Can the Storm cement the top spot on the ladder? Or will the Sharks reclaim the throne?
BetDeluxe takes a look at three blockbuster match-ups and delivers a bevy of best bets.
Broncos vs. Sharks
8th June 7:35PM
Saturday nights at Suncorp Stadium don’t get much bigger than a clash between the fifth-placed Broncos and the second-placed Sharks.
The Broncos, who fell to the Titans 34-36 two weeks ago before their bye round, will be without star fullback Reece Walsh following his brutal head clash during Origin I. While Kevin Walters knows to plan around Walsh’s absence, he will also need to consider the availability of Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan, and Selwyn Cobbo, who also played Origin on Wednesday night.
The Sharks will be looking to recapture the type of form that catapulted them to the top of the ladder a month ago, having conceded 106 points in their past three games and dropping below the Storm on the ladder. Prior to their form slump, the Cronulla defense averaged just 15 points against. Star halfback Nicho Hynes will be rested following his appearance for NSW, leaving Daniel Atkinson and Braydon Trindall to team up again in the halves.
Dependent on how many Origin stars line up for the Broncos, they should be able to make it 10 wins from 12 games against the Sharks.
TIP: Broncos to win @ $1.62
Storm vs. Knights
9th June 2:00pm
Kick back, put your feet up and jump into top spot on the ladder? Yes, please.
Despite going winless over the past two weeks (one loss and one bye), the Storm has leapfrogged Cronulla and entered top spot on the NRL ladder on points differential. And they’ll be very keen to maintain their position when the Knights come to visit on Sunday afternoon.
Origin duo Harry Grant and Xavier Coates have been named to back-up from Wednesday night’s victory for the Maroons, while Will Warbrick will sit out due to a groin injury. Coates has been in scintillating form with 28 tries in 23 games at Aami Park.
The Knights, who fell out of the top eight with a disappointing 30-point loss to Canterbury last week, will rely on a significant form reversal given Adam O’Brien has named the same 17 this round.
Newcastle’s recent form against the Storm reads 2-0, but expect the Purple Army to hit back in a big way in front of the home crowd.
TIP: X. Coates first try scorer @ $7.50
Panthers vs. Sea Eagles
9th June 4:05pm
Can the Sea Eagles topple another giant?
While the market is firmly against the seventh-ranked Manly, they will enter this clash with their shoulders back and chests out after their gritty six-point win over the Storm two weeks ago.
Like Penrith and coaching counterpart Ivan Cleary, Anthony Seibold will be relying on the fitness of his Origin trio, with Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake Trbojevic and Haumole Olakau’atu all considered playing at this point. They’ve only triumphed once from their past nine games against the Panthers, so the availability of their stars, in the absence of Tommy Turbo, will be crucial.
As for the triple premiers, they too have named their Origin representatives, including Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o, Liam Martin and Jarome Luai following Origin. Dylan Edwards has been named as a reserve after injuring his quad ahead of Origin and Daine Laurie has been named at fullback.
While the outcome should be closer than the market suggests, the Panthers should be able to find a way as they jostle for top spot on the ladder.
TIP: T. Talau anytime try scorer @ $2.50
