After a string of big scorelines in the NRL’s opening round, several teams are already desperate to show some backbone in Round 2.  

Newcastle Knights and the Dolphins get things underway on Thursday night, there’s a huge clash as Canberra Raiders host Brisbane Broncos – the only fixture between Round 1 winners – and Gold Coast Titans start their campaign at Belmore against Canterbury Bulldogs following their first-up bye.  

Two-point opening-round winners Newcastle Knights host two-point first-up losers the Dolphins at McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday.  

After an error-riddled first-half performance, the Knights grafted out a 10-8 win over the Tigers in Campbelltown – largely on the back of Kalyn Ponga’s brilliance at both ends of the field, and some big plays from Dylan Lucas, new five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe and big winger Greg Marzhew.  

Adam Elliott returns to the bench for Brodie Jones in the Knights’ only change.  

The Dolphins were heavily impacted by the weather event in Queensland, ultimately going down to Souths 16-14 in their relocated clash. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was a standout, Daniel Saifiti made a strong club debut and Jamayne Isaako scored two tries, but direction was lacking.  

Kodi Nikorima and Mark Nicholls are back after opting to remain in Brisbane last week, while Oryn Keeley comes into the back-row with Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Connelly Lemuelu ruled out. Sean O’Sullivan drops to the reserves.  

The Knights have a 3-1 advantage in this rivalry, winning the last three encounters – including an 18-14 eclipse at Suncorp in Round 8 last year and a 14-6 victory at home in the final round in what was a straight shootout for eighth spot.  

The Dolphins have won only one of their last seven interstate matches, while the Knights went 7-5 at home last season.  

A second straight low-scoring cliffhanger is on the cards for these clubs, but the Ponga factor should get the Knights home in a clash between two evenly-matched outfits.  

Tip: Back the Knights to Win by 1-12 @ $2.90 

SGM: KNIGHTS WIN / UNDER 46.5 TOTAL POINTS / KALYN PONGA ANYTIME TRYSCORER / JAMAYNE ISAAKO ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $20.02 

The Warriors returned home from Las Vegas with their tails between their legs after meek season-opening showing, but it doesn’t get any easier for Andrew Webster’s crew as they welcome a red-hot Manly side to Auckland.  

Flat, passive and slow on both sides of the ball in a 30-8 loss to Canberra two weeks ago, the Warriors looked a team without a leader in the spine, while their small pack was steamrolled. Luke Metcalf is already under scrutiny in the No.7 but needs a much better forward platform to work off. 

Webster has stuck solid with the same 17 that struggled in Vegas, but fans will be sweating on a more sensible middle rotation after the coach made some bewildering decisions in Round 1.  

In stark contrast, Manly was electrifying in a 42-12 win over North Queensland, getting off to an absolute flyer before putting the cue in the rack at 42-0 after 55 minutes.  

Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans were untouchable, setting up myriad opportunities for attacking weapons Haumole Olakau’atu, Jason Saab and Lehi Hopoate. Taniela Paseka, Jake Trbojevic and Ethan Bullemor were dominant through the middle.  

The Sea Eagles’ only change sees Josh Aloiai come in at prop for Siosiua Taukeiaho (knee).  

The Warriors have won just one of their last six against Manly – going down 24-10 at Brookvale late last season – but the Sea Eagles are searching for their first victory at Mt Smart since 2017.  

In Round 6 in Auckland last year, the Warriors stormed back from 16 points down to force the game into golden point in a controversial finish, but it ended in a 22-all draw.  

The Warriors went 4-1-5 at Mt Smart last year despite selling out every game – and their wins were largely on the underwhelming side. Manly went just 6-1-9 away from 4 Pines Park in 2024 but it would take a monumental turnaround from the hosts to prevent the Sea Eagles from covering.  

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, arguably the Warriors’ lone standout in Vegas, has scored a try in each of his last five NRL starts on the wing.  

Tip: Back the Sea Eagles to Cover the Line (-8.5) @ $1.90 

SGM: ONLY SEA EAGLES TO SCORE 20+ POINTS / LEHI HOPOATE TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES / HAUMOLE OLAKAU’ATU ANYTIME TRYSCORER / ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $68.80 

Reeling from having a half-century put on them in Round 1, Sydney Roosters take on the NRL’s toughest assignment courtesy of a showdown with four-time premiers Penrith.  

The Panthers play their first match with CommBank Stadium as their temporary home while their ground undergoes a redevelopment.  

The champs kept rolling on with a hard-earned 28-22 win over Cronulla in Las Vegas, with the blue-chip quartet of Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Dylan Edwards and Liam Martin.  

As in previous years, the Panthers appear to have moved on from the departure of Jarome Luai and James Fisher-Harris with a minimum of fuss.  

After missing Round 1, Brian To’o returns on the wing in a huge boost. Paul Alamoti goes to centre and Luke Garner moves to the bench with Luron Patea dropping out. Casey McLean is good to go on the other flank after suffering a head knock against the Sharks.  

The Roosters scored an early long-range try last Thursday at Allianz, but that’s about as good as it got in a 50-14 thrashing at the hands of the Broncos.  

The new-look centre pairing of Robert Toia and Mark Nawaqanitawase were arguably their best, but the long-time heavyweights had no impetus in the halves and their pack – under-strength but still full of rep stars – was completely overwhelmed.  

There’s more injury pain for the Roosters with Victor Radley (concussion) ruled out. Round 1 debutant Salesi Foketi is set to start with Parramatta recruit Makahesi Makatoa joining the bench.  

The Panthers are on a 10-match winning streak against the Roosters, with five of those coming by margins of 20-plus – including a 30-10 blowout in their qualifying final at Penrith six months ago.  

The Panthers are eye-watering $1.06 favourites, with seemingly only early-season rust and travel fatigue able to prevent another blowout result at the Roosters’ expense.  

Tip: Back Brian To’o to Score 2 or More Tries @ $2.40 

SGM: PANTHERS -21.5 / UNDER 49.5 TOTAL POINTS / NATHAN CLEARY ANYTIME TRYSCORER / LIAM MARTIN ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $34.69 

St George Illawarra walks straight out of one heated Sydney derby rivalry and into another this Saturday as they host South Sydney in Wollongong. It’s also an opportunity for returning Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett to take down another of his former clubs.  

The Dragons were overrun in the 10 minutes either side of halftime against Canterbury as a 6-4 lead descended into a 28-6 deficit. But they fought gamely to score the last three tries in a 28-20 loss, with only errant goalkicking preventing them from making it a genuine grandstand finish.  

Errors and a patchy performance from a budding halves combination held the Dragons back, but veteran trio Clint Gutherson, Valentine Holmes and Damien Cook add plenty, and Christian Tuipolotu bagged a hat-trick.  

Ryan Couchman’s devastating ACL setback sees Blake Lawrie return on the bench from a hamstring injury in the Saints’ only change.  

The depleted Rabbitohs eked out a 16-14 win over the Dolphins with Tyrone Munro scoring a first-half brace and Isaiah Tass crossing for the match-winner with 13 minutes left.  

Jye Gray was outstanding at fullback, Keaon Koloamatangi dominated in engine-room and Jamie Humphreys’ showing at halfback has kept English import Lewis Dodd on the outer.  

Souths have been forced into two backline changes with Fletchers Myers in at centre and Bayleigh Bentley-Hape on the wing for Jack Wighton (suspension) and Munro (collarbone).  

The Dragons have won three of their last four against the Rabbitohs, including a 28-14 result at Jubilee in Round 10 last year. They pieced together a 4-2 record at Wollongong in 2024.  

The Saints arguably have the edge on Souths in terms of scoring strike, but the visitors are the value option as 6.5-point underdogs with Bennett already unlocking the Rabbitohs’ pack’s fire. 

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

SGM: RABBITOHS WIN / UNDER 51.5 TOTAL POINTS / VALENTINE HOLMES ANYTIME TRYSCORER / CODY WALKER ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $43.76 

Round 1 losers North Queensland and Cronulla square off in Townsville on Saturday evening – but the Sharks could take far more positives out of the initial 2025 performance.  

The Cowboys were blown off the park in a 42-12 loss to Manly, conceding three tries in the first 10 minutes as the Sea Eagles peppered their left edge then set about destroying them through the middle.  

To their credit, the Cowboys stemmed the tide to kept their line intact for the last 25 minutes and score the last two tries with Braidon Burns and Viliami Vailea playing well on the right side.  

Todd Payten reacted to the rout by dropping Origin forward Jeremiah Nanai for Kai O’Donnell, who is back in the NRL after three seasons in England. Jason Taumalolo and Jake Clifford are among the reserves.  

The Sharks stayed in the fight with Penrith in Las Vegas, ultimately going down 28-22 when the match threatened to get away from them.  

Nicho Hynes’ leadership and direction again came under the microscope, but Braydon Trindall continued his 2024 finals form and Addin Fonua-Blake has already proved his worth up front.  

The Cowboys have won just two of their last 13 against the Sharks, but they prevailed 30-22 in Townsville in Round 21 – though Nicho Hynes and Will Kennedy were missing. The Sharks won 42-6 at home in Round 6. 

Traditionally a different team at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, the Cowboys went 8-5 at home last season but also conceded 40-plus to also-rans the Warriors and Broncos. The defeat in Townsville was only one of two in seven interstate games the Sharks suffered in 2024.  

The Cowboys already had a question mark over their defence and last week’s showing only cast more doubt. If AFB gets the Sharks rolling forward, this could be a tough night out for the North Queensland faithful. 

Tip: Back the Sharks to Win by 11-20 @ $3.60 

SGM: SHARKS -8.5 / OVER 50.5 TOTAL POINTS / SCOTT DRINKWATER ANYTIME TRYSCORER / JESSE RAMIEN ANYTIME TRYSCORER / ADDIN FONUA-BLAKE ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $38.82 

The clear match-of-the-round front-runner as Las Vegas surprise packet Canberra hosts a reborn Brisbane side.  

The Raiders overpowered the Warriors 30-8 at Allegiant courtesy of a dominant display from their forward pack and some sensational play from dummy-half Tom Starling and their outside back. The Green Machine’s aggression and intent straight out of the blocks was hard to miss.  

But the Raiders were hit with a double suspension blow after Round 1 with Joe Tapine and Savage rubbed out. Englishman Matty Nicholson comes onto the bench with Josh Papalii going to prop and Morgan Smithies to lock, while Albert Hopoate returns on the wing.  

The Broncos played like 2024 never happened in their first match under Michael Maguire, piling on nine tries in a devastating 50-14 defeat of the Roosters in Sydney.  

Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds toyed with the defence, Reece Walsh picked his moments well and Selwyn Cobbo grabbed a hat-trick back in his specialist wing spot, while Payne Haas was out of this world after an injury-ravaged 2024 campaign.  

The Raiders have won four of the teams’ last seven clashes (including three of the last four in Canberra), but the Broncos cruised to a 34-10 victory in their only 2024 meeting – at home in Round 7.  

The Broncos are hot $1.22 favourites, no doubt exacerbated by the absence of trump cards Tapine and Savage. They won only four of 10 games away from Suncorp last season but last week’s statement on the road sounded a huge warning to a Raiders side that has lost five of their last eight at GIO Stadium. 

Tip: Back the Broncos to Win by 13+ @ $1.91 

SGM: BRONCOS BY 11-20 / UNDER 50.5 TOTAL POINTS / DEINE MARINER & REECE WALSH TO HAVE 2+ TRIES COMBINED / HUDSON YOUNG ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $63.34 

The stakes already feel high as western Sydney rivals Parramatta and Wests Tigers look to bounce back from Round 1 defeats.  

The Jason Ryles era began in harrowing fashion as the Eels crumbled to a 56-18 loss – though it could have been much uglier when they trailed 46-6 at halftime after one of the most threadbare defensive showings you could hope to see.  

Mitch Moses remains sidelined and Dylan Brown’s 2026 move to Newcastle brings more attention on the Eels they could do without.  

Shaun Lane returns from a knee injury in the place of Round 1 turnstile Kelma Tuilagi, while Jordan Samrani will debut on the wing for Jake Tago and Kitione Kautoga takes Charlie Guymer’s spot on the bench.  

Wests Tigers got off to a hot start at Campbelltown and still led Newcastle 8-0 with half an hour to play. But an inability to ice a slew of other opportunities came back to bite them as the Knights rallied to a 10-8 win.  

The Tigers missed an eye-watering 51 tackles and seven line-breaks, but on the flipside they did well to concede just two tries. Terrell May and Jeral Skelton were outstanding on club debut and Jarome Luai looks at home in the Tigers’ colours.  

The Tigers are boosted by the inclusion of Api Koroisau, Jahream Bula and Starford To’a, who come in for Tristan Hope, Heath Mason and Solomona Faataape, respectively.  

Despite a couple of recent Easter Monday boilovers in the teams’ last two CommBank Stadium clashes, Parramatta has dominated this rivalry with 10 wins in its last 12 against Wests Tigers. Last year the Tigers won 17-16 at CommBank before the Eels romped to a 60-26 win at Campbelltown in Round 27. 

A full-strength spine should give the Tigers more than enough thrust to put on a few more points this week and compound the Eels’ early-season woes.  

Tip: Back the Tigers to Cover the Line (-3.5) @ $1.90 

SGM: TIGERS WIN / UNDER 50.5 TOTAL POINTS / JAHREAM BULA ANYTIME TRYSCORER / DYLAN BROWN ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $39.49 

Canterbury gets the opportunity to start a season 2-0 for the first time since 2016, while Gold Coast gets its campaign proper underway after sitting out Round 1 with the bye.  

The Bulldogs weathered an early storm at Kogarah to power out to a 28-6 lead over the Dragons, before clocking off in a slightly nervy finish and getting away with a 28-20 victory.  

The addition of Sitili Tupouniua – who scored a brisk second-half double – to the pack shapes as a game-changer for the blue-and-whites, while Jacob Preston has Origin bolter written all over him and Connor Tracey was superb at fullback.  

Josh Curran returns from suspension at the expense of an unlucky Harry Hayes in the Bulldogs’ sole change.  

Despite playing some of the NRL’s most vibrant attacking football at times in 2024, the Titans finished an unflattering 14th with an 8-16 record. Plugging up a leaky defence remains Des Hasler’s biggest task with Gold Coast conceding over 27 points a game.  

Captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is back for the first time since doing his ACL at the same ground in Round 3 last year, named at lock. He’s joined in the pack by recruit Reagan Campbell-Gillard.  

AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell team up in the halves with Kieran Foran injured, while David Fifita is on the bench with Klese Haas starting.  

The Bulldogs have won three of their last four against the Titans, including a 32-0 rout at Belmore in Round 3 last year. The Bulldogs won their only other 2024 fixture at Belmore, too, against a desperate Canberra outfit.  

The Titans shape as a finals dark horse in a bottom-heavy premiership, but a heaving Belmore Oval against a Bulldogs side that already have their tails up is a very tough first-up mission.  

Tip: Back the Bulldogs to Score Over 26.5 Points @ $1.87 

SGM: BULLDOGS -8.5 / OVER 46.5 POINTS / STEPHEN CRICHTON ANYTIME TRYSCORER / VILIAME KIKAU ANYTIME TRYSCORER / ALOFIANA KHAN-PEREIRA ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $23.36 

2024

It’s only Round 2 of the 2024 NRL premiership, but already the pressure valve cranks up on some teams – including four of the top seven contenders in the premiership market who are desperate to avoid going 0-2. 

The four clubs who competed in Las Vegas cross over to create another pair of blockbusters, while there’s a 2023 top-four showdown and a massive western Sydney derby. 

The two Las Vegas losers look to regroup in Round 2 in a colossal Suncorp Stadium clash. 

Brisbane Broncos played their part in a season-opening classic against Sydney Roosters but were ultimately outmuscled 20-10, with only a couple of flashes of Reece Walsh brilliance capable of breaching the defence. 

Brendan Piakura’s early HIA forced Patrick Carrigan to an edge, disrupting the 2023 grand finalists’ usual dominance through the middle.

Ex-Rabbitohs great Adam Reynolds and Piakura have been named in an unchanged Broncos 17 despite picking up injuries in Vegas. 

South Sydney was given more food for thought following the US jaunt, overrun 36-24 by Manly after surging to a 20-12 lead early in the second half.

A glut of errors and poor goal-line resistance consigned Jason Demtriou’s side to 28-plus points conceded for the ninth time in 14 NRL outings.  

Latrell Mitchell was influential, but his contribution was stymied by an erratic display from an under-strength three-quarter line and a lack of authority from halves Lachlan Ilias and Cody Walker. 

Souths have been hit with another injury blow, Jai Arrow facing a stint on the sidelines.

Tallis Duncan comes into the pack as his replacement, while Shaq Mitchell joins the bench for Jacob Host. 

Honours were shared between the clubs in 2023, Souths asserting their premiership credentials with an authoritative 32-6 win at Suncorp Stadium in Round 9 before their season imploded.

The Broncos then carved out a 36-20 victory over the flailing Rabbitohs on the Sunshine Coast in Round 21. 

The Broncos are still adjusting to several changes to their grand final squad, but their attacking threats across the park remain – and the Rabbitohs will find themselves in considerable trouble if they can’t rectify a leaky defence that has plagued them since midway through 2023. 

Eight of the Broncos’ 11 wins in Brisbane last year came by 12-plus points and the favourable backline match-ups on Thursday bode well for a comfortable bounce-back W. 

Tip: Back the Broncos to Cover the Line (-8.5) @ $1.96 

SGM: BRONCOS OVER 23.5 TOTAL POINTS / RABBITOHS OVER 15.5 TOTAL POINTS / JESSE ARTHARS TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES / CODY WALKER ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $43.80 

One of Round 1’s most impressive winners hosts one of the weekend’s most disappointing losing teams in Friday’s early game.

Cronulla Sharks shook off their flat-track bully tag with a gutsy away win, while Canterbury Bulldogs looked as toothless as at any stage of Cameron Ciraldo’s tenure in charge. 

The Sharks – derided for their inability to stand up against good teams in 2023 – were in early trouble against the Warriors at a packed Mt Smart but grinded back from a 12-0 deficit to win 16-12. 

Outstanding goal-line defence under immense pressure for the last hour of the match underpinned the upset, while the Sharks were able to capitalise on rare forays down the Warriors’ end.

The Sharks’ only change to that victorious side sees Toby Rudolf start and Royce Hunt move back to the bench. 

The season-opening positive for the Bulldogs was the defensive resolve they showed for long periods after conceding the most points in the NRL last season.

But the 26-8 defeat to Parramatta could not gloss over glaring areas of deficiency – most notably right the blue-and-white spine. 

If Ciraldo won’t move him to fullback, the Bulldogs have to figure out how to bring Stephen Crichton into the game.

Ditto Matt Burton. Josh Addo-Carr’s AC injury gives versatile recruit Connor Tracey a club debut on the wing against his former team. 

Cronulla has won 11 of its last 13 against Canterbury, including the last five straight.

In 2023, the Sharks cruised to a 33-20 win on the road – with Will Kennedy scoring a hat-trick – and routed the Bulldogs 48-10 at home. 

A similarly emphatic result looms here for the Sharks, who routinely beat up on teams below them on the ladder last year – only two of their 14 wins in 2023 were by less than 10 points.

Continued defensive effort will help keep the Bulldogs in the fight…but they look clueless with the footy. 

Tip: Back the Sharks to Win by 13+ @ $2.35 

SGM: SHARKS BY 21-30 / BULLDOGS UNDER 14.5 TOTAL POINTS / SIOSIFA TALAKAI ANYTIME TRYSCORER / BRITON NIKORA ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $59.76 

Parramatta Eels made a solid start to their quest for a playoffs return, while three-time champs Penrith Panthers were held scoreless in a heavyweight slugfest.

The Eels, meanwhile, are aiming to continue a remarkable streak against the most dominant team of the NRL era in the latest edition of this rivalry. 

While Penrith won the matches that matter during the 2022 finals series, Parramatta has won the last four regular-season derbies. 

Last season Mitch Moses’ field goal in golden point (after Nathan Cleary had nailed a two-pointer on the siren) got the Eels home 17-16 at CommBank in Round 4, while Maika Sivo ran in four tries in a shock 32-18 win for the also-rans over the minor premiers at Penrith in the penultimate round. 

The Eels always looked in control in a 26-8 win over the Bulldogs last Saturday, with Bryce Cartwright and Clint Gutherson the standout performers.

They arguably should have won by more, though, and taking the foot off the gas to let in two soft tries in quick succession in the second half was less than ideal. 

A clunky Panthers side went down 8-0 to the Storm, despite racking up 300 more running metres.

There were similar traits to last year’s slow start – where they went 1-2 and scored 16 points or less in the first three rounds – while Taylan May’s first outing at centre was a notable positive. 

Mitch Kenny and Scott Sorensen are key inclusions for the Panthers, returning at the expense of Luke Sommerton and Matt Eisenhuth, while Luke Garner moves back to the bench.

The Eels are unchanged, but Moses’ groin injury has to be a concern. 

Parramatta was the only visiting team to win at Penrith last year, and while the Panthers will inevitably rocket into premiership-favourite form again at some stage, the recent rivalry results and comparative Round 1 performances underline the blue-and-golds’ $3.05 underdog value. 

Tip: Back the Eels to Cover the Line (+7.5) @ $1.90 

SGM: UNDER 35.5 TOTAL POINTS / EITHER SIDE BY UNDER 6.5 POINTS / BRIAN TO’O ANYTIME TRYSCORER / CLINT GUTHERSON ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $42.96 

The Benji Marshall coaching era at Wests Tigers officially begins after sitting out Round 1 with the bye, heading to the capital to take on a Canberra Raiders side that produced arguably the most surprising upset of the opening round. 

The Raiders overran hot favourites the Knights 28-12 in front of a big Newcastle crowd, despite the absence of several first-choice players and a rejigged spine in their biggest winning margin since 2022. 

Morgan Smithies and Zac Hosking made strong club debuts, while leaders Jamal Fogarty, Hudson Young and Joe Tapine played key roles, and journeyman hooker Danny Levi was excellent. 

The Raiders’ only change sees Seb Kris return from suspension in the centres. Albert Hopoate shuffles out to the flank with former Test winger Nick Cotric making way. 

Pitched into the hot-seat after the club finished last in 2022-23, Marshall has sprung a couple of surprises with his first team list as an NRL head coach. 

The Tigers have named two debutants: Lachlan Galvin is the five-eighth, with Jayden Sullivan getting the No.7 and Aidan Sezer a surprise pick on the bench; and Solomona Faataape lines up in the centres with Justin Olam injured. Otherwise Benji’s first side is largely as expected. 

The Raiders have won 11 of their last 12 against the Tigers, including the last seven in a row.

The Green Machine made tough work of it against the wooden spooners in 2023, though, getting out of jail 20-19 at Campbelltown and eking out a 22-18 win in Canberra. 

The Tigers have a stacked starting pack, a blue-chip No.9 and a dynamic young fullback.

Backline strike and the inexperience of their halves are the red flags for a team that scored an NRL-low 16 points per game in 2023. 

The Raiders were an ordinary 4-8 against the line at home last season, but the Tigers had the same cover record on the road and only won one away game – albeit a shock upset of Penrith at Bathurst.

The home side should get up, but expect to see some grit from the Tigers in a close-fought encounter. 

Tip: Back Under 44.5 Total Points @ $1.90 

SGM: RAIDERS BY 1-12 / TIGERS UNDER 17.5 TOTAL POINTS / ALBERT HOPOATE ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $13.54 

After putting on an attacking masterclass at Suncorp Stadium last Sunday, North Queensland Cowboys head home to host one of the Round 1s most disappointing outfits, Newcastle Knights. 

The Cowboys’ five-try first-half assault underpinned a 43-18 thrashing of the Dolphins, with green centre Zac Laybutt close to the best on ground, Jeremiah Nanai starring and the pack blowing their opposites off the park. 

The Knights, meanwhile, looked a world away from the team that blazed into fifth in 2023 courtesy of a 10-match winning streak.

An unacceptable error count, sloppy attack and a lack of goal-line resolve was the story of a 28-12 defeat to an unfancied Raiders side. 

The Knights have lost Enari Tuala and Dylan Lucas to injury, which sees Tom Jenkins come onto a wing, Kai Pearce-Paul start in the second-row and Jed Cartwright join the bench. 

The Cowboys have won eight of their last 11 against the Knights, including standalone fixtures in 2022 (36-16) and 2023 (18-16) – both in Townsville.

The Knights have lost seven straight in Townsville, last getting an away win over the Cowboys in 2015. 

The Cowboys have won 16 of their last 22 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, though they only managed a 5-7 cover record at home in 2023.

With a couple of extra days’ rest, expect the chastened Knights to at least make this close. 

Tip: Back the Knights to Cover the Line (+7.5) @ $1.90 

SGM: EITHER TEAM BY LESS THAN 10.5 POINTS / UNDER 46.5 TOTAL POINTS / KAI PEARCE-PAUL ANYTIME TRYSCORER / MURRAY TAULAGI ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $46.66 

Melbourne Storm made an immediate statement of their premiership intentions in Round 1, while the Warriors discovered their newfound status as a genuine title chance is harder to live up to in practice than theory. 

An under-strength Storm kept their amazing Round 1 streak going with an 8-0 shutout of the Panthers, stifling the NRL’s best attacking team with desperate defence.

Harry Grant and Ryan Papenhuyzen oozed leadership and an unheralded pack stood tall against the 2021-23 premiers. 

Cameron Munster and Nelson Asofa-Solomona remain sidelined, with Jonah Pezet – impressive in Round 1 – to fill in at five-eighth again for an unchanged team. 

The Warriors got off to a 12-0 flyer against Cronulla but struggled to find another gear when the Sharks belatedly dug in their heels.

Wayde Egan was sorely missed when he went off, while ill-timed errors and penalties invited the visitors back into the contest. 

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad’s influence absence was palpable at fullback, contributing to the absence of crisp backline play that marked their watershed 2023 campaign.

On the plus side, Addin Fonua-Blake was an absolute beast and Shaun Johnson forced five line dropouts in a polished display. 

The Warriors have also named the same 17 that ran out last Friday, though Egan (elbow) and Kurt Capewell (ribs) are under significant injury clouds. 

Chanel Harris-Tavita could come onto the bench if Egan pulls out, while Jazz Tevaga shapes as the likely inclusion if Capewell withdraws with Mitch Barnett able to shift from the middle to second-row. 

Formerly a bogey team for the Storm, the Warriors are confronting one of the NRL’s most oppressive current hoodoos.

The Warriors have lost 14 against the Storm – including seven in a row at AAMI Park (four by 22-plus margins). 

But last year’s Anzac Day clash was a step forward, the Warriors leading 18-6 before going down 30-22 – their most points in a match in Melbourne since 2006 – after a string of rough calls. 

The donut in the Panthers’ scoring column last week, along with the Warriors’ inability to get over the line for the last 67 minutes at home, points to a tough road trip. As does Egan’s potential absence. 

But if the Warriors can get a customary roll on through the middle, there’s enough firepower – combined with Johnson’s guile – to ask plenty of questions of the home side.

The Storm are deserving favourites, but they look a bit short here in what shapes as a torrid contest. 

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

SGM: EITHER SIDE BY UNDER 12.5 POINTS / UNDER 40.5 TOTAL POINTS / ELIESA KATOA ANYTIME TRYSCORER / ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $57.12 

In a nice piece of symmetry, the two Round 0 winners also square off this weekend – with Manly Sea Eagles and Sydney Roosters both keen to build on their emphatic Las Vegas statements. 

With Tom Trbojevic a welcome addition for the first time since Round 15 last year and Luke Brooks starring on club debut, the Sea Eagles overwhelmed Souths 36-24 despite falling eight points behind after a poor start to the second half. 

The Roosters wound back the clock with a gritty and occasionally brilliant 20-10 upset of the Broncos, with James Tedesco, Victor Radley, Joseph Suaalii, Brandon Smith and Sam Walker putting largely indifferent 2023 campaigns behind them, while Lindsay Collins and Joey Manu picked up where they left off. 

Manly have lost winger Jason Saab for six weeks, with Tommy Talau getting the wing call-up in the Sea Eagles’ only change. Josh Schuster will return to action through NSW Cup. 

Spencer Leniu’s eight-week ban coincides with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ return from suspension, while Dom Young (neck) will add yet more strike to the Roosters’ backline on club debut with Fetalaiga Pauga missing out. 

The Roosters have won seven of the teams’ last 10 encounters.

However the Sea Eagles prevailed 18-16 at home in Round 18 last year, but the Tricolours turned the tables 26-16 at the SCG as they found another gear during the latter stages of the season. 

Both teams head into Sunday’s showdown brimming with confidence, but the Roosters are the head-to-head pick here: they beat a much better team in Vegas and won’t give up the cheap points the Sea Eagles were afforded by the Rabbitohs. 

Tip: ROOSTERS BY 1-12 POINTS @ $2.80 

SGM: ROOSTERS WIN / UNDER 40.5 TOTAL POINTS / DANIEL TUPOU ANYTIME TRYSCORER / BRANDON SMITH ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $35.10 

The Dolphins head into their second match desperate to prove Round 1 was a mere aberration, while St George Illawarra Dragons need to consolidate the turnaround they projected in their first game under incoming coach Shane Flanagan. 

Displaying the defensive inadequacies that plagued them during the second half of 2023, the Dolphins leaked seven tries, their pack was steamrolled, they lacked thrust and direction from their playmakers, and marquee fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow had the worst game of his career. 

Conversely, the Dragons were the surprise packet of the round, overpowering the Titans 28-4 with a second-half burst for their first away win since 2022. 

The Saints looked a team with a renewed belief with maligned figures Tyrell Sloan, Zac Lomax, Kyle Flanagan and Raymond Faitala-Mariner among their best. 

Big changes for the Dolphins with Isaiya Katoa and Jake Averillo coming in at the expense of Sean O’Sullivan and Tesi Niu.

Connelly Lemuelu and Ray Stone have been ruled out, which sees Euan Aitken come straight into the second-row, Max Plath promoted to lock and Jarrod Wallace join the bench. 

Dragons recruit Luciano Leilua will come off the bench after missing Round 1 with suspension, while Blake Lawrie has been cleared to return.

Raymond Faitala-Mariner reverts to the bench, and Viliami Fifita and Ben Murdoch-Masila slip back to the reserves. 

The teams met twice in the first 13 rounds of the Dolphins’ debut season.

The Dragons were the first team to put the newcomers to the sword – 38-12 in Wollongong in Round 5 – but the Dolphins turned the tables 26-12 in Redcliffe two months later. 

There were real danger signs last week for the Dolphins, who have the talent in their ranks to turn it around quickly but don’t hold much appeal as the slightest of outsiders.

If the Dragons have indeed turned over a new leaf, $1.85 head-to-head is a gift for punters. 

Tip: Back the Dragons to Win @ $1.85 

SGM: DRAGONS BY 11-20 / OVER 45.5 TOTAL POINTS / TYRELL SLOAN TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES / HAMISO TABUAI-FIDOW ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $84.03 

2022

The opening round of the 2022 NRL premiership was marked by a string of surprise results and potentially season-altering injuries.

The heat is on emphatic Round 1 losers Sydney Roosters and Manly as they lock horns in a Friday blockbuster, while South Sydney confronts a daunting road trip a long-running hoodoo to bounce back from a shock first-up defeat.

Newcastle and Brisbane, meanwhile, are eager to consolidate giant-killing starts as they prepare to take on West Tigers and Canterbury, respectively, and there’s a salary cap’s worth of a blue-chip talent returning from suspension and injury across the board.

See where the value lies ahead of a fascinating Round 2 schedule.

Melbourne’s scratchy, hard-fought 26-16 comeback win over Wests Tigers – with the class of Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen the difference – was overshadowed by injury disaster.

Co-captain Christian Welch and winger George Jennings are gone for the season, while Brandon Smith is out for a month. But the cavalry returns for Round 2: COVID-hampered Jesse Bromwich slots straight in for Welch and suspended duo Cameron Munster and Harry Grant restore the first-choice spine.

Souths are similarly boosted by marquee fullback Latrell Mitchell – but their post-Bennett, post-Reynolds issues appear to run deeper.

The Rabbitohs were poor in an 11-4 loss to big underdogs Brisbane, mustering just one try despite a glut of good ball. Cody Walker seemed out of sorts alongside rookie half Lachlan Ilias and the three-quarter line looked unthreatening without underrated staple Dane Gagai.

Mitchell’s running and ball-playing threat (as well as Alex Johnston’s return to the flank) should improve both areas.

The Storm boast an eye-watering 30-5 all-time record against the Rabbitohs and have won the clubs’ last six encounters. Last season Bellamy’s bruisers belted the Bunnies 26-18 in the premiership opener and 50-0 in Round 9, with new Bulldog Josh Addo-Carr scoring six tries in the latter.

The Storm are back at AAMI Park – where they have won their last six and Souths are 0-10 – for the first time since Round 5 last year.

Depth may be an issue down the track, but Melbourne’s line-up is stronger this week with a triumvirate of top-shelf stars back. The hosts should cover against a Rabbitohs outfit in the process of reinvention.

Tip: Back the Storm to Cover the Line (-7.5 Points) @ $2.00

SGM: STORM TO WIN / UNDER 42.5 POINTS / DEAN IEREMIA ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $5.81

Penrith could hardly have been more impressive in the first match of its premiership defence, overpowering Manly 28-6 with September-like intensity. Sean O’Sullivan deputised superbly for Nathan Cleary and will get another chance this week.

The first-up form of Isaah Yeo, James Fisher-Harris, Api Koroisau, Stephen Crichton and Dylan Edwards would have sent a chill through their rivals.

St George Illawarra carved out a 28-16 victory over the Warriors on the back of a powerful Mikaele Ravalawa hat-trick and Ben Hunt’s influence. But the Dragons’ erratic opponents undeniably let them off the hook and they were exposed through the middle on multiple occasions.

The only change in the Panthers’ line-up sees injured prop Moses Leota replaced up front by Spencer Leniu, with Matt Eisenhuth joining the bench. Similarly for the Saints, Francis Molo starts for Aaron Woods (hamstring) and veteran George Burgess grabs an interchange spot.

The Panthers have won their last four against the Dragons by an average scoreline of 34-16 – which also happened to be the exact result when the teams met in Round 22 last season, with Edwards scoring two tries in a slashing display.

The Dragons won’t get the same leeway the Warriors afforded them with bad edge defence and a slew of errors. But it’s a different challenge for the Panthers travelling to Jubilee Oval rather than playing in front of a packed house at home – this is likely to be tighter than the line suggests.

Tip: Back the Dragons to Cover the Line (+11.5 Points) @ $2.00

SGM: PANTHERS 1-12 / UNDER 44 POINTS / VILIAME KIKAU ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $14.65

Sydney Roosters confront Manly for the first time since getting swept aside 42-6 in week two of the 2021 finals. But both heavyweights will be solely focused on rectifying a dismal Round 1 offering.

The Sea Eagles were outmuscled and outplayed by the Panthers in a 28-6 thrashing. The premiers provided the blueprint for shutting down Tom Trbojevic with relentless line speed – and the Manly offence had little else to fall back on.

The Roosters were stunned 20-6 by the unfancied Knights, taking 76 minutes to breach their tryline and failing to register a line-break. Victor Radley’s and Billy Smith’s HIA exits did not help but the Tricolours’ galaxy of stars overwhelmingly failed to fire.

Radley and Smith are both named in an unchanged Roosters line-up. Manly’s only change sees dynamic utility Dylan Walker replace Tolutau Koula on the bench.

The Sea Eagles were subjected to a 46-4 beatdown at the SCG early last season as James Tedesco and Brett Morris posted hat-tricks.

The Tedesco v ‘Turbo’ battle is worth the price of admission alone. But the key for both sides is tightening up through the middle and achieving some forward dominance that eluded them last week.

Even during their injury woes of 2021, the Roosters only lost back-to-back games once (to Penrith and Melbourne) and are set to bounce back stronger.

Tip: Back the Roosters to Win @ $1.82

SGM: ROOSTERS 1-12 / ROOSTERS/ROOSTERS HALF-TIME/FULL-TIME / DANIEL TUPOU ANYTIME TRY SCORER / TOM TRBOJEVIC ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $16.78

Gold Coast leaked more points than any team in Round 1, but Justin Holbrook would have taken plenty of positives from his side’s 32-28 loss to big guns Parramatta.

At 10-0 and 26-12 down the Titans looked in danger of being blown away, but they fought back to lead early in the second half and were ultimately undone by some iffy penalties late in the piece. Their attack was exhilarating despite the withdrawal of AJ Brimson and No.7 Toby Sexton is a real find.

The Warriors should have put the Dragons away after a Shaun Johnson piloted them into the lead following a tardy start. But with a howling wind at their back, the Warriors capitulated courtesy of some horrific errors and badly exposed left-edge defence in a 28-16 loss.

The performances of Josh Curran, Addin Fonua-Blake and Johnson were hugely encouraging. But Johnson, Dallin Watene-Zeleniak and Viliami Vailea are out with injury.

Reece Walsh returns with Chanel Harris-Tavita partnering Ash Taylor in the halves as Kodi Nikorima pays the price for an ordinary Round 1 performance. Jesse Arthars and Adam Pompey are the backline replacements and Matt Lodge bolsters a formidable prop rotation. Brimson is back for the Titans.

The Titans have a poor overall record against the Warriors but have won three of the teams’ last four matches at Cbus Super Stadium. Memories of a diabolical 44-0 final-round loss in an ill-tempered clash on the Gold Coast last September will be fresh for the visitors, who were torn apart by Jayden Campbell.

Johnson is a huge out for the Warriors – it’s a big ask for an underdone Taylor to steer the ship in his first game for a new club, against his old club. The visitors will rely heavily on Walsh, but it’s their completions and defence on the fringes that remain the big issues.

A more settled Titans line-up should have too many points in them for a Warriors side that has conceded 24-plus in 14 of 25 games under Nathan Brown.

Tip: Back the Titans to Win and Over 48.5 Points @ $2.40

SGM: TITANS -8.5 / 1^ST HALF OVER 23.5 POINTS / BRIAN KELLY ANYTIME TRY SCORER / REECE WALSH ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $10.55

Parramatta was arguably the least impressive and most fortunate winner of Round 1, giving up a big lead before getting home on the back of three late penalty goals in a 32-28 defeat of Gold Coast.

The Eels’ attack sparkled at times with Mitch Moses firing and Reed Mahoney making a welcome, rousing return, but their defensive application was nowhere near what Brad Arthur requires.

Hat-trick hero Sean Russell suffered a punctured lung, which sees Tom Opacic join a reshuffled backline. Oregon Kaufusi will start at lock with Ryan Matterson injured, while Nathan Brown and Bryce Cartwright return to the bench with Jake Arthur dropping out.

Cronulla’s new era began in erratic fashion courtesy of a 24-19 loss in Canberra. Rookie coach Craig Fitzgibbon watched from COVID isolation as his charges rallied from 18-6 down to lead by one, only to concede a disappointing late try.

A dreadful completion rate and a pile of missed tackles underpinned the Sharks’ defeat. Meanwhile, their fifth-tackle options and execution need immediate addressing as the new Hynes-Moylan combination finds its feet. They have named an unchanged 17.

The Eels won their sole 2021 encounter with the Sharks 46-4 at home in Round 3. But they haven’t won at Shark Park since 2014. Home-ground advantage won’t be enough to turn it around for the Sharks but this one has the makings of a cliff-hanger.

Tip: Back Either Team to Win by Less Than 6.5 Points @ $2.70

Tip: EELS WIN / OVER 43.5 POINTS / CLINT GUTHERSON ANYTIME TRY SCORER / WILLIAM KENNEDY ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $12.12

Wooden-spoon predictions for North Queensland don’t look far off the mark based on the 6-4 loss to Canterbury in a low-quality Townsville grind.

Youngsters Tom Gilbert, Jeremiah Nanai and Tom Dearden impressed, but Todd Payten’s use of Jason Taumalolo continues to baffle and there was very little constructive attack.

Canberra got out of jail against Cronulla, prevailing 24-19 after a familiar collapse courtesy of a brilliant Hudson Young try in the last five minutes. Five-eighth Jack Wighton was marvellous but seems destined to shoulder a massive load in 2022, while the Raiders lack a game manager with Jamal Fogarty sidelined.

Jordan McLean comes into the Cowboys’ rejigged starting pack for Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (knee), with Kiwi tyro Griffin Neame joining the bench. Brad Schneider’s spell in COVID iso sees Matt Frawley back in the No.7, while Tom Starling starts at hooker and Adrian Trevilyan debuts from the pine.

The Cowboys have won 10 of their last 13 against the Raiders in Townsville, including a 26-24 victory in Round 7 last season in which they overturned an 18-point deficit.

The Green Machine’s stacked forward pack made a solid start to the campaign and will pave the way to a road win over a Cowboys side that already looks to be in big trouble.

Tip: Back the Raiders to Cover the Line (-4 Points) @ $2.00

SGM: RAIDERS WIN / RAIDERS OVER 23.5 POINTS / JACK WIGHTON ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $4.10

A pair of Round 1 surprise packets square off in Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.

The Knights produced the most stunning display of the NRL’s opening weekend, dousing the hotshot Roosters 20-6.

Underrated players who were pinpointed as the reason the Knights were set for a slide in 2022 – halves Jake Clifford and Adam Clune, the ever-versatile Kurt Mann in a new lock role, the supposedly washed-up David Klemmer – were among the team’s standouts.

Wests Tigers were on track to continue the trend of season-opening boilovers when they led the Storm 14-4 early in the second half, before being overrun late 26-16.

The spine combination of Daine Laurie, Jackson Hastings and Luke Brooks showed good signs and the Tigers boast one of the league’s better finishing duos in Ken Maumalo and David Nofoaluma.

James Tamou returns for the Tigers with Luke Garner the player drop out of the 17, while the Knights are unchanged.

The also-ran Tigers had the wood on the finals-bound Knights in 2021, winning 24-20 at Newcastle and 36-18 in Magic Round. The teams’ last six clashes averaged totals of 53 points and produced no less than 44.

If these teams maintain their defensive intensity from last week – missing just 34 tackles between – this shapes as a real arm-wrestle. The Knights hold the edge in the game-breaker department and are deserving favourites, even if they look a little short head-to-head.

Tip: Back the Knights to Win by 1-12 @ $2.85

SGM: UNDER 44.5 POINTS / TIGERS +7.5 / KALYN PONGA ANYTIME TRY SCORER / KEN MAUMALO ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $18.74

Well, Canterbury is in the Top 8 for the first time since 2017 – but the reigning wooden spooners look a fair way behind every team in the competition bar the one they beat in Round 1, the dismal Cowboys, in a 6-4 slog.

Top-class recruit Matt Burton and plucky hooker Jeremy Marshall-King provide some hope and the Bulldogs’ pack was collectively decent. But scoring points is going to be a colossal obstacle to Trent Barrett’s job security.

Tevita Pangai Jr will don the blue-and-white jersey for the first time after withdrawing from his club debut with a hamstring complaint.

Brisbane had its thunder stolen by Newcastle somewhat, but the Broncos were gallant in rolling Souths 11-4 on Friday night. Patrick Carrigan and Payne Haas were immense, the Broncos’ exciting young backline was unlucky not to pile on more points and their goal-line defence was integral to the win.

And they did it without skipper and linchpin Adam Reynolds, who will make his club debut this week. Albert Kelly ousts Billy Walters for the five-eighth role and it looks to be a good halves balance. Walters is on the bench, while Tesi Niu returns from injury at fullback Jamayne Isaako’s expense.

The teams’ last 10 matches were won by the home team (including the last five by margins of 14 or more). The Broncos carved out a 24-0 win at Suncorp Stadium in Round 3 last year but they are on a four-game losing streak against the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium (formerly ANZ Stadium).

It’s a small sample size to start proclaiming the Broncos are on the cusp of a bright new era, but they shape as arguably the best-value favourites of Round 2. The Bulldogs will struggle to handle Haas and co, Reynolds adds the direction the Broncos have missed for years and there’s a glaring firepower discrepancy between the two backlines.

Tip: Back the Broncos to Win by 13+ @ $3.30

SGM: BRONCOS WIN / BRONCOS OVER 21.5 POINTS / SELWYN COBBO TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES @ $9.88

2021

The 2021 NRL season picked up right where it left off last week with the Storm and the Panthers both recording impressive victories in front of their home fans.

Melbourne will look to remain unbeaten when they take on the Eels in another Thursday night thriller, while the Panthers look a great bet to improve to 2-0 when they face the Bulldogs on Saturday.

On Friday, we’ve got almost even money on offer when the Warriors and Knights meet in Gosford, right before the Titans and Broncos square off on the Gold Coast.

With plenty of value on offer, be sure to find out who we’re backing in our 2021 NRL Round 2 Preview!

Round 2 opens with a rematch of last year’s Qualifying Final as both the Eels and the Storm look to remain unbeaten to start the season.

After rallying the troops at half-time last week, Eels coach Brad Arthur will be hoping for a much more thorough performance from his side after overcoming a 16-0 deficit against the Broncos in Round 1.

Anything short of a consistent 80-minutes of football will likely see Parramatta undone against a Storm outfit that put on a clinic in their 26-18 win over the Rabbitohs at home.

The game plan from Melbourne head coach Craig Bellamy this week should be relatively simple: force mistakes.

The Eels were their own worst enemies last week committing 15 errors against the Broncos, and while their second-half effort was exciting, it’s tough to read too much into a win over the reigning wooden-spooners.

Outside of a loss in Round 15 last year, the Storm have largely held Parramatta’s number.

Melbourne has won four of their last five meetings against the Eels, which includes a comfortable 12-point win in the finals last year.

If Parramatta starts slow, this one could get ugly in a hurry.

Tip: Back the Storm to Cover the Line (-6.5 Points) @ $2.00

This is easily the most interesting betting market of the entire round with even money on offer at time of publish.

The Knights have opened as -1 favourites following last week’s dominant victory over the Bulldogs, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the line swings back and forth throughout the week.

With Kalyn Ponga and Edrick Lee on the sidelines, Adam O’Brien’s men did extremely well to pile on the points in a second-half onslaught.

Unfortunately, Newcastle lost Kurt Mann and Bradman Best to injuries in the process, adding further intrigue as the Knights now prepare for an equally impressive Warriors side.

Last week’s 19-6 score-line against the Titans doesn’t even begin to do the Warriors justice.

The Warriors did well to capitalize on some costly Gold Coast turnovers, while they also looked very deadly in open space.

Winning back-to-back games has been a problem for New Zealand over the last few years, but it’s hard to ignore the fact the Kiwis beat Newcastle 36-6 when they last met.

This is a huge litmus test for the Warriors, but with the Knights still battered and bruised, they look up to the task.

Tip: Back the Warriors to Win @ $1.92

The Broncos failed to come away with the chocolates in Round 1 against the Eels, but there was plenty to like about their first-half performance under new head coach Kevin Walters.

Brisbane took a 16-0 lead into the sheds at half-time before injuries and some costly mistakes got in the way.

The Titans, meanwhile, failed to fire against a dangerous looking Warriors side in a game Justin Holbrook would probably like to have back.

After a couple of sickening head knocks, there is some good news for the Broncos on the Xavier Coates and John Asiata front with both set to play after training earlier in the week.

Coates in particular looked extremely dangerous on the right-hand side of Brisbane’s attack, which does pose some match-up problems for the Titans after missing 25 tackles last week.

As far as betting goes, the Gold Coast are no doubt worth forgiving after coming off second-best last week to a side that many fancy to finish top four.

That said, the Broncos should take plenty of confidence away from their first-half performance against the Eels.

If Brisbane can stay healthy and put together two consistent halves, there’s a good chance this game turns out close.

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

The Panthers made us forget all about last year’s Grand Final disappointment with a convincing 24-0 shutout over the Cowboys in Round 1.

Having now won 17 of their last 18 games, it’s no surprise to find Ivan Cleary’s men as firm double-digit favourites in betting as they prepare to face a Bulldogs side still rebuilding for the future.

To be fair, Canterbury held their own in the first 30 minutes last week before Newcastle’s attack finally got going in the wet and windy conditions.

While the Bulldogs should appreciate a firmer surface on Saturday night, unfortunately, this still shapes as a difficult assignment for new head coach Trent Barrett against a Panthers team that won 42-0 when these two sides last met.

Unlike in years past, the Dogs do have enough talent in the backline to challenge the Panthers, but it’s tough to see them matching Penrith on the scoreboard after showing next to nothing on attack last week.

Following a defensive masterclass against the Cowboys last week, the value lies in a low-scoring game from the Dogs.

Tip: Bulldogs Under 11.5 Total Points @ $1.98

The Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs are both looking to bounce-back this week after finishing on the receiving end of respective blowouts in Round 1.

Manly’s half-strength roster was exposed nice and early by the Roosters in their 46-4 defeat, a performance Des Hasler would probably like to forget after his side missed a whopping 39 tackles.

While they were far from disgraced, the Rabbitohs met their match in Melbourne as the Storm burst clear to pile on 12 points inside the opening ten minutes.

On the plus side, South Sydney did well to answer back by holding the Storm scoreless in the second half, an effort the Bunnies can certainly improve on.

Manly does get some reprieve this week with Kieran Foran set to return to the side, but after struggling to defend the Roosters aerial assault, it’s difficult to imagine the Sea Eagles turning things around in a hurry.

The last time these two sides met the Rabbitohs won 56-16, and as the line suggests, Manly fans might be in for another tough week.

Tip: Back the Rabbitohs to Cover the Line (-10.5 Points) @ $1.90

The Cowboys find themselves as the firm favourites on Saturday despite the fact they failed to muster a single point in Round 1.

Last week’s 24-0 shutout against the Panthers was a harsh reality check for Cowboys fans that dared to dream, while the Dragons are also looking to bounce-back from a spirited loss to the Sharks.

Overtime was required to separate these two sides when they last met, and it wouldn’t be surprising if we’re treated to another close and high-scoring game.

Both teams spent over 30 minutes on defence last week, while we should see each side begin to gel a little more as the season wears on with new head coaches at the helm.

It also happens that the total has gone over in each of the Dragons’ last five games, so there’s plenty to suggest we might be in for another thriller.

Tip: Over 43.5 Total Points @ $1.90

The Tigers appear to be in for another tough Sunday after receiving a touch-up at the hands of the Raiders last week.

Michael Maguire’s side put up a strong fight in the first half, only to fall away in the final 40-minutes due to some sloppy tackling and a handful of errors.

Those same mistakes will cost the Tigers dearly this week against a Roosters outfit that showed its full class in a huge Round 1 win over Manly.

Trent Robinson’s side was humming from the get-go as James Tedesco’s miraculous second-minute try turned into a 46-4 onslaught.

Sydney will take to the field this week without Angus Crichton, who will serve a one-match ban for last week’s dangerous tackle, while the Tigers welcome back Adam Doueihi from his own suspension.

While there was a bit to like about the Tigers at times last week, it was clear Maguire’s side are still incapable of playing a full game from start to finish.

With the Roosters facing a big one in Round 3 against the Rabbitohs, they should be eager to make another statement here.

Tip: Back the Roosters to Cover the Line (-11.5 Points) @ $1.90

Both sides opened the season with a win, but there were a few nervous moments for supporters early on in the first half.

The Raiders eventually clicked into gear in the late stages to down the Tigers 30-12, but this does shape as a difficult stretch for Canberra with three of their next four games on the road.

Cronulla also survived a first half scare to kick away from the Dragons in their 32-18 win.

The Sharks weren’t pretty defensively, but much like last year, they do look a dangerous side with Josh Dugan and Ronaldo Mulitalo both finding the line.

The Raiders have won four straight over Cronulla, but the Sharks have been a steady underdog play covering in six of their last eight games against Canberra.

With captain Jarrod Croker potentially out, the Sharks look a worthwhile bet with some insurance.

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

2020

Round 2 in the NRL will be unlike any other as all eight games kick off behind closed doors for the foreseeable future.

This presents a handful of challenges for bettors as the crowd can often play a crucial part in altering the momentum and the flow of the game.

On one hand, we may see higher scoring contests without the pressure of a crowd in attendance, but instead of banking on “what-ifs” we’ve chosen to treat all eight games as we normally would in our complete preview below.

A chance to right their wrongs is up for grabs on Thursday night as the Cowboys and Bulldogs both hope to earn their first win of the season.

North Queensland had no trouble scoring points last week against the Broncos, but some sloppy tackling and ball handling issues ultimately cost the Cowboys a win in their new stadium.

Canterbury also came up short against the Eels mustering a measly two points. Considering the off-field distractions leading in, the Dogs did reasonably well to hold Parramatta to only eight points, but Dean Pay still has plenty left to address on attack moving forward.

The Cowboys are laying -2.5 here on the road at ANZ, highlighting how wary the bookies are of North Queensland’s 4-8 record away from home last year.

Fortunately, Paul Green is set to welcome Josh Maguire into the side following last seasons suspension, which should give the Cowboys more firepower up forward.

Neither of these teams were particularly impressive when it came to tackling last week, but in the Cowboys’ defence, that is to be expected of a relatively new-look side.

North Queensland holds a perfect 2-0 record as the line favourite on the road against the Dogs, so it’s worth backing the visitors to bounce back.

Tip: Back the Cowboys to Cover the Line (-2.5 Points) @ $1.90

Two teams at the opposite ends of the spectrum meet on Friday in a game that could tell us all we need to know about both clubs.

Penrith were the surprise packets last week defeating the Roosters 20-14 at home, while the Dragons were largely underwhelming in their defeat to the Tigers at home.

Injuries are set to make this game interesting from a betting standpoint as the Dragons have added a few more names to their growing casualty ward.

Mikaele Ravalawa picked up a thigh strain last week, while Korbin Sims and Cameron McInnes are still a few weeks away from making their 2020 debut.

The Panthers are also sweating on Zane Tetevano after suffering a knee injury against the reigning premiers last week. If Penrith can ride the momentum like they did last week though, his absence shouldn’t be felt too much.

It stands to note that the Dragons haven’t beaten the Panthers since 2017, tying in with their sloppy 0-5 record as the home underdog last season.

St George failed to capitalize on their chances last week compared to a Penrith side that did quite the opposite. All in all, this points towards a Panthers blowout.

Tip: Back the Panthers to Cover the Line (-3.5 Points) @ $1.90

The marquee game of Round 2 comes on Friday night with the Broncos and Bunnies both looking to one-up each other on the ladder.

Brisbane’s gutsy win up north over the Cowboys last week sent a strong statement to the rest of the league, while Souths didn’t miss a beat in their four-point win over the Sharks at home.

It’s a shame Suncorp will be empty for this game between Wayne Bennett and his former club, which also makes betting a little tricky with even money on offer.

The Rabbitohs swept the Broncos last year with a pair of victories, but the back line is in for a real test against what is arguably the toughest forward pack in the competition.

Likewise, you do have to factor in Brisbane’s troubles at home in recent years, while the lack of a crowd could see either team fold if the going gets tough.

With so many factors at play, you’re best off paying attention to the trends here and backing this game to be high scoring. The bookies have set a 40-point Total for this game, which seems a little low considering the last six games between these two clubs have all gone Over.

Tip: Over 40.5 Total Points @ $1.90

The Warriors will play the role of the home side on the Gold Coast as they welcome a Raiders team looking to pick up where they left off last week against the Titans.

Canberra put to rest any concerns of a Grand Final hangover winning 24-6 over the Gold Coast at home.

The Warriors, meanwhile, laid a goose egg against the Knights in Newcastle in a forgettable 20-0 shutout.

Stephen Kearney has the unenviable task of trying to keep his players’ mind on the game as they face the possibility of remaining in Australia for the unforeseeable future or even being excluded from the competition entirely.

Either way you look at it, there’s no doubting the Warriors will be distracted this week, which explains the double-digit line on offer for the Green Machine to win comfortably.

There’s no doubting the Warriors have the firepower to compete with a team like Canberra, but not on a foreign ground and with so much else going on in their minds.

With the Raiders looking like they have another gear to shift into, this one could get ugly.

Tip: Back the Raiders to Cover the Line (-11.5 Points) @ $1.90

As far as early season tests go, it doesn’t get much bigger than this.

The only takeaway from the Roosters’ 20-14 loss to the Panthers last week was that they took their foot off the gas when it mattered most.

Manly, on the other hand, were simply their own worst enemy against the Storm as a combination of handling errors and missed tackles got in the way of what could have been a brilliant start to the season.

Given the expectations surrounding both clubs, each team deserves a mulligan after two unlucky performances.

But now the question becomes: who will earn their first win of the season?

The Roosters have enjoyed the better part of this match up in recent years winning three games in a row over Manly.

That said, the +5.5 about the Sea Eagles represents enormous value when you factor in the circumstances of the round and their 6-3 record as the line underdog away from home last year.

It’s easy to forget that Manly held the Storm scoreless in the first half last week in wet conditions, so now it’s up to Des Hasler to build on that performance against a Roosters team that looked a little vulnerable in the dying stages themselves.

Tip: Back Manly to Cover the Line (+5.5 Points) @ $1.90

This growing rivalry has typically been one of the toughest games to predict over the last five years and we should be in for another classic based on last week’s performances.

Cronulla failed to get the job done against the Bunnies, but the Sharks can take plenty away from their miraculous second half fight back with only one errant forward pass preventing them from extra time.

Speaking of the second half, Craig Bellamy has to be happy with how his side responded out of the sheds against Manly to go on and win 18-4 at Brookvale.

The Sharks do have a couple of injuries concerns to note here with Bronson Xerri and Josh Dugan likely out for at least another week. Winger Ronaldo Mulitalo also picked up a head knock against Souths and will be evaluated later in the week.

Betting against Melbourne in the first four weeks of the year is always a risky play, but back-to-back games on the road is a tough ask for a team that played two completely different halves last week.

On one hand, you could look at Cronulla’s outs and wonder how they’ll fend off the Storm for a full 80-minutes, but keep in mind, this is a fixture they always get up for.

If you throw in the Sharks’ perfect 2-0 record as the line underdog at home against Melbourne, the +5.5 here is some nice insurance to have.

Tip: Back the Sharks to Cover the Line (+5.5 Points) @ $1.90

The Knights finished last season 4-8 on the road, but they still look massively over the odds here against a Tigers team that is being a little overvalued in the market.

Newcastle shutout the Warriors in style last week at home by dominating possession and also keeping the penalties to a minimum.

Wests were also big winners against the Dragons, but it remains to be seen how they respond to a quiet Leichardt Oval that is usually buzzing with noise at this time of year.

On the injury front, the Tigers were dealt a bit of a blow last week with Luke Brooks ruled out for at least a month due to a calf injury. The return of Moses Mbye, meanwhile, still looks a week or so away.

The Knights made it through Round 1 relatively free from injury, so they do look the value play of the round – especially with a 2-1 record as the away underdog at the line against the Tigers.

Considering you’re getting the same price head-to-head as you are against the spread, it’s worth taking the +1.5 insurance here.

Tip: Back the Knights to Cover the Line (+1.5 Points) @ $1.90

Justin Holbrook will attempt to extract the positives from last weeks blowout loss to the Raiders ahead of this week’s home opener on the Gold Coast.

The Titans realistically could have lost by much more, but the they did show some signs of life in the second half to hold the Raiders to only one try.

Speaking of one try, that’s all the Eels managed against the Bulldogs last week in their narrow 8-2 victory.

A win is a win, but it was a less than convincing performance from a team that many feel should be in the top four conversation this year.

The good news is the Eels have won three games in a row over the Titans and were also 3-1 as the away favourites at the line last year. It’s tough to know whether the Eels failed to fire or the Bulldogs are better than we’re giving them credit for, but with an injury free side, take Parramatta to pull off the big win.

Tip: Back the Eels to Cover the Line (-6.5 Points) @ $1.90

2019

A handful of upsets in Round 1 has added plenty of intrigue to the start of the 2019 NRL season.

We now set our sights on Round 2, headlined by three prime time blockbusters kicking off on Thursday night between the Dragons and the Rabbitohs. The Storm also take a trip to Canberra, a venue that’s caused Melbourne plenty of problems in recent years.

The first QLD Derby takes center stage on Friday night, followed by Sunday twilight thriller between the Tigers and the Warriors. As always, we’ve previewed all you need to know, and our complete 2019 NRL Round 2 Preview can be found below.

The Dragons and the Rabbitohs find themselves at opposite ends of the spectrum ahead of Round 2. The Rabbitohs pulled off an unthinkable upset over a well-rested Roosters side last week to spoil Sydney’s premiership party, while the Dragons were dominated in just about every statistical category during their 12-point loss to the Cowboys in North Queensland.

Fast forward a week, and you’ll find the Bunnies favoured handsomely on Thursday night. Souths won both games against the Dragons last year, although their narrow 13-12 win in September leaves the door open for what could be another thriller.

The Dragons finished last season 6-6 on the road, and already this year the struggles away from home are evident. St. George’s biggest problem last week was errors, and if they can’t clean up their act, they’ll pay the full price this week against a Rabbitohs side that dominated possession against the Roosters.

For the Bunnies, it’s all about sucking the life out. Even last year, Souths were great at forcing set after set to tire out the opposing defence, and considering the Cowboys managed to score two tries within 10-minutes twice last week, don’t be surprised if St. George are run off their feet again.

Tip: Back South Sydney To Win 1-12 @ $2.90

Two sides coming off convincing wins. Friday night blockbuster, anyone?

Canberra made short work of the Titans on a rain-soaked Gold Coast track last week, heading home 21-0 winners thanks to a dominant attacking performance.

The Storm had their hands full with the Broncos last week, for all of five minutes. Melbourne pounced on Brisbane in the opening half to lead 10-0 at the break, leaving the Bromwich brothers to do the rest in the second half.

So how do these two contenders stack up this week?

The Storm have won four-straight over the Raiders, including last year’s 44-10 beatdown at home. It’s worth nothing Melbourne haven’t traveled to Canberra since 2017 though, and after last week’s success, expect the Green Machine to be fired up for this clash.

Canberra might look a little over the odds to some, but beware, this could be a trap game. The Raiders are 3-6 as the away underdog straight-up against the Storm, but a much tidier 3-2 as the underdog against the line.

Overall, Canberra’s defence could keep this close. Their line play was superb last week, and the battle between Cameron Smith and Josh Hodgson should provide fireworks. The likes of Cameron Munster and elusive Josh Addo-Carr should see Melbourne over the line narrowly, however.

Tip: Back the Raiders to Cover the Line (+4.5 Points)

The Broncos enter their first of two QLD derby’s following a loss to the Storm last week. There’s plenty of learning curves ahead for new coach Anthony Seibold, but it appears the same old problem is plaguing Brisbane for the second season in a row.

After falling behind by 10-points, Brisbane once again got off to a slow start. It falls not only on Seibold, but also Kodi Nikorima, as the Broncos looked completely disorganized during various stages of the first half last week.

For the Cowboys, things were much more composed. Even after falling behind early, North Queensland didn’t panic as Jason Taumalolo went to work in the early goings. Paul Green’s side saw equal effort from Coen Hess on the defensive side, all of which leaves the Cowboys looking a little over the odds this week as they head to Suncorp.

Last season North Queensland nearly got the better of the Broncos on the road. Once again, the Broncos fell behind early, scraping home by four-points in a 24-20 win. Fast forward five months, the Cowboys then got one-up on Brisbane in North Queensland, winning by the same margin.

As the away underdog, the Cowboys finished 2-5 last year, while Brisbane’s struggles at home were evident in their 4-5 record against the line. Considering four of the last five meetings between these two have been decided by six-points or less, the line looks to be the play.

Tip: Back the Cowboys to Cover the Line (+4.5 Points) @ $1.85

It’s only fitting that these two sides meet following their Round 1 disappointments.

In what turned out to be a stalemate between the Sharks and the Knights, Cronulla allowed a crucial last minute try to Edrick Lee in Newcastle, going on to lose 14-8.

Things were much more dour for the Titans, mind you. Gold Coast failed to even crack the scoreboard in their 21-0 loss to the Raiders at home, and considering the Titans won just four of their 12-games on the road last season, it’s not surprising to see them listed as the underdog.

On the flip side, the last time the Titans traveled to Shark Park they won 16-12 way back in 2017. Cronilla have won only two of their last five games against Gold Coast, including last year’s narrow 10-9 victory.

This game will likely be just as close. The Sharks finished 7-2 as the home favourite last year, while the Titans went 4-7 as the away underdog. Take the Sharks and their stingy defence in another nail-biter.

Tip: Back the Sharks To Win 1-12 @ $2.63

It’s only a small sample size, but you have to like what we saw from the Knights last week.

Newcastle toughed out a hard-fought win over the Sharks at home, one that has Nathan Brown’s side heading in as the favourite against the Panthers on Saturday. That was hardly the biggest upset of the round though, as Penrith, who are still caught up in off-field problems, looked lost against the Eels in a 20-12 loss.

The Panthers are typically slow starters, but they’ll need to find some spark on the road this week. Their first half efforts left a lot to be desired against Parramatta, but if they can win the forward battle and silence Mitchell Pearce, Penrith can easily turn their fortunes around.

Being favoured at home is unfamiliar territory for the Knights in recent memory – they are just 2-1 as the home favourite over the last 12-months. Last week’s win was huge, but was it the Sharks’ inability to score, or Newcastle’s attack that got the job done?

Either way, the Panthers hold a strong 2-1 record as the line underdog against Newcastle, which looks to be the safest play this week.

Tip: Back the Panthers to Cover the Line (+2.5 Points)

What can we take away from the Roosters loss to Souths last week?

Sydney were dominated in the possession count, while they also looked flat on defence missing 27 tackles and committing 15 errors. In sum, it was a very uninspiring performance after a very strong preseason. But surely the Roosters are worthy of a mulligan, right?

There’s probably only one word to sum up Manly’s blowout loss to the Tigers last week: flat. The Sea Eagles were held scoreless right up until the 79^th minute, a performance that left little to the imagination aside from Addin Fonua-Blake’s impressive numbers.

With all that in mind, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn the Roosters have dominated this match up recently. Sydney piled on 56-points against Manly last year, making it hard to back against their 6-2 record as the away favourite last year.

Tip: Back the Roosters To Cover the Line (-8.5 Points) @ $1.90

Last year’s cellar dwellers find themselves at opposite ends of the ladder after Round 1.

As expected, the Bulldogs were no match for the Warriors in Auckland last week, falling by 34-points. The Eels, on the other hand, were perhaps the most encouraging side to emerge from the opening round, storming home to defeat the Panthers 20-12 on the road.

Recent meetings between these two haven’t exactly been exciting. The Eels have won four of their last five games against Canterbury, but it’s worth keeping in mind the pair split their two-game series one win apiece last season.

The Eels find themselves as favorites on the road this week, a rare circumstance for last year’s wooden spooners. Parramatta finished 0-2 at the short price on the road last year, but it’s not like the Dogs’ 4-5 record as the home underdog is anymore convincing.

It’s tough to back a winner straight-up, or at the line for that matter. That said, there might be some value in the Total Match Points market. The Total has gone Over 30-points just once in the last five meetings between the Eels and the Dogs.

Tip: Under 37.5 Total Match Points @ $1.88

The NRL might have saved the best ‘till last.

The Warriors and the Tigers won in convincing fashion last week, setting up what could be a fiery clash between two sides that know how to score.

Despite last week’s large scoreline, try not to get too carried away with expectations just yet. The Tigers made short work of a lethargic Manly side, but there’s still plenty of areas to work on for coach Michael Maguire.

The same also goes for the Warriors, who have become dependent on Blake Green. The 32-year-old will have his hands full this week with the Tigers’ attack, and in particular Benji Marshall, who played a big role in the win over Manly.

As the odds suggest, it’s tough to separate these two. New Zealand finished 8-4 on the road last year, while the Tigers won only seven of their 12 games at home. Wests were also 4-3 as the home favourite, while the Warriors were a much more impressive 4-2 as the away underdog.

There’s still plenty to work on for the Warriors, but if Green can back up his impressive performance last week, it might be a harsh reality check for Wests in front of their home faithful.

Tip: Back the Warriors To Win @ $2.00

2018

It was a thrilling weekend of action for the opening round of the NRL season and round two is set to be just as exciting.

The action is headlined by a genuine Friday Night Blockbuster between the Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys – there has been no greater rivalry in the NRL over the past five years.

We have analysed every game set to take place this weekend and our complete 2018 NRL Round 2 tips can be found below.

The St George Illawarra Dragons were one of the most impressive sides in the opening round of the NRL season, but it is the Cronulla Sharks that will start this clash as favourites.

Cronulla were a touch disappointing in their season opener against the North Queensland Cowboys – the score may have gotten close in the end, but the Sharks were never really in the contest.

Winning at home was a big issue for the Sharks last season and they won only five of their 11 games as home favourites, while they were an awful 1-10 against the line in this scenario.

Ben Hunt could not have made a better start to his time with the Dragons and they were nothing short of dominant against the Brisbane Broncos in round 1.

Winning away from home was not an issue for the Dragons last season and they won four of their eight games as away underdogs for a clear profit, while they were 6-1-1 against the line in this scenario.

The Dragons beat the Sharks at Southern Cross Group Stadium last season and there is no reason that they can’t do the same on Thursday night.

Back St George Illawarra Dragons To Win @ $2.10

The Sydney Roosters suffered a shock loss at the hands of the Wests Tigers last weekend, but they will still start this clash with the Canterbury Bulldogs as dominant favourites.

The Roosters new-look backline simply didn’t click in their season opener and the likes of Cooper Cronk and James Tedesco were unable to make an impact.

Sydney have won 15 of their past 20 games as favourites for a profit, but they are a very poor 6-14 against the line in this scenario.

The Bulldogs were no match for the Melbourne Storm in round 1, but there were definitely some positive signs in their defeat and they didn’t play as badly as the final scoreline suggests.

They did lost to the Roosters twice last season, but both games were very close affairs and they were a profitable play against the line as underdogs last season.

This game will likely be much closer than the current betting market suggests and the Bulldogs are a good bet to cover the line with a healthy start.

Back Canterbury Bulldogs To Beat The Line (+9.5 Points)

Games between these two teams just continue to be outstanding contests and we could be in for another classic at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

The North Queensland Cowboys will start this clash as clear favourites and this is one of the shortest prices that they have ever been against the Brisbane Broncos.

North Queensland were a touch scrappy in the second half against the Cronulla Sharks in their season opener and they didn’t put the game away like they should have, but their forward pack looks extremely fit and could prove very tough for the Broncos to handle.

The Cowboys won all four of their games as away favourites last season and they covered the line in each of those wins.

Brisbane were right up there with the biggest disappointments of the opening round of the season and this could get ugly if they replicate the performance they produced against the St George Illawarra Dragons.

The Broncos had so many issues against the Dragons it is tough to know where to start – the halves went missing, their kicking game was awful, Darius Boyd is clearly lacking fitness and their forwards were soundly beaten.

Brisbane have won only one of their past seven games as underdogs and they have lost four of their past six games against the Cowboys.

It is impossible to back the Broncos off last weekend’s effort and the Cowboys can record a comfortable win.

Back North Queensland Cowboys To Beat The Line (-4.5 Points)

The New Zealand Warriors were one of the biggest surprise packages of round one and they will start this clash with the Gold Coast Titans as clear favourites.

New recruit Blake Green clearly had a calming effect at the Warriors and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck finally showed what he is capable of with his best performance in Warriors colours.

It is always tough to back the Warriors with any real confidence, but they have won 11 of their past 12 games against the Titans for a big profit.

The Titans showed plenty of character to come from 18-0 down to beat the Canberra Raiders last weekend and they are sure to take plenty of confidence from that performance.

There is still a big question mark over their defence and they can’t afford to give up 28 points every week.

Gold Coast won only two of their ten games as away underdogs last season and they were a middling 5-5 against the line in this scenario.

The Warriors deserve to go into this clash as favourites, but it is tough to have any faith in a side that has burnt punters so badly over the years.

No Bet

The Penrith Panthers will go into this clash with the South Sydney Rabbitohs as clear favourites.

Penrith were slow out of the gates against the Parramatta Eels, but they were able to finish over the top of their rivals and they played some excellent rugby league in the second half.

They continue to be tough to beat at Panthers Stadium and they have won eight of their past 11 games as home favourites, while beating the line in each of these wins.

It was hard not to be disappointed with the performance that South Sydney produced in the opening round of the season and they were simply out-enthused by the New Zealand Warriors outfit.

South Sydney have won only two of their past seven games as away underdogs – although they have won their past two games against the Panthers.

The market that does appeal in this clash is the Under in total points betting.

The Under has saluted in eight of the past 12 games played at Pepper Stadium as well as seven of the last 11 fixtures played by South Sydney on the road.

Back Under 42.5 Points

The Melbourne Storm are the shortest-priced favourites in the NRL this weekend.

The start of the post-Cooper Cronk era could hardly have gotten off to a better start for the Storm and they were outstanding against the Canterbury Bulldogs in their season opener – Cameron Munster was particularly impressive filling in for Billy Slater at full-back.

Melbourne have not lost a game since they were beaten by the Parramatta Eels during the State Of Origin period last year and they have won their past three games against the Tigers.

They have won 11 of their past 13 games as home favourites and it is just about impossible to bet against them.

The Wests Tigers stunned the NRL with their round one upset win over the Sydney Roosters and the question is whether they can replicate that performance – they recorded back-to-back wins only once last season.

Wests have won three of their past 11 games as away underdogs, but they are an impressive 7-1-3 against the line in that scenario.

This is a game that Melbourne really should win, but the line of 14.5 points does seem excessive and I am happy to stay out from a betting standpoint.

No Bet

Both these teams were beaten in disappointing fashion last weekend.

It is the Manly Eagles that will go into this clash as favourites following their dramatic golden point loss at the hands of the Newcastle Knights last weekend, but their record against the Eels does not inspire confidence – Parramatta have won the past six games played between the two sides.

Manly won six of their eight games as home favourites last season, but they were a poor 3-5 against the line in that scenario.

Parramatta were excellent in the opening stages of their round 1 clash against the Penrith Panthers, but the way they gave up the game in the second half was very disappointing.

The Eels were able to win three of their seven games as away underdogs last season for a profit and they were 4-3 against the line in that situation.

The market has overreacted to the round 1 performance of the Eels and they can score their first win of the season over the Sea Eagles this weekend.

Back Parramatta Eels To Win @ $2.05

The Canberra Raiders capitulated last weekend against the Gold Coast Titans, but they will still go into this clash as clear favourites.

Canberra looked like they had the game won in the first 20 minutes when they raced out to a 18-0 lead and a big win was on the cards, but they ran out of steam badly in the second half and threw away what looked like a guaranteed two points.

The Raiders were a losing betting play across just about every metric last season and they won only six of their ten games as home favourites for a loss.

The new recruits stood up for the Newcastle Knights in a big win during their win over the Manly Sea Eagles – Kalyn Ponga was particularly impressive – and that win is sure to give them plenty of confidence.

What the Knights will need to improve if they are going to be a genuine force this season is their record on the road – they have won only one of their past 11 games as underdogs and they are 5-6 against the line in this situation.

This is a game that the market looks to have just about right and I am happy to stay out from a betting perspective.

No Bet

There is no greater rivalry in modern rugby league than that between the Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys and they will square-off again at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night in one of the NRL Round 2 highlights.

Manly and South Sydney are both looking to bounce back after poor seasons in 2016 and their meeting on Saturday afternoon will be extremely interesting before the Canberra Raiders host the Cronulla Sharks in a repeat of last year’s preliminary final.

The round concludes on Sunday night when St George Illawarra Dragons take on the Parramatta Eels and you can find out thoughts on every single game below.

The Sydney Roosters could hardly have made a more impressive start to the 2017 NRL season and they will go into this clash with the Canterbury Bulldogs as clear favourites.

The Roosters were ruthless in their opening round against the Gold Coast Titans and showed why many experts believe they will be the big improvers this season.

Home favourtism was the position in which the Sydney Roosters thrived last season and they won all three of their games in this scenario, while they were 3-0 against the line for a tidy profit.

Canterbury were arguably one of the biggest disappointments of the opening round of the competition.

They had plenty of chances to beat the Melbourne Storm in conditions that did suit their game, but both their kicking game and their attacking plays inside their own 20 metres were nothing short of disgraceful.

The Bulldogs are clearly a side that is short of confidence at the moment and this is another touch clash for them.

Canterbury struggled badly as underdogs last season and they won just one of their five games as away underdogs, while they had the same record against the line.

The Roosters should prove far too good for their rivals and they can cover the line of 6.5 points.

Back Sydney To Beat The Line (-6.5 Points)

The New Zealand Warriors and Melbourne Storm head into this clash on the back of round 1 wins, but it is fair to say that both were lucky to come away with the victory.

New Zealand were the shortest-priced favourites of the weekend in the opening round of the competition and they made very tough work of their clash with the Newcastle Knights.

There is no doubt that the Warriors will improve from that performance, but they are going to have to if they are any chance against the Storm on Friday night.

The Warriors will go into this clash as underdogs and they did win two of their three games as home underdogs last season, while they were 2-1 against the line.

Melbourne showed their usual toughness to come away with a round 1 win over the Canterbury Bulldogs, but they will be look to improve the lack of discipline and handling errors that allowed the Bulldogs back into the game.

Winning away from home was not an issue for the Storm last season and they have won nine of their past ten games as away favourites as well as four of their past five games in New Zealand.

The market definitely appears to have inflated the chances of the Warriors and the Storm are once again excellent value to come away with the win.

Back Melbourne To Beat The Line (-2.5 Points)

This is easily the highlight of the round and we are set for another thriller between these two rivals.

It should really come as no surprise that the market can not split these two teams.

The Brisbane Broncos do have the home ground advantage and they come into this clash off the back of a solid victory over the Cronulla Sharks.

Anthony Milford was simply outstanding in that clash and the Broncos require another big game from their star five-eight if they are going to come away with the win.

Brisbane won 10 of their 13 games at Suncorp Stadium last season and they have won seven of their past ten games against the Cowboys at the home of rugby league.

North Queensland started their season with a victory over the Canberra Raiders, but it wasn’t without the usual drama that has become part and parcel everytime that the Cowboys are in action

The Raiders looked to have secured victory with a Jordan Rapana try in golden-try, but it was called back due to a forward price and Johnathan Thurston and Gavin Cooper were able to take advantage of their second chance.

One area in which the Cowboys did struggle last season was winning away from home and they were only able to win four of their 14 games on the road last season – including their thrilling golden point loss at the hands of the Broncos.

Home-ground advantage has proven key in games between these two teams and the fact that the game is being played at Suncorp Stadium does give the Broncos the minor edge in what should be a very tight game of football.

Back Brisbane To Win @ $1.90

Not a great deal was expected of the Newcastle Knights heading into the 2017 NRL season, but there was a fair bit to like about their opening run effort against the New Zealand Warriors and their is some optimism heading into this clash.

It is still tough to get a bit carried away if you are a Knights fan.

They have only won one of their past 12 games as home underdogs and they are 4-8 against the line in this scenario.

It should be noted that the Knights did make a fair start to the season in 2016 before they quickly fell away.

Gold Coast started the season with a poor performance against the Sydney Roosters and there is a great deal of speculation that Jarryd Hayne is already unhappy on the glitter strip.

That was not evident on the field last Saturday night – Hayne was arguably their best player – but it is not ideal heading into the season.

The Gold Coast were actually a reliable betting option as away favourites last season – they won three of their four games in this scenario and had the same record against the line.

The market has overreacted to the round 1 performance of both sides and the Titans should be able to claim a comfortable win.

Back Gold Coast To Beat The Line (-5.5 Points)

This is a crucial game for both these sides that are coming off disappointing round one losses.

Manly will go into this clash as clear favourites, but it is tough to have any faith in the side following their lacklustre effort against the Parramatta Eels.

This is a side that simply lacks quality right across the park and the final margin really should have been a lot more than it was.

The Sea Eagles have won their past three games as home favourites, but it is impossible to get them as short as their current price.

South Sydney went into their opening round clash with the Wests Tigers as clear favourites and it was a double disaster – not only did they lose, but they also Greg Inglis for the season.

The Rabbitohs are absolutely directionless without Adam Reynolds and that was definitely the case against the Tigers.

South Sydney did win three of their seven games as away underdogs last season for a clear profit and they do look value, but I am not willing to back them without Reynolds in the side.

Neither of these teams can be trusted from a betting perspective and I am more than happy to stay out of this clash.

No Bet

The Canberra Raiders and Cronulla Sharks did battle in an epic during the 2017 NRL Finals Series and this will be one of the most interesting games of the round.

It is fair to say that the Raiders were unlucky not to come away with the win against the North Queensland Cowboys last weekend and they will start this clash as favourites.

The Raiders were able to turn GIO Stadium into a fortress last season and they won nine of 11 games as home favourites, but they were only 5-6 against the line in this scenario.

Cronulla were not disgraced against the Brisbane Broncos in round 1, but they clearly missed Valentine Holmes and they have elected to rest their star full-back for another weekend.

The Sharks did win three of their five games as away underdogs last season and the away team has actually been successful in seven of the past eight games played between these two sides.

This should be another fairly close encounter and I am happy to back the Sharks with a start of 4.5 points.

Back Cronulla To Beat The Line (+4.5 Points)

The Penrith Panthers were one of the biggest disappointments in the opening round of the NRL season, but they will still go into this clash with the Wests Tigers as clear favourites.

The Panthers simply didn’t turn up against the St George Illawarra Dragons on Saturday afternoon and it really is tough to know what to take out of a performance that bad.

There is no doubt that they are a much better side than that performance suggests and it will be interesting to see how they bounce back this weekend.

Penrith were not particularly impressive away from home last season and they won just three of their six games as away favourites for a clear loss, but they were 7-3 on the back of a loss.

Wests showed just what they are capable of with an excellent round 1 performance against South Sydney, but consistency has long been an issue for the Tigers.

They were 4-7 on the back of a win last season and the likes of Mitchell Moses are prone to following up a strong performance with a stinker.

The Tigers did win four of their ten games as home underdogs and they did win two of their four games at Campbelltown Stadium last season for a minor profit.

This is a game that the market looks to have got just about right and I am happy to stay out from a betting standpoint.

No Bet

Both the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Parramatta Eels impressed in the opening round of the season and it is the Parramatta Eels that will go into this clash as clear favourites.

Parramatta were nothing short of outstanding against Manly and with a touch more execution inside their attacking 20 they could have put a massive score on their rivals.

There is plenty to suggest that the Eels will be able to make it two wins on the trot to start the season.

They have won their past four games against the Dragons and they won all five of their games as home favourites last season for a clear profit.

There was no bigger surprise in NRL round 1 than the performance of the Dragons.

What has been one of the most pedestrian attacking sides in the competition for the last couple of seasons put on an absolute clinic  against the Penrith Panthers.

Whether they can replicate that performance is the big question mark and the Dragons were only able to win back-to-back games on four occasions last season.

The Eels are a team that simply has more upside than the Dragons and they are genuine value at their current price of $1.80.

Back Parramatta To Win @ $1.80

2016

Round 2 of the 2016 NRL season begins with what is normally a hard-fought clash between the Penrith Panthers and the Canterbury Bulldogs before the Brisbane Broncos take on the New Zealand Warriors in their first of many Friday night games this season.

The game of the round is between local rivals Cronulla and St George Illawarra on Sunday afternoon.

Both sides played finals football in 2015 and will be keen to get their season off to a strong start with a win over their biggest rivals.

The Penrith Panthers curse has continued into 2016 and they will go into this game without hooker James Segeyaro after he broke his arm in their opening round clash with the Canberra Raiders.

The Panthers were not horrible against the Raiders and there were some promising signs, but they face a sterner test against the Canterbury Bulldogs.

I expected big things from the Canterbury Bulldogs and I thought they would get the job done against Manly in round one, but the emphatic nature of their victory was extremely impressive and they continue to be a profitable betting side.

The Bulldogs should be able to get the job done here and they are 12-4 as favourites in the past 12 months, but their is not a great deal of value at their current quotes and they are a poor 1-4 as away favourites against the line.

The one betting play that stands out here is the under – games involving the Panthers have finished under the points total on 14 occasions in the last 12 months, while the under has always been a profitable betting play in Bulldogs games.

Recommended Bets: Back The Bulldogs To Win @ $1.60 and Under (39.5 points)

The Brisbane Broncos were their usual consistent selves in the opening round of the season against the Parramatta Eels and they got our opening bet of the season without any problems.

They loss Jordan Kahu due to injury, but Alex Glenn is a more than capable replacement and they have plenty of depth in their forward ranks.

The pressure is already on Andrew McFadden in a massive way after the New Zealand Warriors produced a putrid first-half effort against the Wests Tigers last weekend.

The Warriors played much better in the second half and got themselves back into the game, but their poor start is a sign of a bad attitude and that is something that needs to be fixed if they are going to develop into genuine premiership contenders.

The Broncos have been one of the best betting teams in the NRL in the past 12 months and they have an outstanding 19-8 record against the line, while they are 7-4 as home favourites.

In contrast, the New Zealand Warriors are 4-7  against the line as underdogs and they have won just two of their 11 games as underdogs.

The Broncos should prove too strong for their rivals here and it could get ugly if the Warriors don’t do something about their attitude.

Recommended Bets: Back The Broncos To Beat The Line (-9.5 points)

The Canberra Raiders have been fairly poor starters in recent seasons, but they produced a professional performance to beat the Panthers in round one.

They loss Aidan Sezer in the progress and the Gold Coast Titans recruit is a loss although there is plenty of hype surrounding his replacement Lachlan Croker – who is the nephew of Raiders great Jason Croker.

The Sydney Roosters’ off-season from hell caught up to them against South Sydney in round one and they were absolutely played off the park in the first half.

That performance may say more about the Rabbitohs than the Roosters and you don’t want to overreact after one performance.

The Raiders start this game as narrow underdogs and that is a position in which they have struggled with from a betting perspective – they did not win a single game as home underdogs last season and their record against the line at home was 1-2.

In contrast, the Roosters have been 13-10 against the line as favourites in the past 12 months and that record does not change a great deal when they play away from home.

I believe that their has been an overreaction to the round 1 performances of both teams and I am confident that the Roosters can return to winning form at good odds this weekend.

Recommended Bets: Back The Roosters To Win @ $1.80

The South Sydney Rabbitohs were easily the most impressive team in the opening round of the season and their NRL Premiership odds shortened significantly following their dominant win over their rivals.

The victory did not come without a price and they are set to be without both John Sutton and Adam Reynolds for an extended period.

I predicted that the Newcastle Knights would be false favourites against the Gold Coast Titans last weekend and that was exactly the case.

The Knights were out enthused by the Titans, which is really not something that you want to see from a young team that is playing for a new coach for the first time.

The Rabbitohs were a very poor betting team in 2015 and they were 6-11 against the line as favourites, but their record did improve in front of their home fans at ANZ Stadium.

The Knights were not any better than their rivals and they are 6-8 against the line as underdogs in the past 12 months, while they have won just three of their past 13 games as underdogs.

Their growing injury list is a concern, but if the Rabbitohs are able to replicate their round 1 performance they will easily be able to cover the line of 10.5 points.

Recommended Bets: Back The Rabbitohs To Beat The Line (+10.5)

The Parramatta Eels were no match for the Brisbane Broncos last weekend, but they had genuine excuses as they left their organisation following the neck injury to Corey Norman.

Norman is not expected to miss any action and in a big boost for the Eels, star recruit Kieran Foran is set to make his debut for his new club this weekend.

The North Queensland Cowboys started their premiership defense with a victory over the Cronulla Sharks, but it was not without a scare and they went to sleep for a good half an hour.

In saying that, the Cowboys showed their amazing ability to find a way to win football games and they had the softest pre-season of any team in the entire NRL.

This is expected to be a new Eels side in 2016, but they have been a very poor betting team for a number of seasons and they are 8-11 against the line as underdogs in recent season, while that record is even worse in front of their home fans at Pirtek Stadium.

The Cowboys have a surprisingly poor record as favourites against the line in the past 12 months and they are just 8-12, but that record does improve to 4-3 as home favourites and they have won ten out of their past 15 games away from home.

I still think that it will be a few weeks before we really see the best of the Eels and I expect the Cowboys to grind out a narrow victory.

Recommended Bets: Back The Cowboys To Win @ $1.60

There were promising signs for both the Cronulla Sharks and the St George Illawarra Dragons last weekend, but neither side was able to come away with the win.

The Sharks bounced back from a slow start to really test the Cowboys in Townsville, while the Dragons gave the Melbourne Storm a hell of scare.

There is always plenty of feeling between these two teams and you can often throw the form guide out the window when it comes to these sort of Derbies, but their are a number of stats that still come into consideration.

The Sharks have generally been a good betting side in the past 12 months and they are 16-9 against the line in the past 12 months, but that record does not stack up as favourites and they are just 5-5.

The Dragons are basically neutral when it comes to the line away from home, but the stat that does standout is their record in total points betting markets.

The Under has saluted in 11 of the past 14 Dragons home games and with a defensively minded team like the Dragons, the under is always a profitable betting play.

Recommended Bets: Back The Under (39.5 points)

The Melbourne Storm continued their excellent round one record with a victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons, but they suffered a few scares and were not overly impressive.

Not a great deal is expected of the Gold Coast Titans in 2016, but they just their supporters a reason to be optimistic with their convincing round 1 victory over the Newcastle Knights – a result that we predicted last wee.

The Storm are the shortest priced favourites of the week and it is very easy to see why, but their is very little value at their current quote.

The Cameron Smith-led side were 6-4 against the line as home favourites last season, while the Titans were 5-7 as underdogs away from home and suffered a big defeat at the hands of the Storm last season.

The stats say that we should back the Storm to beat the line, but the line of 16.5 points is extremely large for this stage of the season and I am happy to sit out of this game from a betting perspective.

Recommended Bet: No Bet

The West Tigers shrugged off a controversial off-season to start their season with an upset win over the New Zealand Warriors and they are sure to take plenty of confidence into this game.

There was plenty of late money for the Manly Sea Eagles – despite the withdrawal of Brett Stewart – but they were played off the park by the Canterbury Bulldogs in a very poor NRL coaching debut by Trent Barrett.

The Tigers are typically an inconsistent betting outside and they are 10-14 against the line in the past 12 months, but their record as home underdogs is a strong 4-2.

Manly have been nothing short of dreadful against the line in the same time period and they are a particularly poor 4-8 as favourites.

It is tough to trust the Tigers following the first-up win, but I am happy to throw my support behind them with a start of 5.5 points.

Recommended Bet: Back The Tigers To Beat The Line (+5.5)