The upsets continued and the cream rose to the top during a NRL Round 4 where the Panthers and Broncos proved they can win without their injured stars. This week Melbourne welcome back star five-eighth Cameron Munster as they face the Broncos in Melbourne.
Good luck with your tips.
Thursday, April 4
Melbourne Storm vs. Brisbane Broncos
AAMI Park, 8pm (AEDT)
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero Bench: 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Christian Welch 16. Tepai Moeroa 17. Alec MacDonald Reserves: 19. Jack Howarth 21. Jonah Pezet
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Broncos: 1. Tristan Sailor 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Fletcher Baker 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan Bench: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Benjamin Te Kura 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Corey Oates Reserves: 18. Martin Taupau 19. Jock Madden
Officials
Referee: Ashley Klein Touchies: Chris Sutton, Wyatt Raymond Bunker: Gerard Sutton
Prediction: The Storm enjoyed the bye last week after their unexpected defeat at the hands of the Knights the week before. The Broncos, brilliantly led by halfback Adam Reynolds surprised the Cowboys in the Brisbane rain. The Storm welcome back star five-eighth Cameron Munster, which should surely tip the scales in their favour. Even with the Broncos missing several stars it promises to be a contest you should not miss, with the Storm coming out on top at home.
Tip: Storm by 4
PointsBet odds: Storm $1.45 (-6.5 $1.90) Broncos $2.75 (+6.5 $1.90)
Friday, April 5
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Sydney Roosters
Accor Stadium, 6pm (AEDT)
Bulldogs: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Connor Tracey 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Josh Curran 13. Jaeman Salmon Bench: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harrison Edwards 17. Kitione Kautoga 22. Chris Patolo Reserves: 19. Bronson Xerri 20. Toby Sexton
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Nat Butcher 12. Angus Crichton 13. Victor Radley Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Terrell May Reserves: 18. Michael Jennings 19. Egan Butcher
Officials
Referee: Grant Atkins Touchies: Kasey Badger, Clayton Wills Bunker: Todd Smith
Prediction: The Bulldogs were gallant once again against the Rabbitohs last week, but in all seriousness they just don't have the creative players to compete with the better teams. The Roosters were outplayed by the Panthers last week in a game they really had a great chance to win, with Nathan Cleary out injured. If this game goes to script the Bulldogs will defend their line well for a large chunk of the game, but still allow the Roosters to score over 20 points, a total they themselves have no hope of matching.
Tip: Roosters by 14
PointsBet odds: Bulldogs $3.40 (+9.5 $2) Roosters $1.32 (-9.5 $1.80)
Newcastle Knights vs. St George Illawarra Dragons
McDonald Jones Stadium, 8pm (AEDT)
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 18. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker Reserves: 22. Thomas Cant 21. Tyson Gamble
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Tom Eisenhuth Bench: 14. Jesse Marschke 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Michael Molo 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner Reserves: 21. Ryan Couchman 19. Christian Tuipulotu
Officials
Referee: Belinda Sharpe Touchies: Peter Gough, Drew Oultram Bunker: Adam Gee
Prediction: The Knights fly home from New Zealand having been beaten by the Warriors in a game they were well capable of winning. The Dragons surprised everyone with a gutsy display to defeat the Sea Eagles in Wollongong. The mixed form of the Dragons this year makes this one a difficult game to pick, but perhaps the home ground advantage will see the Knights home.
Tip: Knights by 8
PointsBet odds: Knights $1.45 (-6.5 $1.90) Dragons $2.75 (+6.5 $1.90)
Saturday, April 6
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. New Zealand Warriors
Accor Stadium, 3pm (AEDT)
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Izaac Tu'itupou Thompson 3. Jack Wighton 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray Bench: 14. Michael Chee Kam 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Sean Keppie 17. Davvy Moale Reserves: 18. Peter Mamouzelos 19. Lachlan Ilias 20. Richard Kennar 21. Jye Gray 22. Jacob Gagai
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris Bench: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Tom Ale 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Jazz Tevaga Reserves: 18. Adam Pompey 20. Jacob Laban 21. Chanel Harris-Tavita 22. Edward Kosi 23. Ali Leiataua
Officials
Referee: Liam Kennedy Touchies: Kieren Irons, Jon Stone Bunker: Ashley Klein
Prediction: The Rabbitohs finally broke their duck for the year with a less than convincing victory over the Bulldogs last week. The Warriors were once again unstoppable in patches, before drifting in and out of the game at times. The Warriors will need to be fully switched on for this game, or risk becoming the Bunnies' second victim of the year. The Warriors should win this, but they look to be back to their unreliable worst this season.
Tip: Warriors by 10
PointsBet odds: Rabbitohs $2 (+1.5 $1.95) Warriors $1.80 (-1.5 $1.85)
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs. Penrith Panthers
4 Pines Park, 5:30pm (AEDT)
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Tommy Talau 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic Bench: 14. Karl Lawton 15. Corey Waddell 16. Toafofoa Sipley 17. Nathan Brown Reserves: 18. Ethan Bullemor 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Aaron Woods 21. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo Bench: 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth Reserves: 18. Soni Luke 19. Paul Alamoti 20. Mavrik Geyer 21. Jack Cole 22. Tyrone Peachey
Officials
Referee: Todd Smith Touchies: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Phil Henderson Bunker: Grant Atkins
Prediction: The Sea Eagles have lost two straight now with disappointing efforts against the Eels and Dragons away. They host this one against the Panthers who still looked formidable last week in beating the Roosters, even without Nathan Cleary. I can't see the Sea Eagles bouncing back to win this one, but I have been wrong about them several times this year already.
Tip: Panthers by 12
PointsBet odds: Sea Eagles $2.25 (+3.5 $1.90) Panthers $1.65 (-3.5 $1.90)
Dolphins vs. Wests Tigers
Suncorp Stadium, 7:35pm (AEDT)
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Euan Aitken 13. Ray Stone Bench: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Kenny Bromwich Reserves: 18. Oryn Keeley 19. Sean O'Sullivan 20. Jarrod Wallace 21. Tesi Niu 22. Mason Teague
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Justin Olam 5. Junior Tupou 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole Bench: 14. Latu Fainu 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Alex Twal 17. Samuela Fainu Reserves: 18. Brent Naden 19. Asu Kepaoa 20. Justin Matamua 21. Solomon Alaimalo 22. Jake Simpkin
Officials
Referee: Gerard Sutton Touchies: Michael Wise, Matt Noyen Bunker: Peter Gough
Prediction: The Dolphins allowed the Titans to get a start last week before running them down and punishing them after the break. The Tigers were excellent again in beating the Eels, but will be without star five eighth Lachie Galvin after he was cited for a hip drop tackle. This will be a interesting contest, but the Dolphins should have too much flare for the Tigers in Brisbane.
Tip: Dolphins by 16
PointsBet odds: Dolphins $1.57 (-3.5 $1.80) Tigers $2.40 (+3.5 $2)
Sunday, April 7
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Gold Coast Titans
Queensland Country Stadium, 4:05pm (AEST)
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jack Gosiewski Reserves: 19. Thomas Mikaele 20. Semi Valemei
Titans: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Harley Smith-Shields 3. Brian Kelly 4. AJ Brimson 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Erin Clark Bench: 14. Sam Verrills 15. David Fifita 16. Joe Stimson 17. Josiah Pahulu Reserves: 18. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 19. Tony Francis
Officials
Referee: Chris Butler Touchies: Nick Pelgrave, Tyson Brough Bunker: Liam Kennedy
Prediction: The Cowboys were beaten by the Broncos last week in a disappointing effort, while the Titans started well before capitulating to the Dolphins. There was so much promise surrounding the Titans under new coach Des Hasler, now they seem to already be in a battle to avoid the wooden spoon. In Townsville, unless the Cowboys play even worse than last week, the Titans should slip to another defeat.
Tip: Cowboys by 14
PointsBet odds: Cowboys $1.15 (-15.5 $1.90) Titans $5.50 (+15.5 $1.90)
Canberra Raiders vs. Parramatta Eels
GIO Stadium, 6:15pm (AEST)
Raiders: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. James Schiller 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Ata Mariota 13. Morgan Smithies Bench: 14. Tom Starling 15. Corey Horsburgh 16. Simi Sasagi 17. Pasami Saulo Reserves: 18. Kaeo Weekes 20. Trey Mooney
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. J'maine Hopgood Bench: 14. Luca Moretti 15. Wiremu Greig 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi Reserves: 19. Daejarn Asi 22. Morgan Harper
Officials
Referee: Adam Gee Touchies: David Munro, Drew Oultram Bunker: Kasey Badger
Prediction: The Raiders somehow blew an 18-0 lead against the Sharks last week, reviving the "Faders" nickname they have been working so hard to escape. The Eels were upset by the Tigers in a real arm wrestle and showed just how much they are missing star half Mitchell Moses. This is a tough one to pick because you can never be sure which Raiders team are going to turn up. I think after a week of copping it from Ricky Stuart and in front of their home crowd, the Raiders might just win this one.
Tip: Raiders by 4
PointsBet odds: Raiders $1.70 (-2.5 $1.99) Eels $2.15 (+2.5 $1.85)
BYE:
Sharks
All odds correct at time of publication. Check pointsbet.com.au for the latest.