NRL Round 22, Tips and Previews
Storm vs. Raiders
August 12th
Melbourne Storm has the chance to make it an unprecedented 18 consecutive wins when it faces Canberra on Thursday night.
Craig Bellamy and his men notched up their 17th win a in a row with a 28-18 victory over Manly last week as it continued to re-write its own history books.
Canberra, meanwhile, leapt into the eight with an eight-point win over the Dragons, but this game against the Storm is a completely different challenge.
Storm win, but the Raiders can cover the line.
SUGGESTED BET:
Raiders +21.5 at $2.03
Dragons vs. Panthers
August 13th
The Panthers look to hang onto the curtails of Melbourne they face St George Illawarra on Friday night.
Penrith recorded a 20-12 against Sydney last week to remain a game away from the Storm, while the Dragons suffered to defeat to Canberra, leaving its finals hopes teetering on the mountain cliff.
The second premiership elect of the market should find the winning result here and expect Charlie Staines to have a big one.
SUGGESTED BET:
Panthers -14.5 at $1.90
Broncos vs. Roosters
August 13th
The Broncos will look to cause another upset against the Roosters when the pair meet for the second time this season.
Brisbane sent a shockwave through the SCG when scooting away with a 34-16 win in a game the punters gave them almost no hope of winning.
But the Roosters have a much stronger squad since that day with the injury toll, albeit still affecting them, much less than what it was.
Trent Robinson should have troops fired up for this one.
SUGGESTED BET:
Roosters -14.5 at $1.90
Rabbitohs vs. Titans
August 14th
South Sydney continues on its merry way when it meets the Gold Coast Titans.
The Souths have charged into the top four on the back of nine consecutive victories to be the most in-form team of the competition behind Melbourne.
But the Titans, through leading try scorer David Fifita, will put up a huge challenge just like they did in round seven despite the 40-30 losing result.
SUGGESTED BET:
Titans +17.5 at $1.90
Cowboys vs. Tigers
August 14th
Barring divine intervention, the Cowboys and Tigers do battle for pride other than anything in this match.
It’s been a horror run North Queensland in the last 10 matches having only managed two wins and its final chances all but cooked.
The form of Wests has not been particular enamouring either, but the Cowboys were beaten by resurgent Gold Coast team and that form looks to have a bit more depth.
SUGGESTED BET:
Cowboys +3.5 at $1.90
Sea Eagles vs. Eels
August 14th
Parramatta will need to fight tooth and nail to wrestle back its flailing form when it faces premiership smokey Manly on Saturday.
The Eels fell short for the third time in as many rounds last week when going down to a slick Rabbitohs outfit.
Manly nearly snatched the two points against the Storm after leading in the second half, but failed to go with them late.
The price gap between the teams in this game looks overstated, Eels can cover the handicap despite the freakish form of Reuben Garrick and Jason Saab.
SUGGESTED BET:
Eels +14.5 at $1.90
Warriors vs. Bulldogs
August 15th
Wooden spooner Canterbury trades blows with New Zealand come Sunday in a bid to restore lost reputation.
Even with the season over for both clubs from a finals perspective, expect as a fiercely competitive game.
The Warriors have been ravaged with injury this season and have the paid the ultimate price on the win-loss record, while the season for Canterbury went from bad to worse after dropping its 18th game last week.
Lining up the form here is a tad tricky given it is the first time the teams play each other, but the Bulldogs might just pull off an upset after finding a bit of mojo on the scoring end in Round 21.
SUGGESTED BET:
Bulldogs head to head at $3.20
Sharks vs. Knights
August 15th
The equation is simple for both teams; win and finals is well and truly on the agenda, lose and its almost curtains on the season.
Cronulla spilt the milk on a golden opportunity to find a spot inside the eight after going down to the out of form New Zealand in Round 21, while Newcastle held firm against the Broncos to win 28-20.
The Knights do have the result over the Sharks this season with a 26-22 victory.
Kalyn Ponga was the hero that day and he might prove the difference here.
