With only 3 rounds remaining after today, the finals structure is starting to take shape, and for the two teams playing first on Sunday, a loss here will surely mean their season is done. The Raiders (9th) and Dragons (11th) are on the outside looking in, with the Raiders 2 points behind 8th, they still have a decent shot at making the finals. The Dragons, well they need a lot to go right as they sit 4 points out of the 8.
In game two, the Titans will continue their quest at a first win in 3 months, as they bring a 10-game losing streak into their clash with the Sea Eagles. The Sea Eagles (10th), much like the above two teams, will surely kiss their finals hopes goodbye with a loss to the Titans today.
Let’s try and find some winning bets.
NRL Round 22 Sunday Betting Tips
Canberra Raiders vs St George Illawarra Dragons
GIO Stadium, Sunday 14th August, 2:00pm (AEST)
Squads
Canberra Raiders
1. Xavier Savage 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Zac Woolford 10. Emre Guler 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Adam Elliott. INTERCHANGE: 14. Tom Starling 15. Ryan Sutton 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Corey Harawira-Naera. RESERVES: 18. James Schiller 19. Ata Mariota 20. Matt Frawley 21. Peter Hola 22. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
St George Illawarra Dragons
1. Moses Mbye 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Jack Bird 4. Zac Lomax 5. Tautau Moga 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Jack de Belin 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Josh Mcguire 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Michael Molo. INTERCHANGE: 14. Tyrell Sloan 15. Aaron Woods 16. Tyrell Fuimaono 17. Billy Burns. RESERVES: 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Jackson Ford 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Cody Ramsey 22. Jack Gosiewski
Match Preview
The Raiders welcome back Xavier Savage this week but lose Nick Cotric (suspension). Star prop Joseph Tapine is also out, replaced in the starting side by Emre Guler.
For the Dragons, Tariq Sims has been suspended for 4 weeks, meaning his Dragons career is likely over. He is replaced in the starting side by Michael Molo.
These two sides played each other just over a month ago, with the Dragons sneaking home 12-10 at WIN Stadium. It was a dour contest played in tough, wet, and windy conditions. What followed was a scrappy display from both teams, and not much could be taken away for either side.
Fast forward 6 weeks, and the weather threatens to again be tough, albeit not quite as bad as was seen at Wollongong in round 16. Given this, you’d have to expect both sides to struggle in attack once again, with both sides being in the top half of the league in both errors made, and errors forced.
It is because of this that I’m siding with the under in today’s game. The spread looks just about right, and with the absence of Head Coach Ricky Stuart throughout the week, it’s tough to gauge how the Raiders will play. Both sides are long odds to make the 8, and if the Roosters win on Saturday afternoon this match could be for pride only.
Props: Dragons (TT) under 17.5 - $2.01 @ Palmerbet
Dragons ML - $2.85 @ NEDS
Under 43.5 Points
$1.94 (1.5 Units)
Gold Coast Titans vs Manly Sea Eagles
Cbus Super Stadium, Sunday 14th August, 4:05pm (AEST)
Squads
Gold Coast Titans
1. Jayden Campbell 2. Sosefo Fifita 3. Phillip Sami 4. Brian Kelly 5. Patrick Herbert 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Erin Clark 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Isaac Liu. INTERCHANGE: 14. Greg Marzhew 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Sam McIntyre. RESERVES: 18. Corey Thompson 19. Toby Sexton 20. Paul Turner 21. Klese Haas 22. Jarrod Wallace
Manly Sea Eagles
1. Reuben Garrick 2. Jason Saab 3. Morgan Harper 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Andrew Davey 13. Jake Trbojevic. INTERCHANGE: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Ben Trbojevic 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Josh Aloiai. RESERVES: 18. Josh Schuster 19. Kurt De Luis 20. Brad Parker 21. Kaeo Weekes 22. Morgan Boyle
Match Preview
The Sea Eagles season is quickly spiralling out of control, with 3-straight losses dropping them out of the top 8. They were admittedly gallant in defeat two weeks ago against the Roosters after the jersey fiasco, however, there appears to be a divide amongst the playing group, something that coach Des Hasler must rectify at once. A loss here all but ends the finals hopes of Manly.
The Titans have had a horrid season, losing 10-straight and staring down the barrel of the club’s 3rd wooden spoon. They’ve played better at home this season, keeping most matches somewhat competitive, and that’s where we will concentrate our bet for this clash.
If the Sea Eagles manage to get themselves on the same page, they can easily lap the Titans, however I’m trusting the issues seen the past few weeks at Manly will continue for another week. I still seem them winning, however the margin could be tighter than expected.
Prop: Jason Saab / Tolutau Koula / Jayden Campbell (ATS Multi) - $21 @ Bet365
Sea Eagles (1-12)
$3.50 (1 Unit)
