NRL Rd 2; Friday night (Down Under time) match:
Game 1) Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights, Sydney Football Stadium, 18:00 CST.
Roosters -8.5 ($1.95 Aus); Knights +8.5 ($1.85).
The Roosters, convincing 30-16 winners (at -7.5) over the Wests Tigers on opening weekend (and our first Madjacks profit) are at home to the Knights, who lost first-up at home to the Northern Eagles 12-10 as -4.5 dogs. I had the initial line at -10.5; it opened at -7.5 and moved a point quite quickly. The Roosters have no injury problems and eased off the throttle in the second half against the Tigers - they led 20-0 just before the break - while also conceding a 5-1 penalty count against in the second spell. Brad Fittler had a relatively quiet night as winger Anthony Minichiello and centre Ryan Cross starred. The Knights led until late against the Eagles but ultimately disappointed at their home fortress. I'm wary of making judgements on just one competition game, but I believe the Knights may struggle this year and still have a couple of key injuries. The Roosters are definite title contenders and with the margin equating to two tries and a conversion - in Craig Fitzgibbon they have a 70% goalkicker - I think we have value playing the Roosters again at the same venue.
INITIAL DECISION: PLAY SYDNEY ROOSTERS UP TO -8.5
Will post Sat matches later tonite or early Sat morning NZ time.
GLTA
Game 1) Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights, Sydney Football Stadium, 18:00 CST.
Roosters -8.5 ($1.95 Aus); Knights +8.5 ($1.85).
The Roosters, convincing 30-16 winners (at -7.5) over the Wests Tigers on opening weekend (and our first Madjacks profit) are at home to the Knights, who lost first-up at home to the Northern Eagles 12-10 as -4.5 dogs. I had the initial line at -10.5; it opened at -7.5 and moved a point quite quickly. The Roosters have no injury problems and eased off the throttle in the second half against the Tigers - they led 20-0 just before the break - while also conceding a 5-1 penalty count against in the second spell. Brad Fittler had a relatively quiet night as winger Anthony Minichiello and centre Ryan Cross starred. The Knights led until late against the Eagles but ultimately disappointed at their home fortress. I'm wary of making judgements on just one competition game, but I believe the Knights may struggle this year and still have a couple of key injuries. The Roosters are definite title contenders and with the margin equating to two tries and a conversion - in Craig Fitzgibbon they have a 70% goalkicker - I think we have value playing the Roosters again at the same venue.
INITIAL DECISION: PLAY SYDNEY ROOSTERS UP TO -8.5
Will post Sat matches later tonite or early Sat morning NZ time.
GLTA
