2016 NRL Finals Week 1 Betting Tips

The 2016 NRL Finals have arrived!

There are massive games, so be sure to check out our Week 1 betting tips below

Brisbane Broncos Vs Gold Coast Titans

Somehow the Titans have done the unthinkable – they’ve made the Finals. They started the season well, but have been riding those results for the back-half of the season, sitting 1-3 in the last month with losses to the Cowboys, Panthers and Tigers.

Ashley Taylor will likely be the ‘Rookie of the Year’. He’s had a fantastic season after being thrust into the halfback role following the DCE incident. Jarryd Hayne’s inclusion hasn’t had the impact we all hoped. After being out of the game for almost 2 years its not supervising that he has lost a step or two.

Brisbane are in familiar territory. As one of the most successful teams in the NRL and with the most successful coach at the helm, we cant help but feel sorry for the Titans. The Broncos have found form in the back half of the season with wins against the Storm, Bulldogs, Roosters and Eels.

Neither team has elected to make changes to their starting line ups, the Broncos have included Jonus Pearson and Joe Ofahengaue on an extended bench.

This one will be all Brisbane. They don’t lose at home often and its unimaginable to consider they’ll lose a home Final.

Tip: Brisbane Broncos 13+ – $2.15 at CrownBet

Canberra Raiders Vs Cronulla Sharks

The “streak” ended in a draw, but it really ended the following week when the Raiders handed the Sharks a 30-14 beating in Round 22. After that, Canberra kicked it into the next gear and started to climb the ladder. The Raiders haven’t lost since they last played the Sharks with wins against the Storm, the Eels, the Tigers and the Eagles. Their average winning margin for those games is a crazy 19 points.

The Sharks went downhill after the Draw, the untouchable team became a mess of errors and inconsistency. Ricky Leutele and Kurt Capewell will return for the Cronulla this weekend with Joseph Paulo out with a knee injury.

The Raiders are a huge threat for the Premiership and we will see that on Saturday. We are predicting the Raiders will come out and dismantle the Sharks once again. The Sharks should be more prepared this time, making it a closer contest.

Tip: Canberra Raiders 1-12 – $3.05 at CrownBet

Melbourne Strom Vs North Queensland Cowboys

Melbourne was shining purple last weekend and we should expect the same again. With no AFL again in Melbourne on Saturday night, AAMI park will be packed as the Storm take on the North Queensland Cowboys.

Melbourne was awarded their Minor Premiership last weekend after defeating the Sharks 26-6. Saturday night will be the third time these two team face off this season, with Melbourne winning 15-14 in Rd 10 and 16-8 in Rd 21.

Consistency has been the main focus for Craig Bellamy since he started coaching Melbourne. This week appears to be no different with the same 17-man squad being named.

The Cowboys have been in this position before – last year in fact, they travelled to Melbourne, knocked the Storm out then went on to win the infamous golden point grand final.

Also coming in to this one with a string of wins, the Cowboys are looking as strong as ever.
JT is the focus for every opposition and its not hard to see why. The four time Dally M winner averages 55 metres gained and almost 9 points per game. His influence is unrivalled and Melbourne will need to contain him or at least apply pressure and minimise his space, because a JT with any space will pounce.

This is the big one this weekend. There is no doubting it will be close, but we’ve got to give it the Melbourne. AAMI park under lights with Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk firing on all cylinders… we are in for a show!

Tip: Melbourne 1 -12 – $3.00 at CrownBet

Penrith Panthers Vs Canterbury Bulldogs

Sudden death for the Panthers and Bulldogs this season.

The Bulldogs have struggled in the last few weeks, going down to the Rabbitohs, Cowboys and the Broncos. If they don’t want to go home this weekend, the Bulldogs will need to look to their big men.

David Clemmer is a vital part of the Bulldogs offence. Clemmer and the other Bulldog big men attack early in sets and are always looking to attack when there is an extra man at marker.
This has been a huge part of the Bulldogs success this season and will likely keep them in the competition.

This is a Sunday game, so Will Hopoate won’t be taking the field for the Bulldogs. Brett Morris will instead line up in the No. 1 jersey. Tyrone Phillips will present an option on the left side and Sam Kasinano will return from suspension and make an impact from the bench.

The Panthers are on fire, making a late surge toward the finals. This band of misfits some how makes it work. Hooker Peter Wallace is in career best form with a outstanding production rate. Wallace averages 34 metres, 33 tackles and 5 hit ups. This, paired with his ability to shuffle out of dummy half and make pin point passes to his team mates, makes him deadly to the Bulldogs.

Josh Mansour is potentially the best winger in the competition. He averages almost 170 metres per game, 2.6 points and has some of the quickest footwork in the NRL. The way he tip-toe and skips around his oppositions in unbelievable.

This one will come down to form. Momentum is on the Panthers’ side, but could easily swing to the Bulldogs it their big men defend shoulder-to-shoulder and attack early in sets.

Tip: Penrith Panthers Line -5.5 – $1.90 at CrownBet

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