NRL Round 25: The Preview

By Stephen Gallagher

A couple of games let me down last week 6/8. 119/182 for the season!

 

THURSDAY: Raiders V Roosters – BB Print Stadium, Mackay – 21.50NZT

It’s an easy formula for Canberra. Win to keep your season alive, lose and you’re done.

While a top-eight spot isn’t guaranteed, they need a win to help push that.

It’s a tough game against the Roosters, who are still sporting a strong team, despite having a top-eight spot locked in.

While Canberra has been playing some good strong footy of late, I just don’t think they can get this together when it counts, especially against a wounded yet fired up Roosters side.

TIP: Roosters 1-12

 

FRIDAY: Sharks V Storm – CBus Super Stadium – 20.00NZT

If the Sharks win, they will definitely make the top eight, yet – are you going to be the team that beats the Storm after they just had their nineteen game win streak ended?

No doubt in my mind that the Storm needed that loss last week, and will come out and be even better this week.

That’s a tough gig for the Sharks to come up against, but there’s some real young talent at the Shire who are punching well above their weight.

This should be a high scoring game. Even with plenty of Storm players rested, they are good enough to win.

TIP: Storm 13+

 

Eels V Panthers – Cbus Super Stadium – 22.05NZT

Parramatta put their best performance of the season together last week at the right end of the season, and another finals footy type game here could be just the pill they need.

Penrith looks to have learnt more from last season and are looking to have timed their run a lot better.

This game is going to be a bloody good one. The Eels forwards looked a lot better as a unit last weekend. They will have to be up for it against the juggernauts of Penrith.

Cleary versus Moses is another good match up.

Game of the round potential.

TIP: Panthers 1-12

 

SATURDAY: Broncos V Knights – Suncorp Stadium – 17.00NZT

With the fifteenth spot solidified, the Broncos will want to end the season on a high. Newcastle still looking a little clunky on attack, and need to iron that out as soon as they can.

Brisbane are looking sharper every week, but if the Knights think they are a top eight side, then they have to get a good win here to set themselves up with a solid platform leading into it.

I reckon this game is going to be really close.

TIP: Knights 1-12

 

Cowboys V Sea Eagles – Queensland Country Bank Stadium – 19.30NZT

While the Cowboys finally got their win, it’s going to take something incredibly special for them to beat this Manly side.

Even when the Sea Eagles aren’t playing their best, they still get a decent 13+ win.

North Queensland looked really good through the middle last week against the Saints, and once they got a roll on they were hard to stop.

Be tough to do this against Manly, but if they can stay with them, it’ll be a top effort.

TIP: Sea Eagles 13+

 

Rabbitohs V Dragons – Sunshine Coast Stadium – 21.30NZT

The Rabbitohs should win this one despite pulling out most of their star players.

While the young guns of the Red V are exciting and looking good for the next season, this season and well and truly is done and they just haven’t quite put it together when it counts.

Souths should make this 7 wins in a row against the Dragons.

TIP: Rabbitohs 1-12

 

SUNDAY: Titans V Warriors – CBus Super Stadium – 16.00NZT

The Titans will know if they can make the eight if results go their way.

The Warriors seemed to have had fatigue of the season, and look like they’re just ready for the year to be over.

With plenty to play for potentially, Gold Coast will want to finish off the season in a strong manner.

They’re good enough to make the eight, they just need more consistency. If they can blow the Warriors off the park, that’d be a good sign.

TIP: Titans 13+

 

Tigers V Bulldogs – Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe –  18.05NZT

Another punishing season for the fanbases of these two sides, but the cool thing to come from it was the Tigers doco. If you haven’t watched it, please do! It’s awesome.

I do think however the Bulldogs are going to end the season with a win.

Nothing other than a sneaky feeling has me this way. Realistically, both sides could win this game, but the effort of the Doggies has been looking good.

A bludger of a game to end the regular season, but it is what it is.

TIP: Bulldogs 1-12

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