With the finals starting to take form, which teams can keep their premiership chances alive this weekend?
Check out our tips, previews and analysis of every Round 22 match.
game of the week: Broncos vs. Roosters
27th July 7:50pm
Is there a heartbeat at the Roosters?
It may have taken the best part of 21 rounds, but the Sydneysiders kept their slim finals chances alive with a scintillating 18-point win over the Titans. It was a first-half demolition job as Trent Robinson’s men piled on five unanswered tries, putting the result beyond doubt.
While Victor Radley is poised to return at lock after missing last weekend’s outing, the Roosters’ eighth win of the season hasn’t moved the market at all, with the Broncos entering the match as $1.34 favourites with BetDeluxe.
The Broncos made it nine wins from their ten away games this season when they defeated the Rabbitohs 20-36 at Sunshine Coast Stadium. The return of Origin representative Thomas Flegler will offset the suspensions of Jesse Arthars and Martin Taupau.
Having won five of their past six against the Broncos, the Roosters will be confident they can cause an upset at The Gabba. However, with the form of Selwyn Cobbo – who has scored six tries in five games – we’d expect the Broncos to strengthen their position in the top two.
TIP: Same Game Multi
- Leg 1: Brisbane to win
- Leg 2: Over 43.5 points
- Leg 3: S. Cobbo 2+ tries
- Leg 4: D. Tupou score anytime
- Total: $15
Tigers vs. Rabbitohs
28th July 6:00pm
In the words of most Rabbitohs fans, ‘phew!’ Latrell Mitchell is poised to return from a calf injury for his first game since Round 12, and it couldn’t come any quicker, with Souths suffering their third loss from four games last weekend. Having slipped outside the eight, it’s time for Jason Demetriou and his chargers to kick into gear against the 17th-placed Wests.
TIP: C. Graham anytime try scorer @ $1.72
Storm vs. Eels
28th July 8:00pm
One of the games of the round, with both sides needing to taste victory after suffering losses in Round 21. The Storm – who will enter the match as $1.45 favourites – have made bulk changes after losing Justin Olam, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Reimis Smith and Tariq Sims but should still possess the firepower in a city where they have won six of their past seven.
TIP: Storm to win @ $1.45
Raiders vs. Knights
29th July 3:00PM
Who else has touched onto the Knights train en route to a possible finals appearance? After a shock 26-18 victory over the Storm, Newcastle has maintained touch with the top eight via three consecutive wins. With the Raiders narrowly missing out against the Warriors in golden point, the home base might be the only difference between the two sides.
TIP: Raiders 1-12 @ $2.95
Dragons vs. Sea Eagles
29th July 5:30PM
Two teams that produced impressive wins last weekend, the 11th-placed Sea Eagles can keep their finals chances alive and improve their points differential with a strong performance against the Dragons. Having pulled off a four-point miracle in Cronulla and with Jake Trbojevic passing a HIA, expect Manly to turn up with a bit of pep in their step in Daly Cherry-Evans’ 300th game.
TIP: Sea Eagles to win @ $1.39
Panthers vs. Sharks
29th july 7:35pm
Is your mouth watering yet? The second top-eight blockbuster will take place in Penrith on Saturday night as the ladder leaders look to hand Cronulla their third straight loss. Sharks skipper, Wade Graham, returns from a toe injury, but it’s unlikely to be enough against the premiership favourites.
TIP: Panthers 1-12 @ $3.50
Bulldogs vs. Dolphins
30th July 2:00pm
Fresh off the bye and ready to finish their inaugural season with a bang is the word coming out of the Dolphins’ camp. The market agrees as Wayne Bennett’s men enter the Bundaberg clash as $1.61 favourites, with Jeremy Marshall-King an essential inclusion in the forward pack. The injury-ravaged Bulldogs will get a reprieve with the return of Viliame Kikau and Josh Addo-Carr. Dolphins just.
TIP: Dolphins (-3.5) @ $1.81
Titans vs. Cowboys
30th July 4:05pm
Two points clear inside the top eight, a double chance is well and truly on the cards for the Cowboys as they attempt to make it seven straight wins this weekend. They will need to do so without star back-rower Jeremiah Nanai after he injured his AC joint, but they should still have the firepower to overrun the 14th-placed Titans.
TIP: Cowboys 13+ @ $2.25
