NRL Round 11
0By Stephen Gallagher
THURSDAY: Storm V Broncos – AAMI Park – 21.50NZT
This is a massive game for both sides and a huge game to kick off the round.
If Brisbane win this, they keep their first spot, and will really start to turn heads in the premiership contenders conversation.
For Melbourne, they have to show they aren’t going to be a rollercoaster side. They have to show up every week like we’re used to seeing.
The Storm will know how disappointing they were last week, and can’t afford to be there again.
Brisbane churned out probably their best performance of the season and that will only add confidence to this young side.
Should be a really good game.
TIP: Broncos 1-12
FRIDAY – Bulldogs V Warriors – Accor Stadium – 20.00NZT
A massive inclusion with Josh Addo-Carr back on the wing, and could have a big impact on Origin selection too.
The Warriors have lost three in a row, and knowing they have the ability to beat the Bulldogs having done so already this season, they will be really desperate to get back into the winners’ circle.
Canterbury Bankstown have had a similar season to the Warriors with key injuries, but haven’t been able to get the same results.
The Warriors love to have a dig, and they if they can keep the Bulldogs scoring opportunities to a minimum, they should be able to wear them down and get a close win.
TIP: Warriors 1-12
Panthers V Roosters – BlueBet Stadium – 22.05NZT
The Panthers are just doing enough, almost as if they know if they keep this up, they will be able to fire come finals time.
While the Roosters seem to to-and-fro with what they’re up to. One week they’re great and tough, and the next not so much.
I love what the Panthers are capable of, and if they start strong and start fast, they will be too much for the Roosters who still seem rather clunky. It’s as if they have too many weapons in the duffle bag.
I love seeing both these sides at the top of their game, and if they’re able to bring the best to this game – we’ll be in for a doozy.
TIP: Panthers 1-12
SATURDAY: Rabbitohs V Tigers – Accor Stadium – 17.00NZT
It’s great to see the Tigers get two wins on the trot, but also sad to see them still sit on the bottom of the table regardless.
They are coming up against a team who I believe are genuinely in the hunt for the minor premiership and will be a very tough opposition who may just bring the Tigers back down to Earth.
But if I’m Wests, I’m thinking we go out all guns blazing. Have a genuine crack. They’ve already been written off, so what do they have to lose?
Fight fire with fire – get under the Rabbitohs skin, try pull off an upset.
I do think though there is just way too much talent in this Souths side and they will come out on top comfortably.
TIP: Souths 13+
Cowboys V Dragons – QCB Stadium – 19.30NZT
It was great to see North Queensland win last win in the same way they did a lot of the time last year.
It’s been a tough four weeks for the Dragons, going down by a total of 13 points in those games.
This is Ben Hunt’s 300th NRL game though – and you’d think that this will have to fire the boys up and get them to really fight and do everything they can to win.
While the Cowboys aren’t at their best, that win last week will give them a lot of confidence and might be the win that will turn their season around.
They know they’re good enough to dispose of Saint George Illawarra, they just have to put it on the field, too.
TIP: Cowboys 1-12
Raiders V Eels – GIO Stadium – 21.30NZT
A slow start to the year has built this Raiders side into a bit of form with some really good wins over the last month as they look for their fifth straight win.
They can too, especially with Parramatta missing Mitchell Moses through a concussion.
The Eels haven’t yet thrown a major shot this year despite a win over Penrith, and their form warrants a lot of criticism for a team who was in a Grand Final last year.
Canberra look to me like a side who are enjoying their footy, and their combinations on the field are getting better every week.
At home, they should be too strong.
TIP: Raiders 1-12
SUNDAY: Knights V Titans – McDonald Jones Stadium 16.00NZT
A week off in Bali for the under-pressure Knights seems to have added only more pressure to this side as they now come up against a Titans side who are getting better every week.
Gold Coast are what the Knights aspire to. Raw talent, have a red-hot crack every week, and just back themselves for 80 minutes.
I do genuinely think that the week off will have helped Newcastle. They have some key players back and that’s going to make them a better footy side on paper.
The Gold Coast Titans are relishing the Foran and Fifita combo, and that can cause some more havoc for the Knights if unlocked early.
TIP: Knights 1-12
Sea Eagles V Sharks – 4 Pines Park – 18.05NZT
Cronulla just have to flush that game and move on from last week. It was ugly, they know it was ugly – but leave in in the past and focus on Manly.
Same can be said for the Sea Eagles after losing their last two by decent margins.
Both sides are 1-17 from last week, which shows their coaches have faith in the players who are out there.
I know that Manly will want this one. They don’t want a third straight loss which could see them tumble out of the top eight.
The Sharks have plenty of toilers in their side, and some great players who will do what they can to get them a win.
TIP: Sharks 1-12
BYE: Dolphins
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