SATURDAY
Melbourne Storm vs. Gold Coast Titans
AAMI Park
Kickoff 5:30pm (local)
It’s going to be another tough ask for the Titans without some of their top forwards in the side. This time they are on the road and despite having the wood over Melbourne in recent years, it’s likely they won’t quite have enough grunt in the forwards to lay the platform for good field position. If Titans are to compete they’ll need to produce a solid kicking game. I’ll be looking for the Storm to try and grind this one out if they can get an early lead. They were far from perfect last week against a sad looking Manly outfit and will be looking to win in any fashion, even if it’s ugly.
Mike’s Best Bet: None
Wests Tigers vs. New Zealand Warriors
Leichhardt Oval
Kickoff 7:30pm (local)
The Warriors go into this encounter without their number 6 James Maloney and key winger Manu Vatuvei. Krisnan Inu comes on to the wing for his first game in Warriors colours. Both sides will be looking to bounce back after suffering losses in the first round. New Zealand will be looking to get physical in the forwards as the Tigers are without Liam Fulton, and Bryce Gibbs and Gareth Ellis will have to undergo fitness tests today to determine if they will play. Look for the Warriors halves Isaac John and Brett Seymour to apply pressure to a fragile looking Tigers fullback Wade Mackinnon.
Mike’s Best Bet: $56 on Warriors +7.5 @ $1.80 (Centrebet)
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Newcastle Knights
Dairy Farmers Stadium,
Kickoff 8:30pm (local)
This should be a good encounter with both teams coming off good wins. Newcastle are without. Hooker Isaac De Gois and strike forward Neville Costigan. Their best player Kurt Gidley is also out through injury and when it was announced, the Knights drifted from $2.40 to $2.60 in betting, and have again gone out to $2.70 (Luxbet). This for mine makes the Cowboys the team to tip, but unfortunately also makes it a game I’m not willing to put my money near. Johnathan Thurston will be pressing for the man of the match award.
Mike’s Best Bet: None
