Oscar Pannifex breaks down Round 5 of the NRLW, offering his usual expertise, analysis, and betting plays on the neds blog!
Cronulla’s ill-discipline cost them across three games to start the season but the tables turned in NRLW Round 4. Last week it was Canberra who fumbled their way into the game, gifting the Sharks attack too many looks through Georgia Hannaway and Jada Taylor in particular.
In contrast, Wests come into this on the back of heavy defeats to Brisbane & Easts.
While the Tigers recent results have erased their positive start to the season on paper, I’m keeping the faith. There’s too many positives around what Raecene McGregor can do with the ball behind a winning forward pack, and Wests might just win her enough moments in this one.
Tips
Best: Tigers 1-12 @ $3.35
Anytime Try Scorers: Kezie Apps @ $3.80 & Emily Bass @ $2.40
Same Game Multi: Tigers 1-12 + Kezie Apps Anytime Try + Emily Bass Anytime Try @ $22.96
St George enjoyed plenty of early field position last week but couldn’t cash in against a desperate Bulldogs defence. Taliah Fuimaono was productive in a running role to create some half chances for Jaime Millard outside her but overall the Dragons struggled to execute, with Shenae Ciesolka providing the last pass on either edge for both Dragons tries.
Comparatively, the Roosters play with an embarrassment of riches in attack.
Even without halfback Tarryn Aiken last week, Easts barely skipped a beat playing through Olivia Kernick through the middle and Jocellyn Kelleher on the trams. Their power game in yardage is still proving near-impossible to contain and the points typically pile on from there.
Tips
Best: Roosters 13+ @ $1.09
Anytime Try Scorer: Olivia Kernick @ $2.45
Same Game Multi: Roosters 13+ + Olivia Kernick Anytime Try @ $2.61
North Queensland’s goal-line defence was much improved in NRLW Round 4. It could’ve been a blowout against the Gold Coast but they were able to minimise the damage for extended periods. Eventually though, the pressure told and I’m tipping Canberra to work towards a similar outcome.
The Raiders fumbled and penalised themselves to a sobering loss in NRLW Round 4 but can go back to basics here and grind the Cowboys into submission. Simaima Taufa personifies this approach for Canberra through the middle of the field; if anyone can drag her opposing pack into deep water, it’s Taufa.
On the back of that, I like Krystal Blackwell’s ballplaying to create some chances for Leianne Tufuga on her outside.
Tips
Best: Raiders 13+ @ $1.57
Anytime Try Scorer: Leianne Tufuga @ $2.25
Same Game Multi: Raiders 13+ + Leianne Tufuga Anytime Try @ $2.95
Canterbury are slowly adding attacking layers to what is a gritty, hardworking forward pack; backrowers Leilani Wilson (one assist) and Tamika Jones (one try) were both productive on the edges last week to help convert any positive Bulldogs field position into points.
Brisbane are unlikely to make it so easy for them here, though.
Tamika Upton is in ominous form as she relishes the setup work of Ali Brigginshaw and Jesse Southwell in the halves. It’s a very balanced and complete look for this Broncos attack that can work through the gears here if they play it right early; put fatigue into the Bulldogs middle and wait for the points to come.
Tips
Best: Broncos 13+ @ $1.32
Anytime Try Scorers: Romy Teitzel @ $3.60 & Julia Robinson @ $1.60
Same Game Multi: Broncos 13+ + Romy Teitzel Anytime Try + Julia Robinson Anytime Try @ $6.20
Lauren Brown and Teagan Levi have hit the ground running as arguably the form halves pairing in the NRLW right now. Brown pulls the strings on the left and through the middle of the field while Levi is constantly scanning and threatening down the right edge.
She jumped on one herself before distributing smartly to put Indie Bostock over down a narrow short side last week and can feature on the highlight reel again here.
Mele Hufanga is named to make her club debut for the Warriors and while she’ll no doubt be an attacking weapon, she can also be a defensive spot for opposing teams. The Wahs can be there at the business end but they’re working through a few things right now and present a winnable game for a red-hot Titans side.
Tips
Best: Titans 13+ @ $3.25
Anytime Try Scorers: Teagan Levi @ $2.50 & Lily Patston @ $3.60
Same Game Multi: Titans 13+ + Teagan Levi Anytime Try + Lily Patston Anytime Try @ $16.31
Keilee Joseph and Boss Kapua both made immediate impact in their first appearances of the season, stiffening up the Eels middle to make it a real grind against the Warriors last week. On the back of that, Abbi Church was finally rewarded for effort to enjoy a few highlight reel moments.
Parramatta will feel they deserved to win last week and I like them to cash in here or at least keep it close.
Newcastle are as gritty as anyone but don’t have the firepower to make this a shoot-out. There was a lot of positives about how they matched Brisbane early last week but consecutive grinds might be a task too tall.
Tips
Best: Eels @ $2.90
Anytime Try Scorer: Martha Mataele Anytime Try @ $2.60
Same Game Multi: Eels + Martha Mataele Anytime Try @ $5.60
