The Roosters and Dragons clash in one of the biggest games of the season on Sunday at the Sydney Cricket Ground and this eagerly anticipated match should be a hotly contested affair.
Other games of interest include the Sea Eagles and Storm match-up on Saturday at Brookvale Oval along with the Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium.
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NRL Round 22 Preview
Friday August 6, Dairy Farmers Stadium, 7.35pm Last Week
The Cowboys (5w-14l) went down 24-16 to the Panthers at CUA Stadium while the Broncos (10-9) scored a top home win over the Dragons by 4 points
Recent History
2010
Suncorp Stadium
Cowboys
24
vs
30
Broncos
2009
Dairy Farmers Stadium
Cowboys
10
vs
16
Broncos
2009
Suncorp Stadium
Cowboys
18
vs
19
Broncos
2008
Dairy Farmers Stadium
Cowboys
18
vs
32
Broncos
2008
Suncorp Stadium
Cowboys
2
vs
36
Broncos
The Broncos have won their past 5 meetings over the Cowboys scoring 30+ points on three occasions including a 6 point win earlier this season at Suncorp. The Cowboys have won only 3 of their 15 clashes at home against the Broncos.
Our Tip: Brisbane BroncosThe Broncos are flying at the moment and last week’s win over the Dragons will have them cherry ripe for this clash. Brisbane has performed well on the road in recent times and in their current vein of form they appear too good for the Warriors and should score a comfortable win.
Friday, August 6, Skilled Park, 7.35pm Last Week
Gold Coast Titans (11-8) travelled to Mt Smart Stadium to knock over the Warriors by 8 points while the Eels (9-10) were thumped by the Roosters to the tune of 36 points.
Recent History
2009
Sydney Football Stadium
Titans
2
vs
27
Eels
2009
Skilled Park
Titans 18
vs
12
Eels
2008
Parramatta Stadium
Titans 28
vs
20
Eels
2007
Carrara Stadium
Titans 38
vs
23
Eels
The Eels won the most recent encounter by a big margin in last year’s Finals while the Titans won their first three encounters and the Eels are yet to beat them in on the Gold Coast.
Our Tip: Gold Coast TitansThe Titans regain Ashley Harrison from injury although Greg Bird is still missing and in what should be a fairly good tussle we like the in-form Titans to get over the line at home against an inconsistent Eels outfit.
Saturday, August 7, Brookvale Oval, 5.30pm Last Week
The Sea Eagles (10-9) suffered a 32-14 away loss to the Knights at EnergyAustralia Stadium while the Storm (11-8) proved too strong for the Raiders winning 36-12 at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
Recent History
2010
Etihad Stadium
Sea Eagles 18
vs
16
Storm
2009
Etihad Stadium
Sea Eagles
12
vs
40
Storm
2009
Olympic Park
Sea Eagles 20
vs
16
Storm
2009
Brookvale Oval
Sea Eagles
8
vs
22
Storm
2008
ANZ Stadium
Sea Eagles 40
vs
0
Storm
The Sea Eagles have won three of their last five meetings with Melbourne Storm and that includes two wins in Melbourne with the most recent being earlier this season at Etihad Stadium. The Storm however has won the last two encounters played at Brookvale Oval.
Our Tip: Manly Sea EaglesThis should be a cracking game between two tough sides and we fancy Manly for the win as they have more to play for and will be hard to hold out at home. having said that, Melbourne Storm welcome back Brett White, Bryan Norriein and Matt Duffie and are capable of winning this match if they come to play.
The odds about the Sea Eagles don’t represent much value for ours and perhaps the Storm are better value if you pick your own line at Centrebet and take a points head start as they have the ability to win but nothing to play for, which makes this a tough game to bet on.
Saturday, August 7, Toyota Park, 7.30pm Last Week
Cronulla Sharks (5-14) lost by just two points to Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval while the Warriors (10-9) went down 28-20 at home to the Titans.
Recent History
2010
Mt Smart Stadium
Sharks
16
vs
30
Warriors
2009
Toyota Stadium
Sharks 18
vs
10
Warriors
2008
Mt Smart Stadium
Sharks
4
vs
18
Warriors
2008
Toyota Stadium
Sharks 24
vs
8
Warriors
2007
Toyota Stadium
Sharks
2
vs
12
Warriors
These games have alternated winners in recent times making it the Sharks turn if the trend continues. The last four clashes have resulted in home wins and when they met earlier in the season the Warriors won at home by 14 points.
Our Tip: Cronulla SharksWith this game being played at the Sharks home turf and the Warriors still without the likes of Kevin Locke and Sam Rapira we fancy the Sharks chances here and think they are value at the odds on offer, especially if you pick your own line at Centrebet and take a points head start.
August 7, ANZ Stadium, 7.30pm Last Week
Sydney Rabbitohs (9-10) lost 32-12 to the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium while Wests Tigers (12-7) got up at home by 2 points over the Sharks.
Recent History
2010
Sydney Cricket Ground
Rabbitohs 50
vs
10
Tigers
2009
ANZ Stadium
Rabbitohs
20
vs
54
Tigers
2009
Sydney Cricket Ground
Rabbitohs 23
vs
22
Tigers
2008
ANZ Stadium
Rabbitohs
12
vs
36
Tigers
2008
Sydney Cricket Ground
Rabbitohs
10
vs
30
Tigers
The Rabbitohs have won the last two meetings at the SCG while Wests have won the past two clashes at this venue by 34 and 24 points.
Our Tip: Wests TigersThe Tigers get Wade McKinnon back from injury while the Rabbitohs lose Sam Burgess and Beau Falloon which won’t help their chances but Beau Champion returns to aid the cause. Both sides are capable on their day but the recent form of the Tigers say they can get the job and we believe Wests will take the points in what should be a top clash.
If you fancy the Rabbitohs then consider picking your own line at Centrebet and take a points head start.
Sunday, August 8, EnergyAustralia Stadium, 2.00pm Last Week
Newcastle Knights (8-11) played superbly at home to hand the Sea Eagles a 32-14 beating while the Bulldogs (7-12) belted the Rabbitohs by 20 points at ANZ Stadium.
Recent History
2010
ANZ Stadium
Knights 20
vs
16
Bulldogs
2009
ANZ Stadium
Knights
12
vs
26
Bulldogs
2009
EnergyAustralia Stadium
Knights 22
vs
14
Bulldogs
2008
ANZ Stadium
Knights 22
vs
12
Bulldogs
2007
ANZ Stadium
Knights
16
vs
30
Bulldogs
The Knights have won three of the past four games played against the Bulldogs including the last time they met at this ground in the season just gone. Newcastle defeated the Bulldogs by 4 points when they met earlier in season.
Our Tip: Newcastle KnightsShould be a great clash between two teams coming off good wins last round and with Dan Tolar returning for the Knights we believe they can inflict a second defeat on the Bulldogs this season, although this is a game that could go either way on the day and a difficult betting proposition.
Sunday August 8, SCG – 3:00pm Last Week
The high flying Roosters (12-7) inflicted a 48-12 loss on the Bulldogs while the Dragons (13-6) suffered an upset 10-6 loss away to the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
Recent History
2010
Sydney Football Stadium
Roosters
6
vs
28
Dragons
2009
WIN Jubilee Oval
Roosters
12
vs
34
Dragons
2009
Sydney Football Stadium
Roosters
0
vs
29
Dragons
2008
Sydney Football Stadium
Roosters 10
vs
0
Dragons
2008
ANZ Stadium
Roosters
6
vs
26
Dragons
The Dragons have won the past three encounters over the Roosters and have scored 28+ points on each occasion while the Roosters have been unable to score more than 12 points in their past five games played against the Dragons.
Our Tip: St George DragonsA fantastic clash looms here between a hot Roosters outfit up against a staggering Dragons side and should see a big crown turn out for one of the games of the season. History says the Roosters find scoring very tough against St George and even though the Dragons have lost their last couple they were close losses by only 1 and 4 points against in-form teams and we fancy the Dragons to bounce back here and get the points.
Monday, August 9, Canberra Stadium – 7.05pm Last Week
The Raiders (8-11) were smashed 36-12 by the Storm in Melbourne while the Panthers (12-7) scored an 8 point over the Cowboys at CUA Stadium.
Recent History
2010
CUA Stadium
Raiders
16
vs
34
Panthers
2009
CUA Stadium
Raiders
14
vs
27
Panthers
2009
Canberra Stadium
Raiders
10
vs
18
Panthers
2008
Canberra Stadium
Raiders 74
vs
12
Panthers
2008
CUA Stadium
Raiders 20
vs
16
Panthers
The Panthers have won their last three matches against the Raiders since the 62 point thrashing by Canberra back in 2008. Penrith won the earlier clash this season by 18 points at CUA Stadium and they beat the Raiders the last time they met at this venue last season.
Our Tip: Canberra RaidersLadder positions suggest the Panthers are the ones to beat here and they have had the wood on the Canberra outfit in recent times but we believe the Raiders will come to play and make life difficult for Penrith to keep the Raider’s faint Final’s hopes alive with a home ground victory.
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Round 22 of NRL Rugby League commences on Friday night when the Cowboys play the Broncos at Dairy Farmers Stadium and the Titans and Eels meet at Skilled Park.
