NRL 2022 Round 9 – Betting tips & Predictions

Round 9 of the NRL season kicks off with an intriguing game between the Rabbitohs and the Broncos on Thursday night, while the following evening the Panthers will get one of their biggest tests of the year to date when the Eels try to end their unbeaten run. The Roosters and Titans head to Mackay the next evening, while on Sunday the Storm will try to keep their incredible form going when they host the Dragons. With just one game separating third from 11th there is plenty on the line this round, and we’ve previewed each and every match over what looms as a big weekend of NRL action.

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Brisbane Broncos

May 5 – Accor Stadium, Sydney – 7.50pm

Round 9 of the NRL season kicks off with an intriguing matchup between two sides coming off impressive victories last week. The Rabbitohs proved too good for the Sea Eagles after a slow start, putting on an offensive clinic in the second half to run out 40-22 against a team with relatively high aspirations this season. The Broncos, meanwhile, locked down the Sharks’ offence to win 16-7; a feat far more impressive in 2022 than it might have been last year. That makes it two wins on the trot for Brisbane after they were far too strong for the Bulldogs the week prior, and saw them join a plethora of teams around the middle of the NRL ladder sitting on 4-4. A win this week would almost certainly see them jump inside the top eight, but they’ll have their work cut out for them on Thursday night. The Bunnies have won all four of their home games this year by at least 12 points, and they should be able to keep the trend going with another win.

Bet on the Rabbitohs to win @ $1.31 (Palmerbet)

Canberra Raiders vs Canterbury Bulldogs

May 6 – GIO Stadium, Canberra – 6.00pm

Friday night’s first game will function virtually as a curtain-raiser to its second, with the 6pm matchup between the Raiders and the Bulldogs likely to attract a lot less attention than the game which will follow it between the Panthers and the Eels. Nonetheless, there’s plenty riding on this one, with both of these sides only avoiding the bottom of the ladder by goal difference. The Raiders have been thoroughly disappointing this season and last Saturday’s defeat was their fifth in a row, though it could easily have gone the other way as they went down 21-20. The Bulldogs actually got back on the winner’s list following six successive defeats, upsetting the Roosters 16-12. They managed to display some of the improved form that many expected from them heading into this season after a fruitful off-season, and if they can replicate it this Friday night they might be able to leave the nation’s capital with the two points.

Bet on the Bulldogs to win @ $2.00 (Bet365)

Penrith Panthers vs Parramatta Eels

May 6 – BlueBet Stadium – 7.55pm

A far more enticing matchup follows later on Friday evening, when the undefeated Panthers welcome the Eels to BlueBet Stadium. Last year’s Grand Final winners continued on their merry way last weekend, disposing of the Titans 18-4 in another clinical display. Their offence wasn’t firing on as many cylinders as it has been throughout much of the year, but their staunch defence ensured the result was never in doubt regardless. The Eels, meanwhile, had a shocker, going down 35-4 against the completely unpredictable Cowboys. That followed a dominant win the week prior, but Parramatta have now dropped two of their past three to fall out of the top four. Nonetheless, they are arguably the most likely team to prevent a second consecutive Panthers-Storm Grand Final, and a win this weekend would certainly strengthen those prospects. If they play at their best this should be a fantastic game, but it’s impossible to tip against the Panthers at minute, particularly on their home surface.

Bet on the Panthers to win @ $1.25 (BoomBet)

Manly Sea Eagles vs Wests Tigers

May 7 – 4 Pines Park, Sydney – 3.00pm

The Sea Eagles lost their second game in a row last Friday night, going down relatively comfortably to the Rabbitohs after jumping out of the blocks strongly. They again struggled defensively as they conceded 40 points in that game after giving up 34 the week prior, though fortunately the side they face this Saturday doesn’t exactly have the same offensive firepower as the Bunnies or the Sharks. The Tigers put in a disappointing performance against the Dragons, scoring just six points against a very mediocre side following two consecutive thrilling wins over the fortnight prior. Those two wins suggested they are capable of playing competitive football and if they bring that form they could make this a content, but Manly should be too strong and take their win-loss ledger to 5-4.

Bet on the Sea Eagles to win @ $1.25 (PlayUp)

Sydney Roosters vs Gold Coast Titans

May 7 – BB Print Stadium, Mackay – 5.30pm

The Roosters would have entered Rounds 7 and 8 expecting a couple of easy wins and a probable spot in the top four at the end of it, but things haven’t quite gone to plan. Instead, they’ve suffered close losses to a couple of the worst teams in the league, and last Saturday added a four-point loss to the Bulldogs to a fortnight which already included a two-point loss to the Dragons. They are badly in need of a win, and if they can find something even close to their best form this weekend they should get it. The Titans are in damage control after four consecutive losses, and though no one can blame them for going down to the Panthers last week, their lack of offensive spark is a significant concern having scored just eight points in two weeks. Both of these teams need something to change and fast, but it’s the Roosters who should be able to earn themselves a much-needed win.

Bet on the Roosters to win @ $1.28 (Palmerbet)

North Queensland Cowboys vs Newcastle Knights

May 7 – Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville – 7.35pm

The Cowboys are putting together one of the great roller coaster seasons, but the end result nine rounds in is that they are sitting pretty in third spot on the NRL ladder. It’s worth noting that they’re just a win ahead of the Warriors in 11th, but nonetheless the quality of footy they’ve played at their best this year means they’ve well and truly earned it. They’ve thrown a couple of stinkers in there too, but they were brilliant again last weekend, knocking off the Eels 35-4 in a clinical display. They get a great chance to do it all again this weekend, facing what is currently the worst team in the league in Newcastle. The Knights have scored four points in total over the past two weeks while conceding 89, and are deservedly sitting on the bottom of the ladder as a result. North Queensland might have put in a couple of really poor performances so far this season, but they are in form at the moment and if they put their best foot forward, this could get ugly for the Knights.

Bet on the Cowboys to win @ $1.25 (PlayUp)

Melbourne Storm vs St. George Illawarra Dragons

May 8 – AAMI Park, Melbourne – 2.00pm

The Panthers might be looking near impossible to beat at the moment, but the Storm are giving every indication that they’re capable of matching it with them. Melbourne’s only NRL representative has been incredible the past two weeks, scoring a massive 120 points over their past two games and winning by a cumulative 108 points. That doesn’t bode well for the Dragons. Their win over the Tigers last weekend was, however, their third in a row, but they’ve struggled against the best sides so far this season and the Storm certainly fit into that category. AAMI Park is not typically a happy hunting ground for any travelling sides, and that trend should continue this weekend.

Bet on the Storm to win @ $1.07 (BoomBet)

Cronulla Sharks vs New Zealand Warriors

May 8 – PointsBet Stadium, Sydney – 4.05pm

The Sharks have been one of the stories of the year, taking a significant step forward and becoming the third favourite for the NRL Premiership with Aussie bookmakerstwo months into the season. Last weekend, however, they suffered a disappointing defeat, going down to the Broncos in a game in which they struggled to get their offence humming at any point. They’ll be confident that they can get back on the winner’s list against the Warriors this weekend. New Zealand enjoyed a rousing one-point victory over the Raiders last Saturday, bouncing back from their demolition at the hands of the Storm the week prior, and now find themselves with an even ledger at 4-4. The goal differential between these two sides, however, tells a story; despite having just one more win, the Sharks have a GD of 52 compared to the Warriors’ -62. Cronulla is clearly the better side and, on their home turf, should be too strong.

Bet on the Sharks to win @ $1.20 (Bet365)