Summer is officially over this weekend and that can only mean one thing – it’s footy season.

NRL tipping is BACK on The Roar for 2025! Get your tips in here.

And there’s no better place, apparently, to kick off an NRL season than Las Vegas, Nevada.

Canberra Raiders and New Zealand Warriors get the action under way at Allegiant Stadium before premiers Penrith begin their bid for a fifth straight title by tackling the Cronulla Sharks.

The beauty of this time of year is that optimism is in the air for all 17 clubs and every mug tipster who thinks they’ve cracked the code on how to dominate their competition.

And The Roar’s expert panel is no different – reigning champion Mike Meehall Wood is back to defend his crown as he chases a hat-trick.

As always, gamble responsibly if you lay down any coin based on our experts’ opinions – you can try to ask us for reimbursement on your bets but expect further disappointment if you do so.

Here’s how the experts see the first weekend of Round 1 unfolding.

Stuart Thomas

Warriors, Sharks

What Americans will make of the Viking Clap and the big horn blow that accompanies it is anyone’s guess. An even bigger mystery is who wins on an oddly shaped field, in a foreign city and after a week of pressing the flesh. It is a crap shoot and after faring well last season with a wild strategy, I’ll do it again. 

The Warriors to start Ricky Stuart’s season off in the wrong way, with the blow-up in the press conference afterwards certain to impress the locals.

As for the Panthers and the Sharks, well we all know that the men from the shire generally fail against the big teams. But are the Panthers fit, firing and ready for action after limited trial play and a long flight?

Who knows? Logic says don’t pick against the champs but in the spirit of Vegas, I’ll roll the die.

The Panthers hold aloft the Provan-Summons Trophy. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Nick Wasiliev

Warriors, Panthers

Okay, so after my promising performance last year I’ve decided to be more grounded this year, with a clear goal – I don’t care where I finish, I just need to beat Paul and Mike. Lads, I’m coming for you!

Alright, tips. Warriors should get the job done. Or more to the point, I would prefer the Wahs get the job done. They might not be at their #UpTheWah peak, but at least they haven’t gotten themselves in trouble with a toy baseball bat in a lift. 

Panthers? I mean, they have won the bloody thing four times in a row. While I’m here, may as well – Wigan to do a number on Warrington … and do you seriously think I’m going to tip the England girls?! Jillaroos all the way!

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Mary Konstantopoulos

Raiders, Panthers

It’s great to have footy back. In the first game of the year, I’m tipping the Raiders, who I think will finish anywhere between 6th – 10th this year. Even with the addition of James Fisher-Harris, the Raiders will dominate the forward battle which will go a long way in getting them the win in this game.

The Sharks and Panthers are two teams I think will finish toward the top of the ladder. But until Penrith give me a reason to tip against them, I’m not going to. Penrith to get the win in their first game of the year.  

Paul Suttor

Warriors, Sharks

The Warriors have been impressive in the pre-season with Luke Metcalf at half having a laugh with his fellow playing staff. Dr Seuss rhymes aside, the Raiders have been average. Warriors by 13

Penrith’s pre-season has been all but non-existent – they are vulnerable with several players coming back from injury. The Sharks have been one of the form teams of the trials, even though those performances supposedly don’t mean no nothin’ no how. Cronulla by 6

Hudson Young. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

AJ Mithen

Raiders, Sharks

And away we go! Time for your winning 2025 tips from your humble veteran multiple Roar tipping champion. I’ll keep it brief as I can each week because these will be all quality, no fluff.

Your presumptive 2025 premiers, the people’s team, the Canberra Raiders will walk straight from the elevator lobby onto Allegiant Stadium and lay a casual 56 on the hapless Warriors, who have learned by injuries that you don’t play your important guys in the trials. 

Sharks over Penrith cos they want to prove a point, Penrith don’t care about proving points until September. 

Mike Meehall Wood

Warriors, Panthers

The Wahs weren’t as good last year as the year before, but at least their players are old enough to buy a drink in the casinos. Wait, for the Raiders, maybe that’s not so bad …

Penrith can be slow starters, even in the years they end up as premiers. That said, Cronulla aren’t of the pedigree of yer Wigans and Saints, so as ever, I’ll be tipping the Panthers until proven otherwise.

Since we’re here: you can’t give me a price on the Jillaroos to win in Vegas. I’d set the line -40, though I hope I am wrong. The best game of the lot will be Wigan v Warrington – I’ll be taking the Pies to get over the top of the Wire but it might be very close. 

David Shilovsky

Warriors, Panthers

Ricky Stuart and Andrew Webster’s teams get their campaigns started in the first NRL Vegas match-up. James Fisher-Harris could be primed for a big game in his maiden appearance for the Warriors and Luke Metcalf gets the nod at halfback after a strong pre-season showing. Stuart’s backline has plenty of firepower but if Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck fire, the Warriors could put quite a few points on.

Ivan Cleary has named a strong Panthers side to take on the Sharks at Allegiant Stadium, as has Crag Fitzgibbon. The premiers will be too good with all their stars in the line-up but it should be a close one.