Should the Warriors make the finals, it would be the third time in four years Webster has led them there.<\/p>\n
The Warriors fell to their first defeat of the NRL season against the Wests Tigers. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
Round 19: Wests Tigers<\/p>\n
Away; Tigers currently 12th<\/p>\n
Fresh off the bye, the Warriors should be favourites, although if they want to leave Campbelltown with two points, they will have to do it the hard way.<\/p>\n
With the clash coming two days after the final State of Origin clash<\/a>, it is unlikely Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell will play, although the Warriors should have James Fisher-Harris and Leka Halasima back.<\/p>\n The Tigers, meanwhile, are also down on troops, including influential captain Apisai Koroisau, but they should have Jarome Luai back in their side, as they will look to snap their three-game losing streak.<\/p>\n The Warriors will also be wary that Benji Marshall\u2019s side have already beaten them this season, overcoming an early 10-point deficit to hand them their first loss<\/a> of the campaign in March.<\/p>\n The Warriors\u2019 last two matches at the venue against the Tigers have been decided by four points or less.<\/p>\n Our prediction: Warriors by six.<\/p>\n Elsewhere: The Dolphins host the Sharks with the winner to remain on the heels of the Warriors, while the Rabbitohs and Knights also square off in another top-eight showdown and the Sea Eagles and Cowboys play in what could be an intriguing clash.<\/p>\n Round 20: St George Illawarra Dragons<\/p>\n At home; Dragons currently 17th<\/p>\n The Dragons have managed two wins all season and have the worst attack and defence in the competition.<\/p>\n This should not be a contest, although to give the Dragons some credit, they have improved since they lost to the Warriors, with their impressive young forward pack leading the way.<\/p>\n The match will also give Luke Metcalf the chance to catch up with his new teammates<\/a>.<\/p>\n When the two teams met earlier this season, the Warriors barely got out of first gear in a comfortable win<\/a>. Expect more of the same this time.<\/p>\n Our prediction: Warriors by 13-plus.<\/p>\n Elsewhere: The Sharks and Knights clash in a key top-eight encounter, the Roosters and Storm meet in a blockbuster, and the Dolphins and Cowboys should provide plenty of intrigue in a Queensland derby. The Sharks and Rabbitohs also clash in a battle of sides fighting to stay in touch with the top four.<\/p>\n Round 21: Canterbury Bulldogs<\/p>\n Away; Bulldogs currently 10th<\/p>\n Of all the games remaining, this is the one that carries the most mystery, largely because of the Bulldogs\u2019 peculiar form in 2026.<\/p>\n They have been a long way from the side that boasted the best defensive record last season and have one of the NRL\u2019s weakest attacks, but they are on the cusp of the top eight thanks to a three-game winning streak, albeit an unconvincing one.<\/p>\n The Warriors have lost their last two games to the Bulldogs in Sydney, but if there is a time to snap the streak, this is it.<\/p>\n This will be the sixth meeting between former Penrith assistants in Webster and Cameron Ciraldo, with the latter holding a 3-2 record.<\/p>\n Our prediction: Warriors by 1-12 in an unconvincing performance.<\/p>\n Elsewhere: The Knights and Roosters battle in what could determine who finishes inside the top four, while the Sharks and Sea Eagles also collide.<\/p>\n Round 22: Gold Coast Titans<\/p>\n Away; Titans currently 15th<\/p>\n Since the two sides met earlier this season<\/a>, the Titans have improved significantly, beating the Broncos and even the Penrith Panthers, who were without their Origin stars, but something the Warriors have not managed to do.<\/p>\n There are signs of progress under Josh Hannay but they remain far from the finished product.<\/p>\n However, while the Warriors have won their last two meetings with the Titans, the Gold Coast side have proved tricky customers in the past.<\/p>\n Besides, any match on the Gold Coast is always a Warriors home game \u2013 sorry, Titans fans.<\/p>\n Our prediction: The \u201chome\u201d crowd helps the Warriors to a 1-12 win.<\/p>\n Elsewhere: The Cowboys hosting the Roosters should carry plenty of intrigue, while the Sharks and Rabbitohs play a crucial clash in the fight for spots in the bottom half of the eight.<\/p>\n Round 23: Penrith Panthers<\/p>\n Home; Panthers currently first<\/p>\n This is easily the biggest test of the Warriors\u2019 run home: facing the league leaders, who have lost three times this season and will likely have a full squad to choose from.<\/p>\n The Warriors probably should have won their last meeting<\/a>, where both sides were without their Origin stars, but couldn\u2019t get the job done, failing to convert numerous attacking opportunities.<\/p>\n Considering the Panthers have won 11 of the past 12 meetings between the sides, the Warriors do have the chance to make a statement on the cusp of the finals, but expect the Panthers to be too classy.<\/p>\n Our prediction: Panthers win by four.<\/p>\n Elsewhere: All the other contenders are facing teams outside the top eight.<\/p>\n Round 24: Brisbane Broncos<\/p>\n Away; Broncos currently 16th<\/p>\n This will be the second meeting between the teams at Suncorp after the Warriors hosted the Broncos during Magic Round<\/a>.<\/p>\n The two teams have faced contrasting seasons.<\/p>\n While the Warriors have been among the best teams this season, the defending-champion Broncos are plummeting towards unwanted history and are second to last.<\/p>\n They are on an eight-game losing streak and are on the cusp of making unwanted history by becoming the first reigning premiers \u2013 since the Tigers of 2005 (excluding the Storm of 2010 who were unable to compete for competition points after breaching the salary cap) \u2013 to miss the finals the following year.<\/p>\n Overall, it has been a season to forget for the Broncos, who have also been plagued by off-field incidents.<\/p>\n By the time the game rolls around, it is likely their season will be over.<\/p>\n The Warriors beat the Broncos at Magic Round<\/a>, so there is no reason they cannot do it again.<\/p>\n Our prediction: Warriors 13-plus.<\/p>\n Elsewhere: The Panthers host the Roosters in a blockbuster while the Sea Eagles and Dolphins collide. <\/p>\n Round 25: South Sydney Rabbitohs<\/p>\n Away; Rabbitohs currently eighth<\/p>\n How this game plays out will depend on which players are fit for either side.<\/p>\n Both sides have been severely impacted by injuries over the past two seasons but have defied the odds to remain in the finals mix.<\/p>\n The Rabbitohs have been much improved this season, and most of their injured players should be fit by the time this game rolls around. However, it is hard to trust that things will stay that way because of their recent track record.<\/p>\n The Warriors have won the last two meetings between the sides.<\/p>\n Our prediction: Warriors win 1-12 if the Rabbitohs\u2019 injury issues continue.<\/p>\n Elsewhere: A third straight big test for the Panthers, as they travel to Melbourne while the Knights and Sea Eagles do battle. The Roosters host the Tigers, which will be intriguing should Marshall\u2019s side remain in finals contention.<\/p>\n Round 26: Newcastle Knights<\/p>\n Home; Knights currently fourth<\/p>\n While the Warriors crushed the Knights earlier this season<\/a>, that result should be taken with a grain of salt because Newcastle were without several key spine players.<\/p>\n They are vastly improved this season and remain firmly in the mix for a top-four finish, making this a crucial clash.<\/p>\n The Warriors have won five of their last six meetings, while the Knights haven\u2019t won in Auckland since 2019, although they\u2019ve only visited twice since then.<\/p>\n Our prediction: Warriors sneak home 1-12.<\/p>\n Elsewhere: The Broncos and Storm meet in a grand final rematch, although it is unlikely both teams will still be in finals contention. The other eye-catching game is the Roosters hosting the Dolphins.<\/p>\n Round 27 Manly Sea Eagles<\/p>\n Home; Sea Eagles currently sixth<\/p>\n It has been difficult to gauge the Sea Eagles this season. They got off to a poor start but have found a new lease of life since Kieran Foran became head coach.<\/p>\n If there is one thing to note about the Sea Eagles, it is that they have struggled under pressure late in matches, similar to the Warriors.<\/p>\n The Sea Eagles have won three of their last four meetings, but also haven\u2019t won in Auckland since 2019, although the teams did draw in 2024<\/a>. <\/p>\n How this game plays out will depend on whether either side has locked in their position on the ladder. If they cannot improve their standing, there is a chance players are rested, but do not expect Webster to do that. <\/p>\n Our prediction: Warriors win 1-12, although I say this without confidence.<\/p>\n Elsewhere: The Sydney derby between the Rabbitohs and Roosters will provide plenty of highlights, while the Sharks and Storm battle. <\/p>\n Verdict on regular-season prospects<\/p>\n If things go well, the Warriors could realistically win eight of their nine remaining matches.<\/p>\n That would be close to a best-case scenario and should be enough to secure the coveted top-two spot, but sport has a way of throwing up curveballs.<\/p>\n But so much hinges on whether players can stay fit, with any further serious injuries risking a repeat of last season.<\/p>\nThe Bulldogs beat the Warriors 32-12 in their last meeting. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
The Panthers have won 11 of their last 12 against the Warriors. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
Warriors five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
James Fisher-Harris scored the fastest try in NRL history when the Warriors last played the Sea Eagles. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n