NRL Round 9 odds and schedule; Rabbitohs, Roosters in injury crisis
Round nine starts on Thursday, May 6, with the match of the round between South Sydney and Melbourne Storm and runs through to Sunday. Our NRL betting expert examines the NRL action for the week ahead.
At first glance the Souths-Storm match-up looms as a 50-50 clash, especially as it’s being played at the Bunnies’ home ground Stadium Australia. But the Storm are red-hot favourites at around $1.37 thanks to a horrendous injury toll the Bunnies suffered against Canberra.
Cameron Murray (ankle), Campbell Graham (hands) and Jaxson Paulo (wrist) have all been ruled out, joining star fullback Latrell Mitchell (suspended) on the sidelines.
More: NRL betting guide
NRL match betting previews and tips
Halfback Adam Reynolds (thumb) was also expected to miss the match against the Storm but is now back in the frame after a specialist cleared him of serious damage.
Still, Souths coach Wayne Bennett will have to reinvent his team in the short term, with Murray and Graham all expected to miss a month or more.
On Friday night the Penrith Panthers should continue on their winning way against the dispirited Sharks, while the latter match-up is another between two of the big five clubs this season: Parramatta v Sydney Roosters.
The Eels have come up short-priced favourites at $1.56 against the Roosters ($2.40), who are another team in crisis with veteran winger Brett Morris (knee) and prop Lindsay Collins (knee) suffering ACL injuries that have ruled them out for the rest of the season.
The opening match on Super Saturday is between probably the two most disappointing teams this seasons: Canberra Raiders ($1.48) and Newcastle Knights ($2.68). Both teams have 3-5 records and another loss makes it a huge mountain to climb to get back into finals calculations.
North Queensland are the bookies’ favourites for their match on Saturday night against the Brisbance Broncos, who staged a remarkable comeback to beat the Gold Coast in round 8. This one could be closer than many expect now the Broncos have the slightest hint of confidence.
The round concludes on Sunday, with Manly trying to get their revival back on track against the Improved Warriors. The Sea Eagles’ run of three wins was stopped in its tracks by the Panthers but there is no shame in that; Penrith are thrashing everyone.
In the final match St George need to arrest their slide against the last-placed Bulldogs.
NRL Premiership odds before Round 9
A hefty gap has opened up between the top five on the NRL ladder and the rest, and that is reflected in the odds to win the 2021 NRL title with Aussie bookies TopSport.
Penrith remain at the top of betting, with the Melbourne Storm firming from $4.80 into $4.20 after another solid weekend, while Souths eased from $4.60 to $5 despite their win, thanks to their mounting injury toll.
The good news for Souths fans is that none of the players has been ruled out for the season, unlike the Sydney Roosters ($8 to $8.50), who have another two players out of business.
Meanwhile, the Eels firmed from $8 to $7, and after that top there is a yawning gap out to the Canberra Raiders ($15 to $23), who have dropped four matches on the bounce.
The Gold Coast Titans’ good start to the season has been largely wiped out and they are on the drift from $34 to $51, where they sit alongside the Dragons and NZ Warriors ($61 to $51).
Newcastle have all but been written off, with $91 available about a team who started the season with expectations of challenging for the top four.
NRL title odds 2021
$3.30 Penrith Panthers
$4.20 Melbourne Storm
$5 South Sydney Rabbitohs
$7 Parramatta Eels
$8.50 Sydney Roosters
$23 Canberra Raiders
$31 Manly Sea Eagles
$51 Gold Coast Titans, St George Illawarra Dragons, New Zealand Warriors
$91 Newcastle Knights
$126 North Queensland Cowboys
$151 Cronulla Sharks, Brisbane Broncos
$201 Wests Tigers
$501 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
NRL Round 9 fixture, odds and times
Thursday, May 6
7:50pm: South Sydney Rabbitohs $3.10 v Melbourne Storm $1.37
Friday, May 7
- 6pm: Penrith Panthers $1.10 v Cronulla Sharks $7
- 7:55pm: Parramatta Eels $1.56 v Sydney Roosters $2.40
Saturday, May 8
- 3pm Canberra Raiders $1.48 v Newcastle Knights $2.68
- 5.30pm Wests Tigers $2.55 v Gold Coast Titans $1.50
- 7:35pm: North Queensland Cowboys $1.61 v Brisbane Broncos $2.30
Sunday, May 9
- 2pm: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles $1.43 v New Zealand Warriors $2.80
- 4.05pm: St George Illawarra Dragons $1.28 v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs $3.65
