It’s the final round of the 2023 home and away season and there are still four teams who are hoping to book their spot in this year’s finals series.
Whether it’s the Raiders, Rabbitohs, Cowboys or Roosters, BetDeluxe takes a look at every team’s chances and provides best bets for the weekend.
game of the week: Rabbitohs vs. Roosters
1st September 8:00pm
The old-school rivalry will go up yet another gear this weekend when the Rabbitohs and Roosters clash for their chance to play finals footy in 2023.
Locked in a three-way tie with North Queensland on 30 points, both sides must win to cement a spot in the top eight.
The Bunnies will enter the match as $1.85 favourites following a much-needed bye-round. Their inconsistencies throughout the season culminated in a 29-10 loss to the Knights two weeks ago.
If they’re going to find a way out of their recent 2-2 form slump and secure a finals berth, they’ll need to do so with Blake Taaffe at fullback instead of the suspended Latrell Mitchell.
The Roosters, who require more than just a win to sneak into finals, head into the weekend on a four-game winning streak after dismantling the Tigers 32-8 on Saturday.
The positive news is that James Tedesco returns from a head knock he suffered in Round 26. However, prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will miss his first of a seven-match suspension.
Not only is this the Game of the Week, but one of the most highly anticipated clashes this year. Both sides have let us down at essential moments throughout the season, but Sydney has found its way over the past month.
TIP: Same Game Multi
- Leg 1: Roosters (+1.5)
- Leg 2: Over 43.5
- Leg 3: A. Johnston anytime scorer
- Leg 4: J. Suaalii anytime scorer
- Total: $9.50
Broncos vs. Storm
31st August 7:50pm
A star-less top-four match-up with very little on the line for both sides. Having secured a top-four spot heading into the season’s last round, neither team will take too many risks ahead of a likely return bout in Week 1 of the finals. The lure of a minor premiership gives the Broncos the edge.
TIP: Broncos to win @ $1.68
Sea Eagles vs. Tigers
1st September 6:00pm
These two sides have even less to play for than the finals-bound Broncos and Storm. However, the Sea Eagles will be motivated by their favourite son and tackling machine Jake Trbojevic’s 200th NRL match. With six wins from their past seven against the cellar-dwellers, expect the Sea Eagles to salute in their season finale.
TIP: D. Cherry-Evans anytime try scorer @ $2.55
Dolphins vs. Warriors
2nd September 3:00PM
There is no team in better form than the Warriors at this point of the season, as they enter this match on a seven-game winning streak. If they are to beat the newbies, it will equal the club record of eight straight victories. Jesse Bromwich returns from a groin injury to lead the Dolphins in their last game of season one. The home side will get every chance as Andrew Webster rests his stars ahead of the finals.
TIP: Dolphins 1-12 @ $3.00
Panthers vs. Cowboys
2nd September 5:30PM
Another Game of the Week aspirant, the Cowboys must win if they are to have any chance of jumping into the top eight. It doesn’t get much harder than an away trip to Penrith, especially after they’ve just suffered a shock loss to the Eels. The return of Dylan Edwards, Sunia Turuva, Luke Sommerton, and Scott Sorensen should ensure Ivan Cleary’s men return to form.
TIP: Panthers first team to score @ $1.45
Dragons vs. Knights
2nd September 7:35pm
Is there a more exciting team to watch than the Knights right now? The 5th-ranked Newcastle locals have notched eight wins on the trot and can secure a home final if they can defeat the Dragons this weekend. Adam O’Brien will be without Kalyn Ponga (injury), Tyson Frizell, Dane Gagai and Phoenix Crossland, but the sheer momentum of launching from 14th to 5th since Round 19 should be enough to carry the Knights to a home final.
TIP: Knights to win @ $1.90
Titans vs. Bulldogs
3rd September 2:00pm
Who can finish their season on a high? Both sides will rue missed opportunities and poor form throughout the season, but the Titans will still enter the game as short-priced $1.30 favourites with BetDeluxe. It’s one of the more difficult games to select a winner, but we’re taking the Alofiana Khan-Pereira-led Titans at home.
TIP: Titans to win @ $1.30
Sharks vs. Raiders
3rd September 4:05pm
An incredibly important clash in the context of the ladder, with the Raiders possibly falling out of the eight if two of the Bunnies, Cowboys or Roosters claim victory. Alternatively, if the Knights lose to the Dragons, these two sides will be playing for fifth spot and a home final. All happening. The Raiders have won their past nine games against the Sharks, making this one to watch.
TIP: Sharks 1-12 @ $2.85
