The 2023 NRL premiership reverted to the wildly unpredictable in Round 12, courtesy of five upset results, big comebacks and epic finishes.  Upsets galore The NRL premiership enjoyed some unfamiliar stability in Round 11 with all eight favourites getting the result. It was short-lived, however, as arguably the most staggering batch of results of the most volatile season in recent memory unfolded in Round 12. Five outsiders got the win – three of them by margins of 20 points or more and the other two courtesy of stunning late tries. The sacked-coach factor set the stage for 6.5-point under ..read more

The NRL premiership rolls into Round 12. kicking off with a heavyweight showdown and featuring the sans-Griffin Saints up against the Roosters. Of course, Indigenous Round makes this weekend an extra special one for rugby league. NRL Tips – Brisbane Broncos V Penrith Panthers 19:50 (AEST), Thu 18th May@ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane History: Played 59: Broncos 35, Panthers 23, draws 1 Last meeting: Round 1, 2023: Broncos 13 d Panthers 12 at BlueBet Stadium Team News: Adam Reynolds (head knock) is a huge out for Brisbane, replaced at halfback by Jock Madden. Penrith are unchanged, with Spencer Len ..read more

The 2023 NRL premiership found something of an even keel in Round 11 with a rare absence of upsets, but the competition remains as unpredictable – and historically tight – as ever as the halfway mark of the regular season nears.  Aint no parity like NRL parity All eight favourites saluted over the weekend – the first time anything close to that happening has occurred in a rollercoaster 2023 – with Cronulla’s round-closing 20-14 victory over Manly featuring the closest margin. Each of the first 10 rounds saw at least one match decided by two points or less. Even more remarkably, all eight ..read more

The NRL premiership rolls into Round 11 with a string of blockbusters and pivotal clashes as teams jostle for position before the Origin period disruption.  NRL Tips – Melbourne Storm V Brisbane Broncos 19:50 (AEST), Thu 11th May@ AAMI Park, Melbourne History: Played 52: Storm 38, Broncos 13, draws 1 Last meeting: Round 23, 2022: Storm 60 d Broncos 12 at Suncorp Stadium Team News: Both teams have named unchanged 17s, though the Storm could include Tui Kamikamica, who is in the reserves after serving a suspension. Kurt Capewell suffered a head knock last week but is expected to line up fo ..read more

Magic Round in Brisbane shook up the 2023 NRL premiership, with four underdogs getting crucial wins and several big guns suffering body blows to their title credentials.   Magic fizzles for big guns Three heavy favourites suffered shock losses as home-state advantage prevailed in Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium, further muddying the premiership and playoffs picture. Cronulla Sharks (-8.5 favourites) were humbled 36-16 by the Dolphins, Sydney Roosters (-13.5) crashed 20-6 to North Queensland Cowboys despite being the biggest favourites of the weekend, and Parramatta Eels (-7.5) were ru ..read more

The NRL premiership heats up in Magic Round with eight vital clashes staged over three days in a festival of footy at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.  NRL Tips – Canterbury Bulldogs V Canberra Raiders 18:00 (AEST), Fri 5th May@ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane History: Played 71: Bulldogs 37, Raiders 34 Last meeting: Round 9, 2022: Raiders 14 d Bulldogs 4 at GIO Stadium Team News: Jacob Kiraz makes a surprise return from injury, coming in for Braidon Burns (MCL). Max King is also back for Canterbury at Harrison Edwards’ expense. Teenage half Karl Oloapu is named to come off the bench again. Canberr ..read more

The wild results continued in Round 9 of the helter skelter 2023 NRL premiership, with upsets, big scorelines and golden point thrillers the story of the weekend.   Underdogs have their day Following a string of blowouts on Thursday and Friday, three head-to-head outsiders produced remarkable, pressure-relieving wins on the road in Round 9. Gold Coast Titans kicked things off with a 26-10 defeat of a woefully flat Manly Sea Eagles side at Brookvale on Saturday night. David Fifita exploded back into form with his first try of the season, plus a try-assist and 185 metres, while Ja ..read more

The NRL premiership rolls into Round 9 with a 2022 finals rematch and is headlined by a Brisbane-Souths grudge as teams aim to grab a foothold on the ladder before the Origin period shakes things up.  NRL Tips – Cronulla Sharks V North Queensland Cowboys 19:50 (AEST), Thu 27th Apr @ PointsBet Stadium, Sydney History: Played 54: Sharks 35, Cowboys 19 Last meeting: Qualifying final, 2022: Cowboys 32 d Sharks 30 (golden point) at PointsBet Stadium Team News: Both sides have named unchanged 17s. Cronulla are a week off getting Dale Finucane back from suspension and Toby Rudolf is due back in ..read more

The 2023 NRL premiership just continues to deliver, with Round 8 packed to the brim with close margins, thrilling finishes and fightbacks.  Round of nail-biters shakes up ladder The even nature of this year’s competition shows no sign of abating. Only one game in Round 8 featured a margin of more than 10 points, half of the games were decided by one- or two-point margins, and a whopping seven underdogs covered the line. South Sydney – the only head-to-head outsider to win – set the tone on Thursday night, climbing into the top four with a last-gasp comeback win over Penrith. North Queensl ..read more

More than a quarter of the way through and the 2023 NRL premiership is the most even, unpredictable rugby league punters and fans have witnessed in years. We’ve evaluated every club’s aura and disposition after seven rounds.  Brisbane Broncos (6-1 – 1st) Mood: Fizzing Premiership market move: $17 > $7.00 Consigning their horrific late-2022 collapse and a rocky summer to the distant past, the Broncos have been the NRL’s standout performers so far. They got the ball rolling with a stunning Round 1 upset at Penrith and have proven their ability to outlast teams in tough low-scorers o ..read more