The highlight of Round 9 sees top-placed Sydney Roosters travel to Townsville to meet third-placed North Queensland while all eyes are on sixth spot with Gold Coast a point ahead of New Zealand and Parramatta with Canterbury a further point adrift.
The Raiders have no business being favoured by double digits against anyone, even the lowly Wests Tigers. Canberra have won two straight and impressed against the hapless Canterbury last week but had lost six straight by at least 18 points prior. The Tigers have battled all season but they have had a tough draw with just three games against teams ranked lower than fifth with a win and a biggest loss of 12. The plus looks the play in a game the Tigers can win. Caitlin Turnbull has been the Tigers best player this year with six tries in eight matches. Elise Simpson has scored in her last two.
Recommended Bets
Best: Wests Tigers +10.5 ($1.90)
Next: Wests Tigers Win ($3.90)
Tryscorer: Caitlin Turnbull ($17 First, $3.80 Anytime)
SGM: Caitlin Turnbull Try/Elise Simpson Ty ($9.15)
A positive start to the season for the Dragons has gone south as injuries and suspensions have hit and teams have figured out the best way to roll the Dragons is to bully the small Saints forwards. That sets up well for the Warriors, who have a strong and aggressive pack. The wingers for the Warriors have been elite and given how poor their Saints counterparts have been, it is hard to believe New Zealand aren’t very short in this one. Payton Takimoana has been absolutely elite this year, leading the tryscoring tally with 11 and scoring in seven straight games. Tyra Wetere has just three NRLW games but already has two doubles.
Recommended Bets
Best: New Zealand ($1.90)
Next: New Zealand 13+ ($4.80)
Tryscorer: Payton Takimoana ($7.75 First, $2.10 Anytime)
SGM: Payton Takimoana Try/Tyra Wetere Try ($5.16)
The Cowboys have been the surprise packets of the season but now squaring up against the best team in the competition they look set for a test they will not pass. The Roosters have not only won all eight games this season – and are in the throes of the longest winning streak in NRLW history – but have covered all eight matches this season. The Chooks have an average winning margin of 21. Only one game has finished within 14 points. The Roosters win and win big. Jasmin Strange has been excellent since moving to an edge, scoring three tries in eight games this year. Jayme Fressard has 19 tries in 32 games in the NRLW.
Recommended Bets
Best: Sydney Roosters -12.5 ($1.90)
Next: Sydney Roosters 19+ ($2.60)
Tryscorer: Jasmin Strange ($19 First, $3.70 Anytime)
SGM: Jasmin Strange Try/Jayme Fressard Try ($7.46)
It is very surprising to see Newcastle as outsiders in this one. While the Sharks sit above them on the table, the Knights are a far more reliable proposition. Cronulla have lost both their games against Top 5 opposition. Forget Newcastle’s last two losses to the Roosters and Broncos. They had five straight wins of 18-plus prior and they are a much better structured side than the Sharks. Sheridan Gallagher has an elite tryscoring record with 22 tries in 27 NRLW matches, crossing in four of her last five. Georgia Roche is playing great football and has crossed in her last two.
Recommended Bets
Best: Newcastle Win ($2.05)
Next: Newcastle 13+ ($4.50)
Tryscorer: Sheridan Gallagher ($8.50 First, $2.15 Anytime)
SGM: Sheridan Gallagher Try/Georgia Roche Try ($11.81)
If the same Bulldogs side that conceded 56 to the Raiders last week shows up against the Broncos, this is going to be incredibly ugly. Canterbury’s season has fallen apart with not a single win in their last six matches. Their last four losses have all been by at least 16 points. Brisbane’s only loss this season was to the all-conquering Roosters. Their last two wins have been by 30-plus while they have scored at least 26 in every game this year. Romy Teitzel has eight tries across the last two seasons including four tries in her last three games. Hayley Maddick has benefited from Brisbane’s domination this year with seven tries including five in her last three matches.
Recommended Bets
Best: Brisbane -22.5 ($1.90)
Next: Brisbane -35.5 ($4.20)
Tryscorer: Romy Teitzel ($19 First, $3.60 Anytime)
SGM: Romy Teitzel Try/Hayley Maddick Try ($6.19)
Both teams go into this critical clash unchanged. The Titans just sit in sixth spot but a loss here and the Eels would leapfrog them and potentially find themselves in the Top 6. The Eels won the last meeting between these teams 24-14. Parramatta have been flogged the last two weeks but did run the Roosters close in the first half last week and lost no admirers against Brisbane. The Titans are missing a lot of troops. The Eels can win this. Chloe Jackson has three tries in eight games this year and is a dangerous ball runner – and looks big odds to score even from the bench. Georgia Grey has seven tries this season and is the most dangerous Gold Coast weapon with Jaime Chapman sideline.
Recommended Bets
Best: Parramatta +6.5 ($1.90)
Next: Parramatta Win ($2.85)
Tryscorer: Chloe Jackson ($29 First, $6.25 Anytime)
SGM: Chloe Jackson Try/Georgia Grey Try ($11.12)