Round 17 Preview
Whilst I love the Origin period, I do despise the 4 game round, especially from a betting perspective! However, as always, there will be a winner and a loser across each game and I’m very confident on all selections this week.
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles ($1.21) v Canberra Raiders ($4.40)
Thursday 8th July 7:50PM, 4 Pines Stadium
A trip to Brookvale could not have come at a worse time for the struggling Raiders, with the white hot Manly now only just 2 wins off the top 4. Canberra’s season is close to over after suffering a blowout loss at home against the Titans last week, a result that has seen the Raiders slide all the way down to 13th on the ladder with nine games to play and will be without Josh Papali’i, Elliot Whitehead and Bailey Simonssen for the round 17 clash. Tom Trbojevic, Toafofoa Sipley and Jason Saab starred in the shutout victory, and while Turbo might be missing due to Origin commitments, it’s very hard to see Canberra’s sloppy defence coming up with an answer on Thursday night. While it was Turbo that turned the Sea Eagles season around after a disastrous first month of the season, I believe the confidence he has instilled in the playing group will be more than enough to get by the struggling Raiders. Manly have won their past 3 games against the Raiders
Recommended Bet: Sea Eagles -14.5 $1.90
South Sydney Rabbitohs ($1.15) v North Queensland Cowboys ($5.50)
Friday 9th July, 7:55PM, Stadium Australia
The Rabbitohs will be looking to add to North Queensland’s misery on Friday night when the two sides meet for an important game in Sydney. The Bunnies extended their winning streak to four last week with a thorough beatdown over the Tigers at Leichhardt, while the Cowboys laid their second goose egg of the season in a 38-0 shutout loss to the Knights in what was their worst performance of the season. The Rabbitohs won a 31-30 thriller when they met the Cowboys in Townsville last season and as far as the season is concerned, the Cowboys are still very much in the hunt to play finals, but it’s hard to ignore the fact they rank fourth in points allowed. The Rabbitohs, meanwhile, rank 13th in the same department, while on the attacking side, they’ve managed to sneak into the top five with all of their stars back. Defending has been a huge problem for Todd Payten’s side, and that should again be the case this week against a Rabbitohs team that has outscored its last three opponents 108-32 I can see this one being a high scoring affair even with the forecasted wet weather.
Recommended Bet: Over 47.5 $1.90
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs ($6.50) v Sydney Roosters ($1.10)
Saturday 10th July, 7:35PM, Bankwest Stadium
Arguably the toughest game of the round to get a scope on as the Bulldog and the Roosters both look to press the reset button after being held scoreless by Manly and the Storm last week.
For the tri-colours, a game against the hapless Bulldogs couldn’t have come at a better time as they hope to maintain touch with the top four as they now sit 4 points adrift of the Eels. Canterbury, meanwhile, will be hoping to avoid another scoring drought similar to the one that stretched from Round 2 to Round 5 earlier in the season. The Roosters haven’t lost to the Canterbury side in over 4 years and while there is no value in the result market I can see this one being relatively low scoring in the context of the 2021 season. Whilst the Bulldogs scoring difficulties are well documented, I don’t believe the Roosters possess the firepower with Tedesco and Chrichton away on rep duties to put on a cricket score like Manly did last week and am happy to see the points go under 49.5 here on Saturday.
Recommended Bet: Under 49.5 $1.90
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks ($1.48) v New Zealand Warriors ($2.65)
Sunday 11th July, 4:05PM, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Last week’s shock loss to the Broncos may have been the reality call the Sharks needed with the finals fast approaching as their four-game winning streak came to an end as Josh Hannay’s side fell by eight points at Suncorp. However, as noted several times this season, with so many teams struggling to make up ground, the Sharks still find themselves sitting eighth on the ladder.
The Kiwis are equally as desperate to turn things around after suffering their fourth straight loss to the Dragons in overtime last week, a result that has left New Zealand with plenty of work to do now sitting 12th. Injuries have largely been to blame for the Warriors’ demise, and unfortunately, things haven’t improved with Tohu Harris and Eliesa Katoa suffering shoulder injuries in the loss to St George. Katoa was huge in their round 16 loss and will be a significant out for the Warriors, but they are boosted by the inclusions of Kodi Nikorima and Reece Walsh who will both spark the attack. While they have cost me several time throughout the season, I feel the Warriors will prevail in a close one and send us out on top.
Recommended Bet: Warriors 1-12 $3.00
