Our Alternative NRL Round 15 Predictions and preview is here, and hopefully it won’t be as one-sided as the Origin II clash.
This week we feature the usual, but with added colour to make it a truly alternative weekly preview.
Never fear, the barely interesting stat remains. As does the alternative method of picking winners. This week it is all about each team’s Origin period performance.
For now, our Alternative NRL Round 15 predictions and preview awaits.
NRL Round 15 PREDICTIONS – OPPONENT PREDICTIONS – ORIGIN FORM
Win % during Origin period in brackets.
SOUTH SYDNEY (44%) to beat Wests Tigers (42%)
ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA (52%) to beat North Qld (39%)
MELBOURNE (62%) to beat Roosters (53%)
MANLY (56%) to beat Gold Coast (38%)
BRISBANE (59%) to beat Newcastle (44%)
PARRAMATTA (52%) to beat Canberra (51%)
WARRIORS (50%) to beat Penrith (45%)
BULLDOGS (58%) to beat Sharks (52%)
BACKGROUND FOR TIPS – Since it’s all about Origin, we have the record for every team around Origin time to see which teams handle it better. The better the win %, the more likely the team is to win this weekend. So they get the tip. Easy.
Win % during Origin period in brackets.
2019 OPPOSITION TIPPING PROGRESS – 61/108
Week 1 – First Round Form – 5/8
Week 2 – Best Supported Club in 2018 – 5/8
Week 3 – Club Memberships – 3/8
Week 4 – April Fool’s Day – 3/8
Week 5 – NFL Teams – 4/8
Week 6 – Full Moon – 6/8
Week 7 – Anzac Day – 4/8
Week 8 – NRL Supporters – 5/8
Week 9 – Suncorp Stadium – 5/8
Week 10 – Game of Thrones – 5/8
Week 11 – Election Results – 6/8
Week 12 – Split Rounds – 1/4
Week 13 – Post Origin 1 Form – 3/8
Week 14 – Second Half Season Form – 6/8
NRL Round 15 PREDICTIONS PREVIEW – MATCH BY MATCH THOUGHTS
Here is our short game by game preview for the big weekend ahead. We couldn’t offer up our NRL ROUND 15 predictions without explaining ourselves a little further.
With all new visuals to save typing.
BARELY INTERESTING FACT
Wests Tigers record at Bankwest Stadium so far is 2 losses for a combined 79-6.
SUMMARY IN 50 WORDS OR LESS
Souths are somehow still second despite not winning the 25th May, which coincidentally is when the last played the Wests Tigers.
MAJOR TEAM NEWS?
Adam Reynolds returns, which should be timely as Souths have lost three in a row since his injury.
ONE REASON TO WATCH
As a Souths fan, one wonders if Cody Walker will ever recover from wearing half the blame of the first State of Origin loss.
South Sydney by 8 points
| Wests Tigers | $ 2.60 | South Sydney | $ 1.48 |
| (+6.0) | $ 1.86 | (-6.0) | $ 1.94 |
| Over (+38.5) | $ 1.90 | Under (+38.5) | $ 1.90 |
Our Best Bet
James Roberts to score anytime @ $2.37
BARELY INTERESTING FACT
Since 2011, the Cowboys (42,.4%) have a better away record in Sydney than the Dragons (36.5%).
SUMMARY IN 50 WORDS OR LESS
Two teams with very similar records, and are currently 11th and 13th in the tight pack realistically chasing 8th place. Dragons blow hot and cold (pardon the Dragon pun), the Cowboys have underwhelmed mostly. But have have a mid season freshen up ready.
MAJOR TEAM NEWS?
The Cowboys ploy of moving their best player from his best position to play a prop at five eighth has stopped with the very shrewd hiring of Scott Drinkwater. Asiata is a rare talent, and moves to the bench. Jordan Kahu can go back to the centres too which will help. The loss of Josh Maguire through suspension may help or not. The Dragons have some big forwards backing up after Origin so let’s see. Tim Lafai replaces Lachlan Maranta which can only be a positive.
ONE REASON TO WATCH
Scott Drinkwater. Don’t forget that Drinkwater was to be the new Billy Slater before a pre season injury, Melbourne have generously let him go with Ryan Papenhuyzen the new back up number 1, and have ISC star Nicho Hynes also on the books. We hope Drinkwater picks up where he left off last season.
Cowboys to win by 10 points.
| St George Illawarra Dragons | $ 1.50 | Nth Queensland Cowboys | $ 2.55 |
| (-5.5) | $ 1.90 | (+5.5) | $ 1.90 |
| Over (+40.5) | $ 1.90 | Under (+40.5) | $ 1.90 |
Best Bet – North Queensland to win @ $2.55
BARELY INTERESTING FACT
The four games in Adelaide featuring Melbourne have been settled by 1 point twice, 2 points and 8 points.
SUMMARY IN 50 WORDS OR LESS
Melbourne remain on top of the table as they head to Adelaide for their annual game in the City of Churches against the Roosters.
MAJOR TEAM NEWS?
A whole bunch of International and Origin players resume, so we’ll see who plays. Brett Morris is also named in the reserves, so perhaps we’ll see him too.
ONE REASON TO WATCH
Grand Final replay not good enough for you? How about Cronk v Smith “feud”. How about top four clash? Game at Adelaide Oval?
Melbourne to win by 1 point
| Sydney Roosters | $ 1.95 | Melbourne Storm | $ 1.85 |
| (+1.5) | $ 1.85 | (-1.5) | $ 1.96 |
| Over (+38.5) | $ 1.90 | Under (+38.5) | $ 1.90 |
Best Bet – Either team to win by 8 points or less @ $2.00
BARELY INTERESTING FACT
Gold Coast have never lost to Manly in June.
SUMMARY IN 50 WORDS OR LESS
Titans are almost cut adrift in second last from the top eight chasing pack, so will need to replicate their upset of Manly from earlier in the year. Manly sit sixth and have an in form and fit Tom Trbojevic, and our favourite forward Martin Taupau. The only way is up.
MAJOR TEAM NEWS?
A bit of reshuffling, but a return for Ash Taylor is coming. Will Tyrone Peachey play his last game before a June 30 move back to Penrith.
ONE REASON TO WATCH
Afternoon football in South East Queensland is one good to be there live, otherwise it’ll probably end up the Tom Trbojevic as he annoys another Queensland side by being too good.
Manly to win by 12 points
| Gold Coast Titans | $ 2.42 | Manly Sea Eagles | $ 1.55 |
| (+4.5) | $ 1.90 | (-4.5) | $ 1.90 |
| Over (+44.0) | $ 1.90 | Under (+44.0) | $ 1.90 |
Best Bet – Manly -4.5 Start @ $1.90
BARELY INTERESTING FACT
Brisbane have never lost a game with a 5:30pm kick off against the Knights.
SUMMARY IN 50 WORDS OR LESS
Despite lying 5th and 12th on the ladder, these two sides could be just two points apart after this weekend. Newcastle’s six game winning streak came to an end at the hands of a clinical Melbourne, Broncos haven’t won since beating the Warriors 8-2 in May. Their best winning run is just three. Is why they are 12th we guess.
MAJOR TEAM NEWS?
David Klemmer could return. Andrew McCullough swaps starting hooker for the bench with Jake Turpin, who has been excellent in filling in. Joe Ofahengaue returns too.
ONE REASON TO WATCH
There’s a few Origin hopefuls in this game pushing to be part of Origin III. Not that NSW need too much more after Origin II. And to see if Kalyn Ponga can find his form again.
Brisbane to win by 2 points
| Newcastle Knights | $ 1.65 | Brisbane Broncos | $ 2.20 |
| (-3.5) | $ 1.90 | (+3.5) | $ 1.90 |
| Over (+41.5) | $ 1.90 | Under (+41.5) | $ 1.90 |
Best Bet – Tryfecta Bet (First 3 Tries of Match) – Brisbane Broncos – Brisbane Broncos – Newcastle Knights @ $7.50
BARELY INTERESTING FACT
Parramatta have won 4/5 in Darwin, Canberra have lost their only game.
SUMMARY IN 50 WORDS OR LESS
Canberra have steadied their ship with three straight wins, after three straight losses, and remain anchored in the top four. They still have the second best defense. Parramatta easily beat the Broncos last time out, and their record at the shiny new ground is a healthy 4/5 wins. The Eels are 8th, having scored the fourth highest amunt of points in 2019, and conceded the third most.
MAJOR TEAM NEWS?
Young Eels half Dylan Brown gets another go, as does Sebastian Kris for the Raider for Nick Cotric. Aidan Sezer keeps the gig for another week too.
ONE REASON TO WATCH
Parramatta play some good football at their new home Bankwest Stadium, and Canberra won there to nil in their only visit.
Canberra to win by 4 points
| Parramatta Eels | $ 2.10 | Canberra Raiders | $ 1.72 |
| (+2.0) | $ 1.90 | (-2.0) | $ 1.90 |
| Over (+40.0) | $ 1.90 | Under (+40.0) | $ 1.90 |
Best Bet – Total Points Under +40.0 @ $1.90
BARELY INTERESTING FACT
Penrith have kicked a field goal in their last three games in a row. Penrith have only scored 20 or more points twice this season, and not since Round 6.
SUMMARY IN 50 WORDS OR LESS
Penrith have won four in a row now, yet are still third last on the NRL ladder. The Warriors are on the same amount of points, but sit in 10th instead. The Warriors best winning streak by contrast is just two games.
MAJOR TEAM NEWS?
Nathan Cleary is out injured after Origin III, and is replaced at number 7 by Jarome Luai. Nathaniel Roache replaces Isaac Luke for the Warriors.
ONE REASON TO WATCH
There are plenty of big units running around that are worth tuning in for – the two NZ wingers to start with, and our favourite big man in Viliame Kikau. That and the Warriors unpredictability, which is always entertaining. OR Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who is trying to reverse that NZ trend himself.
Penrith to win by 4 points
| New Zealand Warriors | $ 1.60 | Penrith Panthers | $ 2.30 |
| (-4.0) | $ 1.90 | (+4.0) | $ 1.90 |
| Over (+39.5) | $ 1.90 | Under (+39.5) | $ 1.90 |
Best Bet – Ken Maumalo to score anytime @ $1.72
BARELY INTERESTING FACT
The Sharks have won all four clashes between these sides in June since 1998.
SUMMARY IN 50 WORDS OR LESS
It is going to to take a significant reversal of fortunes for any other club than the Bulldogs to finish last, Canterbury seem destined to the fate already. The Sharks are getting back to full strength after a bad run of key injuries, and have a decent platform for a top four tilt, currently in 7th, but just two points from 4th placed Canberra.
MAJOR TEAM NEWS?
Andrew Fifita is out through suspension, Braden Hamlin-Uele is rewarded with a starting place. Aaron Woods is also named in the reserves. Wade Graham can build on his Origin performance with a return to the starting side. Raymond Faitala-Mariner is out for the Bulldogs, among some other minor changes.
ONE REASON TO WATCH
Can’t really think of one by this stage of the weekend.
Sharks to win by 10 points
| Canterbury Bulldogs | $ 3.35 | Cronulla Sharks | $ 1.31 |
| (+8.5) | $ 1.90 | (-8.5) | $ 1.90 |
| Over (+40.5) | $ 1.90 | Under (+40.5) | $ 1.90 |
Best Bet – Under 40.5 points @ $1.90
