NRL 80 words in 80 minutes: Round 12

By Stephen Gallagher

THURSDAY: Penrith Panthers V Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, 22.00NZT – Panthers Stadium

A few changes for Origin and injuries for both teams. I still think there’s plenty of punch in both sides, and with the Panthers finally breaking in to the winners column last week – they’ll want to build off that.

Manly under adversity this season have been tremendous, so I think they’re the ones in the box seat to take this win.

Plenty of young players on display, which is showing depth for each club.

TIP: Sea Eagles 1-12

 

FRIDAY: Parramatta Eels V South Sydney Rabbitohs, 22.00NZT – Bankwest Stadium

After another Eels loss, their coach has wielded the axe and made many changes to the side.

The Rabbitohs are blooding a few debutante’s due to Origin, but sitting on top of the table, they can afford to do so.

Pressure will start to mount on Parra if they drop another game here.

The Rabbitohs forwards are still mainly intact, so expect them to enforce their weight and physicality on the game and do their bit in an otherwise young side to get the win.

TIP: Rabbitohs 1-12

 

SATURDAY: Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs V Canberra Raiders, 21.30NZT – ANZ Stadium

The Raiders are missing a whopping amount of experience due to injury and Origin selection, so their backs are against the wall already against the last place Bulldogs.

I’m actually going to back the cellar dwellers to get up in this one though.

As long as they start the game with some intensity, they’ll be able to create pressure on the under-manned Raiders.

There’s a lot of points on offer in this match. Expect a few tries to be scored and the defence to be poor.

TIP: Bulldogs 1-12

 

SUNDAY: Gold Coast Titans V North Queensland Cowboys, 18.00NZT – Cbus Super Stadium

After a big win against the hot Sea Eagles side, the Titans will want to do their bit to win in this Queensland derby.

The Cowboys are missing a few key players, but still have enough experience among their ranks to take this game to the 80^th minute.

I really feel like this game could go either way, but there’s a few Cowboys players that will make the difference after being shunned for Origin.

TIP: Cowboys 1-12

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