Can the Storm hold onto the fourth spot?
Can the Roosters make an unlikely run to the finals?
What about those 5-0 Knights?
BetDeluxe looks at every team in the lead-up to Round 24 action.
game of the week: Storm vs. Raiders
13th August 2:00pm
We may have to wait until Sunday afternoon for the Round 24 Game of the Week, but it’ll undoubtedly be worth it as the fourth-ranked Storm hosts the fifth-ranked Raiders for a spot in the top four.
Despite the Raiders’ incredible record of five consecutive victories at Aami Park, Craig Bellamy’s men will enter the match as $1.24 favourites with BetDeluxe.
Melbourne will first need to shake off a disastrous 26-6 loss to the Panthers, whereby they gave up three consecutive tries in the first half and had just a 71% completion rate. Star playmakers Jahrome Hughes and Xavier Coates will return to the line-up as the team looks for its eighth win from its past nine games in Melbourne.
As for the Raiders, they only did what was required in their 22-18 home win against the Tigers, with Sebastian Kris leading the charge with a double. It’s incredible to think the Raiders haven’t lost to the Storm at Aami Park since 2018, a run that could and should end on Sunday afternoon when Harry Grant and Hughes combine for another attacking masterclass.
TIP: Same Game Multi
- Leg 1: Storm to win
- Leg 2: Over 43.5 points
- Leg 3: W. Warbrick anytime scorer
- Leg 4: A. Hopoate anytime scorer
- Total: $8.50
Sea Eagles vs. Panthers
10th August 7:50pm
Another week, another loss to the Roosters for Daly Cherry-Evans and his Sea Eagles teammates. Things don’t get easier as they attempt to climb into the finals frame, coming up against the ladder leaders and a team that hasn’t lost since Round 16. Penrith also hasn’t lost to Manly since 2018. It could be a blowout.
TIP: Panthers 13+ @ $1.37
Sharks vs. Titans
11th August 6:00pm
There’s a pulse at Cronulla. The Sharks snapped a three-game losing streak in one of the best possible ways over the weekend, defeating the Rabbitohs by 10 points in Perth. They’ll enter this one as short-priced favourites, thanks largely to the return of Ronaldo Mulitalo and their eight-game winning streak over the Titans since 2014.
TIP: R. Mulitalo anytime scorer @ $1.50
Broncos vs. Eels
11th August 8:00PM
One of the games of the round, the Broncos will be gunning for their sixth-straight win and the minor premiership as they prepare to take on the Eels at The Gabba. Having accounted for the Cowboys, Roosters and Rabbitohs over the past three weeks, the Broncos will only improve with the return of Adam Reynolds and Kobe Hetherington. Finals are certainly still on the cards for the ninth-ranked Eels, but that endeavour might need to start next week.
TIP: Over (+46.5) @ $1.87
Rabbitohs vs. Dragons
12th August 3:00PM
Not for the first time this season, the Bunnies got our hopes up, only to tear them down again. Predicting the Rabbitohs’ performances in 2023 has been challenging, with just three wins from their past 10 games. Alas, they are still in the eighth spot on the ladder and would love nothing more than a sliver of redemption against a Dragons side who ran out six-point winners in Round 15. A lot closer than the market suggests.
TIP: Dragons (+19.5) @ $1.88
Tigers vs. Warriors
12th August 5:30pm
Cementing third spot on the ladder is the only thought going through the heads of Andrew Webster and his Warriors outfit as they enter their clash with the Tigers as $1.16 favourites. With their last four games against sides outside the eight, it should be a double chance saloon for the Warriors after they comfortably defeated the Titans on the Gold Coast. Stefano Utoikamanu and Shawn Blore return for the Tigers, but it won’t be enough against a Warriors team that’s won their past five games against them.
TIP: Warriors 13+ @ $1.60
Roosters vs. Dolphins
12th August 7:35pm
An interesting game for those who took the Roosters in the futures markets earlier in the year. Sitting in 12th and two points behind the Rabbitohs in eighth, it’s mathematically possible for Trent Robinson and his chargers to make a late run for the post-season. Will it happen? Another first-half double from Daniel Tupou and a dominant display from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Joseph Manu would help.
TIP: J. Isaako anytime scorer @ $1.85
Knights vs. Bulldogs
13th August 4:05pm
The Newcastle train continued to make tracks towards finals over the weekend with a thrilling two-point win over the Dolphins in Perth. With five wins on the trot, Kalyn Ponga, Greg Marzhew, and Dom Young will be keen to solidify their spot in the top eight despite losing star centre Bradman Best to an adductor injury. The Bulldogs, however, will be fresh off their bye round and keen to restore some pride after their 66-0 loss to the Knights earlier in the season.
TIP: Knights to win @ $1.30
