NRL Round 5

By Stephen Gallagher

THURSDAY: Storm V Broncos – AAMI Park – 22.00NZT

A week off has helped the Storm get back some important troops in this big Thursday night clash.

The Broncos looked so sharp in the rain last week and will want to stand up to Melbourne in Melbourne.

Reckon there’s plenty going on in the forward battle this week, especially with the tallest NRL player in history, Ben Te Kura about to make his debut for the Broncos.

Brisbane is more dynamic and offer more upfront, but the Storm will all be out there to do their jobs and tick that box.

This has the makings of a very good game. Home Advantage might just be the difference.

TIP: Storm 1-12

 

FRIDAY: Bulldogs V Roosters – Accor Stadium – 20.00NZT

Doggies are okay, they’re not amazing, and they won’t win this game – but they will at least compete.

The Roosters just showed that even if you’re five percent off, the Panthers will beat you – and that will be a lesson they need to take moving forward.

Experience in this Roosters lineup is unprecedented and in games like this they’ll need to count on all their players to get the job done.

Canterbury-Bankstown will definitely fire some shots, but a lack of consistency and cohesion will slow them down.

TIP: Roosters 13+

 

Knights V Dragons – McDonald Jones Stadium – 22.00NZT

The halves carousel goes around yet again with Newcastle’s third halves pairing in five weeks.

I don’t think that’s a particularly helpful ploy, but this is the ideal halves pairing with Hastings and Cogger together.

St George Illawarra won in an ugly 80-minute performance last week but we’re yet to see them put out a consistent performance to be proud of.

Which is why I can’t tip them this week. Newcastle, at home, desperate to get a win will be a side that is motivated to get the result.

The Dragons definitely can win this, though – but only if they stick to the plan of playing more direct and playing under close to the line.

Newcastle’s forwards also need to be better. A couple of soft showings in a row isn’t good.

TIP: Knights 1-12

SATURDAY: Rabbitohs V Warriors – 17.00NZT

The Rabbitohs were pretty rubbish last week but still got the win.

The Warriors were in an arm wrestle but were never really tested.

And here’s my concern for the Wahs – their record against the Rabbitohs is woeful, last beating them in 2018 and having lost 8 straight. That’s 2219 days.

I think that one win would have relieved a lot pressure just to win, and now they can focus on being better – which I think is coming this week.

However, this Warriors outfit just can’t continue to roll over to the green and red team. With CNK back, and Te Maire Martin in the halves – this Warriors side has the attack to win.

TIP: Rabbitohs 1-12

 

Sea Eagles V Panthers – 4 Pines Park – 19.30NZT

Manly are now staring down the barrel of four straight losses, and against the Panthers, you’d have to think that’s going to happen.

There’s nothing wrong with this Sea Eagles side. No major injury concerns, no one playing that badly – they just haven’t been able to put enough points on to win their last three outings.

The Panthers are just incredible. I wonder if I’ll ever get sick of watching them succeed.

If I am being critical, conceding a couple of late tries last week will be a concern and will have been addressed this week.

Penrith looking good though – can’t tip against them (like I did last week).

TIP: Panthers 1-12

 

Dolphins V Tigers – Suncorp Stadium – 21.35NZT

Top of the table Dolphins against the red-hot Tigers – something no one would have ever predicted this season but here we are…

Redcliffe have found what works for them. That’s a good kicking game, with hard second-row lines, and shifting the ball early in the set.

Missing rookie Lachlan Galvin will be a blow for Wests, but they still have to have the belief after the fortnight they’ve had.

This is the sort of game that screams all gas no brakes, or all attack no defense.

Lots of points to be scored in this one.

TIP: Dolphins 1-12

 

SUNDAY: Cowboys V Titans – Queensland Country Bank Stadium – 18.00NZT

Well, they’ve made some changes the Titans – whether or not that’ll stop them leaking points for fun is another thing, however.

And coming up against a Cowboys side, at home, who have scored the most points in the comp – that’s a recipe for disaster.

Last week’s loss was brewing for North Queensland, and that should be enough to set them up for a good, dominant 80-minute performance this week.

TIP: Cowboys 13+

 

Raiders V Eels – GIO Stadium – 20.15NZT

Yikes, giving up that many points after leading 18-0 will mean it’ll be a horror week of training for the Green Machine before they take on the Eels.

It goes to show how good Mitchell Moses is, as they looked a little rudderless last week Parramatta – so that calls for Dylan Brown to step up and be the man.

I know that Canberra will be absolutely stinging after last week. They went away from what worked for them. It’s turning a team around and kicking them to death. With the early lead, they just wanted to score off every play and it bit them in the ass.

The Eels have to be better on attack. They missed out on some tries due to some sloppy play, and can’t afford to do that two weeks in a row.

TIP: Raiders 1-12

BYE: Cronulla Sharks

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