With the Origin decider in the rear-view mirror, Oscar Pannifex turns his attention back to club land ahead of Round 19, offering his usual analysis and expert NRL tips across all eight games!
Wests Tigers vs New Zealand Warriors Predictions
Wests season is hanging by a thread as injuries pile up in the back end. Samuela Fainu is a huge inclusion this week alongside Adam Doueihi who made a successful return the week before, but the absence of Api Koroisau is one the Tigers have struggled to navigate at different times this year.
This is New Zealand’s to lose. They dropped close games to Penrith, Cronulla and Redcliffe before the bye but didn’t do a lot wrong in all three of those losses. With the best forward rotation in the NRL still to lock down the middle and Te Maire Martin doing an excellent job at halfback, I like the Wahs to roll on here and cash in down their right edge.
Prediction: New Zealand Warriors to Cover the Line (-9.5) @ $1.90
Anytime Tryscorer: Ali Leiataua @ $3.05
Dolphins vs Cronulla Sharks Predictions
Nicho Hynes is back for the Sharks run home but it’s all about Braydon Trindall from here. The Cronulla five-eighth is relishing a primary playmaker role to be the trigger man in good-ball while Hynes reverts predominantly to a running support role in attack.
Redcliffe are figuring out the balance without Isaiya Katoa and have impressed to do all the little things right around his replacement – Brad Schneider – in the past two weeks.
Grinds against New Zealand and Newcastle may have taken a toll though and I’m keen to back the Sharks to keep this close, double down on their power game through the middle third and make this a battle of attrition.
Prediction: Cronulla Sharks to Cover the Line (+4.5) @ $1.90
Anytime Tryscorer: Nicho Hynes @ $4.75
Canterbury Bulldogs vs Canberra Raiders Predictions
Canberra were gifted some lucky calls against St George before the bye, arresting a three-game slide to keep them off the bottom of the NRL ladder. Their unorthodox attack hasn’t consistently produced highlight reel moments like it did last year and it’s left a lot of pressure on a middling defence to pick up the slack.
Canterbury have their own attacking concerns this season, but their defensive record remains sound. It’s bought the Dogs time to build repeatable actions through Lachlan Galvin while Stephen Crichton demands attention in the halves beside him.
It mightn’t be pretty but it’s Canterbury who profile better in the grind right now.
Prediction: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 1-12 @ $2.80
Anytime Tryscorer: Matt Burton @ $2.60
Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels Predictions
Parramatta looked destined to challenge for the Wooden Spoon this year but continue to fight and scrap their way through the regular season. Jason Ryles’ stocks keep rising as the Eels find new ways to win – or at the very least make it difficult for their opposition.
This might be too tall a task, though.
Easts sit third on the NRL ladder at time of writing without producing anything near their best football this year. With the Origin period now behind them and a clear run into the Top 4, I like the Roosters to kick up a gear this week.
Prediction: Sydney Roosters 13+ @ $2.10
Anytime Tryscorer: Siua Wong @ $4.75
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights Predictions
Despite one of the worst field goal set ups in recent memory, Dylan Brown was cool enough to bank one at the death against Redcliffe last week. It’s yet another example of this trending Knights squad finding new ways to win this year and they profile well against an injury (and suspension) hit Souths side.
Cody Walker’s brain snap cost Souths last week and they’ll pay for it again here. The loss of Walker’s ballplaying caps a lower ceiling on this Rabbitohs attack, even with a few key players returning in the backline this week.
Wayne Bennett might just get the boys up for this one, but the smart money says Knights in a grind.
Prediction: Newcastle Knights 1-12 @ $3
Anytime Tryscorer: Dom Young @ $1.92, Dayne Jennings @ $2.10
Manly Sea Eagles vs North Queensland Cowboys Predictions
Tom Dearden looms on the extended bench for North Queensland this week and there’s a lot to like about what he can add to this improving Cowboys side. Todd Payten has done a wonderful job to turn their season around and if this becomes a shoot-out, I like North Queensland to finish on top.
The Cowboys defensive issues remain though and Manly have the pack and kicking game to expose it.
If Jamal Fogarty can put the ball in uncomfortable areas for the Cowboys back five and promote fatigue into their middle third, the spaces will open up for Tom Trbojevic late in each half.
Prediction: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 1-12 @ $2.90
Anytime Tryscorer: Tom Trbojevic @ $2.10
Melbourne Storm vs Gold Coast Titans Predictions
There is evidence of genuine improvements on the Gold Coast this year under Josh Hannay and their spine in particular has clicked into gear over the past month.
The inconsistencies that come with an inexperienced squad remain however, and this feels like it could be a statement game from the Melbourne Storm.
Craig Bellamy has worked wonders to keep his squad in a fight for the Eight and with the representative period now behind him, the famous Melbourne club can now lock in for the run home. Assuming their Origin stars back up from Wednesday night, I’m with the Storm in a flurry.
Prediction: Melbourne Storm 13+ @ $2.02
Anytime Tryscorer: Nick Meaney @ $2.90, Sua Fa’alogo @ $1.75
