The 2017 NRL season continues this weekend and we take a look at all eight matches in our NRL Round 22 Preview and Betting Tips below.
2017 NRL Round 22 Betting Tips
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Parramatta Eels (Thursday 7.50pm AEST)
The Parramatta Eels will enter this match on the back of arguably their best victory and performance of the season. The side trailed by 12-points after 10-minutes against the Broncos and it looked as if it was going to be a long night for the home side. However, they managed to turn the tables and level the scores at the break before digging deep in the second half to pull away in the final 10-minutes of the game. It was the side’s first match without Clint Gutherson and they were able to deal with the loss. Bevan French was dangerous back in his preferred fullback position while Corey Norman and Mitchell Moses’ halves pairing is improving.
Meanwhile the Bulldogs slumped to their 12th loss of the season last week against the Panthers. The side wasn’t able to offer much in attack, as expected, and they scored just eight points. Their defence remains solid as they only leaked 16 points but we can’t see them turning around their attack ability to create any sort of dramas for the Eels.
TIP: Eels at the margin (1-12) – $2.80 at Sportsbet
St George Illawarra Dragons vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (Friday 6pm AEST)
Calls didn’t go the way of the Dragons last week but they were their own worst enemy. They had eight line breaks but managed to score just two tries and were held to a penalty goal in the second half against the worst defence in the competition. This all came a week after they put 52 points on the Sea Eagles. That pretty much sums up how inconsistent the Dragons have been over the past two months. A loss in this match could see them drop out of the eight and they will need to earn a win against a lowly Souths outfit.
The Rabbitohs are third last on the ladder and will enter this match with injury clouds surrounding three of their key players. The side can’t reach the finals so risking players at this stage of the year would be silly. We are predicting the weaker outfit to suffer a loss against the Red V who are hoping to book a spot in the finals.
TIP: Dragons at the line (-6.5) – $1.90 at CrownBet
North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm (Friday 7.50pm AEST)
A blockbuster match on Friday night will see the Cowboys face a top four side in consecutive weeks. Last week they weren’t able to earn the victory on the road against the Roosters as they went down by a narrow margin. This time, they will have the advantage of playing in front of their home fans but unfortunately for them the Storm are looking unstoppable at the moment.
The Storm defeated the Sea Eagles 40-6 for Cameron Smith’s 350th career NRL game. The hooker doesn’t look like slowing down and by far the best at his position in the game. He will continue to dominate while Cooper Cronk pulls the strings and Cameron Munster adds attacking flair in the backline. Meanwhile Billy Slater is a chance of returning from concussion but they will likely lean towards the safer side and rest their star fullback.
TIP: Storm at the margin (1-12) – $3.00 at William Hill
Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors (Saturday 3pm AEST)
Hallelujah, is what the Knights fans were singing last year after their side finally had the bounce of the ball and referees decision’s go their way in a narrow defeat of the Dragons. It was their third this season and they will be hoping for back-to-back victories as they host the Warriors this weekend.
The Warriors will enter this match on the back of a loss against the Sharks and Cowboys. Both of those matches were closer than the scoreboard shows but ultimately the Warriors haven’t shown the killer instinct to put sides away this season. The Knights will be riding high after their victory last week and we are predicting them to come out on top.
TIP: Knights at the margin (1-12) – $3.70 at William Hill
Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos (Saturday 5.30pm AEST)
The Titans had one of their worst performances of the season last week and it was when their season was on the line. Their chances of reaching the finals are behind them as the injuries throughout the year proved too much to overcome. Tyrone Roberts was exposed after his move to right centre in the second half and we doubt Neil Henry will experiment with that option again.
The Broncos seemed to be cruising 10-minutes into their game against the Eels but they couldn’t go on with the job. To make matters worse, Andrew McCullough’s season is over after suffering an ACL injury in the second half in a brutal collision with teammate Adam Blair. He is massive loss for the Broncos and their chances of winning a premiership are hurt. However, the side will still be able to earn a victory this weekend with Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt steering the ship.
TIP: Broncos at the margin (1-12) – $3.10 at Sportsbet
Cronulla Sharks vs Canberra Raiders (Saturday 7.30pm AEST)
The Raiders kept their slim hopes of reaching the finals alive last week after they held on for victory over the Rabbitohs. It wasn’t too impressive but they got the job done and they will be hoping to dig deep again this weekend against the Sharks. Their forward pack will have to be at its best to slow down the Sharks while their backs will need to live up to their potential to capitalise on the opportunities they create.
The Sharks were able to leave New Zealand with a win last week but the scoreline flattered them. They were dealt another injury blow with James Maloney’s replacement Fa’amu Brown suffering a broken jaw. They will be down to their third string five-eighth and lacking creativity in attack. The Raiders will be the more desperate side and we are backing them to come away with the win.
TIP: Raiders to win – $2.60 at Ladbrokes
Manly Sea Eagles vs Sydney Roosters (Sunday 2pm AEST)
Sunday afternoon starts with a blockbuster match between the Sydney Roosters and Manly Sea Eagles. The Roosters will enter this match just two competition points behind the Storm for the minor premiership and they are the only side that really has a chance of knocking the Storm off. They held on for victory against the Cowboys last week with Conor Watson playing well at fullback. Latrell Mitchell scored a Greg Inglis like try while Mitchell Pearce and Luke Keary are playing well in the halves.
Meanwhile the Sea Eagles will enter this match on the back of their second straight flogging. The side has conceded 92 points in the last two weeks and disaster bells should be going off in Trent Barrett’s head. However, we are predicting the team to bounce back this week at home and keep their top eight aspirations alive.
TIP: Sea Eagles at the margin (1-12) – $3.40 at Sportsbet
Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers (Sunday 4pm AEST)
The Panthers will be hoping to knock off the Wests Tigers who are sitting in second last position on the ladder. However, the Tigers showed last week they haven’t given up, despite their season being over. The team earned a great win on the road against the Titans on the back of a convincing second half display. The Tigers have struggled to put together back-to-back performances though and the Panthers are rightfully favourites in this one.
The Panthers have won eight of their last 10 matches and are in a position to move into the top eight with a win this weekend. The side started the season as joint premiership favourites and although they haven’t played that way, the side is back in contention. They can’t afford to slip up against the Tigers and we don’t think they will. Nathan Cleary will lead his side to victory against the team coached by his father.
TIP: Panthers at the line (-10.5) – $1.90 at Sportsbet
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