NRL Round 19 Preview
We have a mouth watering schedule of games in round 19 as many of the sides jostling for position in the top 8, as well as those looking to join those sides, are up against each other. Read through for where I believe the value lies.
Parramatta Eels ($1.60) v Brisbane Broncos ($2.35)
Thursday 21st July 7:50PM, CommBank Stadium
We are treated to a clash between 5th and 6th on Thursday night as the Eels host the Broncos from CommBank Stadium. The Eels have been extremely unpredictable during Brad Arthur’s coaching tenure and 2022 is no different. and frustrating since the beginning of the season, dropping games they shouldn’t and beating the competition leaders. The Broncos meanwhile have continued to go from strength to strength and without their Origin stars in Round 18, were still too good for the full-strength Titans. A win for either side here could see them finish the round in the top 4 and I see the Broncos as extremely great value to kick off the round.
Recommended Bet: Broncos $2.35
St George Illawarra Dragons ($2.40) v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles ($1.57)
Friday 22nd July 6:00PM, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
We are treated to another game with finals consequences as the 8th placed Sea Eagles host the 11th placed Dragons. St George are another club who have been tough to place this season – they’ve done enough to hang at the edge of the eight and have no trouble dealing with the teams lower than them on the table, but lack the class edge to compete with the Premiership contenders. The Sea Eagles have won four of their last five games and were unlucky not to get there against the Cowboys after conceding three tries in the final 10 minutes of the game. While they’ve only recorded 2 wins away from home in 2022, their form line is good enough to take care of the Dragons and entrench themselves in the top 8.
Recommended Bet: Manly -3.5 $1.90
Newcastle Knights ($3.80) v Sydney Roosters ($1.27)
Friday 22nd July 7:55PM, McDonald Jones Stadium
After moving a home game to the Central Coast last week, the Roosters once again travel up the M1 to Newcastle as they take on the Knights. The 8-9 Sydney Roosters remain outside the Top 8 but snapped a four-match losing streak with a demolition of the Dragons last Saturday. Joey Manu was in mind-blowing touch at five-eighth, but has interestingly been moved away from five-eight where he was so dominant. The Knights slipped to 13th after leaking 40-plus points in consecutive weeks to Souths and Manly, and are only a converted try and a field goal conceded away from having the worst defensive record in the NRL. The Knights’ season-opening upset – carving out a stunning 20-6 result at the SCG won’t be repeated this week, as I’m tipping the Rooster to run away comfortable winners.
Recommended Bet: Roosters 13+ $2
Canberra Raiders ($1.30) v New Zealand Warriors ($3.50)
Saturday 23rd July 3:00PM, GIO Stadium
The Raiders have a great opportunity to continue their resurgence against the Warriors at home on Saturday afternoon. As recently as two months ago, the Raiders looked to be down and out, but now find themselves within touching distance of the top 8 after an impressive win against the Storm in Melbourne. The Warriors were competitive against a fair Eels side in Round 18, but in what is typical of the side in recent season, simply wasn’t good enough. and they face a similar task this week. While I am confident in a Raiders win, the line on offer looks a task too big for a side who can also be notoriously inconsistent.
Recommended Bet: Warriors +10.5 $1.90
Penrith Panthers ($1.23) v Cronulla Sharks ($4.15)
Saturday 23rd July 5:30PM, BlueBet Stadium
A huge top-four showdown headlines the weekend as streaking the Sharks have another opportunity to prove their premiership credentials against the 16-1 Penrith Panthers. The Sharks endured a patchy couple of months after a hot start but have now pieced together five straight wins, highlighted by a 22 point win over the Storm. The defending premiers boast the best attack (29.4 points per game) and defence (11.3) in the NRL by a decent margin and welcome back their Origin contingent, who will be keen to make amends for their loss to Queensland. The Panthers have won four of the last five clashes between the two sides by considerable margins, but they were against much different Sharks side and I like them to cover the line on Saturday night.
Recommended Bet: Sharks +12.5 $1.90
South Sydney Rabbitohs ($2.00) v Melbourne Storm ($1.80)
Saturday 23rd July 7:35PM, Accor Stadium
Seventh-placed South Sydney has inched to within two points of the Top 4 courtesy of Latrell Mitchell, who looks to be finding imperious form. The effect Mitchell has had on the team cannot be overstated as he almost single handedly dragged them over the line against the Bulldogs last week.
Meanwhile, the Storm has slipped to fourth with its first three-match losing streak in seven years as well as Ryan Papenhuyzen for the season after going down by 4 points in round 18. The Storm have won their last seven against the Rabbitohs and despite their losing streak, will come out with enough firepower to set them back on a finals campaign path.
Recommended Bet: Storm 1-12 $2.95
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs ($1.55) v Gold Coast Titans ($2.45)
Sunday 24th July 2:00PM, CommBank Stadium
In a rarity, the Bulldogs will start as favourites against the Titans on Sunday afternoon. Both sides pushed their opposition in round 18, with the Bulldogs going down by 8 to the Rabbitohs whilst the Titans just fell short against Queensland rivals, the Titans. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui returns to for the Titans after Origin duties, but they still remain an inconsistent side with the Bulldogs having a lot more upside.
Recommended Bet: Bulldogs $1.55
North Queensland Cowboys ($1.08) v Wests Tigers ($8.00)
Sunday 24th July 4:05PM, Queensland Country Bank Stadium
The round ends will potentially the most one-sided game of the round, as the competition's greatest improvers, the Cowboys host the Tigers. Wests are stuck in a rut and are not helped by their interim coach Brett Kimmorley coming out and questioning sides not respecting them but resting their stars. The Cowboys will be stinging coming off the back of a loss to Sharks last week and will no doubt bounce back in a big way. Include Scott Drinkwater and/or Jeremiah Nanai as anytime try scorers at the $2.20 mark.
Recommended Bet: Cowboys -19.5 $1.90
