Sportsbet Blog

Round 17 of the 2011 NRL Season is reduced but don’t expect things to be subdue making footy tips difficult. The bookies have the odds of majority of the games fairly close so expect some classic NRL action.

Best Bet of Round 17: This week I’m taking Parramatta team bet of Jordan Atkins to score more tries than Chris Walker paying 3.10 at Sportsbet here

Parramatta Eels V Brisbane Broncos Friday night at Parramatta Stadium

Tip: Broncos

Odds: Eels 1.67 Broncos 2.20

Broncos coach Anthony Griffin has done a massive job this year with his young players and has exceeded my expectations. These young players will need to stand up with the their origin stars away this week.

I think the Eels will struggle after the disappointing loss last week and are too up and down at the moment. My prediction is the Eels will get run over by a stronger Broncos side.

Penrith V Canterbury Saturday at Centrebet Stadium

Tip: Canterbury

Odds: Panthers 2.45 Bulldogs 1.55

Penrith will struggle without star origin player Petero Civoniceva who has been the difference in some of the Panthers wins. Penrith are playing around with their game style that could pay off in the coming weeks but think the Bulldogs will see it coming.

Although the Bulldogs lost last week they showed they can create the chances needed to win games like this and I’m tipping them to go one step further and finish them off.

Take the Buldogs here at the -6.5 line paying a nice $2.10

Cronulla V South Sydney Sunday at Toyota Stadium

Tip: Sharks

Odds: Sharks 2.20 Rabbitohs 1.67

Without captain Paul Gallen this week it will show us where the Cronulla team is at the moment. A win here could inspire them to continue their consistent year to achieve greater things.

South Sydney will start favourites but without Dave Taylor and Greg Inglis in the team I cant go past Cronulla especially with Nathan Gardner in super form from fullback.

I’m loading up on the Sharks for the straight win. $2.20 to me sounds pretty generous.

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St George V Newcastle Sunday at WIN Stadium

Tip: St George

Odds: Dragons 1.70 Knights 2.15

Wayne Bennett has been a key to the Dragons side this year and they will look to him again this week as the under manned Dragons look to make it 2 wins in a row.

Their defense has been top class which will see the Knights struggle to score which will suit the home crowd.

Sydney V Canberra Monday at Sydney Football Stadium

Tip: Canberra

Odds: Rooster 1.95 Raiders 1.85

Sydney don’t look like a winning side at the moment with numerous key players out on State of Origin duties. They are down on confidence and it looks like the 2010 finals may have taken a toll.

Although the bookies think this match will be a close, my prediction is the Raiders will take an easy win.

It might be worth taking the Raiders by over 13 points paying $4.00 at Sportsbet.

The NRL finals are nearing completion for the 2009 season with the semi-final matches to be played this weekend on Friday and Saturday nights.

Last weekend the Titans were eliminated in poor fashion after being hammered by Parramatta. The final score for Friday night was 27 – 2 and was definitely not the best game for the Titans.

Brisbane also managed to get over the Dragons to claim a semi-final spot. The Dragons have played poorly of late and even after winning the home and away season they were not good enough eventually going down 24 – 10 last weekend.

The results of last weekend have now set the stage for 1 of 4 remaining teams to take the premiership. Of the remaining teams, the Melbourne Storm is being touted as the most likely to win the NRL premiership, but only time will tell who has what it takes.

The NRL semi-final breaks down as follows.

Bulldogs V Eels

7:45pm Friday at ANZ Stadium

The Bulldogs have a good chance to go through to the NRL premiership as they come up against the Eels. The Bulldogs have had a week off after winning in week 1 of the NRL finals and should be well rested which will give them an edge coming into the semi-final. Brett Kimmorley is still injured and should make a return next week for the grand final if the Bulldogs can get up this week. Three Bulldogs players are currently suspended.

The Eels will be on a bit of a high after their stunning form of late and will definitely give the Bulldogs a run for their money. Escaping last week without any injuries is sure to help the in-form Eels this weekend, although three players are on suspension. I would expect that the Eels get up on Friday night, but it will without a doubt be a close game.

Tip: Parramatta Eels – Under 12.5 points – Odds of $2.92

Storm V Broncos

7:45pm Saturday at Etihad Stadium

The Storm is the second team this week that is coming off of a 2 week long break and this is bound to help out with fitness. The favourites for the NRL premiership are currently sporting a few injuries along with a couple of suspensions, but I doubt that this will affect their game too significantly.

The Broncos on the other hand did play quite well last weekend with an impressive win over the Dragons. Ben Te’o is still on the sidelines with a calf injury and Justin Hodges is out on suspension. Even if the Broncos had the option of playing these two players I really don’t believe that it would make much difference. The Broncos season should end this weekend with the Storm heading though to the NRL grand final.

Tip: Melbourne Storm – Odds of $1.44

What a round we seen last week for the first week of the NRL finals. We now move on to the second round of the finals and everyone is getting pumped.

Last week Manly and Newcastle were eliminated from the finals while the Bulldogs and Storm played some excellent rugby to earn themselves a week off and a place in week 3 of the NRL finals.

A loss this week will mean a trip home and a few months off while a win will see the better two sides head through to week 3 of the NRL finals to play either the Melbourne Storm or Bulldogs.

Eels V Titans

7:45pm Friday Sydney Football Stadium

I would be surprised if the Titans are able to win this week after throwing away a possible win last weekend, but then again it is the finals and anything could happen. They didn’t get this far by playing badly. The only injury that the Titans are currently suffering from is the damaged shoulder of Aaron Cannings. Also, William Zillman and Anthony Laffranchi will miss this week due to suspension.

On the other hand, after the Eels defeated the Dragons last week their morale will be high and they will want to be playing again next week. They are not currently suffering any injuries and will be able to approach this match with all but 3suspended players, Krisnan Inu, Nathan Hindmarsh and Weller Hauraki.

Tip: Parramatta Eels – Over 12.5 points – Odds of $2.08

Broncos V Dragons

7:45pm Saturday at Suncorp Stadium

The Broncos played an absolutely stunning first half last weekend and then nearly threw the game away near the end getting up by only 8 points. However, a win is a win, especially when you are playing in the NRL finals. I would like to see the Broncos get up on Saturday night and proceed through to week 3. Ben Te’o will miss yet another game with an injured calf and Justin Hodges will be watching from the sidelines as his suspension continues.

The Dragons could most certainly use the win after their dismal form of late, but I really can’t see it happening. After winning the minor premiership, they were totally dismissed last week in a rather ordinary manner as the Eels cruised to an easy 13 point victory. They are not currently suffering any injuries to their line-up, but are missing 3 players on suspension. Beau Scott, Matt Prior and Michael Weyman will all miss this week.

Tip: Brisbane Broncos – Under 12.5 points – $3.35