NRL Round 18 Tips 2026: Best Bets, Predictions and Try Scorer Picks

The Panthers have dropped 2 straight and are missing a heap of players through Origin which gives us some extra edge if we believe enough in their systems. South Sydney haven't been the beacon of consistency this season and their overconfidence in this one could be their undoing.

After being sensationally dropped from the NSW Blues, expect To'o to come out with a point to prove against an edge defence that is leaky.

The Dragons have kept margins close in 3 of their last 4 games but still are struggling with that extra gear to get them the win. Intermittent lapses of concentration and application also lead to easy opponent tries, even if they are able to take advantage themselves of similar situations. This is likely to be a low scoring game with a late Tigers try covering the line.

The Dragons middle defence stinks and Seyfarth has found the line on multiple occasions over the past few weeks.

The Broncos have allowed 28+ pts to their opponents in 6 of their last 7 games, until we see proper improvements from their defensive structures then there is no reason to believe they have changed. Their pack is dismantled through Origin and their depth is not as good as other teams in the league. The Sharks are a a team that score a lot when momentum gets going.

The Broncos have allowed a try to a half/five-eighth in 8 straight games and Trindall knows how to find the line.

Parramatta are terrible at the moment and even though some individual efforts are positive, they are forcing their hand all too often which leads to mistakes and opposition opportunities. Manly are a team that capitalise easily and quickly on opposition mistakes. This one is likely to blow out late.

With Luke Brookes done for the season it's Joey Walsh time. The Eels have given up multiple tries to opposition 5/8's in recent weeks and Walsh has an extremely dynamic and slippery running style.

This is definitely match of the round with two of the competitions most exciting attacks on display. Given, there will be a number of Origin stars missing but there will still be points. The Knights at home are the tip with the game expected to go down to the wire. 

When Fletcher Sharpe is given room to manouver he is almost unstoppable. Expect him to play an important part in the Knights attack with Ponga and Best away on Origin duty.