NRL Finals Week 2 Preview
After one of the most exciting, intriguing and controversial weeks in finals history we are served up with another two great match ups this weekend.
Parramatta Eels ($1.50) v Canberra Raiders ($2.60)
Friday 16th September 7:50PM, CommBank Stadium The Parramatta Eels will look to avoid another straight-sets exit from the finals when they face the Canberra Raiders in what is surprisingly the first finals match up between the two sides. Though the Eels briefly led 8-7 in the second half, the loss of Mitchell Moses signaled the end of their chances against the Penrith last week and will be sweating on his fitness for Friday night. The Raiders continued their resurgence with their 5th straight win over the Storm in Melbourne and will be confident in their ability to become just the third team to reach the Grand Final from eighth place. The Eels have been within touching distance of being a premiership side for several years but can’t appear to get over the hump, and at the attractive odds, I’m siding with the Raiders on Friday night. Recommended Bet: Raiders $2.60
Cronulla Sharks ($2.00) v South Sydney Rabbitohs ($1.80)
Saturday 17th September 8:00PM, Allianz Stadium Saturday night’s main event sees finals football return to Allianz Stadium as the Sharks take on the red hot Rabbitohs. The Sharks may feel fatigued after playing through extra time and into golden point were desperately unlucky not to win, courtesy of a field goal from Valentine Holmes and will see the season as a somewhat disappointment should they suffer back-to-back losses and be bounced out of the finals. Similarly, Souths are coming off a bruising encounter against old rivals the Roosters but will be without the influential Thomas Burgess, who will serve a 2 game suspension for a careless high tackle. Nonetheless, Souths still have the services of Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker, who dominated their preliminary final with 4 try assists and will be able to lead Souths to a win and a showdown with the Panthers. Recommended Bet: Rabbitohs $1.80
