1 2024 SEASON REVIEW

F1 2024 DRIVER OF THE YEAR

F1 2024 FULL RACE REVIEWS ALL 24 RACES

NRL | 2025 NRL Round 20 Ratings and Late Mail

Max Layne

July 16, 2025

Been too distracted by the Bulldogs? Do you need some last-minute NRL tipping advice? Or simply want something else to blame when the tips go wrong? Either way, saddle up for The Gurgler’s NRL Round 20 Ratings and Late Mail.

In a new additional to our stable of NRL stats and tipping products, we have used all the stats we have, smashed them against each other like atoms, and come up with a H2H rating.

It includes this year’s form with a bias because it is this year, but we don’t forget historic stats of the H2H against this week’s opponents, and the ground and day the teams are playing on.

We’ve also applied an adjustment for each team’s increase or decrease in win % over the Origin period.

Then slice up the scores out of 100% between the two sides. The bigger the percentage, the more likely to win.

2025 NRL Round 20 Ratings

Here are the H2H ratings and winners for the first of the Origin affected rounds.

Our ratings picked 6/7 with only the Dolphins letting this donkey down.

2025 NRL Round 20 Late Mail

Thu – DOLPHINS v NORTH QUEENSLAND (Suncorp)

This game looks a Dolphins win on paper, but it may not be as easy as that. For starters, the away team has won all five games between these sides so far. Dolphins are W8 L7 in their history so far v Qld sides but at Suncorp Stadium it is W2 L6. And for all their point scoring magic over the past few months, the Dolphins head into this game with a W1 L2 record for their last three. Not that the Cowboys are going any better with a W1 L5 record from their last six. Thursdays work for both sides though, Dolphins are W7 L2 on a Thursday and have won four in a row as the home side on a Thursday and the Cowboys have won six of their last eight games on a Thursday and five of their last six away on a Thursday.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow returns to fullback in a timely boost after the attack looked flat for most of last weekend’s loss to the Sharks, but then the Dolphins have more players out with Mark Nicholls for concussion and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki out of the team this week with a broken thumb. As if the Dolphins could afford to lose any more forwards. North Queensland have Jaxson Purdue at five eighth as Jake Clifford remains out injured and the Cowboys have also lost Jordan McLean through injury. Cowboys are probably done for finals if they lose here, so plenty to play for, including their coach’s career.

Fri – CRONULLA v ROOSTERS

H2H stats say Roosters – Roosters have won nine of the last 11 games v Cronulla. Cronulla have won once in their last six games v Roosters at Shark Park. But Cronulla have a really good record on a Friday – Cronulla have won eight games in a row at Shark Park on a Friday and 11 of their last 12. Cronulla’s Friday night record overall is pretty handy too, they have won 12 of their last 145 Friday games anywhere v anyone. Plus 7/8 v Sydney teams.

Cronulla have no notable ins and out this week, and why would they after a good win over the Dolphins last weekend. Roosters have named Chad Townsend instead of Sandon Smith at five eighth.

Fri – PENRITH v SOUTHS (CommBank)

Souths are on the verge of taking the season’s longest losing streak, so playing Penrith is bad timing indeed. A bit like the news that Cody Walker is out for the season. The form could hardly be more different heading into this games with Penrith on five straight wins and the Rabbitohs on six straight losses. But some stats glimmers of hope for South Sydney. Souths have won two of the last three clashes v Penrith away from Penrith Stadium. Souths also have a great record at CommBank Stadium, winning ten of their last 12 games. Their overall win rate at the ground of 67% is better than Penrith’s 59%. And have won their last four at the ground on a Friday.

Also helping South Sydney’s cause is Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo are both out for Penrith giving them a break after backing up from Origin last weekend. They swap the rest day with Dylan Edwards and Biran To’o returning from their rest last weekend. No Liam Martin for Penrith either but Scott Sorenson returns. Souths have a lot player movements with Latrell Mitchell returning from an Origin break moving Alex Johnston back to centres. Former Rabbitohs centre Jack Wighton continues at five eighth. The hard working Euan Aitken returns but the Rabbitohs also then don’t have Davvy Moale. Campbell Graham is out in the backline too. If the Rabbitohs get desperate they named Lewis Dodd on the bench.

Late note: Latrell is out for a month, leaving Souths chances of winning this game lower than 0.1% it was before.

Sat – CANBERRA v PARRAMATTA

Canberra couldn’t be going better, with seven wins in a row, leading the competition and facing a Parramatta side that aren’t in great form and the side they have a good rivalry against. Canberra have won three in a row v Parramatta and last lost in 2022. Canberra have won 15 of their last 18 home games v Parramatta and seven of their last eight on a Saturday. Canberra have also won their last four games v Sydney clubs. Parramatta have lost five in a row on a Saturday away from home.

Parramatta appear to have given up on Dylan Brown as he drops out of the starting 17, he may regret not going to Newcastle this season. Five eighth Joash Papalii is the future, so you can’t blame the Eels. And as if it wasn’t looking good enough for the Raiders they welcome back Josh Papalii and Hudson Young.

Sat – BULLDOGS v ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA (Accor)

Again Lachlan Galvin is the big story, and this time it is for being included and not dropped from the team like the game in Townsville last weekend. This at least gives Galvin to show the critics of his move to the Bulldogs what he is capable of. Things looks good for the Bulldogs to win too as they have won four in a row v Dragons and the last two at the Olympic Stadium and the last three on a Saturday. Bulldogs have won all four Saturday games this season. The Dragons meanwhile have an underwhelming record on a Saturday and v Sydney clubs with St George Illawarra winning just two of their last 15 games v Sydney clubs and one of their last eight away from home. Same 1/8 on a Saturday too. The Dragons have won two of their last 12 on a Saturday v any team. Plus the Dragons are 1/9 v Top Half opposition (top half at time of fixture).

Stephen Crichton and Kurt Mann return for the Bulldogs but they lose Bronson Xerri through injury. Toby Sexton is the unlucky man out this time dropping out of the 17 due to Galvin’s promotion. No real notable changes for the Dragons after they pushed the Roosters last weekend.

Sat – MELBOURNE v MANLY

This looks a Melbourne win on paper, like so many Storm matches this season, but there’s hope for Manly as Melbourne have a patchy Saturday record. Melbourne are vulnerable to Sydney teams at AAMI Park on a Saturday. Since 2018 their record is W6 L7. Over that same period the record is W11 L11 v all teams at the ground on a Saturday. But, Melbourne have won 26 of their last 29 homes matches at AAMI Park going back to 2023. The H2H at AAMI Park is Melbourne 6 Manly 4. It’s 3-3 on a Saturday. Melbourne have won four in a row at home to Manly, but two of those wins were at Sunshine Coast Stadium. Manly have won their last two games, but both of those were at home. Manly have lost their last three away games and are W2 L5 away from home this season.

No Ryan Papenhuyzen for the Storm, but there’s nothing wrong with the reliable Nick Meaney at fullback anyway. Plus the added firepower of Xavier Coates and Cameron Munster to return. Manly are unchanged from their last win, and the Tom Trbojevic centre experiment continues.

Sun – WESTS TIGERS v GOLD COAST (Leichhardt)

If the Gold Coast are going to break a winless run this could be the game they need. Wests Tigers is Gold Coast’s best opposition for win rate at 63%. They have a win rate of worse than 50% against every other side. There’s a bunch of other stats in the Titan’s favour too – Gold Coast have won 10 of their last 13 games v Wests Tigers, the

Titans are up 4-2 in H2H at Leichhardt and Gold Coast have beaten the Tigers in their last three Sunday clashes. Gold Coast are poor in general away to Sydney teams on a Sunday, but so are the Tigers at home on a Sunday.

Another advantage for the Titans is they also have Tino Fa’asuamaleaui returning from an Origin rest. Mid season recruit Taylan May gets the chance to resurrect his NRL career at the Tigers and is a notable inclusion for Wests Tigers. Recruiting his brother Terrell in the off season has certainly worked, and the Tigers seem to like having brothers. A settled spine and moving Adam Doueihi to lock gives the Tigers their best looking line up of the season.

Sun – NEWCASTLE v WAHS

Not much is going right for Newcastle off field, and on field isn’t a great deal better. Lucky their opponent this weekend is the Warriors whom the Knights have a good recent record against. Newcastle have won four home games in a row v Warriors and the last three at home on a Sunday. The only problem is this game is at home where Newcastle have been poor. The Knights are W2 L7 at home this season with their most recent home win four games ago and being the infamous booing at half time game. Newcastle have also lost both of their Sunday home games this season.

Dane Gagai at fullback is the Newcastle team point of interest, a position he played when he first arrived in Newcastle years ago. He could be there for a while with Kalyn Ponga out. Kurt Capewell return for the Warriors, which we’re not sure if it is a key inclusion. Warriors have a good record away having won their last five games away to a NSW club.

2025 NRL Round 19 Review + Round 20 Preview

Here’s the best of our wrap ups of last weekend and look forward to this weekend.

NRL ROUND 20 – TIPS AND STATS
NRL ROUND 20 – NRL DONKEY EXPERT TIPS AND OPINION
NRL ROUND 19 – TEAM OF THE WEEK
NRL ROUND 19 – STATS n STUFF

2025 NRL Season Stats So Far

And if you don’t believe our ratings, then help yourself to a bunch of stats from the 2025 NRL season.

Here’s the best of the NRL Team Stats from last weekend.

NRL | 2025 NRL Round 19 Results Stats Summary & Stuff

Max Layne

July 15, 2025

It’s all stats, and never Slats. Never.

2025 NRL Round 19 Results and Match Summaries

Want or need a quick summary of every game from last weekend? Well here they all are in all their summary glory.

Friday, 8:00 pm	Cronulla 24 Dolphins 12
Saturday, 3:00 pm	Newcastle 14 Melbourne 32
Saturday, 5:30 pm	St George Illawarra 24 Roosters 31
Saturday, 7:35 pm	North Queensland 8 Bulldogs 12
Sunday, 2:00 pm	Warriors 34 Wests Tigers 14
Sunday, 4:05 pm	Parramatta 10 Penrith 32
Sunday, 6:15 pm	Gold Coast 14 Brisbane 26

2025 NRL Round 19 Results – Key Learnings

CRONULLA ARE WORTH A FOLLOW ON A FRIDAY

Cronulla have won eight games in a row at Shark Park on a Friday and 11 of their last 12. Cronulla’s Friday night record overall is pretty handy too, they have won 12 of their last 14 Friday games anywhere v anyone. Plus 7/8 v Sydney teams.

ROOSTERS EAT DRAGONS

The Dragons have now won only three of their last 18 v Roosters. The Dragons win % is worse if you exclude Anzac Day clashes – it’s two wins from their last 16 matches.

NEWCASTLE ARE ALMOST UNBACKABLE AT HOME THIS SEASON, UNLESS THEIR CROWD BOOS THEM AT HALF TIME

Newcastle have won one of their last eight home games and are 2/9 this season. The only win was the infamous half time booing game. So who knows rugby league now?

PENRITH ARE A (COMM)BANKER ON A SUNDAY

Penrith have won 17 games in a row v Sydney teams on a Sunday. They also made it 10/11 on a Sunday v Parramatta in Round 19. They have only lost two of 22 Sunday games v anyone since 2022.

WARRIORS HOLD THEIR OWN V SYDNEY TEAMS

Warriors are W7 L1 v Sydney teams this season. Their only loss was at home to the Origin depleted Panthers.

2025 NRL Round 19 Stats Extra – Origin Period

Now that State of Origin has finished ruing the NRL for another year, let’s look at some of the key stats for Pre-Origin and Origin periods for 2025.

2025 NRL Season Stats Summary

Do you need NRL 2025 Season stats, or just want 2025 NRL Season stats?

Either way, here’s more than you could probably ever need, or want.

NRL | The NRL Donkey’s 2025 NRL Round 20 Expert Tips and Opinion

Gurgler Donkey

July 14, 2025

Angrier than a room full of Fox League writers, more at fault for rugby league’s ills than Lachlan Galvin and Phil Gould combined, putting up less of a fight than a NSW origin team, and ducking for cover like a Melbourne Storm Assistant Coach, it’s time for the weekly Rugby League rant of The Gurgler’s NRL Donkey, who provides his NRL Donkey’s 2025 NRL Round 20 Expert Tips as well as offers an alternative, slightly unhinged view full of sass of the world of rugby league and beyond for another week.

The NRL Donkey’s 2025 NRL Round 20 Weekly Rant

Bloody hell, another week, and Lachlan Galvin is the main talking point of the NRL. This time for not playing. Which is kind of where this all started when he was not playing for the Wests Tigers. Or didn’t want to. Can’t remember. If I wanted to remember I could tune into NRL360, but then I’d probably have to shoot myself, and since I like living and am not that interested I won’t. Watch 360 and shoot myself that is.

One can’t quite blame Lachlan Galvin for wanting to leave a side that doesn’t win, but did you know that the Tigers win % when Galvin played in 2025 was 50%. And in the four games Galvin has played for the Bulldogs since they have won half. That’s pretty close to equal. So Galvin appears to provide that safe 50% win rate, which we all know is usually good enough for finals. So all good there I suppose.

But dragging him all the way to Townsville not to play doesn’t seem like a great idea, but Gus has told us it’s all in the plan. He also not us Galvin was the best young player in the game and he never met him before signing. That’s probably all true. There’s always more to the story than we know, and most care about, except only the grumpiest, most cynical and hate0filled people on earth. Like Buzz Rothfield.

We don’t know that Lachlan Galvin isn’t a mad V8 Supercars fan and has loved the work David Reynolds for a decade. David Reynolds being the likeable larrikin of V8 Supercars. He’s the complete opposite of F1’s Lance Stroll, except neither will win an F1 race. The V8’s were in Townsville last weekend, so a convenience.

We don’t know that Lachlan Galvin isn’t secretly in love with the city of Townsville. Although that does seem unlikely. As I have never met anyone who speaks fondly of Townsville. Like State of Origin on Channel Nein, most will tolerate it because they can for as long they can and get out as quickly as possible. And some will avoid it all together.

Perhaps there’s a stroke of genius that we don’t know about. Of course that doesn’t mean we don’t not know rugby league like fans who their team at half time, just the Bulldogs’ recruitment is a secret piece of genius.

Get outspoken football manager with high profile to talk up potential player, unsettle potential player at current club, hire them and not play them just so their rivals can’t play the player themselves. So essentially it becomes more about taking players so other teams can’t have them.

I’m sure it will all work out and Lachlan Galvin will lead the Bulldogs to NRL glory and then NSW to Origin glory, and Fox League to Galvin Podcast glory.

Which brings me to the most recent State of Origin. Due to prior speaking commitments at the Rooty Hill RSL Toastmasters club, I had to make do with watching the Fox League delayed coverage which starts after the game has finished. And what an experience that is.

As long as you can avoid your phone during the game, which for a donkey is easy as there’s no keypad big enough for a hoof, then it doesn’t matter if you watch it two hours late. Unless you live next to a house of bogans who were so hyped from a Maroons win and smashed on True but Fair Bundaberg Rum who let off a Fourth of July amount of fireworks. Which is a danger as I noticed their garden hose continues to get shorter and shorter. Thankfully I avoided that this time, noting, I would likely have joined in the Rum gang if I was there.

But Fox Sports provides a coverage of State of Origin that is so fresh and so clean, clean. No ads, no waiting two minutes for The Bunker to make a decision, no waiting thirty seconds for some to take a shot at goal, and thankfully no Channel Nein.

No Gus Gould. No Andrew Johns mumbling his way into full sulk mode when NSW start losing. No Cameron Smith doing anything. The live cross to Billy Slater was seen and not heard, which suits me fine. And no Mat Thompson spending the minutes in between Cameron Smith’s smugness and Andrew Johns droll/dross yelling at the game, to the point of getting a headache bigger than hanging out with the Rum gang next door.

Moving away from the Bulldogs, and super coaches, a question…..Given the Rabbitohs current bad run of form in 2025, is Wayne Bennett suffering from the post Wayne Bennett curse. Or does Kristan Woolf’s relative success in breaking the Wayne Bennett curse then mean the curse goes back to Wayne Bennett himself, so Wayne Bennett is now doomed for all eternity of NRL coaching because of his own curse. Given Bennett has expressed an interest in coaching the PNG team, he won’t want to bring that with him to Port Moresby. Although given the locals love for rugby league that could break the Wayne Bennett curse forever.

Talking of cursing, most fans here at this page will probably be doing just that if they follow all of my NRL Round 20 Expert tips.

The NRL Donkey’s 2025 NRL Round 20 Expert Tips

Thu – DOLPHINS v NORTH QUEENSLAND (Suncorp)

Amazing that teams separated by over 1,300km have a stat where the away team always wins. But there you go. Both teams had gallant losses last weekend, but only one team’s coach is heading for the exit. Dolphins decided that missing an entire forward pack and regular five eighth wasn’t enough, so rested their star fullback. Ray Stone can only do so much. Dolphins fans, and I’m one of many, are hoping it’s one of those losses we had to have before going on a finals burst. Hopefully not like previous seasons where the air is quickly coming out of the balloon.

Dolphins by 22