NRL PREVIEWS & PLAYS
...with OTP's National Rugby League expert
Updated 7:10 PM AEST, Thursday 18 March
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NRL ROUND TWO
Bulldogs +5.5 v Dragons
2 at 1.91
?
Pathetic, gutless and spineless.....no I'm
not talking about the Bulldogs performance last week but about my own
poor tipping effort which leaves me with plenty of early ground to make
up. My opening pick of this round is to back one of the sides that
caused me so much pain last week - the Bulldogs, who will be cursing
themselves for putting in such a shocker against the Knights and will
have no doubt had a very tough week of training as they prepare for this
daunting task against a Dragons side fresh off a good win over the Eels.
The Dogs have lost Ennis for this clash but have a very good replacement
in Blake Green whilst the Dragons are still without Cooper and have lost
Fien for the season. The Dogs will remember being robbed in the early
rounds last year against the Dragons after a very controversial last
minute try and I would not be surprised at all if this game is again
decided in the dying minutes after a very even and entertaining clash. I
expect much more from Kimmorley and Roberts in the Halves for the Dogs,
they looked sluggish and uninspiring against the Knights and will have
worked hard this week. Expect a fired up Dogs side to at the very least
get within the +5.5 point start on offer. Pick - 2 units on Dogs +5.5
point start
Cowboys -3.0 v Penrith
3 at 1.91
The Cowboys will at least take some
positives away from their defeat to Brisbane last week, particularly
their spirited fightback in the second half which gave us all a glimpse
of the sides offensive capabilities, the Panthers on the other hand will
have taken nothing but positives away from their demolition of Canberra,
a side many are tipping to be 2010 wooden spooners. I like the Cowboys
here to win and cover the tight line, they are a very different side at
home and will be buoyed by a large crowd behind them and with arguably
the best halfback in the world at your disposal who himself is
surrounded by a number of class players I am more than confident to jump
on them here as I feel the Bookies have made more of the Panthers win
last week than perhaps they should have, given the Raiders line-up and
very poor record away from Canberra. There are a number of match-ups
that will be great to view but the real difference between these sides
is Thurston and on home turf he's going to weave his magic and will be
the big difference between these two sides. Pick - 3 units on Cowboys
-3.0 point start (BEST BET)
Roosters to bt Tigers
2 at 2.25
?
I was not surprised to see the Roosters put
in such a great effort last week in hammering the Bunnies, I am
surprised though following that win that they're the under dogs for this
match, against a Tigers side fresh off a very hard fought win over
Manly. The Roosters have a good look to them this year and have
obviously responded immediately to the coaching style of Brian Smith.
The Chooks forward pack had it over the much lauded Bunnies forwards and
the halves pairing of Anasta and Pierce really looked dangerous,
providing opportunities across the park whilst Todd Carney is a
revelation at Fullback and having that extra play making option around
the rucks is invaluable. The Bookies are still hungover from last years
pathetic Chooks season and are hesitant to show faith in them this early
on but this is a very different side in 2010 with a very different
attitude and deserve favouritism here....but we won't complain as it
just means good profits for all you hard working punters!! Pick - 2
units on Roosters to win
NRL ROUND ONE
Eels -3.5 v Dragons
3 at 1.91
-3
The start of the best competition in sport is finally with us and this
is a great match to get us underway. Unfortunately for the Dragons their
preparation has been hindered with a few injuries amongst the squad with
Cooper and Hornby looking like non starters, regardless of whether they
take the field though I'm still siding with the Eels here as their squad
is even stronger than that which made it to the Grand Final last year
with the addition of Tahu, Poore and Shackleton and they will be very
tough to beat, particularly in front of their home fans. It's always
tough to make first round predictions but I'm very confident with this
one as the Eels backline will dominate, lead by Mortimer and Robson who
had a sensational pairing in the halves for the Eels last year and I
expect will pick up here where they left off in 2009. The Eels also have
a stronger looking bench and as the game progresses this will take it's
toll on the visitors. The Dragons will find it tougher in 2010 and this
will be a good early yardstick for both these sides seasons. Pick - 3
units on Eels -3.5 point start (BEST BET)
Bulldogs 13+ v Knights
2 at 2.00
-2
After an off season to forget for the Knights, one that cost them two of
their young stars and not too mention the morale sapping that's gone
along with this, the last thing they needed was to be without their best
player and captain Kurt Gidley for Round 1, but that's what they have.
No beating around the bush here, the Dogs have a very strong forward
pack that really stood up last year in laying the platform for the
surprisingly good halves partnership of Noddy and Roberts to work their
magic. The Knights are on the back foot going into this opening round
and will struggle offensively against a strong Dogs defensive line,
whilst I expect the Dogs will dominate all stats and put on a big win
for their home fans. Pick - 2 units on Bulldogs 13+
Titans 13+ v Warriors
3 at 2.25
-3
I'm very surprised the Titans aren't paying a single digit figure to win
the title this year given the strength and experience they are boasting
in nearly every position, none more so than in the halves pairing of
Bird and Prince who will be a very formidable base from which this
offensive juggernaut can launch. I really like this Titans side of 2010
and they must be licking their lips as they line up against what is a
very weak looking Warriors side who are lacking experience (Price,
Mannering and Lillyman all out of this match), lacking any quality
leadership and lacking any sort of formidable firepower on attack. I
like that this game is being played in round 1 because if it was round 4
the odds on the Titans would be much shorter as I expect these two sides
to go in opposite directions in 2010. The Titans have so much offensive
firepower it is scarey and the Warriors don't stand a chance, expecially
not as the Titans look to restore the 'fortress' tag for Skilled Park in
2010......this is going to be a very very long afternoon for the
Woe-rriors. Pick - 3 units on Titans 13+
2010 U.S. MASTERS
Tiger Woods 3.50
Phil Mickelson 6.00
P Harrington 13.00
Lee Westwood 17.00
Rory Mcilroy 17.00
Geoff Ogilvy 19.00
Steve Stricker 19.00
Retief Goosen 21.00
Paul Casey 21.00
Sergio Garcia 26.00
Jim Furyk 26.00
Ernie Els 29.00
H Stenson 29.00
-3
RECORD
