It’s the King’s Birthday weekend and the NRL gods have blessed us with incredible match-ups across five days.
BetDeluxe takes a look at every game and delivers its best bets.
game of the week: Storm vs. Sharks
11th June 4:05pm
Despite both sides coming off losses in Round 14, it’s hard to surpass a Storm and Sharks epic as the Game of the Week.
Craig Bellamy’s side would have undergone a lot of soul-searching after their 25-point loss to the Cowboys, with a multitude of errors allowing North Queensland to score five tries and 31 points in the second half. None of their stars fired, and they won’t have the excuse of Origin this week. Justin Olam failed an HIA on Sunday and will be replaced by Grant Anderson.
While the Sharks were also unable to secure a win against the Broncos, they were certainly more convincing in their performance. Nicho Hynes shook off the most nerve-racking 10 minutes of Origin football with a standout performance, while Blayke Brailey recorded a game-high 50 tackles. The pressure will only intensify on Hynes as he now plays for a starting spot following Nathan Cleary’s injury.
The Storm will be confident that they’ve won five of the past six between the two sides and, while they’ve been a picture of inconsistency this season, should bounce back in front of the Melbourne fans.
Suggested Bet: Storm 1-12 @ $3.05
Titans vs. Tigers
8th June 7:50pm
If the Titans are to bounce back from their three-game losing streak, they must do so without State of Origin star, David Fifita, who is being rested with possible delayed concussion. It’s been a tough month for the Glitter Strip locals, capped off with an 18-point home loss to the Rabbitohs. On the other hand, the Tigers pushed the Raiders all the way in their Round 14 clash for just their second loss in five games. Given their mid-season resurgence, Wests seemingly present value in most markets.
Suggested Bet: Tigers (+1.5) @ $1.91
Raiders vs. Warriors
9th June 6:00pm
One of the many blockbusters NRL fans are subject to this weekend; the Raiders will look to celebrate Jarrod Croker’s 300th game with a home win against the Warriors. Croker rested during his side’s one-point thriller against Wests and will return alongside Seb Kris and Elliott Whitehead. The Warriors returned to form with a dominant 30-8 victory over the Dolphins but could struggle to maintain their winning ways against a Raiders outfit celebrating their club legend.
Suggested Bet: Raiders to win @ $1.50
Sea Eagles vs. Dolphins
9th June 8:00PM
The Sea Eagles will enter this week’s clash with the Dolphins as firm $1.38 favourites with BetDeluxe. Coming off the Round 14 bye, Manly will welcome star Origin stars Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans, back into a team that demolished the Raiders at home in Round 12 before falling to the Knights. There will be a major shake-up at the Dolphins following suspensions to Jarrod Wallace and Anthony Milford and Tom Gilbert’s shoulder injury, with Wayne Bennett needing to produce some magic to escape with a win in this one.
Suggested Bet: H. Tabuai-Fidow anytime try scorer @ $2
Dragons vs. Rabbitohs
10th June 3:00PM
The injury problems at Souths deepened during their 18-point win on the Gold Coast, with key forwards Jai Arrow (ankle) and Cameron Murray (groin) joining Latrell Mitchell (calf) on the sidelines. They’ll still kick-off as market favourites against the 17th-placed Dragons, who will be buoyed by their eight-point loss to the Panthers.
Suggested Bet: Rabbitohs to win @ $1.46
Broncos vs. Knights
10th June 5:30PM
The Broncos have enjoyed playing away from Suncorp Stadium in 2023, with their 12-20 victory over the in-form Sharks making it 7-1 away from home this season. They must now take that form back home as they host the Knights fresh off their fixtured bye-round. Selwyn Cobbo’s return is a significant boost for the Broncos, while the Knights welcome Tyson Frizell back from Origin duty.
Suggested Bet: Broncos 13+ @ $1.88
Roosters vs. Panthers
10th June 7:35PM
Can the Panthers retain the top spot on the ladder without Nathan Cleary? They’ll certainly need to find a way after the star halfback suffered a hamstring injury and will spend up to six weeks on the sideline. Jack Cogger will be tasked with filling the hole left by Cleary, but it is somewhat offset by the three-game suspension of the Roosters’ Joseph Suaalii. $1.54 for the Panthers is far too juicy against an embattled Sydney side.
Suggested Bet: Panthers to win @ $1.54
Bulldogs v. Eels
12th June 4:00PM
King’s Birthday rugby pits the 15th-placed Bulldogs against the 12th-placed Eels. Ladder positions aside, the Eels have been impressive over their past two games, with wins against the Rabbitohs and Cowboys. While the Bulldogs pushed the Roosters to one point last weekend, the return of Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Andrew Davey to Parramatta’s starting side should be enough to ensure a third consecutive win.
Suggested Bet: Eels 1-12 @ $3
