It’s Round 7 of the NRL, and with so many upsets to this point of the season, handing over the hard earned is becoming increasingly difficult.
But let’s forge ahead, because that’s what we do in life – well, that and punting.
Manly versus Parramatta
Both teams are coming off narrow wins and make us sweat every time they play.
The bookies have the Eels as favourites based mainly on ladder position, with Parra surprising many to sit third a quarter of the way through the season. Corey Norman has been in career-best form, while the experience of new halfback Kieran Foran and old warhorse Beau Scott is starting to bring results.
Meanwhile, the Sea Eagles looked in trouble with an injury to superstar Daly Cherry-Evans last week, but young halves Dylan Farrell and Apisai Koroisau were impressive and more than held their own in a 34-18 win over the Warriors.
The sway for the punters may be the litmus test of the Bulldogs this season for either team, with Manly being handed a 28-6 beat-down, while the Eels won 20-6 at ANZ.
A hard game to pick, as it’s also at Brookvale, and the Eels’ record there is not overly impressive.
Eels by 4 in a thriller.
Eels to win at $1.80.
North Queensland versus South Sydney
The Cowboys got lucky last week with a 23-18 win over the Panthers in the dying minutes. Johnathan Thurston misfired, with a rare miss at full time, which if it had been straight would have paid out my ‘Feeling Very Lucky’ bet at 46-1, but them’s the breaks.
The Thurston right foot is kind of a taboo for me, that being the same boot Thurston used to beat the Broncos in last year’s grand final, but anyway.
Lachlan Coote is in fine form, which is keeping opposition teams on their toes when it comes to who is going to kick on the last tackle. Meanwhile the Cowboys’ back rowers have scored seven tries between them in 2016, with Ethan Lowe stuffing three in his back pocket so far.
The Rabbitohs bring back Adam Reynolds from a long stint on the sideline, and will welcome the return of his kicking game, which has gone to another level and could be the difference here.
Souths’ price of $3.62 is tempting, however the Cowboys should get the chocolates yet again, to the tune of 8 points.
Cowboys +10 at $1.91
Gold Coast versus St George Illawarra
The Dragons will be praying to the footy gods for a win in their third game in the Sunshine State in as many weeks.
This has been a horror road trip for the Red V, as they have yet to score a single point. In fact, there are half a dozen players in the league right now who have scored more points in 2016 than their whole team combined.
The Titans put in a good performance in their 25-20 loss to the Sharks, but just couldn’t get the result.
I’d love to see a Dragons win here, but their attack will need to be on point, and over the last two weeks it’s been non-existent. Hopefully coach Paul McGregor has made some moves, or one half of the scorer’s table can take the night off once again.
Everything points to a Titans win, albeit a closer one this week. Gold Coast by 10 points.
Titans to win at $1.62.
Canterbury versus New Zealand
A hard game to pick, with the bookies currently giving even odds.
The Bulldogs chose to take a home game across the ditch, giving the Warriors the advantage. It’s a strange move, although the Warriors have struggled to win anywhere in New Zealand other than at Mt Smart Stadium in the last decade.
The Bulldogs put in a brilliant team effort to beat the Storm 18-12 in Melbourne, and it was enough to have them as $1.72 favourites this Saturday. The Warriors are still searching for consistency, and a loss last week should mean a win this week, but it’s not a risk I’m willing to take. Bulldogs by 14 points.
Bulldogs to win at $1.92.
Brisbane versus Newcastle
The Knights finally got a win last week, 18-16 over the Tigers. However this week won’t be so easy, as the Broncos at Suncorp is a hard outing every time.
The table-topping Brisbane are red hot right now and won’t be stopped this week. As Forrest Gump said, “That’s all I’ve got to say about that”, because all the talking will be done by the boys from Brisbane – in convincing fashion.
Broncos by 20 points.
Broncos 13+ at $1.53.
Canberra versus Cronulla
This will be the game of the round, and at the afternoon time slot, it’s perfect for a lazy Sunday arvo recovery after watching the Broncos last night.
The Sharks continued to get the job done last week, with a 25-20 scrap over the Titans in which James Maloney, Andrew Fifita and Luke Lewis were lost to injury, making it three wins on the trot.
Meanwhile, the Raiders suffered their worst defeat of the year in a 36-6 pantsing courtesy of the Eels, and they’ll be motivated to get things back on track at home.
Showers are expected in the nation’s capital, which could point to a dull, low-scoring affair.
Still, the Sharks will make it four in a row, just – Cronulla by 1 point.
Sharks +5.5 at $1.51.
Wests Tigers versus Melbourne
Melbourne suffered their second loss of the season, 18-12 to the Bulldogs, on a cold Monday night at AAMI Park last time out.
The Tigers did it tough against the Knights on Sunday, making it four losses in a row. But they weren’t the only unlucky ones, as messages came flooding my way from those who had the Tigers as their ‘lock of the week’. Fair shake of the salami fellas.
James Tedesco was again the stand-out in a beaten side, and that will probably be the case this week also. With the added loss of Aaron Woods to an ankle injury, the smart money is on the boys from Melbourne in a tight one. Storm by 6 points.
Storm to win at $1.65.
Sydney Roosters versus Penrith
This may be another wet-weather encounter, and as such we anticipate a low-scoring game (yep, another one). Last week the Panthers lost 18-23 in the dying seconds against the premiers, while the Roosters had their first win of the season, a 17-10 triumph over arch-rivals South Sydney. That win came on the back of an inspirational performance by Dylan Napa, who took it to ‘The Burgii’.
Having Matt Moylan back in the side for the Panthers gives the whole team confidence, as well as the punters. Their win-loss yoyo sees them due for the points this week, so it’s the Panthers by 8, and at $1.70, it should be the icing on the cake for any multi over the weekend.
Panthers 1-12 at $3.
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