NRL Finals Week Two Preview
Week one of the NRL Finals saw all matches go according to script as the favourites succeeded in all four fixtures. As a result we say bye to the 7th & 8th placed respective teams in the Cronulla Sharks & the Newcastle Knights and we look forward to week two of the finals, which sees a replay of the 2019 Grand Final and a Sydney battle in what looks to be two heated elimination finals.
Sydney Roosters ($1.47) vs Canberra Raiders ($2.70)
Friday, 9th October 7:50pm, Sydney Cricket Ground
Friday’s game sees a replay of the controversial 2019 Grand Final between the Sydney Roosters and the Canberra Raiders in what should be a heated contest at the Sydney Cricket Ground. These two sides have built up quite the rivalry over the last 18 months as the Roosters went on a 3 game winning streak against the Raiders, which included a 14-8 victory over the Raiders in last year's grand final. That game will forever be remembered for the dubious 6 again call that went against the Raiders and as a result it has sparked a feud between the two coaches that will go to boiling point on Friday night. This year the two teams have gone one a piece as the Raiders knocked off the Roosters at the SCG in round 10 by 4 points but the Roosters got one back on them in a 12 point victory over them at GIO Stadium in round 17. Last week saw both sides have mixed results in high scoring games. For the Roosters they went down 29-28 to the Panthers despite leading 10-0 after 10 minutes and they will be disappointed in the 11 errors they made as they struggled to control the game. On the other hand the Raiders overcame the fast starting Sharks as they came from 14-6 down to triumph 32-20 on the back of two tries and a try assist each from halves Jack Wighton and George Williams. As a result of the dominant performance from the Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has opted to stick with the same 17 from last week's win. On the other hand the Roosters get Jake Friend back from concussion as he takes Freddy Lussick’s hooker spot and Sonny Bill-Williams also returns on the bench in place of Nat Butcher. With the return of two household & experienced names the Roosters haven’t been missed in the market and have firmed significantly into strong favourites, a title that we feel they deserve. This is largely due to the Raiders record of just two wins from their six meetings against top four sides from this season and despite the two consecutive losses to the Roosters they showed that in periods last week they were able to match the best team in the competition and if it wasn’t for their errors then they probably would’ve come away with a win. As a result we’re keen on the Roosters in this one but it won’t be by much. In the last eight matches between these sides the result has been decided by 12 points or less, so we’re tipping another close encounter that will just go the way of the Roosters as they keep their three-peat hopes alive.
Recommended Bet: Sydney Roosters 1-12 $2.80
Parramatta Eels ($2.70) vs South Sydney Rabbitohs ($1.47)
Saturday, 10th October 7:50pm, Bankwest Stadium
The final elimination game sees a Sydney match between the Parramatta Eels and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Bankwest Stadium. These two sides have been enthralled in quite the rivalry over the last four seasons as they have gone three wins each since 2017 but none will be remembered more than their clash from round 16 of this year. In this match the Rabbitohs put in one of their best performances of the year at this week's venue of Bankwest Stadium as they ran out 38-0 winners in a match that was dominated by their attack at all costs mentality where their left edge attack terrorised the Eels weak right defence. This match will be fresh in the minds of the Eels players and they will need to improve drastically after a disappointing loss to the Storm last week. In this one the Eels raced out to a 12-0 lead only to be outclassed by the Storms outside backs as they ran for over 400m more in the Eels 36-24 loss. On the other hand the Rabbitohs survived an early scare to the Knights as they trailed 14-0 after 12 minutes but managed to bounce back to secure a huge 46-20 win. This win highlighted the Rabbitohs in form attack as they now own 104 points across their last two matches against top 8 teams in what is a scary proposition for the rest of the competition. As a result of this scintillating form the Rabbitohs have kept the same 17 from last weeks fixture with the only minor change being Jaydn Su’a listed to start and Liam Knight on the bench but they may swap as they did last week. For the Eels they will be without their leading try scorer in Maika Sivo as he is out with a knee injury & is replaced by George Jennings whilst Ray Stone comes onto the bench for the suspended Marata Niukore and Blake Ferguson is named on the wing but is a 50/50 chance to play after reinjuring his knee last week. As a result of their round 16 clash and the Eels key outs the Rabbitohs have been installed as confident favourites for this do or die clash, which we completely agree on. The Rabbitohs have been one of the form teams of the competition over the last two months in winning six of their last eight matches, including three wins against top eight teams from four attempts. On the other hand the Eels have gone four wins from their last eight matches and have managed just one win against top eight teams from four attempts. These stats sum up the Eels drop in form throughout the second half of the season and as a result we’re happy to lean towards the Rabbitohs in this one. For a little bit of extra value the Rabbitohs have covered the line in their last two wins and we’re confident they can do so again against a weakened Eels side.
Recommended Bet: South Sydney Rabbitohs -5.5 $1.80
