Oscar Pannifex breaks down every game of Round 7 and provides his best betting plays of the weekend.
The Cowboys attack has carried them into four straight wins but I think Manly have the players to punish them through the middle of the field here.
North Queensland’s ruck is a spot when fatigue sets in and that’s exactly where the Sea Eagles have been sending Tolu Koula and Tom Trbojevic in recent weeks. If Manly can play it right, they profile well to generate offloads or second-phase play for the likes of Turbo and Koula to support through the middle.
There should be some points in this one.
Tips
Best: Sea Eagles Win @ $2.45
Anytime Try Scorers: Tom Trbojevic @ $1.83 & Jaxon Purdue @ $1.75
Same Game Multi: Sea Eagles Win + Tom Trbojevic Try + Jaxon Purdue Try @ $6.98
We saw Canberra execute on a few actions last week that they’d otherwise missed over the opening rounds, posting 34 points against South Sydney in the Perth heat.
Ethan Strange is finding his feet on that right edge while Hudson Young continues to impress with the variety of his involvements in this Raiders attack. With spots to target on either edge in this struggling Storm defensive system, I can see Canberra troubling Melbourne here given their willingness to promote the ball and play coast-to-coast in attack.
That being said, I’m wary of a response from Craig Bellamy’s men.
Tips
Best: Sebastian Kris @ $2.15
Anytime Try Scorer: Cameron Munster @ $5.50
Same Game Multi: Sebastian Kris Try + Cameron Munster Try @ $11.43
Ambushed by the Bulldogs last week and pressured into one of the most ill-disciplined performances we’ve ever seen from Penrith makes this game a must-watch.
Assuming a response from the Panthers, it’s horrible timing for a Dolphins defensive system that is coming under the microscope after a slow start to the year. Redcliffe are being punished on the edges when defending their own line and there’s no halfback better at identifying and executing on space when presented the look.
Panthers to bounce back and cash in down their right edge.
Tips
Best: Panthers Win @ $1.18
Anytime Try Scorer: Paul Alamoti @ $2.25
Two Or More Tries: Brian To’o @$3.05
Same Game Multi: Panthers Win + Paul Alamoti Try + Brian To’o 2+ Tries @$8.90
We saw the best version of both the Titans and the Warriors last week with 90 points scored between them.
The Gold Coast are lethal when running downhill as they did in NRL Round 6 while New Zealand attacked without the ball to dominate possession and field position. It makes for a contrast of styles here and one that favours the Warriors on paper.
Assuming New Zealand win the ruck and set up camp on the Titans line, I like the Wahs machine to keep rolling here.
Tips
Best: Warriors (-10.5) Line @ $1.90
Anytime Try Scorers: Ali Leiataua @ $2.45 & Jacob Laban @ $7.75
Same Game Multi: Warriors (-10.5) Line + Ali Leiataua Try + Jacob Laban Try @ $19.97
Still winless coming into NRL Round 7, there’s some reason to believe this new-look Dragons spine can at the very least manufacture a few more points.
The threat of Tyrell Sloan’s speed and an elevated role for Jacob Liddle at dummy-half allows St George to pose a lot more questions to the defence with the ball. Until we see them back up any scoring actions with an improved defensive system though, it’s difficult to see them going with this Rabbitohs attack.
Even without Jye Gray here, the Bunnies profile better in a grind or a shoot-out.
Tips
Best: Rabbitohs 1-12 @ $3.15
Anytime Try Scorers: Jack Wighton @ $2.55 & Matt Dufty @ $2.25
Same Game Multi: Rabbitohs 1-12 + Jack Wighton Try + Matt Dufty Try @ $8.78
Brisbane battled through a host of injuries last week and still managed to keep it close against North Queensland. Losing Patrick Carrigan this week might be a hurdle too great to overcome, but there’s a bit to like about Brisbane through the middle in this one.
The Tigers attack has catapulted them to the top end of the NRL ladder but there are still some issues in their defence for the better teams to spot. I like Brisbane to win the ruck, fold Wests line in towards the ball and find points out wide.
With so many creative players sidelined here, the Broncos should keep things simple and that might just play into their own hands.
Tips
Best: Broncos 1-12 @ $3.70
Anytime Try Scorers: Kotoni Staggs @ $2.20, Deine Mariner @ $2.15
Same Game Multi: Brisbane Broncos 1-12 + Kotoni Staggs Try + Deine Mariner Try @ $13.40
Newcastle’s superb effort areas have carried them through a difficult injury period but they couldn’t go with the Tigers attack on Sunday. This game reads similarly on paper against a growing Roosters attack that kicked up a gear in the second half last week.
Easts have the pack and backline to dominate field position here as they did against the Sharks in NRL Round 6.
As impressive as the Knights have been over the past month, I can’t see them repelling the Roosters as Cronulla did. They can put up a fight early but this is Easts to win.
Tips
Best: Roosters 13+ @ $2.05
Anytime Try Scorers: Reece Robson @ $5.25, Naufahu Whyte @ $7.00 & Connor Watson @ $10
Same Game Multi: Roosters 13+ + Reece Robson Try + Naufahu Whyte Try + Connor Watson Try @ $296.44
The Bulldogs were back to their defensive best last week which predictably flowed into an improved attacking display. Lachlan Galvin was in sublime touch to control the tempo and either set the Dogs up for a shot late in the set or react to cues as they appeared in the line.
Given what he did to the best defensive systems in the game last week, it’s ominous to imagine what Galvin can conjure up against this Eels defence.
There are spots on either edge to target in this Parramatta line and they don’t have the pack to win the ruck. I can’t see where the Eels turn.
Tips
Best: Bulldogs 13+ @ $1.88
Anytime Try Scorers: Bronson Xerri @ $2.30, Matt Burton @ $2.55 & Lachlan Galvin @ $3.00
Same Game Multi: Bulldogs 13+ + Bronson Xerri Try + Matt Burton Try + Lachlan Galvin Try @ $21.81