Round 22 is done and dusted and what a round it was! Patty Carrigan got his first try as the Broncos outclassed the Roosters while the Bulldogs edged the Dolphins in a thriller filled with controversy and finally the Titans ended the Cowboys undefeated run. Now onto round 23, filled with great matchups! Stay tuned as we help you find value across all 8 games.
NRL 2023 Round 23
Roosters vs Sea Eagles
Kicking off the round we have the Roosters hosting the Sea Eagles. The Roosters are coming off a disappointing 22-point loss to a much classier Broncos side, while the Sea Eagles struggled their way to a 6-point win over the Dragons. The Roosters sit in 14th, 2 wins off 8th spot, rendering their season all but over, while the Sea Eagles are just 1-point behind and have an outsider’s chance. These sides met just 5 weeks ago, with the Sea Eagles taking the victory by a narrow 2-point margin, although it was at home.
Although the Sea Eagles won last week, they struggled to make metres through the middle, with Olakau’atu running for the most metres of any Manly forward, with just 123. The Sea Eagles lost Paseka 2 weeks ago as well as Aloiai and now Tuipulotu. I think this Manly side will struggle to compete with the Roosters forwards and at home, I think they have a solid edge here.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
 | Roosters 1-12 | $3.00 |
 | Roosters -3.5 | $1.87 |
 | Either team to win by 1-12 | $1.80 |
Official Squads
Roosters: 1. Jamed Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joey Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jared Warea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Siua Wong 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Nathan Brown 16. Terrell May 17. Fletcher Baker
Sea Eagles: 1. Reuben Garrick 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Toafofoa Sipley 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Matt Lodge 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Ben Trbojevic 15. Aaron Woods 16. Dean Matterson 17. Ethan Bullemor
Titans vs Warriors
Our early Friday Night game sees the Titans hosting the Warriors. The Titans are coming off an impressive win, beating the Cowboys who were undefeated in their last 6 games, while the Warriors will be well rested, coming off the bye. The Titans sit 2 wins behind 8th spot, unlikely to make finals, whereas the Warriors sit in 3rd spot, with a real chance to make the top 4. The Warriors have been in fine form, winning their last 3 games and 7 of their last 10.
The Warriors will come into this game pretty much at full strength, while the Titans are without star forward Tino and will be sweating on AJ Brimson who suffered an abdomen injury. While I do think the Warriors are the better side here, this line seems too large for a side who has just taken down the Cowboys convincingly. I think the Warriors win this one within the line.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Titans +4.5 First Half | $1.77 |
| Titans +9.5 | $1.86 |
| Either team to win by 1-12 | $2.00 |
Official Squads
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiano Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verills 10. Isaac Liu 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Erin Clark 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Chris Randall 16. Klese Haas 17. Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Josh Curran
Panthers vs Storm
Our second game on Friday Night is a heavyweight clash as the Panthers host the Storm. Both sides are looking in fine form, with the Panthers keeping the Sharks scoreless to extend their winning streak to 5, while the Storm absolutely thrashed the Eels, winning by 30. This is clearly the game of the round, a rematch of the 2020 grand final.
The Panthers have recently welcomed back Nathan Cleary and he has instantly found form, kicking 2 40/20’s and earning 2 try assists last week. However, the Panthers will be sweating on the fitness of Tago, with Peachey suspended, leaving them short in the centers. While both these sides are at the top end of the ladder, the Panthers have conceded just 236 points this year, over 100 behind second least and I think their defense should be too much for the Storm.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Halftime/Fulltime – Panthers/Panthers | $1.75 |
| Panthers -9.5 | $1.87 |
| Panthers -5.5 First Half | $1.89 |
Official Squads
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Zac Hosking 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Jaemon Salmon
Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Will Warbrick 3. Marion Seve 4. Young Tonumaipea. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 13. Josh King 14. Tom Eisenhuth 15. Alec Macdonald 16. Tepai Moeroa 17. Eliesa Katoa
Cowboys vs Broncos
Kicking off Super Saturday we have one of the premier fixtures in our game as the Cowboys host the Broncos. This game always delivers, with one of the greatest grand finals in 2015 and having 3 out of their 4 games following encounters ending with a margin of 1-point. In recent years this fixture has not been as exciting with either the Broncos or Cowboys struggling but this year it is bound to deliver. The Broncos have won 4 in a row and sit in 2nd spot while the Cowboys have won 6 of their last 7 games.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys, they will be without star center Valentine Holmes who is facing a suspension. The Cowboys will not only miss his explosive running game but his goal kicking as well. The Cowboys are also without star try scorer Nanai due to a shoulder injury and coming up against a healthy Broncos side playing the way they are, I see the Broncos winning here.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Broncos -1.5 First Half | $1.82 |
| Broncos -3.5 | $1.87 |
| Either team to win by 1-12 | $1.75 |
Official Squads
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Semi Valemei 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan Mclean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Coen Hess 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Heilum Luki 17. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Brendan Piakura 13. Pat Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Corey Jensen 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Keenan Palasia
Dolphins vs Knights
Our second game of Super Saturday sees the Dolphins hosting the Knights. The Dolphins are coming off a disappointing 1-point loss to the Bulldogs, making them just 3-7 in their last 10, while the Knights comfortably beat the Raiders, extending their winning run to an impressive 4. The Knights are one of the most underrated teams in the competition and this year has really been a tale of two halves, with the Knights struggling in the first half due to Ponga playing out of position or missing due to concussions. However, this second half of the season Kalyn Ponga has been the form player of the competition, absolutely ripping teams to shreds.
The Knights have not only looked dominant in attack recently with Ponga at fullback but have also showed tremendous defensive capability. They are 1 of just 5 teams who have conceded under 400 points. This Knights side is firing and against a struggling Dolphins, I expect them to win with relative ease.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Halftime/Fulltime Double – Knights/Knights | $1.72 |
| Knights -9.5 | $1.87 |
| Knights to win both halves | $2.40 |
Official Squads
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Kodi Nikorima 4. Valynce Te Whare 5. Tesi Niu 6. Anthony Milford 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich 14. Herman Ese’ese 15. Josh Kerr 16. Isaiya Katoa 17. Jarrod Wallace
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliot 14. Kurt Mann 15. Brodie Jones 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mat Croker
Rabbitohs vs Sharks
Our final game of Super Saturday sees the Rabbitohs hosting the Sharks. The Rabbitohs are coming off a 14-point win away to the Tigers, while the Sharks are coming off an embarrassing 28-0 loss to the Panthers. The Rabbitohs didn’t set the world on fire last week, but Latrell Mitchell had a solid return, running for over 165m and 11 tackle busts. The Sharks on the other hand had a horrid week, not only being held to nil by the Panthers but also losing fullback Will Kennedy to a hamstring issue. Kennedy has been incredible this season and the Sharks will struggle to replace him with natural second choice fullback Dykes out for the season,
The Rabbitohs will go into this one fully healthy and will be looking to hunt down a wounded Sharks side. The Rabbitohs sit in 6th spot with a relatively easy run home including a bye in round 26, needing almost a perfect record until then to secure a top 4 spot. I think the Sharks are down on confidence and troops and I see this one going the Rabbitohs way.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Rabbitohs -5.5 First Half | $1.80 |
| Rabbitohs -11.5 | $1.87 |
| Rabbitohs 13+ | $2.10 |
Official Squads
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Jai Arrow 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Michael Chee Kam 13. Cameron Murray 14. Davvy Moale 15. Siliva Havili 16. Jed Cartwright 17. Tallis Duncan
Sharks: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Cameon Mcinnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Thomas Hazelton 16. Royce Hunt 17. Jesse Colquhoun
Eels vs Dragons
For our first game on Sunday, we see the Eels hosting the Dragons. The Eels are coming off an embarrassing 30-point loss to the Storm while the Dragons are coming off a 6-point loss to the Sea Eagles. The Dragons have showed an ability to compete in their recent games, losing 2 of their last 3 by 10 or less and winning against the Tigers. The Eels have been disappointing, with their only win in their last 4 games being a 1-point victory over the Titans.
The Eels are welcoming back Dylan Brown from a suspension, however, Lane, Sivo and RCG are all still missing. The Dragons are almost at full strength, missing Su’a for the rest of the season as well as Jayden Sullivan until round 26. While the Dragons have looked better in recent week, there is no doubt the Eels are the stronger side here. With them needing wins and point difference badly, I can see them finding some form against this Dragons side and winning comfortably.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Eels to win both halves | $1.95 |
| Eels -12.5 | $1.87 |
| Under 47.5 | $1.91 |
Official Squads
Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Isaac Lumelume 3. Will Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Luca Moretti 15. Andrew Davey 16. Wiremu Grieg 17. Ryan Makahesi Makatoa
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mat Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Billy Burns 12. Dan Russell 13. Jack De Belin 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Michael Molo 16. Toby Couchman 17. Zane Musgrove
Raiders vs Tigers
Closing out the round we have the Raiders hosting the Tigers. The Raiders are coming off a disappointing 22-point loss at home to the Knights while the Tigers are coming off a 14-point loss to the Rabbitohs. The Raiders currently sit in 5th spot, 3 points ahead of 9th spot, making a win all the more important. The Tigers sit in bottom spot, 2 wins off 2nd last and are playing for pride at this point in the season.
The Tigers have certainly looked better in recent weeks, remaining competitive against the Dragons and then showing promising signs against the Rabbitohs. This is largely thanks to the return of Koroisau and Brooks. The Raiders have now lost 2 in a row and although they have won 11 games this season, their biggest winning margin has been 10-points. The line here is 12.5 and this seems too much for a team out of form who hasn’t won by that margin all season.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Raiders 1-12 | $3.15 |
| Tigers +12.5 | $1.87 |
| Under 46.5 | $1.91 |
Official Squads
Raiders: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Sebastian Kris 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Nick Cotric 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Ellot Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Adrian Trevilayn 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Ata Mariota
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Staford To’a 4. Junior Tupou 5. Charlie Staines 6. Daine Laurie 7. Luke Brooks 8. Alex Twal 9. Api Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’I 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Justin Matamua 16. Aitasi James 17. Asu Kepaoa
