Oscar Pannifex breaks down every game of Round 9 and provides his best betting plays of the weekend.
This Cowboys attack is relishing the weekly shoot-out that is the NRL right now and there’s every reason to believe they can kick on again. If this one plays out try-for-try like last week, it’ll play right into the hands of this expansive North Queensland attack who are setting Scott Drinkwater up for success on the edges.
That being said, I’m expecting Canterbury to come good sooner rather than later, and it’ll start with their defence. At their best, the Bulldogs have the systems to herd North Queensland’s attack to the sidelines and pressure them into poor passes from the inside.
Tips
Best: Bulldogs Win @ $1.83
Anytime Try Scorer: Stephen Crichton @ $2.65
Same Game Multi: Bulldogs Win + Stephen Crichton Anytime Try @ $3.78
The Jahrome Hughes injury is the latest hurdle for Craig Bellamy to navigate in Melbourne. Not only are the Storm now without their most productive player in attack, they’re also forced into another change in an already unfamiliar backline.
Two genuine starting backrowers will help Melbourne in that case. Shawn Blore and Ativalu Lisati are back to address the defensive issues on both Storm edges but I’m not sure it’ll be enough against an improving Dolphins side.
Tips
Best: Dolphins Win @ $1.65
Anytime Try Scorers: Herbie Farnworth @ $1.94 & Connelly Lemuelu @ $3.70
Same Game Multi: Dolphins Win + Herbie Farnworth Anytime Try + Connelly Lemuelu Anytime Try @ $8.67
While much of the Raiders best work shows up in the weekly highlight packages, it often starts through the middle of the field. With an injury- and suspension-hit forward pack here though, Canberra presents a winnable game for this improving Gold Coast attack.
Jayden Campbell suits the speed of the ruck right now and he’s got two very likely play-to targets on his outside in Arama Hau and JoJo Fifita. If the Titans play it right, they can roll the ruck before unleashing Campbell over the ad-line down their right edge.
Tips
Best: Titans Win @ $1.85
Anytime Try Scorers: Arama Hau @ $2.80 & JoJo Fifita @ $2.40
Same Game Multi: Titans Win + Arama Hau Anytime Try + JoJo Fifita Anytime Try @ $8.07
New Zealand flexed their muscles again last week, bullying The Dolphins pack as they did to Melbourne a few weeks ago. In a physical contest without a heap of tries, this Warriors pack finished out on top once again to earn just enough looks in attack.
With two genuine finishers on either wing and the means to get them clean ball, this could end up a bit of a training run for New Zealand. We need to see them get through the dirty work first, though.
Tips
Best: Warriors 13+ @ $2.40
Anytime Try Scorers: Kurt Capewell @ $5.25 & Roger Tuivasa-Sheck @ $2.25
Same Game Multi: Warriors 13+ + Kurt Capewell Anytime Try + Roger Tuivasa-Sheck Anytime Try @ $17.11
For the second week in a row, Michael Maguire’s pieced together Broncos outfit defied the odds and got up for a result. It’s a credit to the systems Brisbane are playing with right now – on both sides of the ball – that they can find different ways to win while key players are missing.
With Reece Walsh back this week, it’ll be interesting to see how that affects the balance between Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam on the ball.
At their best, Brisbane can go with Easts in a grind or a shoot-out. It’s a big ask to see the best of this Broncos team three weeks in a row though.
Tips
Best: Roosters 13+ @ $2.85
Anytime Try Scorers: Siua Wong @ $3.70 & Robert Toia @ $2.55
Same Game Multi: Roosters 13+ + Siua Wong Anytime Try + Robert Toia Anytime Try @ $16.60
South Sydney have landed on a winning formula and still have plenty more layers to add. Their quality of depth has allowed Wayne Bennett to be patient with guys like Jye Gray, Euan Aitken and Adam Elliott while Newcastle have rushed back a quartet of key players for this one.
I’m loving what the Knights are doing this year and there’s every reason to believe they’ll kick up a gear with Kalyn Ponga back. That being said, it’s the Rabbitohs with all the momentum right now.
Tips
Best: Rabbitohs Win @ $1.78
Anytime Try Scorers: Keaon Koloamatangi @ $5.00 & Campbell Graham @ $1.88
Same Game Multi: Rabbitohs Win + Keaon Koloamatangi Anytime Try + Campbell Graham Anytime Try @ $11.38
The Hype Train has well and truly left Leichardt Station and I’m not sure even the Jarome Luai news can stop it.
Even without two key spine players here, this Tigers roster boasts the depth to navigate those absences better than previous years. They’ve got a spot on the Sharks right edge to target if they play it right; North Queensland stripped Cronulla repeatedly down that side last week.
The Sharks and Tigers both play a similar, momentum-based style of footy and whoever can win – and control – the ruck for longest can close this one out.
Tips
Anytime Try Scorers: Samuela Fainu @ $4.25, Taylan May @ $2.65 & Sam Stonestreet @ $1.64
Same Game Multi: Samuela Fainu Anytime Try + Taylan May Anytime Try + Sam Stonestreet Anytime Try @ $19.93
The Fozball movement has been a joy to watch but I think Manly are set for a reality check here.
Whilst much improved themselves, the Sea Eagles have run through some soft opposition over the past month to usher in a new era under Kieran Foran. There’s a lot to like about how Manly are playing to their strengths – g’day Haumole Olakau’atu – right now but this Penrith defence profiles well to choke the Sea Eagles in yardage and trap them on their own line.
Tips
Best: Panthers 13+ @ $1.90
Anytime Try Scorer: Paul Alamoti @ $2.60
To Score Two Or More Tries: Brian To’o @ $2.90
Same Game Multi: Panthers 13+ + Paul Alamoti Anytime Try + Brian To’o 2+ @ $13.29