NRL Finals, September 15
Melbourne Storm vs. Sydney Roosters
15th September
Round 6: Storm defeated Roosters 28-8 at Aami Park
Round 20: Roosters defeated by Storm 16-30 at the SCG
One of the great modern-day rivalries will write its next chapter when Craig Bellamy’s Melbourne Storm hosts Trent Robinson’s Sydney Roosters at Aami Park.
Having won both clashes between the two sides this year, the Storm will enter the game as $1.25 favourites with BetDeluxe.
The likes of Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, and Harry Grant will need to galvanise the group after last week’s embarrassing loss to the Broncos, 26-0. It was a far cry from the Storm side, who ranked third for defence and fifth for offence throughout the season, with the Broncos keeping them scoreless for the first time since Round 15, 2020.
Before they even take the field, the master coach will need to find replacements for the luckless Ryan Papenhuyzen, Xavier Coates and Young Tonumaipea.
On the other hand, are we watching the same Sydney side from earlier in the year? After Round 20, the Roosters were sitting in 14th spot on the ladder with a 7-10 record and the second-lowest points scored of any side.
It’s been a remarkable turnaround from Robinson, James Tedesco et al., resulting in six consecutive wins and a one-point thriller over the Sharks in the elimination final.
Unfortunately, they too have suffered significant injuries, with Joey Manu, Billy Smith and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii all sidelined following the Sharks game.
While Storm’s odds are arguably too short given Sydney’s recent form, we’d expect a quickfire turnaround as they aim for an eighth preliminary final from the past nine seasons.
Suggested Bet:
Melbourne Storm 1-12 at $2.80
NZ Warriors vs. Newcastle Knights
16th September
Round 1: Warriors defeated Knights 20-12 at Sky Stadium
Round 6: Knights defeated the Warriors 34-24 at McDonald Jones Stadium
It’s been a while between drinks for the New Zealanders and the pride of Newcastle, with each team claiming a home win in the season’s first six rounds. As such, with the Warriors hosting their first home final since 2008, the market has gravitated towards them at $1.53.
A considerable part of the reason for the Warriors’ favouritism is undoubtedly in response to the return of Shaun Johnson after he missed his side’s loss to the Panthers with a calf issue. Johnson has taken his game to another level in 2023 and is expected to poll well in the Dally M later in the month.
Standing in the Warriors’ way is an in-form Newcastle Knights, as they attempt to record a record-equaling 11 consecutive wins. Not since the Joey Johns-led Knights of the early 2000s have we seen such a dominant run from those out of Steel City.
Kalyn Ponga helped lead his team to a sensational victory against the Raiders in the first week of finals, but there was collateral damage in the form of injuries to Jackson Hastings and Lachlan Fitzgibbon.
This will be the first time NZ and Newcastle have met in the post-season, with the Knights winning just eight of their 22 games at Go Media Stadium.
