Oscar Pannifex breaks down Round 3 of the NRLW, offering his usual expertise, analysis, and betting plays on the neds blog!
Canberra Raiders vs Sydney Roosters Predictions
Canberra met an injury-hit Warriors side last week and played it to perfection. A clean yardage game on both sides of the ball saw the Raiders dominate possession and field position in the first half, cashing in almost every time they worked into good-ball.
Easts won’t make it so easy for them here.
The Roosters got away with one last week but felt the pressure of Kirra Dibb’s long kicking game in general play. Zahara Temara does similar things for Canberra but I’m expecting the Roosters to learn from their mistakes, get to Temara on fifth tackle and win the arm wrestle from there.
Prediction: Roosters to Win @ $1.28
Anytime Tryscorer: Sariah Paki @ $4.40, Isabelle Kelly @ $2.10
New Zealand Warriors vs North Queensland Cowboys Predictions
Blessed with a mountain of possession and field position last week, the Cowboys new-look spine struggled to execute on the looks they enjoyed early on. The pressure eventually told as Wests received their share of the ball and cashed in to put the game to bed before halftime.
It was a similar result – albeit with a very different story – for New Zealand in NRLW Round 2. With just three sets completed by the 20 minute mark and a 10-3 penalty count by fulltime, the Warriors simply didn’t give themselves a chance last week against Canberra.
I’m expecting a response from the Wahs here. Their spine and backline are still missing some key players but they profile better that North Queensland in the grind.
Prediction: Warriors 1-12 @ $3.20
Anytime Tryscorer: Stacey Waaka @ $2.20
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Cronulla Sharks Predictions
Cronulla have beaten themselves in both losses to start the year, completing at just 62% in NRLW Round 1 before conceding 9 penalties (and another 7 errors) against Brisbane in Round 2. When they hold the ball and defend cleanly though, the qualities of a genuine finals contender are evident.
Canterbury don’t have the firepower right now to punish all of Cronulla’s errors, even if they are as ill-disciplined as they’ve been to begin the year.
This is the Sharks chance to kick into gear and it’s likely to come through Chantay Kiria-Ratu or Quincy Dodd behind a quick ruck.
Prediction: Sharks 13+ @ $1.90
Anytime Tryscorer: Annessa Biddle @ $2.70, Tiana Penitani Gray @ $2.35
Gold Coast Titans vs Parramatta Eels Predictions
Gold Coast banked their first win of the regular season in emphatic fashion last week, putting 36 points on a hapless Bulldogs defence.
Evania Isa’ako isn’t the yardage fullback she was two years ago but looked superb deputising in the backrow to give the Titans a handy ballplaying option on the left edge. Her gravity as a ball runner consistently compressed the Bulldogs edge defence and created space for Jaime Chapman to run riot on her outside.
Parramatta have the pack to go with this Titans forward model and the kicking game of Rachael Pearson to top it off. In what profiles as a real grind, there should be enough moments between Chapman, Lauren Brown and five-eighth Teagan Levi to make this a Titans win.
Prediciton: Titans 1-12 @ $3.00
Anytime Tryscorer: Georgia Grey @ $2.15
Brisbane Broncos vs Wests Tigers Predictions
Wests couldn’t buy a penalty in a dour first half against North Queensland last week. Their ability to stay in the grind, defend any errors and win back possession however is further evidence of the Tigers rapid improvements this season.
They can continue their upward trajectory here even with a loss to the defending champs.
Brisbane’s power game through the middle of the field is the perfect storm for Tamika Upton to go to work; she’s consistently presented with late retreaters or tired ruck defenders to target on a quick play-the-ball. Wests can make this close like Cronulla did last week but this is Brisbane’s to win.
Prediction: Broncos to Win @ $1.22
Anytime Tryscorer: Georgia Barlett @ $3.15, Kerri Johnson @ $1.75
Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawarra Dragons Predictions
Kirra Dibb is profiling as the Buy of the Season for Newcastle, two games in. She backed up a grinding win against Cronulla in NRLW Round 1 by kicking the Roosters to death and almost leading an almighty upset last week.
While the Knights impress to play towards their best qualities in a new-look roster, this young St George side are still figuring things out on the run. Four first half tries came in a flurry last week as the Dragons skill players got on the ball in positive field position, but their inability to go on with it points towards the trajectory of an inexperienced spine.
I like the Knights to roll through the gears here.
Prediction: Knights to Cover the Line (-10.5 Points) @ $1.90
Anytime Tryscorer: Fane Finau @ $3.60, Yasmin Meakes @ $3.00