NRL Round 24

By Stephen Gallagher

THURSDAY: Panthers V Storm – BlueBet Stadium – 21.50NZT

A big big game. The Minor Premiership is at stake. The Storm are in the box seat, and the Panthers welcome back a couple of key players (while losing both their second rowers to injury and suspension)

Penrith will know they snuck home by the skin of their teeth last week. Something they won’t be happy about. This needs to be the kick up the ass with the finals around the corner.

Melbourne have struggled to win in Penrith in recent years, but their Thursday night record is good.

TIP: Panthers 1-12

FRIDAY: Sea Eagles V Warriors – 4 Pines Park – 20.00NZT

Sea Eagles are looking good for the finals. The Warriors season is over. Shaun Johnson’s last trip to the Northern Beaches.

I find it hard for the Wahs to win this. Their form has been garbage, they’re not competing for 80 minutes.

Not sure how much the Shaun Johnson farewell tour will factor into it, but Manly have been raining on the Warriors parade for his entire career.

Manly’s backs are so good. A tier above the Warriors. That should make a difference in the outcome.

TIP: Sea Eagles 13+

 

Roosters V Eels – Allianz Stadium – 22.00NZT

Big game for the Roosters. A win continues to solidify their top four spot. 

The Eels, well, that loss last week would have really, really hurt. Their form over the last fortnight has been a drastic improvement to the other 22 weeks they’ve rolled out and performed poorly.

After a bye, a fresh Roosters against a Parra side who are playing for individual contracts and an off-season refresher.

Hard to see anything other than a Roosters win.

TIP: Roosters 1-12

 

SATURDAY: Bulldogs V Dolphins – Salter Oval, Bundaberg – 17.00NZT

A trip to Bundy for this one!

Bulldogs are so sensational right now. A true joy to watch. Punching well above their weight this season that it feels almost disappointing when they lose.

Dolphins have just clung on to a top eight spot with a couple of weeks to go. They need to continue to win, but this is a very tough ask.

There’s more X-factor for this Canterbury-Bankstown outfit. I see them creating more line breaks, more opportunities, and winning by scoring more tries.

TIP: Bulldogs 1-12

 

Cowboys V Raiders – Queensland Country Bank Stadium – 19.30NZT

Oh boy, both on the wrong side of a smacking last week means there must be plenty of motivation for this one.

The Cowboys need to win that momentum with their defence. Something they didn’t do at all last week.

Raiders have to be conscious of their errors. Too many of late and it showed last week when they were blown out.

This has a low-scoring feel to it.

TIP: Cowboys 1-12

 

Tigers V Rabbitohs – Campbelltown Stadium – 21.35NZT

I’m pushing my own agenda here because I want the Tigers to win so they can play Parramatta in a Spoon Bowl in the last regular season game.

So yes, I am backing the Tigers to get the win here.

The Rabbitohs played well in patches last week, but were never in the hunt.

Both these sides are guilty of going missing in a match.

Tigers discipline is a major worry, much like it has been all year. If they can just somehow turn it on and get the win, it’ll be a good one.

But it wasn’t that long ago that the Rabbitohs disposed of Wests.

TIP: Tigers 1-12

 

SUNDAY: Dragons V Titans – WIN Stadium – 16.00NZT

The consistency of their inconsistency means that the Dragons will probably win this one.

But before we dive further, that Titans performance last week was an absolute joke. So bad.

The headlines through the week about a bite may be a distraction for the Red V, and the Titans will look to make the most of it.

Two very unpredictable sides, but it was round one when the Dragons spanked the Titans at home. That will be in the back of their minds.

TIP: Dolphins 1-12

 

Sharks V Knights – PointsBet Stadium – 18.05NZT

The Knights got a few lucky calls last week, but were never in doubt of losing.

Cronulla absolutely dominated from the opening whistle, and that was easily their most impressive performance of the season.

The Sharks look like a side that have really worked on their weaknesses, and are storming home at the right end of the season.

Newcastle are still a mathematical chance of making the eight, much like they were this time last year (but their form last year was way better)

Sharks, despite the inexperience in the halves, should will be able to get the job done.

TIP: Sharks 1-12

 

BYE: Broncos

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