My Best 5 Bets for NRL Round 22
North Queensland Cowboys v Melbourne Storm @ 1300 Smiles Stadium
BET = Melbourne Storm - 4.5
1. Melbourne have already beaten the Cowboys this year without any of their Origin players.
2. The Storm won by 8 points at 1300 Smiles Stadium last year.
3. The Storm have the wood on the Cowboys, having won 24 from 34 overall against North Queensland.
4. The Cowboys are yet to beat a Top 8 side this year without Thurston and Scott.
5. I just think the Storm will be too good here and win this game by more than a try.
Newcastle Knights v New Zealand Warriors
BET = Newcastle Knights +2.5
1. The Warriors have won just once In Australia this season.
2. The Knights would've taken a lot of confidence from their last start 21-14 win over the Dragons.
3. The Warriors have looked awful without Shaun Johnson in attack, managing just 24 points combined in their last 2 games.
4. I think this game might mean more to Newcastle, with the chance to go back-to-back for the first time in 2 seasons.
5. I think Newcastle can win this game against a Warriors side that looks like they have signed off for the year.
Gold Coast Titans v Brisbane Broncos
BET = Over 41.5 Points
1. These teams have already played a high scoring thriller this year, with the Broncos winning 26-22 at Suncorp.
2. Last season when these sides clashed in the finals, the Broncos won a high scoring epic game 44-28.
3. The Titans were dreadful against the Tigers last week and, with their finals hopes over, they could be ripe for the picking this week.
4. The Titans have a habit of scoring points against the Broncos, having scored over 20 in both their last 2 clashes against them.
5. I think there could be over 50 points in this game, over 41.5 seems a steal.
Cronulla Sharks v Canberra Raiders @ Shark Park
BET = Raiders +4.5
1. The Raiders are desperate, as they cannot afford another loss if they want to make the finals in 2017.
2. The Sharks without James Maloney could be a little vulnerable here.
3. The Raiders enjoy playing at Shark Park having won comfortably there last season.
4. The Raiders get back both Jordan Rapana and Josh Papalii.
5. I think Canberra are more than capable of causing an upset here, with plenty to play for, while the Sharks have been a bit scratchy at home this year.
Penrith Panthers v Wests Tigers @ Pepper Stadium
BET = Wests Tigers +10.5
1. The Tigers have been really competitive in the past 6 weeks and had a confidence-building win over the Gold Coast last week.
2. Penrith have won 5 of their past 6 games, however 4 of those wins have been by 9 points or less.
3. With Ivan Cleary returning to Penrith, I'm sure he knows their game inside out.
4. The Panthers could only muster 16 points last week against a struggling Bulldogs team.
5. I’ll be tipping Penrith to win this game, however it wouldn't surprise me if the Tigers made them really work for it.