More blowouts define Round 15 of the 2021 NRL season, but you can’t help but applaud the Storm’s incredible 66-16 win over West Tigers. Meanwhile, Rabbitohs and Roosters pick up good wins as the state of Queensland falls to pieces.
Rabbitohs Rip Through Broncos
The South Sydney Rabbitohs may have a few defensive issues which stop them from being talked about in the premiership conversation alongside the Panthers and Storm. Still, they can pile up points in a hurry and take over a match in a matter of minutes.
They dominated the Broncos to win 46-0 on Thursday night to be 4th on the NRL ladder and on the 3rd line of betting in the premiership winner market at $6.50.
https://twitter.com/JasonNRL/status/1405493909384433665?s=20
Queensland Capitulation
Once massive contributors to the NRL and dominant in State of Origin, Queensland Rugby League is a shambles.
Since the Queensland Maroons were thrashed 50-6 in Game 1 of the 2021 Origin series, Queensland NRL clubs are 0-6:
Round 14:
- Sea Eagles 50 def. Cowboys 18
- Roosters 35 def. Titans 34
- Raiders 38 def. Broncos 16
Round 15:
- Rabbitohs 46 def. Broncos 0
- Sharks 26 def. Cowboys 24
- Sea Eagles 56 def. Titans 24
The Brisbane Broncos are letting players go and firing front office staff in an attempt to turn things around. Meanwhile, the North Queensland Cowboys have recently been there and done all that. They’re now dealing with the cohesion issues that come with significant change. As for the Gold Coast Titans, they have the talent but lack the leadership.
All three Queensland teams are now out at over $100 to win the premiership while the state side is out to $4.20 in Game 2 of the series.
Shock: Panthers Are Good
The mind-numbing commentary over the Penrith Panthers missing players to Origin and losing back-to-back games feels like a long time ago already. Unsurprisingly, they returned to full-strength and picked up just where they left of pre-Origin to beat the Sydney Roosters 38-12.
Nathan Cleary took back control of the side and ordered them around the park. His game management is incredible right now and the Panthers made it look easy against what is still a good Roosters outfit. Brian To’o crossed the line while running for 220 metres, Isaah Yeo dominated through the middle and the Panthers attack produce behind James Fisher-Harris’ typically superb performance in the front line.
We said last week that “the State of Origin period has little to no influence on who ultimately wins the NRL premiership.”
It took one round to prove it this year.
Super Storm
The Melbourne Storm thumped the Wests Tigers 66-16 on Saturday night but have only come into $3.25 from $3.50 in the premiership market.
Some of that will come down to the Penrith Panthers ($2.75) handling the Sydney Roosters comfortably 24 hours earlier. However, the state of the Wests Tigers and the ease at which they allowed the Storm to rip through their defence – if we can call it that – also needs to be considered. Melbourne won’t be receiving competition points for unopposed training sessions every week.
The Storm scored two tries before the Tigers touched the ball. Even then, they only completed one tackle before coughing the ball up and conceding another THREE tries.
Down 30-0 after 17 minutes and yet to complete a set, Wests produced one of the worst shifts of football ever seen in the NRL while Melbourne left jaws on the floor with their ruthlessness in piling up points.
https://twitter.com/JasonNRL/status/1406189519737524224?s=20
Blowouts are trending upwards in the NRL. We can thank poorly throughout new rules for most of that. While one team dominating another doesn’t make for the most entertaining match of rugby league, sometimes, you just need to sit back and appreciate greatness. This is one of those times.
NRL Against The Spread Standings
The Storm and Eels continue to dominate the NRL’s ATS Standings. Meanwhile, there is no change at the bottom as the Bulldogs, Broncos, Warriors and Raiders all failed to cover while losing straight up.
After Round 15
|
||
| Top 8 |
Bottom 8 |
|
| Storm (13-2) | Knights (7-8) | |
| Eels (12-3) | Tigers (7-8) | |
| Sharks (9-5) | Roosters (6-8) | |
| Sea Eagles (9-5) | Titans (6-9) | |
| Rabbitohs (8-6) | Bulldogs (5-9) | |
| Dragons (8-7) | Broncos (5-10) | |
| Panthers (8-7) | Warriors (3-11) | |
| Cowboys (7-7) | Raiders (3-11) | |
