NRL Round 22 Preview

By Stephen Gallagher

FRIDAY: • Brisbane Broncos v Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs – Suncorp Stadium 21.45NZT
This is going to be a bloody goodie! Both sides beaten last week, with the mind set of redemption for this Friday night block buster.  Brisbane at home are so tough to play against, and the Bulldogs will have to play their absolute best to get a result. The Brisbane side are strong all over the park.
Broncos 1-12

• Manly Warringah Sea Eagles V South Sydney Rabbitohs – Brookvale Oval 21.45NZT
Manly will continue their giant killing ways, and they will make the top eight. The Rabbitohs are going to be in for a tough ol’ match here if they can’t get some early ball.  The Sea Eagles are a dominant force when one thing leads to another. The Rabbitohs are going to have to play the long game, and stay competitive for the whole game if they want to get a result.
Sea Eagles 13+

SATURDAY: • New Zealand Warriors V Saint George Illawarra Dragons – Westpac Stadium 17.00NZT
This is do or die for both sides.  The Warriors Wellington record is pretty poor, and the Dragons have a pretty good record over the Warriors so that means they will be up against it from the get go.  The Dragons will want to kill off the chances the Warriors have of making the finals.  Desperate times calls for desperate measures.  How much do the Warriors want to play finals football?
Warriors 1-12

• Cronulla Sharks V North Queensland Cowboys – Remondis Stadium 19.30NZT
The Sharks want to spoil the rodeo. The Cowboys are the team to beat, but the form of the Sharks is not to be taken lightly as they’re a top eight side. At home, with a crucial match – they’ll want to leave it all out on the park. They have the numbers, they just need the numbers to add up on the day.
Sharks 1-12

• Parramatta Eels V Penrith Panthers – Pirtek Stadium 21.30NZT
A snorefest, I hope not. The Eels are done, the Panthers are almost done. Penrith need to win all their remaining games to make the eight. Parramatta are just there for the ride, making up the numbers. It’ll be a strong attacking effort for Penrith to win.
Panthers 1-12

SUNDAY: • Melbourne Storm V Gold Coast Titans – AAMI Park 16.00NZT
The Storm going up against the Titans. Just mentioning it makes you realise this result is over before it begins. It’s not like the Storm to drop two games in a row against two average sides – so the Titans be wary. There is a Storm coming. They will have been flogged all week, and will look to inflict some pain on the Gold Coast side.

Storm 13+

• Newcastle Knights V Sydney Roosters – Hunter Stadium 18.00NZT
The Knights were seemingly on the improve, and last week would’ve won if they were only playing one half. The Roosters are just dynamos and will beat anyone and everyone anyway they can/ The Knights are going to be out of their depth against such a quality side, but their spirit might not let them down and be embarrassed. The Chooks are going to be winners on the day.

Roosters 1-12

MONDAY: • Canberra Raiders V Wests Tigers – GIO Stadium 21.00NZT
The Raiders need this! The Tigers might want to ruin their finals run however. Canberra have been poor at home, which is odd for them as their away record shines higher than usual. The Tigers side have plenty of youth – but I think all over the park the Raiders get the job done better.

Raiders 13+

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