We are back for another week of NRL regular-season action when Round 16 comes around on Thursday night.
With teams counting their casualties from what has been a bruising origin series, we gear up for another extensive set of fixtures and best bets.
manly vs. melbourne
june 30th 7:50pm
Big bad Ryan Papenhuyzen is expected to return for Melbourne when they prepare to face a Manly team on the brink of the top eight.
A three-game winning run is what Melbourne brings into this game as it continues to hold firm despite countless injuries and a handful of players recovering from Origin duties.
Manly is in a similar mould regarding injuries to key players and will be sweating on the availability of Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans after the pair committed to Origi.
Storm to cover the line if Cameron Munster can get up for this game.
Suggested Bet: Melbourne Storm -8.5 at $1.90
newcastle vs. gold coast
july 1st 6:00pm
$1.90 each of two is where the market sits between Newcastle and Gold Coast from a head-to-head perspective.
Gold Coast will likely be firm in the betting and looks the team to be with, given Kalyn Ponga will miss the game due to a concussion suffered in State of Origin.
With David Fifita, Kevin Proctor and Corey Thompson all set to return, Titans head to head is the way to go.
Suggested Bet: Gold Coast head to head at $1.90
penrith vs. sydney
july 1st 7:55pm
Penrith will hopefully welcome back a host of players from Origin Two when they clash with Sydney.
The question will be whether or not the Panthers’ spiritual leader, Nathan Clearly, makes the cut for this game.
But even if he does not, the Panthers have enough to beat the Roosters even though James Tedesco is in solid form.
Suggested Bet: Penrith -14.5 at $1.90
canterbury vs. cronulla
july 2nd 3:00pm
It is top four versus bottom four when Cronulla heads over to ‘The Kennel’ against Canterbury.
Make no mistake, the Bulldogs look far better than the team which looked lost in the first half of the year, so the Sharks need to be on their A-game.
Having covered the line in 10 of its last 13, Canterbury can pull it off again in front of its home fans.
Suggested Bet: Canterbury +9.5 at $1.90
north queensland vs. brisbane
july 2nd 5:30pm
Queensland rivals go toe to toe when North Queensland meets Brisbane in Townsville.
From a head-to-head perspective this season, the Cowboys have the edge and hold onto a 38-12 win against the Broncos back on March 27.
At home and with winning momentum under its belt, North Queensland is the bet.
Suggested Bet: North Queensland -5.5 at $1.87
south sydney vs. parramatta
july 2nd 7:35pm
Sixth players seventh when Parramatta heads over to Accor Stadium for a battle against South Sydney.
The Eels head into this after rebounding 26-16 win against the Roosters following a dismal effort against Canterbury.
The visitors probably deserve to be favourites given the poor form South Sydney showed last week, but the likely return of Latrell Mitchell will bring some buoyancy and confidence back.
Suggested Bet: South Sydney +4.5 at $1.90
new zealand vs. wests tigers
july 3rd 2:00pm
FINALLY!
New Zealand plays its first game at Mt Smart Stadium in over two years after the pandemic meant it had to re-locate to Australia to play in the NRL.
The tears will flow, and the motivation will never be more significant for New Zealand to get a win.
I am backing the Warriors to get it done.
Suggested Bet: New Zealand Warriors -3.5 at $1.81
st george vs. canberra
july 3rd 4:05pm
St George brings the momentum of a strong win against South Sydney when it faces a plucky Canberra outfit.
This shapes as a chance for the Dragons to entrench themselves in the top eight, but the Raiders have looked solid in the last five weeks.
One of the tightest games of the round and the market is suggesting it as well.
Raiders at the line with zero confidence.
Suggested Bet: Canberra -1.5 at $1.90
