The Melbourne Storm are starting to show small signs of their ageing roster. Their 7 and 9, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith, aren't looking great and obviously there's no Billy Slater there at the moment.
The Storm are a top side, but they're not the same side as they were a few years ago, and without Billy they find it hard to win a football game. They've got some deficiencies in the outside backs; Tohu Harris has to play in the centres, because obviously they're struggling for numbers down there.
The Storm had their chance to break a five-game losing streak to the Bulldogs last round, but struggled against a steely defence and I thought Craig Bellamy's quotes were interesting rating their loss as one of their best performances of the year and said that against any other side they probably would have finished with a win.
"I thought our performance was pretty good, so it's frustrating to play like that and lose," Bellamy said. "We would have won most things stats-wise except for on the scoreboard.
"We had plenty of ball up in that 20m zone; we just need to get better up there as we're lacking a bit of finish and timing but I couldn't fault our effort."
The Tigers won the first two games of the year, exciting their fans, but then they lost their last four.
They're really out of sorts; they're not happy and have lost Aaron Woods for a period of time. He is their leader as well as being their captain; he leads them on the field, in the way he runs the ball and steers them around; so Tigers really are up against it.
It'll be a challenge, they love playing the Storm at Leichardt, and they've got great success against the Storm at Leichardt. Both sides are out of form and are really struggling, but rarely do the Storm go back-to-back losses under Craig Bellamy. They will just be clinical enough to beat the Tigers.
Another two sides struggling to perform are the Roosters and the Panthers. The Roosters secured their first win of the season last week, overcoming Souths, finally getting their season on track, but don't expect a back-to-back win from the wayward side with the Panthers ready to climb the ladder.
This match is going to be a good clash. I think the Roosters' Dylan Napa was the stand out performance of any prop over the last couple of seasons, comparable to Sam Burgess in the grand final a number of years ago. He's proven one player can carry a whole football side and just say jump on my back. I loved how he played the game in the right spirit, and yet he was physical.
I know Penrith sit 12th on the ladder at the moment, but they're a much better footy side than 12th. They've lost so many games by two or four points, they're exciting to watch, Matt Moylan's back in the side now, and I think Penrith are genuinely a top four side after what I've seen for the first six weeks of football.
The Panthers will have a really good victory in this one, while the Roosters will have a little reality check after one win.
Two matches I'll be keeping my eye on are the Cowboys-South Sydney match and Parramatta's trip to Brookvale Oval against the Sea Eagles.
The Cowboys will win with a big score. South Sydney are really struggling at the moment and I'm interested to see with Adam Reynolds' return, and when he does return, what it does to their football side.
They look tired; it looks like they have no idea what they're doing in attack and obviously we know that Michael Maguire is a very structured football coach, and I don't think structure is quiet the key for them. It's about playing a bit more adlib football, chancing your arm.
Watching the Cowboys last Saturday in Penrith; I thought the Cowboys and Penrith was a cracking game, it was an outstanding game of football, and the Cowboys have the polish under pressure to execute plays better than anyone.
The Cowboys are the form side alongside the Brisbane Broncos, they're way ahead of the competition, while South Sydney are really struggling for anything at the moment. They'll compete, they'll try at the challenge, but the Cowboys are far too good for this one.
While the opener of Round 7 will see Kieran Foran return to the club that created him. Foran was obviously a superstar at Manly, he gets to go back as Parramatta Eel player and captain of that football club.
The Eels are going great; I think he has been the most important buy of the off-season for any football club. He's developing game plans, he's holding their composure and I think that's why Parramatta are at the top of the comp; they're obviously a very good defensive side under Brad Arthur, they're very tough, very resilient.
I know Manly have won some games back-to-back now, they're starting to string some games together and develop a bit more character about not being a great attacking side because there's no Daly Cherry-Evans at the moment, but they're fighting hard - and that as a coach you're happy for them to fight - but I think the Eels will be far too good for them.
Thursday, April 14
Manly Sea Eagles ($2.05) v Parramatta Eels ($1.77), at Brookvale Oval
Sea Eagles: 1 Brett Stewart, 2 Jorge Taufua, 3 Jamie Lyon, 4 Steve Matai, 5 Tom Trbojevic, 6 Dylan Walker, 7 Apisai Koroisau, 8 Darcy Lussick, 9 Matt Parcell, 10 Nate Myles, 11 Tom Symonds, 12 Martin Taupau, 13 Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: 14 Lewis Brown, 15 Brenton Lawrence, 16 Josh Starling, 17 Siosia Vave
Eels: 1 Michael Gordon, 2 Semi Radradra, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Brad Takairangi, 5 Clinton Gutherson, 6 Corey Norman, 7 Kieran Foran, 8 Junior Paulo, 9 Nathan Peats, 10 Daniel Alvaro, 11 Manu Ma'u, 12 Beau Scott, 13 Tepai Moeroa. Interchange: 14 Isaac De Gois, 15 Peni Terepo, 16 Danny Wicks, 17 Kenny Edward
UBET verdict: Cash has come thick and fast this week for the Eels to ground the Sea Eagles. Parra, winners of their past three against Manly, opened at $1.91, but have been pummelled into $1.77 by astute punters.
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Friday, April 15
North Queensland Cowboys ($1.30) v South Sydney Rabbitohs ($3.60), at 1300SMILES Stadium
Cowboys: 1 Lachlan Coote, 2 Kyle Feldt. 3 Justin O'Neill, 4 Javid Bowen, 5 Antonio Winterstein, 6 Michael Morgan, 7 Johnathan Thurston, 8 Matt Scott, 9 Jake Granville, 10 James Tamou, 11 Gavin Cooper, 12 Ethan Lowe, 13 Jason Taumalolo. Interchange:14 Rory Kostjasyn, 15 John Asiata, 16 Scott Bolton, 17 Ben Hannant, 18 Patrick Kaufusi
Rabbitohs: 1 Greg Inglis, 2 Bryson Goodwin, 3 Kirisome Auva'a, 4 Hymel Hunt, 5 Aaron Gray, 6 Luke Keary, 7 Adam Reynolds, 8 Tom Burgess, 9 Cameron McInnes, 10 David Tyrrell, 11 Christopher Grevsmuhl, 12 Kyle Turner, 13 Sam Burgess. Interchange: 14 Paul Carter, 15 Jason Clark, 16 Nathan Brown, 17 George Burgess, 18 Damien Cook
UBET verdict: North Queensland has won their past five home games and the money trail suggests the Cows can extend the record by one. As a point of interest, the last team to beat them at 1300 Smiles Stadium was Souths.
Saturday, April 16
Gold Coast Titans ($1.65) v St George Illawarra Dragons ($2.25), at Cbus Super Stadium
Titans: 1. William Zillman, 2. Anthony Don, 3. Josh Hoffman, 4. Nene Macdonald4, 5. David Mead, 6. Cameron Cullen, 7. Ashley Taylor, 8.David Shillington, 9. Nathan Friend, 10. Ryan James, 11. Zeb Taia, 12. Chris McQueen, 13. Greg Bird Interchange: 14 Luke Douglas, 15 Leivaha Pulu, 16 Agnatius Paasi, 17 Daniel Mortimer, 18 Eddy Pettybourne
Dragons: 1. Josh Dugan, 2. Kalifa Faifai Loa, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Timoteo Lafai, 5. Jason Nightingale, 6. Gareth Widdop, 7. Benji Marshall, 8. Leeson Ah Mau, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Russell Packer, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Joel Thompson, 13. Jack de Belin. Interchange: 14. Mike Cooper, 15. Will Matthews, 16. Dunamis Lui, 17. Siliva Havili, 19. Josh McCrone
UBET verdict: The Total Score has gone Under in four of the past five games between these two and with St George failing to post a point in their past 164-minutes of football, it would hardly shock to see it come up again.
Canterbury Bulldogs ($1.91) v NZ Warriors ($1.91), at Westpac Stadium
Bulldogs: 1 Will Hopoate 2 Curtis Rona 3 Josh Morris 4 Kerrod Holland 5 Sam Perrett 6 Josh Reynolds 7 Moses Mbye 8 Aiden Tolman 9 Michael Lichaa 10 James Graham 11 Josh Jackson 12 Tony Williams 13 Greg Eastwood. Interchange: 14 Sam Kasiano 15 Tim Browne 16 David Klemmer 17 Adam Elliot 19 Lloyd Perrett
Warriors: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jonathan Wright, Blake Ayshford, Solomone Kata, David Fusitua, Tuimoala Lolohea, Shaun Johnson, Sam Lisone, Issac Luke, Ben Matulino, Bodene Thompson, Ryan Hoffman (captain), Simon Mannering. Interchange: Thomas Leuluai, Jacob Lillyman, Charlie Gubb, Konrad Hurrell, Ligi Sao.
UBET verdict: UBET odds makers can't split them and nor can punters. Early money is split 50-50, despite the fact that Canterbury has won five straight against New Zealand stretching back to the 2011 season.
Brisbane Broncos ($1.13) v Newcastle Knights ($6.15), at Suncorp Stadium
Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. Jack Reed 4. James Roberts 5. Jordan Kahu 6. Anthony Milford 7. Ben Hunt 8. Josh McGuire 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Adam Blair 11. Alex Glenn 12. Matt Gillett 13. Corey Parker (c) Interchange: 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Sam Thaiday 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kodi Nikorima
Knights: 1.Dane Gagai 2.Nathan Ross 3.Sione Mata'utia 4.Pat Mata'utia 5. Akuila Uate 6. Jarrod Mullen 7. Trent Hodkinson (c) 8. Sam Mataora 9. Tyler Randell 10.Jack Stockwell 11 Tariq Sims (c) 12.Korbin Sims 13.Jeremy Smith (c) Interchange: 14. Will Pearsall 15. Daniel Saifiti 16.Jacob Saifiti 17.Pauli Pauli
UBET verdict: Brisbane have beaten Newcastle and covered the line in each if their past four match ups and have been sturdily backed to do both for a fifth time. Even at their skinny head-to-head price, the Broncos have been 20-times more popular than the Knights.
Sunday, April 17
Canberra Raiders ($1.75) v Cronulla Sharks ($2.10), at GIO Stadium
Raiders: 1 Jack Wighton 2 Edrick Lee 3 Jarrod Croker 4 Joseph Leilua 5 Jordan Rapana 6 Blake Austin 7 Aidan Sezer 8 Shannon Boyd 9 Josh Hodgson 10 Frank Paul Nuuausala 11 Josh Papalii 12 Elliot Whitehead 13 Shaun Fensom. Interchange: 14 Kurt Baptiste 15 Luke Bateman 16 Paul Vaughan 17 Joseph Tapine
Sharks: 1 Ben Barba 2 Sosaia Feki 3 Jack Bird 4 Ricky Leutele 5 Valentine Holmes 6 James Maloney 7 Chad Townsend 8 Andrew Fifita 9 Michael Ennis 10 Sam Tagataese 11 Jayson Bukuya 12 Wade Graham 13 Paul Gallen Interchange: 14 Gerard Beale 15 Chris Heighington 16 Matt Prior 17 Joseph Paulo
UBET verdict: Canberra have been up and down like a yo-yo, but our bookies give them a shout against the Sharks. History is against the UBET odds makers however, with Cronulla claiming three of their past four at GIO Stadium and covering the line each time.
Wests Tigers ($2.20) v Melbourne Storm ($1.68), at Leichhardt Oval
Tigers: 1 James Tedesco 2 David Nofoaluma 3 Nathan Milone 4 Kevin Naiqama 5 Jordan Rankin 6 Mitchell Moses 7 Luke Brooks 8 Avagalu Seumanufagai 9 Robbie Farah 10 Tim Grant 11 Dene Halatau 12 Christopher Lawrence 13 Jesse Sue. Interchange: 14 Joshua Aloiai 15 Curtis Sironen 16 Kyle Lovett 17 Joel Edwards 18 Jack Buchanan 19 Michael Chee Kam
Storm: 1.Cameron Munster 2 Young Tonumaipea 3 William Chambers 4 Ben Hampton 5 Marika Koroibete 6 Blake Green 7 Cooper Cronk 8 Jesse Bromwich 9 Cameron Smith 10 Jordan McLean 11 Kevin Proctor 12 Tohu Harris 13 Dale Finucane Interchange: 14 Kenneth Bromwich 15 Tim Glasby 16 Felise Kaufusi 17 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
UBET verdict: Punters have been falling out of trees to back the Storm, $1.78 into $1.68 in the past 24-hours, ever since Tigers' skipper Aaron Woods succumbed to injury. For those keen on neither outfit, Unders has come up in nine of their past 10 games.
Monday, April 18
Sydney Roosters ($2.15) v Penrith Panthers ($1.72), at Allianz Stadium
Roosters: 1 Latrell Mitchell 2 Daniel Tupou 3 Brendan Elliot 4 Blake Ferguson 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6 Jayden Nikorima 7 Jackson Hastings 8 Sam Moa 9 Jake Friend (c) 10 Dylan Napa 11 Mitchell Aubusson 12 Aidan Guerra 13 Isaac Liu. Interchange: 14 Kane Evans 15 Mitchell Frei 16 Eloni Vunakece 17 Abraham Papalii
Panthers: 1 Matt Moylan (c) 2 Josh Mansour 3 Waqa Blake 4 Peta Hiku 5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6 Te Maire Martin 7 Jamie Soward 8 Sam McKendry 9 Peter Wallace 10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11 Bryce Cartwright 12 Isaah Yeo 13 Trent Merrin. Interchange: 14 Leilani Latu 15 Jeremey Latimore 16 Suaia Matagi 17 James Fisher-Harris 19 Tyrone Peachey 20 Elijah Taylor
UBET verdict: Given the Tri-Colours have won eight of their past nine Monday night games and Penrith have lost four of their past five, an upset wouldn't surprise. That said, UBET customers only want the Mountain Men, $1.82 into $1.72, at this stage.