The NRLW action is getting better each week, and fans are the ones benefitting the most after witnessing another exhilarating weekend of rugby league. Just four rounds remain and time is running out for teams to position themselves somewhere inside the Top 4. Last week saw a host of upsets take place - this season is one of the closest and most challenging to decipher.
Before You Bet is here to breakdown each match – to make sense in all the chaos – and add to your viewing enjoyment by finding a winner or two.
Check out our preview and NRLW tips for Round 6 below!
NRLW Round 6 Preview & Betting Tips
Gold Coast Titans vs Cronulla Sharks
Cbus Super Stadium – Saturday 31st August – 11am (AEST)
The Titans produced a stunning 26-6 upset over the Roosters at home. Needing a win after a poor performance in Round 4, the Titans were gritty in the first half, leading 8-nil at HT. They kicked clear in the second half, with strong defence only allowing their opponents to score with 9 minutes remaining. They dominated with 61% possession and a 77% completion rate, making significantly more metres and solidifying their defence. The Sharks also produced an impressive performance, outclassing the Dragons 28-4 on the road. It was one way traffic in the first half, scoring two tries inside 10 minutes; they produced a further 3 in the second half to win comfortably. The win was established with an 83% completion rate with 52% possession, 10.9m per carry, 9 line breaks and just 13 missed tackles.
The odds see the Titans listed as favourites ($1.67 vs $2.20) with the competition leaders needing no more motivation after being offended by this. As good as the Titans were last week, they need consistency in their play. The Sharks have made a habit of this in 2024 and will relish the challenge. There are a few personnel changes for the Titans, meanwhile, the Sharks are unchanged. The Titans are talented, but they will need a complete performance to halt the Sharks. There is little point in investing on H2H markets. The ideal option is to invest around either team winning this match by just over a converted try.
Either Team By 8.5 Points
$1.90 (2 units)
Parramatta Eels vs St George-Illawarra Dragons
CommBank Stadium – Saturday 31st August – 12:45pm (AEST)
The Eels couldn’t match it with the Knights last week, defeated 36-16. The game was all but over at HT, as they trailed 22-4. A brief fightback in the second half gave them confidence but once their opponents found momentum again, they were too hard to stop. They tried hard with an 83% completion rate but were halted by having 48% possession. Running for fewer metres, having fewer line breaks and missing 32 tackles didn’t help their cause either. The Dragons were also defeated last week, outclassed 28-4 at home. They were weak defensively, allowing 10.9m per carry, allowing 9 line breaks and missing 37 tackles. The difference in the quality each team possessed was evident.
The Eels are favourites for this match ($1.42 vs $2.90) with the lacklustre form of the Dragons failing to inspire punters. While a capable team on their day, the Eels have proven themselves across the season thus far. They have never defeated the Dragons in their history (0/3) but now is the time. They score more points (17ppg vs 14ppg) and concede fewer points (16ppg vs 24ppg) with the defensive issue of the visitors becoming a major issue. Expect the Eels to relish an inferior defensive line and look to return to winning form by comfortably covering the line.
Eels -6.5
$1.90 (2 units)
Newcastle Knights vs Wests Tigers
McDonald Jones Stadium – Sunday 1st September – 12pm (AEST)
The Knights easily accounted for the Eels 36-16 on the road last week. Starting strongly, the Knights scored 2 tries in 3 minutes to begin the match. Despite completing at just 70% with 52% possession, they never gave their opponents much of a chance. Averaging 9.9m per carry and having 7 line breaks highlights their power but they will want to improve their 42 missed tackles in order to compete consistently against the top sides. The Tigers were kept winless following a 44-14 drubbing by the Broncos at home. It was a strong first half which saw them lead 14-6 at HT; with an upset appearing likely, the Tigers crumbled to allow 7 second half tries. With just 42% possession and a 69% completion rate, it was always going to be tough. They were hampered further by 62 missed tackles and conceding 9 line breaks.
The only outcome in this game is a victory to the Knights. The Tigers will look to disrupt the momentum of their opponents, but the strength of an inferior team and lack of quality execution will be their downfall. If the Broncos piled 44 points on their opponents, the Knights could easily do the same and limit their opponents’ attacking options, much like they have done when performing well in 2024. The line may not be enough for them in the first half, let alone the match.
Knights -16.5
$1.90 (2 units)
Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys
Totally Workwear Stadium – Sunday 1st September – 1:45pm (AEST)
The Broncos produced an impressive second half display against the Tigers last week to win 44-14. Trailing 14-6 at HT, they came out with a purpose in the second half, producing 7 tries and showcasing their talents. The win was established on the back of 10.4m per carry and 9 line breaks, while controlling possession (58%) and having a superior completion rate (78%). The Cowboys produced a stunning upset over the Raiders at home, jumping to a strong lead and never looking back. Despite completing at just 72%, they managed 10.1m per carry and created 10 line breaks; they took their chances and turned them into points.
The Broncos are hitting form at the right time of the year and are listed as strong favourites ($1.32 vs $3.40) to continue their winning form. The Cowboys have struggled this season to score points and while last week changed that mentality, it must occur again before they will be judged differently. This puts the Broncos in a strong position to not only win but do so by more than 2 converted tries. Averaging 27ppg in attack and 18ppg in defence is just the beginning of the edge they have over their opponents (Cowboys 16ppg in attack & 19ppg in defence).
Broncos 13+
$2.10 (2 units)
Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders
Allianz Stadium – Sunday 1st September – 6:30pm (AEST)
The Roosters suffered an upset loss to the Titans on the road last week, comprehensively defeated 26-6. It was an unusually poor display from the visitors, impacted by having just 39% possession and completing at only 52%. They trailed in every major area and even missed 38 tackles. The Raiders were defeated at home by the Cowboys 28-18, failing to limit their opponents’ attacking opportunities by conceding 10 line breaks and missing 42 tackles. Even if they did complete at 82%, it mattered little as they were let down by their flimsy defence.
The Roosters will be out to bounce back with a commanding performance and that doesn’t bode well for the Raiders. While capable on their day, the Roosters are going to be firing ahead of this contest. They are very short ($1.23 vs $4.20), meaning that you must look elsewhere for value. The Raiders have a superior attacking record (18ppg vs 20ppg) this season, with their issues coming defensively. They concede 23ppg compared to the Roosters 12ppg. A team who has defence average higher than their attack is rarely going to perform well in matches. The Roosters will strangle the Raiders out of the contest and while they will have to work hard in the early stages, they should pull away comfortably towards the end of the match.
Roosters -11.5
$1.90 (1.5 units)
