The State of Origin series is over for another year as the NRL starts its run towards the finals.
Round 19 sees a lot of the top teams taking on bottom teams in what should be an easy weekend for tippers, but a tough one for scoreboard attendants.
Good luck with your tips.
Friday, July 23
Sydney Roosters vs. Newcastle Knights, Sunshine Coast Stadium, 6:00pm (AEST)
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Isaac Liu 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley Bench: 14. Lachlan Lam 15. Nat Butcher 16. Egan Butcher 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho Reserves: 18. Adam Keighran 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Josh Morris 21. Ben Thomas
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Kurt Mann 4. Enari Tuala 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Connor Watson Bench: 14. Sauaso Sue 15. David Klemmer 16. Josh King 17. Brodie Jones Reserves: 18. Jack Johns 19. Simi Sasagi 20. Tex Hoy 21. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
Verdict: The Roosters had a tough battle with the Cowboys last week after a slow start, while the Knights were thumped by the Storm. Newcastle were just starting to look better with the return of Mitchell Pearce and Kalyn Ponga, but the Storm knocked them back down to earth. This is the Knights' big chance to regather and prove that they do deserve a spot in the finals. The Roosters will be out to prove that they don't.
Tip: Roosters by 12
TAB odds: Roosters $1.27 (-11.5 $1.90) Knights $3.70 (+11.5 $1.90)
North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 7:55pm (AEST)
Cowboys: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Murray Taulagi 4. Connelly Lemuelu 5. Kane Bradley 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Tom Dearden 8. Francis Molo 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. Shane Wright 12. Mitchell Dunn 13. Jason Taumalolo Bench: 14. Tom Gilbert 15. Heilum Luki 16. Coen Hess 17. Jake Granville Reserves: 18. Lachlan Burr 19. Michael Bell 20. Peter Hola 21. Daejarn Asi
Storm: 1. Nicholas Hynes 2. Dean Ieremia 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cooper Johns 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Chris Lewis 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Tui Kamikamica Bench: 14. Aaron Booth 15. Aaron Pene 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen Reserves: 18. Trent Loiero 19. Jordan Grant 20. Isaac Lumelume 21. Marion Seve
Verdict: The Storm continued their dominant season last week, wiping the Knights off the park, while the Cowboys put up a good fight against the Roosters before capitulating late in the game. The Cowboys have their backs to the wall and will be fired up for a big effort against the NRL leaders, but when the smoke clears it will be another blow-out win to the visitors.
Tip: Storm by 28
TAB odds: Cowboys $10 (+26.5 $1.90) Storm $1.04 (-26.5 $1.90)
Saturday, July 24
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. New Zealand Warriors, Sunshine Coast Stadium, 3:00pm (AEST)
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Josh Mansour 3. Dane Gagai 4. Campbell Graham 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Mark Nicholls 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Cameron Murray Bench: 14. Taane Milne 15. Jacob Host 16. Patrick Mago 17. Jai Arrow Reserves: 18. Braidon Burns 19. Jed Cartwright 20. Blake Taaffe 21. Dean Hawkins
Warriors: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Euan Aitken 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Chad Townsend 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Matt Lodge 11. Jack Murchie 12. Bayley Sironen 13. Josh Curran Bench: 14. Taniela Otukolo 15. Eliesa Katoa 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Leeson Ah Mau Reserves: 18. Kane Evans 20. Edward Kosi 21. Sean O'Sullivan 22. Ben Murdoch-Masila
Verdict: The Rabbitohs had a bit of a struggle last week against the determined Bulldogs, while the Warriors suffered some key injuries during their gallant loss to the Panthers. The Rabbitohs have only lost to the Panthers and Storm all year and they will be too good for the Warriors as they fine tune on their run to a Top 4 spot.
Tip: Rabbitoh by 18
TAB odds: Rabbitohs $1.13 (-17.5 $1.90) Warriors $5.75 (+17.5 $1.90)
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs. Wests Tigers, Suncorp Stadium, 5:30pm (AEST)
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Josh Schuster 13. Jake Trbojevic Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Josh Aloiai 16. Sean Keppie 17. Toafofoa Sipley Reserves: 18. Moses Suli 19. Cade Cust 20. Jack Gosiewski 21. Kurt De Luis
Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Junior Pauga 4. Tommy Talau 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Jacob Liddle 10. James Tamou 11. Luke Garner 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Thomas Mikaele Bench: 14. Joe Ofahengaue 15. Alex Twal 16. Tuki Simpkins 17. Moses Mbye Reserves: 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Jake Simpkin 20. Alex Seyfarth 21. Shawn Blore
Verdict: The Sea Eagles managed a win over the Dragons last week without Daly Cherry-Evan and Tom Trbojevic, while the Tigers showed a lot of spirit in thumping the Broncos. The Tigers need to win this or their hopes of making the finals will be all but gone, while the Sea Eagles are determined to stay well within the Top 8. I think the Sea Eagles will have too much class in this one.
Tip: Sea Eagles by 16
TAB odds: Sea Eagles $1.11 (-18.5 $1.95) Tigers $6.25 (+18.5 $1,85)
Penrith Panthers vs. Brisbane Broncos, Suncorp Stadium, 7:35pm (AEST)
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Matt Burton 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Tyrone May 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Isaah Yeo Bench: 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Liam Martin Reserves: 18. Brent Naden 19. Paul Momirovski 20. Matthew Eisenhuth 21. Izack Tago
Broncos: 1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Brodie Croft 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Alex Glenn 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington Bench: 14. Cory Paix 15. Rhys Kennedy 16. Keenan Palasia 17. TC Robati Reserves: 18. Ethan Bullemor 19. Jesse Arthars 20. Xavier Willison 21. Xavier Coates
Verdict: The Panthers looked disjointed without their halves, but still had enough strike power to take care of the Warriors last week. The Broncos were in the struggle against the Tigers until they once again gave up late in the game. If the Broncos can put together a full 80 minute effort they might avoid an embarrassing score, but if they continue as they have most of the season this could be another blow-out.
Tip: Panthers by 22
TAB odds: Panthers $1.10 (-18.5 $1.90) Broncos $6.50 (+18.5 $1.90)
Sunday, July 25
St George Illawarra Dragons vs. Gold Coast Titans, Cbus Super Stadium Stadium, 1:50pm (AEST)
Dragons: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Jordan Pereira 3. Gerard Beale 4. Cody Ramsey 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Josh Kerr 11. Jack Bird 12. Tariq Sims 13. Josh Mcguire Bench: 14. Adam Clune 15. Tyrell Fuimaono 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Jack de Belin Reserves: 18. Kaide Ellis 19. Talatau Amone 20. Billy Burns 21. Tyrell Sloan
Titans: 1. Alexander Brimson 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Corey Thompson 6. Ashley Taylor 7. Toby Sexton 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Moeaki Fotuaika 11. Kevin Proctor 12. David Fifita 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui Bench: 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Sam Lisone 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Beau Fermor Reserves: 18. Esan Marsters 19. Sam McIntyre 20. Tanah Boyd 21. Jayden Campbell
Verdict: The Dragons were well beaten last week by a weakened Sea Eagles side as the fall-out from their COVID BBQ appeared to hamper their on field performance. The hot and cold Titans had a cold week against the Eels and they really need to find some consistency if they are going to make the finals this year. The Dragons need a win to hang onto their Top 8 spot, but it's hard to tell whether their hearts are still in it.
Tip: Titans by 6
TAB odds: Dragons $2.35 (+4.5 $1.86) Titans $1.58 (-4.5 $1.95)
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Cronulla Sutherland Sharkss, Cbus Super Stadium, 4:05pm (AEST)
Bulldogs: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Corey Allan 3. Will Hopoate 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Jayden Okunbor 6. Lachlan Lewis 7. Jake Averillo 8. Ava Seumanufagai 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Jack Hetherington 11. Corey Waddell 12. Josh Jackson 13. Luke Thompson Bench: 14. Bailey Biondi-Odo 15. Dylan Napa 16. Joe Stimson 17. Ofahiki Ogden Reserves: 19. Kyle Flanagan 20. Sione Katoa 21. Falakiko Manu 22. Matt Doorey
Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Connor Tracey 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Siosifa Talakai 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jack Williams Bench: 14. Mawene Hiroti 15. Royce Hunt 16. Briton Nikora 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele Reserves: 18. Billy Magoulias 19. Luke Metcalf 20. Andrew Fifita 21. Joniah Lualua
Verdict: The Bulldogs put up a great effort last week against the Rabbitohs, but were ultimately let down by their own poor discipline. The Sharks looked ordinary at times during their loss to the Raiders. The Sharks are one of the two teams the Bulldogs have actually beaten this year and if they don't find a way to switch on, they could be facing the same fate.
Tip: Bulldogs by 8
TAB odds: Bulldogs $3.80 (+11.5 $1.95) Sharks $1.25 (-11.5 $1.85)
All odds correct at time of publication. Check tab.com.au for the latest.