NRL Finals Week One Preview
After 25 rounds, the finals are here and we are blessed with some huge match ups, including the Western Sydney derby between the Panthers and Eels and rugby league’s greatest rivalry between the Roosters and Rabbitohs.
Penrith Panthers ($1.40) v Parramatta Eels ($2.95)
Friday 9th September 7:50PM, BlueBet Stadium
The 2022 playoffs begin with a Western Sydney rivalry as the Panthers host the Eels at PointsBet stadium. With only 4 losses on the season, the Panthers secured the minor premiership for the second time in three years, but interestingly the Eels accounted for two of those three losses. Nathan Cleary returns from a five-week suspension, the Panthers are back to full strength but come up against an Eels side who have appeared to have brushed their inconsistency which plagued them earlier in the season and have X-factor in the likes Dylan Brown and Shaun Lane whose skills can trouble the defending Premiers. The two teams also met at the semi-final stage last year with the Panthers holding on for 8-6 win and I’m confident in the Eels covering the line on Friday night.
Recommended Bet: Eels +7.5 $1.90
Melbourne Storm ($1.40) v Canberra Raiders ($2.95)
Saturday 10th September 5:40PM, AAMI Park
Two of the better sides of the last decade meet in the second of the weekend’s fixtures with the Storm taking on the Raiders. Remarkably, Canberra has won its last four at AAMI Park – including a victory in 2019 qualifying final upset as well as a 20-16 victory in Round 18 of this year. The Storm gave up their Top 4 spot and ‘second chance’ as a result of an 8 point loss to the Eels in the final regular season round but will be comforted by the return of Jahrome Hughes. The Raiders are averaging almost 40 points per game over the last 4 rounds and despite not having faced the strongest opposition in that time, will be brimming with confidence. Even with the likes of Hudson Young and Joe Tapine in career best form, only once has an eighth-placed team beaten the side placed fifth in the last decade and I see that trend continuing here.
Recommended Bet: Storm 1-12 $3.05
Cronulla Sharks ($1.70) v North Queensland Cowboys ($2.15)
Saturday 10th September 7:50PM, PointsBet Stadium
The two most improved sides of the season get the opportunity to go even further, earn themselves a week off and book a spot in the preliminary finals on Saturday night. No one would have picked these sides to be placed second and third at season’s end but here we are. The Sharks have been quietly going about their business, losing just one of their last 12 games, whilst the Cowboys, despite despatching a severely understrength Panthers at home last week, still have questions regarding their ability to beat the best sides away from home, which stretched back 4 games prior to that loss. The Sharks have lost only one game at home in 2022 and will be confident considering the Cowboys have not won in the Shire since 2014. At home, I’m going to side with the Sharks and feel their claim to the premiership is stronger than the Cowboys
Recommended Bet: Sharks $1.70
Sydney Roosters ($1.60) v South Sydney Rabbitohs ($2.35)
Sunday 11th September 4:05PM, Allianz Stadium
The Sydney Roosters claimed early bragging rights against old rivals the Rabbitohs at the opening of the new stadium in round 25 and will be confident of replicating the feat again this weekend. Despite Joseph Manu being ruled out for the rest of the season should they progress, the Roosters are the competition’s form with eight consecutive wins, with mid season recruit Matt Lodge sparking the fire in the forward pack. Damian Cook returns in a huge boost for the Rabbitohs, with strike players Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker blunted for the majority of the game last week. The Roosters defensive efforts have seen them concede just under12 points in their last seven games and will take pleasure in knocking their arch rivals out of the competition on Sunday.
Recommended Bet: Roosters $1.60
