Round 3 in the NRL comes to an end with the Sea Eagles back home at Fortress Brookvale, taking on the surprising 2-0 Canberra Raiders. The Sea Eagles will unfortunately be without Tom Trbojevic (hamstring) and will need to be at their absolute best on Sunday evening to get past the fast-starting Raiders. Ricky and the Raiders will be looking to win their third straight to kick off the season, maintaining their place inside the top 4. Below we preview the game, and give you our best bet and Same Game Multi.
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Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders
Location: 4 Pines Park – Brookvale
Date: Sunday, 23rd March
Time: 6:15pm AEDT
Odds: Sea Eagles ($1.78) vs Raiders ($2.05)
Line: Sea Eagles -2.5
Points: 49.5
Odds and lines provided with thanks to Ladbrokes. Note that odds and lines can fluctuate throughout the week and are correct at the time of writing.
Match Preview
The Sea Eagles have been abysmal without Trbojevic since he burst onto the scene in 2015, and they haven’t managed to find a way to fix it. In fact, in their past 26 games without their superstar fullback, the Sea Eagles have only managed 7 wins. It won’t be easy for them this week, taking on a Raiders side that has surprised many in their 2-0 start to the season.
The Raiders have managed to score 30+ points in wins over the Warriors and Broncos and appear to be one of the most exciting young teams in the NRL. With halfback Jamal Fogarty back from a long injury last season pulling the strings, the Raiders have the right mix of talent and experience to be a real contender this season.
These teams met twice last year, with the away team winning on both occasions. In round 9, the Raiders headed to 4 Pines Park as massive 13.5-point road underdogs and were down 24-6 with 27 minutes remaining. The Raiders stormed home, scoring four unanswered tries to get the win, 26-24. The teams met again in round 23 at GIO Stadium, with the Sea Eagles going off as 3.5-point road favourites. This time they didn’t allow the Raiders back into the contest, dominating the middle 40 minutes of the game to win 46-24.
This week, the Sea Eagles were listed as 10.5-point favourites on the lookahead, before re-opening as 4.5-point favourites with the terrific performance from the Raiders last week, and the uncertainty surrounding Trbojevic. Once Turbo was officially ruled out, the Raiders were bet down to just 2.5-point dogs, where the number is at the time of writing. With a fully fit Turbo, I’d make the Sea Eagles a 5.5-point favourite in this one. I believe Trbojevic is worth more than 3 points, and as such see good value in the Raiders to get the win at Brookvale on Sunday night.
Total wise, the number went from 49.5 on the lookahead, and it has not moved despite the loss of Trbojevic. You can look at this both ways, in that the Sea Eagles attack will be compromised, but so too will their defence. I make a fair 46.5, but with the way the Raiders have played in attack this season so far, there’s no way I’d bet the over.
Raiders to Win
$2.15 (1.5 Units)
Same Game Multi
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To follow our multi, just click on the BoomBet BetShare button below and our same game multi selections will be added straight into your bet slip on BoomBet. You can then enter how much you wish to wager, and with a single click, your bet has been placed!
Leg 1: Raiders (+1.5) – As above, I like the Raiders to win, but this gives us the security of a DCE field goal to win it for the Sea Eagles late or in Golden Point.
Leg 2: Jason Saab (1+ try) – I don’t like Saab as much with Turbo out, but he has been on fire to start the season. Two tries and a massive NINE line-breaks over the opening two rounds is testament to his form.
Leg 3: Hudson Young (1+ try) – Young is a try scorer in the backrow, and thus far has failed to cross the stripe this season. It’s time for the rampaging backrower, back him in here.
SGM Odds: $7.50 at BoomBet
