NRL Round 14

By Stephen Gallagher

FRIDAY: Dragons V Tigers – WIN Stadium – 20.00NZT

The Dragons will be hoping their Origin stars who shone so bright on Wednesday back up for this one to carry on the momentum of their massive scalp last week.

And the Tigers, it’s more typical Tigers for 2024. Some would say they’ve even gotten worse. Yikes.

I love what the Red V showed in the rain against Penrith, but as we’ve seen all year it’s the lack of consistency that’s let them down. A top-eight spot beckons if they can put it together.

The Tigers made too many errors last time these two met. With a week to think about how bad they’ve been – they need to start answering questions with a win.

TIP: Dragons 1-12

 

SATURDAY: Titans V Rabbitohs – Cbus Super Stadium – 17.00NZT

Well, after I wrote about how much the Titans sucked about six weeks ago, they’ve actually been a joy to watch.

There’s a definite direction, game plan, and the effort is there. They’re not the sexiest side to watch, but props to what they’ve been able to do

Pressure continues to mount on the Rabbitohs as they sit last on the table. 

There’s a lot of similarities in both these sides. Lost of injuries, some inexperienced players standing up, and lots of mistakes and errors that could be fine tuned.

On paper, this Souths side is better. They have more strike power, and come across more dangerous – but the Titans have proven to be a more committed side and play harder than the Rabbitohs.

Coin toss who wins this.

TIP: Rabbitohs 1-12

Cowboys V Warriors – Queensland Country Bank Stadium – 19.30NZT

A win last week by the Cowboys really mirrors their 2023 campaign. Poor for the first half of the year, strong in Origin, and then just falling short at the end. 

So this is a real test against a Warriors side who have found their mojo and get a whole stack of players back.

The returning stars need to take a leaf out of the players who have been there filling in and winning for the Wahs. The B team could be the team that turns their season around.

The pace of the Cowboys will worry the Warriors – but the repetitive, physical style the Warriors will bring will be a challenge for sure.

TIP: Cowboys 1-12

 

Broncos V Sharks – Suncorp Stadium – 21.35NZT

Big ask for a Sharks side who have fallen at their last two hurdles but still sit first equal.

And yes, the Broncos lose another star with Walsh out through concussion protocols but we’ve seen their resilience with injuries all season.

Cronulla’s defence is a real concern at the moment. Leaking some serious points over the last three weeks is going against everything that they’ve worked on for the last 18 months.

It doesn’t get any easier against a live-wire Broncos side who are rocketing up the ladder and flexing their premiership credentials yet again.

For the Sharks sake, I hope they can keep this competitive and not get smoked by Brisbane, otherwise the pretenders’ tag will come out again.

TIP: Broncos 1-12

 

SUNDAY: Storm V Knights – AAMI Park – 16.00NZT

A doozy of a match-up if they’re both on. The Knights got a rugby league lesson last week which would have hurt.

Melbourne will be looking to get back in to the winners circle. The Storm are fairly strong at home and have named a solid line up for this one.

I’m nervous for Newcastle. After a long string of wins, could the lack of Ponga be coming to haunt them or was last week just an anomaly?

Melbourne’s ruck speed and dominant halves will put them in charge and will see them win and win well.

TIP: Storm 13+

 

Panthers V Sea Eagles – BlueBet Stadium – 18.05NZT

Whether or not Penrith’s Origin players back up will dictate this result. If they back up, they will win. If not, Manly will.

I think the motivation to win will stem from losing earlier in the year, and players will make themselves available for it. The winning mentality is strong for this club.

Manly are always flying under the radar, currently in 7th but should be higher up.

They have the physicality to match Penrith, but need all hands on deck to win.

Game of the round for me.

TIP: Panthers 1-12

 

MONDAY: Bulldogs V Eels – Accor Stadium – 800NZT

Another King’s Birthday Monday classic incoming.

Eels were a totally different and dominant side with Moses and Gutherson back from injury. The Bulldogs are really starting to cause some headaches to opposition and Ciraldo has them looking fine as they are the second best side in the comp defensively.

Plenty on the line here. The Bulldogs win and they lock in a top eight spot. The Eels win, they start to get their season back on track under the caretaker coach and things aren’t looking so grim.

Really solid game to round out the weekend. Think there’s a real contest on offer.

TIP: Bulldogs 1-12

BYE: Dolphins, Raiders, Roosters

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