NRL Round 5

By Stephen Gallagher

THURSDAY: Roosters V Eels – Allianz Stadium – 22.00NZT

Fresh off a bye versus fresh off their first win.

I haven’t been overly impressed with the Roosters this season, but fresh off a bye might help ‘em.

While the Eels finally got a win, and look to back that in another Thursday night game for this Parramatta side.

Parra minus Paulo is a hard cop, and will definitely affect their forward rotation.

The Roosters will look to make the most of that and tire their big boys out. I see them causing havoc through the middle, and that’s where the damage will be done.

This will be another close game.

TIP: Roosters 1-12

 

FRIDAY – Raiders V Panthers – GIO Stadium – 20.00NZT

Canberra are without their heart and soul competitor Jack Wighton, and that’ll sting their direction and ball-playing ability.

The Panthers will be stinging too, after their second one-point loss of the season. Ouch.

The Green Machine lacked go forward last week, and weren’t able to offload which I imagine the Panthers would have seen, and will make a plan around wrapping the ball up.

Penrith, despite their 1-2 record, are too classy for this Canberra side, even if they are at home.

TIP: Panthers 13+

 

Rabbitohs V Storm – Accor Stadium – 22.05NZT

An emotional week capped off with a hard-fought win was wonderful for Souths, whereas the Storm played ugly and won and will just be happy to have the two points.

The Rabbitohs forward pack is getting stronger with key inclusions every week. Melbourne make only one change.

Souths will target the kick return of Melbourne. Their aim will be to keep turning them round and make their back five work, and wait for an error or two to come which we’ve seen from this Storm side.

This game is very even, there’s not a lot in it. I back the experience of the Rabbitohs to steer them home.

TIP: Rabbitohs 1-12

 

SATURDAY: Sea Eagles V Knights – Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee – 17.00NZT

Manly won’t be too concerned about their one-point loss last week, where for 83 minutes they were in the grind in a brilliant game.

Newcastle will welcome that win last week, but we’ve seen them so up and down already in the opening month, so consistency becomes a concern.

Minimal changes for both sides as they head to Mudgee for some Saturday afternoon code.

The small things that the Sea Eagles get right will be the things they’ll force Newcastle into getting wrong.

Kick pressure, controlling the ruck, and line speed will make the difference for Manly who look fitter and stronger this season.

TIP: Sea Eagles 1-12

Dragons V Dolphins – WIN Stadium – 19.30NZT

The Dragons defence has been awful this year, and they play a Dolphins side who are very good in low-scoring games.

Two key outs for the Dolphins but two key ins still adds a balance to their side, which will see them compete and try control the tempo of the match.

Unless they’ve addressed their defensive deficiencies over the week, the Dragons will once again cop an L.

Wayne Bennett will no doubt have the ability in the troops playing.

TIP: Dolphins 1-12

 

Broncos V Tigers – Suncorp Stadium – 21.30NZT

The Tigers have managed to beat the Broncos in their last four meets, which is pretty crazy to think about.

Brisbane know they have the confidence and the ability to beat the Tigers, they just need to cut out their little mistakes and if they do, they will carve the Tigers up.

I’d like to see Wests stand up for this game though. They’ve been okay in patches this season, but definitely haven’t given a performance worthwhile of a win, yet.

Broncos to win and win comfortably.

TIP: Broncos 13+

 

SUNDAY: Sharks V Warriors – Pointsbet Stadium 18.05NZT

If you thought they were good with Trindall, they were another two levels above with Hynes back. 

The Warriors have their biggest test of the season. We’ve seen them play very well and very competitive so far, but they’ve got a real test on their hands – and how they react is going to determine just how good they will be in 2023.

Lots of upside for Cronulla whose defence has been getting stronger each week, with less missed tackles last week. The Warriors will test them out on the edge and see how they can penetrate them.

Johnson to run the ball more and make a difference, but they also need to control the Sharks by slowing down the ruck on D.

Game of the round.

TIP: Sharks 1-12

 

Bulldogs V Cowboys – Accor Stadium – 20.15NZT

The Cowboys looked steady for eighty minutes last start, which was them playing as close to 80 minutes as we’ve seen this season.

While the Bulldogs only lost by two, they know they had chances to ice the game but didn’t.

Reynolds back for them is massive, his first Bulldogs game in almost six years.

And Steve Price’s son, Riley, is making his North Queensland debut.

A few injuries and suspensions will hamper the Cowboys chances, and I think that the Bulldogs will be too strong up front.

TIP: Bulldogs 1-12

BYE: Titans

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