Round 5 is in the books and what a season it continues to be! Round 5 was packed with tight, exciting games and we officially have our first and likely only draw of the year. Round 6 will hopefully be just as enjoyable, packed with great games across the board. I am here to help you find all the value across the NRL this week.
NRL 2023 Round 6
Storm vs Roosters
We kick off Thursday night with an absolute classic in the Storm hosting the Roosters. Both sides are coming off extremely impressive performances, with the Roosters comfortably beating the Eels despite a late comeback, while the Storm took down the Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium. In recent history the Storm have had the Roosters’ number, winning 5 of the last 6 encounters.
Both sides are going to look quite different from last week, with Melbourne welcoming back their star halfback Jahrome Hughes from suspension, playing his first game with Munster since round 1. On the other hand, the Roosters are missing Tedesco due to concussion protocols and will have either the returning Joey Manu or young gun Joseph Suaalii slotting in at fullback. I think Melbourne will be too strong with the Roosters still missing key forwards and Melbourne welcoming back Hughes at home.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
 | Melbourne Storm 1-12 | $3.10 |
 | Melbourne to win | $1.77 |
 | Melbourne -1.5 | $1.87 |
Predicted Squads
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. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Jonah Pezet 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tariq Sims 17. Bronson Garlick
Roosters: 1. Joseph Manu 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Drew Hutchison 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Jake Turpin 15. Terrell May 16. Fletcher Baker 17. Naufahu Whyte
Bulldogs vs Rabbitohs
We have an Easter Friday classic with the Bulldogs hosting the Rabbitohs for an early kickoff at 4:05pm. The Bulldogs are coming off a short 5-day turnaround, where they somehow bet the Cowboys in golden point after levelling the score in the final play. The Rabbitohs will be well rested and eager to bounce back to winning ways.
The Bulldogs will be without Kikau and Faitala-Mariner due to head knocks suffered last week and there will be late fitness tests for King, Pele and Preston who all suffered injuries during the game. The Bulldogs potentially being down so many forwards, as well as this South’s side starting to become desperate for a win, is enough to make me think they’ll get the job done.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Bulldogs to score 3+ tries, No | $2.35 |
| South Sydney Rabbitohs -8.5 | $1.87 |
| South Sydney Rabbitohs to win both halves | $2.25 |
Predicted Squads
Bulldogs: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Corey Wadell 12. Jacob Preston 13. Josh Reynolds 14. Jayden Okunbor 15. Kurtis Morrin 16. Jayden Tanner 17. Jackson Topine
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Taane Milne 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Izaac Thompson 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jed Cartwright 15. Michael Chee Kam 16. Davvy Moale 17. Hame Sele
Cowboys vs Dolphins
Our blockbuster Friday night clash is an all-Queensland affair, with the Cowboys taking on the Dolphins at QCB Stadium. The Dolphins fairy tale start to the season came crashing down, suffering a 26-point defeat to the Dragons, while the Cowboys lost in brutal fashion, conceding a last minute try and then a field goal in golden point.
Both teams are already suffering an injury crisis and to make matters worse, the Dolphins have lost Milford to a hamstring injury. This leaves them with little to no NRL experience in the halves. On the other hand, the Cowboys are welcoming back Drinkwater from suspension and potentially Reuben Cotter from a knee injury. I can see both sides being rusty in attack, missing playmakers and welcoming back new combinations, but the Cowboys should be a little bit too good for their crosstown rivals.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Halftime/Fulltime Double, Cowboys/Cowboys | $1.80 |
| Cowboys -8.5 | $1.87 |
| Under 42.5 total points | $1.82 |
Predicted Squads
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Brendan Elliot 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Coen Hess 12. Mitch Dunn 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Tom Chester 15. Jake Granville 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Riley Price
The Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Jack Bostock 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marhsall-King 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Kenny Bromwich 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Mason Teague
Panthers vs Sea Eagles
We have a shortened Super-Saturday this week due to Easter but what a game we have to start us off. The Panthers host the Sea Eagles in a mouthwatering affair. The Panthers finally clicked into gear, thrashing the Raiders, while the Sea Eagles battled out the Knights for a draw.
The Panthers are likely welcoming back Soni Luke, Luke Garner and Liam Martin while losing James Fisher Harris due to a knee injury, while Manly should have Schuster back in their side. While both these sides are attacking powerhouses, I see this one being a hard-fought battle through the middle, with little points. If Manly want to compete, they will have to complete at a high rate and stay in the arm wrestle, something they should be looking to do after conceding 32 points to Newcastle.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Sea Eagles +4.5 first half | $1.80 |
| Sea Eagles +9.5 | $1.87 |
| Under 42.5 | $1.91 |
Predicted Squads
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Spencer Leniu 11. Zac Hosking 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Soni Luke 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Luke Garner 17. Jaeman Salmon
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Kelma Tuilagi 13. Josh Aloiai 14. Kaeo Weekes 15. Karl Lawton 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Sean Keppie
Broncos vs Raiders
Rounding out Super Saturday we have the Raiders making the trip up to Suncorp to take on the undefeated Broncos. The Raiders are coming off an embarrassing 41-point loss to the Panthers while the Broncos pulled off an impressive 34-point win against the Tigers.
While the Raiders did get demolished, they managed to keep it close until half time, once again failing to put in an 80-minute performance. This has been a concern for a while now and with the Raiders missing star man Jack Wighton and his backup Matt Frawley, they will struggle to win this one against a Broncos side firing on all cylinders. However, I do think they can keep it close for the opening stages of the game on the back of their forward pack, particularly Tapine and Papali’i.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Team to win both halves, Brisbane Broncos - No | $1.85 |
| Raiders +14.5 | $1.87 |
| Raiders +6.5 first half | $1.85 |
Predicted Squads
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. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Cory Paix 15. Keenan Palasia 16. Corey Jensen 17. Martin Taupau
Raiders: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Harley Smith-Shields 5. Albert Hopoate 6. Brad Schneider 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papalii 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Harawira-Naera 14. Tom Starling 15. Pasami Saulo 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Emre Guler
Titans vs Dragons
We start off our Easter Sunday with a round 2 rematch, as the Titans will look to get revenge on the Dragons. Last time out the Dragons won 32-18 and are now coming off a 26-point win against the Dolphins. The Titans will be well rested after having the bye last week.
Both sides have been in high scoring affairs so far this season, with the Dragons lowest scoring game being 48 points while the Titans’ has been 32 points. The Titans will be without AJ Brimson who is still battling a hamstring injury but should fill the void quite nicely with Jayden Campbell. I see this one being a high scoring shootout between two evenly matched sides, but I think the week of rest on top of the desire for revenge should be enough for the Titans to win.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Either team by 6 or less | $2.75 |
| Titans -3.5 | $1.87 |
| Titans to win | $1.72 |
Predicted Squads
Titans: 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiano Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Tanah Boyd 7. Toby Sexton 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 14. Kruise Leeming 15. Jo Vuna 16. Eric Clark 17. Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew 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. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird 14. Moses Mbye 15. Toby Couchman 16. Jack de Belin 17. Josh Kerr
Knights vs Warriors
What an interesting game we have to end off our Easter Sunday as the Knights host the Warriors for a round 1 rematch. Both sides are coming off all-time classic matches, with the Knights getting a hard-fought draw against the Sea Eagles while the Warriors pulled off a miraculous second half comeback to edge the Sharks.
The Warriors currently sit in a remarkable 2nd place with a 4-1 record, beating the Knights in round 1 in New Zealand. While the Knights have suffered key injuries since then, they have only looked better. With Lachie Miller relishing the opportunity to play fullback combined with the dominance of their wingers in Marzhew and Young, I see the Knights slightly edging this Warriors side in Newcastle.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Knights 1-12 | $3.15 |
| Knights to win | $1.95 |
| Either team by 1-12 | $1.70 |
Predicted Squads
Knights: 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Phoenix Crossland 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Jack Johns 14. Kurt Mann 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Mat Croker 17. Brodie Jones
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Edward Kosi 3. Viliami Vailea 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Josh Curran 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Bailey Sironen 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Mitch Barnett
Tigers vs Eels
Wrapping up the round we have the winless Tigers hosting the Eels. Both sides have had a start to the season to forget, picking up just 1 win between them. Last week the Eels’ discipline let them down, conceding 2 sin bins, giving them little chance against the Roosters. The Tigers on the other hand were just poor and outclassed by a far better Broncos side.
The Eels are still without Junior Paulo due to suspension, however, could be welcoming back Shaun Lane from a jaw injury. This Eels side are a top team, while the Tigers can’t seem to find any rhythm in attack, and with news of another reshuffle, putting Adam Doueihi back to five-eighth, the chaos seems to be continuing over at the Tigers. The Eels should be far too good for the Tigers, but I do think it may be a low scoring affair due to the Tiger’s poor attack combined with their desperation to not get embarrasses again.
| Bookmaker | Daniel’s Tip | Odds |
| Tigers to score 3+ tries, No | $2.15 |
| Eels to win | $1.22 |
| Under 45.5 | $1.91 |
Predicted Squads
Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Charlie Staines 3. Brent Naden 4. Asu Kepaoa 5. Junior Tupou 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Api Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Brandon Wakeham 15. Alex Twal 16. Shawn Blore 17. Alex Seyfarth
Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Haze Dunster 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Wiremu Greig 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Matt Doorey 15. Brendan Hands 16. Makahesi Makatoa 17. Bryce Cartwright
