All eyes will be on Suncorp on Saturday night when heavyweights Brisbane and the Sydney Roosters meet with title favouritism on the line. There will also be plenty of attention on the other Top 7 battles when Newcastle and Canberra open up the Sunday slate before the Tigers host the Warriors.
Gold Coast will have few problems running clear of a struggling St George Illawarra. The Titans have a sensational attack that has topped 24 points in four of their last five. They have not conceded more than 16 points in any of those. The Titans have won the last three against the Dragons, winning last year 22-4. The Dragons have lost three of their last four by 20-plus. Chips in the Titans minus. Teagan Levi has four tries in six games since shifting from rugby union. Evania Isa’ako has three tries in five games since moving to the backrow.
Tips
Best: Gold Coast -24.5 ($1.90)
Next: Gold Coast 30+ ($2.55)
Tryscorer: Teagan Levi ($11 First, $2.20 Anytime)
SGM: Teagan Levi Try/Evania Isa’ako ($5.13)
There is very little to say about this game. Canterbury are a team on the rise who should be winning and winning well. The Bulldogs have won three of their last four – all against bottom six teams – and posted 24-plus in those three wins. The Eels have been horrific this year and the injury toll continues to mount. They have lost all six games with five of those by more than 12. Get right around the rising Bulldogs this week. Alexis Tauaneai has seven tries in 30 career games so her price is well and truly over the odds. Monica Tagoai has four tries in six games this season.
Tips
Best: Canterbury -7.5 ($1.85)
Next: Canterbury 13+ ($2.45)
Tryscorer: Alexis Tauaneai ($23 First, $4.60 Anytime)
SGM: Alexis Tauaneai Try/Monica Tagoai Try ($10.07)
The most anticipated match of the season sees the Broncos go in surprising home underdogs against the Sydney Roosters, something that seems a direct effect of Ali Brigginshaw’s suspension and the Broncos’ shock loss to the Raiders last week. The Brigginshaw loss though is being overplayed while happy to forgive the Broncos last week, who no doubt had an eye on this. Brisbane won the last meeting between the two teams and both matches last season were decided by four points. Brisbane are not being afforded enough respect here. Lauren Dam has 17 tries in 34 games including in the last three. Sariah Paki has started her NRLW career with five tries in six games.
Tips
Best: Brisbane +5.5 ($1.90)
Next: Brisbane Win ($2.55)
Tryscorer: Lauren Dam ($26 First, $4.75 Anytime)
SGM: Lauren Dam Try/Sariah Paki Try ($15.74)
Canberra comes into this off the upset of the season when they rolled Brisbane as a 17.5-point home underdog, thumping the Broncos and handing the defending premiers just their second regular season loss of the last two years. The value this week though is with Newcastle back on home turf. The Knights have won all three meetings with the Raiders and Canberra rarely put together back-to-back showings. Sidney Taylor has been super since her move to the NRLW with two tries in six games. Fane Finau has been has three tries in nine games and has a lovely combination with Kira Dibb working right now.
Tips
Best: Newcastle Win ($1.90)
Next: Newcastle 13+ ($4.50)
Tryscorer: Sidney Taylor ($16 First, $3.45 Anytime)
SGM: Sidney Taylor Try/Fane Finau ($15.72)
The Wests Tigers were thumped by New Zealand in their only meeting and can do something similar here. New Zealand won 44-6 in a complete smashjob late last season. The Warriors are in great form with their win over Newcastle last week particularly impressive. The Tigers fell in against the Dragons and the Warriors are different gravy. Tysha Ikenasio is having a super season with five tries in six games including a hat-trick against Newcastle last week. Mele Hufanga has 26 tries in 35 games and is a tryscoring machine.
Tips
Best: New Zealand -5.5 ($1.85)
Next: New Zealand 13+ ($2.75)
Tryscorer: Tyhsa Ikenasio ($7.25 First, $1.78 Anytime)
SGM: Tysha Ikenasio Try/Mele Hufanga ($3.49)
One notion that can be taken to the bank is that Cronulla cannot play at night. Over the last two seasons, the Sharks are 1-8 straight and against the spread in games played after 5pm. The Sharks just simply are terribly underachieving under Tony Herman and they are so overrated by the market at night that their opponents can be bet blind. The Sharks have been dreadful this year, going 1-5 with their last two losses coming by double digits. North Queensland are also 1-5 but have been much-improved the last fortnight, rolling Canberra and then going down to Canterbury in Sydney by two. As a home underdog, they are one of the best bets of the week. Margot Vella is a fantastic tryscorer who has four tries in six games since moving to Townsville. Fran Goldthorp has been close to North Queensland’s best this year with four tries in six matches.
Tips
Best: North Queensland +5.5 ($1.90)
Next: North Queensland Win ($2.60)
Tryscorer: Margot Vella ($11 First, $2.35 Anytime)
SGM: Margot Vella Try/Fran Goldthorp Try ($7.08)
