Sunday NRL once again highlights several teams that are out of finals contention, whilst one team needs a lot to go their way to have a chance of pressing into the top 8. In Game 1, the Dragons host the Titans at WIN Stadium, in a match-up of two teams who are planning their Mad Monday as we speak. However, both sides played relatively well last week, so an entertaining game could be on the cards.
Then in the last game of the round, the Raiders will be hoping to keep their slim finals hopes alive, as they head to Newcastle to take on the Knights. The Knights have had a rough week off the field, much like the Raiders did last week, and it will be fascinating to see how the players react on the field.
Let’s try and cap off the week with some winners with our NRL betting tips.
NRL Round 23 Sunday Betting Tips
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Gold Coast Titans
WIN Stadium, Sunday 21st August, 2:00pm (AEST)
Squads
St George Illawarra Dragons
1. Cody Ramsey 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Mbye 4. Zac Lomax 5. Tautau Moga 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Jack de Belin 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Josh Mcguire 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird. INTERCHANGE: 14. Tyrell Fuimaono 15. Aaron Woods 16. Michael Molo 17. Billy Burns. RESERVES: 18. Jaiyden Hunt 19. Jayden Sullivan 20. Francis Molo 21. Tyrell Sloan 22. Jackson Ford
Gold Coast Titans
1. Jayden Campbell 2. Sosefo Fifita 3. Phillip Sami 4. Brian Kelly 5. Patrick Herbert 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Erin Clark 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Isaac Liu. INTERCHANGE: 14. Greg Marzhew 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Sam McIntyre. RESERVES: 18. Corey Thompson 19. Jarrod Wallace 20. Toby Sexton 21. Paul Turner 22. Klese Haas
Match Preview
We’ve reached the stage of the season where some teams are playing for pride only. This matchup has two teams in this category. With the Titans sitting in 15th and the Dragons 11th, both sides are looking towards the off season and 2023 in more detail than their matchup this week.
These sides played in Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium in round 10, and it was the Titans who led 10-6 at half time. The Dragons scored two tries during the second half to take a 16-10 lead, which they held until the last 5 minutes, when Jarrod Wallace crossed and Jamayne Isaako tied it up to send the game to Golden Point. Isaako scored in the corner with one minute left in extra time to hand the Titans a dramatic win.
Despite this result, I like the Dragons this week. They have been impressive at home this season, managing to grind out close wins over the Knights, Roosters, Tigers, Warriors, Sea Eagles and Raiders, whilst smashing the Rabbitohs at home. They manage to get the job done, and whilst I believe they will more than likely cover the -4.5 line, I’ll take the better value in the Dragons ML. They only lose to good teams at home, and the Titans aren’t a good team. Look for points galore in this one too, check out some alt. totals for decent value.
Props: Dragons 1-12 (Margin) - $3.50 @ Bet365
Over 58.5 (Alt. Total) - $3.30 @ Palmerbet
Dragons H2H
$1.60 (3.5 Units)
Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders
McDonald Jones Stadium, Sunday 21st August, 4:05pm (AEST)
Squads
Newcastle Knights
1. Tex Hoy 2. Edrick Lee 3. Dane Gagai 4. Krystian Mapapalangi 5. Dominic Young 6. Anthony Milford 7. Adam Clune 8. David Klemmer 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Brodie Jones 13. Jacob Saifiti. INTERCHANGE: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Pasami Saulo 16. Simi Sasagi 17. Mathew Croker. RESERVES: 18. Sauaso Sue 19. Chris Randall 20. Jack Johns 21. Oryn Keeley 22. Hymel Hunt
Canberra Raiders
1. Xavier Savage 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Adam Elliott. INTERCHANGE: 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Corey Harawira-Naera. RESERVES: 18. Albert Hopoate 19. Ata Mariota 20. Matt Frawley 21. Ryan Sutton 22. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Match Preview
These two sides played 2 months ago in Canberra, with the Raiders sneaking home 20-18 after a late Hudson Young try. The Raiders were the typical Raiders, leading 14-0 after 25 minutes, before conceding 18-straight points before the late Young try. Some interesting facts about the game, the Raiders were without Jack Wighton, whilst the Knights had Kalyn Ponga, Enari Tuala, Mitch Barnett and Kurt Mann all available.
The Raiders are the better team, in better form, and have far more to play for. A loss here all but ends their season, particularly if the Roosters take care of business against the Tigers on Saturday night, although the Broncos’ massive loss last night leaves some wiggle room.
The spread is close to what I would make it, so we will concentrate on the total for our best bet here. Totals have been crazy high, particularly at the end of the year, however this total has been set quite low compared to the rest of the games this weekend. I have to say I agree. The Knights have been involved in several low scoring matches recently, and their attack seems to be struggling to make anything happen.
Whilst I do like the total under, my best bet will have to be the Knights team total under. With the Raiders desperate and the Knights looking all at sea, I trust the Raiders defence to shut the Knights down and keep them to 3 tries or less.
Props: Under 44.5 - $1.91 @ Bet365
Raiders 13+ - $2.05 @ NEDS
Knights Under 16 Points
$1.88 (2.5 Units)
