We are down to the final four of this year’s edition of the NRLW with the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos heavily favoured to win their respective finals after two completely dominant seasons.
The dominant Sydney Roosters’ pursuit of perfection is unlikely to hit a road block when they meet last season’s runner-up Cronulla in the first preliminary final. The Roosters have now won 17 straight including last year’s premiership and all 11 games this season. John Strange’s magnificent team have averaged victory by just under 22 points per game with four of their last seven wins by 30-plus. Only the Broncos and Roosters have gotten closer than 16. These teams met in the final round of the season and the Roosters ran riot in a 40-10 win that could have been so much more. The Roosters have won all four meetings between these two with three coming by more than 24. Tarryn Aiken is missing but the depth of the Roosters will keep the ship rolling. Cronulla have played three night matches this year, losing two and falling over the line against the Tigers in three non-covers. Jasmin Strange has been exceptional since moving to the backrow this year with four tries, including three that were the first of the game. They like hitting her early. Amber Hall is otherworldly close to the line and has used her size to cross for nine tries in 20 games across the last two seasons.
Recommended Bets
Best: Sydney Roosters -16.5 ($1.90)
Next: Sydney Roosters -29.5 ($3.75)
Tryscorer: Jasmin Strange ($15 First, $3.10 Anytime)
SGM: Jasmin Strange Try/Amber Hall Try ($11.29)
All the talk has been about the Roosters’ dominance this year but it should be noted that the Broncos are scoring 2.5 points more per game and conceding nearly a point less. Their average margin of victory of 26.18 is absolutely astonishing. They have beaten everyone bar the Roosters with four of their last five wins by 30-plus. They have conceded six or fewer in four of their last five while they have scored more than 38 six times this year. Their 46-16 win over Newcastle in Round 8 was in the Hunter. This has all the signs of a smashjob. Julia Robinson is third on the all-time tryscoring list with 32 with 23 in her last 26 games across the last three years. Tamika Upton is the greatest tryscorer in history with 44 in 49 including 18 in 11 this year that has featured six multi-try games.
Recommended Bets
Best: Brisbane -15.5 ($1.90)
Next: Brisbane -23.5 ($2.85)
Tryscorer: Julia Robinson ($8.75 First, $1.98 Anytime)
SGM: Tamika Upton 2+ Tries/Julia Robinson Try ($7.70)