Our RLZ expert panel has crunched the form, injuries, travel, and Easter weekend factors to deliver their full set of Round 5 predictions.
With the Broncos facing the Titans in a potential Queensland derby, the Panthers taking on the Storm in a top-of-the-table clash, and several other mouth-watering matchups, this round promises plenty of fireworks.
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Round 5 Fixtures & Expert Predictions
Dolphins vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Kayo Stadium – Thu Apr 2, 8:00pm AEDT)
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (Accor Stadium – Fri Apr 3, 4:05pm AEDT)
Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm (CommBank Stadium – Fri Apr 3, 8:00pm AEDT)
St George Illawarra Dragons vs North Queensland Cowboys (Jubilee Stadium – Sat Apr 4, 5:30pm AEDT)
Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos (Cbus Super Stadium – Sat Apr 4, 7:35pm AEDT)
*Daylight savings end in NSW, VIC and ACT on Sunday April 5 at 2am*
Cronulla Sharks vs New Zealand Warriors (Sharks Stadium – Sun Apr 5, 3:00pm AEST)
Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders (McDonald Jones Stadium – Sun Apr 5, 4:05pm AEST)
Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers (CommBank Stadium – Mon Apr 6, 4:05pm AEST)
Bye: Sydney Roosters
NRL Round 5 Predictions
Here are the Rugby League Zone expert predictions for every match in Round 5 of the 2026 NRL season.
| Game / Writer | Matt Pritchard | Andrew Pelechaty | Brendan Wood | Chris Petrie | Jem Nash | Lachlan Jeffery | Mathew Williams | Matt Attard | Nathan Smith | Shannon Meyer | Round Total Correct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Score (Season) | 17/32 | 17/32 | 15/32 | 22/32 | 20/32 | 19/32 | 20/32 | 21/32 | 18/32 | 18/32 | 187/320 (58.44%) |
| Dolphins vs Sea Eagles | Dolphins by 12 ❌ | Dolphins by 10 ❌ | Sea Eagles by 1 ✅ | Sea Eagles by 2 ✅ | Dolphins by 10 ❌ | Dolphins by 18 ❌ | Dolphins by 10 ❌ | Dolphins by 18 ❌ | Dolphins by 12 ❌ | Dolphins by 12 ❌ | |
| Rabbitohs vs Bulldogs | Bulldogs by 8 ❌ | Rabbitohs by 6 ✅ | Bulldogs by 4 ❌ | Rabbitohs by 4 ✅ | Rabbitohs by 2 ✅ | Bulldogs by 10 ❌ | Bulldogs by 4 ❌ | Bulldogs by 10 ❌ | Rabbitohs by 2 ✅ | Rabbitohs by 4 ✅ | |
| Panthers vs Storm | Panthers by 8 ✅ | Panthers by 14 ✅ | Panthers by 16 ✅ | Storm by 6 ❌ | Panthers by 12 ✅ | Panthers by 8 ✅ | Panthers by 8 ✅ | Panthers by 12 ✅ | Panthers by 14 ✅ | Panthers by 10 ✅ | |
| Dragons vs Cowboys | Cowboys by 2 ✅ | Cowboys by 6 ✅ | Cowboys by 4 ✅ | Cowboys by 8 ✅ | Dragons by 4 ❌ | Dragons by 4 ❌ | Cowboys by 6 ✅ | Cowboys by 8 ✅ | Cowboys by 8 ✅ | Cowboys by 4 ✅ | |
| Titans vs Broncos | Broncos by 24 ✅ | Broncos by 20 ✅ | Broncos by 12 ✅ | Broncos by 10 ✅ | Broncos by 14 ✅ | Broncos by 12 ✅ | Broncos by 10 ✅ | Broncos by 18 ✅ | Broncos by 16 ✅ | Broncos by 12 ✅ | |
| Sharks vs Warriors | Warriors by 2 ❌ | Sharks by 6 ✅ | Warriors by 2 ❌ | Warriors by 4 ❌ | Sharks by 6 ✅ | Warriors by 6 ❌ | Warriors by 6 ❌ | Warriors by 14 ❌ | Warriors by 12 ❌ | Warriors by 16 ❌ | |
| Knights vs Raiders | Knights by 6 ✅ | Raiders by 1 ❌ | Knights by 10 ✅ | Raiders by 6 ❌ | Knights by 6 ✅ | Knights by 8 ✅ | Raiders by 14 ❌ | Raiders by 6 ❌ | Knights by 2 ✅ | Knights by 8 ✅ | |
| Eels vs Tigers | Tigers by 10 ✅ | Tigers by 6 ✅ | Tigers by 10 ✅ | Eels by 14 ❌ | Eels by 8 ❌ | Eels by 4 ❌ | Tigers by 6 ✅ | Tigers by 8 ✅ | Eels by 1 ❌ | Tigers by 2 ✅ | |
| Round Score | 5/8 | 6/8 | 6/8 | 4/8 | 5/8 | 3/8 | 4/8 | 4/8 | 5/8 | 6/8 | 48/80 |
Panel snapshot:
- Dolphins vs Sea Eagles: 8/10 Dolphins (margins 10–18), Chris & Brendan on Sea Eagles (by 2 & 1).
- Rabbitohs vs Bulldogs: Split 5/10 Rabbitohs (margins 2–6), 5/10 Bulldogs (margins 4–10).
- Panthers vs Storm: 9/10 Panthers (margins 8–16), Chris lone Storm by 6.
- Dragons vs Cowboys: 8/10 Cowboys (margins 2–8), Jem & Lachlan on Dragons (by 4).
- Titans vs Broncos: Unanimous Broncos (10/10, margins 10–24) — Broncos strong favourite.
- Sharks vs Warriors: 8/10 Warriors (margins 2–16), 2/10 Sharks (margin 6 & 6).
- Knights vs Raiders: Split 6/10 Knights (margins 2–10), 4/10 Raiders (margins 1–14).
- Eels vs Tigers: 6/10 Tigers (margins 2–10), 4/10 Eels (margins 1–14).
RLZ Best Bet – Round 5
Best Bet: Broncos by 12+ Predicted margin: Broncos by 14–18
The panel is almost unanimous that Brisbane win strongly at CBUS Super Stadium against a struggling Titans side. With all writers on the Broncos and several high-margin calls (up to 24), this looks like the safest bet of the round.
Upset Watch The most divided game this week is Rabbitohs vs Bulldogs, split 5–5.
The Bulldogs will be looking to bounced back after a disappointing loss to the improved Newcastle Knights, while the Rabbitohs are coming off a bye.
