NRL Round 23. The Preview

By Stephen Gallagher

THURSDAY: Rabbitohs V Panthers  – Accor Stadium – 21.50NZT

With the Rabbitohs banging on the door of the top four, and the Minor Premiership at stake for the Panthers – finals footy intensity has arrived early.

I’m really enjoying this Souths side right now. They have this aggression to their football that teams don’t want to mess with.

They run hard, play hard, and are smooth on attack.

Penrith get Edwards back, which will help a lot. They are top of the table for a reason, but they definitely showed weakness last week. They will want to rectify that and dig in this week.

I think Souths will sneak home.

TIP:Rabbitohs 1-12

 

FRIDAY: Cowboys V Warriors  – QCB Stadium – 20.00NZT

With the passing of Paul Green, it was an emotional week for the Cowboys, but being back at home I expect them to play a lot better.

The Warriors were lucky to beat the Cowboys earlier this season, but since then they both have gone on different trajectories.

Great on attack last week and with nothing to lose, the Warriors will try and bruise up this North Queensland side.

The Cowboys defence has let in too many tries of late. Something they definitely need to address before the finals.

TIP: Cowboys 13+

 

Broncos V Storm  – Suncorp Stadium – 21.55NZT

Earlier on SENZ this week with Riccardo Ball, I called this the game of the round, with Adam Reynolds kicking a field goal to win it.

If that happens, I’ll also give you the lottery numbers for the following night.

Brisbane’s direction looked a lot better with Te Maire Martin at the back. Hughes is back for the Storm which means Munster will stick in the halves this week.

This should be a bloody barnstorming game. Brisbane want a top four spot. Melbourne currently occupy one. Plenty to play for!

TIP: Broncos 1-12

 

SATURDAY: Eels V Bulldogs – Commbank Stadium – 17.00NZT

Both teams reeling from a thrashing does provide plenty of motivation for this one.

The Eels should be winning these games, but we saw the Bulldogs absolutely ambush them earlier this season.

With a forward pack like that, there should be no excuse for the Eels to get run over through the middle.

Canterbury Bankstown need to sure up their defence. Way too soft around the ruck.

TIP: Eels 1-12

 

Sea Eagles V Sharks – 4 Pines Park – 19.30NZT

It’s been a slippery slope for the Sea Eagles since “pridegate”, and it doesn’t get any easier against Cronulla.

This Sharks side are almost at full strength, and will look to play hard and direct early, and then maximise their speed in their outside backs. A tactic that’s worked wonders all season for them.

Manly were dreadful last week, and they will turn it around here, but Cronulla will still be better than them and get the win.

TIP: Sharks 1-12

 

Roosters V Tigers SCG – 21.30NZT

Five wins in a row looks to be six in a row, with the Tigers looking sad in 16th spot. 

Sydney Roosters have won 19 of their last 21 starts against Wests Tigers. A very dominant record.

There’s too much form and firepower in this Roosters outfit to be dragged in to the Tigers style of footy.

TIP: Roosters 13+

 

SUNDAY: Dragons V Titans – WIN Stadium – 16.00NZT

Both sides have three games left and will want to get a few more W’s in the winners column to round out what’s been a pretty underwhelming 2022.

This game went in to golden point earlier this season, where the Titans scored in the corner to seal the deal.

Ben Hunt is awesome, and probably too good for the Dragons – but if he continues to kick like he did last week, they will come away with the points.

The Gold Coast just want to outscore their opposition with little emphasis on defence.

TIP: Dragons 1-12

 

Knights V Raiders – McDonald Jones Stadium – 18.05NZT

Kalyn Ponga and a Mann walk into a toilet stall…Well, you know the rest.

That doesn’t help this Newcastle team and their on and off field woes.

Raiders will be too good, especially since they still have a sniff to make the top 8.

TIP: Raiders 13+

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