NRL Round 24
0By Stephen Gallagher
THURSDAY: Sea Eagles V Panthers – 4 Pines Park – 21.50NZT
The Sea Eagles had their chance to nab a top-eight spot last week but were undone by the Roosters. It gets even harder for them against the world’s best rugby league team.
Penrith are so good. They don’t have any weak spots. They’ve thrown a second-rower in the centres and haven’t skipped a beat.
What concerns me is how thin the Sea Eagles are in the forwards. The Panthers are too big and too strong for Manly’s pack. It could be a long night at Brookie.
TIP: Panthers 13+
FRIDAY: Sharks V Titans – PointsBet Stadium – 20.00NZT
A slight breath has been inhaled into Cronulla’s season with their empathic victory last week, with the Titans’ season currently going in the opposite direction.
It will help to have their captain back on deck with Fotuaika missing through suspension, but it’s going to be a tough ask for the Titans travelling to the Shire.
Cronulla’s attack looked more concise with Trindall and Hynes in the halves, while Connor Tracey is doing a great job filling in at fullback.
An exciting game ahead. The Sharks’ defence still has its issues, so the Titans will look to exploit that with their attacking flair. Cronulla winning last week might just be the spark they need to finish off this regular season with some form.
TIP: Sharks 1-12
Broncos V Eels – The Gabba – 22.00NZT
There was nothing convincing about the Eels’ win last week, while the Broncos bandwagon rolls on again.
This Brisbane side has so many points of attack. Mam supporting through the middle, Staggs and Farnworth breaking tackles and setting up their wingers. Reynolds and his kicking game.
You compare that to the Eels, who only really can get things going through their halves. Often at times, they can look quite stagnant, and coming up against the Broncos that’s not a good sign.
Brisbane wants to keep on winning to cement a top-two finish, and with the Eels teetering on the edge of the eight, this is also a big game for them.
TIP: Broncos 13+
SATURDAY: Rabbitohs V Dragons – Barlow Park, Cairns – 17.00NZT
A desperate Rabbitohs side will turn up knowing that they can no longer afford to slip up with four games remaining.
It becomes even harder for them to miss two of their key forwards, but if you look to their opponents – the are missing their best player in Lomax through injury and that will really hamper their attack.
I wouldn’t say that the Dragons are going to be easy beats – because they’ve been really competitive the last month, but how much longer can their spirit stay high?
Rabbitohs will get the job done, it won’t be anywhere near convincing – but they’ll still get the two points.
TIP: Rabbitohs 1-12
Tigers V Warriors – FMG Stadium, Hamilton – 19.30NZT
Firstly, a massive shout out to the Tigers, who are the only NRL team to give the Warriors an extra ‘home game’ as they take a game to Hamilton as a thank-you for all the Warriors sacrificed over the Covid period.
It’s just a shame the Tigers are going to bring this game to NZ and lose.
The Warriors can not afford to be complacent. They were unable to get things going to the standard we expect off their bye last week, but with only one change they’ll be sharper and ready to dispose of the toothless Tigers.
I don’t have much to say about Wests, they’ve been okay lately – but still, not enough x-factor or culture to win close games.
TIP: Warriors 13+
Roosters V Dolphins – Allianz Stadium – 21.30NZT
It was round one, and everyone expected the Roosters to thump the ‘phins, but yet that didn’t happen at all.
So with two wins in three weeks, the Roosters’ faintest of finals hopes remain and will want to get revenge on Wayne Bennett’s side.
I reckon this could be the game of the round. We know that regardless of how the game will go, Redcliffe will be in this game for the full eighty. The Roosters have to prove to themselves they are worthy of a finals berth and need to play just like they did last week against Manly.
Tough, fast through the middle, and move their opponents forward pack around.
TIP: Roosters 1-12
SUNDAY: Storm V Raiders – AAMI Park – 16.00NZT
Fourth spot is up for grabs in this Sunday thriller. Ricky Stuart’s Raiders love to get one up over Craig Bellamy’s Storm in recent years, and will look to tick another major victory up in Victoria.
I still can’t really work out either of these sides. Melbourne has been riddled with inconsistencies all season, whereas Canberra haven’t been able to stretch out and dominate an opponent all season.
The Storm get two key players back, which will absolutely boost their ranks.
Being back at AAMI Park will be a big boost for them. I’m excited to see how the Raiders will approach this after a dicey last month. If they can upset the Storm in Melbourne – that’s a huge ‘watch out’ for everyone else in the top eight.
TIP: Storm 1-12
Knights V Bulldogs – McDonald Jones Stadium – 18.00NZT
This is a banana peel game for the Knights. After five straight wins, they come up against a Bulldogs side ready to ruin some seasons in their run home.
Sitting in 15th place, this Canterbury-Bankstown team have suffered their fair share of injuries all season long – but I would say that this is their top side for the year and I think they are absolutely good enough to beat Newcastle.
For the Knights, the recipe will be simple. Don’t be complacent, and keep your cool. The Bulldogs will be doing what they can to throw Newcastle off their game, but we’ve seen plenty of maturity from this Knights outfit, and that’ll have to be on display here.
TIP: Knights 1-12
BYE – Cowboys
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