NRL | Round 4

alphr.com.au

CRO
Sharks
VS
CBY
Bulldogs
SHARKS STADIUM, SYDNEY • SATURDAY 29 MAR, 7:35 PM

Win Probability

AI Game Review

Bulldogs defied the model's 74% prediction for Sharks, a notable upset. The margin model missed here, predicting 9.2 but the actual margin was 14 points. Bulldogs led 6–8 at the break and pulled away in the second half to win by 14. The model went 1/3 on this match. The under 43.5 total call was correct.

Model vs actual outcomes • Post-match analysis

🏁

AI Referee Insights

Chris Butler officiated this match (156 career games). The combined score of 26 points was 18 points below Chris Butler's career average of 44. Bulldogs's victory aligns with Chris Butler's historical trend, Bulldogs have a 45% win rate under this referee. Despite Chris Butler's 57% career home-team win rate, the away side Bulldogs prevailed. Chris Butler averaged 12.8 penalties per game heading in, a whistle-heavy referee profile.

Based on referee career statistics • Post-match analysis

Momentum Replay
Beta
80', Bulldogs firmly in control (99%)
SHA6
1%80'99%
20BUL
HT100%50%0%0'20'40'60'80'
Bulldogs momentumMomentum +0Sharks momentum →
Next Try (within 10 min)
AI Model
83% none
SHA 8%No try 83%BUL 9%
Biggest Swings

AI Win Probability

74%SharksFavourite

Sharks

74%

Bulldogs

26%

AI Match Overview

Sharks are clear favourites here at 74%, with our model expecting a comfortable victory over Bulldogs. The model sees Sharks ahead on 5 of 7 key factors including ELO Difference, Backline Quality and Halves Control. Sharks carry a 32-point ELO rating advantage (1588 vs 1556). The margin model predicts Sharks by 9.2 points with a combined total of 38.

Generated from model features • Pre-kick-off analysis

Edge Analysis

1 ACTIVE EDGE

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

H2H Recommendation

Sharks to Win @1.26

Lost ✗

Edge

-5.4%

Line / Spread

Sharks -11.5 @1.91

Lost ✗

Edge

-5.4%

Total Points

Under 43.5 @1.91

Winner ✓

Edge

+15.3%

Form & History

TeamLast 5Avg Pts
Sharks
W
W
W
L
L
23.4
Bulldogs
W
W
W
L
L
22.4

Avg Conceded

19.2

Sharks

24.0

Bulldogs

Avg Margin

4.2

Sharks

-1.6

Bulldogs

Run Metres

1792

Sharks

1609

Bulldogs

Line Breaks

5.8

Sharks

4.2

Bulldogs

Referee Indicator

Favours Bulldogs

Chris Butler

156 career games · since 2014

AI Analysis

Win rate when Chris Butler refs each team (vs any opponent)

Sharks
5W – 9L
36%
Bulldogs
10W – 12L
45%

Bulldogs hold a 9-point edge: 10W–12L (45%) vs Sharks's 5W–9L (36%). Home teams win 57% of his matches (vs ~52% league avg).

Avg Total

43.7 pts

Home Win %

57%

Home Bias

Leans home

Penalty & Discipline

Pen / Game

12.8

Sin Bins / Gm

0.42

SB Away %

38%

Avg Penalties Per Game

vs Home Teams6.1
vs Away Teams6.7

Penalty Advantage Under This Ref

Positive = opponent penalised more than your team

Sharks
-0.4
Bulldogs
-1.1

Chris Butler averages 12.8 penalties per game, above the league norm. Expect frequent stoppages. Penalises away teams more, 6.1 against home vs 6.7 against away. Sharks get a +-0.4 penalty advantage under Chris Butler vs Bulldogs's -1.1. 62% of his 60 career sin bins go to home teams, unusual.

H2H History (Last 5)Sharks lead 4-1
May 2026CRO 38 - 16 CBY
Sep 2025CRO 24 - 6 CBY
Jul 2024CRO 14 - 15 CBY
Mar 2024CRO 25 - 6 CBY
Jun 2023CRO 48 - 10 CBY
Prediction BreakdownPure Alpha Model

📊Team ELO Ratings

CRO
1588Overall1556
CBY
ELO difference: +32 in favour of Sharks

🏈Positional Matchups

Player ELO aggregated by position group, higher = stronger unit

1085Forwards1103
Best: 1298CBY +18Best: 1248
1097Backs1051
Best: 1184CRO +46Best: 1132
1410Halves1281
Best: 1410CRO +129Best: 1281
1001Hooker945
CRO +56

📈Recent Form (Last 5)

CRO
Stat
CBY
3.0
Wins (Last 5)
3.0
23.4pts
Avg Score
22.4pts
19.2pts
Avg Conceded
24.0pts
4.2pts
Avg Margin
-1.6pts
1792.4m
Run Metres
1609.2m
5.8
Line Breaks
4.2
344.6
Tackles
362.0
12.6
Errors
10.0

🔑Key Prediction Factors

What the model weighted most in this prediction

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

Model Confidence

74%

Sharks predicted to win by 9 points

Predicted total: 38 · Line: +9.2

1/3 match predictions correct
Coming Soon

Try Scorer Predictions

AI-powered try scorer predictions and player prop markets, built on our 6-model player stats engine.

First / Anytime / Last ScorerPlayer Props