NRL Round 25 Preview
The last round for season 2022 is upon us and what a ripper its going to be. Almost all games have huge finals implications and double as previews for round 1 of the NRL finals. See which way I’m leaning this week.
Parramatta Eels ($2.00) v Melbourne Storm ($1.82)
Thursday 1st September 7:50PM, CommBank Stadium
The final round of 2022 opens with one of the games of the round as the Eels play host the Storm. Parramatta could slip to sixth with a loss while the Storm could climb as high as third should results go their way and both teams will be looking for a final tune up before the finals.The Storm’s four-match winning run was stopped in one of the game’s of the season last Friday but have the services of Felise Kaufusi to call upon. Despite their inconsistent tag, Parramatta have won its last four regular-season games against Melbourne including a golden point win in round 3, courtesy of a try to Ray Stone. In saying that, it’s tough to doubt the Storm at this time of year.
Recommended Bet: Storm $1.82
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs ($1.48) v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles ($2.65)
Friday 2nd September 6:00PM, Accor Stadium
There isn’t much on the line, with the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles well and truely looking toward their end season trips. The Bulldogs’ revival under Mick Potter has stopped, with four losses, all by 14 points or more, including being held to zero by the Sharks last week. Sinking to its sixth straight loss last week, Manly has given up more than 80 points in their last two fixtures, whilst scoring just 12. Despite this, the Sea Eagles have won 7 on the bounce against the Bulldogs, and at attractive odds, I’ll go with them on Friday night.
Recommended Bet: Sea Eagles $2.65
Sydney Roosters ($1.82) v South Sydney Rabbitohs ($2.00)
Friday 2nd September 7:55PM, Allianz Stadium
If Melbourne wins against Parramatta on Thursday night, Sydney Roosters and South Sydney are essentially playing off for fifth spot and the right to host either Canberra or Brisbane, a considerably easier task than that of each again or the Eels. This game opens Allianz Stadium and with the furore around Souths returning to the stadium, the finals implications at play and the memory of a 50 point Rabbitohs win in this corresponding clash last year, will see this as one of the biggest regular season games this year. The Roosters strong form has coincided with their staunch defense, leaking no more than 18 points in their past six games, while the Rabbitohs similarly put on a strong defensive display in a win over the Cowboys last week. This game is the definition of a coin flip, but I’m siding with the home team in this one.
Recommended Bet: Roosters $1.82
New Zealand Warriors ($1.52) v Gold Coast Titans ($2.55)
Saturday 3rd September 3:00PM, Mt Smart Stadium
The Warriors host the Titans for both sides last games in season 2022, clearly one both teams would want to forget. The Titans are at least ending on somewhat of a high after losing 11 straight, winning two of their last three. Despite still leaking points the side has found an attacking groove to offset, piling on 106 points in the past three rounds and have won three of their last four against the Warriors including a 44-0 route in this fixture last season - although they were finals bound at that stage. Plenty of points will be on offer as the NRL’s two worst defences square off, buttThe Warriors always seem to grow a leg when back in front of their fans at Mt Smart and despite the short quote, I’ll side with them here.
Recommended Bet: Warriors $1.52
St George Illawarra Dragons ($2.35) v Brisbane Broncos ($1.60)
Saturday 3rd September 5:30PM, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
After such a strong early and middle portion of the season, including a place in the top 8, the Broncos season has fallen apart, dropping to ninth with four heavy losses in five rounds .
Embarrassing home defeats to Melbourne (60-12) and Parramatta (53-6) have left the Broncos needing a win over St George Illawarra and an unlikely Wests Tigers upset of Canberra to make the Top 8, a far cry from their position in the top 4 in late July. Wally Lewis Medallist, Patrick Carrigan is a huge in after a four-week suspension, while Kevin Walters has sprung a selection shock with boom half Ezra Mam dropped for Tyson Gamble. A weakened Broncos outfit were victorious at Suncorp earlier this year, snapping a five-match losing streak against the Dragons and with so much on the line, I’m going with them to turn their form around in a tight one.
Recommended Bet: Broncos 1-12 $2.95
North Queensland Cowboys ($1.15) v Penrith Panthers ($5.35)
Saturday 3rd September 7:35PM, Queensland Country Bank Stadium
As has been the norm under Ivan Cleary, Penrith has opted to rest 11 of its players to freshen them up for a finals charge and premiership defense. Only Sean O’Sullivan, Mitch Kenny, who debuts as captain, Chris Smith and Matt Eisenhuth remain from last week’s easy win over the Warriors. North Queensland is coming off a loss to South Sydney, however a win could return the Cowboys to second and a home final in the unlikely event Newcastle topples Cronulla, and more importantly see them avoid a return to Sydney to take on the Panthers in week one of the finals. Despite the mass changes to the Panthers side, they have showed time and time again, their depth is almost unrivaled in the NRL at the moment and I am counting on the new boys in the team to step up on Saturday night.
Recommended Bet: Panthers +18.5 $1.90
Newcastle Knights ($5.50) v Cronulla Sharks ($1.15)
Sunday 4th September 2:00PM, McDonald Jones Stadium
A win for the Sharks guarantees them a home qualifying final, something they should be able to do with ease against the struggling Knights. Failing to fight back against a Gold Coast team that played with 12 men for half an hour was yet another indictment on Adam O’Brien’s stricken squad and with the Sharks having held their opponents to one try or less again last week, should see the Knights struggle to cross the chalk. I can see the scoreline getting ugly on Sunday afternoon should the Novacastrians not show up at home in front of their devoted fans.
Recommended Bet: Sharks -18.5 $1.90
Wests Tigers ($3.95) v Canberra Raiders ($1.25)
Sunday 4th September 4:05PM, Leichhardt Oval
The regular season wraps up with what could either be one of the most intriguing clashes of the season or a fizzer, all dependent on the Broncos result earlier in the season. The Raiders have benefited from an easy run home and the indifferent form of the Broncos to find themselves in the top 8.The Tigers responded fairly well to their club-record 72-6 loss to the Roosters, in a 24-22 loss to the Dragons last Sunday, however being ultra critical, means they really should have won that game. The Raiders have a 90% win record over their last 10 games against the Tigers, including two on the bounce at the famous Leichhardt Oval. Despite the opposing form lines and ignoring recent history, I’m going with a Tigers upset win in front of the Balmain faithful.
Recommended Bet: Tigers $3.95
