We separate the rugby league Wheat/Chaff to present the 2025 NRL Round 12 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 12 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 12 Player Stats Summary
Want to see which players topped the key stats for the latest round of the NRL this weekend?
2025 NRL Round 12 Player Stats EXTRA
Lachlan Galvin Halves Comparison
So Lachlan Galvin is going to the Bulldogs after all? That’s a surprise.
But what does that mean for the current Bulldogs in key positions where Galvin could fit. Will he play five eighth? Will Matt Burton move or Toby Sexton get the arse. Why not compare them all.
Below is out trusty old player stats side by side comparison.
2025 NRL Team of the Season….So Far
Here’s our stats rolled up into the team of the season so far.
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 12 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 12 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.
2025 NRL Round 12 Stats of the Week
Need some barely interesting stats to round up your weekend NRL experience? Here’s the choicest cuts of data from the weekend that was.
The Dolphins win over the Bulldogs gave the ladder leaders their first loss at the ground for the season and the Dolphins first win there ever, in their first appearance.
Dolphins have a strong W7 L2 record on a Thursday with a W3 L1 record away.
The home side continues to dominate the Parramatta v Manly fixture, with the home side (either team) winning 14 of the last 16 going back to 2018.
Manly have lost ten of their last 11 away games on a Friday.
Parramatta’s win over Manly broke a run of five losses in a row on a Friday at home.
Penrith’s record in Bathurst is W6 L5. Against NSW opposition it is W3 L3.
Penrith have lost their last three home games v NSW sides.
Newcastle have won six of their last seven away games on a Saturday that weren’t in Qld.
Roosters are W11 L10 at Gosford. But have won their last six games there.
Canberra have won five Sunday games in a row. All of those sides were non NSW.
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.
Lando Norris dominated the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix winning from pole, not letting the potential chaos of mandatory two tyre stop get in his way. Talking of mandatory our 2025 Monaco F1 Grand Prix Result Summary is required reading for those who couldn’t stay up or wake up until 1am.
This 2025 Monaco Grand Prix Result, Laps that Matter summary, Review & Ratings which gives you just enough to catch up with. With just a hint of cynicism, bias, opinion and colour. The perfect bite sized review for those who couldn’t be bothered, or don’t have enough time.
Didn’t see the race live? Don’t have time to watch the whole race? Here’s where we capture the laps where stuff happened. We write these live as we go, sort of like a minute by minute for the football, but marginally more interesting.
Setting the scene – Ahh the gloriousness of Monaco. All the excitement and anticipation of the Monaco GP will probably fade away ten laps in as the track makes it impossible to overtake, but still. And after last season’s bore-fest this season sees two tyre stops being mandatory, which gives it quite an intriguing edge for strategy. As for the most important qualifying session of the season, in a season where qualifying is proving critical, it could have been either McLaren, Max Verstappen or the likeliest Charles Leclerc but was Lando Norris who took pole at the very last opportunity. The Ferrari looks quicker here than at any race in 2025, so Leclerc will hound the McLaren. Oscar Piastri has looked a little ragged throughout and third on the grid will have to do, and Max Verstappen has to settle to for fourth, as the Red Bull is an inch of the very front runners. Good performances again from Hadjar and RB in general, same for Williams and Albon, plus only Fernando Alonso from Aston Martin. Esteban Ocon did great for Hass with 8th. Less great was Kimi Antonelli crashing in Q1.
The F2 Feature race earlier in the day saw a first corner crash between 1st and 2nd on the grid which also wiped out another six cars. Surely that won’t happen in F1.
GRID (Starting Order) – NOR LEC PIA VER HAD ALO HAM OCO LAW ALB
Lap 1 – Lando Norris gets away OK from pole position but has a massive lock up going into turn one but keeps the lead. It does put Charles Leclerc on his tail, however Lando Norris keeps the lead around the first lap easily. The rest of the field behave themselves, unlike the eight car F2 wipeout earlier. The top ten cars appear to be as is from the grid. Halfway around the lap Gabriel Bortoleto is into the barrier as the track meets the harbour, he continues, and replays show he was put off but not necessarily hit by Kimi Antonelli overtaking him, possible as revenge for Bortoleto’s audacious overtake around the outside of the hairpin. A Virtual Safety Car is called. Not before a bunch of midfielders and below pit to get around the two stop rule – Tsunoda, Gasly and Bearman. Bearman’s pitstop is a disaster as his tyres weren’t ready.
ORDER – NOR LEC PIA VER HAD ALO HAM OCO LAW SAI
VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR DEPLOYED – ENDS LAP 4
Lap 5 – Race resumes, and with Virtual Safety Car it is as you were from before that. Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc are in a hurry out in front, clearing Oscar Piastri by three seconds halfway around the lap. Could it be the first signs of team tactics? Surely McLaren wouldn’t ask Piastri to help Norris win a race? Maybe they would. Maybe given the length of tongue of Sky F1 up Norris’ arse, Sky F1 asked them to do it.
Lap 7 – Still no overtaking nor anything close. But Norris is nearly two second in front of Leclerc and the Ferrari is over four seconds ahead of Piastri. Two seconds further back to Max Verstappen. One of the pit stoppers Yuki Tsunoda is close to catching Lance Stroll, who is technically last. And technically a jerk. And arguably the worst F1 driver in the field.
Lap 8 – Double waved yellow flags, which means someone has crashed. It’s an Alpine. And it’s not Crash-a-pinto, it’s Pierre Gasly. Gasly makes it into the pits but only just, and actually has no brakes and has been stopped by another F1 crew and the Alpine is parked in the pitlane. Which means it’s probably unsafe to allow cars to pit. Which means no Safety Car. Replays show that Gasly simply stuffed up his braking into the chicane from out of the tunnel and ran up the rear of Yuki Tsunoda at pace. Unsurprisingly, Gasly gets an investigation.
Lap 12 – The track is clear and Max Verstappen continues to hound Oscar Piastri. Verstappen almost overtook Piastri just after the accident as Piastri slowed down to the yellow flags, as he is required to. Max complains over the radio but he could be in trouble himself for not slowing down enough. Talking of slow enough, the other Sauber pits for tyres – Nico Hulkenberg. Franco Colapinto a lap later.
Lap 14 – Lano Norris is 1.5 second ahead of Piastri is three seconds behind him. All the rest of the cars are 1-2 seconds apart, except Liam Lawson, who is strangely 15 seconds behind the car in front. Smells like tactics. The same four Red Bull car tactics Martin Brundle discussed to Christian Horner’s disgust on the pre-race gridwalk. Horner is a prickly guy at the best of times, and you can drop the “ly” for the rest.
Lap 15 – Isack Hadjar pits for tyres, and comes out in front of his team mate Liam Lawson. That 15 second gap to the car in front working out nicely for RB.
ORDER (Pit) – NOR LEC PIA VER ALO HAM OCO HAD (1) LAW ALB
Lap 17 – Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon pit for tyres. They resume 7th and 8th, which is more or less where you expected. The recent pit stops gives Lewis Hamilton clean air and a fresh chance of turning his race into mega points after his three place grid penalty for impeding in qualifying hurt his weekend. He pits on Lap 18 and jumps Hadjar and Alonso for fifth.
Lap 18 – Lance Stroll pits for a first time, which isn’t interesting. Oliver Bearman’s pit stop is, as he is the first driver to pit twice. No more stops for him, and a benchmark for strategy set for tactics nerds. Which we are one.
Lap 19 – Lando Norris pits from the lead and rejoins in fourth but lots of clear air. Isack Hadjar also makes his second pit stop. He rejoins in 8th but his day is also done for pits stops. He is one to watch having pitted twice and is in the top eight.
Lap 21 – Oscar Piastri pits, and his pit stop is slow by modern standards, so not his weekend so far, he’s in danger of being beaten by Max Verstappen. Charles Leclerc pits a lap later and it’s quick enough to see him continue to be the meat in a McLaren sandwich.
ORDER (Pit) VER NOR (1) LEC (1) PIA (1) HAM (1) ALO (1) OCO (1) HAD (2) LAW (0) ALB (0)
Lap 26 – TV Coverage chat with Williams Team Principal who accuses 9th placed Liam Lawson of holding half the field up. With the cars behind Lawson yet to pit, and Hadjar pitted twice, the rest of the cars are playing for 9th at best. Unless there’s a brain fade to come, which there will be.
Lap 29 – Max Verstappen pits from the lead, he rejoins 4th behind Oscar Piastri, and an added bonus for the McLaren is Verstappen has two lapped cars to deal with too.
Lap 30 – Lando Norris approaches the lapped cars and deals with them well, with style and attitude. But enough of the camera panning to his dad. Or any dad, not interested. Show the drivers, leave the fluffy stuff for before or after the actual race.
Lap 34 – Alex Albon pits and ends up behind Liam Lawson, which should make him happy. There was a glimpse of a Mercedes in the coverage. Almost forgot they were in this race.
ORDER – NOR LEC PIA VER HAM ALO HAD OCO LAW ALB
Lap 35 – At the front Lando Norris is over six seconds in front of Charles Leclerc with Oscar Piastri just under six seconds behind Leclerc. Another two and a bit to Verstappen. Recent history shows the Monaco GP winner has come from 1st to 3rd grid slots. So MAx has no chance.
Lap 38 – Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin is smoking and he pulls off at La Rascasse just before the end of the lap. Ever the professional, Alonso ensures his car doesn’t block the track and bring out any type of Safety Car. Alonso continues to be F1 unluckiest driver. Just over half of the 78 lap race to go.
Lap 46 – The lack of updates points to a lack of action taking over. At least the leaders down to 5th are yet to pit for the second time, which leaves a sneaky late Safety Car in play to ruin someone’s race. Piastri is dropping back from Leclerc, almost nine seconds behind Leclerc. But Lando Norris is coming up behind a bunch of squabbling midfielders to lap.
ORDER – NOR LEC PIA VER HAM HAD OCO LAW SAI ALB
Lap 49 – Oscar Piastri pits for new tyres for a second time. He rejoins fourth, so has effectively lost his place to Max Verstappen who now has to push to steal that by the time of his next stop. Charles Leclerc pits the next lap, and rejoins well ahead of Oscar Piastri
Lap 51 – Lando Norris pits from the lead, Max Verstappen does stays out. This is about as interesting as the front running tactics get now.
Lap 53 – Mercedes working out a way around Alex Albon going slow. That’s cut the chicane and drive off into the distance and make up the potential penalty on track. The stewards call Mercedes bluff and make the penalty a drive through pit lane penalty.
Lap 56 – Max Verstappen is yet to make his second pitstop, but it is sitting pretty if a full Safety Car / Red flag is called. He is two seconds ahead of Lando Norris. Lewis Hamilton pits from fifth and rejoins fifth.
Lap 59 – Max Verstappen appears to be backing Lando Norris back into Charles Leclerc. The top three are only a second apart. This could get interesting indeed. And we need something like this at this stage. They run nose to tail for lap after lap. Piastri is a little further away, and will need accidents ahead to win this race, as his pace alone won’t do it.
ORDER – VER (1 Pit) NOR LEC PIA HAM HAD OCO LAW SAI RUS
Lap 63 – Lando Norris drops off a little from Max Verstappen to rest his car. Looking forward, with Verstappen yet to pit, he could either pit and end up fourth, or drive until the end of the race and take a 30 second penalty for not making a second tyre stop, and still finish fourth. May as well stay out the commentators offer. Stroll is still circulating, so a late race crash can’t be ruled out.
Lap 69 – The top three are closer than ever with Leclerc really on the McLaren’s tail. Oscar Piastri is catching up too. Lando Norris asks where Piastri is to help him out while complaining about Max Verstappen holding him up. If he isn’t careful he’ll talk himself into a position worse than being held up by Verstappen.
Lap 72 – Kimi Antonelli makes his first pitstop of the race. Some drive from the Mercedes rookie.
Lap 75 – There’s very small gaps behind the leading four runners as they battle, but it looks like Status Quo, once Max Verstappen pits or takes a penalty.
Lap 77 – Max Verstappen still doesn’t pit and keeps going to annoy the other top four cars for a little longer.
FINAL LAP – Max Verstappen finally pits for his last stop and he drops to fourth. Lando Norris clears away from Charles Leclerc on the final lap and salutes with a Fastest Lap too. This last lap in clear air allows Sky F1 to gush over their favourite. He deserves the win though, best in qualifying and race. Charles Leclerc is second best, but only just. Oscar Piastri was close enough in third, but also a fair bit away in terms of performance this weekend. Good points for battlers Hadjar, Ocon and Lawson.
FINAL ORDER (Across the line) – NOR LEC PIA VER HAM HAD OCO LAW ALB SAI
Here we go through the field and highlight the very best (Great) of the race, and the plodders, the over-ambitious, the out of luck, and simply hopeless (Grape).
These points get added to our Driver of the Season scores. 5 points for a great nomination, and -5 for the worst or grapest driver in the pack. Then it is +2 /-2 for honourable or dishonourable mentions.
THE GREAT-EST – LANDO NORRIS
Took a sensational pole position which is usually good enough for the win, and that is how it proved at this season’s Monaco GP. One of those weekends where Norris is untouchable.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
CHARLES LECLERC – Fast all weekend and just pipped to pole position which compromised his chance of winning, but second is a decent effort in the context of the Ferrari team’s 2025 so far.
ISACK HADJAR – A great qualifying saw him line up 5th after the Hamilton penalty. He ran strong in the race, only losing out to Lewis Hamilton around pitstops.
FERNANDO ALONSO – Outperformed the car again but can’t outperform his luck. A mechanical DNF hurts when your first points of the season are within reach.
ESTEBAN OCON – A very solid qualifying and race from Ocon, who needs a few more of them to avoid being blown away by a rookie.
LIAM LAWSON – It’s been easy to pick on Liam Lawson this season, because he has been awful. But did well at Monaco with a Q3 effort in the RB, getting points on Sunday, and playing the team game better than anyone,
THE GRAPE-EST – PIERRE GASLY
Dropped out of qualifying in Q1. Smashed Yuki Tsunoda in the race after misjudging his braking and became the first retirement. Missed a chance to show his speed.
DISHONOURABLE MENTIONS
OSCAR PIASTRI – A slightly underwhelming weekend. More mistakes than usual, crashing head on into the barriers at one stage. Lando Norris’ pole and win, give his main Championship rival dangerous momentum after missing out last weekend too.
MERCEDES – Off the pace a touch in general, slower than Williams. crashing in qualifying, terrible strategy, poor race.
Was it a good race, loads of action, a tense ending, a surprise result or DNF, or just a big, fat, snooze-fest?
We rate the big race itself, so we know which races to go back and watch in the off season or one to simply remember the winner for the post season quiz nights.
PRE RACE ACTION (FP, QUAL, SPRINT, OFF TRACK etc) – 5 / 5
Monaco Qualifying is always blockbuster and so it proved again. Tense all the way through as it is so important. Plus the Friday sessions are glorious to watch no matter what happens.
ON TRACK ACTION (RACE) – 6 / 10
Safe to say the two stop rule worked, as the race had a few different angles going for most of the Monaco Grand Prix. Dull in some places but that’s better than dull for the entire race. Sadly, the drivers are more competent than ever, which reduced the crashes.
ANY SURPRISES? – 2 / 5
Not really. Pierre Gasly’s amateur exit was a bit of a surprise. Isack Hadjar’s pace is also a bit of a surprise. As is Mercedes lack of pace.
SEASON IMPORTANCE – 4 / 5
Lando Norris flexes his Championship muscles for another weekend and draws closer to the Points lead. Mercedes lack of pace reveals they are confirmed to be less Championship worthy and more upper midfield.
ENDING – 4 / 5
Quite exciting at the end where Max Verstappen is holding up Lando Norris which gives Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri a chance to catch up and hope. It doesn’t work out, but it was mighty distraction to the post-midnight timeslot.
OVERALL RATING – 21 / 30
You’d have to say the two stop rule worked. The end of the race proving more exciting than usual. And plenty of dodgy tactics before then. Whatever happens it’s still a great race weekend, so a nice bonus it was interesting late.
Like most Simpsons fans in their 40s, Peter loved the Golden Age, but fell off the show during the teen seasons when South Park and Family Guy came along.
Peter forgot about the show for over a decade until he started watching Animation Domination on 7Mate.
“They would play new Simpsons episodes every Wednesday night. I started enjoying them, so I’d record them and watch after I got home from touch footy,” said Peter. “One good thing about the new seasons is they’re not afraid to experiment.”
And Peter’s love of the new seasons grew when he got Disney+ and started watching the show from season 30 onwards.
Though he learnt not to talk about his love for the new seasons on social media.
“I stupidly posted on a fan page about how much I loved ‘A Serious Flanders’, but I got destroyed by the ‘Simpsons is s*** now!’ bandwagoners. I couldn’t be bothered arguing, so I deleted my comment and left the group.”
Peter’s even had blowback from his friends, who struggled to take his love for the new seasons seriously.
“I told them over drinks one night and they thought I was joking. I tried to defend the show and explain why I enjoyed them, but I got nowhere. At least they weren’t dicks about it like the idiots on social media.”
With no-one to talk with about the new seasons, Peter is considering starting a podcast.
“It’s going to be called Modern Simpsons is Good! and I’ll review and discuss two episodes a week, starting with season 30. Hopefully I find some like-minded fans.”
An American actor has fallen in love with rugby league.
Zoe Greenfield (known for a variety of comedy movies from the 2000s and the long running sitcom Funny Girls) was invited to this year’s Las Vegas games by some Australian friends. It would change her life.
“I like the NFL, so I thought it might be a fun day out, but I was blown away at how good the the games were!” said Greenfield. “I thought I might watch the first one and then leave, but I ended up watching all four. Even that 90 point game had some nice tries and the tackling was amazing. How do they not get hurt all the time with no pads or helmets?”
Currently filming the Murders on a Monday Netflix movie (an adaptation of the popular murder-mystery novels), Greenfield is using her downtime on set to watch as much rugby league as possible.
“My friends told me about this app that has live games, highlights, and full replays. The live games are a bit hard with the time difference, but I can usually fit in a two-hour replay while in hair and make-up.* And I’ve started listening to Bloke in a Bar. It’s a big long, but I usually finish it in a couple of days.”
Greenfield is even planning a ‘rugby league tour’ to Australia later this year.
“I’m trying to convince my agent to take the Murders publicity tour to Australia so I can fit in some rugby league while I’m there. I’m going to take my Australian friends as they’ll know the best games to watch,” she said. “Even if that doesn’t work out, I’m going to get my Vegas 2026 tickets as soon as they’re available.”
Though Greenfield is yet to complete the most important part of rugby league conversion – picking a team to support.
“I’m happy to be a neutral fan at the moment. My Aussie friends support all different teams and I don’t want to hurt their feelings by favouring one team. I might find a team eventually.”
= the Wooden Spooners team has no idea how long hair and make up takes on a movie set, so we took Zoe’s word for it and didn’t ask any follow-up questions.
State of Origin is here, and despite the Origin Series ruining the NRL for a good two months, it is still one of the great sporting competitions in Australia. As ever The Gurgler dives into stats way deeper than is needed (and wanted) but nevertheless we serve up a platter of 2025 State of Origin Game One Stats.
Presented below is as many stats as The Gurgler team could muster heading into the weekend and we even dug up parts of Suncorp Stadium to do so.
2025 State of Origin Game One Stats
After 45 years of State of Origin, just five points separate the two teams, with NSW leading 2,229 to 2,224.
Queensland have won the last three State of Origin opening matches and five of the last six.
The last three series openers at Suncorp Stadium have seen NSW win two games to Queensland’s one.
In the last ten seasons there have been 11 games played at Sucnorp Stadium and Queensland lead the H2H by 8-3.
Going back to 2014, there have been eight opening State of Origin fixtures played at non-neutral grounds. The away team has won seven of those games.
This is the first Game One at Suncorp Stadium since 2019, and NSW have a better record than many may think. Excluding the standalone 1980 and 1981 games, there have been 20 games at Suncorp Stadium / Lang Park to open a State of Origin series and the wins are shared at 10 each.
Of those 20 times the winner has gone on to win the series 14 times, but not the last two times so hope for the team that loses.
Again excluding 1980 and 1981, the H2H for first games at any ground is 23-21 to Queensland. The Game One winner has gone on to win the series 32/43 times – 74% win rate which is slightly higher than when the first game is at Suncorp Stadium.
2025 State of Origin Game One Stats
2025 State of Origin Game One Prediction
We put all the stats together and come up with a prediction for Game One of the State of Origin
State of Origin Game One Stats – Full Game One History
Here is all the Game One Results from 1980.
Year
Score
Venue
1980
Queensland def. NSW 20-10
Lang Park
1981
Queensland def. NSW 22-15
Lang Park
1982
NSW def. Queensland 20-16
Lang Park
1983
Queensland def. NSW 24-12
Lang Park
1984
Queensland def. NSW 29-12
Lang Park
1985
NSW def. Queensland 18-2
Lang Park
1986
NSW def. Queensland 22-16
Lang Park
1987
NSW def. Queensland 20-16
Lang Park
1988
Queensland def. NSW 26-18
S.F.S.
1989
Queensland def. NSW 36-6
Lang Park
1990
NSW def. Queensland 8-0
S.F.S.
1991
Queensland def. NSW 6-4
Lang Park
1992
NSW def. Queensland 14-6
S.F.S.
1993
NSW def. Queensland 14-10
Lang Park
1994
Queensland def. NSW 16-12
S.F.S.
1995
Queensland def. NSW 2-0
S.F.S.
1996
NSW def. Queensland 14-6
Lang Park
1997
NSW def. Queensland 8-6
Lang Park
1997
NSW def. Queensland 38-10
S.F.S.
1998
Queensland def. NSW 24-23
S.F.S.
1999
Queensland def. NSW 9-8
Lang Park
2000
NSW def. Queensland 20-16
Stadium Australia
2001
Queensland def. NSW 34-16
Lang Park
2002
NSW def. Queensland 32-4
Stadium Australia
2003
NSW def. Queensland 25-12
Lang Park
2004
NSW def. Queensland 9-8
Stadium Australia
2005
Queensland def. NSW 24-20
Lang Park
2006
NSW def. Queensland 17-16
Stadium Australia
2007
Queensland def. NSW 25-18
Lang Park
2008
NSW def. Queensland 18-10
Stadium Australia
2009
Queensland def. NSW 28-18
Docklands
2010
Queensland def. NSW 28-24
Stadium Australia
2011
Queensland def. NSW 16-12
Lang Park
2012
Queensland def. NSW 18-10
Docklands
2013
NSW def. Queensland 14-6
Stadium Australia
2014
NSW def. Queensland 12-8
Lang Park
2015
Queensland def. NSW 11-10
Stadium Australia
2016
Queensland def. NSW 6-4
Stadium Australia
2017
NSW def. Queensland 28-4
Lang Park
2018
NSW def. Queensland 22-12
M.C.G.
2019
Queensland def. NSW 18-14
Lang Park
2020
Queensland def. NSW 18-14
Adelaide
2021
NSW def. Queensland 50-6
North Queensland Stadium
2022
Queensland def. NSW 16-10
Stadium Australia
2023
Queensland def. NSW 26-18
Adelaide
2024
Queensland def. NSW 38-10
Stadium Australia
State of Origin Game One Stats – Player Stats
Here are the player stats, side by side for those looking to argue over the respective merits of each Origin player in the 2025 series.
We’ve finally made it to the end of a season which started with great promise, especially as an Ipswich Town fan, but is ending with a resigned shrug and a secret desire to ignore football for a few months. Talking of the end, our Premier League Predictions Week 38 is here to serve up one last meal of stats n tips with hopes to end on a high note.
Each gameweek in the Premier League in 2024-25 we offer up a stat filled prediction preview, with some barely interesting stats and visuals, just enough to bluff your way through various tipping competitions or betting shops.
2024-25 Premier League Predictions Week 38
Barely Interesting Premier League Stats Week 38
Help yourself to a buffet of barely interesting stats to help pick a winner.
LIV v CRY
Liverpool (D1 L1) have failed to win their last two games at home to Crystal Palace. Liverpool (2.29) and Crystal Palace (2.00) have the two highest points per game record on a Sunday this season. Crystal Palace’s away record to big six clubs this season is W2 D2 L1.
Best Stat – Crystal Palace have a surprising W3 D1 L1 record at Liverpool on a Sunday. Crystal Palace are also W6 D2 L3 v Liverpool anywhere on a Sunday.
MUN v AVL
Man Utd are unbeaten in seven games v Aston Villa on a Sunday (W5 D2). These teams have played 20 games on a Sunday and Man Utd dominate the fixture. They lead the H2H W13 D5 L2. Aston Villa would be equal second on points if the Premier League table started from January 1 this year, just one point behind Liverpool and equal with Man City.
NEW v EVE
Newcastle are unbeaten in their last four home games v Everton W3 D1. Everton are one of three teams not to beat a current top six team this season (D6 L5). Southampton and Leicester are the others.
Best Stat – Newcastle are unbeaten at home to Everton on a Sunday (W5 D4).
NFO v CHE
Nottingham Forest have a respectable W6 D3 L2 record v big six clubs this season. Chelsea have lost all their games away this year v top six sides. Chelsea have won just one of their last five clashes v Nottingham Forest. It’s a win a-piece and three draws. Chelsea are unbeaten on a Sunday v Forest with W3 D3.
SOU v ARS
Arsenal have failed to win on their last two trips to Southampton (D1 L1). Going back to 2000 it’s almost perfectly even for games at Southampton with six wins each and five draws. Arsenal have never beaten Southampton away on a Sunday (D2 L1). If Arsenal beat Southampton they will be the fourth team this season to win all six games v promoted clubs. The others are Liverpool, Newcastle and Brentford. Arsenal are W4 D1 away to bottom six clubs this season. Southampton are D1 L10 v top six sides.
TOT v BHA
The last four games between these sides have been won by the home side with three goals or more in each of those games. Since Brighton’s return to the Premier League, their record at Spurs is W1 L6. Four of those games ended up Spurs 2 Brighton 1. Brighton are undefeated away to bottom six sides this season – W3 D2.
WOL v BRE
Wolves have won the only game played between these sides on a Sunday. The last three games at Wolves between these sides have ended up Brentford 2-0 win, Wolves 2-0 win, Brentford 2-0 win.
BOU v LEI
Bournemouth are undefeated in their last six games at home to Leicester (W4 D2) and won the last three. Bournemouth are also undefeated on a Sunday v Leicester (W1 D1). Only Bournemouth and Tottenham have lost two games this season v promoted clubs that weren’t a promoted club themselves. Bournemouth’s record v bottom six clubs at home this season is W2 D2 L1.
FUL v MCI
Man City have won 17 games in a row v Fulham. Man City have won six in a row at Fulham, and are undefeated in 12 games there. Man City are also undefeated in four Sunday games at Fulham (W3 D1). Fulham’ record at home to current top six sides is W2 D1 L2. Man City are W3 D2 L1 for away trips to London clubs this season.
IPS v WHU
Ipswich won the last home game v West Ham in 2012 by 5-1. Ipswich have only won once at home this season, but at least that was against a London club. West Ham are W3 D1 L1 v promoted clubs this season.
Bonus GW38 Stats – Sunday Form
Since all the games are on a Sunday this season, here are the stats from Sunday for 24/25 heading into the final GW.
Aston Villa and Southampton are the only teams not to win on a Sunday. Aston Villa have the second worst goals scored per game on a Sunday.
Only Bournemouth and Arsenal are unbeaten on a Sunday.
General Premier League Season Stats
This is where we put the current season stats featuring form, xG, goals scored and conceded, shots, tackles and more.
Been too distracted by someone offering you a lunch of mushrooms? Or whether Phil Gould and the Bulldogs really want Lachlan Galvin? So do you need some last-minute NRL tipping advice? Want something else to blame when the tips go wrong? Well then saddle up for The Gurgler’s NRL Round 12 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. Then slice up the scores out of 100% between the two sides. The bigger the percentage, the more likely to win.
2025 NRL Round 12 Ratings
Here are the H2H ratings and winners for the first of the Origin affected rounds.
Our ratings only picked 50% last week, but did pick some of the less fancied results. And our ratings said Broncos-Dragons was a coin flip, which it was. Our ratings also don’t factor in the Dolphins being screwed over by bad refereeing last weekend.
The Ratings also includes the team’s relevant Origin period form.
2025 NRL Round 12 Late Mail
BULLDOGS v DOLPHINS
Red hot Bulldogs have paid the price for being good and have lost a few players to State of Origin. Although they might have Lachlan Galvin in their side if you believe rumours. Josh Curran returns which is a big plus for the Bulldogs. Dolphins have lost The Hammer to Origin but don’t lose too much with Jake Averillo at fullback. And they keep Ray Stone.
Dolphins don’t have a great record in NSW, but did win their last game in Sydney v Parramatta a couple of weeks ago. The Dolphins are W6 L2 all-time on a Thursday. Bulldogs have won all three games at the Olympic Stadium this season. Two of them to nil.
PARRAMATTA v MANLY
Some key players out of this game. Both halfbacks, but you get the feeling that one team won’t be too unhappy about losing theirs. For this week and long term. Although Manly won the last game between these sides, Parramatta have the better recent record. Talking of Fridays, Manly have an awful record away on a Friday and the Eels have lost five in a row at home on a Friday. But, the home side dominates this fixture, with the home side (either team) winning 13 of the last 15 going back to 2018.
PENRITH v NEWCASTLE
Penrith lose the usual busload of players to State of Origin duties, and they haven’t been great with them for most of 2025. But the Knights have lost Kalyn Ponga, which at his best is a huge loss. On 2025 form, it isn’t that big. Newcastle getting desperate as they have named the seemingly unwanted Jackson Hastings (as a reserve).
This game is in Bathurst, where the Panthers’ record is W6 L4. Penrith have the H2H dominance over the Knights as they have won seven in a row v Newcastle and from 2016, Penrith have won 13 of 15 matches v Newcastle. There is hope, as Penrith are only one competition point ahead and Newcastle have won five of their last six away games on a Saturday that weren’t in Qld.
ROOSTERS v SHARKS
A six pack of stars out for the Roosters this weekend, but at least the previously unwanted Dom Young gets a recall. An injured Samuel Stonestreet is the only out for the Sharks who have perfected the art of being good enough to win lots of games, but not enough to make Origin. And Origin won’t ruin Nicho Hynes’ season again.
This game is at Gosford. Cronulla have won the only clash v Roosters at Gosford. Roosters are W10 L10 at Gosford. But have won their last five games there. Sharks are W4 L2 at Gosford but have won their last three games there and scored 40+ points in all three wins. Without the Origin stars missing this would have been a huge clash. Still is, just without the players on one side.
WARRIORS v CANBERRA
A rare treat with a Warriors game on a Sunday and good for the New Zealand team too. The Warriors have won their last three home games at Mt Smart Stadium on a Sunday. Canberra don’t mind Sundays either as they have won four Sunday games in a row. All of those sides were non NSW. Key forwards out for both sides, the long travel may be a factor as the Raiders are W8 L15 for games in NZ since 1998.
2025 NRL Round 12 Late Mail – Stats Extra
STATE OF ORIGIN PERIOD COMPARISON
Wondered if a team is much better or worse during State of Origin? You may be surprised, and also not surprised at the same time.
Some handy visuals are below to help you pick a winner.
2025 NRL Round 11 Review + Round 12 Preview
Here’s the best of our wrap ups of last weekend and look forward to this weekend.
Faster than an Aston Martin, more expendable than an Alpine driver, with tricks that he’s hiding from the FIA, and harder to get out of than a Brazilian gravel trap, it’s the F1 Donkey with his unique view on F1 and more. Before each race The F1 Donkey puts the ass in sass and unloads his alternative, slightly unhinged thoughts on F1 including this week’s Bold 2025 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix Predictions and opinion.
The F1 Donkey’s Pre Monaco Grand Prix Thoughts
The most famous Grand Prix of the season is here, and unlike some other fabricated F1 events on questionable “street” tracks, with “boat harbours” and “Danica Patrick”, Monaco is the real deal and original and best.
Of course we all forget that most Monaco Grands Prix without rain are boring as, but that doesn’t stop the excitement leading into the race.
Much like New Year’s Eve, the most overrated day on the calendar, and also the last, maybe that’s why people anticipate it so much. No, that would be the alcohol. But regardless one does still get excited about NYE, then halfway through remember that it’s always sh!t, and wonder why you have stayed up past midnight to watch it. Much like watching the Monaco GP in Australia.
But even if it is boring, like last year’s economy run to the chequered flag, it is still amazing to see these cars go so fast around a track that is so unfit for Formula 1 these days.
Monaco with the current oversized F1 cars is sort of like a Bus driving through the aisles of the local supermarket.
But Monaco is still one of the last places in Formula One where the drivers can truly outshine the cars, so I’d expect a little magic from drivers like Alonso and Albon and any number of the great rookies we have this season. It really is a rich field of talent these days. Well almost.
Looking at this visual we stole from our own Monaco Grand Prix Prix-view there are a few drivers whose average grid slot improves noticeably at Monaco. And some who don’t.
Although if you’re car is like a wheelbarrow, there’s only so much talent you can shovel into it.
Monaco also punishes like no other, even Max Verstappen crashes here. Usually this is where we unfairly predict Lance Stroll will crash, and this week will be no different.
I’d also suggest Franco Colapinto’s race will end in the wall, but I don’t want too many death threats from fans from Argentina. I’ve seen that Top Gear episode and they don’t mess around. Anyways I like Argentian F1 drivers in general. Esteban Tuero was underrated and Carlos Reutimann was in that bracket of genuine talents who should have been champion at some stage. And who doesn’t love Diego Maradona, despite him being a footballer and not an F1 driver. Maybe English football fans I guess, but they are amongst the most miserable, hateful sporting fans in the universe.
I’m not worried about death threats from Lance Stroll fans for suggesting he’ll crash. Because most people think he will. And he doesn’t have fans. Except for his Dad, and that’s the most important one as it keeps him employed.
Back to Colapinto though for a moment, there have been accusations that his hiring proves that Alpine are now an official pay driver team. Which is unfair, as Colapinto also brings some talent along with his money. But even if Alpine are now a drive to the highest bidder kind of team, why not embrace it. Selling race drives in 6 race blocks is a great idea, and throw in an Indian Premier League Cricket style auction night for TV or at least a Netflix spinoff. Drivers lining up with some talent and one of those bags with the dollar sign in it.
Even if the race turns out to be a dud, there’s still so much to like about Monaco. The hairpin is famous, and given the wide cars of this era, we can almost expect a peak traffic style traffic jam on lap one.Smees
While I’m at it, I’d just like to say there’s not enough tunnels in Formula One. Nor loop the loops. Or jumps, which would be very funny but presume a disaster for their front wings, suspension, and gearboxes.
The tightest tussle on track this weekend will be Martin Brundle on his gridwalk, with the starting line pre-race even less suited to Formula One with all the A Grade celebrities that I have to google afterwards. It might also be the only point where we see overtaking on Sunday.
There’s so much to look forward to for this weekends Monaco Grand Prix.
Anyways, staying off the barriers for now, here are the bold predictions for this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.
The NRL Donkey’s Bold 2025 Monaco Grand Prix Predictions
And here they are, in a convenient team by team format, so you can ignore them all at your convenience or peril. Depending on the outcome of our prediction.
McLAREN
Lando Norris takes pole, requiring fresh underpants for all the Sky F1 team. Norris then clashes with Verstappen on the first lap leaving Oscar Piastri to cruise and collect.
RED BULL
Max Verstappen pipped to pole and then promptly crashes with the pole sitter at the chicane on the first lap. Yuki Tsunoda will tstuff his Red Bull into the barriers at some stage and will cost his team time and money and himself point.
MERCEDES
Kimi is a Q1 exit while George Russell stealths his way to points again. And slowly mounting a title challenge.
FERRARI
Lewis Hamilton a progressively less surprising Q1 exit. Charles Leclerc to wring the maximum out of the car for fourth.
WILLIAMS
Top six qualifying and podium joy for Alex Albon. Carlos Sainz out of luck, again.
ALPINE
Colapinto to have two crashes over the weekend. Pierre Gasly to be a Q3 nuisance to the top teams.
RB
Q3 joy for Hadjar. Race in the wall misery for Hadjar. Liam Lawson to participate.
ASTON MARTIN
Fernando Alonso to do something special at some stage only for the race to go pear shaped and end up with no points again. Lance Stroll eliminated on the first lap.
HAAS
Oliver Bearman to show speed up until a Q2 crash. Ocon to pinch a point or two through stealth and luck with Safety Car timing.
SAUBER
Nico Hulkenberg to be knocked out of progressing to Q3 by the very last car to cross the finish line ion Q2. That will be the ceiling of achievement for him. Gabriel Bortoleto will be sniffing around points.
F1 2025 Season Stuff
We’ve worked hard getting ready for the 2025 F1 Season, and this is our best work below.
A Brisbane man’s attempt to enter the door-to-door sales industry has failed.
While he’s currently studying an advertising degree, Peter was looking for a way to earn money and fill in time during classes.
He successfully applied for Ena-Gee Save-a, an electricity comparison company that attempts to help people save on bills by going door-to-door.
Though Peter knew it as a mistake during the orientation.
“The main sales guy was an annoying extrovert and I got laughed at during an ice breaker when I said I loved watching modern Simpsons episodes – which was meant to be 100% serious: I’ve been watching season 36 on Disney+ every week. I love it.”
After a couple of days shadowing senior salespeople, Peter was anticipating his first day, but it went downhill quickly.
“I got let out at a strange neighbourhood, with a laminated map and all my forms in a folder. I tried to take it seriously, but got about 10 rejections in the first hour, and I was getting calls from the sales team harassing me to get ‘bills to the door’ – you can tell these guys wanted to be proper salesman, but are destined to work in this hellhole for the rest of their lives. I then realised I had five more hours of this nonsense, so I called them back and quit on the spot. But I still had to wait for them to pick me up.”
With nothing to do and a lot of time to kill, Peter went to the local shopping centre, used the library computer to apply for more jobs and eventually decided to see a movie.
“I felt a lot better after the movie finished. I didn’t even care that I had three missed calls from those idiots while I had my phone off. They were pissed that I wasn’t at the pick up spot on time. I guess the movie went on too long. Oh well!”
After the movie, Peter dumped the files in the nearest bin and went home, where he ripped his Ena-Gee Save-a polo shirt to shreds and threw it in the recycling.
“If they weren’t arrogant dickheads, then I would have done the right thing and safely returned the shirt. But bugger them! I’m sure they’ve got a ton of spares.”
The good news is Peter’s job search didn’t last long, as he’s picked up three evening shifts a week at a market research company.
“This was one of the jobs I applied for at the library, so that worked out nicely. Filling out surveys over the phone is going to be a breeze!”
