It’s Magic Round in the NRL and all teams will descend upon Suncorp Stadium for three of the most exciting days on the calendar.
BetDeluxe takes a look at the best bets across an action-packed weekend.
game of the week: Storm vs. Rabbitohs
6th May 7:45pm
After a round brimming with upsets, we’re confident that no matter which team comes out on top in this, it will be deserved.
The Melbourne Storm should be refreshed after their bye round, with the memories of their 30-22 victory over the Warriors at the forefront of their mind. They’ve won four of their last five games, including impressive victories over the Rabbitohs and Roosters. From a personnel perspective, Eliesa Katoa has been named after suffering a head knock on Anzac Day.
The Rabbitohs made it four consecutive wins since their Round Five loss to the Storm with a dominant 6-32 display against an undermanned Broncos side. Campbell Graham and Latrell Mitchell continued their incredible individual form with five tries between them. They are clearly the form side of the competition, with wins against the Panthers and the Dolphins prior to the ladder leaders.
The Rabbitohs are just ahead in the market at $1.84, and it shouldn’t surprise anyone if they’re able to get one back over the Storm, especially given it’s at Suncorp Stadium.
Suggested Bet: Same Game Multi
- Leg 1: Souths to win
- Leg 2: Over 40.5 total points
- Leg 3: X. Coates anytime try scorer
- Leg 4: C. Graham anytime try scorer
- Total: $11
Bulldogs vs. Raiders
5th May 6:00pm
Not exactly the Friday evening blockbuster we envisioned kicking off Magic Round, but here we are. After edging past the Dolphins by one point, the Green Machine will welcome back Xavier Savage on a wing, while Braidon Burns is out for the Bulldogs after miraculously playing through an MCL injury. The Raiders’ three-game winning streak and hot form gives them the edge.
Suggested Bet: Raiders to win @ $1.60
Sea Eagles vs. Broncos
5th May 8:05pm
The number one-ranked side will be buoyed by the return of Payne Haas and Ezra Mam, especially after their Round Eight thumping at the hands of the Rabbitohs. Now just half a game ahead of the chasing pack, Kevin Walters’ men will be keen to take advantage of a Jake Trbojevic-less Sea Eagles, even if Brad Parker and Toluta’u Koula are both returning for the Sea Eagles.
Suggested Bet: R. Walsh anytime try scorer @ $1.93
Warriors vs. Panthers
6th May 3:00PM
Another tough match-up, with the Warriors coming off a scoreless performance against the Roosters and two straight losses. On the other hand, where have the Panthers disappeared to? After handing Wests Tigers their first win of the season, they’ll need more than just the return of James Fisher-Harris to bounce back into finals form.
Suggested Bet: Panthers 1-12 @ $2.95
Sharks vs. Dolphins
6th May 5:30PM
The Sharks are on a tear, and if it weren’t for the Rabbitohs’ past month, we’d be talking about them being the form side of the competition. Still, their 38-point demolition of the Cowboys made it three consecutive W’s and launched them into second spot on the ladder. The Dolphins were brave in their one-point loss to the Raiders but may find it difficult without Ray Stone (concussion) and Robert Jennings.
Suggested Bet: Sharks to win @ $1.33
Tigers vs. Dragons
7th May 1:50PM
There’s nothing like winning your first game of the season in Round Nine against the reigning premiers. The Tigers are on the board for 2023 but must now back it up against the out-of-form Dragons. Zac Lomax and Jacob Liddle are among those who didn’t survive Anthony Griffin’s axe following a fourth straight loss, but they will still enter as favourites. Pressure.
Suggested Bet: Tigers (+1.5) @ $1.90
Roosters vs. Cowboys
7th May 4:00PM
The Roosters are slowly working their way back into form with two wins on the trot – the latest a 0-12 drubbing of the Warriors in Auckland. Brandon Smith is a query after injuring his neck, but they really need to beat a Cowboys unit without Jeremiah Nanai to secure their finals credentials and silence the growing chorus of doubters.
Suggested Bet: Roosters 13+ @ $2.08
Titans vs. Eels
7th May 6:25PM
The Eels will enter their Magic Round clash as $1.39 favourites on the back of an impressive 31-point win over the Knights. The short quote is slightly unfair to the Titans, given they dispatched the Sea Eagles by 16 in Sydney. In another incredible match-up, there is a feeling that Brad Arthur’s men are starting to find their feet.
Suggested Bet: Eels to win @ $1.39
