NRL Round 17 Preview
With another bye round facing us we are left with just four games to find some winners and with wet weather plaguing the east coast of Australia, I feel there is a lot of value to be had.
Cronulla Sharks v Melbourne Storm
Thursday 7th July 7:50PM, PointsBet Stadium
Cronulla host Melbourne on Thursday in what may to the match of the round. The Storm were blown over Brookvale Oval by the Sea Eagles last Thursday, trailing 36-12 before a late flurry pegged the fulltime deficit back to just six points in what was an extremely flattering scoreline for the side. The fourth-placed Sharks, meanwhile, are chasing four straight wins, however have come against the Warriors, Titans and Bulldogs, three teams who will not be there come the business end of the season. Despite missing Harry Grant and Cameron Munster to origin representation, Melbourne will take confidence in being on a five-match winning streak against Cronulla including a 16 point win at AAMI Park earlier in the season. The Sharks have won three of the last four encounters at Shark Park, however, and are 4-1 at their home ground this season. In what will no doubt be a tight affair on account of the wet conditions in Sydney of late, the experience of the Storm forward pack will be enough to see them home.
Recommended Bet: Storm 1-12 $2.85
Newcastle Knights v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Friday 8th July 7:55PM, McDonald Jones Stadium
South Sydney bounced back from an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Dragons prior to the representative round with an impressive 18 point win over fellow top 8 contenders the Parramatta Eels. The return of Latrell Mitchell cannot be overstated enough, and he will be humming to get out on the field on Friday night after a strong performance in his return last week. The Knights 38-12 defeat of the struggling Titans was a very positive result for the NRL’s then-worst attacking side without offensive spearhead Kalyn Ponga and will be buoyed by the returns of Bradman Best and Jayden Brailey. With a forward pack spear headed by David Klemmer, averaging 149 metres per game, along with Daniel Saifiti provides a lot of go forward, and with Souths missing their Origin stars, I’m going with the home side in a Friday night upset..
Recommended Bet: Knights 1-12 $3.50
Wests Tigers v Parramatta Eels
Saturday 9th July 7:35PM, Leichhardt Oval
Rugby League returns to Leichhardt Oval as Western Sydney rivals the Tigers host the Eels on Saturday night. Last week was always going to be a challenge at a sold-out, emotion-charged Mt Smart, but the 22-2 defeat to the NRL’s worst defensive out was another stinging indictment on the Tigers’ attack – which now ranks as the least potent in the competition. In further bad news, Adam Douehii has reportedly asked to be selected in NSW Cup after disagreeing with his placement in the side in what is sure to cause friction amongst the squad. Conversely, the Eels are still relatively well-placed in sixth with a 9-6 record but need to build momentum heading into September and I’m expecting them to come out wanting blood and record a victory against a Tigers team once again spiraling out of control.
Recommended Bet: Eels -12.5 $1.90
Brisbane Broncos v St George Illawarra Dragons
Sunday 10th July 4:00PM, Suncorp Stadium
The round ends with the Broncos hosting the Dragons at Suncorp in what will have big consequences for the top 8 race. The Broncos lose Patrick Carrigan, Kurt Capewell, Selwyn Cobbo and Thomas Flegler to the Queensland side, while Payne Haas was ruled out of the decider with injury whilst The Dragons’ only loss is Ben Hunt with young Jayden Sullivan and Talatau Amone to be in the halves. The Saints are on a five-match winning streak against the Broncos, culminating in a 52-24 beatdown at Jubilee Oval in their sole encounter last season after three straight victories at Suncorp Stadium. Each of the clubs’ last five fixtures have produced at least 46 points and with the Dragons have been poor away from Sydney in 2022 - conceding more than 30 points per game - then there is the opportunity for a high scoring affair.
Recommended Bet: Over 39.5
