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Round 5 · Match guide

Round 5 guide: team lists, tips, odds and key matchups

Every confirmed squad, the latest form, our projected markets, predictions and the player battles that could decide all four Round 5 games.

The Ruck Report · 17 September 2026

Round 5 brings two meetings between teams level on competition points, a ladder leader facing a dangerous response team, and a Brisbane side trying to prove its breakthrough win was no one-off. Here is everything available before kickoff, including the confirmed 13-player squads, projected markets and the individual contests most likely to shape each game.

Predictions and markets use results and statistics through Round 4.

Monday, 21 September
Melbourne Kings
VS
Central Thunder
6:00pm AEST / 8:00pm NZT
01

Team lists

Confirmed squad

Melbourne Kings

  1. 1Corey Bell
  2. 2Ratoua Retikeke
  3. 3Michael Leasi
  4. 4Brad Pengelly
  5. 5Ayrton O'Callahan
  6. 6Charlie Rossini
  7. 7Kobe Kelly
  8. 8Prodij Broughton
  9. 9Bailey Munroe-Johns
  10. 10Sione Tevita-Semisi
  11. 11Bluey Broughton
  12. 12Ollie Turner
  13. 13Eddie Oliver
Confirmed squad

Central Thunder

  1. 1Mark LeeCaptain
  2. 2Cody Slater
  3. 3Ash Boyd
  4. 4Kalyn Youngston
  5. 5Jai Kalone
  6. 6Lucie Driscoll
  7. 7Jayden Davis
  8. 8Luke Malkus
  9. 9Glenn Stephenson
  10. 10Billy Beresford
  11. 11Jack Black
  12. 12Selumiela Fa'Alogo
  13. 13Luke Driscoll
02

Prediction

Both clubs enter at two wins and two losses, but Central gets the narrow edge. Thunder has already shown the round's higher performance ceiling, completing 27 of 28 sets in its 30 to 18 win over Sydney, and Jai Kalone still produced 274 metres, four line breaks and a try during a difficult Round 4 loss. Melbourne has enough attacking quality through Eddie Oliver and Sione Tevita-Semisi to keep this close, but Central's stronger individual yardage and proven ability to rebound make it the slight favourite.

03

Key matchups

Eddie Oliver vs Jai Kalone

Oliver scored twice and ran for 224 metres against Sydney. Kalone answered with 274 metres, four line breaks and a try against the Bulls. The cleaner supply of ball could decide which strike runner has the larger influence.

Kobe Kelly vs Lucie Driscoll

Kelly converted all three Kings tries in Round 4. Driscoll kicked for 343 metres and added two conversions for Central. Their control of field position and ability to turn tries into full sets of points will matter in a close game.

Bailey Munroe-Johns vs Luke Driscoll

Munroe-Johns was the Round 3 player of the match with 21 tackles, five tackle breaks and three line breaks. Driscoll earned the same honour for Central after two tries, 198 metres and 20 tackles. Both can influence the match without needing the final touch.

04

Ruck Report market

Head to headKings $1.95Thunder $1.85
LineThunder -1.5$1.90 each side
Total39.5 points$1.90 over or under
Ruck Report tipThunder by 2
Monday, 21 September
Northern Marlins
VS
Brisbane Pirates
7:00pm AEST / 9:00pm NZT
01

Team lists

Confirmed squad

Northern Marlins

  1. 1Jack CahillCaptain
  2. 2Ken Hellyer
  3. 3Krue Spencer
  4. 4Shay Hardie
  5. 5Kaleonalani Mahana'Olu'Olu
  6. 6Lucas Duse
  7. 7Bailey Mansour-Wilson
  8. 8Mark Henry
  9. 9Ryan Wilson
  10. 10Josh Pretzel
  11. 11Blakeson Harrison
  12. 12Callum Murray
  13. 13Lachlan Martin
Confirmed squad

Brisbane Pirates

  1. 1Jacob Morrison
  2. 2Aj Brimmo
  3. 3Tikka Boom
  4. 4Jacob Gilbert
  5. 5Big Danno
  6. 6Jj Keanz
  7. 7Sione Mata'Uce
  8. 8Jordan LewisCaptain
  9. 9Tim James
  10. 10Kratos Kamikamica
  11. 11Baron Akeman
  12. 12Leni'I Prakali'I
  13. 13James Sedgyfurgo
02

Prediction

Northern needs to end a two-game slide, but Brisbane arrives after its most controlled performance of the season. The Pirates completed 24 of 26 sets, held 56 percent possession and gained 1,304 metres against South Coast. If that patience carries into Round 5, it should test a Marlins side that missed 63 tackles and had only 40 percent possession last week.

03

Key matchups

Blakeson Harrison vs Tim James

Harrison scored Northern's only try in Round 4. James drove Brisbane with 210 metres, 24 tackles, 90 passes and a try. Their ability to connect the middle of the field to scoring chances shapes each side's best route to points.

Josh Pretzel vs Aj Brimmo

Pretzel produced a try, 166 metres and 23 tackles against South Coast in Round 3. Brimmo ran for 292 metres and scored against New Zealand in the same round. This is a direct test of two players capable of changing territory in a single carry.

Lucas Duse vs Jj Keanz

Duse and Keanz are their teams' established goal-kicking options. In a contest between clubs separated by only points difference on the ladder, converting pressure into six points could be decisive.

04

Ruck Report market

Head to headMarlins $2.10Pirates $1.72
LinePirates -3.5$1.90 each side
Total41.5 points$1.90 over or under
Ruck Report tipPirates by 6
Tuesday, 22 September
New Zealand Renegades
VS
South Coast Stingrays
6:00pm AEST / 8:00pm NZT
01

Team lists

Confirmed squad

New Zealand Renegades

  1. 1Joey Kelly
  2. 2Joshua Simopoulos
  3. 3Francesco Cassano
  4. 4Trent Punchbowl
  5. 5Jett Mercer
  6. 6Ryzhen RivazCaptain
  7. 7Aka Tank
  8. 8Rohky Rivaz
  9. 9Jye Mccartney
  10. 10Rholyn Rivaz
  11. 11Tyler Keen
  12. 12Jimmy Da'Jet
  13. 13Danger Mcgee
Confirmed squad

South Coast Stingrays

  1. 1Liam Ryan
  2. 2Tyrone Clay
  3. 3Dennis Dufty
  4. 4Darryn Schoneg
  5. 5Gabe Walsh
  6. 6Nigel Thundershaft
  7. 7Caleb Jayy
  8. 8Wally Allen
  9. 9Ashton Crutcher
  10. 10Sonny Davis
  11. 11Jackson Keith
  12. 12Corza Slater
  13. 13Big Beefer
02

Prediction

New Zealand has won three straight and owns the competition's best points difference. The Renegades controlled 60 percent possession against Northern and have scored 104 points across their winning run. South Coast has already shown a high ceiling, but it cannot afford another slow start after conceding three tries inside 18 minutes against Brisbane.

03

Key matchups

Rohky Rivaz vs Wally Allen

Rivaz enters after two tries, 264 metres and six tackle breaks. Allen produced 380 metres, five line breaks and a try in South Coast's Round 3 win. Whichever runner wins the early yardage battle can tilt possession toward his side.

Aka Tank vs Big Beefer

Tank scored three tries when New Zealand beat Brisbane in Round 3. Big Beefer scored twice in South Coast's win over Northern. Both are proven finishers who punish defensive errors close to the line.

Jye Mccartney vs Ashton Crutcher

Mccartney kicked six conversions in Round 3 and four in Round 4. Crutcher landed all six attempts during the Stingrays' 36-point performance. Accuracy from the tee can turn a tight attacking contest into scoreboard separation.

04

Ruck Report market

Head to headRenegades $1.28Stingrays $3.60
LineRenegades -10.5$1.90 each side
Total45.5 points$1.90 over or under
Ruck Report tipRenegades by 12
Tuesday, 22 September
Western Sydney Bulls
VS
Sydney Wedgetails
7:00pm AEST / 9:00pm NZT
01

Team lists

Confirmed squad

Western Sydney Bulls

  1. 1Rapydh Rivaz
  2. 2Chaz Dingo
  3. 3Treylan Bula Ka'ili
  4. 4Ethan Pengelly
  5. 5Barry Beefslab
  6. 6Chad Johnson
  7. 7Matthew Harris
  8. 8Kayne Chapman-Kenny
  9. 9Rayban Mops
  10. 10Ned Houkamau
  11. 11Killa Boom
  12. 12Bec Pengelly
  13. 13Daniel Punch
Confirmed squad

Sydney Wedgetails

  1. 1Kern Onthecobbo
  2. 2Sonny Taia Jr
  3. 3King Hindmarsh
  4. 4Tevita Vaenu'ku
  5. 5Lokeni Letufuga
  6. 6Aaron White
  7. 7Jim Bourbon
  8. 8Deano Fa'Asillytoallowhim
  9. 9Calare BurtonCaptain
  10. 10Hamish Flint
  11. 11Lawrence Kiwaal
  12. 12Caleb Jeff
  13. 13Nicholas Eather
02

Prediction

Western Sydney and New Zealand share the competition lead, while Sydney sits only two points behind. The Bulls held 58 percent possession and gained 1,346 metres last round. The Wedgetails won despite missing 47 tackles, so they need a cleaner defensive night to prevent Western Sydney from controlling another match through repeat attacking possessions.

03

Key matchups

Rayban Mops vs Aaron White

Mops scored twice against Melbourne in Round 3 and crossed again in the Bulls' Round 4 win. White produced a try, three conversions and a late penalty against the Kings. Each player gives his side a reliable way to turn pressure into points.

Chaz Dingo vs Sonny Taia Jr

Dingo scored twice against Central as the Bulls converted territory into four tries. Taia Jr answered with a try and 186 metres for Sydney. Their battle brings together finishing power and high-volume running.

Matthew Harris vs Aaron White

Harris kicked three conversions and two penalty goals in Round 4. White contributed 10 points for Sydney. In a meeting between two three-win teams, the goal-kickers could have the final say.

04

Ruck Report market

Head to headBulls $1.60Wedgetails $2.30
LineBulls -5.5$1.90 each side
Total44.5 points$1.90 over or under
Ruck Report tipBulls by 6