80 Minutes In 80 Words: NRL Round 4

By Stephen Gallagher

THURSDAY: South Sydney Rabbitohs V Sydney Roosters – ANZ Stadium – 22.05NZT

This historic rivalry is always worth a watch. The Rabbitohs only dropping one game this year goes up against an undefeated Roosters who have been excellent so far.

The Rabbitohs have a few suspensions and injuries that will hold them back this week.

The form Luke Keary has been in for the Roosters has been brilliant, and going up against his old club I am sure he will want to show them what they missed out on.

TIP: Roosters 13+

 

FRIDAY: Penrith Panthers V Newcastle Knights – Pepper Stadium – 20.05NZT

Panthers are most definitely back. Standing in their way of going three straight is a gutsy Newcastle side. I will be interested to see how this one goes down.

Panthers are just a force all over the park, a brilliant side to watch.

Newcastle need to get in to a battle, try slow the ruck down and try control the match with a smart kicking game and a physical performance.

TIP: Panthers 1-12

 

Brisbane Broncos V Canberra Raiders – Suncorp Stadium – 22.05NZT

Another good Friday night match up.

The Broncos have lost their last two on the bounce, and the Raiders finally got on the board last week.

A dream line up. Two strong sides with lots of pace and lots of muscle.

There’s honestly not much between these two teams, the Raiders I think will pip them at the post however. Broncos will make sure this is an 80 minute affair.

TIP: Raiders 1-12

 

SATURDAY: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles V Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs – Lottoland – 18.30NZT

The Sea Eagles were exceptional against the Cowboys last week, and the Bulldogs did more than enough to get their first win too.

Manly I think have a sharper line up. Seeing them work as one last week shows they can be deadly. They’ll need more of the same this week against the Bulldogs.

I would hope the Bulldogs sloppy win would help them this week, it’s just so hard to see this team going well this year.

TIP: Sea Eagles 1-12

 

Parramatta Eels V Cronulla Sharks – ANZ Stadium – 21.05NZT

Both sides are looking to bounce back after losses last week. The Eels at their temporary home ground of ANZ Stadium, will want to inflict another loss on Cronulla.

Feels like the Eels have more of their groove together than the Sharks, but it can only take one good performance for the Premiers to get back in to it. Could this be their game?

This will be an interesting clash for sure. Could go either way easily.

TIP: Eels 1-12

 

Gold Coast Titans V North Queensland Cowboys – CBUS Super Stadium – 23.05NZT

Gold Coast get on the board last week, and want another scalp. The Cowboys looked rusty at home in their loss to Manly, and won’t want a repeat performance on the GC.

Titans players look like coming together now, funnily enough look better without Jarryd Hayne…..

Titans need to learn from Manly, where they shut down the Cowboys halves and strangled them out of the match.
TIP: Titans 1-12

 

SUNDAY: Wests Tigers V Melbourne Storm – Leichhardt Oval – 18.05NZT

Three weeks in and they’ve already sacked their coach? Bloody hell.

This is ripe for the picking for Melbourne. They could rack up 80 points here.

The Tigers have to perform for their new coach, as well as the fans. They’ve been woeful over the last two weeks and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get any better.

Hopefully this isn’t a massive blowout. It’ll get tiresome for Tigers fans.

TIP: Storm 13+

 

Saint George Illawarra Dragons V New Zealand Warriors – UOW Jubilee Oval – 20.35NZT

The Dragons actually have a damn good record over the Warriors. The Auckland-based franchise finally got one over them last year, but I don’t know about this one.

Dragons don’t have an amazing roster, but their forwards are most definitely banding together to get the job done.

Warriors look slack, lost, without a care. As if Kieran Foran will be some sort of saviour.

Who knows which side will turn up here.

TIP: Dragons 1-12

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