The Early Line
The Early Line: Round 1
An absolute crackerjack to open the season with Wayne Bennett's Newcastle hosting the supercoach's former team St George Illawarra with the Knights opening up 3.5 to 4 point favourites. The Dragons have won seven straight against the Knights in Newcastle and the Knights went 3-8 ATS in night/twilight matches. The Dragons were 2-1 ATS when […]
The Early Line: Grand Final
Manly have opened up 6 point favourites across the board against New Zealand in Sunday’s Grand Final despite the Warriors’ impressive win over the Storm. The Warriors match-up well with New Zealand again holding a big advantage in the pack. What the Warriors have is a big, aggressive, mobile, disciplined forward pack and man-for-man they […]
The Early Line: Preliminary Finals Weekend
Manly have opened up 4.5 point favourites against Brisbane in their preliminary final at the Sydney Football Stadium. There is supposedly a question mark over Broncos skipper Darren Lockyer after surgery on his fractured cheekbone but there is absolutely no doubt that the champion will play. And it does seem like he is on a […]
The Early Line: Finals Week 2
The Wests Tigers open their semi-final clash with New Zealand as 8.5 point favourites. The Warriors were awful last week, getting hammered by 30. In their last 11 matches following a 20-point defeat over the last three years, the Warriors have bounced back with a win only twice. Up against a Tigers team that has […]
The Early Line: Finals Week 1
One of the great modern rivalries plays out on Friday night with the Wests Tigers and St George-Illawarra squaring off, the Dragons going off at 2 to 2.5 point favourites. The Dragons have won 4 of their last 5 against the Tigers but Tim Sheens’ men won when the two teams last met 16-14. ANZ […]
The Early Line: Round 26
Betting in the Newcastle-South Sydney playoff has opened pick 'em though some early money for the Knights has seen them firm to 1.5 point favourites with some books. There is a play with the Knights here. The Rabbitohs three-quarter line looks as bad as any I have ever seen and surprisingly, in what could be […]
The Early Line: Round 25
In a monster clash, Manly have opened 2.5 to 3.5 point favourites against Melbourne. I remain unconvinced by the Sea Eagles. Their attitude has been patchy over the last few weeks and they were very lucky to get away with the win and cover against Canterbury following another uninspiring win against Parramatta. Melbourne, meanwhile, have […]
The Early Line: Round 24
South Sydney face their biggest match in four seasons when they host North Queensland on Friday night in a must win affair. Bookmakers have opened the red-hot Bunnies up 2.5 to 4 point favourites. Leave me out of South Sydney as a favourite in a high-pressure encounter that their season swings on. It is not […]
The Early Line: Round 23
Penrith have opened up 6.5 to 7.5 point home underdogs in their clash with the rejuvenated Wests Tigers on Friday night. The Tigers have won the last two against the Panthers but prior to that, Penrith won five straight and 11 of 13. Moving Michael Jennings to fullback is interesting too. The Tigers have hit […]
The Early Line: Round 22
St George-Illawarra go into their clash with the Wests Tigers at the SFS as 4 to 4.5 point favourites. The Dragons have been most disappointing of late, collecting only five premiership points in the last eight rounds and blowing big leads against both Canberra and South Sydney. Wayne Bennett questioned the attitude of his players […]
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