Like your analysis there CP, and I agree that betting when so many teams are affected by Origin is dangerous, but I have to say backing the Doggies to beat the
Titans seems a little crazy!
Sure the Bulldog's may have a great backrow, but they have got nothing in the halves and their entire backline is pretty flat - even though they get Patten back this week.
Their front row and reserve forward are slow, and will struggle against the mobile
Titans pack.
With Bailey and Conn back this week for the
Titans and playing on the Gold Coast, I will be taking the
Titans to cover 6.5.
Manly will do a job over the Cows at home, however I will wait to see if Watmough is playing before taking them with any confidence at the line.
I agree with you CP on the Panthers v Warriors game being a high-scoring affair - weather permitting - and I also think the Penrith boys will cover the 3.5 quite easily with Jennings, Wesser, Lewis and Priddis being too much for the Warriors to handle creatively.
Panthers to cover 3.5
I personally can't see the Dragons beating too many teams this year, and I think they will struggle against a Melbourne reserve grade team. The Storm's recruitment over the years has been the best in the comp, so you can bet their young guys getting a chance this week will step up. Losing their coach and three-quarters of their team this week will be hard, but Cronk and Aitken will control things and Matt Geyer is a decent replacement at dummy half.
Melbourne plus 6