It’ll be hard to match the excitement of NRL Magic Round but every Super Saturday attempts to go close. Not only will it be exciting, but fans also have 3 NRL matches to invest in and produce some excitement of their own. This NRL Betting preview will cover all 3 matches and hopefully lead you into a winner.
The first match has two teams desperate to regain winning form with the Dragons hosting the Warriors. Each have had their fair share of positives, but more negatives have them sitting on the wrong part of the table. The next match heads north to Townsville and promises to be a blockbuster contest. The Cowboys are on a 5-game winning streak, the first since the premiership winning year of 2016. The Storm rarely lose consecutive matches and are coming off a loss into this match. The final game is just as intense, with the Roosters out to again prove their doubters wrong hosting the high-flying Panthers fresh from a dominant win over the Storm. Lucky Sunday follows because a day of recovery is needed following these matches.
NRL Round 11 Saturday Betting Tips
St George-Illawarra Dragons vs New Zealand Warriors
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Saturday 21st May, 3pm (EST)
Squads
St George-Illawarra Dragons
1. Cody Ramsey 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 18. Francis Molo 9. Moses Mbye 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Jack Bird 12. Jack Gosiewski 13. Jack De Belin Interchange: 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Tariq Sims 16. Aaron Woods 17. Michael Molo 20. Tautau Moga
New Zealand Warriors
1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Viliami Vailea 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tohu Harris 13. Jack Murchie Interchange: 14. Aaron Pene 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Freddy Lussick 18. Taniela Otukolo
Match Preview
The Dragons were threatening to win the match against the Titans but were upset by their opponents 20-16. Their defence let them down as they missed 49 tackles; Ben Hunt is in terrific form but more is needed from the players around him to produce a victory. Their inability to win against a team like the Titans demonstrates their faults.
The Warriors also fell short in their 32-30 loss to the Rabbitohs. Down 26-nil, they fought their way back into the match and were a late chance of stealing victory. Their finish aside, the Warriors gave their opponents too much of a lead and were always going to find it difficult to win from that point. Confidence is very low for this match but the positional changes for the Dragons appear to have weakened them as a team, while the betting markets haven’t adjusted, rather, it is assuming the Warriors will continue to struggle.
This might occur but there is greater value in the Warriors as opposed to the Dragons. Investing indecisively is never ideal so take on this game to cover the total points and leave the ambiguous outcomes to the prop markets.
Alternate Bets:
Warriors H2H ($2.50 at Ladbrokes)
Total Over 40.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Saturday 21st May, 5:30pm (EST)
Squads
North Queensland Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo Interchange: 14. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 15. Heilum Luki 16. Coen Hess 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jake Granville
Melbourne Storm
1. Tyran Wishart 2. Nick Meaney 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Harry Grant 10. Brandon Smith 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Josh King Interchange: 14. Alec MacDonald 15. Dean Ieremia 16. Trent Loiero 17. Tui Kamikamica 18. Cooper Johns
Match Preview
Something appears to be building in Townsville and many are admitting fault at underestimating the Cowboys ahead of this season. Before people get ahead of themselves, it is important to offer perspective. They have a tough two weeks ahead facing the Storm and Panthers but prior to that, they’ve hardly been tested by a quality opponent. They defeated the Eels in Darwin, but the ‘home’ team was woeful (off their game) and they were outplayed by the Roosters.
It has built their confidence though and that is an important commodity in rugby league. They also face the Storm at an ideal time. The injury toll may impact the Storms performance, but they have named Hughes to return, a significant improvement to their spine. The Storm were outclassed by the Panthers last week but that performance is not an indication of their quality. They’re a far better team than last week’s performance suggested.
The Cowboys are a chance, yet the Storm rarely lose two in a row. The visitors are favourites and rightly so; they’ve earned respect and have proven time and time again that they are a quality team. Take the line on for these reasons but the Cowboys will push their opponents. This game promises to be a quality contest and answer plenty of questions at the end of full time.
Prop Bets:
Olam & Smith to Score ($12 at Ladbrokes)
Storm 1-12 ($2.60 at Ladbrokes)
Storm -5.5
$1.90 (2.5 Units)
Sydney Roosters vs Penrith Panthers
SCG, Saturday 21st May, 7:35pm (EST)
Squads
Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Sam Walker 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Connor Watson 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Nat Butcher Interchange: 14. Drew Hutchinson 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 17. Lindsay Collins 18. Lachlan Lam
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. Mitchel Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Robert Jennings
Match Preview
The Roosters surprised many with an upset 31-24 victory over the Eels last Sunday. Getting their opponents on the back foot early, it was obvious they had improved on recent weeks and looked to be a changed side; they were not completing simple errors. As good as the result was, the Eels were also not at their usual best. That victory will give them confidence in this game, and it will be needed as the Panthers show rolls into town.
After a loss to the Eels 2 weeks ago, the Panthers were at their best in a 32-6 demolition of the Storm. Even with their opponents missing key players, the execution in victory was most impressive. They rarely gave the Storm an opportunity and made the most of those given to them. It was special to watch. They are well ahead of the competition and only lack of focus can knock them off their perch.
The Roosters will be better again, but the attacking weapons of the visitors will expose the defensive deficiencies of the home team. They Panthers don’t just defeat you in one or two plays, they relentlessly wear you down on both sides of the ball and power past you when the opportunity presents itself. Some will give the Roosters a chance, but the Panthers will be out to make yet another statement.
Prop Bets:
Tago & Martin to Score ($7.50 at Ladbrokes)
Panthers 13+
$2.30 (2 Units)
