Couch Critic previews the NRL matches taking place on 25th and 26th March including his best bets and tryscorer specials with @Olimp_SA
NRL ROUND 3 – THURSDAY & FRIDAY MATCHES
Bradman Best came through for us in the early part of NRL weekend no.2 – instead of getting my tipped tries he was the creative distributor who ensured the Knights came out victorious in a nail biter. Unfortunately the Storm were undone by a determined Eels side in another slippery affair as a double I was very sweet on turned sour but a solid Saturday and Sunday ensured we ended the weekend well up.
Let’s look at Round 3 of NRL 2021 which promises plenty of tight action between evenly matched sides.
PENRITH PANTHERS vs MELBOURNE STORM – Thu 25 Mar @ 11:05, Penrith
Biblical rain for most of the matches this past weekend makes it tough to get a clear picture of where teams stand after Round 2. The Storm went from humming in their opening half hour of the 2021 season to a 130-minute struggle since then. The lads from Melbourne will find it an up-hill battle to try and get their attacking karma back against the best defense in the business – coach Ivan Cleary must be in the verge of opening his own donut shop having kept both the Cowboys and Bulldogs on the dreaded 0 in the opening weeks.
Verdict
It’s re-run of the 2020 Premiership final and in the battle of pies vs donuts the sweeter version is likely to prevail here as I just don’t see the Storm slicing and dicing their way past their hosts. I give it to the home side by a narrow margin in a low scorer.
ST GEORGE’S DRAGONS vs MANLY SEA EAGLES – Fri 26 Mar @ 09:00, Wollongong
As expected the Sea Eagles have gotten out of the gates like a drug-darted donkey at the Melbourne Cup – Manly have conceded 14 tries and only scored 3 in their two outings thus far.
Verdict
The Dragons are hardly fire breathing in their current guise but the men in maroon are all at sea at present and I can’t have them representing my wallet in this one. In the Norman-Ravalawa combo we trust! (But not with too much confidence)
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS vs SYDNEY ROOSTERS – Fri 26 Mar @ 11:05, Sydney
We didn’t have to wait very long into the 2021 season for the battle of the “originals”. It’s the oldest, loudest and proudest facing a Chooks side crowing loudly at present in this historic derby. The battle of Sydney sees the men form the East come into the clash having posted two forties whilst the Bunnies have yet to deliver a performance worthy of their status as one of the competition favourites.
Verdict
The Bunnies were caught cold by the Storm in the opening round. They should be well and truly heated up for their derby clash though whilst the Roosters haven’t had their feather ruffled as yet. The attacking confidence of the Tricolours could see them just about get the job done but this should be a very close-run affair.
BETOLIMP BETS
Totals points : Panthers vs Storm – Under 37.5 @ 1.70 (Best Bet)
Both teams are missing key attacking cogs in Cleary for the Panthers and Papenhuyzen for the Storm. I can’t see points flowing in this one. The teams are now also missing their first-choice kickers.
Double: Under 41.5 in Panthers vs Storm onto Eels to beat @ 1.89
I can’t get enough of the unders in Friday’s clash of the titans and don’t see the Eels tripping up on Saturday either.
Dragons to win vs Sea Eagles @ 1.71
I’m backing Hunt and Norman to pull the strings and drag the Dragons to victory on home soil.
Round 3 Exotics:
Panthers vs Storm
HT/FT: Panthers / Draw @ 39.20
Dragons vs Sea Eagles
HT/FT: Sea Eagles (1-8) / Dragons (13+) @ 28.42
Anytime Tryscorer – Mikaele Ravalawa @ 1.87
Wincast: Ravalawa to score 3 or more tries @ 20.58
Rabbitohs vs Roosters
HT/FT Margin: Roosters (1-8) / Rabbitohs (1-12) @ 11.76
First Rabbitohs Tryscorer – Cody Walker @ 5.88
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