Canberra Raiders vs North Queensland Cowboys
Thursday April 14 | GIO Stadium | 7.50pm AEST
A big chance for one of these sides to get back to 3-3. The Cowboys come into this off a tough last-play loss to the Warriors, but they’ll take some confidence after dominating the Raiders in this fixture only a few weeks ago with a thrashing 26-6 home win. Both of these sides will be looking to avoid three straight losses and the Raiders will have to tighten up in defence after losing to the Storm 16-30 last week. In the past four games, the Raiders have given up more than 22 points. There’s not much to report by way of personnel changes and I’m tipping this to be a close match. At the odds, happy to back the Cowboys.
Suggested bet: 1u Cowboys win at $2.45
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canterbury Bulldogs
Friday April 15 | Accor Stadium | 4.00pm AEST
The Bulldogs are looking to avoid five straight losses and will have their work cut out even with the Rabbitohs being without Latrell Mitchell. Looking back at recent clashes between these two shows a relatively even ledger, especially if you overlook the Rabbitohs 38-0 rout two clashes ago. There’s really been nothing to get too excited about from the Rabbitohs early on in the season, while the Doggies have sunk back into their losing ways. I expect the Dogs to be competitive and perhaps the +10.5 head start will be enough.
Suggested bet: 1u Bulldogs +10.5 at $1.90
Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos
Friday April 15 | BlueBet Stadium | 7.55pm AEST
Penrith are looking to make it 20 straight wins at BlueBet Stadium and should have no issue breezing pas the Broncos. The Panthers have been clinical winning their first five games while the Broncos have been hit-and-miss despite almost beating the Roosters last week. Whilst it was an encouraging performance by the Broncos, this is a step up again and they won’t have the home crowd factor this time. The Broncos are also without enforcer Payne Haas. This has all the makings of a Penrith domination.
Suggested bet: 1u Penrith -21.5 at $1.90
Manly Sea Eagles vs Gold Coast Titans
Saturday April 16 | 4 Pines Park | 5.30pm AEST
Very interesting clash. The Sea Eagles stepped up without Tom Trbojevic to blitz the Knights and make it three wins on the trot. The Titans have been typically inconsistent and just failed to put away the Eels last week. Brian Kelly returning for the Titans is a plus while Tolutau Koula is a key inclusion for the Manly outfit. Manly has dominated this fixture in recent encounters, however the 56-24 rout last year came despite the titans leading 24-8 at the break. I think the Titans are overs here with the Manly side likely to falter sooner rather than later without Trbojevic.
Suggested bet: 1u Titans win at $2.50
Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks
Saturday April 16 | AAMI Park | 7.35pm AEST
Another cracking Saturday clash and probably the pick of the round. This is a serious test for how far the new-look Cronulla side has come under Craig Fitzgibbon. After dropping the season opener, the Sharks have become the form side of the competition after winning four straight. The last three have been utterly dominant. However, they face a Storm side which has won each of its nine previous night matches against Cronulla at AAMI Park. Sharks stars Nicho Hynes and Dale Finucane face their old side and this one should have a bit of spice. Unsurprisingly, the Storm have dominated this fixture in recent times, but this is a much improved Sharks outfit. I’m tipping the Sharks are up for the challenge.
Suggested bet: 2u Sharks win at $3.10
Sydney Roosters vs New Zealand Warriors
Sunday April 17 | SCG | 2.00pm AEST
The Warriors continue doing what they do best by being arguably the most inconsistent side in the competition. Luckily, we’ve been on the right side of them so far this (we weren’t last year!). I’m surprised they are $5 here as they look to make it four wins on the bounce, especially against a Roosters side which had to really dig deep just to get past the Broncos last week. The Roosters have reigned supreme recently in this fixture (easily on most occasions) which is probably why they are so short. As much as we never really know what we’ll get from the Warriors, they are worth a bet at the price. The Roosters have also failed to cover the line is six of its last seven matches in Sydney.
Suggested bet: 1u Warriors win at $5, 1u Warriors +14.5 at $1.90
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights
Sunday April 17 | WIN Stadium | 4.05pm AEST
Two sides in awful form. The Dragons are favourites despite losing their past four, while the Knights have lost their past three. It’s hard to fathom how the Dragons are the market elects, however their recent losses have been to some better sides (Souths, Parramatta, Cronulla, Penrith). I just think the Knights will be improved with the spark of Edrick Lee and Dave Klemmer returning. There’s not much to take out of recent clashes between these two, with mostly even encounters.
Suggested bet: 1.5u Knights win at @2.25
Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers
Monday April 18 | CommBank Stadium | 4.00pm AEST
The Eels are rightly dominant favourites and the market has their line at -20.5. Given they have such better talent right across the park, I reckon they can cover that. Unsurprisingly, the Eels have had the wood over the Tigers in recent clashes, including the dominant 40-12 thrashing last time they met. I get the feeling the Eels are really warming into their work this season and will only keep improving. They will likely also be looking to make a statement after making hard work of beating the Titans last week.
Suggested bet: 1u Eels -20.5 at $1.90
Overall results: -2.1u
- Week 5: -2.2u
- Week 4: +0.5u
- Week 3: +2.65u
- Week 2: -0.6u
- Week 1: -2.52u