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Matty Johns' top eight prediction for the NRL season
SEN • August 15th, 2025 4:57 pm
With the NRL home and away season being in its final weeks, all eyes are beginning to turn towards the upcoming finals series.
At this moment in time, only the Raiders, Storm and Bulldogs are assured their spot in the final eight, leaving five spots up for grabs.
And with three rounds to go following this weekend, there are a plethora of teams that can make the case for a finals berth.
Speaking onSEN’s Morning Glory with Matty Johns, the 198-game player for Newcastle and Cronulla went through his prediction of what the top eight will look like at the end of the regular season, with Andrew Webster and Denan Kemp also providing their opinions.
1. Canberra Raiders
“Lock them in,” Johns said.
“I think everyone has the Raiders for the minor premiers.”
2. Melbourne Storm
“Melbourne has got a tough run home. Tricky game for Melbourne next week.
“They were right up for that one, last night (against the Panthers). Going in against the Roosters (next week), historically, they are tricky games for Melbourne.
“I think they will get there.”
3. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
“With their very tough run home, I think they’ll win three of those four (games).”
4. Penrith Panthers
“They’ll do enough to get into fourth spot.”
Webster: “It makes it infinitely harder for Penrith (with) that loss (against Melbourne).”
5. New Zealand Warriors
“I think the Wahs will win three of their last four, there you go.
“If (Wayde) Egan stays fit and on that field, I’m certain they will (finish 5th).
“They’re on 30 points, they’ve got +8 differential. Not a great one.
“They’ve got the Dragons…I think they’ll win that one. They’ve got the Titans, they’ve got Parramatta, and they’ve got Manly.
“I think they’ll end up on 36 points.”
6. Brisbane Broncos
“28 points, they’ve got +104 (point differential).
“They’ve got the Dolphins again, we said this is a huge game this week.
Then they’ve got the Knights, the Cowboys, and they finish with the Storm.
“I’ve got them sixth on 34 points.”
Kemp: “There’s a bit of hope there (for Broncos fans).”
7. Cronulla Sharks
“They’re on 28 points, +35 (point differential).
“They’ve got the Titans; they’ve got the bye. How important are byes this time of year? Then they have got the Knights and then the Dogs.
“(They’ll finish) seventh on 34 (points).”
8. The Dolphins
“Boys, I’ve got the Dolphins making it.
“I can just see they’re just ahead of the Roosters.
“(They play the) Broncos, Manly, Titans and Raiders. They’ve got a good run.”
Round 24 of the 2025 NRL Premiership Season continues on SEN from 5pm (AEST) with live commentary of the Dragons vs Warriors match from Go Media Stadium in Auckland.
Coverage will be available across the SEN app and its radio network.
