The 2017 NRL season continues this weekend and after a week of upsets and a lot of injuries we get the microscope out to dissect this week’s match ups. We take a closer look at every game over the weekend in our NRL Round 7 Preview and Betting Tips.
2017 NRL Round 7 Betting Tips
Canterbury Bulldogs vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (Friday 4pm AEDT)
The Bulldogs have won two straight matches and it is no surprise they have both came with Matt Frawley in their side. The halfback only has two NRL matches under his belt but he has had a huge impact in both. His kicking game led to their first victory against the Broncos in terrible conditions while he came onto the field and changed the game against the Knights. He was able to steer the side around the park and it wasn’t long until the Bulldogs found themselves in front on the scoreboard on the back of a solo-try and a try assist to Frawley. He has been named on an extended bench but we believe he will be a late inclusion and he will make a big contribution towards the side.
The Rabbitohs grabbed their third victory of the season against a depleted Panthers outfit. Cody Walker continues to look the most threatening for the side while Sam Burgess’ production has begun to increase. He will need to have a big game against a big Bulldogs forward pack in this one. We can’t see the Rabbitohs causing an upset in this one but we believe it will be a close match.
TIP: Bulldogs to win at the line (-1) – $1.90 at CrownBet
Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters (Friday 6pm AEDT)
The Roosters are coming off two straight defeats and a disappointing one against the Broncos in Brisbane. Their defence didn’t turn up and the Broncos made them pay. Rising star Latrell Mitchell has been the scape-goat and he has been dropped for this match with Joseph Manu taking his place at centre. The rest of the side is unchanged and we are expecting them to bounce back in a strong way against a weaker opponent.
The Newcastle Knights continue to put a lot of effort and enthusiasm into their matches. However, that can only get you so far as they suffered their fifth loss of the season. They were arguably the better side against the Bulldogs last week and if a couple of decisions went their way they would have been victorious. The side needs to continue to turn up and put together an 80-minute performance. Unfortunately for them they will face the Roosters at a bad time and we believe this could turn into a game similar to when the Knights faced the Panthers.
TIP: Roosters to win at the margin (13+) - $2.10 at William Hill
Brisbane Broncos vs Gold Coast Titans (Friday 7.40pm AEDT)
The Broncos put together their best performance of the season as they dismantled the Roosters at Suncorp stadium. They threw the ball around and showed what they are capable of when they chance their arm. It will be interesting to see if they revert back to their defensive focused ways now that Ben Hunt is on the sidelines. Kodi Nikorima has been named as his replacement. The side could be lacking direction but the forward pack should step up with Andrew McCullough to take more of a controlling role at hooker.
Meanwhile the Titans have a huge boost in their hooker position with Nathan Peates named to make his return. It will be his first game for the season and he won’t get through 80 but his defensive work in the middle of the field will help the Titans in a big way. They have conceded the most tries this season of any side. Chris McQueen is also named to make his return while Jarryd Hayne is still a week away. The Broncos will be able to get the job done but we believe it will be closer than predicted.
TIP: Broncos to win at the margin (1-12) – $3.00 at Sportsbet
Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm (Saturday 3pm AEDT)
The Storm suffered their first loss of the season in their grand final rematch with the Sharks. They weren’t able to offer much in attack in the slipper conditions but they could welcome back Cameron Munster this Saturday. He has been named on an extended bench and is racing the cock to be fit. If he does make it back he will either slot in at five-eighth or replace the suspended Will Chambers in the centres.
Meanwhile the Sea Eagles put on a dull performance against the Dragons on their home soil last week. They were the short priced favourites but played the opposite as they were blown off the park. Their tackles weren’t sticking and their passes weren’t finding the mark. It was the Sea Eagles of old as the Daly Cherry-Evans was poor. We are predicting the Sea Eagles to bounce back in this one, but they won’t be able to earn the victory against a Storm side that is coming off a loss.
TIP: Storm to win at the line (-3.5) - $1.90 at Ladbrokes
Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors (Saturday 5.30pm AEDT)
The Warriors and Raiders will head into this match in form but the Green Machine are definitely the more impressive side. They earned a big win against the Titans on the weekend and were great against the Eels the week before. The side is getting back to its attacking best with Jordan Rapana putting on a clinic with Joseph Leiluia creating opportunities for his winger. The Warriors will need to be at their best to stop the two damaging outside backs. Meanwhile their forward pack continues to lay the platform for their backs to work off with Queensland and Australian representative Josh Papalii in career best form.
The Warriors have won both of their games since Keiran Foran made his return and he has been strong in both of them. He fits in perfectly to the Warriors style and adds another dimension. They face their biggest test this weekend though and with their inconsistencies in the past it is hard to back them to earn a victory on the road. We believe they will be competitive, but their defence will be caught out.
TIP: Raiders to win at the margin (1-12) - $3.10 at William Hill
St George Illawarra Dragons vs North Queensland Cowboys (Saturday 7.30pm AEDT)
Who would have thought that heading into round 7 and the Dragons were on the top of the table? No one, that’s who. However, that is the case after the Dragons spent the offseason studying how to attack. The side that scored the second lowest amount of points last year has turned it completely around and now leads the ocmpetition in that area. To add to that, they haven’t lost much in the defensive department and have conceded the second least amount of points. It is a good combination and we are starting to become believers. Gareth Widdop is playing for a contract an has been exceptional while their forward pack, lead by recruit Paul Vaughn, has been damaging.
The Cowboys injury crisis got a whole lot worse on the weekend with Johnathan Thurston limping off with a calf injury. To add to that, the side lost to the then bottom placed Wests Tigers on home soil. Ben Hampton has been named at his replacement while Lachlan Coote remains on the sidelines. In a positive move for the forward pack, Coen Hess has been named to start on the edge, pushing Ethan Lowe to the bench. He has been inspirational for the side. However, the Cowboys record without Thurston has been poor and we are jumping on the Dragons bandwagon.
TIP: Dragons to win at the margin (1-12) - $3.00 at Sportsbet
Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks (Sunday 4pm AEDT)
This could be the match of the round, it is arguably the most intriguing. The Sharks and Panthers have had inconsistent seasons this year and have been hard to tip. They have beaten strong sides while losing against opponents they were favourites against.
Matt Moylan, Waqa Blake and Peta Hiku return from their stint in reserve grade for disciplinary reasons while Tyrone Peachey has made a quick return from a fractured rib. It is a big plus for the side as they lacked attack last week against the Rabbitohs. They have just two wins from their opening six games and they can’t afford to suffer their fifth loss of the season and will be desperate at home.
The Sharks backed up their worst performance of the season against the Knights with their best against the Storm. They defeated them on the road in a grand final rematch and it was on the back of their grit in defence. Wade Graham made life hell for Cooper Cronk and the Sharks were able to eventually take advantage of all of their opportunities. We are expecting another tight battle in this one with the Sharks finding a way to come out on top.
TIP: Sharks to win – $2.25 at CrownBet
Parramatta Eels vs Wests Tigers (Monday 4pm AEDT)
NRL Round 7 should end with an entertaining match up between two bottom end teams. The Eels are on a four game losing streak while the Tigers are hoping to put their season of turmoil behind them and began that with a win against the Cowboys. It was the first match Ivan Cleary was in charge of the side but it wasn’t enough to persuade Mitchell Moses to stay with the side. It will be a strange match for him as he is expected to join the Eels after this match as he has requested a release.
The Tigers chanced their hand against the Cowboys and made their biggest inroads up the middle of the field. On the back of this they made the most of it through their entertaining outside backs. Meanwhile the Eels have been poor for a couple of weeks and are beginning to look like a side that will easily miss out on the eight. We can’t pick them to earn the victory in this one as they don’t offer enough in attack and Bevan French remains on the sidelines.
TIP: Wests Tigers to win at the margin (1-12) - $3.50 at Sportsbet
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