NRL | Round 18

alphr.com.au

NQL
Cowboys
VS
MEL
Storm
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY BANK STADIUM, TOWNSVILLE • SATURDAY 5 JULY, 7:35 PM

Win Probability

AI Game Review

Our model correctly predicted Storm to win at 57% probability. The predicted margin of 1.3 was reasonable against the actual 6-point result. Total score prediction of 50 was close to the actual 46, within 4 points. The model went 2/3 on this match. The 1-12 margin band call landed.

Model vs actual outcomes • Post-match analysis

🏁

AI Referee Insights

Liam Kennedy officiated this match (65 career games). The 46-point combined total was right in line with Liam Kennedy's career average of 47. Storm's victory aligns with Liam Kennedy's historical trend, Storm have a 100% win rate under this referee.

Based on referee career statistics • Post-match analysis

Momentum Replay
Beta
80', Storm firmly in control (99%)
COW20
1%80'99%
26STO
HT100%50%0%0'20'40'60'80'
Storm momentumMomentum +6Cowboys momentum →
Next Try (within 10 min)
AI Model
89% none
COW 7%No try 89%STO 4%
Biggest Swings

AI Win Probability

57%StormFavourite

Cowboys

43%

Storm

57%

AI Match Overview

Storm hold the advantage at 57% win probability, though Cowboys are far from out of this at 43%. Both sides are evenly matched across the key prediction factors, which explains the tight margin between them. Storm carry a 276-point ELO rating advantage (1689 vs 1413). Recent form favours Storm with 4 wins from their last 5 compared to 2 for Cowboys. The margin model predicts Storm by 1.3 points with a combined total of 50.

Generated from model features • Pre-kick-off analysis

Edge Analysis

Each market is predicted by an independent model, H2H, margin, and totals may occasionally disagree.

H2H Recommendation

Storm to Win @1.28

Winner ✓

Edge

-14.0%

Line / Spread

Storm +9.5 @1.91

Winner ✓

Edge

-14.0%

Total Points

Over 49.5 @1.91

Lost ✗

Edge

-0.6%

Form & History

TeamLast 5Avg Pts
Cowboys
W
W
L
L
L
17.6
Storm
W
W
W
W
L
29.4

Avg Conceded

38.0

Cowboys

18.2

Storm

Avg Margin

-20.4

Cowboys

11.2

Storm

Run Metres

1603

Cowboys

1769

Storm

Line Breaks

4.8

Cowboys

3.6

Storm

Referee Indicator

Favours Storm

Liam Kennedy

65 career games · since 2018

AI Analysis

Win rate when Liam Kennedy refs each team (vs any opponent)

Cowboys
3W – 8L
27%
Storm
4W – 0L
100%

When Liam Kennedy officiates, Storm have won 4 of 4 games (100%), significantly stronger than Cowboys's 3 from 11 (27%). Games average 46.6 pts, above the league norm, suggesting a free-flowing style. Small sample (4 games for Storm).

Avg Total

46.6 pts

Home Win %

52%

Home Bias

Neutral

Penalty & Discipline

Pen / Game

11.1

Sin Bins / Gm

0.40

SB Away %

58%

Avg Penalties Per Game

vs Home Teams5.2
vs Away Teams5.9

Penalty Advantage Under This Ref

Positive = opponent penalised more than your team

Cowboys
-0.7
Storm
+0.3

Penalises away teams more, 5.2 against home vs 5.9 against away. Storm get a +0.3 penalty advantage under Liam Kennedy vs Cowboys's -0.7.

H2H History (Last 5)Cowboys lead 4-1
Mar 2026NQL 28 - 24 MEL
Jun 2025NQL 14 - 38 MEL
Sep 2024NQL 38 - 30 MEL
Jun 2023NQL 45 - 20 MEL
May 2022NQL 36 - 6 MEL
Prediction BreakdownPure Alpha Model

📊Team ELO Ratings

NQL
1413Overall1689
MEL
ELO difference: -276 in favour of Storm

🏈Positional Matchups

Player ELO aggregated by position group, higher = stronger unit

1047Forwards962
Best: 1191NQL +84Best: 1259
917Backs872
Best: 1129NQL +45Best: 979
953Halves1239
Best: 953MEL +285Best: 1239
1200Hooker980
NQL +220

📈Recent Form (Last 5)

NQL
Stat
MEL
2.0
Wins (Last 5)
4.0
17.6pts
Avg Score
29.4pts
38.0pts
Avg Conceded
18.2pts
-20.4pts
Avg Margin
11.2pts
1603.2m
Run Metres
1769.4m
4.8
Line Breaks
3.6
353.8
Tackles
324.4
13.8
Errors
10.4

🔑Key Prediction Factors

What the model weighted most in this prediction

1
ELO Difference14.0%
Storm
2
Forward Pack12.0%
Cowboys
3
Backline Quality10.0%
Cowboys
4
Halves Control9.0%
Storm
5
Recent Win Rate9.0%
Storm
6
Referee Tendency7.0%
7
Venue Advantage7.0%
Cowboys

Model Confidence

57%

Storm predicted to win by 1 points

Predicted total: 50 · Line: -1.3

2/3 match predictions correct
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