Free picks and value odds for the NRL Round 9 multi of the week

STEADY as she goes at the top of the NRL ladder after eight weeks of footy.

Last year’s Grand Finalists The Cowboys and the Broncos are at the top of the tree, while the Storm’s naysayers have been silenced for another week after their crushing ANZAC day win over the Warriors.

The Sharks have been the big improvers in 2016, but face their greatest test of the season to date when the league leading Brisbane visit Shark Park on Sunday afternoon.

It promises to be the most entertaining and exciting round of NRL action this season.

Last week our readers got a terrific $4.17 return from four matches we selected last week, and we have got another multi that we reckon will bolster your bank account even further.

All odds this week are provided by Sportsbet.com.au, which is a go-to for NRL punters who are looking to open a new account.

New customers can get their first bet at Sportsbet matched up to the value of $501.

NRL Round 9 multi selections:

Sydney Roosters to defeat Newcastle ($1.20)

North Queensland to defeat Manly ($1.33)

Melbourne to beat Gold Coast ($1.56)

Cronulla to beat Brisbane ($2.12)

Multi value: $5.27 @ Sportsbet.com.au

Sydney Roosters vs. Newcastle

Saturday, April 30 from 5.35pm at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

It is a battle between the bottom two to kick our multi off this weekend, when the Roosters host the Knights at Allinaz Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Despite sitting at the bottom of the ladder, the Roosters have looked decent at different stages throughout the season.

The Sydneysiders have also experienced a healthy dominance over the Knights, winning five of the last six – a win on Saturday would hand the Roosters their fifth straight win over Newcastle in Sydney.

Sportsbet.com.au has seen a huge flood of money come for the Tricolours.

85% of the head-to-head money being placed on the Roosters and their odds have taken a tumble as a result.

We are sticking with the money; expect the Roosters to crush the Knights to kick our multi off in style.

Multi tip: Sydney Roosters to win – $1.20

Manly vs. North Queensland

Saturday, April 30 from 7.35pm at Brookvale Oval, Sydney

Second against eighth on the ladder is our second leg this weekend as the North Queensland Cowboys travel to Brookvale to face the Manly Sea Eagles on Saturday night.

The Cowboys swept aside the Eels last weekend in a match that many thought would trouble the reigning premiers.

If anything the men from Townsville have gone to another level this year.

Manly have had an erratic eight weeks to start the season, but did what they had to against the Knights to notch up their fourth win of the season.

It looms as a fascinating contest, but we think that the Cowboys will have far too much firepower for the Sea Eagles, and at these odds they are too good to ignore.

Multi tip: North Queensland to win – $1.33

Gold Coast vs. Melbourne

Sunday, May 1 from 2.05pm at CBS Super Stadium, Gold Coast

The tenth placed Titans host the top-tier Storm on the Gold Coast as our mutli rolls on to Sunday afternoon.

The Storm have shrugged off any concerns that they would fall away dramatically without gun fullback Billy Slater and star forward Will Chambers, demolishing New Zealand on ANZAC day 42-0.

The Titans looked to be one of the surprise packets of the 2016 season, but after failing to register a victory since round 4, the men from the Gold Coast have slipped down to tenth poisition.

The home side desperately needs a win if they are to keep touch with the top eight, but the Storm are in rare form and will be extremely hard to beat.

We are expecting Cam Smith’s men to get over the line comfortably to keep the pressure on the two Queensland sides at the top of the ladder.

Multi tip: Melbourne to win – $1.56

Cronulla vs. Brisbane

Sunday, May 1 from 4.05pm at Shark Park, Sydney

The game of the round is the final leg of our multi this week, as the top of the table Broncos journey down to Sydney to face the fourth placed Sharks in a late Sunday afternoon clash.

The Sharks have won five matches in a row and are firmly entrenched inside the top four.

The money has come for the Sharks for the premiership too; the men from Cronulla sit on the third line of betting at Sportsbet.com.au at $8.00.

The Broncos will present a big challenge for the Sharks given their recent form which has seen them win their last two matches by a combined total of 75 points.

We are tipping an upset in this one. The Sharks have been terrific at home and no doubt will relish the opportunity to knock off the league leaders in an important match up.

Multi tip: Cronulla to win – $2.12

Multi insurance promotions across round 9

Fancy making a bit of extra bonus cash on top of your already juicy multi payout?

Sportsbet have a terrific money back special on any five or more legged multi this weekend.

Place a multi on the NRL this weekend, and if you miss out by one leg you get your cash back, up to $50