The blockbuster NRLW season continues again this week, and excitement has been high as the quality of matches continues to impress fans. With the competition starting to take shape, a host of teams are hoping to improve their chances, while others will want to maintain their strong momentum to start the season. There are two teams who are undefeated and three who are winless, ensuring a highly competitive set of matches each week. Before You Bet is here with a look at every match in each round of the competition, with the aim of finding you a winner or two to add to your enjoyment.
Check out our preview and NRLW Betting Tips for Round 4 below and good luck to everyone following along!
NRLW Round 4 Preview & Betting Tips
Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks
GIO Stadium – Saturday 25th July – 12:40pm (AEST)
The Raiders produced an impressive display against the Roosters last week, eventually losing 22-18 at home. It took a fightback from their opponents to overcome them, scoring a try with 8 minutes remaining to take the lead. It was a clinical display from the Raiders who with 58% possession completed at 82%, averaged 8.1m per carry, made 5 line breaks and missed only 25 tackles. The Sharks were upset on the road 24-18 by the Bulldogs, their own worst enemy in the match. With just 45% possession, they completed at just 69%, made fewer metres, had significantly fewer PCM’s, and missed 25 tackles. They continually gave their opponents opportunities, and they took their chances. No one would’ve expected them to be winless at this stage of the season.
Despite likely winning if they kicked their goals last week, the Sharks could cause an upset here. A lot has been going right recently for the Raiders in matches and while they’ve been performing well, confidence is still low in their ability. That is somewhat unfair, but this is their biggest test to date. The value on offer for the Sharks makes them the worthy investment. If you don’t trust this form line, it is best to stay away from the game altogether. If you don’t like the Sharks but want to look elsewhere, considering backing them to cover the line (6.5) or take either side to win by less than 2 converted tries ($1.65).
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs St George-Illawarra Dragons
Accor Stadium – Saturday 25th July – 3:15pm (AEST)
The Bulldogs recorded a stunning home upset with a 24-18 win over the Sharks. Starting strongly, they maintained the same level of intensity throughout the contest. With 55% possession, they completed at 83%, made 9.2m per carry, had over 500 PCM’s, and missed just 19 tackles. The Dragons were given a lesson by the Knights last week, defeated 38-nil on the road by a superior opponent. Going scoreless over the contest, the Dragons only have themselves to blame as they completed at just 64% with only 41% possession. They only made a fraction over 1,000m, while failing to make a line break. Their defence was also poor, allowing 11 line breaks and missing 36 tackles. They were not up to NRLW standard.
The Dragons must improve on last week even to be competitive in this match. They were too bad to be true and only a minor backline reshuffle suggests that a similar performance can be expected. That will not be good enough to defeat their opponents. Despite the Bulldogs also having lingering questions over their performances, there was a lot to like the way they executed last week. They are unchanged and will take plenty of confidence away from that match. The power they generate last week in the middle highlights their dominance and it will again set them up for a comfortable victory.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans
Queensland Country Bank Stadium – Saturday 25th July – 5:15pm (AEST)
For the third straight game, the Cowboys were defeated and conceded 30 points to their opponent. This time, it was a comprehensive road win to the Warriors 42-4 which saw them plumet to the bottom of the competition ladder. The 9-try demolition highlighted how far aware they were from the standard of the NRLW; completing at just 55% with 41% possession, failed to crack 1,000m, had just 272 PCM’s, and made 1 line break. Their defence was worse, missing 37 tackles and conceding 7 line breaks. The Titans were at their dynamic best in their comprehensive 50-12 home victory over the Eels. Starting strongly, the Titans posted 5 tries inside 17 minutes, leading to a 32-6 HT lead. They only became stronger in the second half. It was a dominant display which saw them complete at 85% with 63% possession, make 10.1m per carry, have 13 line breaks, and miss just 20 tackles.
An overhaul of the Cowboys team is aimed at being the catalyst to improve their performances. The Titans are too good of a team to allow this to disrupt their momentum though; they have plenty of experience and executed to a high standard last week. They were able to dominate the middle of the field and ran strongly with the ball. Rarely do you see an NRLW team execute to the level that they did but there is a reason why: they are a quality team. With enough confidence, they can cope with the challenging opposition environment and win by a comfortable margin at the end of this match.
Parramatta Eels vs New Zealand Warriors
Eric Tweedle Stadium – Sunday 26th July – 12pm (AEST)
The less said about the Eels 50-12 road loss to the Titans, the better. They were woeful in that match, struggling with just 37% possession. Trying to overcome that with a strong completion rate (84%), they made just 837m total. Their defence was worse, missing 60 tackles and conceding 13 line breaks. That performance leaves them winless to start the season. There were no such issues for the Warriors who performed strongly at home to defeat the Cowboys 42-4. In a grinding match which saw them lead just 14-nil at HT, they kicked into another gear in the second half. Eventually, with 59% possession, they completed at 81%, made 9.5m per carry, had 7 line breaks, and missed just 22 tackles. Their power was on full display too as they made 663 PCM’s.
The Eels’ recent performances makes them large outsiders to win this match; however, they receive a huge boost with Joseph named to play her first game for the club at lock. The level of experience this representative forward will bring should tighten up the middle of the field. The Warriors are also yet to win away from home and can be vulnerable in particular matches. They should win this match, but stranger things have happened. The Eels must improve on last week and if they are at their best, they have a fighting chance. This brings the line into play but there are also better games this weekend to invest upon.
Brisbane Broncos vs Newcastle Knights
Totally Workwear Stadium – Sunday 26th July – 1:45pm (AEST)
The Broncos kept alive their undefeated streak to start the season with another strong performance at home to defeat the Tigers 40-12. Strong in both halves, the Broncos again showed their class to execute when it mattered most. In the end, with 52% possession, they completed at 83%, ran for 8.4m per carry, made 9 line breaks and missed just 22 tackles. The Knights also delivered a commanding display in their 38-0 home victory over the Dragons. Controlling the key areas of the contest, they completed at 78% with 59% possession, averaged 9.8m per carry, made 11 line breaks, and missed just 13 tackles.
The loss of Meakes for the Knights for the season will have huge ramifications for their chances this season. Focusing on this game, it is unlikely that they will be able to cope with her omission, reflected by how far they are listed as outsiders. A lot of this has to do with the form of the Broncos. They are performing to a high standard which few can match. The Knights are a team which should never be discounted; they have a history of grit and determination built into them. Therefore, rather than take the Broncos to put a tally on their opponents, it is best to take them to cover the line but made to work for it in the process.
Wests Tigers vs Sydney Roosters
Leichhardt Oval – Sunday 26th July – 6:15pm (AEST)
It was a lesson of how much improvement is still needed for the Tigers to be competitive with the leading teams in the competition following their 40-12 road defeat to the Broncos. Playing with discipline, they completed at 80% with 48% possession, but strong defence saw them manage just 7.7m per carry. Along with their 362 PCM’s and 2 line breaks, their shortcomings were evident. The Roosters did enough to scrape home in the road 22-18 over the Raiders. Trailing 10-4 at HT, a strong second half performance was needed and thankfully, they delivered. They made things hard for themselves though by completing at just 76% with only 42% possession. Their opponents were strong in all other areas; they will want to improve upon their 30 missed tackles as a starting point which led to 5 line breaks.
A reality check is coming for the Tigers, but they will be prepared for this contest. The same occurred last week for them and they will find it difficult to compete again against a team with the quality of the Roosters for the duration of this contest. The Roosters are boosted further by key inclusions on the bench, further strengthening the quality they have in their team. This will be enough to prevail over their opponents and avoid a similar set of circumstances last week which they will want to improve upon.
