Pen and paper ready punters because we’re about to dive into two of the most mouthwatering clashes of the season.
With Penrith and Brisbane safely through to the preliminary final weekend, everything is on the line for the four remaining teams.
BetDeluxe breaks down both games and the best bets available.
Storm vs. Roosters
15th September 7:50pm
Friday night blockbusters don’t get much bigger than an elimination final between two of the game’s biggest rivals, Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters.
Despite winning seven of the previous eight encounters between the two sides, the Storm must shake off their most demoralising loss of the season after going down to the Broncos 26-0. They gave up just the one Kotoni Staggs try in a bruising opening half but were blown out of the water in the final 40 minutes.
It was the first time Craig Bellamy’s men have been held scoreless since 2020.
Making matters worse for the Storm were injuries to Ryan Papenhuyzen (ankle), Xavier Coates (ankle) and Young Tonumaipea. Reimis Smith and Justin Olam will come into the starting squad.
The injury toll was similarly devastating for the Roosters during their incredible 13-12 win over the Sharks, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (concussion), Joey Manu (hamstring) and Billy Smith (jaw) unable to make it through the game unscathed.
It certainly didn’t stop the Roosters from pulling off one of the great finals victories, however, with Trent Robinson’s men also overcoming a James Tedesco sin bin in the second half and extending their winning streak to six games.
While both sides have been dealt injury blows for this one, it’s hard to go past the Storm in front of the Aami Park crowd. Especially when they’ve triumphed in seven of their past nine finals games at the venue.
TIP: Same Game Multi
- Leg 1: Storm to win
- Leg 2: Under 40.5 points
- Leg 3: W. Warbrick score anytime
- Leg 4: Roosters under 11.5 points
- Total: $7.00
Warriors vs. Knights
16th September 4:05PM
Can the Warriors stop the seemingly unstoppable Knights train?
In one of the most remarkable turnarounds in modern NRL, the Knights secured their 10th straight victory on Sunday, defeating the Raiders 30-28 in a thriller at McDonald Jones Stadium. Trailing by ten at half-time, the Knights ignited with four tries in the final 40, including a Dom Young double.
Win number 11 certainly won’t be easy for Adam O’Brien’s men, with Jackson Hastings (hamstring) and Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder) ruling out the trip to Auckland. Adam Clune will return to halfback, while Dylan Lucas enters the forward pack.
After resting their stars and losing their final match of the home and away season to the Dolphins, the Warriors made it two on the trot when they went down to the Panthers by 26 points.
Most importantly, star halfback Shaun Johnson has been named to return for the Warriors after missing last week with a calf concern.
This will be the first time the two sides have ever met in finals, with each winning their home fixture against the other this season.
The market is well and truly with the Warriors at $1.53, but don’t be surprised if Kalyn Ponga and his men can rally and keep their final dream alive for one more week.
TIP: G. Marzhew score anytime @ $1.91
