Jason Di Lizio's Free NRL Game Previews, NRL Tips & Best Bets:
Each week on the PlanetSportsbet website you will be able to gain access to all of Jason Di Lizio's free NRL game previews, NRL tips & best bets. Most of you all know Jason as our horse racing tipster on our Horse Racing In Australia website and he certainly knows his business when it comes to horses and he also knows his business when it comes to betting on the NRL. Jason built up a huge fan base following last Rugby League season and he is back to do it all over again covering this years 2010 NRL season and you can gain access to all of his selections either here or on our Horse Racing In Australia site from each Thursday/Friday evening.
NRL Round 1 Preview:
Eels vs Dragons: The Eels return in 2010 as one of the teams to beat and will no longer ‘fly under the radar’, they have some of the best forwards in the game along with the best finishers in the game which will see them threaten the Dragons from anywhere on the field. The Dragons will be looking to erase the memory of last season as quickly as possible, they have a good team across the park and they all work hard for one another. This could go either and might even reach golden point. Selection: Dragons by 2
Broncos vs Cowboys: The Broncos are a new look outfit this year and might need time to gel, they can never be taken lightly but a lot will depend on Lockyer (who has failed to complete a half of football in his trials). The Cowboys have plenty of depth in the forwards and expect them to dominate the ruck area, Payne and Thurston will look to capitalise on this dominance while Tonga and his fellow outside should be able to account for the inexperienced Bronco outside backs. Selection: Cowboy by 10
Bulldogs vs Knights: The Doggies have a very strong team on paper, the forwards will lay a good platform early and should dominate the Knights’ forwards while Kimmorley and Ennis will steer them around the park and their outside backs will score plenty of points. The Knights are in disarray and with no Gidley in their lineup they’ll struggle, it’s hard to see how their forwards will contain the Bulldogs and they could be in for a long night. Selection: Bulldogs by 16
Sharks vs Storm: The Sharks will be looking to win some fans back with the first game of the season being at home, they have some exciting youngsters in the backs and if their forwards can give Barrett some room in the halves, they could make life uncomfortable for the Storm. Melbourne are coming off a big win in the World Club Challenge, they only returned home just over a week ago but will go to Shark Park expecting a win. This will be closer than people think. Selection: Storm by 2
Panthers vs Raiders: The Panthers have set high expectations for this season and will be fired up for a good start to the season, they have potentially the best backrow in the game along with some very speedy backs and will be hard for the Raiders to contain. The Raiders have got some tough nuts in their forward pack and some exciting youngsters in their backs but even if the forwards get on top early, they don’t have a halfback who can dominate on the back of that. Selection: Panthers by 12
Titans vs Warriors: The Titans look very good on paper and while they have some very hard working forwards, the Warriors will struggle to contain the attacking prowess of Prince, Campbell and Bird. The Warriors face a tough task first up on the Gold Coast, Hohaia will play a major role in attack as their halves aren’t matchwinners at this level. Selection: Titans by 14
Souths vs Roosters: The Bunnies have a big, powerful pack and will look to assert their authority early, Sandow and Sutton still have a lot to learn about making the right decisions at the right time but they should have too much firepower for the Roosters regardless. The Roosters may take awhile to adjust to Brian Smith’s coaching style but they have some good options with Pearce and Carney to play a big hand. Selection: Souths by 10
Tigers vs Manly: The Tigers will always be dangerous with Marshall in the side but Lui and Moltzen give them another dimension to their attack, they only need to keep Manly to below 20 points and they should win. The Sea Eagles have a strong side with plenty of depth, they’ll be looking to Lyon and the Stewart boys spearhead their attack while Watmough, King and Perry will look to dominate early. Selection: Manly by 4
Best Bet: Titans (head to head) @ $1.33
Best Line Bet: Souths (-5.5) @ $1.91
Best Value Bet: Manly (margin 1-12) @ $3.40
Best Longshot: Sharks (margin 1-12) @ $4.15
Multi: Cowboys/Bulldogs/Panthers/Titans/Souths(-5.5) @ $8.56
All prices quoted are Sportsbet prices and are current at time of publication but are subject to change.
Good luck to all.
Jason Di Lizio.
NRL Season 2010 – Preview.
My team by team preview of season 2010 including my prediction of where I think each team will finish at the end of the home and away season.
St George Dragons: They came within a whisker of winning the Minor Premiership last year before being bundled out in the finals. I think everyone involved would’ve learnt a lot from last season and they’ll be much better for the experience. They have plenty of try scorers in their backline while many of their forwards are underrated and expect them to be amongst the pacesetters for the majority of the season. Prediction: 1st
Gold Coast Titans: The Titans will be looking to make more of an impact come finals time this year and I think they’ll be a force come September. The addition of Greg Bird to their squad is a positive and they were able to cut loose some deadwood from their squad at the same time. Prince will be the maestro and I expect their outside backs to score plenty of points this season. Prediction: 2nd
Canterbury Bulldogs: Have a very good mix of youth and experience with some very exciting prospects. Their squad looks stronger overall than last year and if Kimmorley and Ennis can stay fit, they’ll sit towards the top of the table for the majority of the year. Prediction: 3rd
Parramatta Eels: Roared home at the back end of last season to just miss out on taking home the big prize. They were very astute with their purchases over the offseason and my early prediction for the buy of the year could be young forward Shane Shackleton. They are very solid across the park but there’s a lot of pressure on the young shoulders of Daniel Mortimer and a lot will depend on how he handles it this year. Prediction: 4th
North Qld Cowboys: After a disappointing 2009 that was full of injuries, they’ll be looking for a better season this year. The late purchase of Willie Mason is a good one and they have plenty of depth in their forwards. Thurston and Payne are the key men and if the likes of Graham, Tonga and O’Donnell can stay fit, they’ll be in for a good year. Prediction: 5th
Melbourne Storm: Have lost a host of players but still contain some of the most exciting players in the game. Opposition teams can never rest when coming up against Slater, Inglis, Cronk and Smith but their depth will be tested this year, they might struggle at times throughout the season. Prediction: 6th
South Sydney Rabbitohs: Much has been made in the offseason about the size of Souths’ forward pack and I must say I’m excited to see them play. They have plenty of speed out wide but the success of their season will hinge on Sandow and Sutton and whether they can make the right decisions at the right times. They’ll surprise some teams but I suspect they my just drop a couple of games their expected to win also. Prediction: 7th
Penrith Panthers: Have had a squad of hard workers for a couple of years and that hard work should start paying off this year. Petero will lead the forwards gallantly again while the likes of Coote, Jennings and Walsh will cause plenty of headaches for their opposition’s defence. The main concern will be lack of depth but they should win around 50% of their games this year. Prediction: 8th
Manly Seas Eagles: They have lost some key personnel in the off-season and gained some average players. Keiron Foran is a superstar in the making but takes on huge responsibility here so early in his career and will need support from the likes of Lyon, Ballin and the Stewart brothers if the Eagles are to be competitive come September. Prediction: 9th
Brisbane Broncos: Have lost some key players in the off-season including Karmichael Hunt and the injury to Justin Hodges hasn’t helped matters. They have a very young squad that are brimful of talent and any team with Lockyer and Wallace in it can’t be taken lightly but they will struggle this year especially around Origin time. Prediction: 10th
Wests Tigers: Have been very busy in the offseason and have recruited well. They have possibly the most exciting halves combination in the competition but will need to be consistent week-in week-out. Their forward pack will be a handful all season and I expect the Tigers to make life uncomfortable for many teams this season but they will struggle to match it with the top teams. Prediction: 11th
Canberra Raiders: They have lost a few players and only gained 1 player. This season is make or break for the Raiders’ youngsters, they’ve had a year or two experience in the NRL and it’s time they start to hold their own. Their forwards are solid but the pressure needs to be taken off Campese, this means the like of Dugan and Croker need to step up. Prediction: 12th
Cronulla Sharks: They were very active in releasing and gaining players in the offseason but much of this season will rely on the likes of Pomeroy and Millington who need to step up from solid first-graders to quality contributors. Their forwards will hold their own against any pack and should they want to improve on season 2009 while young guns Stapleton and Ferguson will provide them with the X-factor. Prediction: 13th
Sydney Roosters: Have had a clean out of sorts in the offseason and have gained some handy players. Their ‘big guns’ haven’t fired many shots in their last few season and I think they’ll struggle again this season unless the likes of Anasta and Pearce find another level. Prediction: 14th
New Zealand Warriors: They have lost some handy players in the offseason but will be happy to see Brent Tate fit and on the field. Their outside backs have plenty of points in them but will be relying on a halves pairing yet to prove themselves. They have some promising young forwards but I think will Warriors will struggle to hold teams under 30 points a game this year. Prediction: 15th
Newcastle Knights: They were unable to attract any big name signings over the offseason and have had some off-field drama in the past few months. The majority of their squad would be fringe players at most other clubs and I think the Knights are in for a very long season. Prediction: 16th
This should be one of the closest competitions for many years and I am very much looking forward to it.
Good luck to all teams this year.
Jason Di Lizio.
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