The 2017 NRL season continues this weekend and it will be largely impacted by the Origin match on Wednesday night. We take a look at all of the weekend's games in our NRL Round 16 Preview and Betting Tips below.
2017 NRL Round 16 Betting Tips
New Zealand Warriors vs Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs (Friday 6pm AEST)
The Warriors will head into this one on the back of a solid victory, defeating the Titans on the road. The side enjoyed a bye last week and the four competition points has seen them rise to 11th place on the ladder and just one win outside the top eight. The side has a roster that should be competing for a top four spot but they never seem to reach their potential. However, around origin time is when they truly begin to shine with none of their players selected in either NSW or QLD’s sides. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck had his best game for the Warriors and we believe his form will help improve his teammates.
Meanwhile the Bulldogs snapped a four-game losing streak in their last start but we weren’t overly convinced. They played against a Dragons side that is down on form and the three tries they created had more luck involved than skill. Josh Reynolds should make his return in this one which will give the side much needed energy but their best players will be backing up from origin and we can’t see them earning a victory on the road in this one.
TIP: Warriors at the margin (1-12) – $3.00 at Sportsbet
Wests Tigers vs Gold Coast Titans (Friday 7.50pm AEST)
The Tigers dropped to the bottom of the ladder with their loss against the Sharks last week but they were pretty hard done by. However, they only have themselves to blame as the match was there for the taking. The side will have their two best players returning from Origin in James Tedesco and Aaron Woods and whether they can play at their highest level two days after an Origin match will determine how competitive the side is.
The Titans took to the field last week with a lot of their star players on the sidelines through injury or origin selection. Jarryd Hayne, Nathan Peats and Jarrod Wallace will come out of origin camp for this one and they will need these players at their best for this one. The Titans raced out of the blocks and put the Rabbitohs on the backfoot in their last start but unfortunately they just lacked the class to go on with the job. The real battle in this one will be between Luke Brooks and Ashley Taylor and we are predicting Taylor’s class to shine as he lifts the Titans to an important road victory.
TIP: Titans at the margin (1-12) -$3.30 at CrownBet
North Queensland Cowboys vs Penrith Panthers (Saturday 3pm AEST)
The Cowboys side has four players backing up from origin duty and it will be interesting to see how many of them take the field on Saturday night. It will be a risk to field Johnathan Thurston who has had numerous injuries this season but the Cowboys are in desperate need of a victory. The side lost a nailbiter last week against the Storm with the match going to extra-time.
The Panthers enter this one sitting in the top eight, a remarkable effort considering it was only six weeks ago a lot of people were writing them off for the finals. The move of Matt Moylan to five-eighth has been a success with the ballplayer excelling in the more hands on role. Moylan played the role of a five-eighth while at fullback and it makes the side have more option in attack with Dylan Edwards filling the number one jersey. We are backing the side to earn the tough victory on the road by a narrow margin.
TIP: Panthers at the margin (1-12) – $3.75 at Ladbrokes
Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos (Saturday 5.30pm AEST)
The Raiders are entering danger territory and although this isn’t a must win game to ensure they reach the finals, if they are going to finish anywhere near the top four then they will have to defeat the Broncos on Saturday night. The side is dynamic in attack but they haven’t been able to hit their full stride this season. Jordan Rapana continues to reap havoc on the right wing while Joseph Leiluia has chipped in here and there – but not to the same extent as last season. Their forward pack has been dominating packs but unfortunately their halves pairing, and especially Blake Austin, haven’t been able to hit their peaks this season. Austin seems to have lost some pace while he could still be carrying injuries. However, they should be strong on home soil and they will have the advantage of only having Josh Papalii backing up from origin.
Meanwhile the Broncos have close to half their team backing up from the big game. The side will be relying on quick turn around from their stars if they are to earn a victory in this one. They haven’t been too strong on the road, winning three of seven games. We can’t see them causing an upset in this one, with their origin stars backing up from origin.
TIP: Raiders at the line (-3.5) - $1.90 at Sportsbet
Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm (Saturday 7.30pm AEST)
The Roosters and Storm will have a handful of players backing up from origin duty. The Storm however, have absolute young guns waiting in the wings for a call up and if their stars aren’t ready to go, then they will be able to take their place.
Mitchell Pearce wasn’t able to back up from origin, after suffering a concussion in game 1, however we believe he will be able to do it this time. It will be a big boost for the team as he has been exceptional at club level. His partnership with Luke Keary in the halves has continued to develop throughout the season and they have one of the best forward packs in the competition to lay the platform for them.
After game 1, Cameron Smith wasn’t able to back up. It could be a loss for them if one of their big three of Smith, Cooper Cronk or Billy Slater aren’t able to back up while Will Chambers would be another loss. However, as mentioned, the Storm have great players who will be able to come in and do the job. We are predicting the current competition leaders to outmuscle and outwrestle the Sydney Roosters and earn another crucial victory on the road.
TIP: Storm at the margin (1-12) - $3.00 at William Hill
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights (Sunday 2pm AEST)
The Dragons have hit a dip in form over the last month and it has seen them drop to sixth spot on the competition ladder. The side was one of the best attacking teams in the competition but it hasn’t come easy for them in recent weeks. They will have Tyson Frizell and Josh Dugan backing up from origin, but the two should be right for this contest. Luckily for them they are facing the Knights and it should be a good opportunity for them to find their best form.
The Knights have two wins to their name this season despite being competitive in the majority of their matches. However, the road has been more of a struggle for them and they have 0 wins in seven matches. The side has been blown away at times when they are travelling and we can’t see them causing an upset in this one.
TIP: Dragons at the margin (13+) - $1.91 at Sportsbet
Cronulla Sharks vs Manly Sea Eagles (Sunday 4pm AEST)
The Sharks will have home field advantage in this one and it is quite interesting when looking at the statistics for these two sides this season. The Sharks have been poor at home, winning half their matches while they are undefeated on the road. Meanwhile the Sea Eagles are the same, three wins from eight matches at home and undefeated on the road winning their five matches. This suggests an upset could be on the cards and with the Sharks having a handful of players backing up from origin duty, we are predicting the Sea Eagles to get one over on the Sharks.
The Sea Eagles have been inconsistent this season but when they are switched on they have been clinical. Their attack is strong with Daly Cherry-Evans pulling the strings while Blake Green offers him a lot of stability at five-eighth. Dylan Walker has returned to form and we are backing him, along with the Sea Eagles, to have a strong performance and earn the victory in this one.
TIP: Sea Eagles at the margin (1-12) - $3.60 at CrownBet
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