Round 9 of the NRL season kicks off with three big games, with the Rabbitohs up against the Panthers, the Sea Eagles hosting the Raiders and the Broncos taking on the Roosters.
Good luck with your tips.
Thursday, May 2
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Penrith Panthers
Accor Stadium, 7:50pm (AEST)
Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 4. Isaiah Tass 3. Jack Wighton 11. Michael Chee Kam 5. Izaac Tu'itupou Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Dean Hawkins 10. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 17. Jai Arrow 8. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray Bench: 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Siliva Havili 16. Thomas Burgess 19. Sean Keppie Reserves: 18. Tallis Duncan 21. Dion Teaupa
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Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 20. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo Bench: 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Mavrik Geyer 18. Jack Cole Reserves: 22. Tyrone Peachey 14. Daine Laurie
Officials
Referee: Adam Gee Touchies: Liam Kennedy, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski Bunker: Ashley Klein
Prediction: This would have been one of the games of the season, if not for the Rabbitohs' awful form so far this year. The Panthers will be a bit leg weary after beating the Cowboys last week in the heat. After sacking their coach, will the Rabbitohs finally lift and put in a performance they can be proud of? Maybe, but the Panthers should still beat them.
Tip: Panthers by 14
PointsBet odds: Rabbitohs $4.25 (+11.5 $1.90) Panthers $1.22 (-11.5 $1.90)
Friday, May 3
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs. Canberra Raiders
4 Pines Park, 6pm (AEST)
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Ethan Bullemor 12. Corey Waddell 13. Jake Trbojevic Bench: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Toafofoa Sipley 16. Nathan Brown 17. Matthew Lodge Reserves: 18. Aaron Woods 19. Jakob Arthur
Raiders: 1. Albert Hopoate 2. Xavier Savage 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Nick Cotric 6. Ethan Strange 7. Kaeo Weekes 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Emre Guler Reserves: 18. Simi Sasagi 20. Zac Woolford
Officials
Referee: Grant Atkins Touchies: Phil Henderson, Wyatt Raymond Bunker: Adam Gee
Prediction: The Sea Eagles were impressive last week in winning their arm wrestle with the Eels, while the Raiders were completely blown off the park by the Sharks. The Raiders must be a better team than we saw last week and they will head to Brookvale after another long week of soul searching. Wil they bounce back well enough to beat the Sea Eagles?
Tip: Sea Eagles by 8
PointsBet odds: Sea Eagles $1.38 (-8.5 $1.95) Raiders $3 (+8.5 $1.85)
Brisbane Broncos vs. Sydney Roosters
Suncorp Stadium, 8pm (AEST)
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan Bench: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Fletcher Baker Reserves: 18. Corey Oates 19. Benjamin Te Kura
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 5. Dominic Young 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 18. Fetalaiga Pauga 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 10. Lindsay Collins 9. Brandon Smith 15. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Connor Watson Bench: 14. Siua Wong 16. Egan Butcher 17. Terrell May 19. Sitili Tupouniua Reserves: 21. Sandon Smith 20. Zach Dockar-Clay
Officials
Referee: Ashley Klein Touchies: Chris Sutton, Matt Noyen Bunker: Gerard Sutton
Prediction: The Broncos were impressive in beating the tough Tigers last week, while the Roosters blew the Dragons away on Anzac Day. These two met in Las Vegas to launch the season where the Roosters came away with a 20-10 victory. This game is key to both sides maintaining their positions in the Top 8 and it should have a real semi-final intensity.
Tip: Broncos by 2
PointsBet odds: Broncos $1.50 (-5.5 $1.80) Roosters $2.60 (+5.5 $2)
Saturday, May 4
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Wests Tigers
Accor Stadium, 3pm (AEST)
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Kurt Mann Bench: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Samuel Hughes 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Blake Taaffe Reserves: 19. Blake Wilson 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Toby Sexton 22. Jacob Preston 23. Jake Turpin
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Brent Naden 4. Justin Olam 5. Solomon Alaimalo 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. Samuela Fainu 13. John Bateman Bench: 14. Latu Fainu 15. Alex Twal 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Fonua Pole Reserves: 18. Jake Simpkin 19. Starford To'a 20. Asu Kepaoa 21. Alexander Lobb 22. Solomona Faataape
Officials
Referee: Kasey Badger Touchies: Drew Oultram, Jon Stone Bunker: Gerard Sutton
Prediction: The Bulldogs enjoyed the bye last week after continuing to improve the week before with a victory over the Knights. The Tigers put up a good fight, but were ultimately outclassed by the Broncos. This game is more on their level, but the Bulldogs are full of running and should get the points here.
Tip: Bulldogs by 12
PointsBet odds: Bulldogs $1.42 (-7.5 $1.85) Tigers $2.85 (+7.5 $1.95)
Gold Coast Titans vs. Melbourne Storm
Cbus Super Stadium, 5:30pm (AEST)
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Tanah Boyd 7. Kieran Foran 8. Joe Stimson 9. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Isaac Liu Bench: 14. Sam Verrills 15. Erin Clark 16. Klese Haas 17. Josiah Pahulu Reserves: 18. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 19. Keenan Palasia 20. Jacob Alick-wiencke 21. Keano Kini 22. Aaron Schoupp
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Tyran Wishart 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Christian Welch 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero Bench: 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Joe Chan 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Alec MacDonald Reserves: 18. Jack Howarth 19. Sualauvi Faalogo 20. Grant Anderson 21. Dean Ieremia 22. Tristan Powell
Officials
Referee: Belinda Sharpe Touchies: Michael Wise, Nick Morel Bunker: Chris Butler
Prediction: The Titans finally cracked their duck with a hard-fought win over the Warriors in New Zealand last week, while the Storm embarrassed the Rabbitohs on Anzac Day. Titans fans would have been hoping that last week's victory was a turning point in a disappointing season, but they couldn't have picked a worse team to try to continue their winning from against.
Tip: Storm by 8
PointsBet odds: Titans $5 (+14.5 $1.80) Storm $1.17 (-14.5 $2)
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Dolphins
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 7:35pm (AEST)
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Semi Valemei 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter Bench: 14. Heilum Luki 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jason Taumalolo Reserves: 18. Jake Granville 19. Jake Clifford 20. Harrison Edwards 21. Jamal Shibasaki 22. Jaxon Purdue
Dolphins: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Tesi Niu 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath Bench: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Ray Stone 17. Connelly Lemuelu Reserves: 18. Oryn Keeley 19. Sean O'Sullivan 20. Jarrod Wallace 21. Edrick Lee 22. Mason Teague
Officials
Referee: Peter Gough Touchies: Jarrod Cole, Tyson Brough Bunker: Wyatt Raymond
Prediction: The Cowboys fought back strongly last week against the Panthers, but couldn't quite take the points, while the Dolphins were flat and largely disappointing against the Knights. The Cowboys were way too good when these two met in the opening round. They have both been so inconsistent since, that I have no idea who will win this, perhaps the 'Boys at home?
Tip: Cowboys by 10
PointsBet odds: Cowboys $1.40 (-7.5 $1.85) Dolphins $2.95 (+7.5 $1.95)
Sunday, May 5
Newcastle Knights vs. New Zealand Warriors
McDonald Jones Stadium, 2pm (AEST)
Knights: 1. David Armstrong 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 10. Leo Thompson 9. Jayden Brailey 19. Jack Hetherington 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jed Cartwright 17. Brodie Jones Reserves: 18. Mathew Croker 21. Thomas Cant
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Tom Ale 16. Jacob Laban 17. Bunty Afoa Reserves: 18. Adam Pompey 22. Taine Tuaupiki
Officials
Referee: Chris Butler Touchies: Clayton Wills, Nick Pelgrave Bunker: Liam Kennedy
Prediction: The Knights shook off the loss of Kalyn Ponga last week, unveiling a future star fullback in David Armstrong on their way to beating the Dolphins. The Warriors beat the Knights in Round 4, but since then have had one win, one draw and two losses to fall into a worrying slump. They really need to get their campaign back on track, but this game won't be easy.
Tip: Warriors by 10
PointsBet odds: Knights $2.20 (+3.5 $1.90) Warriors $1.67 (-3.5 $1.90)
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks vs. St George Illawarra Dragons
PointsBet Stadium, 4:05pm (AEST)
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes Bench: 14. Jack Williams 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele Reserves: 19. Mawene Hiroti 21. Royce Hunt
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Jack Bird 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Hame Sele 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Tom Eisenhuth Bench: 14. Fa'amanu Brown 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Jack de Belin 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila Reserves: 18. Michael Molo 19. Mathew Feagai
Officials
Referee: Todd Smith Touchies: David Munro, Phil Henderson Bunker: Kasey Badger
Prediction: The Sharks were spectacular last week in dismantling the Raiders, while the Dragons let themselves and their fans down with an insipid performance against the Roosters. At Shark Park, in their current form, Cronulla should absolutely lap the Dragons, but we know how much this local derby means to both teams.
Tip: Sharks by 14
PointsBet odds: Sharks $1.22 (-12.5 $1.90) Dragons $4.25 (+12.5 $1.90)
BYE: 
Eels
All odds correct at time of publication. Check pointsbet.com.au for the latest.