NRL Round 4

By Stephen Gallagher

THURSDAY: Eels V Panthers – CommBank Stadium – 22.00NZT

Three four-point losses in a row, coming up against a Panthers side off the bye, while playing their third game at home in four weeks… This Eels side is desperate for a win.

Too many errors from their back five, and too many minutes from their best forwards means they aren’t helping themselves.

They get some reprieve with Ryan Matterson back from suspension.

While there’s on ly one change for Penrith from their round two victory, they will look to give the Eels some love in a Grand Final rematch.

Parramatta can’t afford to drop another game, while the Panthers look to add to their woes.

The Panthers know exactly how to beat the Eels, and Cleary will be peppering their backs with hard bombs all night.

TIP: Panthers 1-12

 

FRIDAY – Storm V Tigers – AAMI Park – 20.00NZT

Back-to-back losses for the Storm versus a winless Tigers… Talk about thrilling!

Munster returns from a gruesome finger injury and will no doubt inject himself straight into their attack.

Leaking over 60 points in two games is the biggest concern for the Melbourne Storm, who need starch in the middle of the field.

The Tigers looked a lot better Brandon Wakeham came on and is rewarded with a start. They are desperate for a win, but the Storm will be furious with the way they have started the year. Need to improve their usual high standards and keep their opponents to less than ten points.

TIP: Storm 1-12

 

Dolphins V Broncos – Suncorp Stadium – 22.05NZT

Top of the table clash as these two get to start their rivalry!

Add in to it the Wayne Bennett factor, and there is a lot to like about this clash.

Dolphins minus Felise Kaufusi is a blow, but they have shown just how much they love to stay in the fight for 80 minutes.

From what I’ve seen in so far, the Broncos are the team to beat. They are FLYING and have so much swagger about them, you’d think Lote and Big Dell were still in their side.

Suncorp will no doubt be a sell out as a plethora of Fins and Horse Shoes will be on display.

 I think that Brisbane will be too good for this Redcliffe outfit, but I reckon it’ll be tighter than people think.

TIP: Broncos 1-12

 

SATURDAY: Cowboys V Titans – QCB Stadium – 19.30NZT

A concerning pattern for North Queensland is that they’re fading out of games. Only one second-half try this season.

I’m sure that’s something the Gold Coast will have discussed throughout the week. Stay in the wrestle, and you can overcome them at the end.

Cowboys are forced to make one change through injury, and the Titans are the same 17 who upset Melbourne.

It’s still very much the Tennis Titans, who go tit for tat and try outscore their opponents. If they absorb half of the pressure they’re under on their own line, that will go a long way to getting them a win.

North Queensland have to address their lack of finishing in games and opportunities.

TIP: Cowboys 1-12

Rabbitohs V Sea Eagles – Accor Stadium – 21.30NZT

Somewhat poetic in the week where Souths legend John Sattler passed away, they are poised to play the Sea Eagles, which was their foes in the 1970 Grand Final where he played 77 minutes with a broken jaw.

There will be some emotion around that for the Rabbits this week.

Manly, however, love to spoil a party – and their undefeated start to the season is not to be ignored.

South Sydney are definitely light up front with key injuries, and that’s where Manly will target them with hard runs from their middle and edge forwards.

Will be a tough match for the Rabbitohs if they don’t get their go forward. Manly will have plenty of energy after their winning start too.

TIP: Sea Eagles 1-12

 

SUNDAY: Warriors V Bulldogs – Mount Smart Stadium 16.05NZT

Finally back at Mount Smart for the first time in 2023, and heading into this game with a 2-1 record will ignite the fire of the fans in the stands.

Yet, the Bulldogs will be no easy beats.

Despite their lapse at the end in the heat last week, the Bulldogs were the better side by a country mile and prevailed.

The Warriors played one of their best games in the last four years to cap off a huge win in Townsville.

They look to have a lot of cohesion amongst their playing roster. Everyone knows their role, and is playing to a very high standard.

Canterbury-Bankstown look good when they run the footy. If they can get in and around the Warriors, they will cause some issues.

I just think the Warriors at home will be too strong in a very close game.

TIP: Warriors-12

 

Knights V Raiders – McDonald Jones Stadium – 18.05NZT

A battered Knights side took a tough L last week, but have some key ins for this round.

Keep an eye on Greg Marzhew, who outside Bradman Best could be a key weapon with Dom Young out.

The Raiders have played three very ‘Raiders-like’ games to kick off the year, and deserved that win last weekend.

They get another boost with Samoan hero Josh Papali’i returning for the first time in 2023.

Raiders will know that just being in this game is enough to win it, and can’t get caught up in the mayhem that Hastings and Gamble will no doubt play up to with copious amounts of chirping.

TIP: Raiders 1-12

 

Dragons V Sharks – Netstrata Jubilee Stadium – 20.15NZT

Loved what I saw in the Dragons for 70 minutes last week, but that last ten was abysmal.

They can’t afford those lapses in tight games.

Cronulla get a massive boost to their campaign with Nicho Hynes in for the first time in 2023.

There are a lot of similarities between the two teams so far this year. Both are really flexing hard on the edge. Both sides have missed some tackles and leaked some points, but overall are both competitive.

This rivalry is always a goodie, despite Cronulla having the upper hand in recent matchups.

I think the inclusion of Hynes is too great to ignore.

TIP: Sharks 1-12

 

BYE: Roosters

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