Melbourne Storm vs. Brisbane Broncos
AAMI Park
Thursday 16 March 8.00pm LOCAL
It’s always a tough encounter when these two face each other in the regular season and this clash is no different considering the form of both sides. The Storm are one of four teams who have recorded back-to-back victories to start their campaign, whilst the Broncos are coming off a brutal golden point loss against the North Queensland Cowboys.
Storm fans will be licking their lips at the prospect of seeing Billy Slater back in action, with the star fullback making his long-awaited return after 374 days on the sideline with a shoulder injury. The return of the former Australian and Maroon fullback will see Cameron Munster shift to five eight, with their spine arguably their most talented since the days of Greg Inglis. The storm have also been outstanding defensively this season, conceding just three tries so far which is the least in the competition.
The Broncos will be kicking their feet after another loss to a Jonathan Thurston field goal, and the relatively short turnaround may be a significant factor that could influence the outcome of the game. Last week’s physical encounter did some damage to the Broncos squad, with Wayne Bennett naming an unchanged 1-17 however will be sweating on the fitness of his right centre combination of James Roberts and Jordan Kahu.
Despite the travel from Brisbane to Melbourne, The Broncos have been extremely successful when taking on the Storm at AAMI Park, recording victories in their last two games there.
Tip: Questions will be raised as to whether Billy Slater will make any considerable impact against a Bronco’s team who will be looking for a big response following their tough loss last week. Storm by 6 in a thriller.
Best bet: Melbourne Storm -4 $1.90 (Have lost their past two fixtures at home against the Broncos but four of their past six wins against them have been by two tries or more)
Odds: Storm $1.57 Broncos $2.30
Canterbury Bulldogs vs. New Zealand Warriors
Forsyth Barr Stadium
Friday 17 March 6.00pm LOCAL
The Bulldogs will take their second home game of the season into unchartered territory when they travel to Dunedin, New Zealand this Friday night. The exposure to the new ground eliminates a home ground advantage for the Bulldogs who are coming off two tough losses to start their season.
The Bulldogs are still searching for their first win of the season but were valiant in their defeat against the Roosters. Following the defeat, the Bulldogs are faced with significant injury woes to their backline with Will Hopoate (fractured eye-socket) and Kerrod Holland (Shoulder injury) both facing 4-6 weeks on the sideline. Holland’s absence now leaves the Bulldogs with limited options for the goal kicking duties, with Mbye converting just 2/5 last weekend.
The inclusion of rising stars Brad Abbey and Marcelo Montoya adds significant inexperience for a team desperate for their first win, however can take confidence in knowing they have won five of the past six encounters.
The Warriors will be disappointed with their 16 point loss to the Melbourne Storm at home, and haven’t clicked into gear despite boasting a lethal starting 13. Manu Vatuvei returns to the line-up after having two weeks in the Intrust Super Premiership, however his return is negated but the withdrawal of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck who has been ruled out with concussion. Tuimolala Lolohea is expected to take his spot as fullback after being dropped to the bench in place of Vatuvei.
Tip: The last time a game was separated by 8 points or more was back in 2012, with their last three fixtures being decided by 4 points. Both teams are effected by injury but the Bulldogs have been reasonably impressive in their two close losses. Bulldogs by 4.
Best bet: Canterbury Bulldogs +2 - $1.90
Odds: Bulldogs $2.05 Warriors $1.75
Gold Coast Titans vs. Parramatta Eels
CBus Super Stadium
Friday 17 March 8.00pm LOCAL
This match was circled on the draw as a must-watch game with the Jarryd Hayne drama and the first time Hayne would oppose his former team since his return to the NRL. Unfortunately, fans will have to wait until Round 24 for the grudge match following an injury to the star fullback.
Hayne is expected to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks following the ankle injury he suffered in the Titans defeat to Newcastle. Tyler Cornish has been named to make his long-awaited NRL debut in place of the former NSW fullback. The absence of Hayne is a massive dent to the Titans attempting to claim their first win of the season, considering their poor last tackle options and lack of strike power in their last two fixtures.
Konrad Hurrell has been a shining light for the struggling side, averaging 150 metres per game whilst scoring two tries and recording 8 tackle breaks.
The Eels have arguably been the form team of the competition over the last fortnight after recording back-to-back wins in the opening two rounds for the first time since 1999. They will look to make it three consecutive wins without in-form halfback Corey Norman, who suffered a slight hamstring strain in their victory over the Dragons on Sunday night.
Jeff Robson has been named to take his position after some strong performances for feeder-club Wentworthville Magpies, and will look to inspire the Eels to an away victory having only won twice in their past nine visits to the Gold Coast.
Robson will add a host of experience to a rather youthful spine, with the likes of Bevan French and Clint Gutherson putting in classy performances to open their new campaign.
Tip: Both teams will be without their key players when they face each other on Friday, but you can't go past the Eels who have been defensively brilliant and possess significant attacking prowess. Eels by 14.
Best bet: Bevan French anytime try-scorer - $2.20 (Has scored a try in both games against the Titans last season)
Odds: Titans $2.45 Titans $1.55
Newcastle Knights vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs
McDonald Jones Stadium
Saturday March 18 4.30pm LOCAL
Both teams open up Super Saturday following their first wins of the season last weekend, and if the Knights put in a similar performance they will no doubt push the Rabbitohs for the full 80 minutes.
Last weeks victory was Newcastle’s first in 19 games, and will be holding a significant amount of confidence after putting in two strong showings against the Warriors and Titans. Nathan Brown has not named any changes following their win last week, and will look for his halves to continue their form with Brock Lamb and Trent Hodkinson combining for six try assists so far this season.
Their opponents South Sydney put in a much improved performance last week despite the absence of captain and superstar fullback Greg Inglis. The addition of Adam Reynolds was a massive boost for the 2014 premiers, as he forced 4 line drop outs with his impeccable short-kicking game. He combined brilliantly with Cody Walker who put in a man of the match performance, scoring a try and setting up two others whilst also making two line breaks.
They have named the same 1-17 to take on the Knights, and will look for their eighth straight victory against Newcastle amid their rebuilding phase.
Tip: There’s no doubt the Knights have been much improved in 2017, but South Sydney took it to a new level against Manly last week. Souths by 18.
Best bet: Rabbitohs -4 - $1.90 (Have won the past seven encounters against the Knights and their last four have been by at least 20 points)
Odds: Knights $2.45 Rabbitohs $1.55
Penrith Panthers vs. Sydney Roosters
Pepper Stadium
Saturday March 18 7.00pm
Two of the pre-season favourites and Auckland Nines Grand Finalists line up for the first time in 2017 with both sides coming off resounding Round Two victories. The Panthers turned things around after their disastrous loss to the Dragons in their opening fixture while the Roosters have recorded back-to-back victories in their first two games for the first time since 2010.
The Panthers dominant 36-2 shutout of the Wests Tigers were promising signs following their dismal display in Round 1, but will be sweating on the fitness of Bryce Cartwright who suffered an ankle injury. Despite the setback, Anthony Griffin has named an unchanged side, with last year’s semi-finalists looking to extend on their two game winning streak against the 2013 premiers.
The Roosters are certainly living up to expectation so far after they recorded back-to-back victories over the Titans and Bulldogs, but will face tougher opposition when they travel to Pepper Stadium. Blake Ferguson has been ruled out after damaging his rib cartilage, with young gun Joseph Manu named to take his position at right centre.
The Roosters haven’t won their first three games of the season since 2004 (Grand Finalists), but with the scintillating form of Mitchell Pearce and new signing Luke Keary there is a strong chance they can break the drought.
Tip: This fixture looms as a blockbuster and the Panthers will be looking to find consistency this season and certainly relish the home ground advantage. Panthers by two in the Game of the Round.
Best Bet: Total Match Points over 37.5 - $1.90 (Both teams have averaged over 20 points conceded across both games and are coming off strong attacking displays)
Odds: Panthers $1.88 Roosters $1.92
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Manly Sea Eagles
1300 SMILES Stadium
Saturday March 18 9.00pm LOCAL
The North Queensland Cowboys will be looking to make it 3 from 3 when they face the Manly Sea Eagles this weekend after another thrilling golden point victory against the Brisbane Broncos. They host the Eagles who are coming off back-to-back defeats to start their season and an 18 point loss to the Rabbitohs.
The Cowboys will be flying high but rather bruised after a Jonathan Thurston field goal sunk the hearts of the Broncos faithful once again. It’s the third time in a row they have been to extra time, and the physical encounter left many wounded as a result. Maroons hardman Matt Scott suffered a season-ending ACL rupture, whilst fullback Lachlan Coote and Antonio Winterstein will be sidelined for lengthy periods after suffering from a calf strain and broken arm.
Furthermore, Dally M Medallist Jason Taumalolo has been suspended for two weeks for his shoulder charge - leaving a gaping hole in the Cowboys forward pack.
As a result of the absences, teenage prodigy Kalyn Ponga will make his long-awaited return to first-grade in the fullback jersey, whilst Patrick Kaufusi has earned himself a position in the starting line up with Javid Bowen taking the place of the injured Winterstein.
The Eagles struggled significantly last weekend with their forward pack missing Martin Taupau and Addin Fonua-Blake to suspension. Both players will again sit out this weekend, but they will relish the opportunity of facing an injury-plagued cowboys side but are facing the prospect of a fifth straight loss against the 2015 premiers, having not won since against them since Round 7 2014.
Tom Trbojevic is coming off one of his best games of his young career so far, racking up over 300m whilst also scoring a long range try and setting up another. If Manly are to come away with a desperate victory, there is no doubt that this man will be a significant reason as to why.
Tip: The Cowboys will have to get used to life without Matt Scott and Taumalolo for the next two weeks, and if Manly are to get a win over a premiership heavyweight this season this is their perfect chance. Tough game to call, but can’t look past the Cowboys at home. Cowboys by eight.
Best bet: Manly Sea Eagles +10.5 - $1.90 (Hard to see the Cowboys put a space in them without their two best forwards and fullback, but although you can never rule it out with JT running the show)
Odds: Cowboys $1.27 Eagles $3.80
Canberra Raiders vs. Wests Tigers
GIO Stadium
Sunday 19 March 4.00pm LOCAL
The Raiders could consider themselves unlucky after the uncanny ricochet cost them a win against the Cowboys in Round 1, but last week’s performance against the Sharks was well below their standards considering their potential. Their 42-16 loss holds worrying signs defensively, but now face an unpredictable Tigers outfit who were tryless last weekend.
Ricky Stuart will be praying for a bounce back in form for his halves, with their last tackle kicking options mounting continuous pressure on the Raiders with an array of seven-tackle sets. Despite their poor performance, they will welcome back inspirational skipper Jarrod Croker into the side, with Whitehead moving into the back row while Dave Taylor will make his club debut off the bench.
Jason Taylor will be in a similar position to his opposition coach this weekend, but can take confidence from their Round 1 performance against the Rabbitohs. Early rounds regularly reflect inconsistency, but Taylor will be hoping his side don’t make a habit of it throughout 2017.
James Tedesco was well contained last weekend, but you can always expect him to bounce back with a strong performance, and will look to run off the back of a stronger showing from his forwards who only managed 603 running metres.
Tip: The two times they played each other last year, the overall score was an embarrassing 112-16. The Tigers will want to put in a much improved performance considering they have lost four of the past five encounters. Expect another close game but a Raiders victory.
Best bet: Total points over 47.5 - $1.88 (Two of the best attacking teams in the competition on their day, expect a fast and dry track on Sunday and the ball to be thrown around consistently
Odds: Raiders $1.42 Tigers $2.85
Cronulla Sharks vs. St. George Illawarra Dragons
Southern Cross Group Stadium
Sunday 19 March 6.30pm LOCAL
The saying “It’s only Round 1” is a common phrase used by NRL fans throughout the opening weekend of the season, and it’s no more application to the 2016 and 2010 premiers. The round 1 and round 2 results were polar opposites of each other, with the Sharks bouncing back with a resounding 42-16 victory, whilst the Dragons reverted to bad habits with an 18 point loss to the Eels.
The Sharks showed incredible resilience in their victory over the Raiders last week, and will relish another home ground advantage when they host Paul McGregor’s men. They will keeping their fingers cross for outside backs Valentine Holmes and Gerard Beale, who are both expected to return from injury, with Flanagan faced with a selection headache following the brilliant performance of Jack Bird at fullback.
NSW five-eight James Maloney showed his worth in the victory, having a hand in three tries while also converting 7/7 last week.
The Dragons would have had their tails up following their Round 1 triumph over the Penrith Panthers, but were quickly brought back down to earth with a thumping 34-16 defeat to the Eels. Paul McGregor has kept faith with his side naming an unchanged 1-17, but will be hoping to get more out his forwards as they were well handled last weekend.
They can take confidence in knowing they have won three of their past five encounters against the defending premiers.
Tip: It’s hard to tip the Dragons following their performance, and if Holmes gets the clearance to play it will be a massive boost for the Champions. Sharks by 18.
Best bet: Cronulla Sharks line -8.0 (Have only won two of their past six games, but their last two victories have been by 20 points or more. Contrasting form of both sides gives the Sharks the rub of the green)
Odds: Sharks $1.35 Dragons $3.20
Words: Andre Cupido
