2023 NRL Round 9 Betting Predictions
Round 9 is headlined by a Friday night top-4 battle between the Broncos and Rabbitohs at Suncorp.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (5th) vs North Queensland Cowboys (15th)
The Sharks are coming off a comfortable victory over the Dogs 33-20. William Kennedy was the star with a first-half hat trick. They will now look for a 3rd straight when they host the Cowboys on Thursday night footy.
The Cowboys ended a 3-game losing streak with a hard-earned 18-16 win over the Knights. There are still some question marks about their attack so that will be something to watch against the Sharks. Valentine Holmes should be fired up for this one against his former side.
Games involving the Sharks are 8-2 against the Over and these two sides totalled 62 pts at this venue in the finals last season.
Stadium Record
Cronulla are 10-4 at this venue since 2021. North QLD has lost 5 of their last 6 at Shark Park.
Head to Head Record
In the last 10 meetings, the Sharks hold an 8-2 record against the Cowboys.
Best Bet
Parramatta Eels (13th) vs Newcastle Knights (12th)
The Eels were down 22-4 at the break against the Broncos in the Darwin wet and couldn't recover in the end. But they'll go into this clash against the Knights as favourites and need a win to get near the top 8.
The Knights have lost their last 2 in North Qld 18-16 and against the Panthers in golden point 16-15. So they're not far off at the moment and should give the Eels a tough challenge as well.
Newcastle have covered in 5 straight and love a close game at the moment so that should continue against an inconsistent Eels side.
Stadium Record
Since 2021, Parramatta have a 15-6 record at this venue. Newcastle are 1-1 in their history.
Head to Head Record
The Eels are 5-3 against the Knights since 2018.
Best Bet
Newcastle Knights +7.5 = $1.90
Brisbane Broncos (1st) vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (4th)
The Broncos are easily sitting atop the ladder after a 7-1 start to the season. They're coming off a 26-16 win over the Eels in Darwin. Brisbane is the best-attacking team in the NRL as they're scoring 28.5 pts per game. However, they will be missing Haas, Oates and Mam this week.
The Rabbitohs are coming off a 3rd straight victory as they stormed home to beat the Panthers 20-18. Latrell Mitchell scored a double for the home side and the Bunnies will look to make it 4 straight in this blockbuster matchup.
There are some big outs for the Broncos this week and Souths will likely build on their win over the Panthers last week. Souths also have a good record at Suncorp and Latrell has scored in his last 5 at the venue.
Stadium Record
In their last 10 games at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane holds a 7-3 record. South Sydney are 6-4 at this venue since 2021.
Head to Head Record
The Broncos are 3-2 against the Rabbitohs in the last 5.
Best Bet
South Sydney Rabbitohs -3.5 = $1.90
Canberra Raiders (11th) vs Dolphins (8th)
The Raiders are back from the bye and will look to build on a 2 game-winning streak. They've beaten the Broncos in Brisbane and the Dragons 20-14 at home in their last 2.
The Dolphins rallied to beat the Titans last week for another famous victory. They were down 26-6 at half-time but scored 22 unanswered points in the 2nd half. So they will head to Wagga Wagga for the first time with a lot of confidence.
Day conditions should mean a high-scoring affair between these two sides. The Dolphins are 4-0 against the Over and the Raiders should be fresh from the bye as well.
Stadium Record
Canberra are 1-2 at this venue in their history. The Dolphins are yet to play at this venue.
Head to Head Record
The Dolphins beat the Raiders earlier this season.
Best Bet
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (2nd) vs Gold Coast Titans (10th)
The Sea Eagles outlasted the Tigers in wet conditions last week in the 22-16 result. They've now won 2 on the trot but an injury for Tommy Turbo could be a blow for their attack. He hasn't been ruled out yet but he likely won't be 100%.
The Titans are coming off 2 similar performances as they've been run down by the Broncos/Dolphins. In their last 2 second halves, they've been outscored 55-12 so that will be a focus against Manly.
Gold Coast's defence is lacking at the moment and even if Turbo can't play, these two sides do love a high-scoring affair. The Over is 7-0 when the Titans travel to Brooky.
Stadium Record
Manly are 6-4 in their last 10 games at this venue. Gold Coast are 5-5 in their history at Brookvale.
Head to Head Record
Since 2018, Titans are 5-4 against the Sea Eagles.
Best Bet
Penrith Panthers (3rd) vs Wests Tigers (17th)
The Panthers will be looking to respond after a disappointing loss against Souths. Their 3-game winning streak ended after they conceded a late try in the 20-18 defeat. However, they're massive favourites in this matchup and have scored 40+ pts in 2 of their last 4.
The Tigers are still yet to taste victory this season and come off another close loss, 22-16 against Manly. A win probably won't come against Penrith either. But Api Koroisau will be looking for a big game against his former team.
Penrith won't be happy about last week and they'll likely be focused on defence so I like the Under. It's also 8-0 in this matchup.
Stadium Record
Penrith are 5-3 at this venue in their history. Wests are yet to play in Bathurst.
Head to Head Record
In the last 8 meetings, the Panthers hold a 6-2 record against the Tigers.
Best Bet
New Zealand Warriors (7th) vs Sydney Roosters (9th)
The Warriors had the Storm rattled on Anzac Day before an injury crisis hit their ranks in the 30-22 loss. As a result, they've lost the likes of Harris, Tevaga and Nicoll-Klokstad for this clash.
The Roosters held off a fast-finishing Dragons side on Anzac Day for a 27-26 victory. As a result, they ended a 2 game losing streak and James Tedesco finally scored his first try of the year.
Injuries on Anzac Day and a short week likely won't help a Warriors side that has also lost its last 6 against the Roosters.
Stadium Record
New Zealand are 4-2 at this venue since 2021. Sydney are 3-3 in their last 6 at Mt Smart.
Head to Head Record
The Roosters are 5-1 against the Warriors since 2018.
Best Bet
St. George Illawarra Dragons (14th) vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (16th)
The Dragons are on a 3-game losing streak but can take some momentum into this clash after a 1 pt loss on Anzac Day. They've also lost their last 3 by 6 pts or fewer so this should be a more favourable matchup.
The injury-riddled Dogs have also lost their last 3 so they'll need a big effort against the Dragons. They will get the benefit of extra day's rest but their lineup has been ravaged by injuries.
St George are undefeated in their last 6 at this venue and should look to build on a close loss against the Roosters on Anzac Day.
Stadium Record
St. George are 8-2 in their last 10 games at Win Stadium. Canterbury also holds the same record.
Head to Head Record
In the last 5 meetings, the Dragons hold a 3-2 record against the Bulldogs.
Best Bet
