NRL Round 23 Preview
NRL continues in round 23 with some high profile matchups, but that doesn’t make finding a bet any easier, read through for a detailed look at the weekend’s bets.
South Sydney Rabbitohs ($1.64) v Penrith Panthers ($2.25)
Thursday 18th August 7:50PM, Accor Stadium
We are treated to a blockbuster on Thursday night, with the red hot Rabbitohs hosting premiership favourites the Panthers. South Sydney could not have been more impressive in their 26-0 shutout of the Eels in round 22 and whilst their attack had been firing in the past 6 weeks of football, the defensive effort well and truly places them in the premiership hunt. The Panthers put in their worst performance, being held to nil for the first time in 5 years and even with Dylan Edwards returning after being ruled out just before kick off last week, the Rabbitohs will be too good on Thursday night.
Recommended Bet: Rabbitohs $1.64
North Queensland Cowboys ($1.09) v New Zealand Warriors ($7.50)
Friday 19th August 6:00PM, Queensland Country Bank Stadium
The Cowboys return home and will be keen to bounce back after being humbled by the Roosters at the SCG in round 21. Conversely, the Warriors put on arguably their best performance of 2022, blowing out the in-form Bulldogs by 24 points in front of their fans at Mt Smart Stadium. The two sides took part in some barnstorming games in 2021, with the Warriors prevailaing 24-20 in the first clash, whilst the Cowboys took out the second contest 29-28, suggesting we are in for some points on Saturday. I found this one of the more difficult games of the round to find a bet in so I’m taking the Warriors on the line.
Recommended Bet: Warriors +19.5 $1.90
Brisbane Broncos ($2.60) v Melbourne Storm ($1.50)
Friday 19th August 7:55PM, Suncorp Stadium
The Storm continue to be the bogey team of the Broncos, winning their last 11 and not having lost against them at Suncorp Stadium, although a twelve point loss without Adam Reynolds earlier in the season will fill them with confidence that they can overcome the competition’s perennial heavyweights. The Storm have won three on the trot since their well publicised four-game losing streak, including holding the Panthers to nil. In a big boost for the Storm, Jahrome Hughes returns from shoulder injury and his return, coupled with their form turnaround should see them home in a tight Friday night contest.
Recommended Bet: Storm 1-12 $3.15
Parramatta Eels ($1.33) v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs ($3.35)
Saturday 20th August 3:00PM, CommBank Stadium
The Eels continue to be plagued by inconsistency and cannot count themselves as genuine premiership contenders if they cannot string 3 or 4 strong performances in a row. They will also be reminded of a 34-4 demolition at the hands of the Bulldogs earlier this year at the hands of a Bulldogs side who at that stage had won just two games. Mitchell Moses makes a much-needed return for the Eels and while I can’t be confident of a big Parramatta win as the difference in the odds suggest, I’d still say the blue and gold can do enough to overcome one of their Western Sydney rivals.
Recommended Bet: Eels 1-12 $3.15
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles ($3.80) v Cronulla Sharks ($1.17)
Saturday 20th August 5:30PM, 4 Pines Park
With so much to play for in the past weeks Manly have crumbled, and last week’s thrashing at the hands of the Titans pretty much sums up how the last month has been for the club. The side seems to be lacking in cohesion, whether that is a result of the off field issues or not, remains to be seen and will be without the talismanic Jake Trbojevic through injury for the rest of the year. The Sharks meanwhile have been great, and they remain third on the ladder heading into Round 23 and despite injuries to several of their stars, possess genuine claims to secure a top 2 spot, can they continue their good form to end the year.
Recommended Bet: Sharks 13+ $1.93
Sydney Roosters ($1.05) v Wests Tigers ($10.00)
Saturday 20th August 7:35PM, Sydney Cricket Ground
The Roosters have come up extremely short favourites against the Wests Tigers, with both teams coming on the back of extremely contrasting round 22 performances. The Roosters continue their late season surge with a dominant win over the second place Cowboys at home and despite still sitting in 8th spot and after an up and down first half of the season, are hitting their straps when it counts. The Tigers have won just one of their last 16 against the Roosters, with more than half of those losses being by more than 20 points and considering their recent form lines I’ll back the Roosters to cover the line.
Recommended Bet: Roosters -22.5 $1.90
St George Illawarra Dragons ($1.55) v Gold Coast Titans ($2.45)
Sunday 21st August 2:00PM, WIN Stadium
St George Illawarra has collapsed in the back half of the season winning only one of their last six matches and are out of the running for finals football in 2022. The Titans finally overcame a 10-match losing streak with a 20 point win over the Sea Eagles last Sunday, and more importantly, moved themselves off the bottom of the ladder. Despite their recent struggles, the Titans are on a three-match winning streak against the Dragons, but with the Dragons best football always being played at WIN Stadium, including winning their last 4, I’m going to side with them and the class of Ben Hunt to get them over the line.
Recommended Bet: Dragons $1.55
Newcastle Knights ($3.30) v Canberra Raiders ($1.33)
Sunday 21st August 4:05PM, McDonald Jones Stadium
The round concludes with the embattled Knights hosting the Raiders in front of a home crowd who will be looking for a strong performance after a tough week off the field. The Raiders continue to be wildly inconsistent, but with the Knights putting out a weakened team, and the Raiders still desperate to make the top 8, I can see them putting the Knights to the sword and ending the weekend on a high point.
Recommended Bet: Raiders -9.5 $1.90
