Round 11 is done and dusted, what a crazy week of footy! The Storm let everyone know they are not done, beating the Broncos, the Panthers absolutely thrashed the Roosters at home and the Knights put up an impressive 46 points against the Titans. Now onto Round 12, our final round before the busy bye schedule, filled with exciting matchups. Stay tuned to find value across all 8 NRL games this week.
NRL 2023 Round 12
Broncos vs Panthers
Thursday Night Footy gives us an absolute cracker of a game as the Broncos host the Panthers. This is a true heavyweight clash, with the Broncos sitting 2nd on the ladder with an 8-3 record, while the Panthers are the back-to-back premiers, sitting in 3rd and coming off a massive 48-4 thrashing of the Roosters. This game is a round 1 rematch, in which the Broncos upset the Panthers by 1 at BlueBet Stadium.
The Broncos are unlikely to be at full strength, as Adam Reynolds is racing the clock to return, apparently not training with the side. He will be sorely missed, providing great control for the Broncos in attack, but they proved last week they can compete without him. I think this game is likely to be won on the back of tough defense, as the Panthers have conceded just 12.1 points per game. This should be a tight one, but with Reynolds out, I think Cleary and the Panthers should be too good in a low scoring affair.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
 | Broncos to score 3+ tries - No | $2.60 |
 | Panthers to win | $1.43 |
 | Panthers to win both halves | $2.65 |
Predicted Squads
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Jock Madden 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Corey Jenses 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Martin Taupau
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Zac Hosking 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Linday Smith 16. Liam Martin 17. Jaeman Salmon
Dragons vs Roosters
Our early Friday Night game sees the Dragons host the Roosters in an Anzac Day rematch. Both sides have been incredibly disappointing this season, with the Dragons sitting in 16th position while the Roosters are in 10th spot. Both sides are coming off embarrassing performances, each conceding over 40 points.
Things go from bad to worse for the Roosters as Joey Manu seems to have an ankle injury and is unlikely to play while his likely replacement Sam Walker has also injured himself. For the Dragons, they are currently under enormous pressure, after losing 6 games in a row! I see no reason for the Roosters to be any better than they have in recent weeks and think if they want to win this one, it will be due to their defense. I don’t have the guts to take the Dragons after how they have been playing recently, but I do think they can keep this relatively close in another low scoring game.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Roosters 1-12 | $3.00 |
| Dragons +7.5 | $1.87 |
| Under 41.5 | $1.91 |
Predicted Squads
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Jack de Belin 9. Moses Mbye 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Billy Burns 12. Jayden Su’a13. Jack Bird 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Michael Molo 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Josh Kerr
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Corey Allan 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Billy Smith 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Luke Keary 8. Matt Lodge 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Jake Turpin 15. Egan Butcher 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Flecther Baker
Rabbitohs vs Eels
Our second Friday night game is a blockbuster fixture as the Rabbitohs host the Eels. The Rabbitohs have continued their tremendous run of late, beating the Tigers 20-0, while the Eels fell short by 8 points to the Raiders. That is now 2 losses in a row for the Eels, however last week was without million-dollar man, Mitchell Moses.
If he is named to play, I expect a big outing from Mitchell Moses and the Eels side, who really do have a point to prove. They currently sit in 14th spot, with a 4-7 record, yet we all know they are still one of the contenders this season and should be in finals footy. The Tigers showed last week that the Rabbitohs attack can be stopped, limiting them to just 8 points in 70 minutes before they let in 2 late tries. If Moses is named, I think the Eels will keep this one close and potentially even upset the competition favourites.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Eels +9.5 | $1.90 |
| Eels +8.5 | $1.87 |
| Eels to win either half | $1.85 |
Predicted Squads
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Hame Sele 11. Michael Chee Kam 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jai Arrow 15. Liam Knights 16. Tallis Duncan 17. Thomas Burgess
Eels: Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Haze Dunster 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Wiremu Grieg 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Junior Paulo 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Andrew Davey 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Bryce Cartwright 15. Brendan Hands 16. Ofahiki Ogden 17. Makahesi Makatoa
Sharks vs Knights
Kicking off Super Saturday we have the Sharks hosting the Knights. Both sides will be looking to replicate last week’s performance, each picking up crucial victories, the Sharks winning against the Sea Eagles and the Knights thrashing the Titans. The Knights looked unbelievable in attack last week, especially Kalyn Ponga who got himself a try and 3 try assists, it was great to see him playing at full confidence for the first time in a long while.
The Sharks were a little shaky against Manly, completing at a high rate yet struggling to get too much going in attack. However, I do think the Knights overperformed last week on the back of a Ponga masterclass, while the Sharks were a little disappointing here. The Sharks should have Talakai and Kaufusi back next week to bolster their squad. I do expect the Knights to make this one an exciting contest, however, the Sharks are undoubtedly the better side and are at home. They should have enough to get over the line.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Halftime/Fulltime Double – Sharks/Sharks | $1.72 |
| Knights +9.5 | $1.87 |
| Sharks 1-12 | $3.25 |
Predicted Squads
Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Dale Finucane 14. Wade Graham, 15. Jack Williams 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Cameron Mcinnes
Knights:1. Lachlan Miller 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Kalyn Ponga 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliot 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Mat Croker 17. Jack Hetherington
Tigers vs Cowboys
We continue on Super Saturday with the Tigers hosting the Dragons. Both sides are showing signs of life after a dreadful start to the season, with the Tigers winning 2 of their last 3 and the Cowboys picking up back-to-back wins. The Tigers showed a lot of heart last week, losing 20-0 to the Rabbitohs, but kept them to just one try in the first 70 minutes. The Cowboys put 42 points on the Dragons, making 10 linebreaks and looking like the Cowboys of last year.
Both sides should remain relatively unchanged last week with the Cowboys potentially welcoming back star enforcer, Jason Taumalolo. The bookies have this line at 4.5, which is quite crazy considering where the Tigers where just 3 weeks ago. If the Cowboys are attacking how they were last week, I see them being far too good for this Tigers side who failed to put up a single point last week. I think the Cowboys are the way better side here and the bookies have over adjusted due to some recent form from the Tigers.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Halftime/Fulltime Double – Cowboys/Cowboys | $2.15 |
| Cowboys -4.5 | $1.93 |
| Cowboys -2.5 Firs Half | $2.00 |
Predicted Squads
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Starford To’a 4. Tommy Talau 5. Junior Tupou 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamano 9. Api Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Alex Twal 17. Asu Kepaoa
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan Mclean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jack Gosiewski 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Mitchell Dunn 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Coen Hess
Dolphins vs Storm
In our final game of Super Saturday, the Dolphins host the Storm. The Storm are coming off an impressive 8-point victory over the Broncos while the Dolphins should be extremely well rested as they had the bye last week. This is the first time these 2 sides have faced each other and what a game it should be. With only 7-point difference separating these 2 on the ladder, both will be very eager to get a victory here.
The Storm are almost at full fitness but will likely be without Nelson Asofa-Solomona due to a rib injury. The Dolphins on the other hand will hopefully have Jesse Bromwich, Mark Nicholls and Ray Stone back from injury. Teams coming off the bye this year are an incredible 7-3 in the following week and I do expect the Dolphins to make this one a close game, but on the back of the form of Cameron Munster, I think Melbourne will be too good here and get the win.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Halftime/Fulltime Double – Storm/Storm | $1.95 |
| Storm to win | $1.44 |
| Storm -3.5 First Half | $1.80 |
Predicted Squads
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Valynce Te Whare 5. Tesi Niu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marhsall-King 10. Kenny Bromwich 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Herman Ese’ese
Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Will Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Tariq Sims 13. Josh King 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tom Eisenhuth 17. Aaron Pene
Bulldogs vs Titans
Kicking off our Sunday we have the Bulldogs hosting the Titans. The Bulldogs have struggled this year, sitting at 15th position, while the Titans have showed great signs, sitting in a promising 9th position. The Titans have been remarkably good and consistent in attack, somehow managing to score exactly 26 points in each of their last 5 games! The Bulldogs have looked extremely poor, falling short of that 26 points in 7 of their last 8 games and even losing the one game they did manage to get that total in.
The Titans are suffering from injury, particularly with AJ Brimson out, yet Jayden Campbell continues to deliver, scoring in a tough loss to Newcastle. While the Bulldogs will be hoping to welcome back Josh Addo-Carr from injury, I think it will take more than the fastest man on the planet to return to winning ways. The Titans left edge combination of David Fifita and Khan-Pereira is ripping teams to shreds and I think them along with the Titans’ solid forward pack including Origin Stars Fotuaika and Fa’asuamaleaui should be too much for the Bulldogs.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Titans to win | $1.77 |
| Titans -1.5 | $1.83 |
| Halftime/Fulltime Double – Titans/Titans | $2.50 |
Predicted Squads
Bulldogs: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Matt Burton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Corey Wadell 12. Jacob Preston 13. Harrison Edwards 14. Karl Oloapu 15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 16. Jayden Okunbor 17. Franklin Pele
Titans: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiano Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 14. Kruise Leeming 15. Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui 16. Klese Haas 17. Joe Vuna
Raiders vs Sea Eagles
Closing off the round we have the Raiders hosting the Sea Eagles. The Raiders have slipped under the radar, rocketing into 7th position on the back of 5 straight wins! The Sea Eagles are heading in the opposite direction, falling down to 12th after a hot start to the season, suffering 3 losses in a row. While the Raiders are in tremendous form, there have been some close wins against some mediocre sides, and I don’t think they are as good as a team 5 in a row. Manly on the other hand showed some signs of life last week, almost completing a late comeback against the Sharks.
Manly have surprisingly been the better defensive side of the two, yet their attack has let them down. Cooper Johns is really struggling to make that 6 jersey his own, and I think we will see the return of Josh Schuster this week into the halves. The spark of Schuster, coupled with Tom Trbojevic slowly returning to full fitness week by week, should be enough to give the Raiders a go for their money. I think Manly will be desperate for a win here and are a real shot to get it.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Sea Eagles +2.5 First Half | $1.77 |
| Sea Eagles +4.5 | $1.87 |
| Sea Eagles to win | $2.55 |
Predicted Squads
Raiders: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jared Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Ata Mariota
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Sean Keppie 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Karl Latwon 14. Ethan Bullemor 15. Samuela Fainu 16. Ben Trbojevic 17. Aaron Woods
