NRL Round 1 Preview
Summer has ended, and with it, signals the beginning of the major Winter codes. The NRL operated with great success against the threat of Covid-19 last year, and apart from the New Zealand Warriors basing themselves in Australia for the year, the home and away fixtures will resume as normal.
Melbourne Storm ($1.95) v South Sydney Rabbitohs ($1.85)
Thursday 11th March, 8:05pm, AAMI Stadium
Having spent a large portion of last year on the Sunshine Coast, defending Premiers, the Melbourne Storm will relish playing in front of their fans for the first time since 2019. However the biggest change for Craig Bellamy’s side will be appearing this season without long term captain Cameron Smith, who will leave an immortal sized hole in the side. With that being said, the Storm still boast a near identical side that comprehensively defeated the Panthers in last years Grand Final, and will no doubt be in the hunt at the business end of the season. For the third consecutive season, South Sydney advanced to the penultimate weekend of the season only to fall short in a thrilling contest against the Panthers in the preliminary final. These defeats will no doubt drive the side this year, especially with this being Wayne Bennett’s final season as coach as well as the return of Latrell Mitchell and signing of forward Jai Arrow, who adds a significant amount of grunt in the pack. The Storm have won their four past fixtures against the Rabbitohs and since Craig Bellamy began as head coach they are undefeated in the first round of the season.
Recommended Bet: Melbourne Storm Win $1.95
Newcastle Knights v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Friday 12th March, 6:00PM, McDonald Jones Stadium
The first Friday evening fixture looks one of the most interesting fixtures of the first round, as the Knights look to begin the year well and capitalise on the hype that has surrounded them for the past several seasons. Conversely, the Bulldogs will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2019 season, with new coach Trent Barrett looking to begin his tenure at Belmore a successful one. Former Roosters halfback Kyle Flanagan joins fellow recruits Nick Cotric and Corey Allen in a young, but talented backline with all three having a point to prove in 2021 as feature signings. With heavy rain and thunderstorms forecasted for Newcastle Thursday and Friday, usually resulting in lower scoring fixtures, along with the Bulldogs 18-12 victory in their previous meeting last July, I am confident they will be able to cover the line against the Novacastrians.
Recommended Bet: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs +5.5 $1.85
Brisbane Broncos v Parramatta Eels
Friday 12th March, 8:05PM, Suncorp Stadium
The Eels have been installed short priced favourites against the Broncos, in what is no surprise considering the form of the proud Queensland Club. They host last year’s semi-finalists the Eels who, after being the competition’s front runners at the halfway point, began to fade toward the back end of the season and were a shadow of their former selves by the final series, bowing out with consecutive defeats in the qualifying and semi finals. Conversely, the Broncos season was one that many fans would like to be erased from their memories, and will be looking for much improved performances under six time premiership and Brisbane legend Kevin Walters. Alex Glenn takes over the captaincy from the retired Darius Boyd, but with their only shining light from last year, Kotoni Staggs recovering from an ACL injury, the boys from Red Hill will be relying a lot on their new captain and Tevita Pangai Junior to lead the forward pack. The Eels recorded two comfortable victories over Brisbane last season, both by more than 12 points, and will be able to replicate that here in round one.
Recommended Bet: Parramatta Eels -9.5 ($1.90)
New Zealand Warriors v Gold Coast Titans
Saturday 13th March, 2:00PM, Central Coast Stadium
Both these teams have increased expectations upon them after showing positive signs the back end of last year, while a number of key signings across the squads will see both outfits pushing for a finals berth in 2021. The Titans might have lost Jai Arrow to South Sydney during the off season, but in return have gained David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui in what looks to be a formidable forward pack. Similarly, the Warriors signed Euan Aitken, Kane Evans and Addin Fonua-Blake while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in his final season with the club before making a code switch to play Rugby, will be looking for another Dally M calibre season. I’m looking at this game as one of the best this round, and the toughest to assess from a betting point of view, however, I am leaning towards the Glitter Strip side to win their first game of the season.
Recommended Bet: Gold Coast Titans $1.67
Sydney Roosters v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Saturday 13th March, 4:20PM, Sydney Cricket Ground
The Roosters will be hungry to get back to business and begin the 2021 season well on Saturday after losing three straight games to close out the 2020 edition. Sydney’s blowout loss to the Rabbitohs in the final round translated into a pair of narrow losses during the finals, including the game of the year against eventual finalists the Panthers, perhaps more premature than many tri-colours faithful had hoped. The return of Victor Radley will be vital for the Roosters, who missed his presence, both in attack and defence, through the middle of the field. Manly on the other hand, while having gained Kieran Foran from the Bulldogs to partner his old comrade Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves, lost Adin Fonua-Blake and with Tom Trebjovic once again sidelined for the beginning of the season, will struggle to match up with the talented Roosters outfit.
Recommended Bet: Sydney Roosters 13+ $2.20
Penrith Panthers v North Queensland Cowboys
Saturday 13th March, 6:35PM, Panthers Stadium
Last year's beaten grand finalists, will look to go one better in 2021, once again under the tutelage of Ivan Cleary. While the Mountain Men have lost Josh Mansour and James Tamou to rival clubs in the off season, the young core is still together and with an additional year’s experience, and an Origin camp under their belt, players such as Jarome Luai and Stephen Chrichton will be brimming with confidence. The Cowboys struggled last season, and are still struggling to find an identity after the Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott era, however will be hoping former Bulldogs coach Todd Payten can establish an attacking pattern that can capitalise on the talent of Valentine Holmes and Michael Morgan. The Panthers were undefeated at home last season, and coming off the back of a strong pre-season, courtesy of their terrific Youtube content, will be a tough proposition for any side, let alone a Cowboys side low on confidence.
Recommended Bet: Penrith Panthers -9.5 $1.90
Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers
Sunday 14th March, 4:05PM, GIO Stadium
The Raiders will once again have a top four finish in their sights this season after coming up suffering a defeat to the Storm in last year’s Preliminary Final. Ricky Stuart has built a strong culture in the Nation’s Capital and despite losing Nick Cotric and John Bateman during the off season
still have a plethora of depth and experience. After another disappointing season finishing 11th in 2020, pressure will be on Michael Maguire this year after several years without success at the helm of the merger club. James Roberts adds a spark to the backline, and could potentially form a lethal combination with try scoring machine David Nofoluma down the right side. Fellow signings James Tamou and Joe Ofahengaue adds punch to the forward pack, but a Canberra side in front of their home faithful is a tough proposition and should be able to get the season off to a strong start
Recommended Bet: Canberra -9.5 $1.90
St. George Illawarra Dragons v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Sunday 14th March, 6:15PM, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
The first round closes out with old rivals the Dragons and Sharks clashing at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium Sunday afternoon. The Sharks had a particularly up and down 2020, evidenced by their points differential of zero, scoring the same amount of points as they conceded. While Shaun Johnson is sidelined with an Achilles injury for the first half of the season, the Sharks still boast Sione Katoa and Ronaldo Mulatino on either wings, who can seemingly find the try line at will. A second year in charge for John Morris will also prove invaluable as they look to improve upon their poor record against finalists last season, failing to secure a victory against any of the top eight in 2020.
Recommended Bet: Cronulla Sharks $1.67
