NRL Round 18 Tips: Best Bets and Predictions
Round 18 is our final short round of the season with only 5 games and a heap of Origin stars missing. But the matchups are pretty clear cut for the most part. We will have to wait until Sunday afternoon for the Match of the Round between Newcastle and the Dolphins which is tipped to produce points.
Here are the best NRL Round 18 tips and predictions for every game this weekend.
Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Best Tip: Penrith 1-12
The Panthers have dropped 2 straight and are missing a heap of players through Origin which gives us some extra edge if we believe enough in their systems. South Sydney haven't been the beacon of consistency this season and their overconfidence in this one could be their undoing.
Best Try Scorer: Brian To'o
After being sensationally dropped from the NSW Blues, expect To'o to come out with a point to prove against an edge defence that is leaky.
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Wests Tigers
Best Tip: Tigers -6.5
The Dragons have kept margins close in 3 of their last 4 games but still are struggling with that extra gear to get them the win. Intermittent lapses of concentration and application also lead to easy opponent tries, even if they are able to take advantage themselves of similar situations. This is likely to be a low scoring game with a late Tigers try covering the line.
Best Try Scorer: Alex Seyfarth Anytime Try Scorer
The Dragons middle defence stinks and Seyfarth has found the line on multiple occasions over the past few weeks.
Brisbane Broncos vs Cronulla Sharks
Best Tip: Cronulla over 28.5 Team Total
The Broncos have allowed 28+ pts to their opponents in 6 of their last 7 games, until we see proper improvements from their defensive structures then there is no reason to believe they have changed. Their pack is dismantled through Origin and their depth is not as good as other teams in the league. The Sharks are a a team that score a lot when momentum gets going.
Best Try Scorer: Braydon Trindall Anytime Try Scorer
The Broncos have allowed a try to a half/five-eighth in 8 straight games and Trindall knows how to find the line.
Parramatta Eels vs Manly Sea Eagles
Best Tip: Sea Eagles 13+ Margin
Parramatta are terrible at the moment and even though some individual efforts are positive, they are forcing their hand all too often which leads to mistakes and opposition opportunities. Manly are a team that capitalise easily and quickly on opposition mistakes. This one is likely to blow out late.
Best Try Scorer: Joey Walsh Anytime Try Scorer
With Luke Brookes done for the season it's Joey Walsh time. The Eels have given up multiple tries to opposition 5/8's in recent weeks and Walsh has an extremely dynamic and slippery running style.
Newcastle Knights vs Dolphins
Best Tip: Knights Head-to-Head
This is definitely match of the round with two of the competitions most exciting attacks on display. Given, there will be a number of Origin stars missing but there will still be points. The Knights at home are the tip with the game expected to go down to the wire.
Best Try Scorer: Fletcher Sharpe Anytime Try Scorer
When Fletcher Sharpe is given room to manouver he is almost unstoppable. Expect him to play an important part in the Knights attack with Ponga and Best away on Origin duty.