NRL Tips and Previews, Round One
The pre-season is done and dusted, and Round 1 of the NRL is officially here.
With blockbuster games everywhere you look, Bet Nation searches for the best bets in the opening round of the 2023 season.
Parramatta Eels vs. Melbourne Storm
March 2nd
Kicking off the season in a Thursday night special will be the 2022 grand finalists against Craig Bellamy’s Round 1 specialists.
Both sides have undergone a lot of player movement over the off-season, with the Eels losing Isaiah Papali’i (Wests Tigers), Reed Mahoney (Canterbury) and a sizable chunk of their forward pack.
Brandon Smith departed the Storm for a long-term contract at the Roosters alongside the Dolphins-bound Felise Kaufusi, Jesse Bromwich, and Kenny Bromwich.
A Ryan Papenhuyzen return from injury remains unclear after Bellamy admitted as much this week. Still, the Storm’s ability to produce at the start of the season makes the $1.93 (-2.5) a juicy option.
Suggested Bet:
Melbourne Storm (-2.5) at $1.93
NZ Warriors vs. Newcastle Knights
March 3rd
If Pre-Season Challenge form is anything to go by, the Warriors should be too strong for the Knights, but only just.
The Warriors comfortably defeated the Wests Tigers 48-12 in their opener before going down to the Storm by 18 in their final tune-up.
Alternatively, the Knights look to be working on a whole new game plan, and struggled to make an impact with losses to the Sharks and the Eels.
You’re only as good as your last game, so if that’s the case, expect a Warriors victory in front of the home crowd.
Suggested Bet:
NZ Warriors (-5.5) at $1.90
Penrith Panthers vs. Brisbane Broncos
March 3rd
The handicap has been set at 13.5 for the Panthers and the Broncos as the back-to-back reigning premiers look to kick-start their season like they ended last year.
The market has shown great early support for the Panthers in their quest for three consecutive flags after the Nathan and Ivan Cleary-led powerhouse defeated the Eels by six points in the preseason opener.
The Broncos are coming off a draw against the Titans and a two-point win over the Cowboys, giving hope to their chances of an upset. Or, at the very least, a worthwhile punt at +13.5.
Suggested Bet:
Brisbane Broncos (+13.5) at $1.90
Manly Sea Eagles vs. Canterbury Bulldogs
March 4th
If one team has impressed over the pre-season, it’s the Sea Eagles. After capitulating in the final five rounds of the 2022 season with five straight losses, the Sea Eagles took down both the Rabbitohs and the Roosters in their two Pre-Season Challenge games.
The addition of Anthony Seibold after he spent time with the English national team could prove the difference for the Sea Eagles in 2023.
The Bulldogs experienced massive player turnover over the off-season, with nine players coming into the side. They dominated the Raiders 34-18 in the first round of pre-season matches but struggled against the Sharks with a 20-point loss.
Suggested Bet:
Half-Time/Full-Time Sea Eagles at $2.10
North Queensland vs. Canberra Raiders
March 4th
It’s been strange watching the Raiders struggle as much as they have during the Pre-Season Challenge after they defeated the Storm in finals last year.
Their losses to the Bulldogs and Wests Tigers have been poor as they’ve struggled to impact the scoreboard with a combined 22 points.
The Cowboys, who finished third at the end of the regular season in 2022, will be well-led again by Jason Taumalolo and should prove too strong for the Raiders.
Suggested Bet:
North Queensland Cowboys (-8.5) at $1.91
Cronulla Sharks vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs
March 4th
The Round 1 match-up between the Sharks and Rabbitohs bodes as one of the weekend’s blockbusters as both sides look to get their season off to a winning start.
The Rabbitohs, who have been on the precipice of the ultimate success for years, finished the pre-season with a big win over the Dragons after falling to the Sea Eagles first-up.
The Sharks haven’t missed a beat with dominant wins against the Knights and Bulldogs but might find it difficult against the likes of Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Alex Johnston.
Suggested Bet:
South Sydney Rabbitohs (-4.5) at $1.84
Dolphins vs. Sydney Roosters
March 5th
The Dolphins have one of the most challenging first-up assignments as they take on the highly fancied Sydney Roosters in their inaugural NRL match.
The League’s newest team will be as prepared as possible under Wayne Bennett but must compose themselves after a 24-point final-round pre-season loss to the Titans.
The Roosters are one of the premiership favourites for a reason. Joseph Suaalii, Daniel Tupou and James Tedesco lead an all-star cast for the tri-colours, and they should have a few issues accounting for the newbies in this one.
Suggested Bet:
Sydney Roosters (-17.5) at $1.84
Wests Tigers vs. Gold Coast Titans
March 5th
For different reasons to the Sharks and Rabbitohs clash, this could certainly be one of the games of the round.
Both teams are on the verge of real improvement in 2023, with Tim Sheens already making his mark at Tigerland following their 32-point win over the Raiders in the preseason.
The Titans were even more impressive as they finished fourth in the Pre-Season Challenge on the back of one win and one tie.
Kieran Foran will make his official debut as the Titans look to get their season off to the perfect start.
