North Queensland Cowboys vs Penrith Panthers
The Panthers were flying when they recorded back-to-back victories in the first two rounds of the competition, but a tough loss to the Bulldogs came with a brutal blow after Nathan Cleary ruptured his MCL.
The boom rookie will be sidelined for up to 10 weeks with Anthony Griffin naming Tyrone Peachey to partner James Maloney in the halves. However, it will come as no surprise if Griffin starts young five-eighth Jerome Luai for his NRL debut after some starring performances in the Intrust Super Premiership this season.
The Cowboys will be looking to avenge their loss in the grand final rematch last week, with the 2015 premiers yet to put in a consistent 80 performance so far this season. Lachlan Coote is a small chance of returning after he was named for the Mackay Cutters, but it’s likely Ben Hampton will keep hold of the number 1 jersey for now.
While they haven’t dominated the season like many were suspecting, it’s the perfect opportunity for the Cowboys to capitalise on a Panthers side missing their key playmaker.
Stadium Record
17 matches, Panthers 9 wins, Cowboys 8 wins
Last 5 Head to Head Record
Cowboys 3 wins, Panthers 2 wins
Best Bet
Total Points Over 39.5 $1.90
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Few would of suggested that Moses Mbye could turn into a genuine attacking weapon at fullback but he’s proven to be a standout performer so far this season.
The dynamic outside back was instrumental in the Bulldogs 20-18 victory over the Panthers, crossing for two tries and proving to be a constant threat with the ball-in-hand.
Although maintaining just 41% of possession, the Bulldogs - a team who have struggled to find the try line in recent seasons - took advantage of their limited chances despite remaining tryless in the second-half.
The Rabbitohs will be brimming with confidence following their dominant 34-6 victory over Manly. Their spine showed glimpses of their potential with Damien Cook, Cody Walker and Alex Johnston combining prominently, while youngster Adam Deuehi proved his more than capable of filling the shoes of Adam Reynolds.
Richard Kenner has been ruled out with a hamstring injury in a massive blow for the Rabbitohs, with Kennar and Robert Jennings combining for five of their seven tries last week.
Stadium Record
26 games, Bulldogs 16 wins, Rabbitohs 10 wins
Last 5 Head to Head Record
Bulldogs 3 wins, Rabbitohs 2 wins
Best Bet
Rabbitohs -1.5 $1.90
Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm
Two of the best defensive sides of the past two years lock horns at Shark Park in a 2016 grand final rematch. The Sharks earned a hard-fought win over the Eels last weekend while the Storm bounced back to form with a comfortable 30-16 win over the Storm.
The Storm forward pack put in a gutsy performance with Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona leading the charge against a revered Cowboys pack. Their dominance through the middle-third was crucial to their victory.
The Sharks have delivered a lacklustre attacking performance and average just 14 points so far this season. Matt Moylan will be a welcomed additions to the run-on side with the Sharks looking to build on their first win of the season.
History shows that defence has been the cornerstone of their battles, with the Sharks winning their last three games 11-12, 14-2 and 14-6.
Stadium Record
14 games, Storm 8 wins, Sharks 6 wins
Last 5 Head to Head Record
Sharks won 3, Storm won 2
Best Bet
Total Points Under 38.5 $1.90
Sydney Roosters vs New Zealand Warriors
The Warriors have certainly proven their doubters wrong throughout the opening three weeks of the competition as one of just two teams who remain undefeated this season.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is back to the scintillating form that saw him capture the Dally M Fullback of the Year award in 2015, while Blake Green is staking his claims as ‘buy of the year’ with the crafty five-eighth taking over the game management duties to allow Shaun Johnson to play his natural game.
The Roosters have recorded back-to-back victories with their win over the Knights undoubtedly their most clinical with a seven-try to one rout. While their attacking structures are just starting to click, with Cooper Cronk and Luke Keary proving influential, their defensive efforts haven’t gone unnoticed having conceded just four tries in the opening three rounds.
While the Warriors have shown promising signs in recent weeks, their clash against the Raiders could of gone either way and I expect the Roosters to shine at home once again.
Stadium Record
Roosters 8 wins, Warriors 7 wins, 1 draw
Last 5 Head to Head Record
Warriors 3 wins, Roosters 2 wins
Best Bet
Warriors +9.5 $1.90
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders
The Sea-Eagles shocked most pundits when they thumped the Eels 54-0 in Round Two, but they were brought back down to earth against a rampaging Rabbitohs outfit on Sunday.
Their performance was polar opposite of their previous outing, with the Eagles struggling to find their groove as they missed 45 tackles and had 13 errors.
They will face a rejuvenated Raiders side who are facing extreme pressure to record for their first victory after conceding three leads in the final 10 minutes of each respective game.
Their inability to close out contests may come as a worry, with Ricky Stuart already drawing a line in the sand with Blake Austin completely dropped from the side, but will be boosted by the potential return of Joseph Tapine.
If their previous two fixtures are any indication, with Manly winning both in golden-point, expect another blockbuster contest as both sides will be no short of motivation heading into the weekend.
Stadium Record
Sea Eagles 17 wins, Raiders 10 wins
Last 5 Head to Head Record
Sea Eagles 3 wins, Raiders 2 wins
Best Bet
Raiders +5.5 $1.90
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights
The Dragons have enjoyed a blistering start to their season after recording an emphatic 54-8 victory over the Titans on the weekend. Ben Hunt and Gareth Widdop have formed a formidable combination while the added addition of James Graham has provided significant impact to their already barnstorming forward pack.
They boast the best attacking record of the competition so far, and will be searching for a fourth straight victory to remain on-top of the competition ladder.
Mitchell Pearce and Kalyn Ponga were the talk of the NRL in the opening three rounds but were clearly outclassed by a more experienced Roosters outfit on Sunday. While they were able to stay in the fight for a majority of the first-half, the Roosters ran in back-to-back tries in quick succession to blow Newcastle off the park.
In a major blow for the Novastrians, Conor Watson will be sidelined for a lengthy period after dislocating his shoulder in the clash, with Brock Lamb named to start alongside Pearce.
The Knights were still able to threaten the Roosters on a number of occasions with some classy backline movements, and I expect much of the same for a longer period against the Dragons but the ladder-leaders to eventually take control in the later stages.
Stadium Record
Knights 2 wins, Dragons 1 win
Last 5 Head to Head Record
Dragons 4 wins, Knights 1 win
Best Bet
Dragons -8.5 $1.90
Brisbane Broncos vs Gold Coast Titans
The Broncos and Titans will renew their fierce rivalry on Sunday afternoon with the Broncos coming off a controversial golden point victory. Meanwhile, the Titans will be desperate to salvage their 54-8 thumping to the Dragons.
Brisbane were gifted a lucky escape when a controversial penalty goal was awarded in the closing stages of extra time, although their valiant defensive efforts played a crucial part in their victory.
Expect the Broncos to target Kane Elgey with the five-eighth struggling defensively this season, while Konrad Hurrell also came under scrutiny for his defensive decisions last week. After Dufty and Widdop ran riot against their edge-defence, expect Matt Gillett to follow suit with the Queensland representative being one of the best hole runners in the game.
The Broncos will be without Corey Oates and Tevita Pangai having suffered hip and hamstring injuries respectively, while new Titans recruit Bryce Cartwright had been demoted to the bench with Will Matthews starting in the back row.
Stadium Record
13 matches, Broncos 12 wins, Titans 1 win.
Last 5 Head to Head Record
Broncos 5 wins, Titans 0 wins.
Best Bet
Broncos 13+ $1.90
Wests Tigers vs Parramatta Eels
If you were discussing this fixture prior to the season you could be forgiven for predicting the Tigers to be winless and the Eels firmly in the Top 8.
The polar opposite results will see the Eels desperate to earn their first win of the season after a well-below average first three games. The Tigers, however, have been more than committed with their defensive efforts and have conceded just 25 points this season, despite recording their first loss of the season last Friday.
While the Tigers attack has struggled, they may have to find an answer from someone other than Benji Marshall with the in-form playmaker battling an ankle injury and in doubt for the Easter Monday clash.
The Eels are battling a heavy injury toll of their own, with much maligned star Jarryd Hayne and Bevan French ruled out with injury, with crafty outside back Will Smith named to start in the number 1 jersey.
Stadium Record
12 matches, Tigers 3 wins, Eels 9 wins
Last 5 Head to Head Record
Tigers 1 win, Eels 3 wins
Best Bet
Eels head-to-head $1.92
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