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NRL | Round 8

alphr.com.au

NEW
Knights
VS
PEN
Panthers
MCDONALD JONES STADIUM, NEWCASTLE • SUNDAY 26 APR, 2:00 PM AEST

Win Probability

AI Game Review

Our model correctly predicted Panthers to win at 65% probability. The margin model missed here, predicting 6.7 but the actual margin was 32 points. Panthers led 6–24 at the break and pulled away in the second half to win by 32. The model went 3/17 on this match.

Model vs actual outcomes • Post-match analysis

🏁

AI Referee Insights

Gerard Sutton officiated this match (363 career games). The combined score of 56 points was 14 points above Gerard Sutton's career average of 42. Despite Gerard Sutton's 56% career home-team win rate, the away side Panthers prevailed.

Based on referee career statistics • Post-match analysis

Momentum Replay
Beta
80', Panthers firmly in control (99%)
KNI12
1%80'99%
44PAN
HT100%50%0%0'20'40'60'80'
Panthers momentumMomentum -21Knights momentum →
Biggest Swings

AI Win Probability

65%PanthersFavourite

Knights

35%

Panthers

65%

AI Match Overview

Panthers are clear favourites here at 65%, with our model expecting a comfortable victory over Knights. The model sees Panthers ahead on 5 of 7 key factors including ELO Difference, Forward Pack and Backline Quality. Panthers carry a 261-point ELO rating advantage (1683 vs 1423). Recent form favours Panthers with 4 wins from their last 5 compared to 2 for Knights. The margin model predicts Panthers by 6.7 points with a combined total of 46.

Generated from model features • Pre-kick-off analysis

Edge Analysis

Each market is predicted by an independent model, H2H, margin, and totals may occasionally disagree.

H2H Recommendation

Panthers to Win @1.21

Winner ✓

Edge

-13.2%

Line / Spread

Knights +13.5 @1.91

Lost ✗

Edge

+0.0%

Margin Band

Panthers 1-12 @2.55

Lost ✗

Edge

+0.0%

Total Points

Under 50.5 @1.91

Lost ✗

Edge

+0.0%

Form & History

TeamLast 5Avg Pts
Knights
R2026-R3L
R2026-R4W
R2026-R5W
R2026-R6L
R2026-R7L

older → newer

22.8
Panthers
R2026-R3W
R2026-R4W
R2026-R5W
R2026-R6L
R2026-R7W
35.4

Avg Conceded

29.2

Knights

17.6

Panthers

Avg Margin

-6.4

Knights

17.8

Panthers

Run Metres

1557

Knights

1793

Panthers

Line Breaks

4.4

Knights

6.4

Panthers

Referee Indicator

Balanced

Gerard Sutton

363 career games · since 2012

AI Analysis

Win rate when Gerard Sutton refs each team (vs any opponent)

Knights
16W – 17L
48%
Panthers
32W – 29L
52%

Both sides have a similar record under Gerard Sutton, Knights 16W–17L (48%) and Panthers 32W–29L (52%). Home teams win 56% of his matches (vs ~52% league avg).

Avg Total

41.9 pts

Home Win %

56%

Home Bias

Leans home

Penalty & Discipline

Pen / Game

5.4

Sin Bins / Gm

0.07

SB Away %

50%

Avg Penalties Per Game

vs Home Teams3.1
vs Away Teams2.3

Penalty Advantage Under This Ref

Positive = opponent penalised more than your team

Knights
+0.7
Panthers
+0.0

Gerard Sutton averages just 5.4 penalties per game, well below average. He lets the game flow. Penalises home teams more, 3.1 against home vs 2.3 against away. Knights get a +0.7 penalty advantage under Gerard Sutton vs Panthers's +0.0.

H2H History (Last 5)Panthers lead 4-1
Aug 2025NEW 12 - 48 PEN
May 2025NEW 25 - 6 PEN
Aug 2024NEW 14 - 22 PEN
Jun 2024NEW 18 - 26 PEN
Jul 2023NEW 12 - 20 PEN
Prediction BreakdownPure Alpha Model

📊Team ELO Ratings

NEW
1423Overall1683
PEN
ELO difference: -261 in favour of Panthers

🏈Positional Matchups

Player ELO aggregated by position group, higher = stronger unit

929Forwards1183
PEN +254
920Backs1184
PEN +265
903Halves1201
PEN +298
957Hooker1171
PEN +214

📈Recent Form (Last 5)

NEW
Stat
PEN
2.0
Wins (Last 5)
4.0
22.8pts
Avg Score
35.4pts
29.2pts
Avg Conceded
17.6pts
-6.4pts
Avg Margin
17.8pts
1557.4m
Run Metres
1792.8m
4.4
Line Breaks
6.4
364.6
Tackles
333.4
10.8
Errors
11.0

🔑Key Prediction Factors

What the model weighted most in this prediction

1
ELO Difference14.0%
Panthers
2
Forward Pack12.0%
Panthers
3
Backline Quality10.0%
Panthers
4
Halves Control9.0%
Panthers
5
Recent Win Rate9.0%
Panthers
6
Referee Tendency7.0%
Knights
7
Venue Advantage7.0%
Knights

Model Confidence

65%

Panthers predicted to win by 7 points

Predicted total: 46 · Line: -6.7

1/4 match predictions correct2/13 scorer picks correct
Scorer Markets

Anytime Try Scorer

Model probability vs Sportsbet overlay, ranked by edge.

8 Plays
Fletcher HuntKnights
backFair 1.832+ 19%
$2.70
+17.6% edge
Model
55%
Market
37%
Confidence
55%
Dominic YoungKnights
backFair 1.612+ 25%
$2.02
+12.7% edge
Model
62%
Market
50%
Confidence
62%
Dylan EdwardsPanthers
backFair 1.582+ 26%
$1.97
+12.4% edge
Model
63%
Market
51%
Confidence
63%
Thomas JenkinsPanthers
backFair 1.162+ 59%
$1.33
+11.3% edge
Model
86%
Market
75%
Confidence
86%
Fletcher SharpeKnights
backFair 2.562+ 9%
$2.45
-1.8% edge
Model
39%
Market
41%
Confidence
39%
Paul AlamotiPanthers
backFair 2.482+ 9%
$2.20
-5.2% edge
Model
40%
Market
45%
Confidence
40%
Casey McLeanPanthers
backFair 2.262+ 12%
$1.89
-8.6% edge
Model
44%
Market
53%
Confidence
44%
Dane GagaiKnights
backFair 7.502+ 1%
$4.00
-11.7% edge
Model
13%
Market
25%
Confidence
13%
Scorer Markets

First Try Scorer

Team-normalised first-try share using the current lineups and opposition defence profile.

5 Plays
Dominic YoungKnights
backFair 3.562+ 25%
$11.00
+19.0% edge
Model
28%
Market
9%
Confidence
28%
Fletcher HuntKnights
backFair 4.382+ 19%
$15.00
+16.1% edge
Model
23%
Market
7%
Confidence
23%
Thomas JenkinsPanthers
backFair 3.592+ 59%
$6.00
+11.2% edge
Model
28%
Market
17%
Confidence
28%
Fletcher SharpeKnights
backFair 7.002+ 9%
$13.00
+6.6% edge
Model
14%
Market
8%
Confidence
14%
Dylan EdwardsPanthers
backFair 7.192+ 26%
$11.00
+4.8% edge
Model
14%
Market
9%
Confidence
14%