NRL Round 20 Preview
In a change of pace, a number of regional Queensland venues get their chance to host NRL fixtures in what is an entertaining round of football as we head toward the finals.
Sydney Roosters v Parramatta Eels
Thursday 29th July, 7:50PM, BB Print Stadium
The Rugby League faithful of Mackay are treated to a mouth watering clash on Thursday night as top four hopes, the Roosters and Eels go head to head. These two sides seemed to be heading in opposite directions at one point, but the script has been flipped with the Tri-Colours rattling off three impressive wins over the Bulldogs, Cowboys and Knights leading in. Trent Robinson’s side was enormous last week in their demolition over Newcastle, particularly considering the Roosters trailed by eight points early on and have seemingly flown under the radar in recent times. The same can’t be said for the Eels however as the blue and gold failed to get the job done against the Raiders, and can ill afford efforts like that as we head into the finals series. James Tedesco was quiet by his lofty standards earlier in the year, however was instrumental for the Blues during Origin and again last week with 4 linebreaks and 2 try assists. I can never discount this Roosters side with the system they have in place and want to be with them at the line.
Recommended Bet: Roosters +4.5 $1.90
Wests Tigers ($1.51) v New Zealand Warriors ($2.55)
Friday 30th July, 6:00PM, Suncorp Stadium
Two evenly matched sides should make for an exciting clash in the first game of the double header at Suncorp on Friday night. After Roger Tuivasa-Scheck announced his farewell on Monday, the Warriors are still feeling the pinch of Tohu Harris and David Fusitu’a’s absence, but there could be some reprieve on the horizon with Peta Hiku and Ben Murdoch-Masila returning to the starting side. Adam Doueihi continues to impress for the Tigers, and has been a shining light in the 6 jersey for the side this year, with the local junior crossing for 8 tries and 15 try assists across the year. The Warriors won a 30-26 thriller when they last met the Tigers in May and I’m banking on a similar result here.
Recommended Bet: Tigers 1-12 $1.90
Brisbane Broncos ($1.77) v North Queensland Cowboys ($2.05)
Friday 30th July, 8:05PM, Suncorp Stadium
No matter the respective form of both sides, this Queensland derby always deliver an exciting clash, and I expect this round 20 fixture to be no different. Brisbane managed to put a late scare into the Panthers after trailing 18-0, while the Cowboys also pushed the Storm to the brink in a narrow 20-16 loss up in Townsville. The Broncos are a tough team to trust as they struggle to string together two consistent halves, while the Cowboys have played to an awful 1-7 record away from home this year. North Queensland has won its last two meetings against Brisbane, although it’s tough to read too much into a narrow 19-18 win up in Townsville when they met earlier in Round 9. Kotoni Stags has been a significant inclusion and will once again be a significant factor in a Broncos win.
Recommended Bet: Broncos 1-12 $2.90
St George Dragons ($8.50) v South Sydney Rabbitohs ($1.07)
Saturday 31st July, 3:00PM, Browne Park
The NRL heads to the beef capital of Australia with the Rabbitohs heavy favourites against the wayward Dragons as they look to try and extend their winning streak to eight games on Saturday. Wayne Bennett’s side put on an absolute clinic last week in their 60-22 rout over the Warriors that has likely silenced any doubt as to whether South Sydney is a genuine premiership contender. With health now on their side, the Bunnies were impressive from start to finish as Tom Burgess, Jayden Su’A and Josh Mansour all picked up a double in a huge victory on the Sunshine Coast. The Dragons somehow remain eighth on the ladder after back-to-back blowout losses to Manly and the Titans but a match up against a Rabbitohs outfit averaging more than 40 points across their last five games spells danger. South Sydney has won five straight over the Saints dating back to 2018, and I’m finding this easy to back the Rabbitohs at the line.
Recommended Bet: Rabbitohs -24.5 $1.90
Newcastle Knights ($2.15) v Canberra Raiders ($1.69)
Saturday 31st July, 5:30PM, Suncorp Stadium
This time last month, there were calls for Ricky Stuart to be sacked, but in arguably one of the biggest storylines of the season, the Raiders have appeared to have turned a corner i as they look to extend their winning streak to four on Saturday night against a desperate Knights team.
Canberra’s defensive effort was huge last week in their two-point win over Parramatta, a performance Ricky Stuart will be hoping his side can build on with a few big games coming up against the Storm, Manly and the Roosters, which will really measure the success of their 2021 season. Newcastle remains in the hunt for the eight, but recent efforts have certainly left a lot to be desired. The Knights copped a walloping last week at the hands of the Roosters, but all is not lost as Newcastle prepares to potentially welcome back Bradman Best, David Klemmer and Mitchell Pearce from injury this week. The Knights have won their last two games over the Raiders, but the way Canberra has been playing defensively over the last three weeks is tough to ignore, especially considering the volume of points scored this season.. The Raiders have held their last three opponents to under 20 points, which doesn’t read well for a Knights team that ranks second-last in points scored and I’m going with the Green Machine to prevail in a tight affair.
Recommended Bet: Raiders 1-12 $2.90
Melbourne Storm ($1.13) v Penrith Panthers ($6.00)
Saturday 31st July, 7:35PM, Suncorp Stadium
In what shaped as a grand final preview, has seemingly had the anticipation taken out of it due to the injury worries of the Panthers. Isaah Yeo and Brian To’o are set to miss the game and are arguably two of the most pivotal players in their line up, both with and without the ball. The Storm meanwhile continue to play out one of the most impressive seasons in recent memory, despite a scare against the Cowboys last round, scraping home by four points. Cam Munster and Dale Finucane return to the side after being rested and despite by heavy favourites, I’m looking to side with the Panthers to cover the line. The Panthers have still only conceded 173 points across 19 rounds - 25 points less than the Storm ranked second in that stat - and I cannot see them getting blown out here in our main event on Saturday night.
Recommended Bet: Penrith Panthers +17.5 $1.95
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs ($4.00) v Gold Coast Titans ($1.24)
Sunday 1st August, 2:00PM, Cbus Super Stadium
I’d call you a liar if you said to me you knew how this game was going to pan out. After being consistently inconsistent all season two wins from their last three games has the Titans right in the mix for a late finals push, thanks to the congested middle portion of the table. While a win has eluded them, the Dogs have shown some encouraging signs in their last three losses to the Roosters, Rabbitohs and Sharks, whilst they only went down by 10 points to the Titans back in round 11. The Bulldogs have conceded over 100 points in three games at Cbus Super Stadium this year and while it is hard to be confident in backing the Titans, their recent performances give me hope of sticking with them here.
Recommended Bet: Titans -12.5 $1.90
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks ($5.00) v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles ($1.17)
Sunday 1st August, 4:00PM, Moreton Daily Stadium
Redcliffe hosts the final match of the round with Manly red hot favourites against the Sharks. Shaun Johnson is a significant out for the Sharks, with the side being steered around by the inexperienced, albeit impressive Connor Tracey and Braydon Trindall. The Sea Eagles returned to winning form, comfortably accounting for the Tigers 44-24, and whilst they are 3 wins adrift of the all important top 4, will no doubt want to continue their momentum into the final. The Sharks won in their only encounter in 2020, however the Sea Eagles won 11 of the 12 fixtures prior to that and I can’t go past them to cover the line here.
Recommended Bet: Sea Eagles -17.5 $1.90
