The NRL season continues through the difficult State of Origin period, with some teams having alarming form slumps despite not even having players in Origin. This week we see some vital clashes with places in the Top 8 well and truly up for grabs.
Good luck with your tips.
Friday, June 28
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
Accor Stadium, 8pm (AEST)
Bulldogs: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Jacob Kiraz 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Bailey Hayward Bench: 14. Jake Turpin 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Lipoi Hopoi Reserves: 22. Harry Hayes 23. Stephen Crichton
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Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Cameron McInnes Bench: 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Thomas Hazelton 21. Teig Wilton Reserves: 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Jesse Colquhoun
Officials
Referee: Gerard Sutton Touchies: Phil Henderson, Matt Noyen Bunker: Adam Gee
Prediction: The Bulldogs were outplayed by the Roosters in the Gosford rain last week, while the Sharks were rugged up and dry enjoying the bye. The Bulldogs will be hoping inspirational skipper Stephen Crichton can back up after State of Origin, while Sharks Nicho Hynes and Cameron McInnes will be keen to prove the Blues selectors wrong after being dropped for Origin II. This is a tough one to pick, with the finals potential of both sides being in some doubt. The Sharks should win or you can add them well and truly to the list of premiership pretenders.
Tip: Sharks by 8
PointsBet odds: Bulldogs $2.40 (+4.5 $1.90) Sharks $1.57 (-4.5 $1.90)
Saturday, June 29
New Zealand Warriors vs. Brisbane Broncos
Go Media Stadium, 3pm (AEST)
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Marata Niukore 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tohu Harris Bench: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Dylan Walker 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Kurt Capewell Reserves: 18. Tom Ale 20. Jacob Laban 21. Edward Kosi 22. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Moala Graham-Taufa
Broncos: 1. Tristan Sailor 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jack Gosiewski 13. Kobe Hetherington Bench: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau Reserves: 18. Joshua Rogers 19. Blake Mozer 20. Reece Walsh 21. Payne Haas 22. Patrick Carrigan 23. Corey Oates
Officials
Referee: Todd Smith Touchies: Drew Oultram, Paki Parkinson Bunker: Chris Butler
Prediction: The Warriors were awful last week against the Titans, while the Broncos had the bye after losing to the Rabbitohs the week before. It is hard to imagine that the Warriors could sink any lower, and I've vowed to never tip them again, which of course probably means they will bounce back to win this one. The Broncos will anxiously await the return from Origin of Reece Walsh, as he is so integral to their attack and point-scoring ability.
Tip: Broncos by 10
PointsBet odds: Warriors $2.35 (+3.5 $1.95) Broncos $1.60 (-3.5 $1.85)
Newcastle Knights vs. Parramatta Eels
McDonald Jones Stadium, 5:30pm (AEST)
Knights: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Will Pryce 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott Bench: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Kai Pearce-Paul 17. Brodie Jones Reserves: 18. Mathew Croker 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Jack Cogger 21. Krystian Mapapalangi 22. David Armstrong
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Blaize Talagi 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Joe Ofahengaue Bench: 14. Matthew Arthur 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Matt Doorey 17. Ryan Matterson Reserves: 18. Daejarn Asi 19. Joey Lussick 20. Wiremu Greig 21. Jake Tago 22. Charlie Guymer
Officials
Referee: Peter Gough Touchies: Chris Sutton, Kieren Irons Bunker: Wyatt Raymond
Prediction: Both these teams enjoyed the bye last weekend after the Knights lost to the Panthers and the Eels lost to the Roosters the week before. The eels are sitting on the bottom of the ladder now, having sacked their coach and yet to name a replacement. The Knights have been on a losing run of their own lately, slipping further from a Top 8 spot. This should be a real line in the sand game, with both teams desperate for a win.
Tip: Knights by 6
PointsBet odds: Knights $1.80 (-1.5 $1.90) Eels $2 (+1.5 $1.90)
Melbourne Storm vs. Canberra Raiders
AAMI Park, 7:35pm (AEST)
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Grant Anderson 4. Jack Howarth 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero Bench: 14. Christian Welch 15. Bronson Garlick 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Joe Chan Reserves: 18. Reimis Smith 19. Dean Ieremia 20. Alec MacDonald 21. Kane Bradley 22. Sualauvi Faalogo 23. Chris Lewis
Raiders: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Kaeo Weekes 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies Bench: 14. Danny Levi 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Jordan Martin Reserves: 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Zac Woolford 20. Adam Cook 21. James Schiller 22. Emre Guler
Officials
Referee: Grant Atkins Touchies: Belinda Sharpe, Michael Wise Bunker: Ashley Klein
Prediction: The Storm won a tough battle with the Dolphins last week, while the Raiders meekly surrendered to the rampaging Tigers. With Ryan Papenhuyzen back for the Storm they are only going to get better, while the Raiders really have to take a good hard look at themselves and some of their personnel. Two of my new rules of tipping come into play here -- never tip against the Storm and never tip the Raiders.
Tip: Storm by 18
PointsBet odds: Storm $1.17 (-14.5 $1.90) Raiders $5 (+14.5 $1.90)
Sunday, June 30
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. Dolphins
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 2pm (AEST)
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Mathew Feagai 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Tom Eisenhuth Bench: 14. Blake Lawrie 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Toby Couchman 17. Luciano Leilua Reserves: 18. Michael Molo 19. Christian Tuipulotu 20. Ryan Couchman 21. Jesse Marschke 22. Jack Bird 23. Fa'amanu Brown
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Tesi Niu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Kenny Bromwich 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath Bench: 14. Felise Kaufusi 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Tevita Pangai Junior Reserves: 18. Josh Kerr 19. Sean O'Sullivan 20. Kurt Donoghoe 21. Trai Fuller 22. Oryn Keeley
Officials
Referee: Adam Gee Touchies: Wyatt Raymond, Dan Schwass Bunker: Gerard Sutton
Prediction: The Dragons enjoyed the bye last week after losing to the Sea Eagles the week before, while the Dolphins were right in their clash with the Storm, before just falling short. Both teams have key players backing up from Origin, so the outcome could be heavily swayed by who turns up on the day. The Dragons are part of the log-jam of teams on 18 points and sit just outside the Top 8 on points differential. This is a huge game for both teams, with an upset on the cards, but a tough one to tip.
Tip: Dolphins by 8
PointsBet odds: Dragons $1.85 (-1.5 $1.95) Dolphins $1.95 (+1.5 $1.85)
Penrith Panthers vs. North Queensland Cowboys
BlueBet Stadium, 4:05pm (AEST)
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To'o 6. Jack Cole 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo Bench: 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth Reserves: 18. Brad Schneider 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Luron Patea 21. Casey McLean 22. Luke Sommerton 23. Trent Toelau 24. Tyrone Peachey
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Harrison Edwards 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Sam McIntyre Bench: 14. Tomas Chester 15. Jake Granville 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Griffin Neame Reserves: 18. Thomas Duffy 19. Jamal Shibasaki 20. Valentine Holmes 21. Murray Taulagi 22. Tom Dearden 23. Reece Robson 24. Reuben Cotter
Officials
Referee: Liam Kennedy Touchies: Jon Stone, David Munro Bunker: Kasey Badger
Prediction: Both these teams had the bye last week after the Panthers beat the Knights the week before and the Cowboys toppled the Raiders. The Panthers will be very keen to remain in contact wit the Storm at the top of the ladder, while the Cowboys are on the precipice of slipping out of the Top 8. The panthers will be hoping their Origin contingent returns fit and ready to fire for this one, but they do have the depth to handle any drop-outs.
Tip: Panthers by 20
PointsBet odds: Panthers $1.28 (-11.5 $1.90) Cowboys $3.65 (+11.5 $1.90)
Sydney Roosters vs. Wests Tigers
Allianz Stadium, 6:15pm (AEST)
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Sitili Tupouniua 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Terrell May 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Connor Watson Bench: 14. Spencer Leniu 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Nat Butcher 17. Lindsay Collins Reserves: 18. Sandon Smith 19. Siua Wong 20. Blake Steep 21. Ethan King 22. Michael Jennings 23. Salesi Foketi 24. Delasalle Vaa
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Solomona Faataape 3. Brent Naden 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Luke Laulilii 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Reuben Porter 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Justin Matamua Bench: 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. David Klemmer Reserves: 18. Kit Laulilii 19. Charlie Staines 20. Tallyn Da Silva 21. John Bateman 22. Justin Olam
Officials
Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski Touchies: Phil Henderson, Nick Pelgrave Bunker: Chris Butler
Prediction: The Roosters were too good for the Bulldogs in the wet conditions in Gosford last week, while the Tigers shocked everyone with an outstanding effort against the Raiders. The Tigers were able to play some quick-paced, ball movement footy and blew the Raiders off the park with their enthusiasm. They will find this much tougher, as the Roosters are building nicely towards a premiership tilt.
Tip: Roosters by 10
PointsBet odds: Roosters $1.20 (-14.5 $1.95) Tigers $4.50 (+14.5 $1.85)
BYE:
Rabbitohs
Sea Eagles
Titans
All odds correct at time of publication. Check pointsbet.com.au for the latest.