Oscar Pannifex breaks down every game of Round 10 and provides his best betting plays of the weekend.
I’m not prepared to write off Canterbury just yet and neither is Cameron Ciraldo, who has named a familiar Bulldogs outfit again this week. Like Ciraldo, I’m all in on Lachlan Galvin but he needs more from the spine players around him if the Dogs attack is to improve.
Redcliffe were in a similar rut a few weeks ago but have played themselves into form. A tight loss to Penrith into a tight win over Melbourne is exactly what we needed to see from this flashy Dolphins attack; when they do the gritty stuff right, they’re a very well balanced footy team.
Tips
Best: Dolphins Win @ $1.46
Anytime Try Scorers: Kulikefu Finefuiaki @ $3.20, Stephen Crichton @ $2.90
Same Game Multi: Dolphins Win + Kulikefu Finefuiaki Anytime Try + Stephen Crichton Anytime Try @ $12.38
Zane Harrison makes his NRL debut against a red hot Roosters attack and there’s a lot to like about how he can unlock Jayden Campbell in the halves beside him.
Assuming we see more of Campbell on the ball here amidst a Gold Coast response (after being embarrassed last week), I like the Titans to keep this close enough. There’s a world where Easts take off the shackles and wrack up another score, but I’m happy to take the value in the Titans line and down their right edge.
Tips
Best: Titans (+18.5) @ $1.8
Anytime Try Scorer: Jensen Taumoepaeu @ $2.35
Same Game Multi: Titans (+18.5) + Jensen Taumoepaeu Anytime Try @ $3.67
The Eels showed some fight against New Zealand last week in a positive sign for Head Coach Jason Ryles. Parramatta are running on fumes right now but Ryles has them focussing on the basics that served them well to finish the ‘25 regular season.
That being said, I’m not sure a gritty, grinding approach profiles well against this swinging Cowboys attack.
North Queensland are relishing the increased ruck speeds this year to consistently put Scott Drinkwater into positive involvements on the tramlines. He could have a field day against these Eels edges…
Tips
Best: Cowboys Win @ $1.38
Anytime Try Scorers: Tom Chester @ $2.50, Heilum Luki @ $2.60
Same Game Multi: Cowboys Win + Tom Chester Anytime Try + Heilum Luki Anytime Try @ $6.78
At full strength, this Newcastle team looks like a genuine finals contender. Hard working middles and flashy outside backs is a winning formula in the modern game and the Knights are well stocked with both this year. Add in the triple threat of Kalyn Ponga, Dylan Brown and Fletcher Sharpe and you’ve got a very difficult attacking system to contain.
They ran through the worst version of South Sydney last week and profile well to do the same here against a pieced together Dragons outfit. There are spots on both edges for Newcastle to target and I like their running spine to make the most of it.
Tips
Best: Knights 13+ @ $2.25
Anytime Try Scorers: Kalyn Ponga @ $2.05, Bradman Best @ $2.05
Same Game Multi: Knights 13+ + Kalyn Ponga Anytime Try + Bradman Best Anytime Try @ $6.60
Cronulla flexed their muscles against a depleted Wests defence last week but we should get a better read of where they – and South Sydney – are truly at in this one.
Ashton Ward is one of two big changes on Souths right edge and there’s a lot to like about how he can create space for Campbell Graham and Ed Kosi to his outside. Expect a more balanced look from the Rabbitohs attack this week if Ward can get on the ball and straighten things up down that right edge.
That being said, Sia Talaki continues to be a spot on the Sharks own right side and it lines up against the Bunnies lethal left edge attack…
Tips
Best: Rabbitohs Win @ $1.75
Anytime Try Scorer: Ed Kosi @ $2.00
2 Or More Tries: Alex Johnston @ $2.45
Same Game Multi: Rabbitohs Win + Alex Johnston 2+ Tries + Ed Kosi Anytime Try @ $8.20
Brisbane almost achieved an impossible comeback last week thanks largely to the involvements of Reece Walsh and Tom Duffy. We know what the Broncos superstar fullback can do by now but Duffy’s ability to play on the ball and kick well was equally crucial.
Joey Walsh did similar things for Manly last week but drops back to the bench for this one. Will that be the first mistake Kieran Foran has made during his FozBall resurgence?
Brisbane are battered and bruised and could just run out of gas again here. If they do though, it’ll be close.
Tips
Best: Broncos (+2.5) @ $1.90
Anytime Try Scorer: Antonio Verhoeven @ $1.96
Same Game Multi: Broncos (+2.5) + Antonio Verhoeven Anytime Try @ $3.05
Wests were the feel good story to begin the year but as the injuries and suspensions pile up, so has the pressure on Benji’s new-look Tigers. Any rival club would feel the pinch with three spine players missing and that’s exactly where Wests find themselves right now.
Melbourne hit rock bottom a few weeks ago but it feels like they’re trending in the right direction. If they can earn enough looks in attack, I like their left edge to cash in like Cronulla did last week.
Tips
Best: Storm Win @ $1.55
Anytime Try Scorer: Jack Howarth @ $2.95
Same Game Multi: Storm Win + Jack Howarth Anytime Try @ $3.84
Canberra were handed a much-needed win by the Gold Coast last week but I can’t see Penrith offering them the same favours. Nathan Cleary is in a different vein of form right now; he’s adjusting on the run to the new rules and rolling the dice a little more often in attack. It’s a new-look for the typically conventional, patient Panthers attack and it spells trouble for Canberra here.
Hudson Young returns and will put the Raiders on his back but there’s just too many moving pieces in this Penrith attack right now.
Tips
Best: Panthers Win @ $1.30
Anytime Try Scorers: Casey McLean @ $2.10, Blaize Talagi @ $3.15
Same Game Multi: Panthers Win + Casey McLean Anytime Try + Blaize Talagi Anytime Try @ $7.01