NRL PREVIEWS & PLAYS
...with OTP's National Rugby League expert
Updated 10:55 PM AEST, Thursday 11 March
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NRL ROUND ONE
Eels -3.5 v Dragons
3 at 1.91
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
?
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
?
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
RECORD
