Easts started fast last week but couldn’t go with Penrith when they went up a few gears. I’m not so sure Manly provide as stern a test in the grind.
The Roosters profile well to go straight through the front door here. They looked good playing direct through Reece Robson early and can have some joy flooding the ruck before unleashing James Tedesco on the Sea Eagles edges.
This could be a long night for DCE haters…
Tips
Sydney Roosters 13+ @ $2.60
Mark Nawaqanitawase 2 Or More Tries @ $3.25
Wests pack has been their strength to begin the year while their good-ball attack continues to struggle. The Tigers are at their best when playing flat and fast over the ad line, generating second-phase play and then executing in the chaos that ensues.
Given how well New Zealand are controlling the ruck right now, it doesn’t read as a positive match up for Wests on paper. Luke Metcalf is back but he doesn’t need to do too much in what is currently the best attacking system in the NRL. Up the Wahs.
Tips
New Zealand Warriors 13+ @ $1.88
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.55
Isaiya Katoa continues to stay ahead of the curve, adjusting his involvements in The Dolphins attack as defenders look to nullify his ballplaying threat. With all the attention Katoa and that strike left edge attract, Redcliffe are now having some joy dropping Herbie Farnworth back against the grain – right into a Broncos middle missing Payne Haas here.
Redcliffe won’t get a better chance to cause an upset.
Tips
The Dolphins Win @ $2.20
Jamayne Isaako Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.15
Herbie Farnworth Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.20
Fletcher Sharpe returns but the Knights issues in the spine remain. Defensively they will be tested here by a Bulldogs attack that asks a lot of questions through halfback Lachlan Galvin.
If Newcastle get their numbers wrong in good-ball like they did last week, Galvin and this evolving Canterbury attack will make them pay. The spaces around Sandon Smith continue to be a spot for attacking teams and that’s where I’m looking here.
Tips
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 13+ @ $1.88, Stephen Crichton Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.25 & Viliame Kikau Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.90
Parramatta impressed to hold on against St George last week but it came at a cost. Their already thin middle rotation is now missing the enormous workrate of J’Maine Hopgood and it spells danger for their ruck defence in this one.
Penrith excel at identifying and exposing a weakness in their opponents line and if the past three weeks have taught us anything, it’s that there’s a spot on Parramatta’s left edge.
Expect Nathan Cleary to dine out on the spaces around Kitione Kautoga and fold the Eels edge in from there.
Tips
Penrith Panthers 13+ @ $1.73
Brian To’o 2 Or More Tries @ $3.10
Jayden Campbell and Kurtis Morrin sliced right through the Cowboys ruck defence last week and now Harry Grant gets a turn. There is no player better in the NRL right now at punishing lazy ruck defenders or poor marker work and North Queensland are offering up both right now.
I can’t see this playing out any other way than a Storm whitewash.
Tips
Melbourne Storm 13+ @ $1.75
Jahrome Hughes Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.55
Harry Grant Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.55
Cronulla didn’t show up last week and the Dolphins made them pay. We’ve heard plenty in the post-match about the Sharks attitude in NRL Round 3 and we’d be silly not to expect a response here.
That being said, a desperate Canberra side at home is a difficult proposition for Craig Fitzgibbon’s men. If Cronulla can go toe-to-toe with this Raiders pack, I think Braydon Trindall can find enough points on the edges.
It might be ugly, though.
Tips
Cronulla Sharks 1-12 @ $3.10
Nicho Hynes Anytime Try Scorer @ $4.50
St George-Illawarra are 0-and-3 but have been much better than their record suggests. Shane Flanagan is holding the faith with his new-look spine and although there’s reason to call for changes, I think the Dragons conventional attack profiles well here against the Titans.
The Gold Coast allowed North Queensland to pour right through their middle last week and that’s exactly where the Dragons are sending their strike backrowers in good-ball. If Luciano Leilua or Jaydn Su’a don’t bust through themselves, St George can find points on the following play.
Tips
St George-Illawarra Dragons Win @ $2.02
Jacob Liddle Anytime Try Scorer @ $6.00
Valentine Holmes Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.25