With only five points separating fourth and 13th on the ladder – and one point between sixth and 11th – the seven matches on the NRL Round 17 schedule all harbour huge importance.

Wednesday’s second State of Origin clash could prove a stumbling bloke for several teams.

Canterbury is aiming to getting back on track from last week’s blip and consolidate its Top 8 position, while spluttering Cronulla needs a victory to maintain its top-four trajectory.

Coming off the bye on a three-match winning streak last week, the Bulldogs went down 26-8 to the Roosters in Gosford – their most disappointing performance since the opening fortnight of the season.

The Bulldogs have been dealt a blow with in-form fullback Connor Tracey ruled out; he’s replaced by Blake Taafe.

Bronson Xerri returns at centre though, while Stephen Crichton is in the reserves as he looks to back up 48 hours after Origin and Jacob Preston is 18th man.

The Sharks lost three of their last four prior to the Round 16 bye, including a 30-28 defeat away to the Dolphins in their last outing. They clawed back from 22-0 down to hit the lead but couldn’t finish the job.

Tuku Hau Tapuha comes onto the bench for Braden Hamlin-Uele in the Sharks’ only change to their Round 15 line-up.

The Bulldogs are on a six-match losing streak against the Sharks – all by margins of 12-plus – including a 25-6 result in Round 2 this year.

Nicho Hynes has a point to prove after his axing from the NSW team, but how much has that setback and the Sharks’ recent slump knocked his confidence?

The Bulldogs’ renewed grit this season – despite last week’s fairly flat showing – makes them an attractive underdog option at Accor Stadium, where they are searching for six straight wins for the firs time since winning the 2012 minor premiership.

Tip: Back the Bulldogs to Cover the Line (+4.5) @ $1.90

SGM: BULLDOGS WIN / UNDER 47.5 TOTAL POINTS / MATT BURTON 8+ POINTS / JACOB KIRAZ ANYTIME TRYSCORER / BRITON NIKORA ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $133.95

Coming off arguably the most horrific loss in their history, the Warriors’ season is firmly on the line in Saturday’s home showdown against an Origin-impacted Brisbane Broncos outfit who are desperate for a win themselves.

The Warriors’ club-record-equalling 66-6 defeat to the then-last-placed Gold Coast defied all explanation but featured some of the worst defence you could hope to see in professional rugby league.

No player emerged from that one with their reputation unharmed.

Nevertheless, they are only three points adrift of the Top 8 and the memories of their gutsy wins over the Panthers and Dolphins remain relatively fresh.

Andrew Webster has resisted any axe-swinging, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak returning from suspension for Ed Kosi, Chanel Harris-Tavita slotting in for the injured Shaun Johnson and Blues squad member Mitch Barnett coming into the second-row in the only starting line-up changes.

Freddy Lussick and Maroons back-rower Kurt Capewell join the bench with Tom Ale and Jacob Laban making way.

The Broncos, meanwhile, are teetering on the edge of the Top 8 after three straight losses, going down to the Sharks and Rabbitohs by identical 22-12 scorelines prior to the Round 16 bye with Reece Walsh missing both matches and the absence of Adam Reynolds looking increasingly crucial.

The wildcard here is the availability of Origin trio Walsh, Patrick Carrigan and Payne Haas, all named in the reserves.

Tristan Sailor is named at fullback, but the pack looks rather thin without Carrigan and Haas, given Jordan Riki has been rubbed out by suspension.

Fletcher Baker and Martin Tauapau are new faces on the bench, while the side has been boosted by winger Jesse Arthars’ return from injury.

The Broncos have won five and drawn one of the teams’ last 11 clashes, prevailing in their last three encounters in New Zealand. Last year an Origin-hit Broncos team pulled off a 26-22 upset in Napier before powering to a 42-12 prelim victory at Suncorp.

As bad as the Warriors were last week, it was a performance out of the blue – and the club has won its last four the week after conceding 50-plus points, including after incurring their original club-record defeat in a 70-10 loss to Melbourne in 2022.

The Broncos’ Origin stars could lift them over the line in Auckland, but the reality is the heavyweights have been patchy at best since April, so beware the chastened home underdogs.

Tip: Back the Warriors to Cover the Line (+3.5) @ $1.96

SGM: EITHER TEAM BY UNDER 6.5 POINTS / UNDER 47.5 TOTAL POINTS / JESSE ARTHARS ANYTIME TRYSCORER / CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $39.86

Crunch time for Newcastle and Parramatta, both looking to snap losing runs and stay in the Top 8 fight.

The Knights lost three in a row to the Bulldogs (32-2), Storm (36-28) and Panthers (26-18) prior to last week’s bye.

The post-Ponga injury bump has well and truly subsided and Adam O’Brien’s charges look increasingly like a team without a spearhead or leader.

British import Will Pryce will make a much-hyped NRL debut at five-eighth, replacing Jack Cogger in the Knights’ only starting line-up change. Kai Pearce-Paul comes onto the bench for Jack Hetherington.

The Eels have lost seven of their last eight, with a brief upswing courtesy of a win over Cronulla dampened by successive losses to Canterbury (22-18) and the Roosters (28-18).

Despite having the bye last week, they were leapfrogged by two teams and now sit last.

NSW halfback Mitch Moses has been named to back up for the Eels, Maika Sivo is back from injury – bumping Daejarn Asi out of the team – and Kelma Tuilagi’s suspension sees Bryce Cartwright star and Matt Doorey join the bench, where Matt Arthur will also debut.

The Eels have won six straight against the Knights, including victories by 30-plus margins in the sole 2022 and 2023 clashes.

The blue-and-golds have scored 79 points to six in their last two visits to Newcastle.

Parramatta is yet to win away from CommBank Stadium in 2024, which may be enough for Newcastle despite losing three of its last four at McDonald Jones Stadium.

But with the Eels’ last 10 games producing 40-plus points (six 49 or more) the over shapes as a better play in this one.

Tip: Back Over 47.5 Total Points @ $1.83

SGM: EITHER TEAM BY UNDER 10.5 POINTS / KNIGHTS OVER 24.5 TOTAL POINTS / EELS OVER 23.5 TOTAL POINTS / TYSON FRIZELL ANYTIME TRYSCORER / CLINT GUTHERSON ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $39.55

Not for the first time this season, Canberra finds itself at an uncomfortable crossroads – a difficult position heading into a showdown with ladder-leading Melbourne on the road.

The Raiders can find a win in Melbourne though, going back-to-back at AAMI Park during the 2022 regular season and the subsequent Elimination Final to make it five in a row for the Green Machine at the venue.

The Storm redressed the balance in the clubs’ only 2023 encounter, winning 48-2 at home.

The Raiders’ gutsy comeback wins over Manly, Canterbury and the Dolphins don’t compute with what they’ve dished up in two weeks since the bye, going down 34-16 to the Cowboys at home before getting trounced 48-24 by the Tigers in a performance worse than the scoreline made it look.

Tom Starling’s return from concussion sees Zac Woolford drop off the Raiders’ interchange, where second-rower Jordan Martin will make his debut from, Albert Hopoate comes onto the wing for Nick Cotric (ankle).

The 11-3 Storm are clear at the top of the table and have won three in a row, backing up a 38-24 win in Auckland after trailing the Warriors 14-0 with a thrilling 30-24 away win over the Dolphins.

Jahrome Hughes has been on fire, Ryan Papenhuyzen made a successful return last week and the Storm’s fill-ins are doing a fine job, but Craig Bellamy will be eager for defensive improvement with his side conceding 24-plus in four straight games.

The Storm have named Xavier Coates and Harry Grant to back up from Origin duty, with Jack Howarth moving from wing to centre to cover for the injured Nick Meaney.

Another character-filled turnaround is always a possibility for Ricky’s Raiders, but on recent evidence the Storm should cruise to a comfortable win in this one on the back of the potent Hughes-Papenhuyzen-Grant triumvirate.

Tip: Back the Storm to Score Over 32.5 Points @ $1.92

SGM: STORM -15.5 / OVER 49.5 TOTAL POINTS / WILL WARBRICK TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES / ALBERT HOPOATE ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $21.54

The Dolphins are striving to bounce back and stay in the hunt for a top-four berth, but they’ll need to win back-to-back interstate games for the first time in their history by taking down inscrutable St George Illawarra at Netstrata Jubilee.

The 7-7 Dragons are in a share of sixth (ninth on the ladder) and shape as a genuine finals hope…if they can find some consistency.

Impressive consecutive wins over a weakened Panthers (22-10) and the struggling Tigers (56-14) was followed up by a disappointing 30-14 defeat to injury-ravaged Manly after leading at halftime.

Moses Suli is back in the centres for the Saints, with Christian Tuipolotu dropping out. Origin trio Ben Hunt, Jaydn Su’A and Zac Lomax are named to back up.

The Dolphins have lost three of their last four, pulling off a notable 30-28 win at Cronulla (after coughing up a 22-point lead) before going down 30-24 to Melbourne in a Suncorp Stadium barnburner.

Even amid the losses, though, the sophomore club are increasingly shaping as the real deal.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is set to line up following Origin, while Felise Kaufusi is on the bench and Tesi Niu replaces a concussed Jack Bostock on the wing.

The Dolphins lead the head-to-head 2-1. The ledger was square in 2023, before a Tabuai-Fidow hat-trick spearheaded a 38-0 rout in Round 2 this year in Redcliffe.

Jubilee has not proved the most reliable home venue for the Saints – going 13-17 since mid-2018 and 1-1 this year – but the Dolphins, slight favourites in this one, are just 3-9 interstate in the NRL.

The Dolphins’ last eight games have been decided by 1-12 margins – including seven by six points or less.

I’ll sit on the fence and back them to be involved in another cliffhanger, with this pivotal clash shaping as an absolute coin-flip.

Tip: Back Either Team to Win by Less Than 10.5 Points @ $1.96

SGM: UNDER 51.5 TOTAL POINTS / ALTERNATE HANDICAP – DRAGONS +7.5 / TYRELL SLOAN ANYTIME TRYSCORER / MAX PLATH ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $38.81

Arguably no match in Round 17 is clouded by State of Origin like Penrith’s Sunday afternoon showdown against North Queensland, with 11 players involved in Wednesday’s MCG clash.

The Panthers’ five Blues have been named in the starting line-up, while five of the Cowboys’ reps have been named in the reserves with Jeremiah Nanai rested.

Mitch Kenny and Jack Cole bolster the Panthers’ spine after missing the Manly game, while Matt Eisenhuth takes Trent Toelau’s place on the bench.

The second-placed Panthers continued to collect wins without Nathan Cleary, outlasting Manly (32-22) and Newcastle (26-18) before last weekend’s bye.

The Cowboys have edged back into the Top 8 by winning four of their last five, but a woeful 42-12 home loss to the Warriors in Round 14 looks to be just as representative of their current status as a surprise 34-16 win in Canberra in their last start.

The Panthers have won six of their last eight against the Cowboys, whose two victories were against a team resting players pre-finals and an Origin depleted line-up.

The Panthers won 44-12 at home late last season and held on 26-20 in Townsville in Round 8 this year.

The Cowboys are shooting for three straight wins south of the border but the Panthers have lost just five of their last 46 games at home and are much more adept at overcoming the rigours of Origin.

Tip: Back the Panthers to Win by 11-20 Points @ $3.40

SGM: PANTHERS WIN / UNDER 47.5 TOTAL POINTS / IZACK TAGO ANYTIME TRYSCORER / SCOTT DRINKWATER ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $24.24

A recent upswing has sparked hope of hapless Wests Tigers defying one of the NRL’s most lopsided rivalry records on Sunday against the heavyweight Sydney Roosters.

The Roosters have won 17 of their last 18 against the Tigers, including the last seven in a row. The previous three showdowns have seen the Tricolours score 144 points to 20.

But after losing nine in a row the Tigers have hauled themselves off the bottom of the ladder with a dour win over the Titans at Leichhardt (18-10) and a rousing, drought-breaking demolition of the Raiders at Campbelltown (48-24).

Lachie Galvin put aside recent dramas to score two tries, the highlight of a superb collective display from the embattled joint venture’s batch of young guns, while Api Koroisau’s status as a leader continues to flourish.

The Tigers welcome back David Klemmer from suspension, while John Bateman and Justin Olam lurk in the reserves.

Luke Laulilii and Adam Doueihi retain backline spots after notable tryscoring appearances last week.

The 9-6 Roosters have clawed into the top four with consecutive hard-fought wins over the Eels (28-18) and Bulldogs (26-8).

The latter was the first time since Round 3 they have conceded less than 18 points as a familiar hardened edge begins to materialise.

The Roosters’ three-quarter line stocks continue to dwindle following Junior Pauga’s suspension, which sees Sitili Tupouniua come in at centre.

Lindsay Collins is named on the bench following an Origin assignment, as is Spencer Leniu, but Connor Watson and Angus Crichton are set to start.

The Tigers have lost 10 in a row at the new and old Sydney Football Stadium, while the Roosters are a modest 3-3 at their Allianz base in 2024.

Expect the Roosters to take the wind out of the rejuvenated Tigers’ sails here.

Tip: Back the Roosters to Cover the Line (-13.5) @ $1.90

SGM: ROOSTERS BY 11-20 POINTS / UNDER 53.5 TOTAL POINTS / JOSEPH MANU ANYTIME TRYSCORER / JAHREAM BULA ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $49.82

2023

Unfolding in the aftermath of the second State of Origin match, NRL Round 17’s seven matches are exclusively made up of Top 8 teams taking on sides in the bottom half. 

Is this the weekend where a defined split between the contenders and pretenders starts to emerge? 

St George Illawarra’s season keeps going from bad to worse with Friday’s assignment overshadowed by wantaway halfback and captain Ben Hunt.

But can the Dragons harness that siege mentality to upset the in-form Warriors in Wollongong? 

Both teams are coming off a bye, which for the Saints, followed their fourth win of the season in Round 15, holding off fast-finishing, under-strength Souths 36-30 where Hunt was instrumental. 

Hunt has been named to back up 48 hours after the second Origin, despite his release request that has dominated headlines in recent days.

Ex-NSW reps Jack Bird and Jack De Belin also return, while pack mainstay Josh Kerr has made a mid-season switch to the Dolphins. 

The 8-6 Warriors climbed to sixth after their two biggest wins of the season – a patchy 30-8 home defeat of the Dolphins and a rousing 36-14 victory over the Raiders at a sold-out GIO Stadium. 

The Warriors produced a mighty defensive display in the first half and rolled over the Raiders in the second stanza with five tries to one.

Shaun Johnson was sensational again, while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is proving one of the buys of the year at fullback. 

Impressive centre debutant Ali Leiataua (hamstring) has been ruled out, with Rocco Berry taking his place.

Valuable utility Dylan Walker returns from six weeks off in time to replace the suspended Mitch Barnett on the bench. 

The Dragons boast a dominant 24-10 all-time record against the Warriors, including 1-12 margin wins in the teams’ last three encounters.

The Saints are also 10-1 at WIN Stadium in this rivalry, though the Warriors grabbed a drought-breaking win in the most recent clash there in 2018. 

The Warriors have been excellent on the road this year – 4-4 overall and 7-1 against the line in Australia – and should bank another two competition points on the back of their defence, which ranks third in the NRL. 

Tip: Back the Warriors to Cover the Line (-6.5) @ $1.95 

SGM: WARRIORS WIN / UNDER 43.5 POINTS / DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK ANYTIME TRYSCORER / ZAC LOMAX ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $28.57 

The overachieving Dolphins are at a season crossroads after slipping to 10th with two heavy defeats leading into the Round 16 bye.

But they can make another debut-year statement against streaking Parramatta on the Sunshine Coast. 

Unlike after the series opener, the Dolphins have named Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to back up from Origin, while Felise Kaufusi is back from suspension and mid-season pick-up Josh Kerr comes straight onto the bench, Valynce Te Whare and debutant Brayden McGrady replace Brenko Lee and Tesi Niu. 

The Eels have named NSW pair Mitchell Moses and Junior Paulo to back up, with Ryan Matterson reverting to the bench and Luca Moretti and Matt Doorey dropping to the reserves. 

The Dolphins’ defence ranks 14th in the NRL after going down on the road to the Warriors (30-8) and Manly (58-18) – the latter easily their most insipid showing of an admirable maiden campaign. 

Heading into Round 12 with a 4-7 record, the Eels have nabbed a spot in the Top 8 for the first time in 2023 courtesy of four straight wins – three coming by 20-plus margins. 

After Dylan Brown was stood down, Daejarn Asi has been a revelation in the halves in convincing victories over Canterbury (34-12) and Manly (34-4), the latter in the absence of linchpin Moses.

Unheralded types Ofahiki Ogden and Bailey Simonsson have also been in great touch, along with breakout back-rower J’maine Hopgood. 

The Dolphins will be aiming to parlay their 6-3 record in Queensland this season into a momentum-changing upset result and the Eels have lost all three of their matches outside Sydney in 2023. 

Given the Dolphins’ bolstered pack, this has a smell of a Bennett ambush about it and this shapes as a much tougher assignment than has been presented to Parramatta in recent weeks. 

Tip: Back the Dolphins to Cover the Line (+6.5) @ $1.90 

SGM: DOLPHINS 1ST HALF WIN / OVER 45.5 TOTAL POINTS / JAMAYNE ISAAKO TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES / MAIKA SIVO ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $24.89 

Penrith is navigating the Origin period fairly well in light of Nathan Cleary’s hamstring injury – but they will have up to five NSW players backing up from Wednesday’s interstate showdown for this home clash with desperate Newcastle. 

The Knights have managed just one win and one draw from their last 13 matches against the Panthers – though they couldn’t have gone much closer to a victory at home in Round 7. 

Newcastle led for the majority of the match at inched in front via a Tyson Gamble field goal but Cleary levelled up to send it into golden point, where he slotted another one-pointer for a 16-15 escape. 

That loss was the start of a 2-6 run for the Knights, who were gallant in a 24-20 road loss to Brisbane a fortnight ago but dropped the ball big time in an 18-16 home defeat to the Roosters last Saturday.

After flubbing a slew of early chances they clawed back in the second half but couldn’t get it done. 

The 14th-placed Knights’ finals hopes are fading fast and pressure is again mounting on coach Adam O’Brien.

Tyson Frizell is expected to back up from Origin, while Greg Marzhew returns from a one-week standdown and Daniel Saifiti is back from injury, but Lachlan Fitzgibbon (head knock) is out. 

The Panthers made it five straight with a 30-6 demolition of the Roosters in Round 15, but a Blues-less side was pipped in golden point by a similarly-depleted Cowboys outfit in Townsville last Friday. 

The 27 points the Panthers conceded was comfortably a season-high, though reflective of patched-up nature of their line-up.

Jack Cogger has done a sound job deputising for Cleary but he will be hoping to have Luai back this week to take some playmaking pressure off. 

Five of Penrith’s nine wins this season have come by 1-12 margins. Despite the uncertainty created by the defending champs’ heavy Origin load, but they nevertheless look likely to cover a 10.5-point line here as they search for their 32nd win in 35 matches at home. 

Tip: Back the Panthers to Win by 11-20 @ $3.15 

SGM: PANTHERS -10.5 / SCOTT SORENSEN ANYTIME TRYSCORER / IZACK TAGO ANYTIME TRYSCORER / GREG MARZHEW ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $25.77 

Archrivals Melbourne and Manly square off for the second time this season, the Storm flying in third with four wins from their last five and the 12th-placed Sea Eagles on the ropes with just two wins from their last seven. 

Manly has won its last two against Melbourne (after losing the previous six) – a 36-30 thriller in Round 16 last year and an 18-8 result in Round 7 this year underpinned by brutal defence seen all too rarely from the Sea Eagles in 2023. 

That was biggest statement made by Anthony Seibold’s side this year.

Over the past month they have carved out massive wins in Canberra and at home to the Dolphins inspired by Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans, while sinking to aimless losses to Newcastle and Parramatta without the Origin duo. 

Last week’s 34-4 defeat to the Eels was characterised by an alarming lack off effort or enterprise from a side that had piled 58 points on the Dolphins a week earlier.

DCE is named at halfback, but ‘Turbo’ is only in the reserves list as Seibold waits to see how he pulls up from Origin. 

Melbourne has named Queensland trio Cam Munster, Harry Grand and Xavier Coates to back up, while Justin Olam returns from a concussion break at Marion Seve’s expense.

Christian Welch is back from suspension, Tui Kamikamica is out and Nelson Asofa-Solomona makes a second-row switch. 

The Storm reacted to a heavy loss in Townsville in ideal fashion, crushing Cronulla 54-10 at home before comfortably accounting for Wests Tigers 28-6 at Campbelltown without their Origin contingent.

Rookie winger Will Warbrick bagged four tries in the latter win. 

The Sea Eagles have won two of their last three in Melbourne but were trounced 28-8 at AAMI Park midway through last season.

Melbourne has won its last five at AAMI Park by an average margin of 18.4 points and will be too strong for a Manly side barely clinging to creditability. 

Tip: Back Melbourne to Win by 13+ @ $2.05 

SGM: MELBOURNE -11.5 / MANLY UNDER 15.5 TOTAL POINTS / NICK MEANEY ANYTIME TRYSCORER / REIMIS SMITH ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $15.82 

After a month-long blip, Brisbane Broncos are again riding high at the top of the NRL ladder after navigating a taxing Origin period superbly so far.

They are chasing four straight wins when they host the inscrutable Gold Coast Titans. 

Brisbane is on a four-match winning streak in the derby rivalry, including a 43-26 victory on the Gold Coast in Round 7.

The Titans were ahead 14-10 at halftime but a Reece Walsh-led blitz in the second half paved the way for a comfortable win. 

Following a shorthanded win over the Warriors in New Zealand, the Broncos carved out a super-impressive 20-10 victory at Cronulla three days after the first Origin and ran Newcastle down 24-20 in a high-quality thriller before getting a belated first bye last weekend. 

The Titans have had two byes in the past four rounds, snapping a three-game slide with a 28-12 home win over Wests Tigers in Round 15.

They are reasonably well-placed in ninth but have had their full allocation of byes and play seven of the current Top 8 on a gruelling run home. 

Gold Coast boasts the fifth-best attack in the NRL…but that is not compensating for having the competition’s third-worst defensive record. 

Kieran Foran (toe) returns after a month out, with Jayden Campbell reverting to the Titans’ bench while Queensland forwards David Fifita, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika are all slated to back up. 

Kurt Capewell is sidelined for the Broncos, but the depth provided by the likes of Brendan Piakura is such a luxury for Kevin Walters.

Their Origin contingent, along with game two scratching Selwyn Cobbo (hip), have all been named. 

Wednesday’s Suncorp Stadium blockbuster arguably impacts the Titans more (injuries and possible withdrawals pending) and it’s hard to envisage their flimsy defence standing up to the attacking arsenal at the Broncos’ disposal with the minor premiership well in their sights. 

Tip: Back the Broncos to Cover the Line (-9.5) and Over 47.5 Total Points @ $3.10 

SGM: BRONCOS 13+ / BRONCOS 31-40 TOTAL POINTS / EZRA MAM ANYTIME TRYSCORER / JORDAN RIKI ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $36.27 

North Queensland’s mini-resurgence receives an acid test courtesy of a post-Origin trip to Sydney to take on heavyweight Souths. 

The Cowboys were understandably written off after conceding 66 points to Wests Tigers, but they’ve found some of their 2022 mojo since. 

Either side of the Round 15 bye, the Cowboys stunned Melbourne 45-20 and edged out Penrith 27-23 in golden via a brilliant try from in-form fullback Scott Drinkwater, plus Jason Taumalolo also made a long-awaited return in the latter match. 

The Cowboys have crafted an NRL-best 6-2 home record but have lost all five matches outside Queensland in 2023. Their four Maroons stars have been named in the reserves – as they were before the Storm clash, with all of them ultimately backing up. 

Hampered by injuries to Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Cameron Murray and Jai Arrow on top of the Origin disruption, the fourth-placed Rabbitohs have hit a rough patch over the past month, losing three of their last four and conceding 28-plus points in each. 

Souths were flattered by the final scoreline in a 36-30 loss to St George Illawarra after an extraordinary late flurry of tries.

Walker returns along with Tom Burgess, while Cameron Murray and Damien Cook have been named to back up from Origin. 

Souths have reeled off seven straight wins over North Queensland (after winning just one of the previous nine between the clubs), including a 20-10 win at Accor Stadium in the their only meeting last season – the teams’ first in Sydney in seven years. 

Walker is a big inclusion for the hosts, but I like the Cowboys’ chances of covering given their recent momentum and ability to cope with the Origin period to date.

There’s been some worrying signs defensively for the Rabbitohs, whose record without Latrell is becoming quite the millstone. 

Tip: Back the Cowboys to Cover the Line (+6.5) @ $1.90 

SGM: EITHER TEAM BY UNDER 10.5 POINTS / OVER 45.5 TOTAL POINTS / SEMI VALEMEI ANYTIME TRYSCORER / CAMPBELL GRAHAM ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $14.49 

A pivotal encounter for both teams with the 11th-placed Sydney Roosters desperate to build some momentum and seventh-placed Canberra looking to bounce back from a pre-bye beatdown. 

The Roosters held on for a gutsy 18-16 win in Newcastle last week on the back of massive performances from stand-in fullback Joey Manu and makeshift prop Nat Butcher.

Luke Keary left the field early but has been cleared of a jaw fracture in a major boost for the injury-ravaged squad. 

Keary has been named to play, which sees Manu return to centre with James Tedesco named to back up from Origin.

Butcher will come off the bench with Queensland prop Lindsay Collins named to start and Victor Radley is back from suspension at lock. 

The Raiders could drop as low as 10th with a loss here after bookending recent wins in Sydney over Souths (33-26) and Wests Tigers (20-19) – extremely fortunately in the latter – with heavy home defeats to Manly (42-14) and the Warriors (36-14). 

Unable to get on top of the Warriors despite dominating first-half territory and possession, the Raiders failed to turn up after the break and leaked five tries.

Ricky Stuart’s preoccupation with Jarrod Croker’s 300th game has stunted the rhythm of a side that had won seven of its last eight. 

The Raiders’ 17 is unchanged with Hudson Young backing up from Origin. 

The Roosters have won six of the teams’ last nine encounters, but the Raiders took out their sole clash last season 22-16 at GIO Stadium with both sides missing their Origin contingent.

The Roosters won 16 of their last 17 against the Raiders at the pre-development Allianz Stadium (SFS). 

Arguably the biggest coin-flip of Round 17, the Roosters are perhaps surprising $1.65 favourites given they haven’t won back-to-back games since Round 9, but they are 4-1 at Allianz Stadium in 2023. 

Tip: Back the Roosters to Win by 1-12 @ $2.80 

SGM: ROOSTERS WIN / UNDER 42.5 POINTS / SITILI TUPOUNIUA ANYTIME TRYSCORER / JORDAN RAPANA ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $33.21 

2022

The truncated four-game NRL Round 17 schedule sees several clubs striving to navigate their way through choppy representative waters – and other teams aiming to take advantage of their star-depleted opposition.

Check out where the value lies this weekend in the shadows of the Origin decider.

Cronulla gets the benefit of taking on Melbourne sans Queensland superstars Cameron Munster and Harry Grant. The Munster-less Storm were blown over Brookvale Oval by the Sea Eagles last Thursday, trailing 36-12 before a late flurry pegged the fulltime deficit back to a flattering six points.

The silver lining for the second-placed Storm was the return of fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, who chalked up two tries and three try-assists.

The fourth-placed Sharks, meanwhile, are chasing four straight wins after picking off low-hanging fruit in the shape of the Warriors (38-16), Titans (18-10) and Bulldogs (18-6). They are still trying to rediscover the dynamic form that had them touted as premiership dark horses in April.

The Sharks’ only Origin rep is Siosifa Talakai – and they boast a very handy centre replacement in Connor Tracey.

Nick Meaney moves to five-eighth for the Storm, with Dean Ieremia coming in on the wing and Jayden Nikorima dropping out. Meanwhile, hooker stand-ins don’t come much more accomplished than Brandon Smith. Tyran Wishart and Jordan Grant join the bench.

After losing six of the previous nine clashes between the clubs, Melbourne is on a five-match winning streak against Cronulla. The Storm carved out a 34-18 victory in a high-quality Round 6 encounter at AAMI Park. The Sharks have won three of the last four encounters at Shark Park, however, and are 4-1 at their home ground this season.

The rivals are near enough to even-money here. It’s always an absorbing battle between these high-credentialled packs of forwards, while the No.7 battle between Jahrome Hughes and ex-teammate Nicho Hynes will be pivotal.

Papenhuyzen’s return – and the burn of a Bellamy bake last week – may be enough to tip the scales in the Storm’s favour.

Tip: Back the Storm to Cover the Line (-1 Point) @ $2.00

SGM: EITHER TEAM BY LESS THAN 10.5 POINTS / OVER 37.5 POINTS / RYAN PAPENHUYZEN ANYTIME TRY SCORER / CONNOR TRACEY ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $18.98

South Sydney bounced back from its pre-rep round debacle against St George Illawarra to consolidate seventh spot with a 30-12 thrashing of Parramatta in Round 16. The Rabbitohs’ first win of 2022 against a top-six team was sparked by Latrell Mitchell’s return, the fullback’s presence taking pressure of under-fire halves Cody Walker and Lachlan Ilias.

As well as contributing Cameron Murray, Damien Cook and Jai Arrow to the Origin cause, the Rabbitohs have been rocked by injuries to Campbell Graham and Hame Sele. Taane Milne, Siliva Havili, Jed Cartwright and Mark Nicholls have been named in the starting side, while Blake Taaffe, Michael Chee-Kam and Davvy Moale have joined the bench.

The 5-10 Knights are still more likely to feature in the wooden spoon scramble than the Top 8 picture, but a 38-12 defeat of the struggling Titans was a very positive result for the NRL’s then-worst attacking side without offensive spearhead Kalyn Ponga, who will again be missing this week due to Origin.

Edrick Lee scored five tries and fellow winger Dominic Young three in the rout, while maligned spine trio Tex Hoy, Anthony Milford and Adam Clune shone with seven try-assists between them.

Newcastle also lose Dane Gagai to Queensland duty, but Bradman Best is back from an elbow injury and in another massive boost hooker Jayden Brailey (achilles) is set to make his first appearance of 2022.

Souths have won 11 of their last 13 against Newcastle, including a 46-20 qualifying final result in 2020 and a 24-10 in the sole clash last season.

The Knights need to forget all about their morale-boosting win over the hapless Titans. The fact remains they are conceding at almost 25 points per game in 2022, which is a huge concern with a marauding Mitchell warming back into form.

There’s enough depth in this Souths side to overcome their Origin and injury setbacks and grab a comfortable W.

Tip: Back the Rabbitohs to Cover the Line (-5.5 Points) @ $2.00

SGM: SOUTHS WIN / SOUTHS OVER 22.5 POINTS / LATRELL MITCHELL ANYTIME TRY SCORER / CODY WALKER ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $8.97

The interim coach bounce enjoyed by Canterbury and to a lesser extent the Warriors has eluded Wests Tigers, who have lost all three games under Brett Kimmorley to Manly, the Bulldogs and Warriors by a combined 88 points to 18.

Last week was always going to be a challenge at a sold-out, emotion-charged Mt Smart, but the 22-2 defeat to the NRL’s worst defensive out was another stinging indictment on the Tigers’ attack – which now ranks as the least potent in the competition.

Parramatta’s up-and-down formline shows no signs of correcting to an even keel, bookending an excellent 26-16 win over the Roosters in Round 15 with heavy looses to the Bulldogs (34-4) and Rabbitohs (30-12). The Eels are still relatively well-placed in sixth with a 9-6 record but need to build momentum heading into September.

The Tigers are unencumbered by Origin and get skipper James Tamou back from injury. Meanwhile, Adam Doueihi returns to the starting line-up at centre for James Roberts. Hooker Jacob Liddle is back in the 17.

Marata Niukore is the surprise prop replacement for NSW powerhouse Junior Paulo, while Ryan Matterson returns at lock for Parramatta after missing last week. Clint Gutherson is in the Blues squad but will be released to skipper the Eels.

The Tigers’ last-second, Jackson Hastings-inspired 21-20 upset of the Eels on Easter Monday snapped a seven-match losing streak in the rivalry. This is the teams’ first clash at Leichhardt Oval since 2013 – a ground Parramatta last won at in 2002.

This is a psychological battle more than anything for the Eels. Talent- and firepower-wise it’s a no-contest, but the blue-and-golds struggle to lift for low-level opposition. The second-last Tigers will spy another opportunity to pull the Eels’ pants down and can at least keep this one close at Leichhardt.

Tip: Back the Tigers to Cover the Line (+12 Points) @ $1.90

SGM: EITHER TEAM BY UNDER 12.5 POINTS / OVER 39.5 POINTS / MAIKA SIVO ANYTIME TRY SCORER / KEN MAUMALO ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $15.20

Believe it or not, Brisbane and St George Illawarra are separated by just two points on the NRL ladder. The burgeoning Broncos are in fifth after tough but nevertheless encouraging away losses to top-four sides Melbourne (32-20) and North Queensland (40-26) either side of the rep weekend.

Leaking that many points is a clear concern for Kevin Walters heading into the home stretch – but racking up four tries (with Corey Oates bagging consecutive doubles) against two of the NRL’s best defences is a positive.

The Dragons have climbed to eighth with four wins from their last five matches, backing up their first-half blitz to upset Souths 32-12 with a controversial-but-gritty 12-10 eclipse of the Raiders in Wollongong.

The Broncos lose Patrick Carrigan, Kurt Capewell, Selwyn Cobbo and Thomas Flegler to the Queensland side, while Payne Haas was ruled out of the decider with injury. Compounding matters, Te Maire Martin and Corey Jensen are also sidelined.

Tesi Niu returns at fullback, Jordan Pereira comes onto a wing, Keenan Palasia and Ryan James form a new prop pairing, Zac Hosking will debut in the second-row and Cory Paix, Rhys Kennedy, Xavier Wilson and Tyson Gamble make up an all-new interchange.

The Dragons’ only Origin absentee is a big one: linchpin Ben Hunt. Jayden Sullivan will wear the No.7 in an inexperienced halves pairing with Talatau Amone.

The Saints are on a five-match winning streak against the Broncos, culminating in a 52-24 beatdown at Jubilee Oval in their sole encounter last season after three straight victories at Suncorp Stadium. Each of the clubs’ last five encounters produced at least 46 points.

The Dragons have been abysmal away from Sydney since their season-opening defeat of the Warriors on the Sunshine Coast, losing three interstate games by a combined 93 points to 34. Where their playmaking impetus and direction comes from is the major worry here, though, and Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam should lead the significantly depleted hosts to a key win.

Tip: Back the Broncos to Win @ $1.78

SGM: BRONCOS BY 1-12 / OVER 39.5 POINTS / COREY OATES ANYTIME TRY SCORER / MOSES SULI ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $24.11

2021

Eight teams are on the bye this week, leaving us with only four games to sink our teeth into ahead of Origin Game 3 on Wednesday night.

Manly is shooting for four in a row on Thursday when they head home to face the Raiders, followed by an important Friday night game from Sydney between the Rabbitohs and Cowboys.

The Roosters will be looking to get back to business when they take on the struggling Bulldogs on Saturday, leaving the Sharks and the Warriors to wrap things up on Sunday from Jubilee.

Several star players could be missing due to Origin, but that hasn’t stopped us from analysing all four games in our 2021 NRL Round 17 Preview!

A trip to Brookvale could not have come at a worse time for the struggling Raiders.

Canberra’s season is close to over after suffering a blowout loss at home against the Titans last week, a result that has seen the Raiders slide all the way down to 13^th on the ladder with nine games to play.

Things aren’t about to get any easier for the Raiders against a red-hot Manly side that is looking to build on a 66-0 walloping over Canterbury last week.

Tom Trbojevic, Toafofoa Sipley and Jason Saab starred in the shutout victory, and while Turbo might be missing due to Origin commitments, it’s very hard to see Canberra’s sloppy defence coming up with an answer on Thursday night.

To make matters worse, there is a chance Jake Trobjevic returns from a hip injury this week – another worrying side for Ricky Stuart with his side having allowed more points against than for.

If you’ve been keeping count, you’ll also know Manly has won three straight over the Raiders, while it’s worth noting Canberra’s last win at Brookvale came way back in 2016.

Overall, Manly’s star power should prove too much for the Raiders to handle and the early -10.5 line looks a little generous.

Tip: Back Manly to Cover the Line (-10.5 Points) @ $2

The Rabbitohs will be looking to add to North Queensland’s misery on Friday night when the two sides meet for an important game in Sydney.

The Bunnies extended their winning streak to four last week with a thorough beatdown over the Tigers at Leichardt, while the Cowboys laid their second goose egg of the season in a 38-0 shutout loss to the Knights.

The Rabbitohs won a 31-30 thriller when they met the Cowboys in Townsville last season, but based on recent form, this one might turn out a little more one-sided.

As far as the season is concerned, the Cowboys are still very much in the hunt to play finals, but it’s hard to ignore the fact they rank fourth in points allowed.

The Rabbitohs, meanwhile, rank 13^th in the same department, while on the attacking side, they’ve managed to sneak into the top five with all of their stars back.

Defending has been a huge problem for Todd Payten’s side, and that should again be the case this week against a Rabbitohs team that has outscored its last three opponents 108-32.

With an equally impressive 6-3 record as the line favourite at home over the last 12 months, it’s hard not to side with South Sydney.

Tip: Back the Rabbitohs to Cover the Line (-15.5 Points) @ $1.90

The Dogs and the Roosters both look to press the reset button after being held scoreless by Manly and the Storm last week.

For the tri-colours, a game against the hapless Bulldogs couldn’t have come at a better time as they hope to maintain touch with the top four.

Canterbury, meanwhile, will be hoping to avoid another scoring drought similar to the one that stretched from Round 2 to Round 5 earlier in the season.

As the market suggests, the Roosters should be very hard to beat this week with Victor Radley returning from suspension, while the fact they’ve won seven straight over the Dogs dating back to 2017 obviously makes them tough to bet against.

Jayden Okunbor is a chance at playing this week, but there is more bad news on the injury front for the Dogs with Nick Cotric suffering a potential season-ending toe injury.

This game really isn’t worth overcomplicating, but if you’re searching for some value, it’s worth noting 12 of the last 16 games between these two sides have gone Over the Total.

Tip: Back the Roosters to Win & Over 49.5 Total Points @ $2.05

Last week’s shock loss to the Broncos may have been the reality call the Sharks needed with the finals fast approaching.

Cronulla’s four-game winning streak came to an end as Josh Hannay’s side fell by eight points at Suncorp, but with so many teams struggling to make up ground, the Sharks still find themselves sitting eighth on the ladder.

That isn’t to say Sunday’s game against the Warriors will come easy, though.

The Kiwis are equally as desperate to turn things around after suffering their fourth straight loss to the Dragons in overtime last week, a result that has left New Zealand with plenty of work to do now sitting 12th.

Injuries have largely been to blame for the Warriors’ demise, and unfortunately, things haven’t improved with Tohu Harris and Eliesa Katoa suffering shoulder injuries in the loss to St George.

Betting wise, it’s very difficult to feel overly confident in the Sharks, but they do deserve the benefit of the doubt with a strong 9-6 record on the back of a loss.

Home field advantage at Jubilee also works in Cronulla’s favour as the Warriors have played to an appalling 2-5 record away from home this year.

Tip: Back the Sharks to Cover the Line (-8 Points) @ $1.90

2020

It’s crunch time for several teams this week as the 2020 NRL season heads into the final month of home/away play.

Fans will be treated to not one, but two outstanding top eight battles on Friday night as the Knights and the Sharks do battle from Newcastle, right before the encore between the Rabbitohs and Storm from ANZ.

A Grand Final rematch is also on the cards as the Raiders and the Roosters write another chapter in their newfound rivalry in what is shaping up to be a decisive battle between fourth and fifth.

It’s safe to say this is the most exciting round of the season, and if you’re looking to come out on top, be sure to read out 2020 NRL Round 17 Preview below.

The Panthers can extend their winning streak to 12 with a win over the Broncos on Thursday night and it is no surprise to find them as major favourites in the market.

Penrith tore apart the Tigers last week in their 30-6 victory, while the Broncos were on the receiving end of a 58-12 beatdown against the Roosters at Suncorp.

Brisbane have won four straight over the Panthers dating back to 2017, but things have obviously changed drastically over the last 12 months.

The Broncos are set to field a relatively unchanged side to the one they featured last week, while Isaah Yeo is remains the only uncertainty for the Panthers after picking up a head knock last week.

Considering the Roosters were -30 favourites last week against the Broncos, the -22.5 available on the Panthers is rather generous here.

Tip: Back the Panthers to Cover the Line (-22.5 Points) @ $2.00

Newcastle and Cronulla’s respective rollercoaster rides are set to peak on Friday as the two sides fight to keep their finals hopes alive.

The Knights and Sharks both sit seventh and eighth on the ladder in what is shaping up to be a decisive game for not only themselves, but also the backlog of teams sitting just outside the eight.

Newcastle had won three straight games prior to last week’s crushing loss to the Warriors, while the Sharks bounced back from a big defeat against the Panthers to get one back against the Cowboys.

The Knights are still battered and bruised heading into this contest, but they might rest a little easier knowing Shaun Johnson is in doubt with a hamstring strain.

Cronulla has been a great bet at the line this year, but they don’t compare to Newcastle on the back of a loss.

The Knights are a perfect 6-0 following a previous defeat over the last calendar year, and with home field advantage, they appear a great bet to extend that record.

Tip: Back the Knights to Cover the Line (-1.5 Points) @ $2.00

The Rabbitohs pulled off the unthinkable last week in their 38-0 shutout over the Eels, but they face a much tougher task on Friday against a Storm side fighting to keep in touch with the ladder leading Panthers.

Melbourne returned to the winner’s list last week with a 30-6 stomping of the Sea Eagles and they have since been installed as short-priced favourites ahead of their date with the Bunnies.

The Storm won comfortably over Souths back in Round 4 as Ryan Papenhuyzen and Josh Addo-Carr wreaked havoc, a performance Craig Bellamy will be hoping his side can replicate with a handful of his stars still on the sideline.

Speaking of injuries, the Rabbitohs should receive some good news on the Alex Johnston and Dane Gagai front this week with both backs expected to return.

Their inclusion will go a long way to helping the Bunnies win their sixth game in a row with Latrell Mitchell ruled out for the rest of the year.

The Storm have won three straight over the Rabbitohs, but it’s worth noting two of those wins have come by no more than 10 points.

Souths win over the Eels last week was something special, however the jury is still out when you consider four of their last five wins have come against the Dragons, Broncos, Cowboys and Sea Eagles.

Tip: Back the Storm 1-12 @ $2.70

The wooden spoon is now the last thing on the Titans’ mind as they somehow stand a mathematical chance at sneaking into the eight.

It would take something very special, but the Gold Coast could potentially move a step closer to playing finals if they take care of the cellar-dwelling Bulldogs on Saturday.

The Dogs put in a gallant first half effort against the Raiders last week, a performance they are sure to build on in a very winnable contest against the Titans.

Gold Coast, meanwhile, pulled off one of the upsets of the season with a 14-10 win over the Dragons at Jubilee.

Both sides should enter this contest almost unchanged from last week, which means we could be in for some points.

The Dogs showed real fight scoring two late first half tries against the Raiders last week, while the Titans scored three unanswered against St George.

The Total has gone Over in each of the Titans’ last four games following a win, so the Points Line appears to be the safest play.

Tip: Over 42.5 Total Points @ $1.90

It’s been a miserable month for both of these sides and things are only about to get worse for one of them on Saturday night.

The Sea Eagles have lost five straight following their blowout defeat at the hands of the Storm last week, while Wests haven’t fared much better in back-to-back losses to the Roosters and Panthers.

The Tigers appear the more likely side to potentially sneak into the finals and it is very surprising to find them as the underdogs heading to Brookvale.

Michael Maguire’s side has won four of its last five games against Manly and are also fielding a near full-strength side.

The Sea Eagles, meanwhile, are still without Dylan Walker and Tom Trbojevic, while the absence of Moses Suli in the centre last week was glaring.

With games against the Rabbitohs, Storm and Eels to come, this appears to be a great price for the Tigers to win what might be their last game of the season.

Tip: Back the Tigers to Win @ $2.35

We’ll be treated to the second Grand Final rematch of the year on Saturday, and if it turns out anything like their previous Round 10 encounter, it should be a real treat.

The Raiders famously won 24-20 over the Roosters at the SCG earlier in the year and have gone on to lose only one game since.

Canberra had their hands full against the Bulldogs in the first half last week, but the Green Machine showed tremendous fight to turn things around with four unanswered tries.

Neither of these two teams have been firing on all cylinders lately, which makes the current market seem a little off.

The Roosters are still missing some key players in the form of Luke Keary, Jake Friend, Matt Ikuvalu and Angus Crichton, which makes the current price seem a little under the odds.

When you throw in the fact the Raiders are a perfect 2-0 as the home underdog against the Roosters, suddenly Canberra looks a very good bet here at home.

Tip: Back the Raiders to Cover the Line (+6 Points) @ $2.00

The Warriors have quickly turned into one of the most fascinating sides with four weeks to go.

New Zealand’s early season home sickness feels like a distant memory now as the Kiwis suddenly find themselves just four points off a spot in the eight.

The Warriors need to win out and results to go their way from here on out, but they have to feel pretty good about themselves knowing they return to the Central Coast this week – a stadium they’ve come to love this season.

Parramatta’s woes of late also make this a very interesting betting matchup, even moreso with Dylan Brown set to miss an indefinite amount of time with an ankle injury.

The Eels laid a goose egg last week against the Rabbitohs in their 38-0 loss, while their previous performances against the Sharks, Dragons and Storm have left a lot to be desired.

New Zealand are 4-2 at the line on the Central Coast this year and 6-2 as the “home” underdog over the last 12 months.

With their season on the line, don’t discount the Warriors keeping this close.

Tip: Back the Warriors to Cover the Line (+6.5 Points) @ $2.00

The Dragons did themselves no favours last week in their loss to the Titans, but they do have a chance to make up for lost time against another of the league’s bottom feeders on Sunday.

North Queensland are on the verge of a 10^th straight loss after coming up 16 points short of the Sharks last week at Jubilee.

The Cowboys’ injury list claimed another victim with Michael Morgan suffering a calf injury and it is very difficult to see them overcoming his absence based on the way they performed without their captain in the lineup earlier in the year.

St George has been nearly impossible to get a read on this year, but they have been a fairly consistent customer against the Cowboys recently.

The Saints have won four of their last five over North Queensland, three of which have come by a margin of 1-12.

This game probably won’t be pretty, but you have to like the Dragons to at least put up a fight with their season on the line.

Tip: Back the Dragons 1-12 @ $2.80

2019

The NRL returns to full strength this week in the aftermath of Wednesday’s Origin decider.

It’s all systems go ahead of the finals, and with a pair of top-eight clashes to look forward to on Saturday, there’s plenty on the line.

With several sides returning from the bye, as well as a handful of players expected to miss club duty following Origin, it’s worth backing a handful of upsets this week.

We’ve previewed all eight games, and our complete 2019 NRL Round 17 Preview can be seen below.

The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for Penrith as they look to make a big top eight push with just over two months remaining.

Ivan Cleary’s side enters Friday night’s game on a five-game winning streak, and although they’ll go without Nathan Cleary, the Panthers should feel confident knowing they’ve won four of their last five games against the Titans.

Gold Coast, on the other hand, has very little to play for other than bragging rights – something they’ve attained once already this season against Penrith.

The Titans beat the Panthers 30-24 when they met back in Round 5, a game Michael Gordon dominated on the scoresheet.

Gold Coast has looked very vulnerable on the road this season though, evident in their sloppy 2-5 record away from home.

To make matters worse, the Titans have lost two of their last three trips to Panthers Stadium to go along with a sloppy 3-7 record on the back of a loss.

The stat sheet also suggests we could be in for some points again after both sides combined for 54 back in Round 5. The Panthers and Titans both rank inside the top five in missed tackles this year, so if you’re looking to land a multi, including the Overs, might be worthwhile.

As far as head-to-head betting goes, it’s hard to go past the Panthers and their 5-1 record as the home favourites against the Titans. Four of the last five games between these two sides have been decided by 1-12 points, so back this one to be close.

Tip: Panthers 1-12 @ $3.00

A four-point loss to the Warriors last week leaves the Knights scratching their heads as they now face a pivotal Friday night matchup against the Bulldogs at home.

This time last week Newcastle had a shot at the top four, but now the Knights are fighting for life tied on points with the seventh-placed Eels.

Canterbury returns from last week’s bye well-rested and full of confidence after defeating the Sharks at home a fortnight ago.

The Dogs have nothing left to play for, but did you know they’ve won four straight games over the Knights in Newcastle dating back to 2015?

While the odds suggest differently, Newcastle hasn’t been the strongest side on the back of a defeat. The Knights are 2-4 following a previous loss, and if they head into Friday’s game without Kalyn Ponga and Mitchell Pearce, the Dogs look a strong upset chance to cause further chaos on the ladder.

Tip: Back the Bulldogs to Win @ $2.90

Big game for all involved with both sides returning to the field following a bye.

The Rabbitohs are in a world of hurt right now having lost four straight games, while the Sea Eagles roll into Saturday’s contest riding a tidy three-game winning streak.

Manly fans will hold fond memories of their one-point overtime win over the Bunnies back in Round 4 at Brookvale. The Sea Eagles were outplayed for most of the match, but that didn’t stop Daly Cherry-Evans from nailing a golden point field goal in the 83^rd minute.

Neither coach will read too much into their previous encounter, but the Bunnies will need to come up with a defensive strategy to combat Manly’s speedy play of the ball.

The Sea Eagles have been unstoppable in open space this year, while the Rabbitohs have suddenly crept inside the top five in errors and ineffective tackles this season.

Manly look well over the odds at this price considering they hold a 2-1 record as the away underdog against the Rabbitohs.

Both sides will head into Saturday’s game a little battered and bruised following Wednesday’s Origin decider but considering Manly are 3-2 following the bye over the last three seasons, the Sea Eagles are worth backing for some value.

Tip: Back Manly to Win @ $2.36

Almost identical victories last week over the Knights and Sharks sets up what should be a lively affair on Saturday afternoon from Suncorp.

The Warriors pulled off an unthinkable win over the Knights in Newcastle to keep their finals hopes alive for another week.

New Zealand was unstoppable in the second half piling on three tries inside the opening 20-minutes, followed by Sam Lisone’s game-winning six-pointer with just five minutes remaining.

Fairytales also came true for the Broncos in Cronulla. Finals are still out of the question, but Anthony Seibold has to be proud of his sides second half effort in their 24-22 win over the Sharks.

These two sides have already met once this year, although it was hardly a memorable encounter. The Broncos won 8-2 in Auckland, but it’s the Warriors who hold the wood over Brisbane having won three of their last five meetings.

New Zealand continues to prove a much better side on the road than at home this season, as was the case last year when the Warriors destroyed the Broncos at Suncorp by 20-points.

Both sides have won back-to-back games only once this year, which makes the odds for the Broncos look a little questionable – even with home-field advantage.

This one is a bit of a coin flip, but the one stat worth banking on is the Warriors at the line. Over the last calendar year, the Warriors are 5-2 as the away underdog.

Tip: Back the Warriors to Cover the Line (+4.5 Points) @ $1.90

There’s plenty being asked of the Sharks following last week’s gut-wrenching loss to the Broncos at home, and it isn’t about to get any easier with a trip to Melbourne to face this year’s premiership favourites.

While the wheels appear to be falling off, the Sharks can at least find some confidence in last year’s win over the Storm at AAMI Park. Cronulla held on for a narrow 17-14 victory over the Storm, right before losing in blowout fashion a month later in the finals.

As for Melbourne, Craig Bellamy’s side has a few questions to answer themselves. Last week’s come from behind victory over the Dragons was less than convincing, but with a 6-1 record at home this year, it’s difficult to build a case against the Storm.

The biggest problem for the Sharks last week was missed tackles and errors. Cronulla also managed only four offloads against the Broncos, which obviously spells bad news against an elite attacking side like the Storm.

Cronulla got the better of the Storm back in Round 8 but keep in mind four of the last five meetings between these two sides have been decided by 10-points or less. Don’t be surprised if the Storm pull off another miracle in the dying stages.

Tip: Back the Storm 1-12 @ $3.00

The Roosters got back to winning ways last week defeating the Tigers by eight points away from home.

Sydney now heads to the Central Coast on Sunday to face the Cowboys, a team that has typically caused a few problems for the Chooks in recent years.

North Queensland has enjoyed a week off following their loss to the Dragons a fortnight ago. The Cowboys hold a 3-4 record on the road this year, but their 4-1 record on the back of a bye over the last three seasons is worth paying attention to.

Paul Green’s side still stands a chance at playing finals, especially if results go their way this week. A win over the Roosters could see the Cowboys just one win away from jumping back inside the eight, making North Queensland a big chance this weekend.

Despite earning the points last week, the Roosters were far from their best. Sydney still committed plenty of errors and penalties, making the Cowboys and their 3-1 record as the line underdog in away games against the Roosters strong value.

Tip: Back the Cowboys to Cover the Line (+11.5 Points) @ $1.90

The Tigers hold home-field advantage for the third game in a row, but you can expect a big turnout from Eels fans at Bankwest Stadium on Sunday.

Wests were a little hard done by last week against the Roosters, as a slow start cost the Tigers in the end. Michael Maguire will be hoping for a much-improved performance from his side this week, especially following their blowout 51-6 loss to the Eels back in Round 6.

The market suggests Parramatta will be tough to beat, but the trouble is, the Eels are easily one of the most inconsistent sides in the competition.

Parramatta has won four of its last five games over the Tigers dating back to 2017, but even with a near perfect 4-1 record as the away favourite against Wests, you’d still be best off avoiding the head-to-head market.

Backing a high-scoring game has proven very profitable when these two sides get together, with seven of the last 12 games going Over the Total.

Both sides have combined for 50-points or more in their last three games, and with Parramatta’s defence proving a little untrustworthy week-to-week, it’s worth playing it safe with the Total on Sunday.

Tip: Over 40.5 Total Points @ $1.88

The Dragons were unlucky not to walk away with the points last week during a narrow loss to the Storm at home.

With so much to play for, the result leaves the Dragons sitting 12^th on the ladder as they face a do-or-die clash against the Raiders on Sunday afternoon.

Canberra head into this game with a point to prove following a six-point loss to the Eels before the bye.

The Raiders have managed only one victory over the Dragons in their last five meetings, while their recent form on the road also casts some doubt over Canberra’s chances.

Fortunately for Raider fans, St. George is 3-5 on the back of a loss this season, compared to the Canberra’s sturdy 3-2 record.

The last five games between these two sides have been decided by 12-points or less and considering Canberra need to win this game if they hold any hope of finishing inside the top four, it’s worth backing the Raiders to win a narrow one.

Tip: Back the Raiders 1-12 @ $3.10

2018

NRL Round 17 sure is short and sweet.

There were some big results last weekend, but aside from the Storm jumping back up into the Top 3, the ladder remained relatively unchanged.

With eight teams on a bye this week, there’s plenty on the line for the likes of the Panthers and Broncos, but all eyes will be on Thursday night’s match up in what looks like a potential grand final showdown.

Four days, four games, and as always, all of our 2018 NRL Round 17 Tips can be found below!

If we took anything away from last week, it’s this: the Storm and the Dragons aren’t invincible.

Okay, both teams still walked away with a win, but the Dragons looked rather unconvincing for the better part of 60-minutes against the Eels, while the Storm sputtered their way to a last minute field goal win over the Roosters in Adelaide.

You could say all of that sets the stage for what should be a Thursday night epic this week.

When these two teams last met back in Round 9 it was the Dragons running away with a comfy 34-14 victory at home, but although St. George sit atop the ladder, this Melbourne outfit is really starting to kick into gear.

So much is made of the Storm’s attack, but despite a close shave against the Roosters, it was Melbourne’s defence that got the job done last week.

The Storm recorded more tackles and forced more errors over the course of the game, showing just how stingy their defence can be against an elite attacking unit.

Head-to-head the Storm have won three of their last five against the Dragons, and punters will be happy to know Melbourne also hold a 7-0 record against the Dragons in home games as the favourite.

Of course, the Dragons are ladder leaders for a reason, but there’s certainly a few question marks surrounding St. George right now.

Silly mistakes from the likes of Ben Hunt nearly cost the Dragons last week, something that won’t fly against a punishing outfit like the Storm.

Back Melbourne Storm to Win by 13+ @ $3.00

Underwhelming and unconvincing, that was the Panthers last week.

Holding a 6-1 record at home, Penrith looked a sure-thing against bottom dwellers Manly, but the Panthers struggled to get anything going on attack in the second half, resulting in an 18-10 loss.

Fortunately for Penrith, their opponents this week, the New Zealand Warriors, also suffered the same fate.

A game against the Sharks was certainly no gimme, but the Warriors looked like the team to beat at home against Cronulla last week, only to fall short by three points.

What we’re left with now is a huge game as far as ladder implications are concerned, one that could see the winner potentially jump into the top three, or fall towards the bottom of the eight.

Odds wise, the Warriors enter as the favourites, in large part thanks to their 6-1 record in away games this season.

The Panthers, on the other hand, own a not so favourable 0-2 record as the home head-to-head underdogs vs. New Zealand, but that isn’t to say they aren’t every chance to return to winning ways on Friday night.

If Penrith are to earn a victory here, they simply need to get their hands on the ball.

Last week against Manly the Panthers were dominated in the possession count, forcing their defence to step up and try and shoulder the workload.

Of course, that resulted in 39 total missed tackles against the Sea Eagles, a stat that won’t bode well for Penrith against one of the better attacking teams in the competition this week.

Having now slipped down to fourth on the ladder, the Panthers suddenly look pretty so-so.

They aren’t as menacing close to the line, and errors are really starting to cost this team.

The potential loss of back-rower Viliame Kikau this week could also add salt to Penrith’s wounds, and since the Warriors still managed to pile on two unanswered tries in the opening 10-minutes during their loss against the Sharks, New Zealand’s attack should be too strong for this wobbly looking Panthers team.

Back New Zealand to Beat the Line (-2.5 Points) @ $1.91

Heavy, heavy heartache for the Raiders last week.

It was a game Canberra should have won against the Broncos, but sloppy defending and a lack of momentum turned the Raiders’ 12-0 halftime lead into a 26-22 loss in the matter of 40-minutes.

Meanwhile back in Canterbury, the Bulldogs pulled off what was perhaps their biggest win of the season against the Knights.

Despite the disappointment in Brisbane, the Raiders will still fancy themselves a chance at finals.

There were some huge positives to take away from that loss, including two unanswered tries in the first half.

What the Raiders did particularly well in that game was make the most of their opportunities.

Canberra were decimated in the possession column, but they still managed 22-points.

The Bulldogs on the other hand, well they just shutdown defensively, especially around their own line, and they’ll need to do much of the same this week.

Canterbury have won just two of their last five meetings against the Raiders, with Round 5’s game resulting in a 16-point loss.

Canberra’s 2-1 record as the away favourites at the line is tough to go by, but their impressive performance against the Broncos last week isn’t.

This is a team that looks like it’s building on something, whether or not that’s finals remains to be seen, but Canberra should make the most of this opportunity to inch closer to the eight.

Back Canberra to Win 1-12 @ $2.90

The biggest surprise came from the Titans last weekend.

No one gave them a chance against the Tigers at Leichardt Oval, but here’s Gold Coast with their sixth win on the board.

The Broncos also pulled off the unthinkable last week, fighting all the way back from 16-0 down to win against the Raiders.

It was the kind of performance that really makes Brisbane look like a finals side, and if they can make short work of the Titans, the Broncos could jump as high as sixth on the ladder.

The Titans have looked awful at times this year, but they’ve beaten the Broncos once already.

Round 4’s game saw the Titans stun Brisbane at Suncorp, shutting the Broncos down following two tries in the opening ten minutes.

It will take that kind of fast start for the Titans to make it three wins in a row this week.

Gold Coast have won just one of their last five against Brisbane, but the Titans’ 3-4 record as the home underdog might be enough to dissuade some punters, but for those more daring, there’s value here.

For the Broncos to make it three wins in a row, they simply need to keep doing what works.

The kicking game was huge for Brisbane last week, and there’s certainly plenty of belief restored within this team.

Unfortunately for the Broncos though, belief is no good if you can’t show up prepared from the opening whistle.

There was no excuse for Brisbane to fall so far behind in the first half against the Raiders, a common theme we’ve seen from the Broncos all year.

Since the Titans know how to score fast and early, there’s certainly every chance Gold Coast pulls off another upset this week.

Back Gold Coast Titans to Win @ $2.38

2017

There are a host of massive games in the NRL this weekend and we will see a couple of potential Grand Final previews.

The Brisbane Broncos host the Melbourne Storm in a genuine Friday Night Blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium before the Sydney Roosters face the Cronulla Sharks on the Central Coast on Saturday afternoon.

While those games are clearly the highlights, there are winners to be found in every single fixture this weekend and our complete 2017 NRL Round 17 tips can be found below.

The Parramatta Eels have won the past two games played between these two teams and they will start this clash as clear favourites.

Parramatta went into the bye on the back of a solid win over the St George Illawarra Dragons and they have won three of the past four games.

The Eels have won six of their past eight games as favourites and they are 5-1-2 against the line in this scenario.

Canterbury produced another uninspiring effort to go down to the New Zealand Warriors last weekend and they have lost five of their past six games.

The Bulldogs have lost five of their past 16 games as underdogs and they are a middling 8-8 against the line when being given a start.

It is impossible to have any faith in the Bulldogs and the Eels should be able to beat the line comfortably.

Back Parramatta To Beat The Line (-5.5 Points)

Both these teams head into this clash on the back of much-needed wins.

The St George Illawarra Dragons came from behind to beat the Newcastle Knights last Sunday afternoon, but their performance still left a fair amount to be desired.

They will still start this clash as favourites, but they are a tough side to trust on the back of their recent form.

Gold Coast ended a four-game losing streak with a comfortable win over the Wests Tigers and these are the sort of games that they need to win to keep their finals hopes alive.

The Titans have won only one of their past five games as home underdogs and they are 2-3 against the line in this scenario.

St George Illawarra have won six of their past seven games as the punter’s elect and they should be able to grind out a narrow win this Friday night.

Back St George Illawarra To Win @ $1.80

The Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm are two of the best teams in the NRL and this is set to be another riveting clash between these two great rivals.

Brisbane may have the home-ground advantage, but it is the Storm that will start this clash as favourites.

An undermanned Melbourne were desperately unlucky not to come away with the two points against the Sydney Roosters last weekend and their record away from home continues to be strong – they have won nine of their past ten games as away favourites and they are 9-1 against the line in this scenario.

Brisbane were excellent against the Canberra Raiders last weekend and they are now well-placed to secure a top four finish.

This will be the first time in over 12 months that the Broncos have started a home game as underdogs and they have won 10 of their past 13 games as home favourites, but they are only 6-7 against the line in front of their home fans.

Melbourne have won three of the past four games played between these two sides and as long as they go into this clash at full-strength they will be very tough to beat.

Back Melbourne To Beat The Line (-3.5 Points)

This is the other game this weekend that could end up being a Grand Final Preview.

The Sydney Roosters got out of jail late against the Melbourne Storm last weekend and they will go into this clash as narrow favourites.

Sydney have won 12 of their past 15 games as favourites for a clear profit, but they are only 6-9 against the line in this scenario.

Cronulla produced one of their worst performances of the season to go down to the Manly Sea Eagles last weekend and their recent form really has left a fair bit to be desired.

The Sharks will take confidence from the fact that they have won their past five games against the Roosters and their record as underdogs continues to be excellent – they have won eight of their past 10 games as underdogs and are 8-2 against the line in this scenario.

This game could be a genuine nail-biter and I am keen to back the Sharks with the insurance of a 1.5 points start.

Back Cronulla To Beat The Line (+1.5 Points)

The Manly Sea Eagles have taken this game to NIB Stadium in Perth and that could prove to be a very shrewd decision – the New Zealand Warriors don’t travel well at the best of times.

Manly made it four wins on the trot with a comprehensive performance against the Cronulla Sharks and there is an argument to be made that they are the form team in the competition.

The Sea Eagles have won six of their past nine games as favourites and they have won their past six games against the Warriors.

New Zealand made it two wins on the trot with their victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs, but this lengthy trip to Perth is sure to test their often fragile mindset.

The Warriors have won only two of their past nine games as away underdogs and they are 4-5 against the line in this situation.

I am always keen to take on the Warriors and I will be doing exactly that this weekend.

Back Manly To Beat The Line (-7.5 Points)

The Canberra Raiders have lost three games in a row, but they will still go into this clash with the North Queensland Cowboys as clear favourites.

Canberra are playing like a side that has forgotten how to win close games and they lacked composure at key times against the Brisbane Broncos.

The Raiders have won nine of their past 13 games as home favourites for a loss and they are a poor 5-8 against the line.

The North Queensland Cowboys showed that they are capable of winning without Johnathan Thurston when they scored a thrilling victory over the Penrith Panthers last Saturday afternoon and they are sure to take a fair bit of confidence from that performance.

North Queensland have won only two of their past seven games as away underdogs, but they are a profitable 5-2 against the line in this scenario.

Taking on the Raiders has been a profitable play in recent weeks and the Cowboys are more than capable of giving their rivals a scare.

Back North Queensland To Beat The Line (+4.5 Points)

The wooden spoon could be on the line when the Newcastle Knights and the Wests Tigers do battle this weekend.

The market cannot split these two teams at this stage of the week and they are two teams that are very tough to trust from a betting standpoint.

Newcastle let slip a golden opportunity to return to winning form when they gave a big lead up to the St George Illawarra Dragons last weekend, but there were still some positives to take away from that performance.

The Knights have won just two of their past 11 games at home and they are 4-7 against the line in this scenario.

Wests never really looked like beating the Gold Coast Titans and they have now lost seven games in a row.

The Tigers have won three of their past ten games away from home and they are 6-1-3 against the line in this situation.

Wests have been poor in recent weeks, but the likely return of James Tedesco should be enough to see them return to winning form.

Back Wests Tigers To Win @ $1.87

The Penrith Panthers had their winning streak ended by the North Queensland Cowboys last weekend, but they will still go into this clash as clear favourites.

Penrith had their chances against the Cowboys, but were unable to land a killer blow and let a much-needed two points slip away.

The Panthers have won four of their past seven games as away favourites and they are 3-4 against the line in this scenario.

South Sydney went into the bye on the back of a drought-breaking win over the Gold Coast Titans and it would not surprise if they were able to string a few wins together in the second half of the season.

In saying that, the Rabbitohs have won only one of their past nine games as home underdogs and they are a poor 3-6 against the line in this scenario.

Both these sides are tough to trust from a betting perspective and I am happy to stay out of this clash.

No Bet

2016

Round 17 of the 2016 NRL season is set to be an absolute ripper and there are a number of blockbusters spread right across the week.

The Sydney Roosters and Canterbury Bulldogs renew acquaintances in Thursday Night Football before the Brisbane Broncos look to improve their horrible recent record against the Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

The clash between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and North Queensland Cowboys at Cairns on Sunday is the highlight of Sunday’s games before Manly take on St George Illawarra in Monday Night Football.

The Sydney Roosters have an excellent record against the Canterbury Bulldogs and they have won the past four games played between the two sides as well as six of the past seven, but they will still start this clash as clear outsiders.

The Roosters went into the bye on the back of a narrow loss to the New Zealand Warriors and they have now won just two of their past eight matches.

They have been a very poor team from a betting perspective this season and they have lost all four of their games as home underdogs, while they are 1-1-2 against the line in this situation.

Canterbury produced one of the best performances of the season to date to score a commanding victory over the Brisbane Broncos last Saturday night and they have an excellent opportunity to make it three victories on the trot.

The Bulldogs have won six of their past seven matches as away favourites for a tidy profit and they are a profitable 4-3 against the line in this scenario.

Canterbury are a safe bet in this contest and they should be able to cover the line of a converted try.

Recommended Bet: Back The Canterbury Bulldogs To Beat The Line (-6 Points)

The rivalry between the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm has been one of the fiercest in modern times and this is a genuine Friday Night Blockbuster.

The Broncos suffered a big defeat at the hands of the Canterbury Bulldogs last weekend and they have now won just one of their past five games, but they are still set to start this game as clear favourites.

Brisbane have won ten of their past 14 games as home favourites, but they have not actually generated a profit in head to head betting markets although they are 8-6 against the line.

Melbourne returned to winning form with a comprehensive performance against the Wests Tigers on Sunday afternoon and they remain one of the form teams in the NRL.

The Storm have won three of their past six matches as away underdogs for a tidy profit, but they are only 3-3 against the line in this scenario.

Based on watching these two teams play in the past month, it is tough to see how the Broncos could be such short-priced favourites and the Storm are great value to inflict another defeat on their rivals on Friday night.

Recommended Bet: Back The Melbourne Storm To Win @ $2.20

The New Zealand Warriors have dominated the Gold Coast Titans in recent seasons and they will go into this clash as clear favourites.

The Warriors had their three game winning streak ended by the Cronulla Sharks last weekend in golden point, but there was still plenty to like about their performance and they are now genuine finals contenders.

Favourtism has not been a position in which New Zealand have thrived in the past 12 months and they have won just three of their past seven games in front of their home fans as the punter’s elect, while they are 2-5 against the line in this scenario.

Gold Coast lost a hard-fought game to the Canberra Raiders last weekend and they have now dropped out of the top eight, but they can potentially jump back up with a win this weekend.

The Titans don’t have a great record away from home – especially in New Zealand – and they have won just three of their past eight games as away underdogs, while they are also a losing betting proposition against the line in this position.

I really don’t like betting on games that include the unpredictable New Zealand Warriors and I am more than happy to stay out of this clash.

Recommended Bet: No Bet

The Penrith Panthers have moved into the top eight after recording hard-fought victories over Manly and South Sydney and can make it three wins on the trot on Saturday night.

Penrith will go into this game as clear favourites, but their record as the punter’s elect is not particularly impressive and they have won only two of their past four games as away favourites.

The Wests Tigers continue to be inconsistent and we saw both sides of them against the Melbourne Storm last weekend – they were disgraceful in the first half before they improved significantly when the game was already lost in the second half.

The Tigers have proven to be a profitable betting play as underdogs in the past 12 months and they have won four of their past ten games as home underdogs, while the Panthers are the type of team that could be exposed by the exciting football that the Tigers do play at their best.

This match should be closer than the market suggests and there is some definite value available in the $2.35 that is on offer for a Tigers victory.

Recommended Bet: Back The Wests Tigers To Win @ $2.35

The Cronulla Sharks have now won 11 games on the trot and they are dominate favourites to extend that winning run against the Parramatta Eels this weekend.

The Sharks were taken to golden point by the New Zealand Warriors last weekend, but they once again came up trumps in a tight finish to take the two points.

They have now won nine of their past 11 games as home favourites, but their record against the line in this scenario is a non-profitable 5-6.

It has been another week of disasters for the Parramatta Eels – Kieran Foran has been stripped of the captaincy and Semi Radradra remains in Fiji with plenty of speculation surrounding his future.

In saying that, controversy has surrounded the Eels all season long, but it has not affected them in the past month and they went into the bye on the back of three straight wins over the Newcastle Knights, Gold Coast Titans and South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The Eels have won just two of their past six games as away underdogs, but they have been a profitable betting play in this scenario and the $3.50 that is currently available does represent a fair bit of value.

Recommended Bet: Back The Parramatta Eels To Win @ $3.50

This is the biggest mismatch of the weekend as the Canberra Raiders are set to start this game as dominant favourites.

The Raiders sit in seventh position on the ladder after winning four of their past five games and they should really have no problems accounting for a Newcastle Knights side that has won just a single game this season.

Canberra have won seven of their past ten games as home favourites and are 6-4 against the line in this scenario, but they are giving away a massive start of 24.5 points.

Since 2008, there have been only seven games in which a team has given away such a large start and the line was covered on four occasions, but three of those came from the Melbourne Storm when they were at their rampaging best.

The Knights produced a somewhat improved effort against the St George Illawarra Dragons last weekend – despite going down by 12 points – but they have still beaten the line in just three of their past 12 games as away underdogs.

This is a very tough game to analyse from a betting perspective as the line is just so large and I am happy to stay out and watch the action unfold.

Recommended Bet: No Bet

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have elected to take their home game to Barlow Park in Cairns and it is fair to say that the crowd will be on the side of the North Queensland Cowboys.

The Rabbitohs have not won a game for over a month and the closeness of the score should not hide the fact that they were very poor against the Penrith Panthers last weekend.

They will start this game as clear underdogs and this is a position in which they have really struggled in the past 12 months – they have won just two of their past ten games when unfancied and they are 3-7 against the line.

The North Queensland Cowboys were very poor in the second half against Manly, but they were still able to get the job done when it counted and they are deserving favourites to make it two wins on the trot.

This is technically an away game for North Queensland, but playing this game in Cairns actually gives them a big advantage and their record in front of their home fans in the past 12 months is almost perfect.

The Cowboys have beaten the line in 12 of their past 21 games as favourites and they should be able to put South Sydney away comfortably this weekend.

Recommended Bet: Back The North Queensland Cowboys To Beat The Line (-9.5 Points)

The Manly Sea Eagles have an excellent record against the St George Illawarra Dragons at Brookvale Oval and they have not lost to their rivals in front of their home fans since 2008.

Manly have lost seven games on the trot, but there was plenty of positives to take from the performance and their reshuffled back line finally showed some signs of coming together.

The problem for Manly is that Brookvale Oval has been far from a fortress in the past year – they have won just four of their past 13 games in front of their home fans and they are 2-4 against the line as home favourites.

St George Illawarra have been boosted by a very favorable draw during the State Of Origin period and they have been able to win three of their past four games.

The Dragons generally win when they are expected to, but they have a truly horrific record as underdogs and they have won just one of their past 10 games as away underdogs, while they are 3-7 against the line in this scenario.

Both these teams are hard to trust from a betting perspective and this is another game that I will be staying out of.

Recommended Bet: No Bet