Super Saturday delivers another great afternoon/evening of action and this NRL Betting Preview will help guide you through your punting. The first match kicks off in Canberra with the rejuvenated Raiders, hoping to keep their charge towards a spot in the Finals alive, hosting the struggling Warriors.
The next fixture is a top of the table clash with the 1st placed Panthers hosting the 3rd placed Sharks. With the Panthers dominating the competition, it will be another good measure of how capable the Sharks are. Finally, the Rabbitohs will be out to maintain their winning streak against a Storm team on an unusual losing run. Get set, each game could produce anything!
NRL Round 19 Saturday Betting Tips
Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors
GIO Stadium, Saturday 23rd July, 3pm (AEST)
Squads
Canberra Raiders
1. Xavier Savage 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Huson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Adam Elliott Interchange: 14. Tom Starling 15. Ryan Sutton 16. Emre Guler 17. Corey Harawira-Naera 18. Adrian Trevilyan
New Zealand Warriors
1. Chanel Harris-Tavita 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Tohu Harris 11. Euan Aitken 12. Josh Curran 13. Jazz Tevaga Interchange: 14. Reece Walsh 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Aaron Pene 17. Jack Murchie 18. Eliesa Katoa
Match Preview
The Raiders took full advantage of a positive record against the Storm (and a woeful injury toll) to record an upset 20-16 victory. It was a grinding effort that they can be proud of and one which will hopefully keep them in touch with the Top 8. The Warriors were defeated 28-18 by the Eels but it was a spirited display. So much so that they were able to score late points; although, that probably flattered them on the scoreboard.
Even with their improved effort, it has done little to change the mind of punters with the Raiders listed as favourites ($1.26 vs $3.90). It is difficult to see anything other than a Raiders victory given the circumstances they find themselves in. The Warriors are trying new combinations across the field with the aim of ‘blooding’ some youngsters, while the Raiders key players appear to be gaining confidence with each victory.
Tread carefully; the Warriors have won two of the past 3 against the Raiders and 3 of the past 4 against the Raiders at this ground. This game should be tight early but ultimately, the strength of the Raiders forwards should set a strong platform for their halves to create and dominate.
Prop Bets:
Wighton & Savage to score ($4.75)
Total Over 41.5 ($1.85)
Raiders 1-12
$2.80 (1.5 Units)
Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks
BlueBet Stadium, Saturday 23rd July, 5:30pm (AEST)
Squads
Penrith Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo Interchange: 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Matthew Eisenhuth 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Charlie Staines
Cronulla Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Connor Tracey 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicholas Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Dale Finucane Interchange: 14. Teig Wilton 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Braydon Trindall
Match Preview
The Panthers performance last week reads as underwhelming; they defeated the Tigers 18-16 with a 74th minute try stealing victory. It was anything but that though with all their Origin stars rested. Those players return here, and it is timely against the 3rd placed Sharks. They carry winning momentum into this game following a pleasing 26-12 victory against the Cowboys on the road.
They controlled most areas of the game for 80 minutes and gave little away to their opponents who were also missing their Origin players. The Sharks will fancy their chances but are being given little hope ($1.20 vs $4.50) of handing the competition leaders their second loss of the season. Those odds reflect the quality of each team. You cannot overlook winning performances and they’ve won their past 5 but the jury is still out on the Sharks. Their wins over the Titans (18-10) and Bulldogs (18-6) were underwhelming and the Panthers capitalise on their opponents’ weaknesses.
To think that the Sharks would come into this game with the same mindset as those two fixtures would be foolish. They’re capable of being competitive here and will get closer than the odds suggest. The Panthers are a well-oiled machine and there is every chance they will be out to make a statement against another contender. They’ve only been pushed a handful of times this season and there is enough (in their game against the Roosters) to suggest that the Sharks can get close. The line appears ideal in this situation, especially with the Panthers still expected to win. This promises to be a thrilling contest.
Alternate Bets:
Sharks +13.5/Under 40.5 ($2.80)
Sharks +12.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Melbourne Storm
Accor Stadium, Saturday 23rd July, 7:35pm (AEST)
Squads
South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jed Cartwright 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Keaon Kolomatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray Interchange: 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Davvy Moale 16. Siliva Havili 17. Thomas Burgess 18. Daniel Suluka-Fifita
Melbourne Storm
1. Nick Meaney 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Mario Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Tyran Wishart 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Josh King Interchange: 14. Grant Anderson 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Alec MacDonald 17. Jordan Grant 18. Chris Lewis
Match Preview
The Rabbitohs did what was needed against the Bulldogs last week in their 36-28 victory. The performance was on the back of some impressive play from fullback Latrell Mitchell. It is no surprise that the improvement in form for the Rabbitohs has coincided with his return. He has also taken pressure of key players within their team. They will need all to step up here against a desperate Storm outfit who suffered their 3rd consecutive loss last week for the first time since 2015.
The Raiders delivered an upset 20-16 performance which raised further questions about this team’s potential in 2022. As much as the Storm pride themselves on performing regardless of the circumstances, their current injury toll means that they are facing one of their toughest challenges to date. The Storm head into this game as favourites but only just ($1.80 vs $2) and a large factor could be that the Storm have won the past 7 matches against the Rabbitohs; stretching it further, they’ve won their past 13 out of 14 with the Rabbitohs successful just once since Round 10, 2014. There appears to be change upon the horizon though.
The Storm will be gallant and need a strong performance from their superstar halves pairing, well supported by their hooker. These two sides met back in Round 2, and it was a narrow 15-14 victory for the Storm on that occasion. Confidence in this game is low; it is a better opportunity to see what each team offers. For that reason, invest around a tight, low scoring contest.
Alternate Bets:
Rabbitohs 1-12/Under 41.5 ($5.00)
Munster & Mitchell Anytime Tries ($7.50)
Either Team by under 8.5
$1.95 (2.5 Units)
