Sharks vs Broncos NRL R24 tips, odds & value bets – 28/8/2021

The Cronulla Sharks’ NRL season will once again go on the line when they take on the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday in Round 24.

The two teams met back in Round 16 and the Broncos caused the upset on that day, and since that win it has acted as somewhat of a turning point for the Brisbane club.

The Sharks were impressive in their last win as they ran up 50 points against the Tigers to remove them from the finals race, and the boost in differential put them into eighth place, but knowing they have to play the Storm in the final round means this fixture has to be the game they get a win.

Mawene Hiroti will come onto the wing for the Sharks to replace Ronaldo Mulitalo, while promising rookie Luke Metcalf has earned a starting jersey in the five-eighth role.

Brisbane have stuck with the same 17 who got the job done against the Warriors in a thriller last Sunday and will be boosted by the huge rumour that their star prop Payne Haas has extended his contract with the club for a further six seasons.

Sharks vs Broncos NRL Rd 24 betting plays

Cronulla’s inconsistency has been a huge problem in 2021 and going by the form guide they should regress this week. Usually, a promising win is following by a confusing loss, but with their season on the line this week because of an impending game against the Storm, this basically becomes their NRL Grand Final. The good news is that the Sharks have won 14 of their last 19 games as the favourite, which provides plenty of appeal to take them at the -5.5 handicap for a $1.90 return.

Connor Tracey had his chance in the halves but looks more comfortable in the centres at NRL level and he is paying a nice $2.40 to score a try, and he has scored in his last two games against the Broncos so there should be plenty of money come in for him. There should also be consideration given to Luke Metcalf at $2.88 to get on the try scoring list, his pace last week showed a great ability to get on the outside of defenders.

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The Broncos have been fortunate that they have been able to play a lot of football at home this year as the ‘away’ team, so it could be giving a false dawn to how their 2022 season is shaping up. Nonetheless, they’ve shown great improvement in the last eight weeks and in particular it’s been their defence that has come on.

The over/under has fallen under in the last three Broncos games as a result and 50.5 feels a bit too much to fall over, so there could be a $1.90 return to be had. Corey Oates has a try in seven of his last eight games at Cronulla, which makes him terrific value at $12 to score the first try. If you fancy the Broncos can get the upset, the $4.20 for a 1-12 point win is just too hard to pass up.

Key matchup: Luke Metcalf vs Anthony Milford

The two five-eighths in this game are at different ends of the spectrum in their careers, but nonetheless are both entertaining when they find their best form. Anthony Milford showed some of what he is capable of with a terrific performance against the Warriors and it would have given South Sydney fans hope he can recapture his best on a consistent basis. Luke Metcalf is a rookie who moves with grace across the field and has all the makings of a terrific running game and is going to make opposition defence’s nervous in the coming years. Two different career trajectories but it could lead to one exciting contest if they get into a shootout.

Sharks vs Broncos predictions & best bets

Winning margin: Cronulla Sharks by 1-12 points

Cronulla should win, but it is going to be an exciting 24-20 style game. They’ll survive one more week in the competition and then pray results go their way in Round 25.

Same game multi: 3 legs @ $13.75

Sharks 1-12 with Corey Oates and Connor Tracey both scoring a try at $13.75 at Sportsbet.