Four weeks of the NRL regular season to go and still plenty to be decided.  

Round 24 kicks off with a virtual playoff for the minor premiership and continues with four matches featuring clubs pushing for a top-four berth hosting teams fighting for finals survival.   

A top-of-the-table clash, potential 2024 NRL grand final preview and a match likely to decide who finishes with the minor premiership – it’s a late-season blockbuster out at Penrith on Thursday night.  

The second-placed Panthers are on a five-match winning streak, finding paths to victory despite being below their best against fired-up opposition.  

Following a hard-earned 22-14 home win over Newcastle, the three-time champs overturned a 34-20 deficit with 12 minutes left to beat plucky Parramatta 36-34.  

Nathan Cleary has been the fulcrum of the Panthers’ charge since returning from injury, but the likes of Izack Tago and Daine Laurie also stepped up in the big moments against the Eels.  

The Storm bounced back from having their seven-match winning run halted by the Dragons, producing a ho-hum 28-16 win over Souths in Sydney where they failed to breach the tryline after the 41st minute.  

It was something of a wake-up call without consequences for the Storm – but they’ll need to ratchet it up a few notches to compete in this one. Despite their lofty standing, we’ve only seen top-shelf best from Craig Bellamy’s team on a couple of occasions in 2024.  

Liam Martin (suspended) and Scott Sorensen (injured) are unavailable for Penrith, so Mavrik Geyer and Liam Henry come into the starting pack and Jack Cole joins the bench. Marquee duo Dylan Edwards and James Fisher-Harris are in the reserves as they near a return from the casualty ward.  

A big in for Melbourne with Eliesa Katoa returning, which sees Trent Loiero go back to lock and Nelson Asofa-Solomona to prop. Chris Lewis drops out.  

The Storm won a season-opening slugfest at AAMI Park 8-0, just their second win in seven matches against the Panthers. The Panthers won last season’s Round 23 clash at Penrith 28-6 before powering to a 38-4 preliminary final victory.  

The stark facts are the Panthers’ best remains streets ahead of the Storm’s – and they’ll be eager to prove it in their own backyard this week to cement their title favouritism.  

Tip: Back the Panthers to Cover the Line (-3.5) @ $1.83 

SGM: PANTHERS WIN / UNDER 43.5 TOTAL POINTS / NATHAN CLEARY 8+ POINTS / GRANT ANDERSON ANYTIME TRYSCORER / IZACK TAGO ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $57.46 

In-form Manly need a win to stay in the top-four conversation – and they start heavy favourites against a Warriors team that is barely clinging to a mathematical hope of featuring in the playoffs.  

The Sea Eagles made it four wins from five games with a 46-24 victory in Canberra last Saturday, scoring six tries in 22 minutes after the scores were locked 12-all just before halftime.  

Tom Trbojevic is fit and firing in a sizzling back-five contingent, while Daly Cherry-Evans’ combination with Luke Brooks continues to grow. Manly’s sole change sees Josh Aloiai return at the expense of Toafofoa Sipley.  

The Warriors have lost four of their last five, following up an insipid home loss to Parramatta with a brave but bumbling 34-32 golden point defeat to the equally desperate Dolphins.  

They clawed back from 26-12 down in the second half but couldn’t find the clutch play when in mattered and were hapless in defence at times, pedestrian in attack at others.  

The Warriors welcome Shaun Johnson – with the retiring legend searching for his first win since Round 5 – Adam Pompey and Marcelo Montoya back, with Ali Leiataua out concussed, and Te Maire Martin and Ed Kosi dropped.  

Manly has won three and drawn one – this season’s dramatic and controversial Round 6 encounter in Auckland – of their last five against the Warriors, who boast just two wins in their last eight games at 4 Pines Park. 

The Sea Eagles are 7-1 at 4 Pines Park this season and this is the sort of game that could get very ugly quite quickly for the visitors. But the Warriors have generally been better in Australia than at home in 2024, the pressure is off somewhat and they should make the $1.17 favourites work for it.   

Tip: Back the Warriors to Cover the Line (+15.5) @ $1.90 

SGM: SEA EAGLES BY 1-12 / UNDER 53.5 TOTAL POINTS / TOMMY TALAU ANYTIME TRYSCORER / DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES @ $107.38 

Sydney Roosters are aiming to consolidate their top-four position ahead of the chasing pack, but a suddenly rejuvenated Parramatta Eels won’t make it easy.  

The Roosters suffered a jarring 24-8 loss to Melbourne in Round 20, then went into the bye after sloppy high-scoring wins over Manly (34-30) and the Dolphins (40-34). Trent Robinson’s side is essentially at full-strength aside from the suspended Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.  

The second-last Eels awoke from their six-match losing streak slumber with a rousing 30-20 win over the Warriors in Auckland, then came painfully close to rolling the Panthers last Friday – run down 36-34 after leading by 14 with 12 minutes to go.  

Clint Gutherson has been inspirational, while Blaize Talagi continues to show what a loss he will be for the club. Kelma Tuilagi (thumb) is back for the Eels, with Matt Doorey dropping out in their only change.  

The Roosters have won nine of their last 11 against the Eels, including a 28-18 result at CommBank Stadium in Round 15. Parramatta has not beaten the Tricolours on the road since 2008. 

But in light of their hearty displays as big underdogs in recent weeks, the Eels are a highly enticing option with a whopping 17.5-point start – and the $1.15 Roosters will get their pants pulled down if they don’t tighten up a defence that has leaked 28 points a game in their past three outings.  

Tip: Back the Eels to Cover the Line (+17.5) @ $1.96 

SGM: ROOSTERS BY 1-12 / JAMES TEDESCO ANYTIME TRYSCORER / JOSEPH SUA’ALI’I ANYTIME TRYSCORER / BLAIZE TALAGI ANYTIME TRYSCORER / CLINT GUTHERSON ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $148.82 

Canterbury takes its home game against the Dolphins to Bundaberg for the second straight year. The teams’ circumstances are vastly different to Round 22 of 2023, when Matt Burton booted the Bulldogs to a 23-22 win over their fellow also-rans.  

This time around, the red-hot Bulldogs are pushing for a top-four berth and the Dolphins are fighting to hang onto their spot in the Top 8.  

Winning eight of their last 10, the Bulldogs have handled the hype of their 41-16 thrashing of the Broncos by grafting out victories in suburban sellouts against the Raiders (22-18) and Dragons (28-10).  

The NRL’s second-best defensive unit is starting to sparkle in attack.  

The Dolphins arrested a three-game slide and snuck back into the Top 8 with a nerve-shredding 34-32 golden point win over the struggling Warriors.  

They looked brilliant with the ball at times but inexplicably coughed up a 14-point second-half lead before Sean O’Sullivan drilled the long-range winner in extra-time.  

Jaeman Salmon (jaw) is back on the Bulldogs’ bench for Lipoi Hopoi. The Dolphins’ sole change sees Lachlan Hubner come onto the interchange for Mark Nicholls (head knock).  

The Dolphins are hanging by a thread and will be thankful this match is in the more friendly surrounds of Queensland, but that’s unlikely to be enough to propel them to victory when they’ve conceded 21-plus points in 10 consecutive games.  

Tip: Back the Bulldogs to Win by 13+ @ $2.70 

SGM: BULLDOGS BY 11-20 / OVER 48.5 TOTAL POINTS / BRONSON XERRI ANYTIME TRYSCORER / SETEPHEN CRICHTON ANYTIME TRYSCORER / JAMAYNE ISAAKO ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $53.28 

North Queensland Cowboys are searching for an immediate bounce-back after an ugly home loss, while Canberra Raiders suffering a similarly demoralising defeat last week and head to Townsville to try and save their season.  

The Cowboys went into Round 23 with eight wins from their last 10 matches but looked anything but a Top 8 team as they bottled an 18-6 lead to go down to the battling Broncos 42-18.  

The collapse also represented the Cowboys’ fifth loss in eight home games and left them with a bottom-four defensive record.  

Todd Payten has reacted by dropped Chad Townsend to the reserves and bringing Jake Clifford in at halfback. Jeremiah Nanai is out with head knock, with Kulikefu Finefeuiaki into the starting team and Thomas Mikaele joining the bench.  

The 11th-placed Raiders have won just two (against the Warriors and Rabbitohs) of their last eight games.  

The Green Machine followed up a gallant 22-18 loss to the Bulldogs at Belmore with a bitterly disappointing 46-24 home loss to Manly, throwing in the towel defensively after very nearly going into halftime with a share of the lead.  

Raiders veteran Jordan Rapana is out with a head knock, pushing Seb Kris to the wing and Ethan Strange to centre and bringing Adam Cook in at five-eighth. Danny Levi and Emre Guler join the bench.  

The Cowboys are on a five-match winning streak against the Raiders, including a 34-16 upset at GIO Stadium in Round 15. Three of the teams’ last four encounters in Townsville were decided by two points or less.  

Who knows what either side will dish up on Saturday? It’s crunch time for both teams and the Raiders hold considerable appeal as a $2.65, 6.5-point outsider, but five of the last seven games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium have produced 52-plus points and the over may be a more reliable play. 

Tip: Back Over 51.5 Total Points @ $1.90 

SGM: RAIDERS +6.5 / RAIDERS OVER 21.5 TOTAL POINTS / COWBOYS UNDER 27.5 TOTAL POINTS / HUDSON YOUNG ANYTIME TRYSCORER / XAVIER SAVAGE ANYTIME TRYSCORER / TOM DEARDEN ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $40.17 

The closest thing we’ve seen to a dead-rubber in 2024, bottom-three duo Wests Tigers and South Sydney Rabbitohs square off for the second time in five weeks.  

Souths prevailed 42-28 in Gosford in Round 20 with Cody Walker grabbing a double. The Tigers led 28-24 with 25 minutes before crumbling to their eighth loss in nine games against the Rabbitohs.  

South Sydney’s slim finals prospects officially evaporated via their third straight loss last week, a 28-16 defeat at home to Melbourne. Rookie winger Fletcher Myers bagged a double, while the Rabbitohs showed some spirit to fight back from 26-4 down early in the second half.  

It’s now or never if the Tigers are to offload the wooden spoon, trailing the field by four points. They have lost seven straight – conceding at least 28 points in each – and are coming off a 34-18 loss in Newcastle.  

Luke Laulilii is back on the wing for the Tigers at Solomon Alaimalo’s expense. Alex Seyfarth comes in for Reuben Porter and Sione Fainu joins the bench. Souths’ Michael Chee Kam is out with a calf injury, with Tallis Duncan to start and Jacob Host coming onto the bench.  

The Tigers ended a 10-match losing streak at Campbelltown with a rousing 48-24 defeat of the Raiders in Round 16, while there’s a strong possibility the Rabbitohs will be vulnerable with nothing to play for. But backing in another points-fest between the teams shapes as a fairly solid option.  

Tip: Back Over 53.5 Total Points @ $1.83 

SGM: RABBITOHS -6.5 / RABBITOHS OVER 29.5 TOTAL POINTS / TIGERS OVER 23.5 TOTAL POINTS / JAHREAM BULA ANYTIME TRYSCORER / CODY WALKER ANYTIME TRYSCORER / JACK WIGHTON ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $37.44 

A huge showdown in Wollongong, with St George Illawarra striving to climb back into the Top 8 and Gold Coast needing to win all four remaining games to have a hope of squeaking into the finals.  

Both are coming off heavy home defeats after entering Round 23 on top of the world.  

The Dragons’ finals dream was emerging as a reality after an 18-16 upset in Melbourne but they crashed 28-10 to the Bulldogs last Saturday, a result overshadowed by Kyle Flanagan’s biting incident.  

The Titans were arguably the NRL’s hottest team after winning five of their previous six, yet produced a season-worst performance in a 44-0 loss to Cronulla – poles apart from their 46-18 dismantling of the Broncos a week earlier.  

Flanagan has been banned for four games, with his replacement yet to be named at the time of writing. Jack Bird and Toby Couchman return on the bench, while Hame Sele is out after last week’s chest pains scare and Raymond Faitala-Mariner has been demoted to 18th man.  

Brian Kelly (illness) is back for the Titans at centre, pushing AJ Brimson to the bench at Tony Francis’ expense. Moe Fotuaika (suspension) is out, giving Keenan Palasia a reprieve.  

The Dragons have won three of their last four against the Titans, including a 28-4 win on the Gold Coast as Round 1 underdogs this year. The Titans remain winless in five visits to WIN Stadium.  

The Titans are 2-4 outside Queensland this year, while the Dragons are 3-1 at WIN Stadium but went down to the Panthers by 36 points in Round 21.  

The Saints have lost back-to-back games just once since Round 3 but this is likely to be a helter skelter contest reflective of both teams’ desperate situations and inherent inconsistency.  

Tip: Back Either Team to Win by Less Than 10.5 Points @ $2.05 

SGM: TITANS +4.5 / OVER 51.5 TOTAL POINTS / TYRELL SLOAN ANYTIME TRYSCORER / JOJO FIFITA ANYTIME TRYSCORER / JAYDN SU’A ANYTIME TRYSCORER / KEANO KINI ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $68.77 

Another pivotal match-up with Cronulla hanging onto a top-four spot for now and Newcastle capable of rocketing right into the Top 8 picture with an upset on the road.  

The Sharks are battling for credibility and both of their first-choice halves are on the sidelines, but they have won three of their last four and were magnificent in demolishing the in-form Titans 44-0 on the Gold Coast last Friday.  

Cronulla dominated Gold Coast through the middle before capitalising on the edges in an eight-try rout, while their goal-line defence demoralised the freewheeling Titans.  

Newcastle’s three-match losing streak culminated in a gutsy 22-14 loss at Penrith in Round 22, which the Knights parlayed into a 34-18 victory at home in a must-win clash with the Tigers. 

It wasn’t overly convincing and the Knights didn’t trouble the scorers in the last 25 minutes, but a four-try haul from wing novice Fletcher Sharpe and some big plays from key men Kalyn Ponga, Tyson Frizell and Dane Gagai, and a strong showing from the Gamble-Crossland halves pairing were encouraging. 

The Knights’ only change sees Dylan Lucas return from injury in the centres for Krystian Mapapalangi.  

The Knights broke a three-match slide against the Sharks with a 32-6 win at home in Round 26 last year. But their last victory at Cronulla was way back in 2014.  

The Sharks are 6-2 in the Shire this season, while the Knights have won three of their last four away from Newcastle. If the home side bring last week’s defensive attitude to the table this Sunday, they should get up relatively comfortably. 

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

SGM: SHARKS WIN / OVER 49.5 TOTAL POINTS / FLETCHER SHARPE ANYTIME TRYSCORER / JESSE RAMIEN ANYTIME TRYSCORER / KAYAL IRO ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $24.91 

2023

All eight fixtures in NRL Round 24 will have significant ramifications for a super-tight race to the 2023 NRL finals series.

Manly and Parramatta face daunting road trips to play in-form heavyweights as they strive to stay in the finals race, Sydney Roosters must beat the Dolphins at home to do the same, while the Warriors, Souths, Cronulla and Newcastle meet also-rans as the aim to consolidate their Top 8 spots.

Meanwhile, Melbourne and Canberra lock horns in a match pivotal to the top-four picture.

Manly is veering towards must-win territory, which is bad news ahead of a home clash with ruthless Penrith on Thursday night.

The 11th-placed Sea Eagles revived their hopes with back-to-back wins over Cronulla and St George Illawarra, but they left in the starting blocks in a 26-16 loss to the similarly desperate Sydney Roosters last week.

Manly trailed 22-2 before the Roosters had a player sent off, running in three late tries against a depleted opponent.

The Panthers look near unbeatable, winning 11 of their last 12 games in increasingly impressive style.

After trouncing Cronulla 28-0 in Round 22, they thumped Melbourne 26-6 last Friday night with the two-time champs going up a gear since Nathan Cleary’s return three weeks ago.

The Sea Eagles slim chances have been hit by an ACL injury to Matt Lodge, who is replaced by Sean Keppie (back) in their only change.

The Panthers will roll with the same 17, with gun centre Izack Tago still out with a leg injury.

The last five encounters of Penrith’s current seven-match winning streak against Manly featured an average winning margin of 27.5 points.

Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards scored four tries in a 44-12 thrashing of the Sea Eagles at Penrith in Round 6.

Manly’s offence in 2023 ranks 13th in the competition, while Penrith is piecing together one of the great defensive seasons of the modern era, conceding just 12.1 points per game.

With the minor premiership race very much in the balance, don’t expect the Panthers to take the foot off the gas.

Tip: Back Under 43.5 Total Points @ $1.90

SGM: PANTHERS -20 / SEA EAGLES LESS THAN 10.5 TOTAL POINTS / DYLAN EDWARDS ANYTIME TRYSCORER / SCOTT SORENSEN ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $18.63

Cronulla halted its worrying skid last weekend and will look to cement its Top 8 spot with a win over a visiting Gold Coast side that all but faded out of contention in Round 23.

The Sharks leaked 102 points in three straight losses to the Warriors, Manly and Penrith, however when faced with the prospect of dropping out of the eight, the rank outsiders overwhelmed Souths 26-16 in Perth.

Nicho Hynes, Braydon Trindall and Siosifa Talakai were prominent as the Sharks powered to a 26-0 lead, but more importantly they rediscovered some defensive steel – as well as halting a horror streak against fellow Top 8 teams.

Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo (jaw) returns this week, while Jesse Colqhoun comes onto the bench for Thomas Hazelton (concussion).

The Titans are 13th – four points outside the Top 8 – thanks to five losses in their last six games. After a shock 22-13 win over the Cowboys, they showed plenty of heart in a 28-18 loss to the Warriors last Friday.

Following Moeaki Fotuaika’s controversial 17th-minute send-off, they fought back from 18-6 down to level the scores and were only put away in the last six minutes.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui returns from suspension, replacement Fotuaika who copped a one-match ban.

AJ Brimson (ribs) is out again, while Sam Verrills (shoulder) is out for the rest of the year. Kruise Leeming joins the bench and prop Jaiman Joliffe returns with Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui dropping out.

The Sharks are on an eight-match winning run against the Titans, who were restricted to 18 points or less in all eight clashes. The Sharks prevailed 25-18 on the Gold Coast and 18-10 at Coffs Harbour in 2022.

With three tough games to come, Cronulla will be viewing two points from this home assignment as absolutely essential.

Last weekend’s turnaround should flow on into a victory over a Gold Coast side that has lost its last four games interstate.

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

SGM: SHARKS WIN / UNDER 49.5 TOTAL POINTS / SIONE KATOA TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES / ALOFIANA KHAN-PEREIRA ANYTIME SCORER @ $33.68

Still in contention for the minor premiership, Brisbane is chasing a sixth straight win as desperate Parramatta make the trip to Suncorp Stadium.

The Broncos have been outstanding since emerging from a taxing Origin period, carving out convincing wins over Souths (36-20), Sydney Roosters (32-10) and North Queensland (30-14) in the past three rounds.

They prevailed in Townsville despite the absence of linchpin Adam Reynolds and a high error and penalty count, with the brilliance of Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam, and a powerful engine-room display more than compensating.

Reynolds, Kobe Hetherington and Jordan Riki, who has been out for seven weeks, are back on deck, while Deine Mariner comes onto the wing again for Jesse Arthars (head knock).

Sitting outside the Top 8 on for-and-against, the Eels responded to a 30-point loss in Melbourne with a shaky 26-20 comeback win over St George Illawarra.

Trailing 20-10 after getting off to a flyer against an out-of-contention opponent, the blue-and-golds rallied with the last three tries of the match…but it was far from convincing.

The versatile Daejarn Asi comes back into the Eels’ line-up in the centres with Bailey Simonsson shifting to the wing and debutant Arthur Miller-Stephen dropping out, hooker Brendan Hands comes back onto the bench.

Brisbane has won only two of its last eight against Parramatta, but its 26-16 victory in Darwin in Round 8 was more convincing than the scoreline suggested.

The Eels have won their last three against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium – including a 53-6 late-season rout last week.

The Broncos and Eels are ranked second and fourth in the NRL for points per game, but Kevin Walters’ high-flying side has quietly crafted the second-best defensive record in the comp.

The Eels have fallen away in that department, are still missing key personnel and are up against it in enemy territory.

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

SGM: BRONCOS WIN / OVER 47.5 POINTS / KOTONI STAGGS ANYTIME TRYSCORER / KURT CAPEWELL ANYTIME TRYSCORER / SEAN RUSSELL ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $25.25

It’s crunch time for premiership hopeful South Sydney after an upset loss last weekend, while second-last St George Illawarra will again look to play the role of spoiler in Cairns.

Souths slumped to their seventh lost in 10 games last Saturday in Perth, falling 26-0 behind previously out-of-sorts Cronulla before making a late charge.

They were repeatedly exposed by a patched-up Sharks backline and the upshot is the Rabbitohs are clinging to eighth spot on for-and-against.

The Rabbitohs also lost Thomas Burgess to a three-match ban, with Shaquai Mitchell coming straight into the starting line-up at prop.

Jacob Host replaces Michael Chee Kam in the second-row and Taane Milne regains a wing spot from Tyrone Munro.

The Dragons have won only five games all year, with the only W in their past five matches coming against the Tigers in Round 21.

But the embattled side has been gallant in the past fortnight in narrow losses to finals contenders Manly (24-18) and Parramatta (26-20).

Mikaele Ravalawa scored all four tries for the Saints last week with the likes of Ben Hunt and Tyrell Sloan sparking the backline.

Francis Molo, Zac Lomax and Jack Bird have been ruled out this week as the returning Moses Suli and Max Feagai come into the centres, while Ben Murdoch-Masila will play at lock with Michael Molo moving to prop and Toby Couchman joining the interchange.

After losing the teams’ previous eight clashes, the Dragons have won their last two against the Rabbitohs – including a 36-30 result in Round 15 with Origin players absent.

Souths scored three tries in the last five minutes to set up a grandstand finish.

The Saints have lost their last 11 interstate matches, while the Rabbitohs have a 3-3 record at Barlow Park.

There’s little question Souths are the better side and should win comfortably if Mitchell, Walker and co. fire – and the urgency of the team’s ladder situation should ensure their big guns step up.

But the Rabbitohs have covered in just one of their last six matches and look to be giving away too many points at the line here.

Tip: Back the Dragons to Cover the Line (+18.5) @ $1.90

SGM: RABBITOHS BY 1-12 / UNDER 51.5 TOTAL POINTS / LATRELL MITCHELL ANYTIME TRYSCORER / MIKAELE RAVALAWA ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $25.71

The Warriors have escaped with late wins after throwing away big leads in their last two matches, but they can take a big step towards a top-four finish with a victory in over a Wests Tigers side that has made life difficult for some finals hopefuls in recent weeks.

The Tigers take their home game across the Tasman to Hamilton in search of their first win since Round 12.

The likely wooden spooners have given Souths (32-18) and Canberra (22-18) a scare in the past fortnight – coinciding with the return of departing halfback stalwart Luke Brooks.

The Tigers’ pack is boosted by Stefano Utoikamanu and Shawn Blore, but Charlie Staines is out with Asu Kepaoa coming in at centre and Junior Tupou shifting to the wing.

Shaun Johnson kicked the Warriors to a golden point eclipse of Canberra in Round 21 after conceding two tries in the last three minutes, while they came out of the bye rusty on the Gold Coast as they struggled to put away a 12-man Gold Coast.

Surrendering an 18-6 lead, they found two tries in the last six minutes to prevail 28-18.

Again the overwhelming positive with the masterful performance of Johnson, who scored two tries and laid on another two.

The Warriors’ only change sees Taine Tuaupiki – impressive as the activated 18th man against the Titans – start in the place of fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who was concussed in the Fotuaika incident.

The Warriors have won their last five against the Tigers, most recently carving out a 22-2 victory in their emotional Mt Smart return in 2022 after the previous four clashes had been decided by six or less.

The Warriors’ biggest hoodoo here is overcoming a dismal record at alternate New Zealand venues: they have just nine and drawn one of 33 matches, including an 0-4 record in Hamilton.

It’s a significant mental hurdle, but after a couple of close calls the third-placed Warriors should be keyed up for this one and their third-ranked defence is likely to prove too difficult for the Tigers’ competition-worst attack.

Tip: Back the Tigers to Score Under 15.5 Total Points @ $1.95

SGM: WARRIORS -15.5 / UNDER 48 TOTAL POINTS / DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES / LUKE METCALF ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $30.74

Where there’s life, there’s hope – and Sydney Roosters can stay alive in the finals scramble for another week with a home win over the slumping Dolphins.

The 12th-placed Roosters are only one win out of the Top 8 (albeit with a poor for-and-against) after overwhelming fellow desperados Gold Coast (36-18) and Manly (26-16) either side of a heavy loss to Brisbane in the past three rounds.

A stagnating attack has been at the heart of the Tricolours’ problems this season, but the two aforementioned wins were two only three times they have scored five-plus tries in 2023.

Nathan Brown was sent off midway through the second half and has been suspended, paving the way for Dylan Napa to return to the NRL from a two-year absence.

The 14th-placed Dolphins’ chances have effectively been dashed via a couple of heartbreakers in the past fortnight, going down 23-22 to Canterbury in Bundaberg and 30-28 over in-form Newcastle in Perth.

The competition newcomers are leaking more than 26 points per game and have not held an opponent to less than 21 in their last eight matches, consequently grabbing just one win in that period.

Kodi Nikorima has been named at fullback and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow centre after the pair played in the opposite positions last week.

Ray Stone returns at Herman Ese’ese’s expense in the Dolphins’ only other change.

The Dolphins stunned the star-studded Roosters 28-18 at Suncorp Stadium in their Round 1 premiership debut. But they have won just one of their six matches outside Queensland.

There’s enough in the Roosters’ recent wins – along with having so much on the line – to suggest they will get up at Allianz Stadium, where they boast a 4-2 record. But be wary of the hefty line here; the Dolphins have plenty of firepower and their last four losses were by 10 points or less.

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

SGM: ROOSTERS WIN / 41-50 TOTAL POINTS / JAMES TEDESCO ANYTIME TRYSCORER / JAMAYNE ISAAKO ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $18.54

Fourth spot goes on the line between the NRL’s southern neighbours, with Melbourne Storm vying to overcome a significant home bogey against Canberra Raiders.

The Storm boast a superb 75 percent win record at AAMI Park but the Raiders are on an amazing five-match winning streak at the venue.

Ricky Stuart’s side sparked their late-season charge in 2022 with a 20-16 win in Melbourne and pulled off a 28-20 elimination final boilover against the Storm.

The 2023 Storm are as inconsistent as at any stage in Craig Bellamy’s 21-season tenure. They have been stuck in a win-loss pattern for six weeks and have not won more than three on the trot all year.

A 46-16 beatdown of Parramatta was a statement win that could have provided a launching pad for the run home, but they were humbled 26-6 at Penrith last Friday with halfback Jahrome Hughes and strike winger Xavier Coates ruled out.

Hughes and Coates have been named to play this week, while Bronson Garlick comes onto the bench for Tyran Wishart.

Despite their lofty position on the ladder, the Raiders’ form has been below par.

After back-to-back losses to the Warriors (21-20) and Newcastle (28-6), they yet again made heavy going of a 22-18 win over Wests Tigers after getting out to a handy lead.

The Raiders have been hit with a likely season-ending injury blow to Sebastian Kris, who had moved to centre to cover for the loss of Jarrod Croker last week and Ethan Strange comes in to debut against the Storm.

Melbourne has won its last six matches at AAMI Park and will be hellbent on arresting Canberra winning run there. But the Raiders’ only loss in their last eight away games was in golden point in Auckland and they shape as the value play with a two-try start in would should be a cliff-hanger.

Meanwhile, 14 of the teams’ last 18 matches have produced totals of 42 or less – the under is another enticing option here.

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

SGM: EITHER TEAM BY LESS THAN 10.5 POINTS / UNDER 43.5 TOTAL POINTS / JAHROME HUGHES ANYTIME TRYSCORER / JACK WIGHTON ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $52.16

Newcastle and Canterbury square off in the Hunter just six weeks after the Knights obliterated the Bulldogs 66-0 in Sydney.

Kalyn Ponga was on fire that afternoon and has rarely been anything less than brilliant since, leading the Knights on a six-match winning streak – and into the Top 8 for the first time thanks to last weekend’s 30-28 eclipse of the Dolphins in Perth.

The Knights fell behind during the first half due to Lachlan Fitzgibbon’s sin-binning but a Ponga- and Jackson Hastings-led rally was enough to propel the seemingly bottom-four bound side into outright seventh.

Bradman Best played his way into a NSW jersey with three tries against the Bulldogs in Round 18 but is out with an abductor injury and Enari Tuala replaces him in the centres.

Bulldogs prop Luke Thompson will play his first NRL game of 2023, coming onto the bench at Harrison Edwards’ expense in the only change to the team that pipped the Dolphins 23-22 in Bundaberg prior to last weekend’s bye.

It was a handy response to conceding 44 points in consecutive losses to Brisbane and Penrith, with the return of Toby Sexton in the No.7 making a sizeable difference.

But the 15th-placed Bulldogs’ defence remains easily the NRL’s worst – leaking 22-plus in their past eight – and they’re unlikely to outscore the red-hot Knights if this one opens up.

Tip: Back the Knights to Cover the Line (-10) @ $1.90

SGM: KNIGHTS OVER 27.5 TOTAL POINTS / DOMINIC YOUNG TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES / GREG MARZHEW TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES @ $12.90

2022

Two weeks to go in the 2022 NRL regular season and Round 24 boasts some absolute barnburners with teams’ Top 8 hopes on the line.

Brisbane, South Sydney and Sydney Roosters are not quite over the line into the playoffs – and they all face sides above them on the ladder, while ninth-placed Canberra must beat Manly on Saturday to take the finals race into the last round, however.

It’s all about the wooden spoon battle on Sunday as equal-last outfits Wests Tigers and Gold Coast attempt to jag a win over fellow also-ran opposition.

Brisbane is on the ropes.

A 60-12 hammering at the hands of Melbourne was the Broncos’ third defeat in four games and they have slipped to eighth – their lowest ladder position since Round 9.

A loss here combined with a Canberra win on Saturday would likely leave the Broncos needing to beat the Dragons away (possibly by a decent margin) to make the finals.

Brenko Lee replaces Delouise Hoeter in the Broncos’ centres and the Eels’ only changes see Makahesi Makatoa come onto the bench for Bryce Cartwright and Ofahiki Ogden who have dropped to the extended squad.

Parramatta remains as inscrutable as ever, but the Eels have won five of their last seven and bounced back from a 26-0 loss to Souths with a 42-6 beatdown of the Bulldogs with Dylan Brown and Waqa Blake bagging doubles.

The fifth-placed Eels aren’t yet mathematically over the line for the Top 8 and a loss here leaves them vulnerable. But a victory keeps them in the frame for the Top 4.

Brisbane pumped Parramatta 36-14 at CommBank Stadium just five weeks ago, snapping a five-match losing streak in the rivalry.

Rival wingers Corey Oates and Maika Sivo both bagged doubles, but Adam Reynolds and Payne Haas proved the difference for the Broncos.

The Reynolds v Moses match-up is obviously key – particularly with Reynolds leading a very young spine – but rediscovering defensive resolve is vital for the Broncos.

Kevin Walters’ charges are 1-9 when conceding more than 18 points and 12-0 when leaking 18 or less.

Which Eels team decides to turn up is the perennial poser, but the visitors look much better value as only a 3.5-point favourite with so much firepower on display and the Broncos’ pack struggling since Patrick Carrigan’s suspension.

Tip: Back Eels/Eels Half-time/Full-time @ $2.20

SGM: EELS WIN / OVER 48.5 POINTS / 2ND HALF MOST TRIES / MAIKA SIVO ANYTIME TRY SCORER / SELWYN COBBO ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $16.65

Penrith has sealed the minor premiership with two rounds remaining, courtesy of a high-quality victory over desperate and in-form South Sydney.

With Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai and James Fisher-Harris still out, Dylan Edwards, Api Koroisau and late match-winner Liam Martin were outstanding in the 26-22 win.

Luai makes a surprise return this week with Jaemon Salmon dropping out, while James Fisher-Harris is back from suspension.

The Warriors plummeted to earth after their 42-18 Mt Smart rampage against the Bulldogs, crashing 48-4 in Townsville in a performance that contained virtually no redeeming features.

The 6-16 Warriors are not out of wooden-spoon danger if they lose here and Sunday’s results go against them.

Outgoing Chanel Harris-Tavita (knee) returns at five-eighth, while veteran forwards Dunamis Lui and Ben Murdoch-Masila join the bench with Euan Aitken and Jack Murchie out.

Penrith rumbled to a 40-6 victory over the Warriors in Redcliffe in Round 15. Brian To’o grabbed two of the Panthers’ seven tries as they carved out their fifth straight win in the rivalry.

This is the teams’ first meeting at Penrith since 2019, when the Warriors overwhelmed the hosts 30-10.

This is a showdown between the NRL’s best and worst defences.

The Warriors also struggle to compete against the competition’s good teams, losing their last 10 against the current Top 8 by an average margin of 24.9 points.

The Panthers are the shortest favourites of 2022 at $1.01 and are giving away a 29.5-point start – but it would be a shock if they didn’t cover.

Tip: Back the Panthers to Cover the Line (-29.5 Points) @ $2.00

SGM: PANTHERS OVER 38.5 POINTS / TAYLAN MAY TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES / BRIAN TO’O TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES @ $11.43

An absolute barnburner with huge ramifications for both heavyweights.

Melbourne has won four straight, returning to vintage form in the past fortnight courtesy of a 16-0 shutout at Penrith and a 60-12 demolition of Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.

A win here will seal their Top 4 berth and keep their chances of finishes second alive heading into the final round.

Sydney Roosters is on a six-match tear, their 72-6 annihilation of the Tigers lifting them to sixth – their highest position since Round 12.

But their finals spot is yet to be sealed and a massive Round 25 clash with Souths looms, plus there is also an outside chance the Tricolours could finish fourth if they win big at AAMI Park.

Melbourne gun Felise Kaufusi returns from personal leave, which sees Tui Kamikamica shift to the bench. Tyran Wishart is out with an ankle injury.

Roosters rep forwards Lindsay Collins and Siosiua Taukeiaho make a timely pre-finals return for the Roosters, with Terrell May and Oliver Gildart dropping out of the 17.

The Storm are on a five-match winning run against the Roosters, including a hard-fought 26-18 result at the SCG in Round 14.

Grant Adamson and Marion Seve notched doubles in an injury-ravaged Storm backline. The Roosters have won just once in Melbourne since 2014.

Melbourne has moved on from its Ryan Papenhuyzen blow, with Cam Munster spearheading the Storm return to prime title contender status.

But the Roosters’ big guns are all firing – as is their imposing pack – and I’ll have the visitors with the free points in a clash that should go down to the wire.

Tip: Back the Roosters to Cover the Line (+5.5 Points) @ $2.00

SGM: EITHER TEAM BY LESS THAN 6.5 POINTS / UNDER 42.5 POINTS / DANIEL TUPOU ANYTIME TRY SCORER / JAHROME HUGHES ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $49.33

Canberra remains on the outside of the Top 8 looking in and are $3 outsiders to make the finals, but a soft draw over the last two rounds gives Ricky’s Raiders a huge chance.

The Green Machine have made tough work of staying alive in recent weeks, however.

They held on 24-22 against the Dragons, but overturning a 22-8 halftime scoreline to beat the struggling Knights 28-22 last Sunday.

Conceding five first-half tries to Newcastle is inexcusable but they were good enough to peg back the deficit.

Nevertheless, accounting for Manly should be relatively straightforward.

The Sea Eagles have spiralled to five straight losses, including horrific defeats to the Titans (44-24) and Sharks (40-6) in the past two rounds.

Top-liners Jake Trbojevic, Jason Saab and Reuben Garrick have all succumbed to season-ending injuries as speculation of ongoing fallout from the rainbow jersey saga continues to swirl.

The Raiders are unchanged. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega will debut on the Sea Eagles’ wing from Alfred Smalley, while Andrew Davey replaces Ethan Bullemor in the pack.

Manly has won eight of its last 10 against Canberra, including a 25-6 thrashing in Mudgee in Round 4. The Sea Eagles have also won seven of their last nine at GIO Stadium.

The Raiders should get the job done with so much at stake and they are 7-3 in Canberra this season. But they have also covered in just two of their last eight matches overall.

Jack Wighton scored the match-winner last week and has a huge role to play opposite the Sea Eagles’ blue-chip halves pairing.

Tip: Back Jack Wighton to Score a Try @ $2.70

SGM: RAIDERS BY 11-20 / UNDER 52.5 POINTS / MATTHEW TIMOKO ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $12.49

Cronulla Sharks are in red-hot form as they chase a top-two finish, winning nine of their last 10 games with the Panthers the only team to beat them since the end of May.

The Sharks have spent the past fortnight beating up on also-rans, thrashing the Tigers (36-12) and Sea Eagles (40-6).

Nicho Hynes is on fire and Matt Moylan continues to prove a surprisingly handy lieutenant behind a big, mobile pack, and whoever fills in for injuries in the back five has done the job well.

Canterbury’s resurgence has hit a roadblock in recent weeks, going down to North Queensland (28-14), the Warriors (42-18) and Parramatta (42-6) after scoring 28-plus points in five of its previous six matches.

Sharks wrecking ball Siosifa Talakai comes back from injury to replace a concussed Connor Tracey at centre, Teig Wilton is back on the bench after a one-week layoff at Braydon Trindall’s expense and a pack reshuffle sees Tevita Pangai Jr drop out and Chris Patolo join the Bulldogs’ bench.

Cronulla’s 18-6 win at CommBank Stadium in Round 16 was its eighth in 10 games against Canterbury. Just one of the teams’ last 10 encounters was decided by a 13-plus margin.

The Sharks have been dominant on both sides of the ball lately and have plenty at stake here. The Bulldogs have fallen away after an impressive initial spike under Mick Potter and will find the going tough in the Shire.

Tip: Back the Sharks to Score Over 35.5 Points @ $1.80

SGM: SHARKS BY 21-30 / RONALDO MULITALO TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES / NICHO HYNES ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $41.94

Another enormous heavyweight clash with a ton at stake for both teams.

South Sydney slipped to seventh with just its second loss in eight games, getting edged late at home by Penrith in a game the Rabbitohs probably should have won.

Just two points ahead of the Raiders and with a final-round showdown with the Roosters to come, Souths’ Top 8 spot is very much up in the air still.

North Queensland bounced back hard from its 32-18 loss to the Roosters in Sydney, swamping the Warriors 48-4.

The Cowboys probably left four or five more tries out on the home patch but were nevertheless superb, destroying the visitors in the running metres department. But they need to keep winning to retain second spot.

Jaxson Paulo has paid the price for some clangers against the Panthers, with Izaac Thompson taking his spot on the wing.

Thomas Burgess is back from injury at Daniel Suluka-Fifita’s expense, while Kodi Nikorima returns on the bench.

Tom Dearden’s testicle mishap sees Scott Drinkwater move to five-eighth for the Cowboys with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow getting a run at fullback and Tom Gilbert coming onto the bench.

Souths are on a six-match winning streak against North Queensland, most recently running away with a 46-18 result in Newcastle in Round 17 last year with Alex Johnston and Taane Milne both scoring hat-tricks. This is the clubs’ first meeting in Sydney since 2015.

The Cowboys are a decent 4-2 interstate in 2022, while the Rabbitohs are 7-2 at Accor Stadium. Souths are difficult to get on-board with as 6.5-point favourites – this match should be of finals intensity and the result is a flip of the coin for me.

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

SGM: COWBOYS WIN / OVER 48.5 POINTS / CAMPBELL GRAHAM ANYTIME TRY SCORER / KYLE FELDT ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $20.67

Last-placed Wests Tigers have won just one of their last 11 matches and are reeling from a club-record 72-6 pasting at the hands of the Roosters.

The harrowing defeat was capped by the send-off of skipper James Tamou for dissent, but offloading the wooden spoon will provide ample motivation for a bounce-back.

After his spray, the Tigers will be without Tamou and injured trio Luke Garner, Ken Maumalo and Alex Seyfarth.

Junior Pauga will play on the wing, Jake Simpkin starts at hooker with Fa’amanu Brown moving to lock, and Jacob Liddle and debutant Kitione Kautoga join the bench.

Despite being out of finals contention and regularly in news cycles, St George Illawarra has been relatively spirited in recent weeks.

Far from disgraced in road losses to the Sharks and Raiders, the Dragons powered to a 46-26 win over the Titans last Sunday with Tautatu Moga scoring a hat-trick and Talatau Amone and Jack Bird notching doubles.

Molo and Moses Mbye are both suspended, which sees Jack Bird move from lock to centre. Aaron Woods comes into the starting pack, while Jayden Sullivan replaces the injured Andrew McCullough at hooker.

Tyrell Fuimaono, Jaiyden Hunt, Jackson Ford and Tyrell Sloan are the new interchange contingent.

The Saints halted a four-match losing run against the Tigers in a 12-6 grind at WIN Stadium in Round 8.

Generally, clashes between the teams’ tend towards the lower-scoring end of the scale, with eight of their last 10 meetings producing 38 points or less.

There’s too much cattle missing for the Tigers’ woeful loss last week to create a galvanising effect. They look rudderless and down on belief.

While all may not be rosing in the Dragons’ camp, they have won four of their last five against non-Top 8 opposition and should get up comfortably here.

Tip: Back the Dragons to Cover the Line (-8.5 Points) @ $1.90

SGM: OVER 54.5 POINTS / DRAGONS BY 21-30 / ZAC LOMAX TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES @ $53.56

Gold Coast is only ahead of Wests Tigers on for-and-against and will be eager to control its own destiny in the wooden spoon battle.

The Titans received a reality check after their season-best 44-24 win over Manly that ended a 10-match losing run, suffering a 46-26 loss to St George Illawarra last Sunday.

While defence remains the Titans’ Achilles heel, it has been heartening to see their attacking strike return – they have averaged 27 points in their last five games.

Brian Kelly comes back from a knee complaint to replace the injured Patrick Herbert. Klese Haas will make his NRL debut off the bench with Jarrod Wallace out of the side.

Newcastle, 14th on the ladder but four points clear of the Titans, showed plenty of spirit in the wake of a bad news week to almost roll a Canberra side that simply had to win.

Piling on five first-half tries, errant goalkicking proved crucial as the Knights’ 22-8 lead faded to a 28-22 loss.

Tex Hoy had a big game at fullback and Dane Gagai enjoyed one of his better club performances of an underwhelming 2022.

NSW forwards Tyson Frizell and Daniel Saifiti return for the Knights, with Mat Croker and Jacob Saifiti dropping back to the bench.

Edrick Lee scored a club-record five tries as Newcastle whipped Gold Coast 38-18 at home in Round 16. But the Titans are on a six-match winning streak against the Knights at Cbus Super Stadium.

The Knights are a surprisingly passable 4-7 away from Newcastle this season. The Titans are just 3-7 at home. Neither side can be trusted, but a points-fest does seem highly likely.

Tip: Back Over 55.5 Total Points @ $1.90

SGM: KNIGHTS +6.5 / DAVID FIFITA ANYTIME TRY SCORER / EDRICK LEE ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $8.79

2021

Another pivotal round of footy awaits with finals hopes hanging in the balance for several clubs.

A battle between 7^th and 9^th kicks things off on Thursday when the Knights and the Titans meet on the Sunshine Coast, followed by another Friday night blockbuster between the Roosters and Rabbitohs at Suncorp.

The Sharks have a chance to move one step closer to playing finals, but they’ll have their hands full against a feisty Broncos outfit looking to make it two wins on the trot.

The Storm are also out for revenge, and their 20^th straight win, over the Eels in a potential finals preview on Saturday night.

With plenty on the line, check out who we’re backing in our 2021 NRL Round 24 Preview below!

The Knights and Titans both face a must-win game on Thursday night with time quickly running out.

Now sitting seventh, Newcastle owns a slight edge in betting after extending its winning streak to four in a row last week with win over the Dogs, while the Titans have slipped back down to ninth on the back of two blowout losses to the Bunnies and Storm.

A fifth straight win for the Knights would be enough to lock up a top-eight finish, but as the odds suggest, this game is far from a guarantee after Newcastle lost 42-16 to the Titans earlier in April.

Defensively, the Titans have looked awful in recent weeks, but it’s worth keeping in mind the quality of opponent they’ve faced.

There’s no shame in giving up a number of points to South Sydney and Melbourne, while the fact the Titans have covered the line in four of their last five games as the away underdog is certainly worth taking notice of.

Speaking of taking notice, it’s worth remembering the Titans actually led the Storm at half-time last week before things got out of hand in the final 40 minutes.

If Gold Coast can start fast again, they’re a very live chance against a Knights team that has looked vulnerable over the last two weeks.

Tip: Back the Titans to Cover the Line (+1.5 Points) @ $2.00

It’s a very simple scenario for the Raiders: win to get in.

Back-to-back losses to the Storm and Sea Eagles has made the finals a big ask for Ricky Stuart’s men, but given the uncertainty around the Titans and Sharks, the Green Machine are still a very realistic chance to finish inside the eight.

The run home is tough, but this is still a very winnable game on Friday night against a Warriors side that also has plenty to play for.

Having won three straight, New Zealand appeared a good bet to sneak into the eight prior to last week’s loss to the Broncos, but it seems their fate now lies in the hands of those above them with two weeks to play.

The neutral turf in Mackay should play a part in the outcome, but that hasn’t stopped the bookies from going all-in on the Raiders with Jarrod Croker a chance at returning from a knee injury.

That said, the +8 about the Raiders does seem a little generous considering how profitable the Warriors have been as the home underdog recently.

The Warriors have covered in five of their last eight games in this scenario, while there was also a lot to like about their second half effort last week.

Realistically, it’s hard to envision either side playing finals from here, but like we saw during their Round 3 thriller, this one should be reasonably close.

Tip: Back the Warriors to Cover the Line (+8 Points) @ $1.90

We’re once again treated to another top-four blockbuster on Friday night when the Roosters take on the Rabbitohs at Suncorp.

After suffering a serious reality check last week at the hands of the Panthers, the Bunnies will be eager to bounce-back and cement a top-four finish over their rivals.

The Roosters, meanwhile, have found form when it matters most as they hope to make it seven wins from their last eight games following a demolition job over the Dragons.

Head-to-head, Souths have enjoyed the better part of this matchup recently winning the last two encounters by a whopping combined score of 86-24.

That alone has left the Bunnies as double-digit favourites at the line, but life is about to get very interesting for Wayne Bennett now that star halfback Josh Mansour looks likely to miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

Mansour’s absence will be felt immensely, but the Roosters do have some injury concerns themselves with Adam Keighran joining Angus Crichton and Victor Radley on the sideline.

Overall, this should be a nice little preview of the finals, but the Rabbitohs and their outstanding 5-1 record on the back of a loss is tough to ignore.

Tip: Back the Rabbitohs to Cover the Line (-12.5 Points) @ $1.90

The Dragons still stand a mathematical chance at making the finals, but their current six-game losing streak means it would take nothing short of a miracle.

St George has lost five of those six games by double digits, but they might have one last shot at winning a game on Saturday when they take on the struggling Cowboys in Rockhampton.

Not to be outdone, North Queensland extended its losing streak to 10 last week with a 32-16 loss to the Eels, but there could be some reprieve on the horizon with Jason Taumalolo and Kyle Feldt both a chance at returning this week.

The Dragons, meanwhile, were dealt another blow with Mikaele Ravalawa failing his HIA last week, leaving the Saints looking a little vulnerable as the short-priced favourites.

In terms of recent history, these two sides have played out some thrillers over the last few years with overtime required last season before the Dragons won 25-18 back in Round 2.

Since both teams had serious top-eight aspirations earlier in the year, it wouldn’t be surprising if we’re treated to another tight contest.

Tip: Tribet 1-10 – Either Team to win By Less than 10.5 Points @ $2.02

Last week’s 30-point belting of the Tigers was enough to vault the Sharks back inside the eight, but they’ll still need luck (and wins) to go their way if they hold any hope of playing finals.

Tied on points with the Titans and Raiders, Cronulla needs to win big this week over Brisbane to boost their points differential and also rely on other results working in their favour.

Stranger things have happened but given the form the Broncos have shown in recent weeks, the first part of that equation looks unlikely.

After an encouraging one-point loss to the Roosters, Kevin Walters’ men picked up where they left off last week with a gutsy two-point win over the Warriors.

Surprisingly, Brisbane could now finish the year ahead of the rival Cowboys on the ladder, while there’s nothing stopping them from venturing as high as 11^th if things go their way.

The Broncos’ track record against the Sharks is also promising with four wins from their last five meetings.

Combined with a 2-0 record as the away underdog at the line against Cronulla, Brisbane is once again good value to cover.

Tip: Back the Broncos to Cover the Line (+6 Points) @ $1.90

The Storm appear well on their way to securing another minor premiership as they gear up for a revenge game against the Eels on Saturday night.

Parramatta prevailed 16-12 when these two sides met back in Round 2, a result that largely kick-started Melbourne’s ongoing 19-game winning streak.

A win this week and a Panthers loss would be enough to secure the minor premiership, while the Eels still hold top four hopes despite only one win from their last five games.

Parramatta finally snapped its four-game losing skid with a big win over the Cowboys last week, but like the betting line suggests, this is a much tougher Storm outfit than the one they faced earlier in the year.

Making matters worse, Eels winger Maika Sivo is set to miss this game with a knee injury, while the Storm could see Justin Olam and Brandon Smith return to the side.

Given the Storm’s outstanding record at Suncorp and the fact they’re winning by an average margin of 25 points, this game really isn’t worth over-thinking.

Tip: Back the Storm to Cover the Line (-22.5 Points) @ $1.90

The Sea Eagles will be eager to get back to business following last week’s come-from-behind win over Canberra.

With Tom Trbojevic on the sideline, Manly rallied back from a 12-0 half-time deficit to down the Green Machine by a point, a result that could go a long way to determining where the Sea Eagles finish the season.

With the top four still in reach, Manly fans can rest easy knowing Turbo is back in the lineup this week after suffering a facial injury.

In case you missed it, Trbojevic scored a hat-trick against the Bulldogs in their stunning 66-0 shutout last month, so it’s no surprise to find Manly laying a very healthy -26 points at the line.

Having won four of their last five games against Canterbury by double digits, this shapes as another forgettable afternoon for the eventual wooden spooners.

Tip: Back Manly to Cover the Line (-26 Points) & Over 52.5 Total Points @ $2.70

The Tigers appear perfect prey for the Panthers this week as they continue their assault on securing a top two finish.

After making it three wins on the trot last week with an impressive win over the Bunnies, the Panthers have been installed as -26 point favourites at the line with several key pieces returning to the side.

The Tigers, meanwhile, hold very slim hopes of playing finals after suffering a disappointing 30-point loss to the Sharks last week.

Wests fans will hold fond memories of their 26-6 victory that snapped the Panthers’ unbeaten streak back in Round 13, but that result can be taken with a grain of salt due to the number of players missing from the Penrith side due to Origin.

The Panthers are still a strong chance at finishing minor premiers and they are certainly finding form (and health) at the right time.

Boasting a 7-1 record as the home favourite against the Tigers, this is another no-brainer.

Tip: Back the Panthers to Cover the Line (-26 Points) @ $1.90

2020

2019

We’ve reached the business end of the 2019 season as a handful of teams continue to make one last push for a spot inside the eight.

It’s now or never this week for the Broncos, Bulldogs, Tigers and Panthers, while there’s also a potential Grand Final preview to look forward to between Manly and the Storm on Saturday night.

Upsets are a certainty, so be sure to read our entire 2019 NRL Round 24 Preview below to find out who we’re backing.

For the Cowboys, it’s bragging rights and a chance to spoil another teams’ finals chances. As for the Bulldogs, it’s a fairytale finish inside the top eight.

North Queensland treated their home fans to a rare win by knocking off the Panthers 24-10 last week. The Cowboys wasted no time hitting the scoreboard early behind Kyle Feldt, but the defensive effort was huge after losing the possession battle by a wide margin.

Canterbury’s season is also trending towards something very positive this year and next having won four straight games.

The Bulldogs outclassed the Eels 12-6 at Bankwest Stadium last Thursday night, largely due to forcing Parramatta into 13 total errors.
Looking ahead, we could be in for some points this time around if their Round 7 meeting is any indication.

The Dogs got the better of the Cowboys winning comfortably by 12-points, extending their winning streak to two over North Queensland.

Of course, this time around the Cowboys will hold home-field advantage – a factor the bookies have considered. The Dogs are 5-6 on the road this year, and just 2-2 as the away underdog against the Cowboys.

Canterbury seems to believe their own hype though, which should see them contain North Queensland’s sudden run of momentum. Alongside their consistent tackling, the Dogs also rank first in set completion this year, leaving Canterbury a little over the odds at this price.

Tip: Back the Bulldogs to Win @ $2.07

It’s the last game of the year in Auckland, and after a pretty lacklustre finish to the season, the Warriors will be hoping to end things on a high note against one of the premiership favourites.

The Rabbitohs survived a bit of a scare last week at Suncorp but ultimately prevailed against the Broncos to keep their chances of a top-four finish alive. Adam Reynolds was the true hero slotting all five of his set shots, leaving Souths full of confidence as they venture across the ditch.

Wayne Bennett’s side won a nail-biter over the Kiwis back in Round 5. The Rabbitohs held on for a narrow 28-24 victory, although things were certainly a little more one-sided on the stat sheet as Cody Walker scored four tries.

The Bunnies do look a little under the odds at this price on the road, especially considering they’ve won only two of their last five games. That said, Souths have won their last three trips to New Zealand to face the Warriors dating back to 2013.

This is another big test for Bennett’s squad with a game against the Roosters up next. On the back of last week’s victory, if the Rabbitohs forward line can control the opening 20-minutes and score early, they should see this game out in close fashion once again.

Tip: Back the Rabbitohs 1-12 @ $3.10

Brisbane’s season took a turn as they lost 22-20 to former coach Wayne Bennett for the second time this season.

The Eels, meanwhile, have plenty of soul searching to do after a flat performance against the Bulldogs at home.

This game is a rematch of the highly forgettable Round 14 encounter between the Eels and the Broncos, one Parramatta won comfortably by 28-points.
Brisbane had no answer for Maika Sivo or Nathan Brown that day, posing plenty of questions ahead of Friday’s game with a spot in the eight still looking uncertain.

A loss for the Broncos this week would make finals tough – especially with a trip to Sydney to face Canterbury up next. The Eels also can’t afford another slip up if they wish to finish inside the top six as they prepare to host Manly in Round 25.

The odds suggest Brisbane should be tough to beat at home. But having won only two of their last five games against Parra, the Broncos do look a little under the odds.

Unlike other teams this season, home-field advantage has meant very little to the Broncos. Brisbane are 5-5 at Suncorp this year, and with playmakers like Corey Oates and Darius Boyd failing to leave their mark on last week’s game, it looks tough to trust Anthony Seibold’s side.

The Eels last won at Suncorp back in 2017, and with a backable 12-10 record at the line this year, it’s worth wagering on Parra to keep this close.

Tip: Back the Eels to Cover the Line (+3.5 Points) @ $1.90

The Knights slumped to a new low last week losing 46-4 to the Tigers in Campbelltown, and should they find a way to lose to the competitions cellar dwellers this week, you can certainly rule out finals for Nathan Brown’s side.

Gold Coast had their work cut out for them last week as they travelled to Melbourne to face the Storm. Many thought the Titans would be embarrassed, and while the 24-8 final score wasn’t flattering, things could have been a lot worse.

It’s rare for the Titans to feel confident ahead of a road trip, but they should fancy their chances against the Knights this week. Gold Coast won comfortably 38-14 over Newcastle back in Round 6, which makes this generous line look very tempting.

The Titans will be looking to end this forgettable season on a high note, and they’ll take a lot away from last week’s loss to the Storm. Some hard-hitting defence should do the trick, especially against a Knights side that ranks second in penalties conceded.

Tip: Back the Titans to Cover the Line (+10.5 Points) @ $1.90

Forget game of the round, this could be the game of the year on Saturday night.

Manly continue to soar up the ladder as the Sea Eagles find themselves top four thanks to a thrilling win over the Raiders in Canberra last week.

Not for the first time, Des Hasler’s side got the better of the Green Machine, largely due to their fast-pace attack that set up a game-winning Jake Trbojevic try in the late stages.

Manly has reason to celebrate, but they’ll need to focus on the ladder leaders as they return to Brookvale with a top two finish still on the cards.

The Storm made short work of the Titans at AAMI Park last week, and they’ll now head north with revenge on their mind for Round 19’s overtime loss to the Sea Eagles.

Neither coach will read too much into their last encounter, but the Sea Eagles will be hoping for more of the ball after being robbed of possession in the second half.

Likewise, the Storm also have plenty to reflect on. Melbourne missed 42 tackles against Manly when they last met – a recipe for disaster against one of the top open field sides in the competition.

Manly finds themselves as the underdog at home to the Storm this week, a scenario they are 2-4 in. With a big crowd expected though, you can expect the Sea Eagles to play with a chip on their shoulder as they hope to send a statement to the premiership favourites.

The Sea Eagles can win this game if they can maintain some creativity on both sides of the ball. Limiting the Storm out wide will go a long way to putting points on the board, while Manly also need to keep up the pace on attack.

Keen punters will look to take Manly outright, but the line is the safer bet. The Sea Eagles are 4-1 as the home underdog at the line against Melbourne, and not to mention, also hold the best line record this season (16-6).

Tip: Back Manly to Cover the Line (+2.5 Points) @ $1.95

Six straight wins has the Roosters primed for another Grand Final spot despite a tricky run home to close out the season.

Sydney will host the Panthers on Saturday night in a game that holds plenty of ladder implications.

A win for the Roosters and a Storm loss to Manly could make the race for top of the ladder very interesting in the final round of the season, while the Panthers now face a must-win game if they hold any hope of finishing inside the eight.

Two straight losses make it tough to trust Penrith, especially after last week’s uninspired effort up in North Queensland. On the plus side, the Panthers do own a win over the Roosters this year back in Round 13.

For Sydney, this is a chance to send another massive statement like the one they sent out last week against the Dragons. The Roosters won comfortably 34-12 over St. George, and with a 5-2 record as the home favourite against the Panthers, it’s tough to fade Sydney this week in the market.

The Rooster can win this game easily be challenging the Panthers defence with plenty of offloads. Penrith leads the league in missed tackles this year and also ranks first in penalties, so if Sydney can create plenty of breakaway opportunities, look out.

Tip: Back the Roosters 13+ @ $1.90

The Raiders were a little unlucky last week at home, but this week’s trip to Shark Park presents another opportunity to keep in touch with the top four.

Cronulla also has plenty on the line this week as they cling to a spot inside the eight. The Sharks won comfortably over the Warriors last week at home, but they’ll certainly have their work cut out against a very resilient Raiders side away from home.

Canberra pulled off a 22-20 victory over the Sharks earlier in the year, but they’ve typically struggled with Cronulla in recent seasons. The Sharks have won three of the last five encounters, and also hold a formidable 8-3 record at home.

The Sharks know they can win this game if they start fast. Since this could also be Paul Gallen’s final game in front of the home fans, you can expect plenty of emotion.

As for the Raiders, they’ll need to find a way to combat Cronulla’s stingy defence. Decisions went against them last week, but Canberra didn’t help their chances by turning the ball over.

With so much on the line, it’s fair to expect this game to be close. Picking a winner is a coin flip, but considering the last four games between Cronulla and Canberra at Shark Park have gone Over the Total, play it safe and back a high-scoring thriller.

Tip: Over 39.5 Total Match Points @ $1.88

A second consecutive win this week for the Tigers could throw the entire ladder into chaos as Wests chases a last-minute spot inside the top eight.

The Tigers made a serious finals case last week belting the Knights by 42-points. It was by far the most unexpected result of the round, especially considering David Nofoaluma crossed the line for a hat-trick of tries.

St. George are far from easy beats, but they looked a shell of their former selves last week at home to the Roosters. Like so many others, the Dragons trailed 28-0 at half time, managing to save themselves from a shutout with a pair of tries in the second half.

Given how much is at stake for the Tigers this week, you’d expect Wests to come out firing at the SCG on Sunday afternoon.

Wests can win this game easily if they channel the aggression they showed last week while also hitting the scoreboard early.

The Tigers are 5-4 as the line favourite this season, and it’s also worth noting the last three Dragons home games against the Tigers have also gone Under the Total.

Tip: Back the Tigers to Win & Under 38.5 Total Match Points @ $3.30

2018

Would you believe just four points separate first and eighth on the NRL ladder?

Things have never been this tight, and with only two weeks left in the home/away season, it’s another big round with plenty of ladder ramifications on the line.

We have analysed all eight games set to take place this weekend and our complete 2018 NRL Round 24 tips can be found below.

The curtains haven’t closed for the Tigers just yet, but it’s another ‘win or go home’ situation in Campbelltown this week.

Ivan Cleary’s side once again let the Leichardt faithful down last week against the Dragons.

It was a big game atmosphere tailor made for a Tigers win, and although Wests put up a gallant effort in the first half, sloppy tackling ultimately let them down.

Meanwhile at Brookvale, the Sea Eagles were equally as unimpressive.

The Titans pounced on Manly within the opening 10-minutes, but the Sea Eagles, or should we say the Trbojevic brothers, did well to hold their nerve for the rest of the first half.

By the main break, Manly led 22-10, but what unfolded next was nothing short of stunning.

The Titans once again opened the half with a quick try thanks to some Ash Taylor brilliance, and moments later, the game was tied.

Manly’s sloppy line defence allowed three more tries, handing Gold Coast a cruisy 42-34 win while also cementing the Sea Eagles at 14th on the ladder.

Both of these sides showed plenty of struggles defending their own line, and with so many missed tackles, this one is tough to call.

So what kind of disasters should we expect this week?

The Tigers might have everything to play for, but as their 3-3 record as the home favourite suggests, they aren’t always a sure-thing.

Manly, on the other hand, don’t fare much better as the underdog, but compared to the Tigers, they showed much more spark on attack last week.

The Trbojevic brothers and Daly Cherry-Evans all looked switched on, but it’s also hard to look past their lackluster efforts on defence in the second half.

The Tigers really need their play makers to stand up here, and it starts with Moses Mbye and Robbie Farrah.

Esan Marsters had a quiet one against the Dragons, but if Wests are to somehow sneak into the finals, it will take a team effort.

That’s exactly what we should expect this week.

Tip: Back Wests Tigers 1-12 @ $2.88

Same Game Multi:

It’s actually quite fitting that these two sides should meet up this week.

Both the Warriors and the Panthers were equally disappointing last week, failing to record victories in what many experts considered to be ‘easy-beat’ games.

The main problem for the Panthers came in defence.

Penrith struggled to keep up with Newcastle’s aggressive play, looking slow on their feet as Kalyn Ponga dictated play at fullback.

Plenty of mistakes certainly did help the Panthers’ cause either, a problem the Warriors can also relate to.

Short speedy passes proved New Zealand’s undoing against the Bulldogs, but realistically, the Warriors were unlucky not to leave Sydney with the points last week.

Looking ahead, it will take more than just a last minute drop goal to beat New Zealand at home this week.

David Fusitu’a was again the star for the Warriors last week, scoring two crucial tries in the opening stages of the second half.

If the Panthers give up plenty of big runs like they did against Newcastle, this one could turn ugly.

Head-to-head, the Panthers have won four of the last five meetings between these two teams, but they enter as the underdog this week.

Fortunately for punters, Penrith are 4-3 as the away underdog vs. the Warriors, and with the threat of potentially slipping out of the eight still at risk, this is a game the Panthers should win on the road.

Tip: Back Penrith Panthers To Win @ $2.25

Same Game Multi:

The wooden spoon race is just as fascinating as the Top 8, and after both of these sides copped their 16th loss of the season last week, this game is huge.

Sitting tied on points at 14 apiece, it’s tough to predict the winner of this one.

The Eels had so many chances last week to give the Storm a run for their money at AAMI Park, but even with Cameron Munster in the sin-bin, Parramatta still failed to convert opportunity into points.

The Cowboys, well they showed plenty of heart at Shark Park, but unfortunately a lack of first half scoring saw the Cowboys leave with a 12-point loss.

Not for the first time, 38 missed tackles gave the Sharks plenty of chances to crack the scoreboard, and as we all know, those are valuable opportunities you just can’t allow against a talented Cronulla lineup.

The last time Parra and North Queensland met, the Eels walked away with a cracking 20-14 win back in Round 14.

Jarryd Hayne was the star of the night, scoring two tries in both halves while the Cowboys left the majority of their scoring to the 78th and 79th minute.

Again, this is a bit of a coin flip, but the Cowboys 3-1 record as the home favourite against the Eels is just about all we can ride on.

That, plus the fact this is Johnathan Thurston’s last home game should see North Queensland hopefully send him off in style in front of the Cowboys faithful.

Tip: Back North Queensland Cowboys 1-12 @ $2.88

Same Game Multi:

It wasn’t pretty, but the Raiders upset over the Roosters last week came as a big shock.

In equally stunning fashion, the Rabbitohs lackluster efforts up in Brisbane at Suncorp last Friday Thursday night were also less than impressive.

South Sydney entered as the favourites, but even after a late first half fight back, the Bunnies still managed to let the game slip out of control once again in the second half.

Although the Raiders pulled off the unthinkable at home, it’s hard to trust a side that scored only one try.

Canberra hardly won the game against Sydney, more like the Roosters lost it.

Penalties gave the Raiders eight of their 14-points, and if it wasn’t for Jordan Rapana’s lone try, the result may have turned out differently.

Now sitting third on the ladder, this is a big chance for the Rabbitohs to bounce back this week.

South Sydney are 6-2 as the away favourites this season, and their 42-22 drubbing over the Raiders back in Round 7 sees them enter at pretty short odds.

If the Rabbitohs are to go on and win this, they need to revert back to that same kind of electrifying ball movement that saw them record a big victory over the Storm less than a month ago.

Last week against the Broncos, plenty of that creativity was missing, despite earning a higher share of the possession.

You don’t have to tell coach Anthony Seibold it’s all about quality, not quantity, and that’s exactly what we should see on the road this week.

Tip: Back the Rabbitohs 13+ @ $3.25

Same Game Multi:

All is said and done for the Titans this season, but after last weeks come-from-behind win over Manly, who knows what the future might hold.

It’s clear that there are some signs of promise on the Gold Coast, and there’s no bigger test than the Storm right now.

Melbourne were too good for the Eels at home last week, scoring three tries behind some great play from Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

In the second half, things got interesting for the Storm though, mainly due to some ill-discipline and inability to get the ball out of their own half.

So does that leave the door open for a Titans upset?

Gold Coast’s 4-6 record at home is hardly pretty, but if they can rely on some more Ash Taylor brilliance, nothing is off the table.

The biggest takeaway from last week, though, was the Titans struggles early on.

The Trbojevic brothers torched Gold Coast on some big fast-break runs, which shouldn’t exactly convince punters that the Titans can contain the likes of Josh Adoo-Carr and Billy Slater.

The Storm are 3-1 as the away favourite vs. the Titans, and have won four of their last five encounters against the Gold Coast.

This one could be surprisingly close, so best to stick with Melbourne at the line.

Tip: Back Melbourne Storm To Beat The Line (-7.5 Points) @ $1.91

Same Game Multi:

Two things: Roosters and penalties.

Last week simply shouldn’t have happened.

Sydney had every chance to leave Canberra with a win, but three crucial errors in front of their own line padded the Raiders lead in the first half, a margin that proved too tough to come back from.

Meanwhile, the Broncos did some padding of their own against the Rabbitohs in the second half last week.

Things were looking a little nervy at half time, but Brisbane came out ready to win in the second term, scoring three tries thanks to some Corey Oates and David Fifita brilliance.

The points were no doubt valuable to the Broncos, but their lack of composure defensively is worrying as we head toward September.

The Bunnies had no right to make it a contest last week, but Brisbane’s brain-fade saw South Sydney bounce back from 16-0 down to give the Broncos a real scare.

It’s not the first time we’ve seen Brisbane come undone like that, and against a punishing team like the Roosters, the Broncos need to show some resilience on the defensive side of the ball.

And can they do that?

We’re yet to see it this season, especially on the road.

The Broncos were particularly poor three weeks ago against a lowly team like the Bulldogs, missing plenty of tackles and committing plenty of errors.

With the Roosters looking to prove a point and reclaim their top spot on the ladder, expect the Broncos to feel the pressure again this week.

Tip: Back Sydney Roosters To Beat The Line (-6.5 Points) @ $1.91

It was tight up until half time for the Sharks against the Cowboys last week, but Cronulla really kicked it into gear in the second term to run away with a comfy 30-16 victory.

Chad Townsend was the star of the day, but defensively, Cronulla has plenty to feel good about.

The Sharks look like the complete package now, and with a chance of finishing Top 4, this game against Newcastle is huge for Shane Flanagan’s side moving forward.

The Knights were equally as impressive last week against the Tigers, as they have been during patches this season.

Kalyn Ponga’s playmaking ability was again on full display, but it will take more of the same this week if Newcastle are to trump Cronulla at Shark Park.

Try not to read too much into it, but Cronulla have won seven straight against the Knights, dating all the way back to 2015.

On the flip side, Newcastle have won back-to-back games three times this season, and are 4-3 as the away underdog vs. the Sharks.

With plenty of Cronulla’s players visiting the team doctor during last weeks game, including Valentine Holmes, this one might have potential upset written all over it.

The Knights might not have anything to play for, but don’t forget they rank tied for first in set completion this season.

If you’re game, back Newcastle head-to-head, or at the line.

Tip: Back Newcastle Knights To Win @ $3.10

Same Game Multi:

The Dragons might be playing finals, but they aren’t out of the woods just yet.

Last weeks win over the Tigers was no doubt impressive, but there’s still plenty of areas head coach Paul McGregor needs to clean up before his team prepares for September.

One of them, would of course be Ben Hunt.

The Dragons star fullback again had a game to forget last week, dropping the opening second half kick off, and also committing a crucial penalty right in front of the Dragons line which resulted in a sin-bin.

Those crucial errors are costly from a teams No.1 leader, and although the Bulldogs are playing for bragging rights, Canterbury have shown plenty of resiliency, and more importantly, upset capability over recent weeks.

The Dogs win over the Warriors last week has to go down as Canterbury’s highlight of the season.

Lachlan Lewis slotting the game-winning drop goal with under 1:30 remaining was huge for his teams confidence, and after a big season of player departures, suddenly the future doesn’t look quite so bleak for the Dogs.

So can they upset St. George this week?

Absolutely, and in fact, it would almost be silly to bet against them.

The Dragons may have won Round 14’s encounter, but keep in mind, it was only a narrow two-point victory.

Prior to that, Canterbury had also won six straight over St. George, and although the odds favour the Dragons, there’s every chance we see an upset this week.

St. George are 9-3 as the home favourite on the season, but as we’ve seen in the last six weeks, that doesn’t mean much.

If the Tigers were able to muster up some attack and stick their tackles last week, that game may have turned out a little differently.

With the Dogs up and about and looking to end their season on a high note, they are worth a look at the line.

Tip: Back Canterbury Bulldogs To Beat The Line (+4.5 Points) @ $1.91

Same Game Multi:

2017

There are now only three weeks left in the NRL regular season and the jostling for positions in the top eight continues this weekend.

The Melbourne Storm secured the minor premiership with their win over the Sydney Roosters last weekend, but the battle for second is now on in earnest and there are only four points seperating the Brisbane Broncos in second and the North Queensland Cowboys in eighth.

We have had plenty of success with our NRL betting previews over the past month and our complete 2017 NRL Round 24 tips can be found below.

The Parramatta Eels head into this clash on the back of a shock loss at the hands of the Newcastle Knights, but they will still start as clear favourites.

Parramatta were the form team in the NRL before they produced an absolute stinker against the Knights and they need to return to winning form quickly to have any chance of finishing in the top four.

The Eels have won five of their past seven games as home favourites, but they are only 3-1-3 against the line in this scenario and they lost to the Gold Coast Titans earlier this season.

There has been plenty of off-field drama with the Titans in recent weeks – headlined by a feud between Neil Henry and Jarryd Hayne – and it has shown on the field.

They have forgotten how to defend and they once again conceded plenty of points against the St George Illawarra Dragons last weekend.

The Titans have won only two of their past ten games as away underdogs for a clear loss and they are 4-6 against the line in this scenario.

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

No Bet

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have won two games on the trot and they will go into this clash with the New Zealand Warriors as clear favourites.

Favourtism is a position in which they have struggled this season and they have won only two of their past five games as the punter’s elect at home for a clear loss.

The New Zealand Warriors have now lost six games on the trot and they really do look increasingly likely not to win another game this season.

New Zealand have won only one of their past ten games as away underdogs for a clear loss and they are 3-7 against the line in this scenario.

South Sydney have found a semblance of their best form in the second half of the season and they really should be too strong for a Warriors outfit that has clearly had enough in 2017.

Back South Sydney To Beat The Line (-7.5 Points)

The Brisbane Broncos moved into second with their win over the Cronulla Sharks and they will start this clash with the St George Illawarra Dragons as clear favourites.

Brisbane have shown in recent weeks that they can overcome the loss of Andrew McCullough and they were particularly impressive against the Sharks.

The Broncos have now won ten of their past 11 games as home favourites and they are 6-5 against the line in this scenario.

St George Illawarra kept their season alive with a win over the Gold Coast Titans, but they obviously face a much tougher challenge against the Broncos this weekend.

The Dragons have actually won three of their past eight games as away underdogs for a profit and they are 5-3 against the line in this scenario, but they have lost seven of their past eight games against the Broncos.

The betting play that does stand out in this clash is the Over in the Total Points betting market.

Backing the Over has been a profitable betting play in nine of the past 12 Broncos games played at Suncorp Stadium and backing the Over in Dragons games in 2017 has also been a winning play.

Back Over 40.5 Points

The Melbourne Storm have secured the minor premiership and they are clear favourites to continue their winning ways.

Melbourne were not at their best against the Sydney Roosters last weekend, but they still came away with the two points and they are a side that simply finds a way to win.

The Storm have won their past ten games as away favourites and they are 7-3 against the line in that scenario.

Newcastle have been an absolute revelation in recent weeks and they stunned the Parramatta Eels to record their third straight win last Friday night.

Extending that winning streak is not going to be easy.

The Knights have now won three of their past ten games as home underdogs for a profit, but they are 4-6 against the line in this scenario.

It is tough to envision a scenario where the Melbourne Storm don’t beat the Newcastle Knights and the line of 12.5 points is unlikely to be enough.

Back Melbourne To Beat The Line (-12.5 Points)

The Sydney Roosters have lost two games on the trot, but they will still go into this clash with the Wests Tigers as clear favourites.

Sydney were gutsy against the Melbourne Storm and they were perhaps a touch unlucky not to come away with the two points.

This is a game that the Roosters should really win and they desperately need to do so if they are any chance to finish in the top eight.

They have won 14 of their past 17 games as favourites for a clear profit, but they are only 8-9 against the line in this scenario.

Wests produced one of their best performances of the season to date to beat the Manly Sea Eagles on Sunday afternoon and they are a side that is capable of producing some quality football on their day.

The Tigers have won five of their past 12 games as away underdogs for a clear profit and they are 8-1-3 against the line in this situation.

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

No Bet

A horror injury toll has had an effect on the North Queensland Cowboys and there is a chance that they could go into this clash without Michael Morgan and Lachlan Coote as well as Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Gavin Cooper and Antonio Winterstein.

It should therefore come as no surprise that the Cowboys will start this game as underdogs and there is an outside chance that they could finish the weekend outside of the top eight.

The Cowboys have won one of their two games as home underdogs this season, but it is tough to back them without knowing exactly who will take the field this weekend.

The Cronulla Sharks produced their second lacklustre performance in a row when they were beaten by the Brisbane Broncos on Friday night and they are taking fairly average form into the NRL Finals.

Cronulla have won only three of their past five games as away favourites for a loss and they are only 2-3 against the line in this scenario.

It is tough to get a grasp on this game until the full-scale of the Cowboys injury crisis is known and at this stage I will not be offering a recommended bet.

No Bet

This is a huge game for both the Canberra Raiders and the Penrith Panthers.

Penrith have won six games in a row, but it is the Raiders that will go into this clash as clear favourites.

Canberra simply need to keep winning to have any chance of qualifying for the NRL Finals and the Panthers represent a very tough test.

The Raiders have won only seven of their past 12 games as home favourites for a clear loss and they are 4-8 against the line in this scenario.

Penrith moved further into the top eight with their win over the North Queensland Cowboys, but one loss could easily see them slip out of the top eight once again.

The Panthers have won only two of their past five games as away underdogs and their record against the line is no better.

This should prove to be a fairly tense affair and the Under in Total Points betting markets really does appeal.

The Under has saluted in eight of the past 13 home games played by the Canberra Raiders and has also been a profitable betting play in Panthers games this season.

Back Under 40.5 Points

The Manly Sea Eagles suffered a shock loss at the hands of the Wests Tigers last weekend, but they are still clear favourites to account for the Canterbury Bulldogs this weekend.

Manly continue to struggle for consistency and their loss to the Tigers means that it will now be very tough for them to finish inside the top four.

The Sea Eagles have won six of their nine games as favourites this season, but they are only 3-6 against the line in this scenario.

Canterbury produced another flat effort to lose to the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Thursday night and they have now lost six of their past seven games.

It really is tough to have any faith whatsoever in the Bulldogs and the speculation that Des Hasler will not coach the team next season will not slow down.

The Bulldogs have played in some of the worst games of the NRL in recent weeks and this could be another fairly dull clash.

Backing the Under has been a very profitable play in Bulldogs games this season and has also been the way to bet in fixtures involving the Manly Sea Eagles.

Back  Under 41.5 Points

2016

There are only three rounds left in the 2016 NRL season and the fight for positions in the top eight will be on in earnest.

The marquee clash between the Brisbane Broncos and Canterbury Bulldogs will start the round on Thursday night and will have key finals consequences as will the Friday night football clash between the Penrith Panthers and Wests Tigers.

There has been no NRL rivalry in the last decade bigger than that between the Melbourne Storm and Manly Sea Eagles and they will do battle on Saturday night before North Queensland host the New Zealand Warriors in what shapes as a must-win clash.

The Brisbane Broncos made it two wins on the trot with their victory over Parramatta and they will start this game as clear favourites.

The Broncos may have won their past two games, but they haven’t looked particularly impressive and they are just 8-5 as home favourites in the past 12 months.

On top of this they are 6-7 against the line as home favourites and they suffered a big defeat at the hands of the Bulldogs earlier this season.

Canterbury did it tough before they eventually claimed the two points in golden point against Manly and they have now won seven of their past eight matches.

The Bulldogs have won three of their six games as away underdogs this season and have proven to be a profitable betting play in this scenario.

There is no way that the Broncos should be as short as their current price and the Bulldogs are big overs at their odds.

Recommended Bet: Back The Canterbury Bulldogs To Win @ $2.60

The Penrith Panthers will go into this clash as clear favourites after they recorded convincing victories over both the Sydney Roosters and the Newcastle Knights.

The Panthers have finally started to put away their rivals after losing a number of close games at the start of the season and they could prove dangerous if they make the finals.

Penrith have now improved their record as home favourites to 5-2 for a narrow profit, but they are still 2-5 against the line in this scenario.

Wests suffered a narrow loss to the Gold Coast Titans last weekend and in doing so lost their best player in the form of James Tedesco.

The Tigers have struggled without Tedesco in the side this season and their record as away underdogs is far from convincing – they have won just two of their past nine games in this scenario.

In saying that, the Tigers have beaten the line in five of their past nine games as away underdogs and the line of 10.5 points does seem a touch excessive – even without Tedesco in the Tigers outfit.

Recommended Bet: Back Wests Tigers To Beat The Line (+10.5 Points)

The Newcastle Knights have dominated the Gold Coast Titans in recent seasons and have won four of the past five games between the two sides, but it is the Titans that will go into this clash as dominant favourites.

The Titans recorded their first win of the Jarryd Hayne era in dramatic fashion against the Wests Tigers and they are now in the box seat to qualify for the NRL finals.

This will be just the third game that the Titans have started as away favourites in the past 12 months, but they have proven to be a profitable betting team as the punter’s elect this season.

The Newcastle Knights look set to finish the season with just a single victory and it is tough to see them winning this fixture.

The line is where the betting action will be in this clash and the Knights have proven to be an unconvincing 5-6 as home underdogs.

However, the Knights have given away a start of more than 14.50 points in eight games this season and they have covered in just two of them.

Gold Coast have the firepower to put up a big score and should be able to cover the line without any real issues.

Recommended Bet: Back The Gold Coast Titans To Cover The Line (-14 Points)

The rivalry between the Manly Sea Eagles and Melbourne Storm reached fever pitch in the late 2000s and it will be interesting to see if Manly put up much of a fight.

Melbourne lost to the Canberra Raiders on Monday night, but they will still start this clash as dominant favourites.

The Storm have had no problems winning away from home this season and they are 7-1 as home favourites, while they are 5-3 against the line in this scenario.

Manly lost their second close game in as many weeks last Thursday night, but there is still no doubt that they have shown some more promising signs in the second half of the season.

Brookvale Oval is no longer the fortress that it once was and Manly have won just one of their past six games as home favourites, while they are 1-1-4 against the line in this situation.

Melbourne should be able to bounce back to their best form and they are a good bet to cover the line of 10.5 points.

Recommended Bet: Back Melbourne Storm To Beat The Line (-10.5 Points)

The North Queensland Cowboys have hit something of a form slump in the past two weeks, but will still start this clash as clear favourites.

The Cowboys produced their worst performance in several seasons against the Wests Tigers a fortnight ago and following it up with an equally poor effort against the Sydney Roosters.

They really need to stop the rot to have any chance of winning back-to-back NRL Premierships and the good news is that they have won their past 11 games as home favourites, while they are 8-3 against the line in this scenario.

The New Zealand Warriors were blown off the park by the South Sydney Rabbitohs and they will need to turn around their extremely poor record away from home to get themselves back into finals contention.

The data does not read well for the Warriors – they have won just one of their past eight games as away underdogs and they are 4-4 against the line in this scenario.

I am willing to give the Cowboys one more chance to return to their best form and if Johnathan Thurston’s men bring their best form they will prove far too strong for this Warriors outfit.

Recommended Bet: Back The North Queensland Cowboys To Beat The Line (-12.5 Points)

The Canberra Raiders are the form team in the NRL and are clear favourites to continue their winning streak when they face Parramatta on Sunday afternoon.

The Raiders stamped themselves as genuine premiership contenders with a tough win over the Melbourne Storm and that level of performance is good enough to beat any side in the NRL.

Canberra have turned GIO Stadium into a fortress and they have won nine of their past ten games at the venue as home favourites, while they are 6-4 against the line in this scenario.

Parramatta were in their clash with the Brisbane Broncos for a long way and have not been disgraced in the second half of the season.

The Eels have won two of their past seven games as away underdogs for a small profit, but they are 3-4 against the line and have struggled to match it with the best teams in the competition in recent weeks.

Canberra have momentum on their side heading into the finals and they will not want that to halt, so it really would not surprise to see them put the Eels to the sword this weekend.

Recommended Bet: Back The Canberra Raiders To Beat The Line (-13.5 Points)

The Sydney Roosters have an excellent record against the St George Illawarra Dragons in recent years and they will start this clash as clear favourites.

The Roosters produced one of their best performances of the season to date to beat the North Queensland Cowboys last weekend and a repeat of that effort would be more than enough to account for the Dragons.

Sydney have actually been a surprising safe betting option as home favourites this season – they are 5-1 in head-to-head betting and 4-2 against the line.

St George Illawarra ended their losing streak to record their biggest win of the season over the Cronulla Sharks and it will be interesting to see whether they can back-up that performance this weekend.

The Dragons have won just one of their past nine games as away underdogs and they are a non-profitable 4-5 against the line in this situation.

The Roosters have struggled to string together quality performances, but they have definitely looked like a better side with Mitchell Pearce at half-back and they are a great bet to cover the line this weekend.

Recommended Bet: Back The Sydney Roosters To Beat The Line (-6.5 Points)

The Cronulla Sharks are another club that has hit a form slump and they face a tricky assignment to return to winning form against South Sydney.

Cronulla had their unbeaten streak ended by the Canberra Raiders and last weekend produced their worst performance of the season to date against St George – leaving them at somewhat of a crossroads.

In saying that, the Sharks have proven to be a strong betting proposition on the road this season and they have lost just one game as away favourites this season, while they are 5-3 against the line in this situation.

South Sydney saved their best performance of the season for their round 23 clash with the New Zealand Warriors and if they had played that level of football all season they would be genuine premiership contenders.

The Rabbitohs have struggled to string together back-to-back wins this season and they have lost all seven of their game as home underdogs this season.

Even more amazingly, they have failed to beat the line in each of these clashes and there is plenty of data to suggest that Cronulla should have no problems returning to their winning way this weekend.

Recommended Bet: Back Cronulla Sharks To Beat The Line (-10.5 Points)