Raiders vs Sharks NRL Rd 1 tips, odds & value bets – March 11

Friday Night Football will get underway at GIO Stadium in Canberra when the new-look Cronulla Sharks head south to take on the Canberra Raiders in the opening round of the 2022 NRL season. Until the last two games between the clubs at this venue, Cronulla had won six-straight games in the nation’s capital and been somewhat of a bogey team for the Raiders.

Canberra have overlooked club captain Jarrod Croker, who has struggled in recent times with a knee injury, as well as Englishman Ryan Sutton. The loss of Jamal Fogarty will immediately test the depth of the Raiders, while the club debuts of Dale Finucane, Nicho Hynes and Matt Ikuvalu for Cronulla will test their chemistry.

Club legends, veterans and exciting rookies have been left out of the Raiders side for round one, and Ricky Stuart will be after a response immediately. With Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad returning in the fullback jersey, expect Canberra to be much stingier in defence compared to what they become in his absence last season. They averaged 10 points per game less in 2019 and 2020 when CNK started at fullback, and being just slight outsiders at $1.95 with BetOnline is indicative of that.

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There is some unknown about how the Raiders will travel in 2022, but their backline looks like they’re after more speed out wide. One beneficiary of that is James Schiller, who will make his NRL debut in place of Croker. As a nephew of club legend Brett Mullins, it is almost a crime if he isn’t backed to score on debut. The $18 for Schiller to get across first is as good of an omen bet as you might get for round one.

The Sharks added some big names in the off season in key positions. Hynes will be the key cog in the machine as the team’s new halfback, while the veteran Finucane is the new captain of the club. Cronulla are slight favourites with most online bookies, largely from off-field hype, so there is a little bit of ‘buyers beware’ ahead of this game. Key changes to the halves and having a new captain and coach is a recipe for a slow start, so there could be an element of punters wanting to see Cronulla play with new combinations before fully buying in.

The Sharks’ backline is full of physical ball runners and they have a good finisher in Sione Katoa, who will mark up on the indecisive Semi Valemei. Katoa was a great shout every week in 2021 to score the first try and he looks an awesome chance to do so again for this game.

Key matchup: Wighton vs Moylan

The two men in the no.6 jerseys for both clubs hold the key. Jack Wighton had prepared to play with Jamal Fogarty in the halves, but instead he will be partnered with rookie Brad Schneider. Matt Moylan still has good football left in him and has ability as a creative playmaker, but how will he combine with Nicho Hynes? The contrast in styles is interesting; Wighton prefers to try and run over the top of his opposition, while Moylan will look to get around the Raiders defence.

Raiders vs Sharks betting predictions

This game will go down to the wire, and we think Canberra will get the chocolates. Cronulla will take a few performances before they hit their stride as a team with serious finals ambitions. Nick Cotric will score on return for the ‘Green Machine’, and just a couple of points will separate the two sides at full-time.

Raiders vs Sharks same-game multi

Takes the Raiders at the 1-12 margin with Sione Katoa and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstand to score tries. The $14.75 odds on offer at Sportsbet.com.au are hard to ignore.

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