Round 15 Preview
We are over halfway through the season, and while some of the odds suggest lopsided games may be on the cards, I feel as if I’ve found a few bets at good odds.
Brisbane Broncos ($5.50) v South Sydney Rabbitohs ($1.14)
Thursday 17th June 7:50PM, Suncorp Stadium
The Broncos tough season continued Saturday in Canberra and they aren’t about to find Thursday’s game against the red-hot Bunnies any easier. The Broncos were trounced 35-6 by South Sydney in round 5, with Latrell Mitchell scoring a double, and Benji Marshall turning back the clock in a vintage performance in what could be replicated again in round 15 with the Rabbitohs full contingent of Origin players available to play. Wayne Bennet’s side have coasted to back-to-back double-digit wins over the Eels and Knights and didn’t appear to get out of third gear in their comfortable win in round 14 and against a Broncos side conceding 31 points per game this year, the Rabbitohs should be victors here and I am confident they will be able to cover the line.
Recommended Bet: Rabbitohs -16.5 $1.90
North Queensland Cowboys ($1.70) v Cronulla Sharks ($2.15)
Friday 18th June 6:00PM, Queensland Country Bank Stadium
The Sharks have hit a bit of a purple patch as they look to extend their winning streak to four on Friday against the Cowboys and while it wasn’t pretty throughout the back half of the game, Cronulla managed to squeak out a last-second win over the Panthers last week to be sitting in 9th spot, while the Cowboys are simply looking to forget all about their disheartening 50-18 loss to Manly after leading 12-0 early. Home field advantage largely explains why the Cowboys are favourites in betting, but the Sharks should feel pretty confident knowing they put on arguably their best performance of the year last time they clashed when winning 48-10. Even better news for the Sharks faithful is they have won six straight over North Queensland dating back to 2018, two of which have come away from home, albeit at the the Cowboys old home ground. Shaun Johnson looks to be settled back into play after returning from his Achilles tear, so I’m going to go with his side in what will be a tight clash Friday night.
Recommended Bet: Sharks 1-12 $3.40
Penrith Panthers ($1.27) v Sydney Roosters ($3.20)
Friday 18th June 7:55PM, Bluebet Stadium
What an absolute cracker this promises to be, with the Panthers coming off back-to-back Origin depleted losses and the Roosters continuing to battle along with their injury crisis, with the includion of Nathan Cleary arguably their most pivotal in for this round, with Penrith lacking his direction during their losses across round 12 and 14. Matt Burton, however, continues to impress and almost single handedly dragged them back into the game last week and Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett will be keen for Burton to join the club for the 2022 season. Roosters stalwart Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has been incredible for the Roosters over the last month, playing 80 minutes over consecutive weeks while clocking up more than 200 running metres and his battle with James Fisher-Harris will be key to which side comes out on top. There is no way a full-strength Panthers side will allow a third-straight loss at home, however with the Roosters will be out to prove that they are genuine premiership contenders even with their injury toll and I’m going to back them to cover the line in Friday night’s main event.
Recommended Bet: Rooster +11.5 $1.90
Newcastle Knights ($1.57) v New Zealand Warriors ($2.40)
Saturday 19th June 3:00PM, McDonald Jones Stadium
There’s definitely a ‘line in the sand’ type feel to Saturday’s game in Newcastle.
The 11th placed Warriors and the 14th placed Knights are quickly running out of time to qualify for the finals, and the fact both sides are looking to erase back-to-back losses only adds further intrigue. Newcastle put up an early fight last week against the Rabbitohs but ultimately lacked the firepower to fend off Souths potent attack, however Kalyn Ponga, Mitchell Pearce, David Klemmer and Hymel Hunt have all been named which should give their attack a strong injection. On the flip side, the Warriors received another harsh blow on the injury front with Chanel Harris-Tavita and Wayde Egan suffering injuries last round against the Storm and Ken Maumalo, who scored a hat trick in that loss, signing with the Tigers effective immediately. New Zealand is already missing David Fusitu’a and Peta Hiku, leaving head coach Nathan Brown well short on playmakers heading into a tough road assignment. The Knights have a strong recent record against the Warriors and while they are averaging the second least amount of points in the competition, I feel they can bounce back here in front of their home fans.
Recommended Bet: Knights 1-12 $2.90
St George Illawarra Dragons ($1.95) v Canberra Raiders ($1.85)
Saturday 19th June 5:30PM, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
It is hard to really understand what is happening at Canberra this year behind the scenes with Ricky Stuart going off on senior players and the media, George Williams leaving mid-season and the ongoing ‘resting’ of Josh Papali’i - one of the best forwards in the game.That may all be in the past though as the bye seemed to have rejuvenated the side, even though their win was against the struggling Broncos. Most importantly we saw Josh Papalii fitter and clearly more focused while we also saw a three-quarter line that did not consistently cripple Canberra’s hopes. That stands in stark contrast to St George Illawarra, whose hot start to the season is long forgotten having won just two of their last nine and were roundly punished by the Bulldogs last round. Canberra have won the last three meetings and with the line only set at 1.5 I am making this one of my best bets of the weekend.
Recommended Bet: Raiders -1.5 $1.90
Melbourne Storm ($1.06) v Wests Tigers ($9.00)
Saturday 19th June 7:35PM, Sunshine Coast Stadium
The Storm moved into the top spot on the ladder last week with a blowout win over the Warriors, and they look very likely to remain there with another favourable game against the Tigers on Saturday. Melbourne’s attack has been lethal during their 11-game winning streak, which does spell potential disaster for a Tigers team that just gave up 40 points to the Eels last Sunday. Michael Maguire’s men were on the receiving end of a 50-22 blowout when these two sides met last September, and it wouldn’t be surprising if we see a similar margin unfold now that their form centre Adam Doueihi is set to miss a week following a head knock. As for the Storm, things are only looking up with reinforcements like Kenny Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona returning to the side and with the Storm having put up 40 points or more in three of their last five games makes them impossible to back against. With an equally impressive 7-0 record on the Sunshine Coast to their name, I think they will be able to cover the line.
Recommended Bet: Storm -23.5 $1.90
Parramatta Eels ($1.09) v Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs ($7.50)
Sunday 20th June 2:00PM, Bankwest Stadium
Much kudos must be given to the Bulldogs in sticking at the task this season resulting in a surprising, yet comprehensive win over the Dragons in round 14 for the first competition points of the season (Besides the 2 points for a bye), however face a different kettle of fish when the travel the short distance to Bankwest to take on the Eels, who came off a 28 point win over the Tigers last round. Mitch Moses was once again stellar in the second 40 minutes, and appears to have taken his game to another level this season, including a try assist and 152 running metres last round. Parramatta have won the last 3 against the Bulldogs, however despite a 22 point win earlier in the year, I’m going to back the Bulldogs to cover the line and once again put on another solid defensive display.
Recommended Bet: Bulldogs +20.5 $1.90
Gold Coast Titans ($3.00) v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles ($1.38)
Sunday 20th June 4:05PM, Cbus Super Stadium
A game against the red-hot Sea Eagles couldn’t have come at a worse time for Titans head coach Justin Holbrook following a last-second loss to the Roosters last week. The Titans know this is a must-win game if they hold any hope of digging themselves out of the 12th spot on the ladder, especially if the Warriors are to claim 2 points earlier in the weekend. The fact Manly piled on 50 points against the Cowboys last week without Tom Trbojevic is an alarming side for every club, but even more so for a Titans outfit that has allowed the third-most points in the league, and can ill afford to continue defending like they did in the first 30 minutes against the Roosters. Turbo is set to make his return to the club post-Origin on Sunday, and as the market suggests, his inclusion alone has been enough to push the line well in favour of Manly. The Titans can rest a little easier knowing David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui are set to play after passing their HIA’s, however, the Sea Eagles punished the Titans 36-0 when these two sides met back in April and it’s almost impossible to ignore how awful this team has been defensively this year. As such, I’m confident Manly will be able to show their full attacking prowess on the fast Gold Coast surface.
Recommended Bet: Sea Eagles -7.5 $1.90
