With only two rounds remaining following today’s games, things are heating up as many teams fight for their chance to play finals footy. Today we’ve got two matches to get stuck into with the Dragons taking on the Roosters while the Broncos will host the resurgent Warriors. There is plenty to play for throughout both games today. The Warriors and Dragons can both mathematically make the top eight while the Roosters are aiming to cement a spot in the top four and the Broncos trying to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon.
NRL Round 23 Sunday Betting Tips
Dragons vs Roosters
Clive Berghofer Stadium, Sunday 2.00pm (AEST)
It looks a pretty obvious outcome on paper today, with the Dragons having a dreadful run of form as their season goes from bad to worse since the infamous BBQ at Paul Vaughan’s house. The Dragons have now lost five in a row since then and have slowly descended down the NRL ladder. All hope is not lost however, as they can still make the eight if they win all three remaining games. This match won’t be easy and their recent performances tell you it could be an uphill battle but desperation can bring the best out in some teams so can they produce a huge upset?
The Roosters are flying and continue to defy the doubters with some hearty performances as they encounter constant injuries to many key players. Trent Robinson continues to get the best out of the players he has at his disposal and they have done incredibly well to be sitting in 4th position considering the way their season has panned out. They lose Victor Radley to suspension but will get Jared Waerea-Hargreaves back in a big boost to their forward back. The Roosters' big guns have been in great form with James Tedesco, Joey Manu and co leading the way in recent weeks. They put up a big fight against Penrith and then scraped home in a scrappy game against Brisbane last week. A win here would see them remain in the hunt for a top four spot.
I can’t see the Dragons turning their fortunes around here and they’ve just been outplayed across the last month or so. They seem as if they are looking towards next season blooding some young talent and they will face a Roosters side who are as tough as they come. The Roosters should be too strong here and I think they’ll be winning comfortably.
Broncos vs Warriors
Suncorp Stadium, Sunday 4.05pm (AEST)
Well how good are the Warriors going? Since losing inspirational skipper RTS, they’ve strung together three straight wins and have somehow put themselves in with a slim chance of playing finals footy. You can’t doubt the heart of these players who continue to put in massive winning efforts when their backs are against the wall. Every Warriors found should be proud of the fight their team is showing and their form has been built around a very strong defence. They’ve only conceded 44 points across their last three matches and have been able to grind out enough points to get themselves over the line.
The Broncos put in a spirited performance of their own last week, and arguably should have come away with two points against the Roosters. That was the best that Brisbane have looked for a long time and if they can finish the season playing like that, they can spring a couple of upsets. They’ll be boosted by the return of Herbie Farnworth while Anthony Milford gets a long awaited call up as he looks to find some form before the end of the year. The Broncos will be keen to finish 2021 on a good note and Kevin Walters will be looking to take as much positives as possible into next year. They matched it with the Roosters for most of last week and that sort of effort will give them the confidence to show up again tonight. It will be the 300th game that Brisbane play at Suncorp Stadium.
There looks to be some value around the Broncos price here this afternoon and I think they can put an end to New Zealand’s dream run. I’m expecting a free-flowing game with plenty of points and the Broncos just seem to be on an upward trend to finish the year. Can’t knock the Warriors current form but I feel like their winning streak has to end shortly.
