NRL Super Saturday is back for the run towards the Finals and there is no better time to win some money with this NRL Betting Preview.
With the representative period finished, attention turns back towards club football. After a week off, Super Saturday returns with 3 enticing matches ahead. The first game has the Roosters taking a match to the Central Coast of NSW as they host the Dragons. These two sides are close together on the ladder and a victory here could be the difference between making or missing the finals.
The second fixture will be held in Manly, as they look to continue their strong form against a Knights team still struggling to find consistency and their identity. Finally, it is an all-Queensland affair with the Broncos heading south to face the Titans. The home team is anchored to the bottom and the Broncos will want to rise above the challenge that their opponents offer. It’s great to have 3 matches back on a Saturday!
NRL Round 18 Saturday Betting Tips
Sydney Roosters vs St George-Illawarra Dragons
Central Coast Stadium, Saturday 16th July, 3pm (EST)
Squads
Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Paul Momirovski 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Joseph Manu 7. Sam Walker 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Sam Verrills 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley Interchange: 14. Connor Watson 15. Egan Butcher 16. Nat Butcher 17. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 18. Drew Hutchinson
St George-Illawarra Dragons
1. Cody Ramsey 2. Matthew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Tautau Moga 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Jack Bird 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack De Belin Interchange: 14. Moses Mbye 15. Josh Kerr 16. Aaron Woods 17. Jaiyden Hunt 18. Michael Molo
Match Preview
The week off came at an ideal time for the Roosters as it allowed them to step back and take stock of what has been a frustrating and disappointing season (by their standards) thus far. They are on a 4-game losing streak with a 7-9 W/L record and sit 10th on the ladder. Their 26-18 Round 16 loss to the Panthers was their best recent performance though; some argue that the match could’ve had a different result had a few 50/50 calls gone their way. The Dragons played last week and were disappointing against the Broncos.
Many expected a better performance than their 32-18 loss as they were coming up against an understrength team. That wasn’t the case and the result contributed to the Dragons slipping out of the Top 8 (on points difference). They are 2-points ahead of the Roosters, but the odds ($1.32 vs $3.40) suggest that this will be a one-sided affair in favour of the home team. That is hard to disagree given the potential of each team.
Like most matches this weekend, this game will be impacted by Origin players backing up from Wednesday (or lack thereof). With or without them, the Roosters have a superior team. Their stocks in the forwards are slowly returning to normal and it is allowing them to create more opportunities for their outside backs. It would be surprising to see them drop this contest. Unfortunately, confidence around numerous betting markets are low for this clash so an unusual approach in the selected bet with the aim of ‘keeping things simple’.
Suaalii Score + Roosters Win
$2.20 (1 Unit)
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles vs Newcastle Knights
4 Pines Park, Saturday 16th July, 5:30pm (EST)
Squads
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
1. Reuben Garrick 2. Jason Saab 3. Morgan Harper 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Christian Toupulotu 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Sean Keppie 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Toafofoa Sipley 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Andrew Davey 13. Jake Trbojevic Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Josh Schuster 16. Martin Taupau 17. Taniela Paseka 18. Josh Aloiai
Newcastle Knights
1. Kayln Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Dane Gagai 4. Enari Tuala 5. Dominic Young 6. Anthony Milford 7. Adam Clune 8. David Klemmer 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Kurt Mann Interchange: 14. Simi Sasagi 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Brodie Jones 18. Leo Thompson
Match Preview
The Sea Eagles took winning momentum into their week off following a strong (and upset) 36-30 victory over the Storm. The final score overshadowed a dominant display from the home team as they allowed 18-points to be scored in the final 5 minutes. Prior to that, they were impressive, giving their opponents minimal scoring opportunities and continually making the most of positive field position and possession.
The Knights can only dream of such a standard as their inconsistent season delivered another loss, defeated 40-28 by the Rabbitohs. Always the outsider, there were positive signs early with the Knights leading 16-6 inside 30 minutes. However, from that point onward, they were let down (again) by their defence. If they are not victorious here, they can forget about wanting to feature in the Finals; they are not up to that standard. The Sea Eagles are the far superior team and should be capable of handling what their opponents throw at them.
This is supported by the odds ($1.34 vs $3.30) with the Knights season on the line. They have displayed little this year to suggest otherwise and once the Sea Eagles get rolling, they will be difficult to stop if their last fixture is anything to go by. However, there is a strategy to this fixture, and it revolves around DCE playing. Yes, the Knights also have Origin players (mainly Ponga) who will have a large impact on this match, but the Sea Eagles halfback is far more important.
Sea Eagles 13+
$2.30 (1.5 Units)
Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos
Cbus Super Stadium, Saturday 16th July, 7:35pm (EST)
Squads
Gold Coast Titans
1. Alexander Brimson 2. Sosefo Fifita 3. Phillip Sami 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Corey Thompson 6. Tanah Boyd 7. Toby Sexton 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Aaron Booth 10. Isaac Liu 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui Interchange: 14. Erin Clark 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Herman Ese’ese 17. Paul Turner 18. Sam McIntyre
Brisbane Broncos
1. Tesi Niu 2. Delouise Hoeter 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Brenko Lee 5. Jordan Pereira 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Keenan Palasia 9. Billy Walters 10. Ryan James 11. Zac Hosking 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington Interchange: 14. Jake Turpin 15. Rhys Kennedy 16. Thomas Flegler 17. Tyson Gamble 18. Deine Mariner
Match Preview
Even a week off wasn’t enough to erase the thoughts of the Titans performance in Round 16 which saw them defeated 38-12 by the Knights on the road. Arguably rock bottom for this club, it raised overdue questions about the longevity of their coach. Such territory is never ideal, and it questions the culture, as well as distances them further from winning. There are no such issues at the Broncos this season, with their rookie team delivering a spirited 32-18 win over the Dragons at home.
Many were uncertain about how they would perform but the experience of Reynolds lifted the younger players and shut their opponents out of the contest. It is no surprise to find them as favourites here ($1.45 vs $2.75) even despite coach Walters resting his Origin players compared to the Titans, who have included theirs. It would take a brave person to invest their hard-earned money on the Titans, but you can rarely invest on a game involving them with certainty.
They are just as likely to turn around their 2022 form against their Queensland rival. It was only back in Round 11 where they had a 24-6 HT lead over their opponents, only to see the Broncos prevail 35-24 in an impressive display of attacking rugby league. Take the visitors to win again but only to cover the line and enjoy the unpredictability which this game offers.
Alternate Bet:
Total Over 42.5 ($1.90)
Broncos -6.5
$1.95 (2 Units)
