The following are previews with betting tips for Round 9 of the 2019 NRL season.
Compare NRL bookmaker odds
View the NRL form guide
View NRL betting promotions (not available to NSW)
 |
Titans v SharksThu, May 9, 7.50pm |
 |
After yet another disappointing loss to North Queensland, the struggling Titans will be desperate to avoid their third consecutive loss. It will be a big test for the Queenlanders against the Sharks, who produced an impressive win over the Storm last week despite their injury ravaged roster.
An injury to stand-in Titans captain Tyrone Roberts will mean AJ Brimson shifts to five-eighth with Dale Copley joining the squad on the wing. Jesse Arthurs has also been named on the interchange. For the Sharks, Aaron Gray will take Sione Katoa’s wing position in an otherwise unchanged outfit.
A number of rookies produced superb performances for Cronulla last week in good signs for coach John Morris and the depth of the club. The Titans have missed a number of key players with injury throughout 2019, but with only two wins from eight performances, the Queensland club will be desperate to regain form on-field to restart their faltering season. Expect the Sharks to pile more pressure on Titans coach Garth Brennan with a win.
Betting Tip: Sharks -2.5 @ $1.91 (Bet365)
 |
Tigers v PanthersFri, May 10, 6.00pm |
 |
Wests were dismantled by a clinical Roosters outfit last week and even considering the quality of their opposition, a concerning trend of inconsistency is forming for the club – a trend new coach Michael Maguire will be desperate to turn around. The Tigers will face an under-pressure Panthers squad who are similarly struggling for form after a 30-12 loss at the hands of the Raiders.
Both teams have named a raft of changes for the match. Frank Winterstein and Dean Whare will return in the second-row and centre respectively for the Panthers with James Maloney also set to play after successfully fighting a suspension. Benji Marshall will return in the halves for Wests, pushing Ryan Matterson back to the second-row. Oliver Clark will also join the interchange.
With both teams struggling with injuries and form, there is no clear favourite heading into this match. Could go either way but expect the Tigers to bounce back to get the win.
Betting Tip: Tigers H2H @ $2.00 (Pointsbet)
 |
Sea Eagles v BroncosFri, May 10, 8:05pm |
 |
Pressure is mounting after Brisbane were demolished 38-6 by the Rabbitohs in the first time the two clubs met after the off-season coaching swap. The Broncos will now face a Manly outfit who are playing fantastic football – particularly in the absence of key players – as Des Hasler’s team now sit only one win outside the top-four.
Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold has wielded the selection axe, with James Roberts and Jamayne Isaako set to be replaced by Kotoni Staggs and Gehamat Shibasaki. Hooker Andrew McCullough faces an extended stint on the sidelines with a knee injury in a massive blow to the club, with Jake Turpin named as his replacement. For Manly, Manase Fainu will join the squad at hooker as Apisai Koroisau shifts to the halves to cover the injured Lachlan Croker. Jorge Taufua will also come onto the wing as Morgan Boyle and Kelepi Tanginoa join the bench.
With salary cap restrictions limiting his recruitment options, Des Hasler’s ability to get the most out of middling players has been crucial to the Sea Eagles’ success this year. That ability will be tested with the likes of Daly Cherry-Evans, Lachlan Croker and Tom Trbojevic stuck on the side-line. Expect a big response from an under-pressure Broncos outfit, with Brisbane to get the win.
Betting Tip: Broncos -5.5 @ $1.91 (Beteasy)
 |
Bulldogs v KnightsSat, May 11, 3.00pm |
 |
Consecutive wins over the Eels and Warriors has eased pressure on the Knights and against the Bulldogs, the Novacastrians will be looking to capitalise on their opposition’s poor form for their third consecutive win. Canterbury failed to back up their encouraging round seven victory over the Cowboys with a narrow loss to Manly last week as pressure continues to build on rookie coach Dean Pay.
Despite being named in the reserves, Kieran Foran is good chance of making his return from injury in a massive boost for the struggling Bulldogs. Sauaso Sue will join the bench in an otherwise unchanged squad, although there is talk that Dean Pay may reshuffle his final 17 before kick-off. Meanwhile, the Knights have named the same team that produced their last-start win over the Warriors.
Captain Mitchell Pearce’s return to form could not have come at a better time for his club with the Knights heading into the contest as firm favourites. If Foran returns, Canterbury are a huge chance, but expect Newcastle’s newfound confidence and form to get them over the line.
Betting Tip: Knights -4.0 @ $1.91 (Bet365)
 |
Warriors v DragonsSat, May 11, 5.30pm |
 |
With a lack of play-making leadership threatening to derail the Warriors’ premiership campaign, former Broncos pivot Kodi Nikorima will be rushed into the halves in a timely acquisition for the New Zealand club. Their opposition in St George were humbled by a dominant Parramatta team in their last contest, with an injury to five-eighth Corey Norman compounding the loss.
The inclusion of Nikorima will see boom rookie Chanel Harris-Tavita drop out of the Kiwis’ squad. David Fusitu’a will return from injury on the wing with Jazz Tevaga, Bunty Afoa, Ligi Sao and Karl Lawton also returning from the bench. For the Dragons, rookie Jai Field will join the halves to cover the injured Norman in an otherwise unchanged squad.
St George will enter the match as heavy favourites, but their performance will rely heavily on the form of rookie Jai Field. While the addition of Kodi Nikorima’s experience to the Warriors spine may prove a decisive difference to the club, expect the quality of the Dragons’ pack to get them over the line.
Betting Tip: Dragons -2.5 @ $1.90 (Pointsbet)
 |
Storm v EelsSat, May 11, 7.35pm |
 |
Melbourne are experiencing an uncharacteristic form-slump after a two-point loss to an injury ravaged Cronulla outfit saw Craig Bellamy openly question his players’ attitude. They will face an Eels outfit who have produced some massive performances in the last few weeks but failed to win consecutive matches since their first two games of the season.
Brandon Smith will make his injury return off the bench for Melbourne in an otherwise unchanged squad, while Parramatta have similarly made only one change as Tim Mannah also joins the interchange.
Brad Arthur will be hoping his squad can reproduce the dominant physical style that has seen them trouble the Storm in the past. Meanwhile, Melbourne will be focusing on the basics after poor discipline and ball control let them down against the Sharks last week. If Parramatta are at their best they are a huge chance of toppling the Storm, but expect the Victorians to find a way to win as they always do. Melbourne to get the points.
Betting Tip: Eels +6.5 @ $1.90 (Sportsbet)
 |
Roosters v RaidersSun, May 12, 2.00pm |
 |
The red-hot Roosters will take on the Raiders this Sunday in a mouth-watering top-four clash that should establish whether Ricky Stuart’s outfit is the real deal. Canberra have played only one match this season against a top-four team – a round two loss to Melbourne – and this contest will be a fantastic examination of their premiership credentials.
The return of Matt Ikuvalu on the wing will push Joseph Manu to the centres and Mitch Aubusson to the bench in an otherwise unchanged Roosters squad. Meanwhile, Canberra have suffered a massive blow with John Bateman set for an extended stint on the sidelines. Hudson Young will join the second-row as cover, with Jordan Rapana also set to return from injury on the wing.
After losing Joey Leilua before kick-off last week and without of John Bateman, Ricky Stuart’s men will face a Roosters outfit who have won seven consecutive games in their biggest test of the season. A victory for the Raiders will boost the club’s confidence against quality opposition, but Trent Robinson’s class outfit should get the win.
Betting Tip: Roosters 1-12 @ $3.10 (Sportsbet)
 |
Rabbitohs v CowboysSun, May 12, 4.05pm |
 |
North Queensland face a huge test against an in-form Rabbitohs outfit after Souths produced a massive 38-6 win over Brisbane last week. The Queenslanders got themselves back to the winner’s circle with a solid last-start win over the Titans, but have struggled against top-teams so far this year.
Rabbitohs mentor Wayne Bennett has named an unchanged squad for the clash, while the Cowboys will replace the injured Josh McGuire with Mitchell Dunn on the bench. Kyle Feldt will also return on the wing as John Asiata retains the five-eighth jersey.
The Rabbitohs are in fantastic form playing free-flowing, attacking football. North Queensland will need to be at their very best to challenge the South Sydney behemoth, but expect Wayne Bennett’s troops to heavily target Michael Morgan with John Asiata only contributing three kicks against the Titans last week. The return of Taumalolo was huge for the Cowboys last week and may give the Queenslanders the capacity to match the Rabbitohs’ energy in the middle of the field, but the class of Souths’ back line should prove the difference.
Betting Tip: Rabbitohs -8.5 @ $1.90 (Beteasy)
Best Bet
Roosters 1-12 @ $3.10 (Sportsbet)