The 2017 NRL season has been great over the opening two weeks but already a lot of sides are suffering from several injuries. We dissect the players on the sidelines and how that will impact there teams in our NRL Round 3 Preview and Betting Tips.
2017 NRL Round 3 Betting Tips
Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos (Thursday 8pm AEDT)
The Broncos were involved in another classic on Friday night with their rivals the Cowboys. Unfortunately for them they suffered another golden point loss. However, they did put together a strong performance and there were a lot of positives to take out of the match. Halfback Ben Hunt played well and set up the opening two tries for his team with his short kicking game. He will need to produce that again this weekend to give the Broncos repeat sets to put pressure on the Storm’s strong defence. Jordan Kahu is racing the clock to be healthy after corking his thigh.
The Storm earned the victory on the road against the Warriors but they will be happier with the news Billy Slater will return to action after two long years of shoulder rehab. The return will move Cameron Munster into five-eighth and whether he can adjust to the playmaking role remains to be seen. However, the way the game is played now is focused on ball running five-eighths as opposed to ball playing ones so he should make the switch fine. He could be picked out in the defensive line but he has shown when he played centre this will be no issue. The Storm are without Jesse Bromwich in the middle of the field but they have enough going forward to set the platform for Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk. The home field advantage will add to the Storm getting the victory.
TIP: Storm to win at the margin (1-12) – $2.90 with William Hill
Canterbury Bulldogs vs New Zealand Warriors (Friday 6pm AEDT)
This is a hard match to predict with the Bulldogs suffering two losses to start the season and the pressure mounting on the side. They will be without their fullback Will Hopoate this weekend while Kerrod Holland is also in doubt. They haven’t created many opportunities in attack and while Brett Morris is a great replacement at the back he doesn’t add too much different to what Hopoate brings.
Meanwhile the Warriors were strong in difficult conditions against the Storm last week. They were forced to play a different styled game to what they are used too. They lost Roger Tuivasa-Sheck early on due to concussion but he should return to the line up this weekend. Shaun Johnson has had a strong start to the season but has drifted in and out of both games. We are predicting him to have a strong game in this one and outperform his opposition halfback Moses Mbye and lead his side to victory. Keiran Foran will likely make his return to action in Round 4.
TIP: Warriors to win at the line (-5.5) - $1.90 with CrownBet
Gold Coast Titans vs Parramatta Eels (Friday 8.05pm AEDT)
These two sides have had very different starts to the season. The Eels are flying high on the top of the table while the Titans are stranded near the bottom without a win in their opening two games.
Parramatta Supporters had circled this game as the match they would see Jarryd Hayne play his old club. However, the star will be on the sidelines for the next month with an ankle injury. That is just one of a long list of injuries the Titans have suffered. They are already without former Eel Nathan Peates too, which is a massive loss in itself.
The Eels have shown great attack in their opening two games and it is largely on the back of Corey Norman. He has earned five out of a possible six Dally M points in the opening two games and we are expecting another big game from him. The Titans have leaked over 30-point in their first two games and it will happen again this weekend with the Eels earning a big victory.
TIP: Eels to win at the margin (13+) – $2.80 with Sportsbet
Newcastle Knights vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (Saturday 4.30pm AEDT)
The drought is over, 336 days since their last victory as the Knights defeated the Titans on the weekend – and we predicted it. The Novacastrians will be looking to go back-to-back this weekend and we believe they have a great chance of doing so. The Knights are a young side that is full of energy and entusiasm and they are putting their bodies on the line. While leaking over 20 points in both their matches doesn’t look great, their defence has improved drastically. They were unfortunate with a couple of the Titans tries against them on the weekend.
The Rabbitohs were able to bounce back with a victory despite a slow start. However, it was against a depleted Sea Eagles side. They were boosted by Adam Reynolds return and he had a huge impact on the match. He was able to steer the side around and earn repeat sets while his halves partner Cody Walker was great in attack. The Knights will need to shut down his running game. The loss of Greg Inglis for the season will hurt the side but Alex Johnston was strong at the back. The Rabbitohs have a strong forward pack and it will be good experience for the Knights to face them, unfortunately for the home side they will suffer a loss this weekend by a narrow margin.
TIP: Rabbitohs to win at the margin (1-12) - $2.90 with William Hill
Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters (Saturday 7pm AEDT)
The Panthers bounced back from their humiliating defeat at the hands of the Dragons and made a statement of their own. Their defence that had been breached so easily the week before allowed just two points against an attacking Tigers outift. However, it was their attack that impressed the most with Matt Moylan getting his hands on everything. Their outside backs are dangerous and their forwards laid a great platform. The side lost Bryce Cartwright early and he could miss this weekend but his injury isn’t as bad as first feared.
Meanwhile the Roosters are undefeated but were challenged against the Bulldogs on Thursday night. They managed to hold on for a four point victory but it wasn’t as impressive as some people may think. They have slipped in and out of games and have leaked a lot of points in bunched. The Roosters will be without Blake Fergurson for the next three weeks and we believe the Panthers will bring the Roosters back down to earth.
TIP: Panthers to win - $1.90 with Sportsbet
North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles (Saturday 9pm AEDT)
The Sea Eagles will be breathing a sigh of relief when they look at the Cowboys team list this weekend. The Cowboys have suffered a number of bloes with Lachlan Coote, Antonio Winterstein and Matt Scott all being hit with an injury – the worst of which is an ACL tear by co-captain Scott. The forward pack will take a dent that is already at a loss after the retirements of Ben Hunt and James Tamau departing. However, it shouldn’t matter too much this weekend as they face a Sea Eagles forward pack with next to no punch at all.
The Cowboys have great replacements in the outside backs with Kalyn Ponga, Javid Bowen and Gideon Mosby waiting for an opportunity. Coen Hess has proved to be a great forward and he knows his way to the try line, he will pick up more minutes with Scott on the sidelines and we believe the Cowboys will still earn a victory with Johnathan Thurston and Michael Morgan steering them around the park. However, there isn’t much value in this match. There is also the possibility Jason Tuamalolo will miss up to three games due to suspension.
TIP: No Tip.
Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers (Sunday 4pm AEDT)
The Raiders and Tigers will both enter this match on the back of humiliating losses. However, the situation is worse for the Green Machine who are winless to start 2017. The side was caught out in defence on a number of occassions and especially between Blake Austin and Joseph Leiluia. Wade Graham scored a hattrick running between the two and we expect the Tigers to target that area.
However, Canberra will enter the match with confidence after they smashed the Tigers in both meetings last season. Captain Jarrod Croker could make an earlier than expected return too. The Tigers have a lot of controversy surrounding the club with the Tim Simona saga. It is clearly taking its toll on the side and we believe this could be a long afternoon for the Tigers.
TIP: Raiders to win at the margin (13+) - $2.70 with Sportsbet
Cronulla Sharks vs St George Illawarra Dragons (Sunday 6.30pm AEDT)
The Dragons shocked everyone in their opening match of the round but business returned to as usual for them last week. They dropped the ball continuously and their errors turned into points for the Eels. The Dragons attack didn’t leave much to be desired either as the side scored off a couple of lucky opportunities while their defence was cracked easily.
Meanwhile the Sharks bounced back to their best last week and shocked everyone by dominating the Raiders in Canberra. Their forward pack made a massive statement as it ran over the Green Machine. The bench provided a lot of impact and Jayden Brailey is proving to be a solid first grader. It was only his second career match but he is putting in a lot of effort and tackling hard. James Maloney hasn’t taken a backwards step and is at his playmaking best while Chad Townsend had a great game too. The Sharks will be looking to continue their form and we believe they will cruise to victory against their rivals.
TIP: Sharks to win at the margin (13+) – $2.40 with William Hill
