MY 5 Best Bets for NRL Round 23

Brisbane Broncos v Cronulla Sharks @ Suncorp Stadium
 
BET = Cronulla Sharks + 6.5
 
1.      The Sharks are masters of lifting for the big occasion and responding to heavy defeats. 

2.      The Sharks welcome back a key cog in their attacking wheel in James Maloney. 

3.      The Broncos are coming off a huge win, and that might leave them a bit complacent for this sort of battle. 

4.      The Sharks have rarely lost 2 games in a row throughout the season. 

5.      I just think this is a game where the Sharks could ambush the Broncos early, and see it as a real gauge of how likely they are to defend their title.

 
St. George Illawarra Dragons v Gold Coast Titans @ Kogarah Oval
 
BET = Dragons -8.5
 
1.      The Titans look like they have raised the white flag for the year, having conceded 80 points and scored just 4 in their last 2 games. 

2.      The Dragons have an excellent record at their traditional home grounds this season, having won 3 from 4 at Kogarah and 2 of those by big margins.

3.      The Dragons have plenty to play for, while the Titans have nothing to play for. 

4.      While the Dragons have been disappointing of late, they have managed over 90 points in their last 3 games at an average of over 30 per game. 

5.      The Dragons love playing at Kogarah, and the Titans are offering nothing at the moment, equals big win Dragons.

 Melbourne Storm v Sydney Roosters @ AAMI Park
 
BET = Under 37.5 Points
 
1.      I just get the feeling this will be like a dress rehearsal for a Semi or Grand Final, with both sides bringing their best defensive game. 

2.      The Storm have been outstanding defensively of late, conceding just 28 points in their last 3 games at an average of under 10 points per game. 

3.      The Roosters welcome back Jake Friend and Boyd Cordner which will add a lot of steel to their middle defence which has been shaky the last few weeks. 

4.      Last year, when the sides clashed in the corresponding fixture, there were 36 points scored, and that’s with the Roosters having nothing to play for. 

5.      I just think both sides won’t want to give an inch here, and we get a low scoring, defensive battle between 2 really strong sides. 

 
New Zealand Warriors v Canberra Raiders @ Mount Smart Stadium
 
BET = Raiders - 8.5 (Bet of the year) 
 
1.      The Warriors have clearly thrown up the white flag for this year with disgraceful performances the past 2 weeks. 

2.      The Raiders are building momentum following that highly impressive 18-point win over the Sharks on the road. 

3.      The Raiders have everything to play for and the Warriors have nothing to play for. 

4.      Last year when the sides met in New Zealand, the Raiders crushed the Warriors by over 20 points. 

5.      I see this being a bloodbath to be honest, -8.5 looks very generous here for those backing the Raiders.

 
Wests Tigers v Manly Sea Eagles @ Leichhardt Oval
 
BET = Over 43.5 Total match points
 
1.      These sides have already combined for 44 total match points in a match played just over a month ago at Lottoland. 

2.      The Sea Eagles found their attacking mojo last week, racking up 36 points against a good side in the Roosters. 

3.      Afternoon football at Leichhardt should mean a fast track and plenty of free flowing football. 

4.      With the Tigers having little to play for, you would expect their mindset to perhaps be more on attack than defence at this stage of the year. 

5.      I just think this game will be entertaining and high scoring, with both sides capable of scoring 20+.