NRL Sunday: Storm v Dragons betting tips, prediction & odds, round 10, 2021
Welcome to our Melbourne Storm v St George Illawarra Dragons match preview, prediction and odds update for their NRL clash at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on Sunday, May 16.
This is the second match on Sunday of a triple-header played at Suncorp Stadium as part of the NRL’s Magic Round.
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The opening match of the day pits New Zealand Warriors v Parramatta from 1.50pm, while in the final match of the Magic Round, Gold Coast play Penrith, with the Panthers looking to make it 10 straight wins to start the season.
We have focused on the Melbourne-St George clash as we think it carries the most weight with the Storm certain finals players, while the Dragons hope to improve enough to challenge when the big matches roll around.
This is a chance for the Dragons to lay down a marker and also vital as the teams immediately above them on the table, Souths and the Roosters, have significant injury problems, while their rivals here also have some short-term concerns.
The Storm have won three of their past five matches against the Dragons, who won the only meeting between the teams in 2020, 30-22 at Kogarah in round 20. But you should not read too much into that result as Storm coach Craig Bellamy rested almost his entire first-choice team with an eye to the finals.
The Storm have won their past six matches by an average of just over 30 points so, along with the unbeaten Panthers, are clearly the form team of the competion.
Storm v Dragons team news for round 10
The defending premiers are not in great shape for this contest, with hookers Harry Grant (hamstring) and Brandon Smith (suspension) and five-eighth Cameron Munster (foot) all out of the side.
Prop Kenny Bromwich has been named as hooker, while Ryley Jacks is a capable stand-in for Munster in the No.6.
The Storm pack still looks formidable and they have also named star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen (neck) in the reserves so he could be a late inclusion. Not that the back line needs an injection of flair after the way it tore apart the Bunnies last week.
The Dragons regain powerhouse winger Mikaele Ravalawa, who may have the unenviable job of marking the Storm’s six-try hero of last week, Josh Addo-Carr. They also have included prop Poasa Faamausili on then pine for young half Junior Amone.
Storm v Dragons
Kick-off: 4.05pm local time
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Head to head odds: Melbourne $1.16, St George Illawarra $5.40
Line: Melbourne (-14.5 points) $1.90, St George Illawarra (+14.5 points) $1.90
Match total: 44.5 points: over $1.85, under $1.95
Storm v Dragons free betting tips
Below our NRL betting expert has highlighted free Storm-Dragons tips for Sunday afternoon’s game.
Storm to win/match total under 44.5 points
While the Storm are a free-scoring team we are sure the loss of Grant, Munster and Smith will hamper their fluency. They may have to adopt a more gritty, forwards-based plan to get through this one with a win.
Justin Olam to score 2+ tries at $5.40
The tough Storm centre watched on as his mate Josh Addo-Carr scored six tries in a romp against Souths last week. It won’t be so easy this week but Olam is always a hard man to stop. It might be his turn to take the limelight.
Melbourne Storm v St George Dragons prediction 16-5-2021
This is a big chance for the Dragons to make a statement for the season against a quality opponent missing some of their very best players. But we just don’t think they are quite good enough to take advantage. The Storm lesser lights always seem to step up as needed and we think this will be no exception. Nonetheless it should be a great battle. Our Storm v Dragons prediction: Storm to win by 8 points.
Storm v Dragons lowdown
Nine, Fox League and KAYO will telecast the game.
All of the top International betting sites will offer markets on the NRL.
The match kicks off at 4.05pm AEST
