The final round of the NRLW season is upon us and there is plenty to play for. The Titans and Eels are fighting out for sixth spot with the Gold Coast in the box seat – though they need to beat the in-form Raiders to be certain. We also get a little teaser for the finals with two all-Top 4 clashes when the Roosters host the Sharks and the Broncos and Cowboys square off.
Cronulla are an ill-disciplined team of underachievers who are poorly coached and given their record in night games this year look like lambs to the slaughter against the all-conquering Roosters. The Sharks are 1-4 in games that start after 4.15pm this season with their one win a highly unimpressive victory over the Tigers. The Roosters have not lost this year and covered all games until last week. The Roosters get Isabelle Kelly back and have far too much talent. The Roosters have scored at least 28 points in all three meetings with Cronulla with two wins of 24-plus. Jasmin Strange has scored the first try in a match four times this season including last week. Jayme Fressard has scored in two of her three starts on the wing this year.
Recommended Bets
Best: Sydney Roosters -14.5 ($1.90)
Next: Sydney Roosters -23.5 ($2.95)
Tryscorer: Jasmin Strange ($16 First, $3.25 Anytime)
SGM: Jasmin Strange Try/Jayme Fressard Try ($6.47)
Parramatta need to win this to keep their finals hopes alive and are deserved favourites but laying 4.5 points seems a little rich for a team that has dropped four of their last five. They come off a strong win against the Tigers but suspect Canterbury will offer a lot more resistance. The Bulldogs were very good in rolling Cronulla last week and look the value play. Alexis Tauaneai has five tries in her last 10 games and looks a ridiculous price. Martha Mataele comes off a hat-trick and now has five tries in her last four games.
Recommended Bets
Best: Canterbury +4.5 ($1.90)
Next: Canterbury Win ($2.45)
Tryscorer: Alexis Tauaneai ($31 First, $5.80 Anytime)
SGM: Alexis Tauaneai Try/Martha Mataele Try ($11.53)
There is just one team better than the Broncos this year and it is not third-placed North Queensland. The Broncos have won seven straight with all of those wins coming by 14 or more. Brisbane come off their lowest scoring performance of the year where they scored 26. That attacking firepower will cause the Cowboys some grief given they have topped that number just twice – against bottom three teams. Julia Robinson returns while Jakiya Whitfeld remains out for the Cowboys. Tamika Upton became the first woman to 40 tries last weekend and she leads the NRLW this season with 15 tries in 10 games. She has at least two tries in half her games. Julia Robinson has scored in her last six games.
Recommended Bets
Best: Brisbane -13.5 ($1.90)
Next: Brisbane -29.5 ($5.20)
Tryscorer: Tamika Upton ($5.20 First, $1.48 Anytime)
SGM: Tamika Upton 2+ Tries/Julia Robinson Try ($7.03)
Betting in this one is surprising. The Titans may need to win but there is a fair chance this game could prove meaningless. Gold Coast still have Jaime Chapman out and have now lost the exciting Georgia Grey. Canberra have improved significantly with three straight wins and then a close loss to the Roosters, preventing John Strange’s team from covering for the first time this year. The plus looks one of the better bets of the week. Elise Simpson is an emerging star who has five tries in her last four games. Isabella Waterman has three tries in her last three games.
Recommended Bets
Best: Canberra +7.5 ($1.90)
Next: Canberra Win ($2.90)
Tryscorer: Elise Simpson ($15 First, $3.15 Anytime)
SGM: Elise Simpson Try/Isabella Waterman Try ($7.87)
The only meaningless game of the round. Brett Kimmorley coaches his last game – with the Tigers publicly advertising the position. If that doesn’t tell you where the club is at, nothing will. Star Caitlin Turnbull is out for the Tigers. The Warriors have lost Patricia Maliepo but have too much talent for the hapless Tigers. Payton Takimoana has had an unforgettable debut season with 13 tries in 10 games, scoring in all bar two matches. Tyra Wetere has four tries in five appearances.
Recommended Bets
Best: New Zealand -5.5 ($1.90)
Next: New Zealand -17.5 ($4.10)
Tryscorer: Payton Takimoana ($7 First, $1.91 Anytime)
SGM: Payton Takimoana Try/Tyra Wetere Try ($4.30)
A disappointing season comes to an end for the Dragons in Newcastle and it is not going to be a pleasant end for the Red V with the Knights needing a win to push for a home final. Newcastle have been a touch disappointing in patches of late but are as talented as any team outside the top two. They should win this and win it by plenty. Sheridan Gallagher has 24 tries in 29 games and is as reliable a scorer as there is. Teagan Berry has 36 tries in 40 NRLW games despite winning just 40% of matches.
Recommended Bets
Best: Newcastle -15.5 ($1.90)
Next: Newcastle -23.5 ($2.90)
Tryscorer: Sheridan Gallagher ($6.60 First, $1.65 Anytime)
SGM: Sheridan Gallagher Try/Teagan Berry Try ($4.03)