THE BRIEF
What a week it has been in league and it has nothing to do with last night’s match where the Broncos finally did the punters a favour by winning as a short priced favourite. It has been Jarryd Hayne mania and, come Sunday, there will be fans galore on the Gold Coast looking to get a glimpse of the Hayne Plane landing at Coolangatta; even if the man himself would rather be playing tonight for Parramatta.
THE BIG FIVE
- $33k on Gold Coast (v Warriors) @ $1.68
- $5k on Cronulla (v Raiders) $1.52
- $3k multi – Dragons +12 / Eels +8 @ $3.69
- $2k multi – Knight +16.5 / Wests Tigers +7.5 / Eels +8 @ $7.08
- $1k multi – Broncos -4 / Manly -2 / Bulldogs -8 / Raiders +4 / Koroibete (storm) anytime try / Titans -2 / Cowboys -2 / Roosters @ $170.21
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
After a horror start to the season, the Sea Eagles are peaking at a near perfect time. Problem being, they might have left their run a little too late. Searching for five wins in succession, Manly might just falter in a match it should win against the Eels. Support has come for Parramatta, who took one hit earlier in the week when Hayne signed with the Titans. They’ve been backed largely at the line, which has firmed from +8 to +6.5, while the head to head price has eased from $2.65 on Monday to $2.75 as I write this. Manly have been steady around the $1.50 mark all week.
TIGHT IN THE SHIRE
One of the more interesting betting games in recent times with good money for both sides in different markets. The Sharks, still undefeated since round 3, are expected to continue their (not losing) streak and have been solid at the $1.45 quote, which punters have been happy to take. The Raiders, easy in the head to head from $2.75 to $2.85, have been very well backed at the line, which currently sits at 6.5. Essentially, what the market is saying is, Sharks in a tight one.
HAYNE PLANE RE-LAUNCH
It is all about one man and whether he can return to his best and perhaps deliver what only a week ago would have been a highly unlikely premiership to the success starved Gold Coast region. Jarryd Hayne’s signature with the Titans could well change the destiny of a club who have not only been incredibly well backed to win at the weekend, but also to make the eight, make the grand final and win the premiership.
Titans have been $1.68 into $1.53 including one bet of $33k at $1.68 when rumours began circulating of Hayne putting pen to paper. Ladbrokes has barely taken a bet on the Warriors since the contract was announced as punters buy into the Hayne hype. Isaac Luke missing for the visitors probably also a contributing factor.
A LATE CAPTAIN CAMEO
Head to head betting on this one has been fairly tame with punters obviously waiting to see if the Cowboys skipper is a late inclusion to the contest. Bets on head to head markets have been fairly evenly split despite the Tigers easing from $2.60 to $2.85. The Cowboys have subsequently firmed slightly from $1.50 to $1.46 but the early pattern here suggest it’s a wait and see on final teams before launching any big bets in either market. As we all well know, JT makes a big difference.
BEST BACKED
- Titans
- Titans
- Titans
FRIENDLESS
- Warriors
- Knights
- Rabbitohs