Oscar Pannifex breaks down every game of NRLW Round 2 and provides his best betting plays of the weekend.
The defending champs flexed their muscles in a 50-point drubbing of North Queensland to open their account last week. Jesse Southwell didn’t enjoy any highlight reel moments but that’s the beauty of her development as an elite halfback; she’s happy to play the percentages and allow Tamika Upton and or an array of Broncos attacking stars to pull the triggers.
Cronulla were their own worst enemy in NRLW Round 1 with just 62% completions, 42% possession and nine penalties (and a sin-bin) against them. They simply can’t – and shouldn’t – gift Brisbane that much ball again here, but even if they don’t it’s unlikely to matter.
Tips
Best: Broncos 13+ @ $1.70
Anytime Try Scorers: Caitlin Urwin Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.02, & Jada Ferguson Anytime Try Scorer @ $4.75
Same Game Multi: Broncos 13+ + Caitlin Urwin Anytime Try Scorer + Jada Ferguson Anytime Try Scorer @ $11.05
Wests made big moves over the summer and the changes were clear to see in a big win over Parramatta. Holli Wheeler and Shaylee Bent are the tireless workers Wests have been crying out for in the pack but it’s all about star halfback Raecene McGregor, who looks as fit and fast as she’s been across eight NRLW seasons to date.
North Queensland were outclassed by Brisbane last week and can respond here, but they don’t have the playmaking IQ of a half like McGregor. They can make this more of a grind but expect the Tigers No.7 to execute on enough moments with the ball to give Wests a 2-and-0 start.
Tips
Best: Tigers Win @ $1.90
Anytime Try Scorers: Emily Bass Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.05 & Shenai Lendill Anytime Try Scorer @ $3.25
Same Game Multi: Tigers Win + Emily Bass Anytime Try Scorer + Shenai Lendill Anytime Try Scorer @ $8.40
The scoreboard (34-10) doesn’t read well for the Titans last week but they will take a lot of confidence out of that contest against a far more fancied opposition.
The best version of this Gold Coast team will fight and scrap for everything through the middle of the field before Lauren Brown or Jaime Chapman create moments on the edges, and the Titans at the very least managed the foremost against Easts in NRLW Round 1.
Afforded a more winnable game here against an inexperienced Bulldogs side, the Titans need to make this one count.
Tips
Best: Titans 1-12 @ $2.70
Anytime Try Scorers: Phoenix Raine-Hippi Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.40 & Elizabeth McGregor Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.80
Same Game Multi: Titans 1-12 + Phoenix Raine-Hippi Anytime Try Scorer + Elizabeth McGregor Anytime Try Scorer @ $17.01
Kirra Dibb and Georgia Roche impressed in their first outing as an NRLW halves pairing, smartly orchestrating scoring actions on both Knights edges. Dibb’s long kicking game in particular is a crucial part of Newcastle’s yardage game and she can expect plenty of kick pressure from Easts ruck defenders here.
If the Roosters can make life difficult for Dibb on fifth tackle, they should dominate possession and field position throughout. The pressure and fatigue that often follows is the perfect storm for Easts halfback Tarryn Aiken to go to work. Expect her to make a target of Dibb on Newcastle’s right edge and cash in on the spaces around her opposite number.
Tips
Best: Roosters 13+ @ $1.73
Anytime Try Scorer: Sariah Paki Anytime Try Scorer @ $4.40
Same Game Multi: Roosters 13+ + Sariah Paki Anytime Try Scorer @ $6.25
The sample size is only small but there was a lot to like about what Canberra produced in NRLW Round 1. Their defensive systems – brittle and disconnected in recent years – held up under extended periods of St George pressure to leave the Raiders senior spine players in a position to win it late in each half… and they did.
New Zealand should provide a much sterner test than the Dragons did, however.
Canterbury went with the Wahs early last week but the class of Gayle Broughton, Patricia Maliepo and Apii Nicholls proved the difference in moments. I like them to do the same here.
Tips
Best: Warriors @ $1.46
Anytime Try Scorer: Stacey Waaka Anytime Try Scorer @ $1.98
Same Game Multi: Warriors + Stacey Waaka Anytime Try Scorer @ $2.53
Parramatta were ambushed by a much improved Wests Tigers outfit but came home the strongest. They’re at their best when forcing the game into a grind and playing high percentage footy through halfback Rachael Pearson, who finishes the Eels sets smartly.
St George also disappointed to open their season, bagging a soft early try through Teagan Berry before fumbling their way to a 20-4 loss. Like Parramatta, this Dragons side can’t afford to cough up cheap possession and field position like they did last week. When they can play out a clean 70 minutes though, the points will follow.
Tips
Best: Eels @ $1.65
Anytime Try Scorers: Elsie Albert Anytime Try Scorer @ $3.05 & Cassey Tohi-Hiku Anytime Try Scorer @ $5.80
Same Game Multi: Eels + Elsie Albert Anytime Try Scorer + Cassey Tohi-Hiku Anytime Try Scorer @ $20.84
