NRL Round 4: The Preview
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By Stephen Gallagher
For those keeping score at home, last week was a difficult week for tipping, but I still managed to get 5/8. Making my total 17/24 for the season.
THURSDAY: Sea Eagles V Panthers – Lottoland – 22.05NZT
The Sea Eagles are quickly becoming the whipping boys of the NRL, but the positive for them is that there are also two other winless sides at the bottom of the table.
Penrith are going from strength to strength after an impressive win over the Storm last Thursday.
Stephen Crichton gets a shot at fullback, which will be interesting to see how he goes.
The Sea Eagles are desperate to change their ways, but the Panthers will be too strong, too good, too clinical.
TIP: Panthers 13+
FRIDAY: Bulldogs V Rabbitohs – Stadium Australia – 18.05NZT
The Bulldogs are much like the Sea Eagles, except they haven’t scored a point in the last two games which is absolutely punishing for the club.
The Rabbitohs are that red hot at the moment that this could get very, very ugly. I believe the Rabbitohs have the talent to put eighty points on the Dogs. That would be a horror show for Good Friday.
They’re also without Josh Jackson – who is their best defender. The floodgates could be well and truly open.
TIP: Rabbitohs 13+
Storm V Broncos – AAMI Park – 22.05NZT
While both these sides sit equal on the points table, they are not equal.
The Storm suffering back to back losses is a rare feat, and it’s unfathomable to see them lose this one, too.
Melbourne will be training the house down to do their bit to punish the Broncos, who have just ended a thirteen game losing streak.
The Broncos will have some confidence, which is great for their squad. They just need to take the pressure off themselves now and just play eyes up footy.
The inclusion of Payne Haas will be big for Brisbane.
TIP: Storm 13+
SATURDAY: Sharks V Cowboys – Sunshine Coast Stadium – 19.30NZT
While the Sharks were undone last week, they still showed some fight with no players on the bench. The Cowboys on the otherhand, they were a disgrace. A turnstyle for tries. It was humiliating for them.
They showed no resilience, which is the hardest thing to see for their fans. No one stood up and tried to do their bit to change the game. It was gone.
Cronulla are suffering a couple of injury and suspension issues, but should still be strong enough to get the result.
Here’s hoping that Chad Townsend brings his kicking boots for the Sharks.
TIP: Sharks 1-12
Titans V Raiders – Cbus Super Stadium – 21.30NZT
This is the game of the round for me. The Titans are playing some positive attacking football which is giving them some great results on field.
The Raiders are showing plenty of grit and despite going down on the buzzer last week, they are contenders and they will always go down fighting.
The forward pack battle this week is going to be fierce. Gold Coast are sporting some giants up front, and the Raiders mob have some solid enforcers who can change the game with a hit or a run.
Not much in this.
TIP: Raiders 1-12
SUNDAY: Knights V Dragons – McDonald Jones Stadium – 18.05NZT
It was a disappointing end for the Knights last week in Mitchell Pearce’s 300th game. They will be hurting and will want to get up over the Dragons in the Alex McKinnon Cup match.
The Dragons have shown some serious heart this season, and that’s been on the back of skipper Ben Hunt. His absence could prove costly for the Red V, but hopefully they show they’re not the same side they were in 2020.
Blake Green back for the first time since doing his ACL last year for Newcastle, and Tyson Frizell against his old club means he could be in for a barnstormer.
TIP: Knights 1-12
Roosters V Warriors – SCG – 20.15NZT
A few serious injuries has now thrown the Roosters under the bus this season, but Trent Robinson isn’t the sort of coach who will just let his team roll over. They’re not one of the best sides in the last four years for nothing.
While the Warriors sit happily in the top eight, they still have some work to do. After getting trounced on the edges last week, they have to tighten up defensively. This Roosters side has some serious firepower in their ranks.
The Warriors have confidence on their side, however, and that will help them in this game.
Not much in it, but I can see the Warriors sneaking in.
TIP: Warriors 1-12
MONDAY: Tigers V Eels – Stadium Australia – 18.00NZT
An Easter Monday special with the Tigers backing up after their first win of the season.
Parramatta will be wanting to increase their undefeated start to the season to keep the ball rolling strong.
The Tigers finally dug deep last week, something we haven’t seen for awhile.
Parramatta are very much a second half team, after wearing their opponents down in a first half grind.
If they can do that against the Tigers, they’l get another win.
TIP: Eels 1-12
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