Round 18 of the NRL season kicks off with two teams who should be doing much better, followed by a grand final re-match and several games between teams desperate to turn their seasons around.
Good luck with your tips.
Thursday, July 4
Parramatta Eels vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs
CommBank Stadium, 7:50pm (AEST)
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Jake Tago 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. Ryan Matterson 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Shaun Lane Bench: 14. Matthew Arthur 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Matt Doorey 17. Charlie Guymer Reserves: 18. Daejarn Asi 22. Luca Moretti
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Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Richard Kennar 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Jack Wighton 7. Cody Walker 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Cameron Murray 12. Jai Arrow 13. Keaon Koloamatangi Bench: 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Michael Chee Kam Reserves: 18. Jye Gray 19. Liam Le Blanc
Officials
Referee: Liam Kennedy Touchies: David Munro, Belinda Sharpe Bunker: Adam Gee
Prediction: The Eels did enough last week to beat the Knights, but just couldn't put them away. The Rabbitohs completely turned their form around before having last week off. Both of these teams are closer to the wooden spoon than they are to the Top 8 and a loss here could just about end their season.
Tip: Rabbitohs by 8
PointsBet odds: Eels $2.20 (+2.5 $1.90) Rabbitohs $1.67 (-2.5 $1.90)
Friday, July 5
Cronulla Sharks vs. Gold Coast Titans
C.ex Coffs International Stadium, Coffs Harbour, 6pm (AEST)
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Daniel Atkinson 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Siosifa Talakai 13. Cameron McInnes Bench: 14. Jack Williams 15. Royce Hunt 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Teig Wilton Reserves: 18. Jesse Colquhoun 19. Tom Rodwell 20. Braden Hamlin-Uele 21. Tuku Hau Tapuha 22. Jayden Berrell
Titans: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Erin Clark 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall Bench: 14. Isaac Liu 15. Josiah Pahulu 16. Keenan Palasia 17. Joe Stimson Reserves: 18. Tanah Boyd 19. Iszac Fa'asumaleaui 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Ken Maumalo 22. Jaylan De Groot
Officials
Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski Touchies: Chris Sutton, Kieren Irons Bunker: Ashley Klein
Prediction: The Sharks were frustrated by the Bulldogs last week, while the Titans enjoyed the bye after smashing the Warriors the week before. Will that Titans form carry over to this game? Cronulla have been having a bad run of late and really need a win here to turn things around and nail down their Top 4 credentials.
Tip: Sharks by 16
PointsBet odds: Sharks $1.40 (-7.5 $1.90) Titans $2.95 (+7.5 $1.90)
Brisbane Broncos vs. Penrith Panthers
Suncorp Stadium, 8pm (AEST)
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Corey Oates 3. Deine Mariner 4. Selwyn Cobbo 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Kobe Hetherington 13. Patrick Carrigan Bench: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Xavier Willison 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau Reserves: 18. Tristan Sailor 19. Joshua Rogers 20. Cory Paix 21. Blake Mozer 22. Kotoni Staggs
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. Luron Patea 20. Trent Toelau 21. Casey McLean 22. Luke Sommerton
Officials
Referee: Grant Atkins Touchies: Phil Henderson, Jarrod Cole Bunker: Gerard Sutton
Prediction: The Broncos went to New Zealand last week without their Origin players and were soundly beaten by the Warriors. The Panthers only played Isaah Yeo of their Origin contingent and they were beaten by the Cowboys. Both teams need to get their premiership runs back on track, but particularly the Broncos who have slipped out of the Top 8.
Tip: Panthers by 6
PointsBet odds: Broncos $2.40 (+4.5 $1.85) Panthers $1.57 (-4.5 $1.95)
Saturday, July 6
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs. New Zealand Warriors
Accor Stadium, 3pm (AEST)
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Blake Wilson 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. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Lipoi Hopoi Reserves: 19. Jeral Skelton 20. Jake Turpin 21. Blake Taaffe 22. Harry Hayes 23. Jack Todd
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. Mitchell Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris Bench: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Dylan Walker 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Jackson Ford Reserves: 18. Jacob Laban 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Ali Leiataua 22. Bunty Afoa 23. Leka Halasima
Officials
Referee: Chris Butler Touchies: Drew Oultram, Daniel Luttringer Bunker: Adam Gee
Prediction: The Bulldogs tackled their way to victory against the Sharks last week, while the Warriors bounced back to beat the depleted Broncos. This is a tough one to pick, but if the Bulldogs can find a few more points from their attack, they have the defence to frustrate the Warriors out of this and solidify their position in the Top 8.
Tip: Bulldogs by 6
PointsBet odds: Bulldogs $1.50 (-5.5 $1.90) Warriors $2.60 (+5.5 $1.90)
Wests Tigers vs. Melbourne Storm
Leichhardt Oval, 5:30pm (AEST)
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Luke Laulilii 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. John Bateman 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Justin Matamua Bench: 14. Heath Mason 15. Sione Fainu 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. David Klemmer Reserves: 18. Reuben Porter 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Solomon Alaimalo 21. Kit Laulilii 22. Justin Olam
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. William Warbrick 3. Grant Anderson 4. Jack Howarth 5. Kane Bradley 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero Bench: 14. Sualauvi Faalogo 15. Christian Welch 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Joe Chan Reserves: 18. Reimis Smith 19. Alec MacDonald 20. Dean Ieremia 21. Chris Lewis 22. Lazarus Vaalepu
Officials
Referee: Peter Gough Touchies: David Munro, Clayton Wills Bunker: Wyatt Raymond
Prediction: The Tigers were completely outclassed by the Roosters last week, while the Storm battled hard to beat the Raiders. The Tigers always lift for a game at Leichhardt and before the Roosters they were playing better, but this is the Storm, and I've stopped tipping against the Storm.
Tip: Storm by 20
PointsBet odds: Tigers $4 (+12.5 $1.90) Storm $1.25 (-12.5 $1.90)
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 7:35pm (AEST)
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter Bench: 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame Reserves: 18. Jake Granville 19. Braidon Burns 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Jake Clifford 22. Jaxon Purdue
Sea Eagles: 1. Tolutau Koula 2. Jason Saab 3. Tom Trbojevic 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic Bench: 14. Lehi Hopoate 15. Karl Lawton 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown Reserves: 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Aaron Schoupp 20. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 21. Caleb Navale 22. Aitasi James
Officials
Referee: Todd Smith Touchies: Daniel Schwass, Michael Wise Bunker: Liam Kennedy
Prediction: The Cowboys may have been playing a severely depleted Penrith side last week, but their goal-line defence in the face of constant Panthers attack was inspirational. The Sea Eagles had the bye last week, but have tumbled down the ladder with a bad run of form lately. The Cowboys should win this one at home, but it is a pivotal match for both teams.
Tip: Cowboys by 8
PointsBet odds: Cowboys $1.77 (+1.5 $1.85) Sea Eagles $2.05 (-1.5 $1.95)
Sunday, July 7
Sydney Roosters vs. St. George Illawarra Dragons
Allianz Stadium, 2pm (AEST)
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Sitili Tupouniua 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Connor Watson Bench: 14. Naufahu Whyte 15. Terrell May 16. Nat Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu Reserves: 18. Ethan King 19. Siua Wong 20. Sandon Smith 21. Blake Steep 22. Salesi Foketi
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu 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. Fa'amanu Brown 20. Ryan Couchman 21. Savelio Tamale 22. Jack Bird
Officials
Referee: Ashley Klein Touchies: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Wyatt Raymond Bunker: Grant Atkins
Prediction: The Roosters looked sharp in blowing the Tigers off the park last week, while the Dragons started slowly against the Dolphins before a wealth of possession in the second half saw them power to victory. The Roosters look to be warming up nicely for a serious shot at the title this year and I think they will be too good for the Dragons here.
Tip: Roosters by 18
PointsBet odds: Roosters $1.23 (-13.5 $1.90) Dragons $4.15 (+13.5 $1.90)
Canberra Raiders vs. Newcastle Knights
GIO Stadium, 4:05pm (AEST)
Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Albert Hopoate 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Adam Cook 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. Simi Sasagi Reserves: 18. Sebastian Kris 19. Zac Woolford 20. Emre Guler 21. James Schiller 22. Hohepa Puru
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Will Pryce 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott Bench: 14. Fletcher Sharpe 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Brodie Jones 17. Dylan Lucas Reserves: 18. Mathew Croker 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Jack Cogger 21. Krystian Mapapalangi 22. Thomas Cant
Officials
Referee: Gerard Sutton Touchies: Matt Noyen, Jon Stone Bunker: Kasey Badger
Prediction: The Raiders put up a better performance last week against the Storm, but still couldn't quite get the job done. The Knights leaked plenty of points against the Eels, but still managed to finish the day in front. Ricky Stuart has started making changes as things get desperate in the nation's capital, but the Knights may have found the answer to their halves problems in young Will Pryce. Meanwhile we saw Bradman Best back to his devastating best against the Eels and they have Kalyn Ponga returning at fullback.
Tip: Knights by 4
PointsBet odds: Raiders $1.65 (+4.5 $1.85) Knights $2.25 (-4.5 $1.95)
BYE:
Dolphins
All odds correct at time of publication. Check pointsbet.com.au for the latest.