Cronulla v Melbourne
8pm Thursday 8 June 2017
Southern Cross Group Stadium
Round 14 of the NRL kicks off with a blockbuster in the Sutherland Shire. It's 1st v 2nd. A grand final re-match with plenty of history between the two sides. Some of the lustre has come out of the match somewhat with the withdrawal of Storm half Cooper Cronk on match eve. That news has throw betting markets into disarray with the Sharks firming $1.92 into $1.58.
The Sharks have gained the reputation of 'winning ugly' and 'winning despite not playing their best' this season. They've grinded out victories against the Tigers, Dragons, Cowboys and Dogs the last three starts but will face a stiffer test tonight with Cam Smith returning for the Storm after being rested last weekend.
Melbourne's form on the other hand could hardly be more impressive. They have played with the precision and discipline we have all come to expect over the years from the Melbourne Storm while Billy Slater has gone from strength to strength in his return from a shoulder injury. They've dropped just the two matches this season, both narrow losses to the Titans and this week's opponents, the Sharks. Without Cronk in the line-up, Craig Bellamy has named Munster at halfback and Tohu Harris at five-eighth suggesting the Storm are battening down for a tight defensive game on Thursday night. Sydney has received a deluge of rain over the last few days so expect kicking games of both sides to play a huge role in the outcome of the game - this is where the Storm will miss Cronk the most.
The two sides met in round 6 this season in atrocious conditions with the Sharks winning 11-2 with a James Segeyaro try breaking the game open late in the 2nd half. There are terrific match ups across the park including Holmes v Slater, Fafita v Bromwich, Munster v Maloney and Bird v Chambers. Should be a cracker.
Stadium Record
The two sides have played 3 matches at Southern Cross Group Stadium since 2012 with the Sharks coming away victors on two occasions.
Head to Head Record
Sharks have won 3 of the last 4 matches between the two sides including their last two matches.
Tip: Expecting a tight, defensive game at a soggy Shark Park. Tough to see Storm get the chocolates without Cooper Cronk however they will have plenty of hunger to avenge their last two defeats to the Sharks including last year's grand final.
Best Bet: Storms +4.5 1.90
Odds: Sharks 1.58 Storm 2.40
Manly v Newcastle
6pm Friday 9 June 2017
Brookvale Oval
Sea Eagles host the Knights in the early game on Friday night football. They’re flying high following their golden point win over the Raiders last Sunday and could be further boosted by the return of highly rated youngster Tom Trbojevic.
The Trent Barrett-trained side are finally starting to click with a fast and strong forward pack led by Martin Taupau and Jake Trbojevic leading the way while halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Blake Green have been steering the team around the paddock well.
Knights are coming off a terrible road trip in Melbourne where they were towelled up 40-12. They’ve won just two games this season; both games at home. The gruelling season looks to be really testing out their depth and there doesn’t appear to be much improvement in them in the short term. They have a terrible record against the Sea Eagles so it could be a very long night for the Knights.
Stadium Record
Manly have won the last 6 at Brookvale between the two sides. You have to go back to 2006 for the Knight’s last win at Brooky.
Head to Head Record
Manly have won their last 6 encounters as well as 8 of the last 9.
Tip: Manly to be too big, too fast and too strong for the Knights.
Best Bet: Manly -16.5 $1.90
Odds: Manly 1.14 Newcastle 5.85
Brisbane v South Sydney
8pm Friday 9 June 2017
Suncorp Stadium
Wayne Bennett dropped a bombshell on Wednesday when he confirmed that Ben Hunt would not play in the first grade side this week. Bennett cited the strong form of Kodi Nikorima and veteran Benji Marshall as well as Hunt’s reluctance to run the footy since his return from injury.
The omission will have all his players on notice showing that reputation counts for little at the Broncos selection table. The Broncos will be looking to get back into the winners circle after two consecutive losses to the Warriors and Roosters. They have slumped to 5th on the ladder and will have a point to prove this Friday night.
Souths had the bye last week and prior to that suffered consecutive losses at the hands of the Storm and Eels. It was the Eels loss that would be of most concern to Michael Maguire. They looked rudder-less that night and it was only two late tries when the game was all but over that brought respectability to the scoreline.
The forwards with the exception of Sam Burgess and Angus Crichton don’t look up to the rigours of first grade. While the younger Burgess twins continue to have handling issues that have hampered their NRL careers.
The two sides bet in round 8 this year and the Bunnies were valiant in defeat with only a field goal separating the two sides.
Stadium Record
South Sydney won their last game at Suncorp but Brisbane were victors in the 3 matches prior to that.
Head to Head Record
Rabbitohs have won the last 4 between the two sides.
Tip: Hard to tip against the Broncos at home and with close to their strongest side on the park.
Best Bet: Brisbane -10.5 $1.90
Odds: Brisbane 1.22 South Sydney 4.40
Gold Coast Titans v New Zealand
3pm Saturday 10 June 2017
CBUS Stadium
The Titans host the Warriors in the first game on Super Saturday and come off a very disappointing loss to the Cowboys last weekend. They had their chances to win against a Thurston-less North Queensland side but never looked likely in committing 14 errors and 39 missed tackles. They have hit something of a flat spot over the last few weeks after claiming a couple big scalps in Storms and Sharks in the weeks prior. They have thrusted marquee man Jarryd Hayne into the fullback position while Nathan Peats returns following Origin duty.
New Zealand slumped to their fourth consecutive loss at the hands of the Eels last week. They got themselves into a winning position late but just didn’t have the poise and perhaps fitness to finish off the job. In their favour is a particularly strong record against the Titans so they will come to the glitter strip hopeful of turning their fortunes around.
Stadium Record
The Warriors have won the last 6 at CBUS Stadium.
Head to Head Record
New Zealand come into the game with an imposing record against the Titans winning 12 of their last 13 games.
Tip: Both sides were very disappointing last week but with the Warriors with their strong form against the Titans should get back into the winners circle.
Best Bet: Warriors +2 1.90
Odds: Gold Coast 1.73 New Zealand 2.10
Penrith v Canberra
5:30pm Saturday 10 June 2017
Carrington Oval
These two sides are coming off contrasting fortunes last week with the Panthers posting a big 38 point win over the Dogs while the Raiders were gallant in going down in golden point.
While they haven’t reached the lofty heights of 2016, the Raiders continue to play a quality brand of footy. Their form is better than their 9th position on the ladder suggests. They lose Shannon Boyd for the clash which leaves them a bit thin up front against a big and mobile Panthers pack who are gaining momentum every game they play.
The Panthers made a big change their spine last week moving captain Matt Moylan to five-eighth and elevating young gun Dylan Edwards to the fullback role. They reaps the rewards of the move in a big way putting 38 points on the Dogs while also keeping them scoreless. They’ve had 3 wins on the trot now and will look to build on the mid-season momentum they’ve created again this week.
Stadium Record
Penrith won their only game at Carrington Oval last year. Only a field goal split them on that occasion.
Head to Head Record
Raiders have won 4 of the last 5 between the two sides.
Tip: There won’t be much separating these two sides. Panthers have been up for a while now while the Raiders will be smarting after a golden point loss last week.
Best Bet: Raiders +2 1.90
Odds: Penrith 1.75 Canberra 2.08
Parramatta v North Queensland
7:30pm Saturday 10 June 2017
TIO Stadium
There’s a big watch on teams lists for this match much alike their round 9 encounter. On that occasion Cowboys skipper Johnathan Thurston was named to play only to be a late withdrawal at the 11th hour. The Eels ran away convincing winners there. Obviously the availability of Thurston will have a huge bearing on the match as well as betting markets so have your finger on the pulse there.
For the Eels, it has been confirmed that five-eighth Corey Norman will make his long awaited return for injury and will partner new recruit Mitchell Moses for the first time. That pushes the underrated Clint Gutherson into the centres while livewire fullback Bevan French maintains his spot at the back.
Stadium Record
The Eels have won all three matches they have had at TIO Stadium while Cowboys will be playing their first game there.
Head to Head Record
Eels have won 4 of the last 5 games between the two sides.
Tip: Much depends on the make-up of the two sides though Eels as outsiders represent plenty of value with an unblemished record at TIO and a strong head to head record against the Cowboys.
Best Bet: Eels +1.5 $1.90
Odds: Parramatta 2.02 North Queensland 1.80
Wests Tigers v Sydney Roosters
4pm Sunday 11 June 2017
Brookvale Oval
In the lone game on Sunday afternoon footy, the 15th placed Wests Tigers host the 4th placed Roosters. On paper the game looks a complete miss match with the Tigers going through a radical rosters transformation with plenty of new faces from the side who started in Round 1. Tuimolola Lolohea is the latest mid-season recruit and he showed glimpses of class in his debut for the side against the Dragons last week. They didn’t get the win last week but showed enough effort to give coach Ivan Cleary some hope for the future.
The Roosters recorded a strong win last week at home against the Broncos. They led by 12 with 10 to play only for the Broncos to score two late tries to nearly send the game into golden point. It was a high quality game of footy however with plenty of Origin stars backing up from the previous Wednesday. The Bondi boys will welcome back Mitchell Pearce who which is a huge boost for the tri-colours.
Stadium Record
Roosters have won 3 of the last 5 at Campbelltown including the last 2. The last time they played here was in 2010. The Tigers have lost 3 of their last 4 at the venue.
Head to Head Record
Roosters have won their last 8 against the Tigers and 12 of the last 13 matches.
Tip: Roosters to be far too strong for the Tigers.
Best Bet: Roosters -12.5 $1.90
Odds: Wests Tigers 4.25 Sydney 1.23
Canterbury v St George Illawarra
4pm Monday 12 June 2017
ANZ Stadium
One side sits 3rd on the ladder, the other 3rd last. Their seasons couldn’t be any more different. Plenty were tipping the Dogs to give the title a shake this year but their pop gun attack has left a lot to be desired. They welcome back jack-in-the-box five-eighth Josh Reynolds who has been sorely missed over the last 6 weeks.
The Belmore boys were disgraceful against the Panthers last week. They looked disinterested and showed a complete lack of effort. Very unusal for a Des Hasler trained side. The side had a well-documented bonding session at the start of the week which reportedly went well. One would think they will be turning up to play this week.
On the other hand, no one gave the Dragons a chance at the start of the season but they just keep on winning. Last week they welcomed skipper Gareth Widdop back from injury and he was again one of their best. It wasn’t their most polished display and you could say they were complacent towards the back end of the game but they got the job done. However, they won’t want to show the same complacency against the Dogs who have their backs against the wall. Danger game for the Dragons.
Stadium Record
Dragons have won their last 2 matches at ANZ Stadium but lost the 5 prior to that. Dogs have lost their last 3 at the venue.
Head to Head Record
Dogs have a strong record against the Dragons winning their last 4 and 9 of their last 10 matches.
Tip: The Dogs were heavily criticised for their performance last week so expect them to be fired up and put in a big turnaround in form.
Best Bet: Canterbury +5.5 $1.90
Odds: Canterbury 2.55 St George-Illawarra 1.52
