NRL Round 15 Preview By Dean McHugh

After going two from two in the first two matches last week, the wins dried up for us. However, now that the first Origin game is out of the way, it’s back to business. So here goes…

Sharks vs Dolphins by Dean McHugh

The Sharks and the Dolphins is an intriguing game to kick off week 15. Both teams will have aspirations of going deep in the competition, and their season so far suggests this could be the case for both of them. However, they are both somewhat out of sorts, losing two of their last three games a piece. 

Granted, the Sharks beat the Broncos last week to steady the ship, so perhaps they are in slightly better shape right now. But you would have to be a brave man to back them at such short odds. Instead, I’m going to take the Dolphins to be leading at half-time with the handicap. Cronulla has failed to be in the lead at half-time in their previous six matches, while the Dolphins have led in three of their last four at the break.

Bet – Dolphins with the Handicap to be Leading at Half-Time 

Raiders vs Cowboys Preview

The Raiders and the Cowboys have been evenly matched over recent weeks, both winning three of their previous four matches. That, added to the fact that only four points separate the two teams in the standings, suggests we have a close one on our hands here.

However, recent history suggests this won’t be the case, as the Cowboys have won the last five in a row against the Raiders, including on their previous three visits to Canberra. They have also started to pick up victories on the road this season by winning their last two away fixtures against the Rabbitohs and, more impressively, the Roosters last time out. With that said, I do think this will be a close one, so take the Cowboys with handicap to offer some breathing space in what could be a tight affair.

Bet – Cowboys with the Handicap to Win

Rabbitohs vs Broncos Preview

The Rabbitohs are on a roll, picking up wins in their previous two matches. This week they face a wounded Broncos side who have lost their previous two. Can South Sydney make it three in a row and inflict more misery on Brisbane? I think not and here’s why.

Yes, the Rabbitohs will be filled with confidence after winning their previous two matches, but when you look at the level of competition they faced, it perhaps tells a slightly different story. On the flip side of that, granted, the Broncos have lost their last two, but their most recent defeat came against high flying Cronulla. So, barring a small blip when going down by two points to the Titans, perhaps things aren’t quite so bad for the men from Brisbane. They also have a great record against South Sydney, winning four of their previous five encounters. 

Bet – Broncos to Win on the Moneyline 

Tigers vs Titans Preview

After losing nine games in a row, nothing appears to be going right for the Tigers lately. They blew a narrow half-time lead last time out and got destroyed in the second half 44-0 against the Dragons. Their opponents here will be the Titans, who have struggled for consistency this season. Every time you think they may have turned a corner, they throw up a poor performance as they did last week against the Rabbitohs.

With that said, if there was ever a game to get back to winning ways, it would be against the Tigers. They will feel confident of making it ten defeats in a row for the Tigers, especially given that they have beaten them on the previous six occasions they have met. It’s also worth noting that they appear to thrive at the Leichhardt Oval, coming away with wins in six of their last seven visits.

Bet – Titans to beat the Tigers Moneyline 

Warriors vs Storm Preview

Many will be surprised to see the odds so closely matched in this one given nine places separate table toppers Melbourne from the Warriors. However, the Warriors are arguably the in-form team in the NRL right now after winning their previous three in a row. What’s more impressive is the manner of those victories against the likes of the Panthers and the Dolphins.

Melbourne has struggled for consistency in recent weeks, which is not something you often say about the Storm. They have alternated wins with defeats in their last five and they will be hoping that sequence ends here. And given their recent record of winning five in a row against the Warriors, they have every right to believe it will happen. 

But only a brave man would bet against the Warriors in New Zealand right now, so I believe the best play is to back points and plenty of them. The last two meetings between these have seen at least 52 points scored, and I believe this could go the same way.

Bet – Overs in the Totals Market

Eels vs Roosters Preview  

The Eels host the Roosters at the CommBank Stadium on Saturday, with both teams hoping to turn their recent form around. It’s been a torrid season for the Eels so far, and their fans have had very little to cheer about, apart from beating a depleted Sharks side a couple of weeks ago.

The Roosters were starting to build some momentum heading into the second half of the season, but two defeats from three has derailed them somewhat. However, I see them getting back on track with a win here against a side they have beaten on four of the previous five occasions. It’s worth noting that Sydney’s away form has been good this season too and they have also won four of their last five on the road in the NRL.

Bet – Roosters to beat the Eels Moneyline

Sea Eagles vs Dragons Preview

In the first of two Monday night games, the Sea Eagles host the Dragons at 4 Pines Park, hoping to get their season back on track. Manly have had a tough run of games recently, and it’s shown as they have picked up just one win from their last five.

The Dragons, on the other hand, are flying high with three wins from four, which includes an impressive 12-point victory over Penrith. They also put the Tigers to the sword last week, rattling off 44 unanswered second-half points to destroy their opponents. With this all in mind, it’s safe to say that confidence will be high in their camp.

However, this is a fixture that favours the home playing team on the day, as the home side has won nine of the last ten. With this in mind, I’m finding it impossible to pick a winner. So I’m going to back Talau to once again get over the try line this week. He scored four against Penrith last week and two against the Storm the week before, both of which have better defences than their opponents here.

Bet – Talau to Score a Try

Knights vs Panthers Preview

The final game of the week sees the Knights host the Panthers in Newcastle. The Panthers should pick up the win here, given their superiority over the Knights and the fact that Newcastle are winless in two. However, Penrith haven’t been consistent as of late so excuse me if I don’t rush out and back them at such short odds.

With that said, I do think Penrith will win. The Knights are notoriously slow starters, as they have been trailing at half-time in their previous three. In contrast, the Panthers have lived up to their name and started games very rapidly. They have led at half-time in all of their previous seven matches.

Bet – Penrith to win Half-Time/Full-Time 

Bet of the Week – Titans to beat the Tigers Moneyline

Value of the Week – Dolphins with the Handicap to be Leading at Half-Time