NRL Round 12 Preview
It is one the best weekend’s on the calendar as the NRL recognises our tremendous Indigenous culture and history, not just in a rugby league sense, but society at large and all the players will be looking to put on a show this weekend.
Melbourne Storm ($1.27) v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles ($3.80)
Thursday 26th May, 7:50PM, AAMI Park
Melbourne and Manly never fails to excite and with the Storm coming off heavy back-to-back losses and the Sea Eagles reeling from a season-ending blow to their marquee player, this game could throw up a multitude of storylines. The Storm have leaked more than 30 points in both losses while Manly’s loss was made worse by a season ending injury to their star fullback Tom Trbojevic. The Storm are on a five-match winning streak against the Sea Eagles, and with an emphasis on the defensive end from the Storm, and the Manly attack limited without Tommy Turbo, this match should be tight and low scoring.
Recommended Bet: Under 40.5
Penrith Panthers ($1.20) v North Queensland Cowboys ($4.60)
Friday 27th May, 6:00PM, BlueBet Stadium
The defending premiers have already opened a four-point lead on second place after their dominant 20 point win over the Roosters. Back in third-place are the flying Cowboys, riding high on a six-match winning streak and averaging almost 28 points per game, whilst only conceding slightly more than 11 per game. The Cowboys will be without Jason Taumalolo and Kyle Feldt who both suffered knee injuries in last week’s win in their quest to secure their first win in Penrith since 2016, with recent history showing a 24-0 shutout by Penrith over the Cowboys in 2021. Whilst I think the result will go the way of the mountain men, I’m taking the Cowboys on the start and believe the confidence they’re playing with to be enough to make a game of it on Friday night.
Recommended Bet: Cowboys +14.5
Brisbane Broncos ($1.44) v Gold Coast Titans ($2.80)
Friday 27th May, 7:55PM, Suncorp Stadium
The Broncos continue to roll on in 2022 and no doubt Suncorp will be rocking in this Queensland derby. The Broncos are another side who looked likely to miss the eight in 2022, and after six rounds, that looked almost certain. Fast forward to Round 12, however, and they have won five on the trot, the majority in dominant fashion, and now have a large contingent in talks to secure Origin positions for both states. Like most people talking about the Titans, I am beginning to sound like a broken record, with the Titans inconsistency plaguing them week after week. The previous two rounds have seen them Reynolds is set to miss this week’s game again, but the dominance of the side has been built off their forward pack who all continue to dominate their opponents, and I see them putting on another big performance at home on Friday night.
Recommended Bet: Broncos 13+ $2.40
New Zealand Warriors ($1.77) v Newcastle Knights ($2.05)
Saturday 28th May, 3:00PM, Moreton Daily Stadium
The Warriors and Knights step out on Saturday afternoon, in a battle of two of the competition’s perennial cellar dwellers over the past few seasons. The Warriors will be impacted by the losses of Adin Fonua-Blake and Matt Lodge whilst the Knights will also see Bradman Best on the sidelines after a gruesome elbow injury, however welcome back Jake Clifford into the halves alongside Anthony Milford. This is one of the toughest games to pick for the season in a head to head matchup and as such, I’m going with Knights captain to score a try at attractive odds.
Recommended Bet: Ponga to score a try $2.25
South Sydney Rabbitohs ($1.44) v Wests Tigers ($2.80)
Saturday 28th May, 5:30PM, Accor Stadium
South Sydney and Wests Tigers square off for the second time in six weeks after Luke Brooks’ field goal sealed a famous win for the merger club in round 7. Since then the 3-8 Tigers have lost three straight before outlasting embattled Canterbury 36-22 last Friday. They almost blew an 18-0 halftime lead but did enough down the stretch to get the two points, with Hastings again the catalyst. The Rabbitohs are clinging to eighth spot but are struggling to build any momentum and were never likely against the resurgent Raiders, missing a staggering 48 tackles, however may have the services of star lock Cameron Murray who looks set to be a late inclusion. The Tigers welcome back key playmakers Daine Laurie and Luke Brooks, with Laurie a huge inclusion at the back after a strong start to the season in what was an otherwise struggling team. The Rabbitohs obviously have the greater potential of the two sides, but considering their inconsistencies I can’t help but feel this game has ambush written all over it.
Recommended Bet: Tigers 1-12 $4.50
Cronulla Sharks ($1.77) v Sydney Roosters ($2.05)
Saturday 28th May, 7:35PM, Pointsbet Stadium
We are treated to another fantastic game, with Saturday nights main event seeing the 4th place Sharks hosting the 7th place Roosters. The Sharks’ recent form has slipped from where they were to start the season, but they returned a tough performance to ultimately sink the Titans on the Gold Coast last week, and they should take plenty of improvement into this clash as well as the return of Will Kennedy at fullback, while Wade Graham continues to grow each game. The Roosters were beaten convincingly by the Panthers, but did not perform as poorly as the scoreline suggests, and will find this game considerably easier. Prior to that, they destroyed the Titans and beat the Eels, and they’ll be confident in their chances again, and at that price, they look one of the better bets of the weekend.
Recommended Bet: Roosters $2.05
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs ($2.50) v St George Illawarra Dragons ($1.53)
Sunday 29th May, 2:00PM, Belmore Stadium
A game at their spiritual home of Belmore may be just what the doctor ordered for the struggling Bulldogs as they host the Dragons. The Dragons broke back into winning form at the expense of the Warriors last week, and this is the perfect opportunity for them to make it two in a row, with a win and a few other results going their way, potentially putting them in the top 8 at the conclusion of the weekend. The Bulldogs put up a spirited second half performance against the Tigers, but still went down by 14 points in the wet, and I can’t seem them getting much closer to the Dragons on Sunday.
Recommended Bet: Dragons -4.5 $1.90
Canberra Raiders ($2.50) v Parramatta Eels ($1.53)
Sunday 29th May, 4:05PM, GIO Stadium
Round 12 ends at GIO Stadium as the resurgent Raiders host Parramatta. At the beginning of the month, the Raiders were arguably the most out of form club in the entire NRL, however have since demolished two top 8 sides in the Sharks and Rabbitohs, backing up the old saying, “a week is a long time in Rugby League.” The Eels have been let down by severe inconsistency again this season, and were fortunate some ill-discipline (yes, the penalties were fair), having suffered defeat to the Roosters the week prior. Both sides have been so inconsistent this season considering their inability to string good performances together, so on a dry track in Canberra I expect a Sydney after festival of points.
Recommended Bet: Over 40.5 $1.90
