Game 2) Parramatta Eels v The Sharks, Parramatta Stadium, 16:00 CST.
Eels -11.5 ($1.90Aus); Sharks +11.5 ($1.90).
The Eels looked so superb in last weekend's 40-4 annihilation of the Panthers the immediate impulse is to jump upon them again. It grows more tempting when their opponents are the Sharks, who were lifeless in a 30-6 home mauling by the Dragons on opening weekend. The Sharks' spirits certainly wouldn't have been lifted by the news that their best player, winger and goakicker Mat Rogers, was ruled out for the entire season last night due to injury. All roads point to the Eels winning comfortably, but two question marks linger for me. Just how bad were the Panthers (horrendous in my opinion)? And how badly do the Sharks want to show that their season shouldn't be written off on the basis of one match? Coach John Lang was livid with the lacklustre attitude from his players against the Dragons and while it's hard to second guess motivation, I see the Sharks hurting to prove a point against their Sydney rivals. May reconsider this after watching the Roosters v Knights games which see two sides from similar week one backgrounds clash, but at this stage ...
INITIAL DECISION: NO PLAY.
Game 3) Brisbane Broncos v Penrith Panthers; ANZ Stadium, Brisbane, 18:00 CST.
Broncos -14.5 ($1.90 Aus); Panthers +14.5 ($1.90).
The Panthers frailties were exposed last weekend and referred to above; hence the big line margin. But the defending champion Broncos only just snuck home against a Cowboys side tipped my everyone to be a cellar-dweller all season long. The Broncos did have a number of players struck down late in the week with a mystery virus in their defence, but they also started slowly last season. Surely the Panthers can't be as bad again? They have enough playing talent but their defensive lines were abysmal. Hard work on the training field all work should have rectified that enough to make me leave this game alone.
INITIAL DECISION: NO PLAY.
Game 5) Melbourne Storm v Nth Queensland Cowboys, Colonial Stadium, Melbourne, 18:00 CST.
Storm -11.5 ($1.90Aus); Cowboys +11.5 ($1.90).
The Storm will be angry after losing first up at home to the tradesmanlike Bulldogs but have lost dangerous fullback Robbie Ross to a hamstring injury. The Cowboys should be buoyed by their showing against the Broncos but may suffer the hangover of a team who knew they let slip a great opportunity for an upset win. The visitors have a hatful of injury problems coming into this match and aren't deep in talent. But the Storm should adjust quickly to being without Ross as winger Matt Geyer moves to fullback and Aaron Moule comes into the centres with promsing Junior Langi moving tothe wing. The Cowboys covered easily at +12.5 v the Broncos; don't see them managing it this time.
INITIAL DECISION: PLAY MELBOURNE STORM -11.5.
Eels -11.5 ($1.90Aus); Sharks +11.5 ($1.90).
The Eels looked so superb in last weekend's 40-4 annihilation of the Panthers the immediate impulse is to jump upon them again. It grows more tempting when their opponents are the Sharks, who were lifeless in a 30-6 home mauling by the Dragons on opening weekend. The Sharks' spirits certainly wouldn't have been lifted by the news that their best player, winger and goakicker Mat Rogers, was ruled out for the entire season last night due to injury. All roads point to the Eels winning comfortably, but two question marks linger for me. Just how bad were the Panthers (horrendous in my opinion)? And how badly do the Sharks want to show that their season shouldn't be written off on the basis of one match? Coach John Lang was livid with the lacklustre attitude from his players against the Dragons and while it's hard to second guess motivation, I see the Sharks hurting to prove a point against their Sydney rivals. May reconsider this after watching the Roosters v Knights games which see two sides from similar week one backgrounds clash, but at this stage ...
INITIAL DECISION: NO PLAY.
Game 3) Brisbane Broncos v Penrith Panthers; ANZ Stadium, Brisbane, 18:00 CST.
Broncos -14.5 ($1.90 Aus); Panthers +14.5 ($1.90).
The Panthers frailties were exposed last weekend and referred to above; hence the big line margin. But the defending champion Broncos only just snuck home against a Cowboys side tipped my everyone to be a cellar-dweller all season long. The Broncos did have a number of players struck down late in the week with a mystery virus in their defence, but they also started slowly last season. Surely the Panthers can't be as bad again? They have enough playing talent but their defensive lines were abysmal. Hard work on the training field all work should have rectified that enough to make me leave this game alone.
INITIAL DECISION: NO PLAY.
Game 5) Melbourne Storm v Nth Queensland Cowboys, Colonial Stadium, Melbourne, 18:00 CST.
Storm -11.5 ($1.90Aus); Cowboys +11.5 ($1.90).
The Storm will be angry after losing first up at home to the tradesmanlike Bulldogs but have lost dangerous fullback Robbie Ross to a hamstring injury. The Cowboys should be buoyed by their showing against the Broncos but may suffer the hangover of a team who knew they let slip a great opportunity for an upset win. The visitors have a hatful of injury problems coming into this match and aren't deep in talent. But the Storm should adjust quickly to being without Ross as winger Matt Geyer moves to fullback and Aaron Moule comes into the centres with promsing Junior Langi moving tothe wing. The Cowboys covered easily at +12.5 v the Broncos; don't see them managing it this time.
INITIAL DECISION: PLAY MELBOURNE STORM -11.5.
