Best bets & NRL Finals specials for Roosters vs. Broncos

SYDNEY fans were looking for a big, confident performance in round 26 as they hunted a home final.

What they got instead was another reminder of the many weaknesses the NRL’s top teams will look to exploit over the next few weeks.

The Roosters did enough to beat the Gold Coast and seal second spot, but only after giving the Titans every chance to spring an upset.

Aidan Guerra and Dylan Napa were missing for that clash, but both are back in the starting 13 for Brisbane’s visit on Friday night.

That sees Ryan Matterson and Sio Siua Taukeiaho shift to the bench, with Victor Radley and the suspended Zane Tetevano dropping out.

The Broncos, meanwhile, will lose two of their most important players for the trip south.

They are captain Darius Boyd and star half Tevita Pangai Jr, both ruled out with untimely hamstring injuries after last week’s win away at North Queensland.

That means the versatile Kodi Nikorima will deputise at fullback, while Benji Marshall will take the number seven jersey.

Filling out the interchange are Jai Arrow and David Mead.

Roosters vs. Broncos first tryscorer betting

$8.50 – Latrell Mitchell

$10 – Blake Ferguson, Daniel Tupou

$12 – Corey Oates, James Roberts

$14 – Michael Gordon, Jordan Kahu

$15 – Boyd Cordner, Joseph Manu, Ryan Matterson

$19 – Luke Keary, Mitch Aubusson, Connor Watson

$20 – Tautau Moga, Anthony Milford, Kodi Nikorima

$21 – Mitchell Pearce

$26 – Matt Gillett, Benji Marshall

$31 – Jake Friend, Aidan Guerra, Ben Hunt, Victor Radley

$34 – Isaac Liu

$36 – Alex Glenn

$41 – Kane Evans, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

$46 – Dylan Napa

$56 – Jai Arrow, Herman Ese’ese, Joe Ofahengaue, Sam Thaiday

$61 – Josh McGuire

$71 – Adam Blair

$426 – No try scored

Market courtesy of Sportsbet.com.au

This is not something we often say, but consider looking away from the wingers in Friday’s first tryscorer market.

Andrew McCullough and Mitch Aubusson were the early scorers when the Broncos ran riot back in round six, while Michael Gordon and Benji Marshall set the tone when the Roosters edged a classic rematch in June.

After breaking a drought in the win over the Titans, Gordon looks a good option for Sydney at $14 odds with Sportsbet.

If you fancy the Broncos to have the early running, Tautau Moga ($20) offers great value for a guy who has scored frequently in the latter weeks of the campaign.

Even if that price is a bit rich for your blood, the $3.60 quote for Moga to score a try at any time is well worth a play.

NRL Finals bookie specials

• Early payouts at Sportsbet if your team leads by 12 points or more at any time
• Ladbrokes Extra Odds Boost and Footy Freaks specials for every game of NRL Finals Week 1

Sydney Roosters vs. Brisbane Broncos match tip

With two full-strength squads, this might be a different story.

As it stands, however, the Broncos are missing both their skipper and one of their most valuable playmakers.

Their replacements are no mugs, but can Nikorima and Marshall really fill the void?

Sydney, by contrast, have regained two of their leaders in Guerra and Napa.

The Roosters came out on top last time they met, and we expect they will do so once more on their own patch.

Sydney Roosters to win by 1-12 points – $2.95 at CrownBet.com.au