The Easter Long Weekend is here and Oscar Pannifex thinks he’s found a few Golden Eggs across NRL Round 5.
Kieran Foran ushers in a new era on the Northern Beaches and while I’m expecting a response from the embattled Sea Eagles, I’m still leaning towards Redcliffe in this one.
The Dolphins went toe-to-toe with Brisbane last week without much luck going their way. There’s plenty of strike down that left edge but as we’ve seen in the past few weeks, Redcliffe have the ballplayers to switch things up quickly and get you on the far side.
That’s where I’m looking here.
Tips
Best: Dolphins 13+@ $2.10
Anytime Try Scorer: Jake Averillo @ $2.35
Anytime Try Scorer: Jamayne Isaako @ $1.72
Same Game Multi: Dolphins 13+ + Jake Averillo Anytime Try Scorer + Jamayne Isaako Anytime Try Scorer @ $5.87
One of the biggest regular season games on the NRL calendar is all set up for an old fashioned throwback.
Canterbury’s offensive struggles are well documented but some poor individual defensive efforts last week will have been highlighted in the review. I’m expecting a response from the Bulldogs without the ball, up against a South Sydney side who have impressed in the grind in spite of their flashy roster.
The Rabbitohs have plenty of strings to their attack but it’s been their efforts off the ball that’s seen them start the season 2-and-1. I’m backing my Bunnies for an Easter Special.
Tips
Best: South Sydney Rabbitohs 1-12 @ $2.95
Anytime Try Scorer: Alex Johnston @ $1.70
Same Game Multi: South Sydney Rabbitohs 1-12 + Alex Johnston Anytime Try Scorer @ $4.64
Melbourne’s depth is already being tested, particularly along a backline that missed a lot of tackles last week. The Storm typically set new players up for success by giving them a complimentary role within their systems, but it seems like Craig Bellamy is feeling the pinch right now.
By comparison, the Penrith Panthers are flying and bring a full-strength roster into this heavyweight clash. This isn’t an ideal time for Melbourne to be working out the kinks.
Tips
Best: Penrith Panthers (-8.5) @ $1.90
To Score 2 Or More Tries: Brian To’o @ $4.00
Same Game Multi: Penrith Panthers (-8.5) @ $1.90 + Brian To’o 2 Or More Tries @ $4.00
North Queensland banked a big win last week on the back of their sweeping attack. Few systems in the NRL move the ball as smoothly from coast-to-coast as the Cowboys do, and I like them to target the spaces around Lykhan King-Togia in this one.
Tom Dearden went through himself the last time he got a look at this Dragons left edge, while Tom Chester is having positive involvements in the unfamiliar position of centre outside Dearden and Scott Drinkwater.
Cowboys in a big way.
Tips
Best: North Queensland Cowboys @ $1.75
Anytime Try Scorer: Tom Dearden @ $3.30
Anytime Try Scorer: Tom Chester @ $3.10
Same Game Multi: North Queensland Cowboys Win + Tom Dearden Anytime Try Scorer + Tom Chester Anytime Try Scorer @ $11.87
The Broncos attack offered up a few new looks last week with Ezra Mam popping up on the right edge outside Adam Reynolds to good effect. It’s the right time of year for ‘Madge’ to be tinkering with a few things and Mam’s involvements are worth looking out for again.
For the Gold Coast, Jayden Campbell and Arama Hau did enough to post their first win of the season last week and both line up against a spot in Brisbane’s defensive line here.
The Broncos middle did well to offset Payne Haas’ absence last week but it’s a tall task to do so again. I like the value in the Titans to keep this close.
Tips
Best: Gold Coast Titans (+12.5) @ $1.90
Anytime Try Scorer: Jayden Campbell @ $3.00
Anytime Try Scorer: Gehamat Shibasaki @ $2.25
Same Game Multi: Gold Coast Titans (+12.5) + Jayden Campbell Anytime Try Scorer + Gehamat Shibasaki Anytime Try Scorer @ $11.32
The Wahs were ambushed by a surprisingly polished Tigers attack last week and I’m keen to see how they respond here.
They’ve got the pack to go with Cronulla through the middle and the kicking game to make this a grind but if the Sharks post early points, I worry about New Zealand in a shoot-out.
They profile well against the Sharks big middles given how they threaten around the ruck in good-ball but if the points start flowing, I’m leaning towards Cronulla.
Tips
Best: Sam Stonestreet Anytime Try Scorer @ $1.87
Anytime Try Scorer: Teig Wilton @ $3.60
Same Game Multi: Sam Stonestreet Anytime Try Scorer + Teig Wilton Anytime Try Scorer @ $6.35
Last week’s try-a-thon against Cronulla was exactly the sort of game Canberra would’ve won last year. They’re still working things out in an attack that’s happy to play from anywhere on the field, but I think we might see a few more conventional looks through Ethan Sanders in this one.
Sandon Smith’s inside shoulder has quickly become a spot for attacking teams and I like Sanders and Hudson Young to make a target of him here.
The Knights were beyond impressive to roll straight through Canterbury’s middle last week but I can’t see them backing it up against this Raiders pack.
Tips
Best: Canberra Raiders 13+ @ $2.90
Anytime Try Scorer: Ethan Sanders @ $6.20
Anytime Try Scorer: Hudson Young @ $2.50
Anytime Try Scorer: Sebastian Kris @ $2.85
Same Game Multi: Canberra Raiders 13+ + Ethan Sanders Anytime Try Scorer + Hudson Young Anytime Try Scorer + Sebastian Kris Anytime Try Scorer @ $56.88
Wests come into this as underdogs and I love the value in them to go back-to-back in NRL Round 5.
Jock Madden proved exactly what Wests needed to unleash Adam Doueihi on the edges last week and I’m looking for more of the same. Parramatta’s middle is getting rolled in yardage most weeks and they have to account for Api Koroisau and a Tigers pack that loves to offload the ball in this one.
If Koroisau can roll the middle and Madden can straighten things up like they did last week, Doueihi will get the looks he likes out wide.
Tips
Best: Wests Tigers @ $2.15
Anytime Try Scorer: Adam Doueihi @ $4.50
Anytime Try Scorer: Sunia Turuva @ $2.80
Same Game Multi: Wests Tigers Win + Adam Doueihi Anytime Try Scorer + Sunia Turuva Anytime Try Scorer @ $17.83