This weekend sees the NRL celebrate indigenous round and it is a great time for Rugby League to show its support for the indigenous community and Adam Goodes over in the AFL. There are lots of interesting games this weekend too, so continue reading for our NRL Round 22 betting tips.
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Brisbane Broncos vs Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs (Friday 7.35pm AEST)
This could be one of the more important matches of the round as the grand finalists from last season the Bulldogs have dropped out of the eight and another loss could see their finals hopes dashed. The Broncos, meanwhile, were given a wake up call last weekend when they were smashed by the Sea Eagles in Gosford. They return home this weekend to their fortress, but they will be without another big man in Adam Blaire. The forward pack is already missing Queensland Origin player Josh McGuire who suffered an ACL injury a month ago after having his break out season. The Bulldogs forward pack will need to muscle up and take a stand this weekend. It is boosted with the return of Aiden Tolman and on the back of this their attack will need to find a spark that it has been lacking for the majority of the season.
TIP: Bulldogs +6.5 @ $1.91 with Sportsbet
Manly Sea Eagles vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (Friday 7.35pm AEST)
This is one of the harder matches to pick this round and the bookies agree with both sides having even odds in the head-to-head market. The Sea Eagles are beginning to revive their season and are now only two competition points outside the eight. A win against the Rabbitohs could see them move into the top 8 for the first time this season. However, it will be a big ask for them as the Rabbitohs are beginning to find their form from the start of the season but they don’t see as invincible as they were last season as their forward pack lacks the punches it would get from departed players Sam Burgess and Ben Te’o. This should be a close one but we will go with the home side as they have more to play for.
TIP: Sea Eagles 1-12 @ $3.10 with Crownbet
New Zealand Warriors vs St George Illawarra (Saturday 3pm AEST)
The Warriors were able to put up a solid fight last weekend against the Sharks in their first match without Shaun Johnson. They fell just short as Valentine Holmes proved the difference with a couple of individual tries. Tuimoala Lolohea will feel more confident after having a match under his belt. The Dragons were able to defeat the struggling Knights last week which snapped a seven game losing streak but they were not very convincing with their performance. The travel to New Zealand is always daunting and the Warriors still have the ability to challenge sides without their star halfback.
TIP: Warriors @ $2.04 with Palmerbet
Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys (Saturday 5.30pm AEST)
After an awful start to the season, the Sharks have begun to find their way as they now sit in 5th position by themselves on the ladder. They can push for a top four spot with a win this weekend but it will be challenging against the Cowboys that will be competing for its first minor premiership in club history. The slow starts the Cowboys have had to games should be a bit of a worry but so far this season they have been able to overcome these issues since their incredible run started in the fourth round. They have been able to fight back from any score line, which shows a lot about their character as a team. Their away record this season has also been quite incredible given the travelling the side has to do for the majority of its games. The Sharks always seem to be involved in close games and that is why we will take the Cowboys in a close one.
TIP: Cowboys 1-12 @ $3.00 with Sportsbet
Parramatta Eels vs Penrith Panthers (Saturday 7.30pm AEST)
The Eels were dreadful on Monday night and they will continue to struggle in attack without Chris Sandow. However, they will have Corey Norman back this weekend, which will be a huge boost for them. Whilst the Panthers injury list has now grown to 10 players, which is almost a complete starting side. The Eels always seem to perform better at their home stadium and we will take them for an upset as the Panthers woes will continue.
TIP: Eels @ $2.35 with William Hill
Melbourne Storm vs Gold Coast Titans (Sunday 2pm AEST)
The Storm were disappointing in their away loss to the Tigers last week. After getting out to an early 12 point lead against the side on the bottom of the ladder, it looked as if the Storm would cruise to victory. That wasn’t to be though as their defence was caught out on multiple occasions and the side clearly has a lot of issues out wide, despite having a solid defender in William Chambers in the centre position. James Roberts will be up against him this weekend and Chambers will have to be at his best to shut down the speedster. If the Titans are going to complete an upset they will need to take advantage of the match up but the experience of Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith as well as the spray the side would have received from Coach Craig Bellamy should be enough for them to get the narrow victory.
TIP: Titans + 14.5 @ $1.92 with Ladbrokes
Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters (Sunday 4pm AEST)
This should be a no contest as the Knights season continues to get worse and worse by each passing week. After putting up a fight against the Dragons last week, they come up against one of the in form sides of the competition. If the Roosters are to put on a similar opening 20 minutes that they did against the Bulldogs on last Friday night, they could reach the 50-point mark.
TIP: Roosters 13+ @ $1.57 with Crownbet
Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers (Monday 7pm AEST)
The Raiders will be disappointed to be travelling home with no points after the performance they had against the Cowboys last week. They ran them off the park in the opening 20 minutes but were unable to keep up the tempo as again their defence let them down. Meanwhile the Tigers put on their best performance of the season as James Tedesco put on a clinic as well of the rest of their attack gelling perfectly. If they can back up that this weekend they should take advantage of the woeful defence of the Raiders and this could become a try fest.
TIP: Tigers +7 @ $1.92 with Palmerbet
