NRL Round 7, April 18
Sydney Roosters vs. Melbourne Storm
April 18th
Will the Storm’s dominance over the Roosters continue in this Thursday night blockbuster?
After winning eight of the last nine games between the two powerhouse sides, Storm ($1.85) will look to inflict more pain on their rivals and claim a fifth win from six games this season. It was another AAMI Park thriller from Craig Bellamy’s men last week when they defeated the Bulldogs 16-14. Things are only looking up as Nelson Asofa-Solomona comes in for his first game of the season, replacing the injured Tui Kamikamica (calf).
The Roosters were similarly staunch in their two-point road win over the Knights, doing so without their captain and superstar fullback, James Tedesco. However, with Teddy’s return and a Storm side that has won their four games by a total of just 16 points, the Roosters will be buoyant about their hoodoo-breaking chances.
Another tight one is on the cards, but it’s hard to see how the Roosters will put up a winning score against the best defence in the League.
Suggested Bet:
Storm to win at $1.82
Parramatta Eels vs. Dolphins
April 19th
Parramatta will attempt to force their way into the top eight when they host an injury/suspension-riddled Dolphins at TIO Stadium in Darwin.
The $1.39 Eels returned to form last weekend with an impressive 27-20 victory over the top four-placed Cowboys. After giving up two of the first three tries, the Eels hit back impressively, with Joey Lussick, Morgan Harper and Daejarn Asi all finding the try line. After scoring a double last week, Maika Sivo remains on the reserves list, but Blaize Talagi has been recalled to the bench.
As for the Dolphins ($2.99), the market suggests they could be on the verge of a second-straight loss following their 28-14 showing against the Broncos. Despite sitting in fifth spot on the ladder, they’ve lost star playmaker Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (hamstring) as well as the suspended Anthony Milford.
The Eels have lost their past two in Darwin, but they should be able to claw one back against a depleted Dolphins side.
Suggested Bet:
C. Gutherson anytime try scorer at $2
Brisbane Broncos vs. Canberra Raiders
April 20th
Kevin Walters and the Brisbane Broncos will be looking to make it three wins from their past four games when they host the third-placed Raiders on Saturday night.
After a slower-than-expected start to the season, the Broncos have hit back in recent weeks with sizable wins against the Cowboys (26) and Dolphins (14), while falling to the Storm by just two. Reece Walsh returned to the side and scored a try in the second half, while Selwyn Cobbo found form with a double.
The Raiders were forced to slog it out against the Titans but managed their fourth win for the year via a Jamal Fogarty field goal in the 89th minute, 21-20. Ricky Stuart’s men are now in third spot on the ladder but will be without second-rower Zac Hosking (shoulder), who has been replaced by Ata Mariota.
Despite debuting well against the Titans, it will be a whole new kettle of fish for young fullback Chevy Stewart against the likes of Walsh, and the home side should capitalise accordingly.
Suggested Bet:
Broncos 1-12 at $2.80
Cronulla Sharks vs. North Queensland
April 21st
One of the most evenly matched games of the round pits the ladder-leading Sharks against the fourth-placed Cowboys on Sunday afternoon.
It’s been a red-hot start to the year for Cronulla, who has stopped teams such as Souths, the Raiders, Canterbury, and the Warriors in their tracks with incredible team defense. In fact, they currently rank behind just the Storm and Panthers in points against. They will, however, be without star winger Sione Katoa as he serves a one-match suspension.
This will be the biggest task for Craig Fitzgibbon’s men so far this season, with the Cowboys boasting the most points scored of any team from the opening six rounds. Scott Drinkwater leads the charge with five tries, while another six Cowboys have three each. Coming off the back of a shock loss to the Eels, the Cowboys will need to overcome a poor record against the Sharks that involves 10 losses from their past 11 games.
Closer than the recent record between these two sides suggests.
