NRL Round 22 Preview
With only a few rounds to play, we are met with some blockbuster match ups which could go a long way towards the makeup of the top 8.
Melbourne Storm ($1.07) v Canberra Raiders ($8.50)
Thursday 12th August 7:50PM, Sunshine Coast Stadium
Melbourne Storm The premiership favourites had their hands full in the first half against Manly last week before kicking clear to win by 10 points in the late stages to maintain their lead atop the table. The Raiders recent resurgence continued and now find themselves in the 8 courtesy of a superior for and against over the Knights. They will however, find this week’s task extremely difficult against the Storm, who comfortably accounted for them 34-10 earlier in the season. Melbourne’s attack this season has seen them score a staggering 128 tries, 17 clear of the Rabbitohs and while the Canberra defense should see them remain competitive in this contest, this still shapes as too difficult a task for the Green Machine. In saying that I can’t see them getting blown out by more than what the line suggests.
Recommended Bet: Raiders +24.5 $1.90
St George Illawarra Dragons ($6.00) v Penrith Panthers ($1.13)
Friday 13th August 6:00PM, Suncorp Stadium
The Panthers will be looking to hold onto second position as they face a Dragons side on the back of four straight losses, and despite remaining in touch with the top 8, look a long way off a finals berth. Nathan Cleary has been named in the reserves yet is still unlikely to play, however will be boosted by the return of Stephen Chrichton. The Mountain Men would have taken many positives out of their win over the Roosters last week, and despite a blip against the Storm two rounds back, will be confident of going to the Grand Final again. They hold the wood over a Dragons side who appear to be looking for the off season, and I’m tipping for things to get worse for them on Friday night.
Recommended Bet: Panthers -17.5 $1.90
Brisbane Broncos ($4.25) v Sydney Roosters ($1.22)
Friday 13th August 8:05PM, Suncorp Stadium
The Broncos have been more consistent in recent weeks including a comprehensive win over the Cowboys a fortnight ago, the Brisbane faithful will be hopeful of another win similar to that in Round 11. While last week’s result has left the Roosters with work to do as far as the top four is concerned, head coach Trent Robinson has to be pleased with the effort his side produced against one of the top premiership contenders and finishing the season in 5th would be considered a win considering all the turmoil they have faced on the injury front. Two of the last three for Broncos, and three of the last three for the Roosters have all gone under the points total and with the Kotoni Staggs missing, the typical spark of the Brisbane attack, I’m looking for this to be a lower scoring fixture.
Recommended Bet: Under 50.5 $1.90
South Sydney Rabbitohs ($1.16) v Gold Coast Titans ($5.25)
Saturday 14th August 3:00PM, Cbus Super Stadium
If results go their way the Titans could see them remain in seventh spot for another week, but a loss and a Raiders and Knights win could be enough to send them spiralling out of the eight. The last three games between the Rabbits and Titans have all been high scoring affairs, including a 40-30 win for South Sydney in round 7. The jury is still out on the Titans’ defence, and with the Bunnies averaging a staggering 50 points over their last 3 games it would not be surprising to see their lethal left edge running roughshot at Cbus on Saturday. Whilst Alex Johnston still remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, the combination of Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker continues to sparkle in a backline that leads the competition in linebreak assists and line engaged. With a resurgence, led by David Fifita, AJ Brimson and in particular Jarod Wallace in the middle, I am expecting a similar game to the aforementioned round 7, I’m willing to back the Titans at the line.
Recommended Bet: Titans +16.5 $1.90
North Queensland Cowboys ($2.30) v Wests Tigers ($1.61)
Saturday 14th August 5:30PM, Queensland Country Bank Stadium
It would take something very special from here, but the Tigers remain a mathematical chance at playing finals after picking up a crucial win over the Bulldogs last week. North Queensland has nothing left to play for at this point, but they’d probably like to put an end to their growing losing streak that was extended to eight last week with a blowout loss to the Titans. Unfortunately, the news keeps getting worse for head coach Todd Payten though with Jason Taumalolo once again headed for rehab with another fractured hand. Hopefully some of the reception the Tigers have received on the back of their Tales from Tiger Town documentary can spur them on for a victory on Saturday, but as it always is with the Tigers I am betting with little confidence.
Recommended Bet: Tigers -3.5 $1.90
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles ($1.22) v Parramatta Eels ($4.25)
Saturday 14th August 7:35PM, Sunshine Coast Stadium
The price discrepancy tells the story of both sides, despite the Sea Eagles sitting below the Eels on the ladder, they remain red hot favourites as they look to return to the winner’s circle and the top-four this week when they take on the Eels. Manly’s 10-point loss to the Storm was a performance full of merit as they tested the red hot Premiership favourites, with their forward pack stamping themselves as a force to be reckoned with. As for the Eels, the same can’t be said, with the side slumping into their all too familiar end of season malaise. The Eels conceded 40 points to South Sydney is a problem as Manly has had no trouble scoring points, including 28 points on Parramatta in a blowout defeat in round 11. I am not entirely confident, however, could not go against the Eels at the line.
Recommended Bet: Eels -14.5 $1.90
New Zealand Warriors ($1.32) v Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs ($3.40)
Sunday 15th August 1:50PM, Moreton Daily Stadium
The Warriors can sniff the top eight following back-to-back wins over the Tigers and Sharks and a very winnable game against the cellar dweller Bulldogs beckons. The Warriors looked certain to head home at the end of the regular season a month ago, but an increasingly chaotic middle third of the table and some improved performances, led by wunderkind Reece Walsh sees them firmly in the hunt of a finals berth. The Dogs have lost seven straight games dating back to June and their track record against New Zealand doesn’t exactly make for pleasant reading with the Warriors having won three of their last four games against the Bulldogs. It would make for a great story for the Warriors to make the 8 and I;m going with them at the line here in one of the best bets this weekend.
Recommended Bet: Warriors -8.5 $1.90
Cronulla Sharks ($2.70) v Newcastle Knights ($1.46)
Sunday 15th August 4:00PM, Moreton Daily Stadium
The round ends with a huge clash between the Sharks and the Knights, with a loss for the Sharks all but ruling them out of the finals. In terms of trends, the Knights have won three straight over Cronulla dating back to 2019 and they should have no problem adding to that record if they can repeat their performances from recent weeks. Kalyn Ponga being healthy is not only good for the Knights but good for the NRL with the level of excitement he brings and his combination with Mitchell Pearce is a catalyst for the Novacastrians resurgence. The Sharks have missed 755 tackles this season, and a failure to rectify this will see their finals chances go up in smoke. I can’t go away from the strong Knights form and am confident we can end the round with a win.
Recommended Bet: Knights -7.5 $1.90
