Just when you thought the 2024 NRLW season couldn’t become any more dramatic, Round 7 delivered five games which left fans scratching their heads. Once they came to terms with the exciting action, most were left asking ‘how did that happen?’. The job of picking an NRLW winner is getting harder by the week and with just two weeks remaining in the regular season, teams are becoming desperate as they jostle for a position in the Top 4. Before You Bet is here to assist by looking at each NRLW match ahead this weekend, with the hope of finding you a winner or two.
Check out our preview and NRLW tips for Round 8 below!
NRLW Round 8 Preview & Betting Tips
Wests Tigers vs St George-Illawarra Dragons
Leichhardt Oval – Thursday 12th September – 7:45pm (AEST)
The Tigers are still winless in 2024 but almost pulled off a stunning upset of the Cowboys in Townsville. Scoring 5 tries to 4, they were let down by their inability to covert their tries. It was also one of their better performances this season as they dominated possession (57%), had a superior completion rate (72%) and averaged 9.1m per carry. The Dragons disappointed in their 38-34 loss to the Raiders at home, conceding points in bunches to give their opponents hope. The fact that they missed 34 tackles and conceded 8 line breaks highlights their shortcomings.
The Tigers are rightly outsiders for this match ($2.60 vs $1.50) but are getting closer to a victory. Unfortunately, their squad has been weakened with McGlone, Clifford and Thorne all out. On the other side, the Dragons are boosted by the return of Tyla King, who will start at 5/8. Despite having the 3rd worst defence in the competition (Tigers are the worst), they average 10 points more per game than their opponents (11ppg vs 21ppg). That, combined with the strength of both sides, suggests that the Tigers will have to wait another week to capture their first win of the season.
Dragons -6.5
$1.90 (1.5 units)
Brisbane Broncos vs Cronulla Sharks
Cbus Super Stadium – Saturday 14th September – 12pm (AEST)
The Broncos were at their dynamic best last week against the Knights, traveling to Newcastle and leaving with the two competition points. The 5-try second half saw them overcome a 12-4 HT deficit, scoring 4 tries in 14 minutes. The win was established by controlling possession (54%) and a superior completion rate (78%), while also averaging 10.4m per carry. The Sharks suffered their first loss of the season in embarrassing fashion against the Roosters, defeated 40-nil. They were powerless to stop their opponents 8 tries and offered little in attack. It was always going to be challenging for them with just 39% possession and a 67% completion rate. They uncharacteristically missed 46 tackles and allowed 12 line breaks.
The Sharks will want to move on quickly from last week. Still sitting at the top of the competition ladder, they are still listed as outsiders ($1.54 vs $2.48). There is minimal impact of team changes too, so punters believe that the Broncos have an edge. The fact that the Sharks rely heavily on their defence, and it was penetrated with ease last week, means that doubt lingers. The Broncos are not inept defensively, but they do concede more points (18ppg vs 12ppg). The difference for them comes in attack, where the Sharks can struggle (29ppg vs 17ppg); they will be relying on their defensive pressure to cause their opponents mistakes. Write off the Sharks at your own peril; the form of the Broncos was good last week against a quality team on the road. All signs point towards a tight contest and punters should invest on this accordingly.
Either Team by 8.5 Points or Less
$2.15 (1.5 units)
Gold Coast Titans vs Newcastle Knights
Cbus Super Stadium – Saturday 14th September – 1:45pm (AEST)
The Titans Top 4 hopes are slowly slipping away and their 24-14 defeat to the Eels last week only further hurt their chances. Expected to perform better than they did, it was a disappointing display from a team which had 59% possession and completed at 82%. They were further hurt by missing 34 tackles and conceding 8 line breaks. The Knights were also defeated last week, upset 32-24 at home by the Broncos in an exciting contest. They too were their own worst enemy, with 46% possession they completed at 76% and missed 40 tackles. They are a better team than that effort suggests and will be out to make amends.
This spells trouble for the Titans. They need to win but the Knights are a far superior team, and team changes are further impacting them in a negative manner. The Titans are void of confidence; they are a remarkably different team to the one which made the Grand Final last season. The Knights will want to make amends for their loss last week. It is also getting close for them in 4th spot and a win is needed. Expect to see them at their best in this fixture. The season averages in both attack (Titans 15ppg vs Knights 22ppg) and defence (Titans 18ppg vs Knights 16ppg) means that the visitors should also cover the line.
Knights -2.5
$1.90 (2.5 units)
Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys
Industree Group Stadium – Sunday 15th September – 12pm (AEST)
The Roosters made a statement to the rest of the competition last week with their 40-nil defeat of the previously undefeated Sharks, on the road. The 8-try onslaught started early, with the Roosters dominant in all areas. With 61% possession, they averaged 9.1m per carry, had 12 line breaks and 660 PCM’s. They are appearing to find form at the right time. The Cowboys narrowly avoided an embarrassing loss to the Tigers at home, scraping home 24-22. Doing their best to lose the contest with 43% possession and a 56% completion rate, the performance of the Cowboys didn’t match a team which outside the Top 8 based on points difference.
Still having a chance to make the Top 4, a more complete performance from the Cowboys is expected. Unfortunately, they are coming up against a team which is playing with confidence and has a stronger roster at their disposal. This is why the home side is overwhelming favourites ($1.27 vs $3.80). The defensive record of the Roosters (11ppg vs Cowboys 22ppg) should also mean that they not only defeat their opponents, but cover the line on offer, even if they are without their regular halfback this weekend.
Roosters -11.5
$1.90 (1.5 units)
Canberra Raiders vs Parramatta Eels
GIO Stadium – Sunday 15th September – 1:45pm (AEST)
The Raiders produced an upset 38-34 victory over the Dragons on the road in a high scoring contest. Seemingly in the control for majority of the match, the Raiders scored 4 tries in 12 minutes to seal their fate. They are unlikely to play Finals though and need winning performances to salvage some pride. The Eels will be full of confidence following their 24-14 win over the Titans at home. It was a win which has kept their Finals hopes alive; they sit in 5th spot separated by a -12 points difference. The fact that they still won that game with just 41% possession (85% completion rate) and missing 40 tackles demonstrates the toughness of this squad.
The players returning for the Raiders has seen them shorten into favourites ($1.74 vs $2.10); Wiki, Dodd and Taufua will all strengthen the Raiders. With more to play for though, the Eels are still a chance. Their performance against a stronger team in the Titans should serve them well for this match. Despite averaging fewer points in attack (23ppg vs 17ppg), they will rely on their defence (26ppg vs 19ppg) to get them the win in this contest. It makes the line enticing but with the Raiders strength improving, more value lines in the margin, albeit, with a lower stake in this contest.
