A game apiece in the NRL and AFL tonight and I see one play.
NRL:
Game 1) Sharks v Bulldogs, Toyota Park, 19:05 CST
Sharks -4.5
May come as a surprise to those who have seen me play the Sharks on a regular basis this season but I think the visitors are worth a wager tonight. The Sharks are a no-frills side who have a good completion rate but it's becoming progressively obvious they lack enough game-breakers in key positions. Jason Ferris and Adam Dykes are workmanlike in the halves but rely an awful lot of the kicking game - bombs and grubbers - when in the opposition red zone so no doubt the Dogs will have been working hard on covering that defensively. The absence thru injury of elusive fullback David Peachey further hurts their scoring capability. Against the Broncos in Brisbane in rd 11 before the State of Origin break the Sharks completed 28 of 38 sets of six tackles and made only 8 errors but still got beaten 35-16. The Bulldogs won their rd 11 clash 26-14 on the road to Nth Queensland to get back some of the early season impetus they had lost and only made 7 errors while completing 30 of 42 sets. Brent Sherwin comes back to play at standoff with Corey Hughes in the No7 shirt with Darrell Trindall suspended; young talent Braith Anasta moving into the forward pack. The Doggies are nicely rested, not having one player in the State of Origin series while the Sharks had prop Jason Stevens and reserve forward Chris Beattie turning out. Ferris has been very consistent with his goalkicking this season while El Masri has also been good value after intensive training with now retired Doggies superboot Daryl Halligan. The Bulldogs have pace to burn in the backs thru Nigel Vagana, Luke Patten and El Masri while the forward battle should be a tough yet even one. In a tight contest I'll take the team getting points.
PLAY BULLDOGS +4.5
AFL:
The Demons v Tigers match-up at the MCG should be closely fought too. Expect the Bulldogs to repeat their negative tactics from last weekend as they try and stifle Melbourne. I think the linesmakers have got this about right at Demons -13.5. Better betting options later this weekend for me.
GLTA
NRL:
Game 1) Sharks v Bulldogs, Toyota Park, 19:05 CST
Sharks -4.5
May come as a surprise to those who have seen me play the Sharks on a regular basis this season but I think the visitors are worth a wager tonight. The Sharks are a no-frills side who have a good completion rate but it's becoming progressively obvious they lack enough game-breakers in key positions. Jason Ferris and Adam Dykes are workmanlike in the halves but rely an awful lot of the kicking game - bombs and grubbers - when in the opposition red zone so no doubt the Dogs will have been working hard on covering that defensively. The absence thru injury of elusive fullback David Peachey further hurts their scoring capability. Against the Broncos in Brisbane in rd 11 before the State of Origin break the Sharks completed 28 of 38 sets of six tackles and made only 8 errors but still got beaten 35-16. The Bulldogs won their rd 11 clash 26-14 on the road to Nth Queensland to get back some of the early season impetus they had lost and only made 7 errors while completing 30 of 42 sets. Brent Sherwin comes back to play at standoff with Corey Hughes in the No7 shirt with Darrell Trindall suspended; young talent Braith Anasta moving into the forward pack. The Doggies are nicely rested, not having one player in the State of Origin series while the Sharks had prop Jason Stevens and reserve forward Chris Beattie turning out. Ferris has been very consistent with his goalkicking this season while El Masri has also been good value after intensive training with now retired Doggies superboot Daryl Halligan. The Bulldogs have pace to burn in the backs thru Nigel Vagana, Luke Patten and El Masri while the forward battle should be a tough yet even one. In a tight contest I'll take the team getting points.
PLAY BULLDOGS +4.5
AFL:
The Demons v Tigers match-up at the MCG should be closely fought too. Expect the Bulldogs to repeat their negative tactics from last weekend as they try and stifle Melbourne. I think the linesmakers have got this about right at Demons -13.5. Better betting options later this weekend for me.
GLTA
