Alright NRL fans, it doesn’t get any better than this.
Following the Storm and Warriors’ thrilling wins last weekend, we’ve got two incredible preliminary finals as all four teams attempt to book a spot in this year’s decider.
BetDeluxe breaks down both games and the best available bets.
Panthers vs. Storm
22nd September 7:50pm
The two powerhouses will go head-to-head at Accor Stadium on Friday night, with the market not missing the reigning champions at $1.17.
After claiming the minor premiership with four wins from their last five games, the Panthers dismantled the Warriors 32-6 in the opening round of finals before taking a well-earnt break last week.
That rest has worked wonders for Ivan Cleary’s outfit as Jarome Luai (shoulder) and Izack Tago (pectoral) prepare to return to the starting line-up.
While the path to the prelims hasn’t been nearly as simple for the Storm, they bounced back from a demoralising loss to the Broncos with a five-point victory over the Roosters last week. It took a bit of Will Warbrick magic in the game’s final two minutes to secure the win, but the extra week has given Jahrome Hughes time to recover from his calf injury.
History is there for the taking for the Panthers as they enter the match, having won their past seven finals. More importantly, they’ve defeated the Storm in four of their past five clashes, giving Craig Bellamy, Cameron Munster, and the playing group a lot to think about before Friday night.
TIP: Same Game Multi
- Leg 1: Panthers to win
- Leg 2: Over 38.5 points
- Leg 3: S. Crichton score anytime
- Leg 4: N. Meaney score anytime
- Total: $13
Broncos vs. Warriors
23rd September 7:50PM
Another one-sided affair in the market, the all-conquering Broncos have shortened to $1.24 ahead of the preliminary final against the Warriors.
It comes off the back of a dominant Week 1 finals performance whereby Kevin Walters’ men dismantled the Storm 26-0 with four unanswered tries. As such, the Broncos will go into the match with an unchanged 17 after Adam Reynolds (calf) and Pat Carrigan (foot) made it through the game unscathed.
As for the Wahs, they’ll be choc full of confidence following their incredible 30-point win over the Knights in Auckland. Shaun Johnson returned to the side in scintillating and match-winning form while they shared the ball around with seven individual try scorers.
Most pundits agree that Suncorp Stadium will provide little advantage to the Broncos, who have only won three of their past games at the venue. Despite this, Origin star Selwyn Cobbo ignites when on the hallowed turf of Suncorp with 21 tries in 21 games.
Johnson and gun winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will be the keys for the Wahs as they attempt to cause an upset en route to their first premiership since entering the competition in 1995.
TIP: S. Cobbo anytime try scorer @ $1.70
