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NRL Round 9 Thursday betting & try scorers – Brisbane vs. Penrith

  • MATCH UP STATS

    Brisbane Broncos vs. Penrith Panthers

    • Season record:

      Brisbane Broncos: 5-3
      Penrith Panthers: 2-6
    • Try-scorer tips:

      Brisbane Broncos: Corey Oates ($9.50 @ Sportsbet)
      Penrith Panthers: Dean Whare ($15 @ Sportsbet)

Thursday, April 27, 7.50pm. Suncorp Stadium.

GIVEN the form of both the Brisbane Broncos and the Penrith Panthers, we would have expected the bookmakers to have overreacted in the head-to-head betting markets, but the Panthers are getting respected despite the losing streak.

The Panthers were one of the premiership favourites coming into the 2017 season, but winning two of its first eight games won’t win you any friends. Included in that record is a four-game losing streak which it’s currently on after losing dismally to the Eels last week.

Its last win came against the Knights in round four, but that’s hardly something to crow about and serious questions need to be asked of Panthers coach Anthony Griffin, who believes his young team is still learning their ways.

“Our attack is still developing. We’ve had a lot of key changes there but our attack is still obviously developing,” Griffin said.

“We’re a fairly young side and we’re learning some tough lessons at the moment.

“We’ll be better in the future, when that is I can’t guarantee that but hopefully it is next week. In the whole scheme of things we’re learning some tough lessons at the moment. We’ll be better for that next week and the week after.”

Those lessons could become harder when the Panthers take on the Broncos which have won four from its last five games. The Broncos have been involved in some thrilling finished this season which included a 13-12 win over the Raiders in round four and a 25-24 controversial win over the Rabbitohs last week.

With a 61 percent winning record at Suncorp Stadium, the Broncos are tough to beat on any given night and the bookmakers are still offering a good price for the men from Queensland.

Both teams boast a wealth of talent in their squads and there’s some good try-scoring betting options available this Thursday night.

NRL Crownbet special

Broncos team and first try-scoring tips

1. Darius Boyd – $13
2. Corey Oates – +850
3. James Roberts – $12
4. Tautau Moga – $15
5. Jordan Kahu – $9.50
6. Anthony Milford – $12
7. Kodi Nikorima – $21
8. Korbin Sims – $56
9. Andrew McCullough – $36
10. Adam Blair – $51
11. Sam Thaiday – $26
12. Matt Gillett – $19
13. Josh McGuire – $41

The Broncos team will again miss the services of Ben Hunt, but Kodi Nikorima has the skills to fill the void. The team does, however, get back Jordan Kahu who has scored twice from his six games this season.

The man in form for the Broncos is Corey Oates after scoring an early double against the Rabbitohs last week. Oates does a power of work throughout the game and is often underrated by punters, but he came alive with two tries and the respect is now evident.

Oates is into $9.50 at Sportsbet.com.au and the winger looks a good bet against the Panthers which have a lack of experience defending the wing. Oates should be able to steamroll over the top of the likes of Peta Hiku to score another quality try.

The confidence is also high with former Titan James Roberts. The noted speedster has been on a scoring tear this season and despite not offering much else throughout the game, he is starting to prove his worth by crossing the white stripe.

Roberts is paying $12 to score first and he could slice open the Panthers defense with ease this Thursday night.

Panthers try-scoring tips and confirmed team

1. Matt Moylan – $20
2. Peta Hiku – $17
3. Dean Whare – $15
4. Waqa Blake – $14
5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak – +1200
6. Bryce Cartwright – $23
7. Nathan Cleary – $26
8. James Tamou – $36
9. Peter Wallace – $46
10. Reagan Cambell-Gillard – $81
11. Corey Harawira-Naera – $36
12. Isaah Yeo – $36
13. Trent Merrin – $41

The Panthers youth is starting to count against them and that lack of experience is evident in their team lineup. When players such as Matt Moylan and Waqa Blake are struggling to score tries, it makes it tough to win, but there are some shining lights in this struggling outfit.

Deean Whare has emerged as a try-scoring threat this season. Whare has scored three tries and he has set up another couple. He isn’t the name on the lips of many punters, but the $15 at CrownBet suggests he has been well-favoured to score this Thursday night.

Our smokey for the game is Bryce Cartwright at $23. The young five-eighth has been heavily-criticised this season for not adjusting to his position, but what better way to silence the critics than scoring a try against the Broncos.

Cartwright is current $23 at Sportsbet.com.au and we can see the playmaker look to create some scoring opportunities for himself this week.

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Broncos vs. Panthers game tip

The Broncos are at a good head-to-head price and we think that’s purely down to the exclusion of Ben Hunt, but the Broncos have plenty of depth.

They are travelling much the better than the Panthers and we’re expecting a tight game, but ultimately the Broncos will be too good for the Panthers.

The Broncos have been involved in multiple one-point games this season, but we’re tipping a solid six point win this Thursday night.

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