THE LONG HARD LOOK WITH MIKE WILSON
Brisbane Broncos v Canberra Raiders
Suncorp Stadium, 2pm
Broncos $1.90, Raiders $1.90
The so called ‘Baby Broncos’ are back against a wounded Green machine to prove to supporters they can get across the line without their Origin superstars. Can it be done?
Sure they struggled in 2010 in games without Lockyer alone, but I look at this side as a strong pack of youths with an Anthony Griffin rocket up their backsides. I’m more than prepared to forgive their drumming at the hands of the Sea Eagles when they were under strength because let’s face it, Manly were hot to trot that particular night.
The Broncos have at least 4 players named that play in the centres and this excess sees Jack Reed named at lock which is a move I like and it will give him a great opportunity to demonstrate his raw strength.
Rumours had surfaced that Justin Hodges might play in this one but so far the last word has come from Anthony Griffin who said that Hodges will not play.
The Raiders lost Dugan to injury last week and Terry Campese’s long awaited return to Canberra lasted 10 minutes before he suffered a possible season ending injury. It’s a must win game for Canberra otherwise their season becomes nigh on impossible to save.
Mike’s Best Bet: $35 on Brisbane +1.5 @ $1.81 (Centrebet)
New Zealand Warriors v Wests Tigers
Mt. Smart Stadium, 4pm
Warriors $1.60 Tigers $2.35
It’s 6th vs. 7th but despite the closeness of the two teams on the table I’m not expecting a really close game. A lot of Tigers players will be ready to fire after their first game back from injury last week in a lacklustre performance against the Knights. The Tigers have only beaten the Warriors once in the last decade at Mt. Smart Stadium and that was back in 2007. The Warriors will grind it out with relative ease if the Tigers continue to play there loose and error ridden style of play that they have shown over the last month.
Mike’s Best Bet: $35 on the Warriors -4.0 @ $1.92 (Sportsbet)
