We kick things off on Sunday with an intriguing clash between the Bulldogs and Cowboys in Bundaberg. Both teams have won two straight, however the stakes are vastly different for these two sides. The Cowboys will be watching the clash between the Raiders and Panthers on Saturday very closely to see if they can get 2 points closer to that Minor Premiership.
In game two, the suddenly hot Tigers host the crashing Knights at Campbelltown Stadium. Will the loss of Jackson Hastings slow the Tigers’ momentum, or will the Knights implode with the loss of David Klemmer?
Read on to see where we can find some value in these two clashes.
NRL Round 21 Sunday Betting Tips
Canterbury Bulldogs vs North Queensland Cowboys
Salter Oval, Sunday 7th August, 2:00pm (AEST)
Squads
Canterbury Bulldogs
1. Jake Averillo 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Braidon Burns 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Josh Jackson 12. Jackson Topine 13. Tevita Pangai Junior. INTERCHANGE: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Joe Stimson 16. Harrison Edwards 17. Chris Patolo. RESERVES: 19. Declan Casey 20. Kurtis Morrin 21. Bailey Biondi-Odo 22. Jeral Skelton 23. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
North Queensland Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo. INTERCHANGE: 14. Jake Granville 15. Reuben Cotter 16. Luciano Leilua 17. Griffin Neame. RESERVES: 18. Connelly Lemuelu 19. Brendan Elliot 20. Riley Price 21. Tomas Chester 22. Ben Hampton
Match Preview
These two sides met back in round 1, and quite a lot has changed since then. The Cowboys have won 14 matches, whilst only losing 4 more, to sit handily in 2nd place, two points clear of the chasing pack behind. And with the 5-week suspension of Nathan Cleary, there is suddenly a path to the Minor Premiership for the Cowboys.
The Bulldogs have gone through their own transition, looking like wooden spoon certainties until the sacking of Trent Barrett as Head Coach. Since then, the Bulldogs have looked like a different team, and are fun to tune into every weekend.
The Bulldogs have named the same 17 as last week, however, will be hoping Raymond Faitala-Mariner can make an early return from injury. For the Cowboys, Kyle Feldt is out, replace by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, with Jake Granville added to the bench.
After their performance last week, I love the look of the Cowboys in this clash. The Bulldogs have looked far better, particularly in attack; however, their recent draw has been relatively simple, and the step up in class here may be a bridge too far.
Cowboys to win, however I don’t see a blowout, as both teams are more than capable of scoring points.
Prop: Cowboys 13+ (margin) - $2.10 at Bet365
Cowboys ML & over 44.5
$2.40 (2 Units)
Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights
Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sunday 7th August, 4:05pm (AEST)
Squads
Wests Tigers
1. Daine Laurie 2. Brent Naden 3. Starford To’a 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Jock Madden 8. James Tamou 9. Fa’amanu Brown 10. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Fonua Pole. INTERCHANGE: 14. Zane Musgrove 15. Austin Dias 16. Thomas Freebairn 17. Tyrone Peachey. RESERVES: 18. Junior Tupou 19. Jake Simpkin 20. Brandon Tumeth 21. James Roberts 22. Justin Matamua
Newcastle Knights
1. Tex Hoy 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Anthony Milford 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Brodie Jones 13. Mitchell Barnett. INTERCHANGE: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Mathew Croker. RESERVES: 18. Jack Johns 19. Jirah Momoisea 20. Adam Clune 21. Kurt Mann 22. Hymel Hunt
Match Preview
Short and sweet. The Knights, along with the Titans, have been the worst two teams in the competition over the past month, and their season appears to be going south quite quickly. Compare that with the Tigers, who have put two quality performances together in a row against quality opposition, and you have a fantastic opportunity for the Tigers to win their second straight.
The mid-week story of David Klemmer being stood down, added to the constant speculation on Head Coach Adam O’Brien, gives one the sense that there is something terribly wrong at the Knights. There is talk the playing group are far from impressed with the handling of the Klemmer situation, and with his performances this season being close to career best form, the big man will be a massive loss.
Hastings will be a big loss for the Tigers, however with Adam Doueihi pulling the strings and Jock Madden proving support, the Tigers should be far too good on a Sunday afternoon in front of a vocal crowd at Campbelltown.
Going with slightly larger odds and a smaller play, but I see a big Tigers win on Sunday afternoon.
Props: Adam Doueihi (anytime try scorer) - $3.60 at Bet365
Wests Tigers (TT over 23.5) - $1.82 at Neds
Wests Tigers 13+ (margin)
$2.80 (1.5 Units)
