NRL Finals, September 8
Brisbane Broncos vs. Melbourne Storm
8th September
The Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm will meet for the second time in two weeks as they are preparing to kick-start the 2023 finals series at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
While the Storm has won an astonishing 14 games in a row against the Broncos – including last week’s 32-22 victory at Suncorp – the second-ranked Broncos will still enter the match as $1.61 favourites with BetDeluxe.
Skipper Adam Reynolds will return from a calf injury alongside Pat Carrigan (foot), while the large group of stars who were rested from Round 27 (Reece Walsh, Payne Haas, etc.) will each re-enter the squad.
The Storm will receive their own influx of high-end talent that sat out last week’s clash, while Harry Grant is expected to return from a shoulder injury. One of the most exciting aspects of Melbourne’s line-up will be how Craig Bellamy chooses to use Ryan Papenhuyzen, who starred in his return to fullback.
With a 14-game winning streak and an impressive 7-5 away record, expect the Storm to do what the Storm does in finals.
Suggested Bet:
Melbourne Storm 1-12 at $3.30
Penrith Panthers vs. NZ Warriors
9th September
No team will launch into finals with odds as short as the $1.20 reigning champions.
Having finished the season with a 32-point demolition of the Cowboys and their third minor premiership in four years, the Panthers are well on their way to securing the NRL’s first three-peat since Parramatta from 1981-83.
Mitch Kenny and Scott Sorenson are expected to return to the all-conquering Panthers, but they will still be without Jarome Luai, who remains sidelined with a shoulder injury.
The Warriors suffered their first loss in two months in Round 27, going down to the Dolphins 34-10 after resting a host of stars ahead of finals.
However, with the return of Shaun Johnson, Tohu Harris, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Addin Fonua-Blake, Wayde Egan and Jackson Ford, they will be back to the side that recently won seven on the trot.
It’s hard to see any team getting past the Panthers in front of the home crowd, especially a Warriors side losing seven on the trot to the champs.
Suggested Bet:
Home Team Total Tries Over (+4.5) at $1.75
Cronulla Sharks vs. Sydney Roosters
9th September
Can anyone else believe the Roosters are playing finals in 2023?
Sitting in 14th spot on the ladder with an 8-11 record after Round 22, Trent Robinson’s men pieced together five consecutive wins and jumped in seventh during the season’s final round.
A 26-12 triumph over the Rabbitohs last week will fill the pre-season favourites full of confidence heading into this one, as will the return of star centre Joey Manu.
As for the Sharks, they’re riding their own streak of four wins from their past five, including a 24-6 victory over the Raiders in the ultimate finals tune-up over the weekend.
There will be a nervous wait over Connor Tracey’s knee that forced him to exit the game with 10 minutes to play, while Will Kennedy is set to miss with a hamstring complaint.
Having reinvented their offense over the past five games with 29.6ppg (up from 17), the Roosters could repay the faith of the early-season punters with a sixth-straight win this week.
Suggested Bet:
Sydney Roosters to win at $1.86
Newcastle Knights vs. Canberra Raiders
10th September
10 in a row. That’s what the Newcastle Knights and Adam O’Brien will be aiming for as they enter their elimination final against the Raiders as $1.22 favourites.
It’s been an incredible turnaround from the fifth-ranked Knights, having secured nine straight against the likes of Cronulla, Souths, and the Storm. They proved far too strong for the Raiders in Round 22, with a Kalyn Ponga-inspired 6-28 win at GIO Stadium.
Ponga will return to lead his side in their first home final since 2006, while Jackson Hastings (ankle) and Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder) will strengthen their imposing line-up.
The Green Machine’s recent form has been in stark contrast to Newcastle’s, having lost three of their last four games.
With Josh Papalii, Corey Horsburgh, and Seb Kris all unavailable, Ricky Stuart will need to produce a masterclass in coaching if the Raiders are going to get anywhere near the Knights.
- Leg 1: Knights to win
- Leg 2: Over 42.5 points
- Leg 3: G. Marzhew 2+ tries
- Leg 4: D. Young to score in first half
- Total: $12
