NRL Round 16
0
By Stephen Gallagher
FRIDAY – Cowboys V Panthers – QCB Stadium – 22.00NZT
A thin Panthers side won’t be too concerned about this result, but you know they are going to Townsville to play.
Lucky for North Queensland, they get Jason Taumalolo back and have some good players to cover their Origin starters.
This is looking like a good opportunity for the Cowboys to get a win against a top eight side, and they’re looking likely to catapult themselves into finals contention.
They should be able to get into it with the Panthers forwards, and if they’re able to compete up front, their halves will be able to get the job done.
TIP: Cowboys 1-12
SATURDAY: Knights V Roosters – McDonald Jones Stadium – 17.00NZT
The Knights were unlucky last weekend, and will have some confidence against a very poor Roosters side who are missing their Origin players too.
Whatever is going on at Bondi is cause for serious concern, they just look like a team of individuals with no direction.
I rate Newcastle’s chances here. They only lose one player, Ponga is back to fullback and they are playing some strong attacking footy.
They will absolutely take it to the Roosters and it will pay off.
TIP: Knights 1-12
Eels V Sea Eagles – CommBank Stadium – 19.30NZT
A couple of changes and a new halves combination for both of these sides this week sees a little more of a shuffle around than usual.
Parramatta barely got out of second gear in their convincing win last week, and the Sea Eagles smashed the Dolphins.
It was good to see Parra play well under adversity, and they need to do that again this week without their two starting halves. Asi and Matterson are two very different players to Brown and Moses.
Manly after a couple of big weeks have to keep turning up the heat. They can’t afford to sink back down and have a stinker. They still have the personnel to win this.
TIP: Sea Eagles 1-12
Tigers V Storm – Campbelltown Sports Stadium – 21.35NZT
I don’t hold much hope for the Tigers with their hooker, half, and best forward all out. That’s not to say they won’t have a crack, but after what the Storm served up last weekend they will be looking to do the same again.
It’ll be a little scrappy with some errors, but no doubt this Melbourne side will be far too big, strong, and physical to the Tigers and they won’t be able to compete with them for the full 80.
TIP: Storm 13+
SUNDAY: Sharks V Bulldogs – PointsBet Stadium – 18.05NZT
It’s been a tough couple of weeks for Cronulla, so this is an important opportunity to them to get back into the winners circle.
The Bulldogs last week were just not good enough and didn’t deliver to the standard they have this season.
It was turnstile defence for both of these sides last week and it’s important they really tighten that up.
Cronulla better placed than this Doggies side, and I think they really have to go out flat tack from the get go and try unravel them.
TIP: Sharks 13+
BYE – Dolphins, Warriors, Dragons, Broncos, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Titans
Follow Stephen Gallagher on Twitter