NRL Round 23: The Preview

By Stephen Gallagher

Thinking the Cowboys might win cost me a perfect round 7/8. 106/166 for the season!

 

THURSDAY: Titans V Storm – Cbus Super Stadium – 21.50NZT

While the Storm haven’t played their strongest over the last fortnight, they still sit one win higher than second place.

It wasn’t an awful performance last week by the Titans, but were still easily discarded by Souths.

Limiting the impact of their key players is going to help Melbourne get past the Gold Coast in this one.

Expect that classic Storm energy to be too much for the Titans in the end

TIP: Storm 13+

 

FRIDAY: Raiders V Sea Eagles – Suncorp Stadium – 20.00NZT

While the Raiders were competitive in a loss last week, they have to step up yet again against a red hot Manly side who are just prolific in scoring points.

Two really tough games in a row for Canberra may take its toll.

I back the way the Sea Eagles are playing. There’s just something unrivaled about the confidence in their ability which can throw teams off before even stepping foot on the paddock.

Should be a really entertaining match-up.

TIP: Sea Eagles 1-12

 

Panthers V Rabbitohs – Suncorp Stadium – 22.05NZT

Oh my this is JUICY! Teams two and three on the ladder in what is going to be a taster for finals footy.

Penrith are yet again finding their feet to being a formidable foe, while the Rabbitohs are really ripping in and raring to go at the right end of the year.

This is the game of the round for sure.

It’s going to be a good measure of just what the Panthers have learned over the last 18 months, but also whether or not Souths are able to continue to beat high quality opponents in tense, important matches.

There will be plenty of feelings in this one.

TIP: Rabbitohs 1-12

 

SATURDAY: Tigers V Sharks – Browne Park, Rockhampton – 17.00NZT

A couple of wins in a row now for the Tigers against the Sharks who have lost their last three.

Sharks head the logjam of teams on 18 points, where the Tigers are the bottom of them.

A loss to either side will pretty much rule them out of finals footy, so this is a bit of an eliminator game.

Tigers have been playing some ugly rugba leeg, but have been able to win.

A tough match-up with both sides being as unpredictable as the other.

I’m leaning towards the Sharks getting a win, but it really could to either way.

TIp: Sharks 1-12

 

Bulldogs V Knights – Cbus Super Stadium – 19.30NZT

Another win here would all but ensure a top eight spot for Newcastle. Whereas the Bulldogs can’t lose the spoon.

Nothing’s really gone right for the Doggies in 2021, but hey – they’ve got some good signings under their belt for 2022.

Knights are too strong. Bulldogs to at least get a couple of meat pies.

TIP: Knights 13+

 

Eels V Cowboys – CBus Super Stadium – 21.30NZT

Here is an opportunity to get some confidence back against a terrible Cowboys side who haven’t seen a win in ten weeks.

While the media stick the boot in to Parra, they’re still a good chance of finishing in the top four.

Some early points will offset their woes, but they can’t expect North Queensland to just lay down and die.

Eels will have to earn it and work for it.

TIP: Eels 13+

 

SUNDAY: Dragons V Roosters – Clive Berghofer Stadium, Toowoomba – 16.00NZT

If there’s one good thing to come about the relocation of the game to Queensland, it’s seeing these big NRL teams play at small rural grounds.

Dragons are one of three teams who haven’t won a game in their last five starts, and another loss on the cards against a damn good Roosters side.

The fall from grace has been a bad look for what has been a good Dragons side for majority of the year.

Roosters are too good.

TIP: Roosters 13+

Broncos V Warriors – Suncorp Stadium – 18.05NZT

It’s the Warriors fans favourite time of the year, where they are still a mathematical chance to make the finals.

While an unlucky loss last week from Brisbane will either fuel them, or deflate them further.

Peta Hiku has won six of his seven games in the Warriors jersey this year. Read into that what you will.

They are definitely looking better and more grounded, but the Broncos are also not the easy beats they were at the beginning of the season.

I’m being sucked in. I’m leaning towards a Warriors victory.

TIP: Warriors 1-12

Follow Stephen Gallagher on Twitter