NRL Round 21. The Preview

By Stephen Gallagher

THURSDAY: Roosters V Broncos  – SCG – 21.50NZT

This is a massive game for both sides. The Roosters are hanging on for dear life in 8th spot, while the Broncos want to work to get their top four spot back.

It definitely has the feel of a finals game, and these sides don’t want to lose this one.

The Roosters will come with experience and finesse, and Brisbane will try muscle up over the top and beat them in the middle third of the field.

Reynolds’ kicking game will have a big say, but Keary and Walker will do their bit to match up.

Great game to start the round.

TIP: Roosters 1-12

 

FRIDAY: Storm V Titans  – AAMI Park – 20.00NZT

Melbourne will be thankful to get the win last week, and it’ll definitely give them a platform to work off going into this game.

The Titans are the cellar-dwellers of the competition, and that doesn’t look like changing.

Craig Bellamy will want his side to execute well, score a truckload of points, and really get back into their groove.

Gold Coast will be in this for all of 30 minutes, so if Melbourne can weather that storm, they’ll be able to pull away and get the result in emphatic fashion.

TIP: Storm 13+

 

Sea Eagles V Eels  – 4 Pines Park – 21.55NZT

Those Parramatta Eels sure love delivering against the top teams.

They don’t want to slip off the Sea Eagles here though, with a great opportunity to keep surging up the ladder.

It’ll be hard to know how Manly and their players will react after last week’s fiasco when they all step onto the field together.

They need to put that aside, because they have a chance here to stay with the top eight, and upset Parramatta.

I’d like to think that last week’s rousing win will be the boost the Eels need, but they need to control the game and keep the Sea Eagles out of it. Can they win without Moses?

TIP: Eels 1-12

SATURDAY: Rabbitohs V Warriors – Sunshine Coast Stadium – 17.00NZT

Last time these two met it was a true game of two halves. The Rabbitohs dominated the first, and the Warriors the second. 

This has been the worst season in a long time for the Warriors, and it doesn’t get any easier coming up against a scorn Rabbitohs side who will want to get back into the winner circle.

Wayde Egan playing in the 6 jersey for the Warriors raises some eyebrows, but they’ll need all hands on deck to contain Latrell Mitchell and the Souths forward pack.

The Rabbitohs should be far too good for the New Zealand based franchise.

TIP: Rabbitohs 13+

 

Raiders V Panthers – GIO Stadium – 19.30NZT

What a time to be playing Penrith, minus their two halves in Canberra.

All eyes shift to how the Panthers will respond without Cleary and Luai for the remainder of the regular season, and with the form of the Raiders – you’d have to think the green machine will be favourites.

Whatever Ricky Stuart has done differently in the last twelve months has worked, as Canberra are a more focused and a stronger side than last season.

They’re not going to bow down to Penrith, they know they have the talent and ability to win.

Yet we’ve seen what this Panthers side can do without their best, and this is just another test for them heading into the finals.

Game of the round. It’s going to be a tight one.

TIP: Raiders 1-12

 

Sharks V Dragons – PointsBet Stadium – 21.30NZT

This is some Cronulla side. I love watching them compete every week. Not so much when they come up against the team I support this weekend, but they are nearly the complete package.

Kade Dykes, son of Cronulla star Adam, and grandson of John. This third-generation Shark makes his debut at the back – and if he plays anything like Lachie Miller did on debut earlier in the season in the same spot, it’s going to be electric.

The key to any Red V success is Ben Hunt. Career best form no doubt.

I just think Cronulla have too much class for the Dragons in this derby.

TIP: Sharks 13+

 

SUNDAY: Bulldogs V Cowboys – Salter Oval, Bundaberg – 16.00NZT

A game in Bundy, how good!

The Bulldogs could be top eight contenders if they started the season the way they’re currently playing.

Yet they come up against the second-best side this year, and this is going to be a really tough clash.

Similar style of footy these two both play, but to be the difference is the defence. The Cowboys have been tackling hard all season, and despite leaking a few points recently, got back to their strong ways last week.

Canterbury-Bankstown will back their confidence and swagger, and they’ll need that to take on North Queensland and try sneak an upset. I don’t think they will though.

TIP: Cowboys 1-12

 

Tigers V Knights – Campbelltown Sports Stadium – 18.05NZT

The Tigers should be two in a row, but let’s not get into that.

However, I was impressed with the way they powered through the Broncos last week. It will be a loss missing Hastings. He’s the glue.

Newcastle are just struggling. It looks to me like they have no answers, they aren’t able to stay in games for long periods of time, and struggle when it comes to getting out of their own half.

The Tigers should be good enough to capitalise on the weaknesses of the Knights and get a win.

TIP: Tigers 1-12

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