SATURDAY MATCH-UPS
Silverware battles and tradition highlight Super Saturday for the 2nd week of the trials with the Charity Shield and World Club Challenge on the line in what looks to be two one sided match-ups with top end NRL sides playing 2 sides who played out a very lifeless week 1 trial. The Dragons fans will be happy to see the Dolphins come into the competition, or they may well have been staring down the barrel of a fight for the spoon come the end of the year, at least they are done with topping up retirement funds of Hook’s ex players from Bris-Vegas and look to be finally giving some of their promising talent from a strong Wollongong region a chance to prove their wares. In what is expecting to be scintillating heat in Mudgee and Penrith there will be high rotation numbers and I don’t expect the teams to have their Rolls Royces on the paddock for much more than 40 minutes.
DRAGONS vs RABBITOHS
South Sydney Line (-11.5) $1.90
South Sydney are much stronger throughout both their starting 17 and their depth rotations, although this has been a relatively close battle historically I expect South Sydney to put a statement on early and with a few spots at the back end of their Round 1 team up for grabs with the injuries to Hame Sele and Savila Halivi, I expect their depth with something to play for and keep the foot on the throat throughout the 80 minutes.
BLAKE TAAFFE Anytime Tryscorer $3.20
Blake looked great last week in leading the reserve grade Rabbitohs last week and is at great value in this game due to the fact we probably won’t see him in the first 40 minutes. I expect Latrell to only play 40-50 minutes and Blake will come into the game against tired bodies when it should have opened up a little.
PANTHERS vs ST HELENS
There isn’t too much value in this game and although it is fully expected the Panthers roll on to another win to top off a dominant two years in the game the range of outcomes score wise is just too great to have a bet in this game for my liking. Jerome Luai looks slight value to score a try at over $3 but all in all just sit back and enjoy watching this Juggernaut from the foot of the mountains roll on over the top of 4 time defending English champions St Helens. Am very interested at how they look structurally with no Api or Billy Kikau who were very pivotal to getting Penrith on the front foot and creating space for their stars to do their thing.
BRONCOS vs COWBOYS
Anytime Try scorer Coen Hess $4.50
Coen has a good try scoring record when he plays on an edge and I fully expect him to take advantage of the match up with Jock Madden deputising for Adam Reynolds at 7. This looks great value as I expect the Cowboys to come out hard and fast.
NORTH QUEENSLAND – Head to Head 1st Half $1.70
With Reece Walsh and Adam Reynolds being out of this game, meaning the broncos are fielding a very inexperienced spine. Expect the Cowboys to come out fast and full of confidence after last years dream run. With a settled spine and a great mobile pack boasting a lot of guys who got their first taste of origin in 2022 I expect a pretty professional and clinical first half from the Cows.
