Saturday games include the Titans against the Cowboys at Skilled Park and Canterbury Bulldogs taking on the Raiders at ANZ Stadium.
Three games of NRL on Sunday and the Warriors host the Knights at Mt Smart Stadium while Melbourne Storm host the Rabbitohs at AAMI Park and a top clash looms at Campbelltown Sports Stadium when Wests Tigers tackle the Panthers in a highly anticipated match.
The game of the round takes place on Monday night when top team the Dragons do battle with the Sea Eagles at WIN Jubilee Oval in what should be an outstanding match.
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NRL Round 23 Preview
Friday, August 13, Suncorp Stadium, 7.35pm Last Week
The Broncos (11W-9L) travelled to Townsville to beat the Cowboys by 8 points at Dairy Farmers Stadium while the Eels (9-11) got away to a great 12-0 start against the Titans before going down 34-12 in a disappointing end.
Recent History
2010
Parramatta Stadium
Broncos 10
vs
6
Eels
2009
Parramatta Stadium
Broncos
14
vs
21
Eels
2009
Suncorp Stadium
Broncos 40
vs
8
Eels
2008
Suncorp Stadium
Broncos 30
vs
26
Eels
2007
Parramatta Stadium
Broncos
22
vs
68
Eels
The Broncos won the earlier clash this season by 4 points at Parramatta Stadium and both sides won their previous two home games against each other.
Our Tip: Brisbane BroncosThe Broncos lose the brilliant Darren Lockyer to a rib injury which will hurt the Brisbane outfit while the Eels get Timana Tahu back to make this a very interesting clash. Parramatta have plenty to play for and will have a decent crack here but on form we like the Broncos at home to get the points.
Friday August 13, Toyota Stadium 7:35pm Last Week
The Sharks (5-15) were smashed 37-10 by the Warriors at Toyota Stadium while the Roosters (12-8) battled valiantly against the Dragons before being beaten by 7 points at the SCG
Recent History
2010
Sydney Football Stadium
Sharks 42
vs
18
Roosters
2009
Sydney Football Stadium
Sharks
12
vs
19
Roosters
2009
Toyota Stadium
Sharks
12
vs
19
Roosters
2008
Toyota Stadium
Sharks 20
vs
0
Roosters
2007
Sydney Football Stadium
Sharks
12
vs
23
Roosters
These sides played earlier this season where the Sharks ran out 24 point winners and the Roosters won both games last season including the last encounter at this venue.
Our Tip: Sydney RoostersThis appears a game that the Roosters should win quite comfortably and they should be far too strong for the Sharks.
Saturday, August 14, Skilled Park, 5.30pm Last Week
The Titans (12-8) staged a tremendous comeback at home to beat the Eels by 22 points while the Cowboys (5-15) were knocked off 34-26 by their southern state rivals the Broncos.
Recent History
2010
Dairy Farmers Stadium
Titans
18
vs
32
Cowboys
2009
Skilled Park
Titans
18
vs
34
Cowboys
2009
Dairy Farmers Stadium
Titans 14
vs
10
Cowboys
2008
Dairy Farmers Stadium
Titans 26
vs
20
Cowboys
2008
Skilled Park
Titans 36
vs
18
Cowboys
The Cowboys have won the past two meetings including one earlier this season at home and their most recent meeting at this venue last season scoring 32+ points on both occasions. The Titans won the three previous encounters over the Cowboys.
Our Tip: Gold Coast TitansThe Cowboys without Johnathan Thurston in the the side look to have little chance against the Titans and all things being equal it will be another win for the Gold Coast side to continue their great form.
August 14, ANZ Stadium, 7.30pm Last Week
The Bulldogs (7-13) were hammered 30-6 by the Knights at EnergyAustralia Stadium while the Raiders (9-11) found winning form again at home beating the highly rated Panthers by 4 points.
Recent History
2010
Canberra Stadium
Bulldogs 18
vs
10
Raiders
2009
ANZ Stadium
Bulldogs 23
vs
20
Raiders
2009
Canberra Stadium
Bulldogs 30
vs
20
Raiders
2008
Canberra Stadium
Bulldogs
34
vs
52
Raiders
2008
ANZ Stadium
Bulldogs
18
vs
58
Raiders
The Raiders smashed Canterbury in both games in 2008 but since then the Bulldogs have scored three on the trot against the Raiders including their most recent clash earlier in the season at Canberra Stadium.
Our Tip: Canberra RaidersThis appears to be a relatively even contest with both sides capable on their day. Either side could win without surprising but the Raiders are the value for ours, especially if you pick your own line at Centrebet and take a points head start.
Sunday August 15, Mt Smart Stadium, 12:00pm Last Week
The Warriors (11-9) gave the Sharks a hiding to the tune of 27 points while the Knights (9-11) proved much to good at home for the Bulldogs winning by 24 points.
Recent History
2010
EnergyAustralia Stadium
Warriors 32
vs
24
Knights
2009
Mt Smart Stadium
Warriors 13
vs
0
Knights
2009
EnergyAustralia Stadium
Warriors
22
vs
24
Knights
2008
EnergyAustralia Stadium
Warriors 18
vs
16
Knights
2008
Mt Smart Stadium
Warriors 26
vs
20
Knights
The Warriors have won four of the past five games played against Newcastle and that includes an away win at EnergyAustralia Stadium earlier this season by 8 points. The Knights didn’t score the last time they met the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium last season.
Our Tip: New Zealand WarriorsThe Knights are certainly the value if they bring their A game but we fancy the Warriors to get the job done at home.
Sunday August 15, AAMI Park, 2.00pm Last Week
The Storm (11-9) were trounced 26-6 by the Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval while the Rabbitohs (10-10) scored a good 4 point win at ANZ Stadium over the Tigers.
Recent History
2010
ME Bank Stadium
Storm
14
vs
16
Rabbitohs
2009
ME Bank Stadium
Storm 28
vs
22
Rabbitohs
2008
Olympic Park
Storm 42
vs
4
Rabbitohs
2008
Bluetongue Stadium
Storm 15
vs
10
Rabbitohs
2007
Bluetongue Stadium
Storm 12
vs
8
Rabbitohs
The Rabbitohs upset the Storm earlier this season and Melbourne won the previous four encounters prior to that.
Our Tip: Melbourne StormAlways hard to know what the Storm are going to do given their circumstances but word around the traps is they plan to go out in style to farewell a few stars the Rabbitohs have a poor record against Melbourne which suggests the Storm will get the points here if in the right mood.
Sunday, August 15, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, 3.00pm Last Week
Wests Tigers (12-8) went down 34-30 away to the Rabbitohs while the Panthers (12-8) lost 30-26 at Canberra Stadium to the Raiders.
Recent History
2010
CUA Stadium
Tigers
18
vs
26
Panthers
2009
Leichhardt Oval
Tigers
10
vs
26
Panthers
2009
CUA Stadium
Tigers
22
vs
42
Panthers
2008
CUA Stadium
Tigers
10
vs
24
Panthers
2008
Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Tigers
8
vs
30
Panthers
The Panthers have dominated over Wests in recent times winning the past 5 encounters scoring 24+ points on each occasion.
Our Tip: Penrith PanthersWests have their injury concerns while the Panthers have been very shaky of late making this a tough one to call considering both sides are capable of winning. With doubts over some key Tigers players and the recent dominance of the Panthers over their rivals we fancy Penrith to get the points here.
Monday, August 16, WIN Jubilee Oval Last Week
The Dragons (14-6) won the big clash over the Roosters last week by 7 points at the SCG while the Sea Eagles (11-9) proved much too good for Melbourne Storm with a 26-6 win at Brookvale Oval.
Recent History
2010
Brookvale Oval
Dragons
6
vs
24
Sea Eagles
2009
WIN Stadium
Dragons 48
vs
18
Sea Eagles
2008
Brookvale Oval
Dragons
6
vs
38
Sea Eagles
2008
Brookvale Oval
Dragons 20
vs
18
Sea Eagles
2007
Brookvale Oval
Dragons
24
vs
28
Sea Eagles
Theses teams have alternated wins over the last five meetings and if the trend continues it is the Dragons turn to win. Their only recent meeting at this oval was last season when the Dragons inflicted a 30 point win on Manly while four of the last five games have been played at Brookvale Oval.
Our Tip: St George DragonsThe Sea Eagles appear great value at those odds and they have the cattle on the pitch that can take it up to the Dragons and get a result. Having said that, we fancy the Dragons to stifle Manly and get the points in a tough match. Picking your own line at Centrebet and taking a points head start on the Sea Eagles could get you a great run for your money as they have the talent to be in it for a long way.
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Round 23 of NRL Rugby League commences on Friday night 13th August with a top clash set down between the Broncos and Eels at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane while in Sydney it’s the Sharks against the Roosters at Toyota Stadium.
