This weekend’s NRL schedule unfolds in the shadow of a coach sacking at South Sydney, with the embattled club opening Round 9 against the three-time premiers.

Elsewhere, there’s a Suncorp Stadium blockbuster on Friday night, Queensland and Sydney derbies, a key opportunity for Canterbury to consolidate its improvement, and road trips for Canberra and the Warriors as they strive to halt recent slides.

The axe fell on South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou just 48 hours before the team’s daunting assignment against Penrith, leaving interim coach Ben Hornby with a near-impossible task to lift the struggling Rabbitohs.

Demetriou received his pink slip after Souths won just five of their last 20 games – including a 1-6 start to 2024 that sees the heavyweights sitting last on the ladder.

A 54-20 Anzac Day loss to Melbourne was a continuation of an appalling defensive record, only once conceding less than 28 points this season.

Izaac Thompson returns to the wing for the suspended Taane Milne, while Davvy Moale and Michael Chee-Kam will start in the pack, Keaon Koloamatangi has been named at prop and Tom Burgess will come off the bench.

However Latrell Mitchell still has one week of his suspension to serve.

The 6-2 Panthers are rumbling along while playing well within themselves, holding off a stirring Cowboys comeback 26-20 in Townsville last Saturday after charging to a 24-4 lead early in the second half of Nathan Cleary’s return match.

Sunia Turuva and Moses Leota both return after their late scratchings last week.

Penrith has won 10 of its last 12 against Souths and the clubs played out a gripping series in the first eight rounds of 2023: the Panthers won 16-10 at home, before the Rabbitohs got up in a 20-18 thriller.

The latter result confirmed Souths as a title threat…but it’s been all downhill since then for the club.

Souths have lost their last four at Accor Stadium – conceding 31.5 points on average – while the Panthers have won 10 of their last 12 at the venue, including two grand finals and three preliminary finals.

There’s a long NRL narrative of teams pulling off stunning upsets (or least being gallant in defeat) following a coach sacking, but the Rabbitohs have very little prospect of getting close to a near-full-strength Panthers side eager to flex their offensive muscle for one of the few times this season.

Tip: Back the Panthers to Cover the Games Handicap (-15.5) @ $1.85

SGM: PANTHERS OVER 28.5 TOTAL POINTS / PANTHERS BY 21-30 POINTS / SUNIA TURUVA TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES / JAROME LUAI ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $81.20

Canberra’s promising campaign has unravelled in the past fortnight, losing linchpin Jamal Fogarty for three months in a 34-10 defeat to Brisbane before crashing to a 40-0 loss to Cronulla – the first time the Raiders have been held scoreless at home in 12 years.

The 4-4 Raiders’ defensive resolve has fallen away after conceding 17.6 points per game across the first six rounds, while rookie halves pairing Kaeo Weekes and Ethan Strange are ill-equipped to direct the team around.

Manly, meanwhile, continues to enhances its claims as a top-four contender, going unbeaten for four games – though their victories over Gold Coast (34-30) and Parramatta (32-18) were less than convincing.

The Sea Eagles surged late against a 12-man Eels side after trailing 14-6 at halftime.

Sea Eagles skipper Daly Cherry-Evans is cleared to play after having a dangerous throw charge downgraded, but Haumole Olakau’atu has copped a two-match ban and is replaced in the second-row by Ethan Bullemor. Toafofoa Sipley returns from injury on the bench.

Ricky Stuart has tinkered with his struggling line-up, picking Albert Hopoate at fullback and Nick Cotric on the wing at the expense of Chevy Stewart and James Schiller, respectively. Elliott Whitehead returns from injury, which sees Simi Sasagi drop out.

Manly has won nine of its last 12 against Canberra, including a 42-14 romp at GIO Stadium in the teams’ only clash last year with Tom Trbojevic – who has scored 12 tries in 10 career games against the Raiders – bagging a hat-trick.

Though Olakau’atu is a big out, the Raiders’ recent woes on the defensive side of the ball do not bode well with DCE and ‘Turbo’ in peak form for a Sea Eagles side that averages 30 points a game over the past month and is 10-4 at 4 Pines Park since the start of 2023.

Tip: Back the Sea Eagles to Score Over 27.5 Total Points @ $1.83

SGM: SEA EAGLES BY 13+ POINTS / OVER 43.5 TOTAL POINTS / JASON SAAB TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES / TOM TRBOJEVIC ANYTIME TRYSCORER / XAVIER SAVAGE ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $36.77

Eight weeks on from an explosive Las Vegas blockbuster, Brisbane Broncos and Sydney Roosters look every bit the premiership contenders ahead of this Suncorp Stadium showdown.

The Roosters won that dramatic, high-quality Round 1 clash 20-10 with James Tedesco, Victor Radley and Joey Manu in exquisite touch.

They’re yet to win back-to-back games in 2024, but their four losses were by seven points or less and are coming off a 60-18 obliteration of the Dragons.

Sam Walker was the Anzac Day star, with Manu, Lindsay Collins, Nat Butcher and Connor Watson also shining.

Despite regular injury interruptions to their biggest names, the 5-3 Broncos have got into a groove with three straight 13+ wins over the Dolphins, Raiders and Tigers.

Last week’s 34-10 defeat of the Tigers at Campbelltown came on the back of outstanding goal-line defence during the first half, breaking the hosts’ spirit before Reece Walsh, Adam Reynolds and co. lit the attacking fuse.

The Broncos get Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo back from one-week layoffs, which means there’s no place for Corey Oates or Jock Madden in the Broncos’ strongest line-up since Round 2.

Daniel Tupou (knee) comes back into the Roosters’ backline for Michael Jennings, while Victor Radley (hamstring) is in the reserves contingent.

It was the Broncos’ sixth loss from their last eight games against the Roosters. The Tricolours have won the last three encounters at Suncorp Stadium, though the Broncos powered to a 32-10 victory at The Gabba in the clubs’ only 2023 clash.

The Broncos have been untouchable at Suncorp, winning their last six home games by double-digit margins.

The Roosters went 1-3 in Queensland last year and are leaving NSW for the first time since the Vegas jaunt.

The $1.40 favourite Broncos are hard to back against in their current mood, but the Roosters come to town with a head of steam and this shapes as another barnburner with a finals feel between the clubs.

Tip: Back the Roosters to Cover the Line (+8.5) @ $1.90

SGM: BRONCOS BY 1-12 / UNDER 41.5 TOTAL POINTS / KOTONI STAGGS ANYTIME TRYSCORER / NAT BUTCHER ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $108.55

After edging into the Top 8 courtesy of last weekend’s bye, Canterbury is now searching for its first back-to-back wins since March last year – taking on a Wests Tigers on a four-match losing streak and desperate to rediscover their early-season promise.

The Bulldogs went into the Round 8 break on a high, interspersing increasingly impressive wins over Gold Coast, Sydney Roosters and Newcastle with encouraging losses to Souths and Melbourne.

Matt Burton, Reed Mahoney and Josh Curran starred in the 36-12 steamrolling of the Knights, Connor Tracey has cemented the fullback role and Viliame Kikau has been in vintage game-breaking form.

There have been good signs in the Tigers’ losses to the 2023 grand finalists in the past fortnight after going down in winnable games against the Dolphins and Dragons in the previous two weeks.

But their stunning 32-6 win over Cronulla aside, putting on points is turning into the plucky Tigers’ Achilles heel.

The Tigers are unchanged, while Kurt Mann has been named in the No.13 for Canterbruy and Jacob Preston (jaw) is a chance to return from a three-match layoff.

The Bulldogs have won three of the battling outfits’ last four clashes, including a 26-22 result at Belmore Oval in their sole 2023 meeting.

Cantebury holds a 5-6 record at Accor Stadium since the start of last season; the Tigers are on a nine-match losing streak at the venue.

It’s far too early to declare Canterbury a consistent football side, but the improvement of Cameron Ciraldo’s side on both sides of the ball in the past five matches suggests another crucial win is more than likely on the cards.

Tip: Back the Bulldogs to Cover the Line (-7.5) @ $1.83

SGM: BULLDOGS BY 13+ / TIGERS UNDER 15.5 TOTAL POINTS / CONNOR TRACEY ANYTIME TRYSCORER / JAHREAM BULA ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $42.35

Gold Coast Titans delivered Des Hasler his first win as coach in spectacular style on Anzac Day, but netting their first home win of the season shapes as a taller order as the flying Melbourne Storm roll up to the holiday strip.

The Titans’ first victory had been brewing after a golden point away loss to the Raiders and a 34-30 home defeat to the Sea Eagles, but their effort to fight back from a 12-0 deficit against the Warriors and score five unanswered tries before holding on 27-24 was nevertheless a boilover.

AJ Brimson has been electric since reverting to fullback, while Kieran Foran has also been superb and Tanah Boyd has turned a corner.

Hasler has changed a winning line-up with Phil Sami and Harley Smith-Shields (a warm-up withdrawal in Auckland) coming in for Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Aaron Schoupp.

Moeaki Fotuaika is out with concussion, which brings Joe Stimson into the front-row.

The 6-1 Storm, after each of their first six games were decided by eight points or less, opened their shoulders in a 54-20 Anzac Day exhibition against Souths.

Cameron Munster was the ringleader in a sizzling spine display, while Xavier Coates notched a hat-trick and Ryan Papenhuyzen a double.

Tyran Wishart is the surprise pick to replace the injured Coates on the wing, with Bronson Garlick taking Wishart’s bench utility spot.

The Titans’ only win in their last 10 encounters with the Storm was a remarkable 38-36 home upset in Round 3 last season, with Khan-Pereira and Schoupp notching doubles and a Coates hat-trick headlining a 37-16 win for Melbourne in Round 26.

Only two of the Titans’ last 12 losses to the Storm were by less than 14 points – and the hosts are getting a 14.5-point start here. The Titans have managed to cover in each of their last five games against the Storm and their improved showings in recent weeks hint that they’ll do so again.

Tip: Back the Titans to Cover the Line (+14.5) @ $1.90

SGM: STORM BY 1-12 POINTS / OVER 45.5 TOTAL POINTS / NICK MEANEY ANYTIME TRYSCORER / AJ BRIMSON ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $50.21

North Queensland Cowboys and the Dolphins square off for the second time in 2024, with Wayne Bennett’s side eager to reverse a dismal 43-18 result at Suncorp Stadium in Round 1.

Both sides have had their ups and downs since. The Cowboys’ hot 4-1 start has given way to three straight losses, but backing up a horrific 42-6 loss at Cronulla with a gutsy 26-20 home defeat to Penrith – after trailing by 20 – temporarily helped to allay flat-track bully allegations.

The 4-3 Dolphins are yet to lose consecutive games in 2024 and were fizzing after a short-handed line-up smacked Parramatta 44-16 in Darwin – which made an 18-14 home loss to a Newcastle side reeling from Kalyn Ponga’s injury so hard to accept.

The Dolphins were out-enthused by the Knights and two of their three tries came inside the last five minutes.

Cowboys back-rower Heilum Luki returns from a seven-week layoff, pushing Jake Granville out of the Cowboys’ 17.

Ex-Warrior Viliami Vailea gets his chance in the centres following Tom Chester’s hamstring injury.

Felise Kaufusi and Connelly Lemuelu bolster the Dolphins’ pack this week, replacing Kenny Bromwich (head knock) and the omitted Oryn Keeley.

The Dolphins carved out a 32-22 win in Townsville in Round 6 last year, before losing to the Cowboys twice in the space of three rounds in Brisbane – Round 26 of 2023 and their season opener this year.

North Queensland’s attack ranks along with the best in the league to date, but they have conceded the second-most points in the NRL – and the adventurous Dolphins have a proclivity for embarrassing defences that don’t turn up with the right attitude.

There was enough in last week’s showing against the Panthers to get behind the Cowboys at home in this one, but the Dolphins are more than capable and look the value option against the line.

Tip: Back the Cowboys to Win by 1-12 Points @ $3.00

SGM: DOLPHINS +8.5 / OVER 48.5 TOTAL POINTS / TRAI FULLER ANYTIME TRYSCORER / REECE ROBSON ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $43.43

Plenty has changed for Newcastle Knights and the Warriors since the clubs squared off in Auckland in Round 4.

The Warriors ultimately made hard work of a 20-12 win over the Knights that day after getting off to a flying start, while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Kalyn Ponga engaged in a thrilling fullback duel.

The Warriors surged in premiership betting after a 30-point rout of Souths six days later but are winless since then, lucky to share in a draw with Manly before putting in arguably their two worst performances of the Webster era back-to-back in losses to the Dragons (30-12) and Titans (27-24).

Scoring early in both games, the Warriors were brought undone by a succession of cheap penalties and a staggering lack of goal-line resistance.

They leaked five unanswered tries in both games, but the manner in which they conceded in front of a sold-out home crowd against the winless Titans was especially jarring.

The Knights slumped to a 2-5 record – culminating in a 36-12 loss to Canterbury that resulted in Ponga being ruled out for three months – before producing a courageous performance to upset the Dolphins 18-14 in Brisbane.

David Armstrong enjoyed a dream debut in the No.1 jersey, while Dane Gagai made a huge impression returning from injury and Jayden Brailey looks back to his best.

The Knights are unchanged, despite a seemingly serious injury to Jacob Saifiti last Sunday. Tyson Frizell remains sidelined.

Kurt Capewell and Bunty Afoa return from injury for the Warriors, which sees Jacob Laban move back to the bench, and Paul Roache and impressive Anzac Day debutant Zyon Maiu’u drop out of the 17.

The clubs’ last seven encounters have been won by the team playing in their home country, with the Warriors coming up empty in their last four against the Knights in Australia – as well as dropping their last three at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Last season a Ponga-less Knights outfit won 34-24 in Round 6 in a result that defied both teams’ early-season formlines.

The Warriors are, perhaps surprisingly, $1.58 favourites on the road. Their remedy is simple: maintain the outstanding platform laid by Addin Fonua-Blake, Mitch Barnett and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, but tighten up in the effort and attention-to-detail areas. Johnson and Egan will orchestrate the rest.

The Knights are certainly capable of back-to-back wins for the first time in 2024, but it will require another mighty effort.

Tip: Back Either Team by Less than 10.5 Points @ $1.85

SGM: WARRIORS WIN / OVER 39.5 TOTAL POINTS / CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD ANYTIME TRYSCORER / DANE GAGAI ANYTIME TRYSCORER @ $25.84

Ladder-leading Cronulla is aiming to continue its derby domination against a St George Illawarra side reeling from a 10-try thrashing on Anzac Day.

The Sharks have enjoyed an incredibly soft draw to date, but you can only play the teams put in front of you – and Craig Fitzgibbon’s 6-1 outfit have been dominant aside from a blip against the Titans.

Nicho Hynes, Will Kennedy and a dynamic three-quarter line have feasted on the Cowboys (42-6) and Raiders (40-0) in the past fortnight, while Thomas Hazelton has emerged as one of the NRL’s form front-rowers in an underrated pack.

Consistency remains the improved 4-4 Dragons’ chief drawback.

After chalking up back-to-back wins for the first time since 2022 via their best performance in years, a 30-12 drubbing of the Warriors, the Saints were hammered 60-18 by the Roosters in an Anzac Day clash where they shaped as a genuine upset chance.

All four of their losses this season have come by margins of 20-plus.

Toby Rudolf is back at the expense of Tuku Hau Tapuha in the Sharks’ only change. Mosese Suli (concussion) is replaced in the Dragons’ centres by Zac Lomax, with Mikaele Ravalawa returning on the wing from a knee injury.

The Sharks have won their last seven against the Dragons – culminating in beatdowns at Kogarah (40-8) and in the Shire (52-16) last season, with Ronaldo Mulitalo bagging a pair of doubles, and Jesse Ramien and Will Kennedy also crossing in both games.

The Saints’ last victory at Shark Park was in 2018, while Cronulla have won seven of their last eight regular-season matches at the venue by 14-plus points.

Which version of the Dragons turns up is anyone guess, but this Sharks side has scored 34-plus in its last four and look likely to rack up another big tally based on some of the their Red V’s defensive performances so far.

Tip: Back the Sharks to Score Over 28.5 Points @ $1.94

SGM: OVER 44.5 TOTAL POINTS / SHARKS BY 11-20 / NICHO HYNES ANYTIME TRYSCORER / RONALDO MULITALO TO SCORE 2 OR MORE TRIES @ $60.79

2022

One-third of the 2022 NRL regular season is in the books and the situation is already getting desperate for a handful of clubs.

Canberra and Canterbury square off in a bottom-four slugfest in Round 9, while struggling Newcastle will attempt to bust out of a six-game slide against a firing North Queensland outfit.

The round kicks off with a marquee halfback lining up against his old club, there’s a western Sydney derby on the Friday night docket, Melbourne stands in the way of St George Illawarra’s fourth straight win, and resounding home favourites Sydney Roosters and Cronulla are aiming to respond to shock losses.

Strap in for a pivotal weekend of NRL action.

Brisbane’s bid for a second win over South Sydney in 2022 has been shackled by Payne Haas’ shoulder injury absence, while Kurt Capewell is also missing due to injury.

But the Broncos have been boosted by Patrick Carrigan’s unexpectedly early return and TC Robati will start in the second-row.

The obvious hook for this clash is Adam Reynolds belatedly facing his former team after COVID ruled him out of the Broncos’ stirring 11-4 upset of Souths at Suncorp in Round 1.

The 4-4 Broncos have regained some momentum, backing up their fast-finishing win over the Bulldogs with a gutsy 16-7 defeat of the flying Sharks last Thursday that set the tone for an upset-laden Round 8.

Kotoni Staggs won his hyped battle with Siosifa Talakai in a man-of-the-match display, while Reynolds was again superb, their defence was an obvious positive against a team that came in averaging 25 points per game.

South Sydney is also part of the six-team 4-4 logjam, responding to their last-minute loss to the Tigers with a 40-22 win over the 12-man Sea Eagles.

The Rabbitohs took their time repelling the challenge of their depleted opponents, but Cody Walker and Cam Murray were strong and Lachlan Ilias continues to develop.

Liam Knight returns to the Rabbitohs’ bench, while Isaiah Tass has been retained at centre despite Taane Milne being available post-suspension.

Souths have won their last three against Brisbane in Sydney by at least 18 points.

The Broncos are more than a one-man pack but struggled to match Penrith in the middle when Haas missed Round 6.

His absence has affected the market significantly, however, and the Bunnies aren’t playing well enough to justify giving away a 12-point start.

The visitors will look to capitalise on some of the edge defence frailties Manly exposed last week.

Tip: Back the Broncos to Cover the Line (+12 Points) @ $2.00

SGM: RABBITOHS 1-12 / UNDER 39.5 POINTS / CODY WALKER ANYTIME TRY SCORER / SELWYN COBBO ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $41.16

Of all their lead-blowing atrocities in recent seasons, Canberra Raiders’ golden point defeat to the Warriors must rank among their worst.

The ragged Warriors practically begged to be put away, yet the Raiders were held scoreless in the second half by a team that conceded 54 after the break five days earlier.

Compounding the agonising loss, Jack Wighton – one of the few Raiders performing near their expected standard in 2022 – was slapped with a two-match suspension.

Canberra is now equal-last on the ladder.

Canterbury also comes in with a 2-6 record, but the Bulldogs are buoyed by one of the season’s biggest boilovers – a 16-12 win over the star-studded Roosters – that ended a six-match losing streak in Round 8.

The Bulldogs’ willingness to compete hasn’t been in question, but a valiant 80-minute defensive display was complemented by touches of pure class from marquee recruits Josh Addo-Carr and Matt Burton, who are looking more and more comfortable in the blue-and-white jersey.

Ricky Stuart has rung the backline changes again, recalling Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad at fullback and naming veteran centre and captain Jarrod Croker for the first time in 2022 at Semi Valimei’s expense.

Jordan Rapana reverts to the wing with Xavier Savage dropped. Matt Frawley replaces Wighton.

Josh Jackson (COVID) is back for the Bulldogs, with the suspended Billy Tsikrikas out of the side. Brent Naden returns on the wing for Jayden Okunbor.

Canberra’s on a five-match winning streak against Canterbury, though the margin in three of those clashes with four points or less.

The Raiders snatched a 20-18 comeback win in Magic Round last year despite having Josh Papalii sent off while Wighton was in the sin-bin midway through the second half.

The Bulldogs are still ticking along at just 10.8 point per game scored, but the Raiders aren’t travelling much better (14.3) and are missing their only blue-chip backline player, who his responsible for three tries, three try-assists and six line-break assists in 2022.

Canberra also has the NRL’s third-worst defence despite not being subjected to a genuine beatdown, conceding at least 18 points in every game.

Tip: Back Canterbury to Cover the Line (+1 Point) @ $2.00

SGM: CANTERBURY 1-12 / UNDER 38.5 POINTS / JOSH ADDO-CARR ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $9.56

Penrith has rolled on to an 8-0 record, though Gold Coast restricted the champs to their lowest score of the season in a hard-fought 18-4 result.

It was just the second time the Panthers have failed to cover this season with Dylan Edwards, Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo deemed the best on ground.

This week the Panthers face a team with a winning record for the first time since their Round 3 defeat of a 12-man Newcastle.

But Parramatta is coming off a low base courtesy of a pancake-flat 35-4 loss to North Queensland in Darwin last week.

Will Penisini and Ryan Matterson both ran for over 200 metres, but the Eels were otherwise outmuscled by a hungry Cowboys outfit and capitulated late with three tries conceded in the last six minutes.

Tom Opacic’s return from injury allows coach Arthur to restore Dylan Brown to the five-eighth spot, with Jake Arthur somewhat mercifully slipping back into the reserves contingent.

Penrith has won eight of the last 11 derbies against Parramatta – including the last four straight. But their most recent clash was a dramatic, gruelling semi-final, with the Panthers hanging on for an 8-6 win in Mackay.

The resolve the blue-and-golds showed that night has only been present in dribs and drabs in 2022, however.

The Panthers, meanwhile, have been incredibly ruthless – averaging just 11 points against them per game – and should be especially keyed up for a clash with their fierce neighbouring rivals after several weeks of picking apart also-rans.

Tip: Back the Eels to Score Under 11.5 Points @ $2.10

SGM: PANTHERS -13.5 / PANTHERS/PANTHERS HALF-TIME/FULL-TIME / UNDER 39.5 POINTS / STEPHEN CRICHTON ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $14.13

The result left them 4-4 and on a two-game losing streak, but Manly Sea Eagles would have taken plenty of heart from their 40-22 loss to Souths after playing 72 minutes a man short courtesy of Karl Lawton’s send-off.

Manly was in it until the dying minutes, while Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran were inspirational.

Lawton is suspended and Brad Parker and Jason Saab have succumbed to injury.

But it’s a net positive for the Sea Eagles with Tom Trbojevic, Haumole Olakau’atu and Josh Aloiai returning, Ben Trbojevic is named at centre and Reuben Garrick shifts to the wing.

Following on from back-to-back last-minute eclipses of Parramatta and Souths, Wests Tigers took St George Illawarra down to the wire in Wollongong, ultimately losing 12-6.

It was arguably their best defensive effort of the season, while James Tamou and Alex Twal were immense up front.

The Tigers have been hit with a double injury blow, though, with Luciano Leilua and David Nofoaluma – two of their stronger performers – ruled out.

Alex Seyfarth and Ken Maumalo come into the starting line-up, while Stefano Utoikamanu and Tyrone Peachey are back on the interchange.

After losing five of the teams’ previous six encounters, Manly carved out a pair of big wins over Wests Tigers in 2021 – 40-6 in Round 7 and 44-24 in Round 19, Daly Cherry-Evans scored two tries in both matches.

Besides being a grudge match of sorts in their first showdown since that off-field bust-up in Gladstone, the match-up between Manly skipper DCE and transformed ex-Eagle Jackson Hastings will be vital to the outcome.

Despite ‘Turbo’s’ return and the visitors’ outs, the line looks far too big here given the margin in three of the Tigers’ last four losses was a converted try or less.

Tip: Back the Tigers to Cover the Line (+14 Points) @ $1.90

SGM: MANLY 1-12 / UNDER 42.5 POINTS / TOM TRBOJEVIC ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $7.94

The blowtorch is slowly turning up on a Sydney Roosters side dripping with marquee talent that can’t seem to gel.

A 14-12 loss to the Dragons after three straight wins could be excused given the emotion Anzac Day entails, a 16-12 defeat to the lowly Bulldogs, not so much.

The 4-4 Roosters unquestionably did not deserve to jag a last-gasp win in either match – and lacked the poise and patience to do so in both anyway.

Daniel Tupou and Paul Momirovski return out wide this week, with Kevin Naiqama and Adam Keighran out.

The 2-6 Gold Coast Titans have scored just eight points in the past two rounds, but their 18-4 loss to pace-setting Penrith was a marked improvement on their 30-4 rout at the hands of North Queensland six days earlier.

The Titans led at halftime and were still in it with five minutes to go, comfortably covering.

Young skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has been excellent in a losing team, Greg Marzhew shone in his return and AJ Brimson looked dangerous with more freedom at fullback.

David Fifita is sidelined for a month – which the Titans could turn into a positive, given the ridiculous amount of attention his supposed form slump was attracting.

Sam McIntyre comes into the squad and Kevin Proctor will start. Phillip Sami and Jayden Campbell are lurking in the reserves.

In another 2021 finals rematch, Sydney Roosters and Gold Coast Titans square off for the first time since their astonishing week one rollercoaster in Townsville – won 25-24 by the Tricolours.

It was the Roosters’ eighth straight win over the Titans…and the second of the season decided by a Sam Walker field goal.

If and when it clicks for the Roosters, they’ll blow some of the NRL’s lesser lights off the park.

But as it stands they are just 2-6 against the start and the Titans (3-5 ATS) will draw confidence from last week – and their 2021 efforts against the Chooks.

Tip: Back the Titans to Cover the Line (+9.5 Points) and Over 42.5 Points @ $4.00

SGM: ROOSTERS 1-12 / SITILI TUPOUNIUA ANYTIME TRY SCORER / GREG MARZHEW ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $17.02

North Queensland has surged to third with three straight wins, following up their 18-12 comeback win in Canberra with emphatic victories over Gold Coast (30-4) and Parramatta (35-4).

The Cowboys’ defence is the second-best in the comp (12.1 points conceded per game) and now they’re starting too pile on a few points with the ball in hand.

A pack boasting a rejuvenated Taumalolo and a clutch of Queensland Origin bolters is running riot, and a relatively low-profile spine is on fire.

Trending in the opposite trajectory, Newcastle has plummeted to last place via six consecutive losses.

The embattled Knights have managed just a pair of penalty goals in heavy losses to the Eels and Storm over the past fortnight, while leaking 89 points.

The Knights have conceded more points than any team in the NRL, while only the Bulldogs have scored less.

Adam O’Brien has pulled the trigger, with Tex Hoy and Phoenix Crossland the new halves pairing for axed Jake Clifford and injured Adam Clune.

Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Dom Young return from injury at the expense of Brodie Jones and Simi Sasagi.

Sauaso Sue is also out while Mat Croker and Pasama Saulo join the bench.

The teams’ last eight encounters were won by the home team, with Newcastle last winning in Townsville in 2015 – a season where the Cowboys won the comp and the Knights collected the spoon.

Their last five clashes featured an average margin of 22.8 points.

It’s very difficult to make a case for the Knights on the road here even as 15.5-point underdogs – they have been horrific of late.

Todd Payten has apparently unlocked the Cowboys’ potential and they’re unlikely to look a gift horse in the mouth by stumbling at home here.

Tip: Back the Cowboys to Win by 21-30 Points @ $3.80

SGM: COWBOYS -15.5 / OVER 40.5 POINTS / VALENTINE HOLMES ANYTIME TRY SCORER / TOM DEARDEN ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $12.18

Despite chalking up three successive wins for a 4-4 record, St George Illawarra arrive in Melbourne as Round 9’s biggest underdog – the Dragons are getting a whopping 22 points at the line.

The 7-1 Storm have completely dismantled their opposition in recent weeks, averaging an NRL-high (by a mile) 36.6 points per game and outscoring the Warriors and Knights 120-12 in the past two weeks.

The Saints have come out on top in three consecutive cliff-hangers against the Knights (21-16), Roosters (14-12) and Tigers (12-6).

It’s been quite a turnaround – largely inspired by Ben Hunt’s near-career-best form – after four-game slide put Anthony Griffin’s decisions (and future) under the microscope.

Tepai Moeroa is slated to be out for six weeks, which brings Jordan Grant into the Storm side for his first 2022 appearance.

The Dragons’ only change sees Jack Bird return at five-eighth, with Talatau Amone slipping back to the bench and Jayden Sullivan taking up 18th man duties.

The Saints have managed two upset wins in their last five encounters with the Storm, but they have lost their last 15 games in Melbourne.

After their recent efforts, the Dragons would like to think they can at least be competitive in this one…but a hoodoo-busting, boilover victory is highly unlikely.

Six of the Storm’s eight games have gone over the total points line, with only one producing less than 42 points.

Tip: Back Over 41.5 Total Points @ $1.90

SGM: MELBOURNE 13+ / MELBOURNE TO SCORE FIRST / XAVIER COATES ANYTIME TRY SCORER / HARRY GRANT ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $5.21

Previously red-hot Cronulla is coming off a rude Round 8 awakening, crashing 16-7 in Brisbane after scoring at least 18 points in their first seven games.

In-form attacking guns Nicho Hynes and Siosifa Talakai were well-contained and the Sharks didn’t appear to have a viable Plan B against an unexpectedly stoic host.

But Dale Finucane is a huge in for the Sharks this week, with Braydon Trindall the player dropping out of the 17.

It’s hard to know what to make of the Warriors, they are 4-4 after their second golden point win in Redcliffe in four games, despite being arguably the worse team on both occasions.

But the 21-20 eclipse was nevertheless an admirable bounce-back from conceding 70 in Melbourne, on top of a heavy injury and suspension toll, and they showed character to overturn an eight-point deficit and keep a clean sheet after halftime.

Five-eighth Daejarn Asi was superb on club debut, Euan Aitken had a blinder on both sides of the ball and Shaun Johnson again stepped up in the clutch despite another overall super-patchy performance.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak returns from a one-week concussion layoff in a straight swap on the wing for Jesse Arthars (shoulder).

Bayley Sironen copped a knock last week and is in the No.18, with Eliesa Katoa named to start in the second-row and Aaron Pene back from suspension on the bench.

The Sharks have won eight of their last 10 against the Warriors, though Johnson was the architect of a their recent four-match-winning run in the rivalry.

With Johnson sidelined in late-2021, the Sharks went down 18-16 to a Warriors side that fought back from a 10-point deficit despite the double sin-binning of Kane Evans.

There were promising signs from Johnson – who seems to be playing injured – in the back-end of the Raiders game, and his leadership is absolutely crucial to the Warriors getting close to the Sharks.

In saying that, the Anzac Day debacle is the only game the Kiwi outfit haven’t been in until the dying stages – and even then they were the better team in the first half.

It’s a big line for the Sharks to cover and another upset isn’t out of the question.

Tip: Back the Warriors to Cover the Line (+13.5 Points) @ $1.90

SGM: EITHER TEAM TO WIN BY LESS THAN 12.5 POINTS / RONALDO MULITALO ANYTIME TRY SCORER / REECE WALSH ANYTIME TRY SCORER @ $10.01

2021

Round 9 gets off to a fast start on Thursday night when the Rabbitohs host the Storm from Sydney in a rematch of the season-opener.

As if that wasn’t enough, a top four clash headlines the Friday doubleheader when the Eels take on the Roosters from Bankwest in what is sure to be another tell-all game between two finals contenders.

The Raiders and the Knights both have a chance to get their seasons back on track on Saturday, followed by another important Queensland Derby between the Cowboys and Broncos.

With the Magic Round only a week away, be sure to build a bank with our 2021 NRL Round 9 tips below!

The Storm will be looking to add to their impressive five-game winning streak over the Rabbitohs in a rematch of their Round 1 blockbuster.

Melbourne dominated possession that night in a comfortable 26-18 win at AAMI Park, but this does shape as a much tougher test playing on the road for the first time in close to a month.

Since that defeat, the Rabbitohs have gone on to win seven straight to keep in touch with the undefeated Panthers on the ladder.

Wayne Bennett’s side produced an enormous effort last week to down the Raiders in Canberra, while the Storm are also coming off an impressive 26-point win over the Sharks.

As already mentioned, the Storm hold the wood over the Bunnies, which only begins to explain the short price on offer.

While the Rabbits have been tough to fault this year, they’ll have to go about their business on Thursday night without Adam Reynolds, Cam Murray, Jaxson Paulo and Campbell Graham.

The Storm have played to an outstanding 7-1 record at the line this year, and with a clean bill of health, it’s hard to see them losing this game with South Sydney missing so many key players.

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

The Panthers and the Sharks meet at complete opposite ends of the spectrum and the ladder this week.

Penrith has an outstanding opportunity to keep its unbeaten record intact as they set their sights on a Sharks outfit that has now lost four in a row.

The chances of Cronulla pulling off an upset on the road appear slim, but new head coach Josh Hannay will be asking for some improvement from his side following last week’s 40-14 loss to the Storm.

Unfortunately, the Panthers have had no trouble racking up the points against the Sharks in recent years.

Penrith has won three straight over Cronulla dating back to 2019, with the Panthers combining to outscore the Sharks 94-36 in their last two meetings.

It’s also worth noting the last five games between these two clubs have gone Over the Total, so if you’re looking for some value, it’s worth backing the double.

Tip: Back the Panthers to Win & Over 41.5 Total Points @ $2.15

History is against the Eels on Friday night as they look to make it four wins on the trot.

Parramatta has lost each of its last four games to the Roosters dating back to 2017, but head coach Brad Arthur should feel good about the way his side has responded after losing to the Dragons four weeks ago.

Sydney comes into this game riding its own two-game winning streak after downing the Knights 38-4 last week in Newcastle.

The Roosters have done well to keep their heads above water through their ongoing injury crisis, but things have only gotten worse after Brett Morris and Lindsay Collins both tore their ACL’s last week.

The Eels, meanwhile, are almost playing with a clean bill of health aside from Nathan Brown’s hip injury.

With Parramatta much better off in the injury department, the Eels look a good play to snap their hoodoo against the Roosters.

These two sides also rank top three in tries this year, so a high-scoring game would not surprise.

Tip: Back the Eels to Win & Over 42.5 Total Points @ $3.00

The Raiders and the Knights are equally desperate for a win ahead of Saturday’s game in Wagga Wagga.

Canberra’s woes only got worse last week with a blowout 14-point loss to the Rabbitohs at home, while the Knights also disappointed their home fans with a 34-point defeat to the Roosters.

Injuries have played a large part in the demise of both teams recently, but there is some hope on the horizon.

Newcastle could potentially welcome back Edrick Lee and Hymel Hunt into the lineup this weekend, while the Raiders could see Josh Hodgson and George Williams return.

The Raiders have always been a strong bet to bounce back from a previous loss, but it’s hard to feel confident in Canberra right now when it comes to scoring.

Last week saw the Raiders fade after the opening 25 minutes of play as their troubles in the second half continued.

Considering the Knights have won two of their last three over the Raiders – which includes last year’s 34-18 win in Canberra – Newcastle looks a good bet to get back on track with a few of its stars returning.

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

Despite the fact they blew a 22-point lead against the Broncos last week, the Titans still find themselves as the short-priced favourites on Saturday afternoon against the Tigers.

Now sitting eighth on the ladder, this shapes as a must-win game for Justin Holbrook’s side with the Panthers up next, but it’s far from a guarantee after Wests downed the Dragons last week by eight points in Wollongong.

Winning back-to-back games has proven a problem for the Tigers over the last few years, but they do have to feel good about the fact they have home-field advantage in Campbelltown.

Last week the Tigers dominated possession against the Saints in a bruising affair, and if Michael Maguire’s men can replicate that performance, there’s no question they are a chance at causing an upset.

If you are a little wary of backing the Tigers outright or at the line though, the safest bet might be the Over.

The last two meetings between these two sides have gone Over the Total, while it’s also worth noting the Titans have allowed 112 points in their last three games.

Tip: Over 43.5 Total Points @ $1.90

Another Queensland Derby is in-store, and if it turns out anything like last week’s thriller at Suncorp, we are in for a real treat.

The Broncos picked up their second win of the season with a memorable come-from-behind win over the Titans, while the Cowboys staged their own second-half comeback to fall just four points short to the Warriors.

Recent history between these two clubs suggests this game should be close, but this does look a very winnable game for the Cowboys in their return to Townsville.

Despite losing last week, North Queensland controlled the entire second half to keep the Warriors off the scoreboard, while there were also some promising signs on the Cowboys attack with Jason Taumalolo back in the fold.

Funnily enough, the last time the Broncos won a game on the road was against the Cowboys in Round 1 last year, but obviously, a lot has changed since then.

North Queensland has played to a steady 2-2 record at home this year, and if they can pick up where they left off in the final 40 minutes last week, the Cowboys should be adding to that record.

Tip: Back the Cowboys 1-12 @ $3.00

The Warriors have a chance to cement themselves in the eight on Sunday when they take on Manly at Brookvale.

Nathan Brown’s side picked up a crucial win last week over the Cowboys to improve to 4-4, but they’ll need to bring their best this week against a Manly outfit that just had its three-game winning streak snapped at the hands of the Panthers.

These two sides played out an absolute thriller four weeks ago in a game Manly won 13-12, but it wouldn’t be surprising if this one turns out to be much more high scoring given the form Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Tom Trbojevic are in.

Backing the Warriors to win back-to-back games is always a risky proposition, but there’s a bit to like about New Zealand when you consider they’ve won two of their last three at Brookvale.

With David Fusitu’a likely back in the side, the visitors are a much better chance than the current line suggests.

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

A game against the struggling Bulldogs couldn’t have come at a better time for the Dragons.

St George’s four-game winning streak feels like a distant memory now following three straight losses to the Warriors, Roosters and Tigers, but that still hasn’t been enough to sink the Dragons out of the eight.

Anthony Griffin’s side could venture back into the top five with a win on Sunday afternoon, although victory is far from a guarantee with Zac Lomax and Cody Ramsey suffering injuries last week.

The Dogs showed two weeks ago that they aren’t to be taken lightly in an upset over the Sharks, and a repeat performance wouldn’t be that surprising given the Dragons are still missing Mikaele Ravalawa.

Canterbury has played to a steady 3-2 record as the away underdog against St George, while on attack, the Dogs also appeared much more in sync last week against the Eels despite what the final score suggests.

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

2021

We should learn plenty about the NRL’s top contenders this weekend with three huge top eight games headlining Round 9.

The surprising Sharks are shooting for four in a row on Saturday when they host the second-place Panthers at Jubilee, while there’s also plenty of value to be had on Saturday night between the Raiders and the Storm in a Round 3 rematch.

The Knights and the Eels kick Sunday off with a potential finals preview from Newcastle, right before the Dragons and Sea Eagles look to bounce-back in the nightcap.

After a very difficult week in terms of tipping, we’re confident we’ve found a few winners in our complete 2020 NRL Round 9 Preview below.

North Queensland’s season took a direct hit last week in their blowout loss to the Eels and they aren’t about to find Thursday’s game against the reigning premiers any easier.

The Roosters have slipped down to fifth on the ladder following their golden point loss to the Storm, but they’ve typically been an outstanding betting play on the back of a loss playing to a 3-1 record over the last 12 months.

A string of recent injuries does leave the Roosters looking vulnerable however, especially with star tryscorer Daniel Tupou joining Victor Radley on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, are starting to return to full-strength with Tom Gilbert set to return from a suspension and Jordan McLean a chance to play following calf troubles. A bounce-back performance from Valentine Holmes would also go a long way to keeping this game close.

There’s still plenty of time left in the season, but with a backlog of teams fighting for a spot in the eight, Paul Green will sense the importance of this game with his side now sitting 11^th on the ladder.

With home-field advantage on their side, the Cowboys keeping this close might not be as unrealistic as it seems.

Tip: Back the Cowboys to Cover the Line (+12.5 Points) @ $2.00

The battle to avoid the wooden spoon has been just as exciting as the race at the top of the table this season.

Following their come from behind win over the Broncos last week, the Warriors are out to accomplish something they haven’t achieved since Rounds 9 and 10 last year – win back-to-back games.

The Titans, meanwhile, are hoping for a bounce-back performance similar to the one they pulled out a fortnight ago against the Broncos, but after a lacklustre second-half effort against the Sharks last week, it’s hard to know what to expect.

Gold Coast find themselves as slight favourites with home-field advantage, although it wouldn’t be surprising to watch the market swing back and forth.

The Titans are set to play without hooker Mitch Rein, while New Zealand has received good news on the Jazz Tevaga front with the lock returning from a knee injury.

Of the eight games, this is definitely the toughest to pick. Considering the Warriors’ inability to win back-to-back games and the Titans’ general inconsistencies, the Over might be the best play.

Tip: Over the Points Total

The complexity of the top eight is set to change on Friday night as the eighth-placed Tigers take on the ninth-placed Rabbitohs.

South Sydney are shooting for two in a row following last Sunday’s win over the Bulldogs, but standing in their way is a Tigers outfit that has a made a habit recently of bouncing back from defeat.

Wests were up for the fight last week against Penrith in the first half, but their final 40-minutes left a lot to be desired. David Nofoaluma went missing, while the Panthers enjoyed the run of play scoring two unanswered tries.

That kind of performance is something Michael Maguire will be looking to address this week in training, while he’ll also be hoping for a similar effort to last years game against the Bunnies – one the Tigers won 14-9.

Both sides have a couple of key outs this week with Braidon Burns likely done for the year. Meanwhile, the Tigers will go without the suspended Joey Leilua.

The Bunnies own only one win against a current top eight side this year (Cronulla), while it’s worth factoring in the Tigers’ 4-1 record as the line underdog on the road.

With a +5.5 line on offer, all signs point towards Wests keeping this tight.

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

Don’t look now, but the Sharks suddenly find themselves back in the eight following their third consecutive win last week.

Cronulla was huge in the second half last week against the Titans on their way to a comfortable 40-10 victory, but perhaps the most impressive part was the Sharks piling on so many points without Sione Katoa scoring.

Penrith found things a little tougher against the Tigers but still managed to squeak out a five-point win to remain within a stone’s throw of the Eels.

The Panthers did suffer a blow however with Brian To’o picking up an ankle injury, while the Sharks are also expecting Matt Moylan to miss Saturday’s game with further hamstring problems.

Penrith are the rightful favourites in this contest, although it is worth noting the Sharks had won seven straight over the Panthers prior to their Round 21 loss last year.

The trends also suggest we could see a high-scoring game with the last three contests between the two clubs going Over the Total.

Tip: Back the Panthers to Win & Over the Points Total

The Broncos and the Bulldogs have both been steady firmers in our ‘Most Losses’ market, and you can expect the odds to change even further following the outcome of Saturday’s game.

Brisbane could potentially play swapsies with the Bulldogs should they lose their seventh game in a row.

A fifth straight loss for the Bulldogs, meanwhile, would make life almost impossible with games against the Knights, Eels and Storm ahead in the coming weeks.

Fans are calling for Anthony Seibold to make drastic changes to the lineup, and it appears they might receive their wish with Katoni Staggs set to return from a hamstring injury.

Matt Lodge replacing Corey Oates is also on the cards, while the jury is still out on Darius Boyd, Brodie Croft and Anthony Milford.

The Under was kind to us last week between the Warriors and Broncos, and that again looks to be the safest play here.

The total has gone Under in six of Brisbane’s eight games this season, so it’s really not worth overcomplicating this one.

Tip: Under the Points Total

Craig Bellamy and Ricky Stuart won’t have to rewind very far in their film sessions this week.

The Raiders and Storm met only six weeks ago at AAMI Park, but a lot has changed since the Green Machine caused a 22-6 boilover back in Round 3.

We already knew this, but last weeks golden point win over the Roosters was another reminder that you can never write off the Storm.

As for the Raiders, Canberra continues to make life tough not only for themselves but also for punters.

After leading 22-0, the Green Machine left the door wide open for the Dragons late on Friday night – a sign that doesn’t bode well against a Storm side that seemingly never quits.

To their credit though, the Raiders have held the Storm’s number recently with three consecutive wins on the board, but their long list of outs this week makes it tough to predict a fourth.

Sia Soliola and Jordan Rapana are both set to miss this clash, while the Storm could potentially welcome Cameron Munster back from a knee injury.

With that in mind, the Storm represents enormous value for the second week in a row, even if their record in Canberra suggests otherwise.

Tip: Back the Storm to Win @ $2.00

The Eels head to Newcastle on Sunday afternoon shooting for three in a row against a wounded Knights outfit.

Parramatta had it all-too-easy last Friday against the Cowboys, and they should be fit and firing again this week with added rest on their side.

Newcastle came up with a narrow win over Manly last week, albeit in controversial fashion.

Unfortunately for the Knights, they’ll now have to carry on without Edrick Lee for at least three weeks after suffering a broken arm.

There are also a few concerns surrounding Kalyn Ponga’s concussion, which explains the short price on offer for the Eels to extend their lead atop the ladder.

With Nathan Brown returning to the side, this should be another comfortable win for the Eels.

Tip: Back the Eels to Cover the Line (-3.5 Points) @ $2.00

Two sides looking to bounce-back from narrow defeats conclude the round in what is shaping up to be a must-win game.

Manly were fairly hard done by last week against the Knights, but they were also their own worst enemies with sloppy mistakes and Daly Cherry-Evans’ early sin bin costing them.

The Dragons, meanwhile, have reason to hold their heads high after fighting back to put a real scare into the Raiders after surrendering five unanswered tries.

Manly defeated the Dragons 34-14 when these two sides last met, but prior to that, St George had won four straight.

The Dragons could potentially welcome Tariq Sims back on Sunday, while Tom Trbojevic and Dylan Walker are still a while away from returning for the Sea Eagles.

Four of the last five games between these two have been decided by 13 or more points, but you have to like the Dragons here coming off a very strong second-half performance last week.

St George are 5-3 at the line this season and 6-4 as the underdog over the last 12 months, so take the Red V to put up a fight.

Tip: Back the Dragons to Cover the Line (+2.5 Points) @ $2.00

2019

The NRL’s Magic Round gets underway on Thursday night, and we here at Ladbrokes are looking to pull a rabbit out of our hat with some winning tips.

There’s a handful of blockbusters to choose from this week in front of what should be a big crowd at Suncorp Stadium, and with both the Roosters and Rabbitohs tied atop the ladder, there’s plenty of finals implications on the line.

As always, we’ve analysed all eight games, and our complete 2019 NRL Round 9 Preview can be found below.

The Titans head north to Brisbane this week with one thing in mind: revenge.

Gold Coast fell by 14-points last month at Shark Park, a disappointing performance for Garth Brennan’s side surrendering four unanswered first-half tries.

Last week’s blowout loss to the Cowboys has seen the Titans installed as the underdog this week. Things aren’t about to get any easier following the Sharks two-point win over the Storm last Friday night, though.

Cronulla made full use of home-field advantage dominating the possession in a 20-18 win. The Sharks also handled themselves defensively silencing Melbourne’s last-ditch efforts in the final five minutes of the game.

Considering the neutral turf this week, this game certainly presents plenty of value. The Sharks own a terrible losing record at Suncorp Stadium, including their Round 7 blowout loss to the Broncos.

Gold Coast are 5-15 as the away underdog over the last 12 months, so with that in mind, it’s tough to back them straight-up. At the line, however, the Titans are a perfect 3-0 as the underdog against the Sharks, so take this one to be close.

Tip: Back the Titans to Cover the Line (+2.5 Points) @ $1.90

It’s only Round 9, but this is a vitally important game for both sides.

Penrith looks to bounce-back from last week’s Wagga Wagga disappointment at the hands of the Raiders, while the Tigers also came up short in a big way to the Roosters at the SCG.

Under the bright lights of primetime, the good news is we could be in for a close encounter on Friday night. These two sides last met in Round 4, with the Panthers walking away 9-8 winners in golden point extra time.

Penrith has now won five straight over the Tigers dating back to 2016. Surprisingly enough though, the bookies seem to be having a tough time separating the two.

Ivan Cleary’s team are 8-3 as the favourite against Wests, but again, there’s something to be said for the neutral ground at Suncorp.

For the Tigers, they can easily win this game if they knuckle down defensively on the wing. Wests were torn apart by an experienced Roosters attack last week as Sydney stretched them wide to set up Latrell Mitchell’s hat-trick.

The Panthers also need to improve, only on the attack. Penrith holds the talent out wide to approach this game in a similar fashion to the Roosters, but after committing 12 errors against the Raiders, it’s hard to find much confidence in the Panthers’ ball handling.

With all that in mind, the Total might be the safest bet this week. The last two meetings between these sides have seen under 20-points on the board, so back the Unders in a low-scoring game.

Tip: Under 36.5 Total Points @ $1.88

Two wins on the trot have pushed Manly up to sixth on the ladder, which is more than you can say for Anthony Seibold’s side right now.

The Broncos got back to losing ways last week falling by 32-points to the Bunnies in Sydney – a game that once again highlighted just how lackadaisical Brisbane’s defence has become.

These two sides met twice last season, splitting the wins one apiece. The Broncos obliterated Manly 48-16 in Round 25, but a lot has changed since then.

Brisbane’s biggest problem last week was not only a lack of possession but also lack of discipline defensively committing nine penalties. It’s not surprising to learn the Broncos lead the league in ineffective tackles, which is bad news as they prepare to face a Manly side that ranks fifth in conversions.

They aren’t the home side, but the Suncorp advantage sees the Broncos favoured at short odds this week in front of what should be a big crowd. Keep in mind though, Brisbane have managed just two wins from four at home this year.

The Sea Eagles can win this game if they continue to play with a chip on their shoulder. They’ll rest a little easier knowing the Broncos have dropped James Roberts, Jamayne Issako and Tevita Pengai to the bench following last week’s loss, and if they can continue to play lively, fast-paced football, they should have no trouble winning their third straight.

Tip: Half-Time/Full-Time: Manly Sea Eagles/Manly Sea Eagles @ $3.50

This is a fascinating battle between two of the league’s most bipolar sides.

In case you haven’t noticed, it’s hard to know what to expect from the Bulldogs week in and week out. One week they upset the Cowboys, and the next they lose by eight-points to Manly in uninspiring fashion.

The same also goes for the Knights, who have now won two straight. Newcastle backed up their 14-point win over the Eels a fortnight ago to upset the Warriors in Christchurch, largely thanks to Kalyn Ponga’s brilliant second-half efforts.

The Dogs and Knights played only once last year in a game dominated by Canterbury’s forward line. It’s a trend that dates all the way back to 2013 – the last time Newcastle defeated the Bulldogs.

There’s plenty of value in this game, but you’d be wise to stick with the Dogs here. Dean Pay’s side is 6-3 as the line underdog over the last 12 months.

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

The Warriors and the Dragons hold one thing in common: blowing close games.

New Zealand has now lost two straight at home following last week’s 36-18 loss to the Knights. The Warriors were right in it at half time trailing 16-12 but fell apart in the second half allowing three unanswered tries.

St. George also fell in a similar fashion to the Eels in front of a jam-packed crowd at Bankwest Stadium. The Dragons led 14-6 at the main break after Ben Hunt and Matthew Dufty crossed the line, but things quickly took a turn in the second half as the Eels pummeled St. George’s defence with a four-try assault in the 32-18 win.

Tipping this game looks tough, but it’s worth noting the Warriors are yet to win on the road this year. This is technically a New Zealand home game, but the Dragons have won their last two games against the Broncos at Suncorp – this is a ground St. George should feel more than comfortable on.

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

The Storm have plummeted down to fourth on the ladder following last week’s two-point loss to the Sharks, but that hasn’t deterred the bookies.

Melbourne owns two straight wins over the Eels, but if you caught a glimpse of Parra’s resounding win over the Dragons last week, it’s safe to say this Saturday evening blockbuster is the must-watch game of the Magic Round.

The Eels were dominant for the second time in their new stadium handing the Dragons a 32-18 loss. Parramatta were hungry for the points in the second half with Blake Ferguson leading the charge, and if they can play the same fast-paced brand of football, they’ll certainly cause some problems for Melbourne’s defence.

The Eels are 3-9 as the underdog against the Storm, but if they can start this game with some points on the scoreboard – something they failed to do last week against the Dragons – they should be able to keep this game close. Melbourne lost back-to-back games only once last year, but after three-straight less than convincing performances, this game holds big upset potential.

Tip: Back the Eels To Win @ $2.80

First plays third on Sunday as the Roosters take on the Raiders for the first time in 2019.

These two sides treated us to a thriller last season as Canberra walked away with a narrow 14-12 win in Round 23 – adding to their impressive three-game winning streak over the Roosters dating back to 2016.

Sydney are fresh from a blowout win over the Dragons last week that once again highlighted Latrell Mitchell’s special talents. Last year’s Origin star chipped in with a handy hat-trick in the victory, also nailing six of his seven conversion attempts.

The Raiders also had plenty to celebrate on Saturday obliterating the Panthers by 18-points. The victory was made even more impressive considering how little of the ball Canberra received throughout the game.

As the odds suggest, the reigning premiers are favoured by a wide margin this week. This is technically a home game for Sydney, and they’ll rest a little easier knowing the Raiders will be without John Bateman, who suffered a fractured eye socket during last week’s win.

On the flip side, Jordan Rapana looks to return to the side. The Raiders are 7-4 as the line underdog over the last 12 months, and with a winning record against the Roosters, it’s worth taking advantage of this generous line.

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

It’s hardly the most exciting game to end the Magic Round, but after last week’s Jason Taumalolo inspired victory, the Cowboys can certainly make this one interesting.

You can’t call it an upset, but North Queensland finally got back to winning ways at home last week beating the Titans 28-14. Taumalolo was outstanding in all facets of the game, while Jordan Kahu also did a brilliant job nailing all six of his set shots.

Speaking of brilliance, the Rabbitohs looked just that last week at home to the Broncos. South Sydney wasted no time cracking the scoreboard, holding the Broncos to just one try in the 38-6 defeat.

We’re now left with what could be a thrilling ending to Round 9, and if it’s anything like last year’s 21-20 Souths win, this game should be a real treat.

The Bunnies enter as the -8.5 favourites, and with a 7-1 record in this scenario, it’s difficult to back against Wayne Bennett’s side. Still, Suncorp is often a ground that brings out the best from the Cowboys, so the Half-Time/Full-Time split looks a good play.

Tip: Half-Time/Full-Time: North Queensland Cowboys/South Sydney Rabbitohs @ $7.00

2018

The St George Illawarra Dragons sit on top of the NRL ladder, but they will face their biggest challenge of the season to date against the Melbourne Storm on Sunday.

There is no doubt that game is the highlight of the weekend, but there are a host of intriguing fixtures spread right across the weekend and there are a number of sides under a great deal of pressure to get the job done.

We have taken a close look at every game set to take place this weekend and our complete 2018 NRL Round 9 tips can be found below.

It is the Brisbane Broncos that will start this clash with the Canterbury Bulldogs as clear favourites.

The Broncos came from behind to record a fighting win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs last weekend and they showed a toughness that has been missing so far this season.

Brisbane have won six of their past eight games as favourites at Suncorp Stadium and they are 4-1-3 against the line in this scenario, while they have won five of their past six home games against the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs have won only one of their past five games and they threw away a solid start to go down to the Penrith Panthers last weekend.

Canterbury have won only three of their past 13 games as away underdogs and their record against the line in this scenario isn’t much better.

This is a game that the Broncos should be able to win and they can cover the line in the process.

Back Brisbane To Cover The Line (-5.5 Points)

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have won their past four games against the Newcastle Knights and they will start this clash as clear favourites.

South Sydney looked set to cruise to their third straight win when they opened a comfortable lead over the Brisbane Broncos last weekend, but they completely fell apart in the second half.

Winning away from home has been something of an issue for the Rabbitohs over the past 12 months and they have won only three of their past 10 games on the road.

Newcastle overcame the absence of Mitchell Pearce to beat the Manly Sea Eagles last weekend and they are a side that is playing with plenty of character.

The Knights have won three of their past seven games as home underdogs for a clear profit and they are an impressive 5-2 against the line in this scenario.

Newcastle are outstanding value in this clash and I am keen to back them with a start of 4.5 points.

Back Newcastle To Cover The Line (+4.5 Points)

The 2018 NRL season continues to be a horror show for the North Queensland Cowboys.

They had all the ball and territory against the Canberra Raiders last Saturday night, but they were simply unable to take advantage and slumped to yet another defeat.

It is Johnathan Thurston that has borne the brunt of the criticism for the Cowboys, but their entire backline has looked slow and unthreatening for the entire season.

It has become impossible to back this side with any confidence, but they have won five of their past 12 games as away underdogs and they are 7-5 against the line in this scenario.

The Penrith Panthers came back to beat the Canterbury Bulldogs after a slow start last Friday night and they sit comfortably inside the top four.

Penrith have elected to take their home game to Carrington Park in Bathurst and they have won their past three games at the venue, while they have won 11 of their past 12 games at home.

The betting market that does appeal in this clash is the Under in Total Points betting.

The Under has saluted in the past four games played by the Cowboys and has been a profitable betting play in Panthers games over the past 12 months.

Back Under 37.5 Points

This is set to be another competitive clash in a weekend that is choke-full of them.

The Canberra Raiders made it three wins from their past four games with a fighting victory over the North Queensland Cowboys and they will start this clash with the Gold Coast Titans as favourites.

Canberra have won only five of their past ten games as home favourites for a clear loss and they are a poor 3-7 against the line in this scenario.

The Titans were unable to beat the Cronulla Sharks last weekend, but they lost no admirers with their brave effort and they are a better side than their record suggests.

Winning on the road is still an issue and they have won only two of their past 11 games as away underdogs, while their record against the line isn’t much better.

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

No Bet

Who would have predicted at the start of the season that this game between the New Zealand Warriors and the Wests Tigers would be one of the most anticipated of the round!

The Warriors were completed outclassed by the Melbourne Storm in their Anzac Day clash and how they respond to that defeat will be an excellent test of their character.

New Zealand have won only four of their past seven games as home favourites, but they have covered the line in each of those wins.

The Tigers suffered their second two-point loss in as many weeks when they went down to the Parramatta Eels on Sunday and they are another side that will face a serious character assessment this weekend.

They have won four of their past ten games as away underdogs and they are an impressive 8-2 against the line in this scenario.

There isn’t as much between these two sides as the current betting market suggests and they can cover the line with a handy start.

Back Wests To Cover The Line (+4.5 Points)

Both these sides head into this clash on the back of two straight wins.

A late field-goal got the Cronulla Sharks home against the Gold Coast Titans and they will go into this clash with the Parramatta Eels as clear favourites.

The Sharks have won their past four games against the Eels, but their recent form at Southern Cross Group Stadium is nothing to write home about.

They have won only four of their past nine games as home favourites and they are a woeful 1-8 against the line in this scenario.

Parramatta showed plenty of fight to score a narrow win over the Wests Tigers as they continue their recovery effort following their horror start to the season.

The Eels are still a tough side to trust from a betting perspective – they have won only two of their past seven games as away underdogs and their record against the line isn’t much better.

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

No Bet

This is the most anticipated game of the NRL season to date and the market can’t split the two sides ahead of this genuine blockbuster.

The St George Illawarra Dragons returned to winning form with a comfortable win over the Sydney Roosters in the Anzac Day clash and they have lost only one game this season to date.

St George Illawarra have now won nine of their past 12 games in front of their home fans and the home side has won ten of the past 12 games played between these two sides.

It has been something of a slow start to the season for the Melbourne Storm, but they have been nothing short of outstanding over the past three weeks and they were dominant against the New Zealand Warriors on Anzac Day.

Melbourne have won eight of their past 11 games on the road as well as four of their past five games against the Dragons.

I have been extremely impressed with what I have seen from the Storm in recent weeks and they can win what is set to be a simply brilliant clash.

Back Melbourne To Win @ $1.92

The Sydney Roosters are the shortest-priced favourites in the NRL this weekend.

Inconsistency continues to be an issue for the Roosters and they haven’t recorded back-to-back wins since round 3, but if the current trend continues they are due to return to winning form this weekend.

The Roosters have won ten of their past 14 games as home favourites, but they are a poor 5-9 against the line in this scenario.

There are few clubs in the NRL – the North Queensland Cowboys excluded – under more pressure than the Manly Sea Eagles and they slumped to their fourth straight defeat with a loss at the hands of the Newcastle Knights last weekend.

The Sea Eagles have won only three of their past 12 games away from Brookvale Oval and they have failed to cover the line in their past 10 games on the road.

It won’t get any easier for Manly this weekend and the Roosters should be able to cover the line of 9.5 points.

Back Sydney To Cover The Line (-9.5 Points)

2017

The NRL continues to produce exciting games each and every weekend and we are set for another excellent round of action.

The action gets underway on Thursday night when the Brisbane Broncos host the struggling Penrith Panthers and there really is betting interest in every single game this weekend.

We have analysed all eight rugby league fixtures and our 2017 NRL Round 9 tips can be found below.

It has been a horror start to the season for the Penrith Panthers and it is no surprise that the Brisbane Broncos will go into this clash as clear favourites.

Brisbane have won three games on the trot, but it is fair to say they have had a bit of luck to come away with the two points from their games against both the Gold Coast Titans and the South Sydney Rabbitohs and they have not been particularly convincing.

The Broncos have won eight of their past 12 games as home favourites, but they are now only 4-8 against the line in this scenario.

Penrith produced another woeful performance to go down to local rivals Parramatta last weekend and they really do look to be a team in crisis.

The Panthers have won two of their past six games as away underdogs for a narrow profit, but they are only 3-3 against the line in this scenario and they are a very tough side to trust from a betting standpoint.

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

No Bet

There is very little between these two sides in the current betting market, but it is the Manly Sea Eagles that will start this clash as narrow favourites.

Manly ended their losing streak with a thrilling golden point victory over the Canberra Raiders last Friday night and they continue to be competitive every weekend.

This will be just the third time in the past 12 months that Manly have started an away game as favourites and they are 1-1 in this scenario, but they are 4-3 against the line as the punter’s elect.

South Sydney did produce a much-improved performance against the Brisbane Broncos last weekend, but they were still unable to come away with the two points and they will go into this clash without George Burgess due to suspension.

The Rabbitohs have only won one of their past eight games as home underdogs for a clear loss and their record against the line in this scenario is not much better.

I am keen to take on South Sydney in this clash and Manly should be able to cover the line of 2.5 points.

Back Manly To Beat The Line (-2.5 Points)

The North Queensland Cowboys returned to winning form last weekend against the Newcastle Knights and there is the chance they could be buoyed by the return of Johnathan Thurston.

North Queensland have not been disgraced during Thurston’s time on the sidelines with a calf injury, but there is no doubt that they are a much better team with the future immortal in action.

The Cowboys look set to start this clash as favourites and they have proven to be a reliable betting option as the punter’s elect – they have won ten of their past 12 games as home favourites and they are 6-1-5 against the line in this scenario.

Parramatta head into this clash with back-to-back wins over the Wests Tigers and the Penrith Panthers, but they still have not really impressed.

The Eels have won only one of their past eight games as away underdogs for a clear loss and they are 3-5 against the line in this situation.

North Queensland should be able to win this game – even without Johnathan Thurston – and the line of 4.5 points will not be enough.

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

The Gold Coast Titans have played some impressive rugby league in recent weeks and they will go into this clash with the Newcastle Knights as clear favourites.

Gold Coast were unlucky not to beat the Brisbane Broncos a fortnight ago, but they backed that performance up with a gutsy win over the Cronulla Sharks.

Winning as favourites has been something of an issue for the Gold Coast and they have won only two of their past four games as home favourites for a loss, while they did lose to the Newcastle Knights earlier this season.

The Knights have now lost six games on the trot, but outside of their big loss to the Penrith Panthers they have not been disgraced in any of these fixtures.

It has still been almost two years since they last won a game away from home, but I really don’t think that there is as much between these two teams as the current betting market suggests.

Gold Coast have been overrated off their last start win over Cronulla and Newcastle are an excellent bet to cover the line with a start of 12.5 points.

Back Newcastle To Beat The Line (+12.5 Points)

The Canberra Raiders went down to the Manly Sea Eagles last weekend, but they will still start this clash with the Canterbury Bulldogs as clear favourites.

Canberra will feel that they let two points slip against Manly last weekend and they do look like a good bet to return to winning form.

The Raiders have won five of their past six games as away favourites and more impressively they have an identical record against the line in this scenario.

Canterbury produced one of their worst performances of the season to date against the Wests Tigers, but coach Des Hasler refuses to back what looks like the obvious change and move Moses Mbye to hooker, while bringing Matt Frawley in at half-back.

The Bulldogs have won three of their past six games as home underdogs for a clear profit and they are 4-2 against the line in this scenario.

Canberra should be able to bounce back to winning form and can cover the line in the process.

Back Canberra To Beat The Line (-6.5 Points)

The Cronulla Sharks suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of the Gold Coast Titans last weekend, but they will still start this clash with the Wests Tigers as clear favourites.

Cronulla’s defence was strong once again, but a lack of execution with the ball in hand did end up costing them the two points.

The Sharks have won only three of their past six games as away favourites for a loss and they are only 2-4 against the line in this scenario.

Wests overcame a week of off-field trouble to record a fighting victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs and they are sure to have taken plenty of confidence from that performance.

The Tigers have won four of their past ten games as home underdogs, but they do continue to be a tough side to trust from a betting standpoint.

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

Unders has saluted in nine of the past 11 home games played by the Wests Tigers, while it has been a profitable betting play in Cronulla Sharks games over the past 12 months.

Back Under 39.5 Points

The market can’t separate the New Zealand Warriors and the Sydney Roosters heading into their Sunday afternoon clash.

New Zealand failed to come away with the two points from their clash with the Melbourne Storm, but there was still a fair bit of merit in their performance.

The Warriors have won eight of their past 13 games at Mt Smart Stadium, but their record against the line at home is only 3-10 and that shows that they are constantly overestimated by the market.

Sydney were probably a touch lucky to come away with the two points from their Anzac Day Clash with the St George Illawarra Dragons, but a similar performance against the Warriors would be enough as they are nowhere near as strong as the Dragons defensively.

The Roosters don’t have the best record away from home, but they are simply a better team than the New Zealand Warriors and should be able to come away with the two points.

Back Sydney Roosters To Win @ $1.90

We have to wait until the final game of the round for the top of the table clash between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Melbourne Storm.

Melbourne leapfrogged St George Illawarra on top of the table with their Anzac Day win over the New Zealand Warriors and they will start this clash as clear favourites.

The Storm continue to be one of the most reliable betting teams in the NRL and that is particuarly the case away from home – they have won ten of their past 11 games as away favourites and they are 8-3 against the line in this scenario.

An ill-timed injury to Gareth Widdop probably cost the Dragons the win over the Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day and the fact they will be without Widdop this weekend is a huge issue.

The Dragons have won three of their past eight games as home underdogs for a profit, but they are only 4-4 against the line in this scenario and it really is tough to see them matching the Storm without Widdop.

Melbourne can secure their place on top of the ladder with a comfortable victory.

Back Melbourne To Beat The Line (-7.5 Points)

2016

Round 9 of the 2016 NRL season begins with two very big games between four of the most popular Sydney based sides in the NRL.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs host the Wests Tigers on Thursday Night before the Parramatta Eels and the Canterbury Bulldogs do battle at the same venue on Friday night.

The clash between the Manly Sea Eagles and North Queensland Cowboys highlights Saturday’s fixtures before the round concludes with what should be a hotly-contested game between the Brisbane Broncos and the Cronulla Sharks.

This is a key game for both sides and they both go into this clash on the back of losing streaks.

South Sydney suffered a surprise loss to the Sydney Roosters three weeks ago and they have since proven no match for the North Queensland Cowboys or the Brisbane Broncos, while the Wests Tigers have lost six games on the trot after their promising start to the season.

The Rabbitohs will start this game as favourites and they have been a fairly safe bet in this scenario in the past 12 months – they are 7-2 as favourites at ANZ Stadium and have won four of their past five games against the Wests Tigers as the punter’s elect.

Their record against the line is an unconvincing 4-5 as home favourites, but they have covered the line in their past three games against the Tigers.

The Wests Tigers have been one of the worst betting teams in the NRL in the past 12 months and they have won just one of their past eight games as away underdogs, while they are 2-7 against the line in this scenario.

Souths may have been far from convincing in recent weeks, but the Tigers are coming off the back of a 60-6 flogging at the hands of the Canberra Raiders and I believe that they are staring down the barrel of another big defeat.

Recommended Bet: South Sydney Rabbitohs To Beat The Line (- 8 Points)

The Parramatta Eels have really struggled against the Canterbury Bulldogs in recent seasons and they have won just one of the past nine games played between the two teams, but the market is giving them a great chance to return to winning form against their Sydney rivals.

Parramatta played well at times against the North Queensland Cowboys, but the defending premiers proved too strong in the end and the Eels suffered just their third loss of the season.

Canterbury did not do it easy against the Gold Coast Titans and at times it looked as though they were going to suffer another narrow defeat, but they were able to get the field goal required to score a golden point victory.

The market can’t split these teams at the moment and I can’t either, but I still think there is plenty of betting value to be found and that is in the Total Points market.

The Under has saluted in eight of the past 11 games played at Pirtek Stadium, while the under is 15-1-9 in Bulldogs games in the past 12 months.

Recommended Bet: Back Under 38.5 Points

This is one of the most interesting games of the round and another in which the market suggests there will not be a great deal between the two sides.

The Canberra Raiders were absolutely ruthless against the West Tigers last weekend and recorded a 60-0 victory, but they will still go into this game as underdogs.

Ricky Stuart’s side have been a losing betting proposition in head to head betting markets as underdogs in the past 12 months, but they do have a positive record against the line when giving up a start.

Penrith played exciting rugby league against the Cronulla Sharks, but they were still unable to get the job done and suffered another shattering defeat.

The Panthers have been a very unreliable betting proposition as favourites in recent times and they have won just two of their past six games as the punter’s elect.

I am surprised that the Panthers have opened as such clear favourites here and I am more than happy to back the Raiders with a start of 3.5 points.

Recommended Bet: Back The Canberra Raiders To Beat The Line (+3.5 Points)

It is almost all hands on deck for the Sydney Roosters this weekend and the likes of Mitchell Pearce, Boyd Cordner and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will all be in action for the defending minor premiers on Saturday.

They may have lost to the St George Illawarra Dragons last week, but with the majority of their stars back in action it should come as no surprise that the Roosters will start this game with the Knights as very short favourites.

Despite their dismal start to the season, the Sydney Roosters have still won nine out of their past ten games as home favourites and they are 11-7 against the line in the past 12 months.

The Newcastle Knights suffered another loss to the Manly Sea Eagles last weekend and they continue to be a losing betting proposition across just about every metric.

They have won just two of their past 12 games as away underdogs and their record against the line in this scenario is 4-8.

The Roosters will be out to make a statement this weekend and I am confident that they can record a big win over the struggling Knights.

Recommended Bet: Back The Sydney Roosters To Beat The Line (-12.5 Points)

The North Queensland Cowboys made it four wins on the trot with a comprehensive defeat of the Parramatta Eels last weekend, while the Manly Eagles returned to winning form with a scratchy victory over the Newcastle Knights.

The Cowboys have been one of the best betting sides in the NRL so far this season and they are 6-2 against the line, while they are 12-8 as favourites as well as 4-2 as away favourites.

They have even relied on Johnathan Thurston so far this season and they have another gear that they can go to that can’t be matched by any other side in the competition – except perhaps the Brisbane Broncos.

Manly continue to play erratic football and their record against the line on the back of a win is a very inconsistent 4-1-8, while they are a credible 2-1-1 as home underdogs.

The return of Daly Cherry-Evans helped the Sea Eagles against the Knights, but their is an injury cloud over both Brett Stewart and Tom Trbojevic heading into this fixture.

There is no doubt that the Cowboys are a class above Manly and if they perform at anywhere near their best they will prove too strong for their rivals.

Recommended Bet: Back The North Queensland Cowboys To Beat The Line (-8.5 Points)

The New Zealand Warriors continue to be the most erratic team in the NRL and they go into this contest on the back of a 42-0 drubbing at the hands of the Melbourne Storm.

The Warriors will start this game as favourites, but they have a staggeringly poor record against the St George Illawarra Dragons since the joint venture came into existence in 1999.and have not beaten their rivals since 2008.

It is not only history that is against the Warriors – they are 4-4 as home favourites in the past 12 months and they are 3-5 against the line in this scenario.

St George Illawarra showed plenty of fight and tenacity to record their second straight win over the Sydney Roosters and there is no doubt that they have improved since their defeats at the hands of the Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys.

However, their record as underdogs does not inspire confidence and they have won just one of their past 11 games as away underdogs, while they are 4-7 against the line in this situation.

These are two teams that I am keen to avoid from a betting perspective and I am more than happy to say out of this game.

Recommended Bet: No Bet

The Melbourne Storm returned to their brutal best with a big win over the New Zealand Warriors last weekend and they will start this clash with the Gold Coast Titans as clear favourites.

It has been an up and down season to date for the Storm, but they were excellent against the Warriors and if they can replicate that form of rugby league they will cement themselves as the third best team in the competition.

The Storm continue to be a safe bet as the punter’s elect – they have won 13 of their past 16 games as favourites and are 4-1 as away favourites – and they are a credible 3-2 against the line as away favourites.

Gold Coast produced an improved effort against the Canterbury Bulldogs, but they were still unable to avoid their fourth straight loss after their promising start to the season.

I still like what I have been seeing from the Gold Coast and they are not without a chance here – they are a profitable 3-4 as underdogs in the past 12 months and their record against the line in this scenario is 4-1-2.

The market appears to have this game just about right and it is another fixture that I am happy to stay out of from a betting perspective.

Recommended Bet: No Bet

This is the game of the round and both sides go into this contest on the back of five straight victories.

Cronulla did not have it their own way against the Penrith Panthers and they were staring down the barrel of defeat, but they showed their toughness and confidence in their own ability to walk away with the two points.

They go into this fixture as narrow underdogs, but that has not hurt the Sharks in recent seasons and they are 8-5 as underdogs in the past 12 months as well as 2-0 in front of their home fans.

The Broncos were their usual professional selves against South Sydney last weekend and coach Wayne Bennett is sure to have them buoyed for what is their toughest challenge since their thrilling golden point victory over the Cowboys.

Brisbane are a narrow winning proposition as away favourites, but their record against the line in this scenario is a losing 2-4.

I expect this to be an extremely close contest and I think that the market has got it just about right, but their is still value on offer in the total points betting market.

Backing the under has been a profitable betting proposition for games involving both these sides in the past 12 months and the under has saluted in seven of the past 11 games played at Shark Park.

Recommended Bet: Back Under 38.5 Points