The following are previews with betting tips for Round 17 of the 2017 NRL season.
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Eels v BulldogsThu June 29, 7:50 pm, ANZ Stadium |
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A dejected Bulldogs slumped to 13th on the competition ladder after their fourth defeat in five games against the Warriors last week. It was a concerning result for Des Hasler’s men as a finals appearance looks decreasingly likely with the Canterbury club sitting three wins outside the top eight. Conversely, their opposition in the Eels will be buoyed by their recent ascension to eighth spot on the ladder despite a season plagued by injury disturbances. The Parramatta club enjoyed a rest last week, but were impressive against the Dragons in their last game. The two teams will clash this Thursday night in Sydney.
For the Eels, Cameron King will join the side at hooker with David Gower and Tepai Moeroa coming onto the bench. The Bulldogs will welcome back Brett Morris on the wing while Matt Frawley and Francis Tualau will also join the interchange for the injured James Graham and Greg Eastwood.
An injury to captain James Graham is a terrible blow for an already struggling Bulldogs outfit, but Des Hasler’s limited options in his spine will be the biggest factor in the contest. The Eels have resorted to back-up hooker Cameron King after regular rake Kaysa Pritchard was ruled out for the season in a huge blow for their season, but expect the form of spine trio Clint Gutherson, Corey Norman and Mitchell Moses to be the difference. Eels to get the win.
Betting Tip: Eels -6.5 @ $1.95 (Unibet)
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Titans v DragonsFri June 30, 6:00 pm, CBus Super Stadium |
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A Titans club quickly losing touch with the top eight will take on the Dragons this Friday night in a desperate bid to kick-start their spluttering season. Despite a run of poor form that has seen them lose against the Bulldogs and Eels and produce a win against the lowly Knights, the Dragons remain in the race for the top four – sitting only one win from equal fourth on the ladder. The Dragons will be looking to consolidate their finals position while the Titans will attempt to leapfrog a very congested premiership ladder to make the top eight in a crucial game for both teams.
The Dragons will welcome back Jack de Belin and Euan Aitken to their side in a big boost for the joint venture club. The Titans will similarly name two players to return as Tyrone Roberts and Chris McQueen join the halves and back-row respectively.
Despite both teams’ poor recent form, expect an intense clash with the Titans’ finals campaign on a knifes edge. Neil Henry’s men will be fully aware they need an extended winning streak to make the finals, but expect the more established Dragons outfit to get the better of their Queensland opposition. Dragons to get the points.
Betting Tip: Dragons Head to Head @ $1.94 (Bet365)
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Broncos v StormFri June 30, 7:50 pm, Suncorp Stadium |
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The Storm’s golden point loss to the Roosters last week was a heartbreaking result for fans, but ultimately a good indication of Melbourne’s long-term success after the eventual retirement of the ‘big three’. Melbourne have a promising contingent of young rookies to develop, but reinforcements will be in-bound after the Storm were burned by a field-goal loss in extra time last week against the Roosters. The Broncos were impressive against the Raiders last week, and have performed well through the Origin period, particularly with the absence of key players. Both teams have established themselves as among the best in the 2017 season, so expect an intense clash between two clubs likely to finish in the top four.
Korbin Sims will return in the front row at the expense of Joe Ofahengaue on the Broncos’ bench while the Storm have named their full representative contingent with Billy Slater, Will Chambers, Cooper Cronk and Tim Glasby to return alongside Joe Stimson. There is some doubt over captain Cameron Smith with Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy failing to confirm the veteran’s fitness for the game.
Contests between Brisbane and Melbourne are traditionally physically and mentally intense but if Cameron Smith takes the field, the Storm should have the advantage over a Broncos outfit minus Darius Boyd and Anthony Milford. Expect a tight contest with the Storm to get the win.
Betting Tip: Broncos +4.0 @ $1.93 (Pinnacle)
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Roosters v SharksSat July 1, 3:00 pm, Central Coast Stadium |
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Round 17 is set for another blockbuster clash as the Roosters back up their golden point win against the Storm last week with a game against the Sharks this Saturday afternoon. The Sharks fielded their full representative contingent but were outplayed in their 18-35 loss to Manly in another disappointing result for the Cronulla club. While the Sharks’ sit equal third on the premiership ladder, coach Shane Flanagan will have instilled into his squad the importance of consistency, and with a heavily congested premiership ladder, his team risk dropping from top-four contention if they do not win consistently. It will be the same message from the Roosters’ coach and with his club only two points shy of the competition-leading Storm, Trent Robinson will have his eye on the minor-premiership.
An injury to Jayden Brailey will see Fa’amanu Brown join the side at hooker with Joseph Paulo also joining the interchange. The Roosters have named an unchanged side for the clash with Boyd Cordner still absent with a calf injury.
The Sharks’ main motivator going into this game will be their wounded pride after being outplayed by Manly last week. Despite their inconsistent form, the Sharks have remained one of the best teams this year. The Cronulla club will look to re-establish dominance over the competition and should relish the contest against a high-flying Roosters team. Sharks to get the points.
Betting Tip: Sharks H2H @ $2.20 (Bet365)
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Sea Eagles v WarriorsSat July 1, 5:30 pm, NIB Stadium |
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The Sea Eagles’ wonderful recent form was rewarded last week after their dominating win over the reigning premiers Cronulla pushed them into the top four. It is a just reward for coach Trent Barrett, who endured a horror season in debut coaching season last year. Barrett has assembled a talented football team but even in his inexperience the rookie mentor will know the uniting characteristic of all good football teams is consistency. Manly will take on a Warriors team who have posted some impressive victories in recent weeks this Saturday night and both teams will be eager for a win.
Kieran Foran’s return will relegate Ata Hingano to the bench as Nathaniel Roach covers the injured Issac Luke for the Warriors. Bunty Afoa will also replace Sam Lisone on the interchange. Cameron Cullen will join the Sea Eagles’ bench in their only change for the game.
While the Warriors will be boosted by the returning Kieran Foran, Issac Luke is a key absentee for the Kiwis. Manly’s recent run of form should give them the edge, expect the Sea Eagles to get the win.
Betting Tip: Total Match Points Over 39.5 @ $1.96 (Topbetta)
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Raiders v CowboysSat July 1, 7:30 pm, GIO Stadium |
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The Cowboys have done well to remain in touch with the top four despite an injury plagued season that has seen stalwarts Jonathan Thurston and Matt Scott ruled out for the season. After an impressive win over the Panthers last week, the Cowboys are set for another difficult match against a Raiders squad who were burned by the Broncos in their last game. With the Raiders sitting two wins outside the top eight, coach Ricky Stuart will have his men primed for a winning run while the Cowboys will look to leapfrog a number of in-form sides to reach the top-four.
David Taylor will join the Raiders’ interchange in place of Clay Priest in Canberra’s only change, while the Cowboys have named Te Maire Martin to make his club debut in the halves at the expense of Kyle Laybutt.
Injuries and Origin fatigue will see the Cowboys go into the match as underdogs despite their recent run of good form. The Raiders have been their own worst enemy in a tough period for the club, but if they can eliminate errors and tighten their defence they stand a good chance. Tough one to call but expect the Canberra to get the win.
Betting Tip: Raiders -4.0 @ $1.91 (William Hill)
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Knights v TigersSun July 2, 2:00 pm, McDonald Jones Stadium |
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The Knights’ frustrating season was typified in their loss to the Dragons last week. Despite a wonderful first-half performance, inexperience did not allow the young Novacastrian squad to close out the game as they conceded the win to the Dragons in the dying stages of the match. They will face a desperate last-placed Tigers outfit this Sunday afternoon after the joint venture club produced yet another disappointing result against the Titans last week.
James Tedesco will return for the Tigers at the expense of Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, while the Knights will welcome back Jamie Buhrer and Joe Wardle as Nathan Ross shifts to Fullback with Dane Gagai in the centres.
It will be a tough game to call between the two bottom placed teams in the competition and after a poor result last week this match could have a big impact on who takes the wooden spoon. Newcastle will enter the match as narrow favourites but expect the experience advantage in the Tigers camp to give them the edge. Tigers to get the points.
Betting Tip: Tigers Head to Head @ $2.06 (Madbookie)
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Rabbitohs v PanthersSun July 2, 4:00 pm, ANZ Stadium |
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Round 17 of the NRL competition will be concluded on Sunday evening with the Panthers taking on the Rabbitohs after the Penrith club’s winning momentum was halted last week against the Cowboys. Fresh from a bye last round, Souths last result was a solid win over the Titans, but they will need to up their game against a dangerous Panthers outfit to secure a win this weekend.
The Panthers have named an unchanged squad for the match, while Souths will welcome back Sam Burgess, Aaron Gray and Dave Tyrrell in a big boost for the ‘Bunnies’.
Both teams have had mediocre seasons, but the Panthers have been finding form in recent months after coach Anthony Griffin’s move to shift captain Matt Moylan to five-eighth has paid off. The Panthers form will see them go into the match as favourites, and while it is no certain result, expect Penrith to get the win.
Betting Tip: Panthers Head to Head @ $1.65 (William Hill)
Best Bet
Sharks H2H @ $2.20 (Bet365)