NRL Round 8

By Stephen Gallagher

THURSDAY: Warriors V Titans – Go Media Mount Smart Stadium – 16.00NZT

Two disappointing performances in a row by the Warriors, but they get a reprieve against the winless Gold Coast Titans.

The last time these two teams played on ANZAC Day – the Titans won. Is that an omen for this one?

Warriors have to put the Titans to the sword – something they’ve struggled to do in 2024.

The Titans’ focus is just playing what’s in front of them. Give the Warriors a fright. Do something different. 

TIP: Warriors 13+

 

Dragons V Roosters – Allianz Stadium – 18.05NZT

The most iconic ANZAC Day clash their is – and with the form these two sides are in it could be a doozy.

The Dragons identity will scare the tri-colours. There’s an effort to everything the Red V are doing under Shane Flanagan that has a purpose, and looks good on them.

The Roosters struggle with too many cooks in the kitchen. There’s no continuity to their attack or their performances, and could struggle to get momentum going especially with a physical St George Illawarra trying to shut them down.

Love this game every year.

TIP: Dragons 1-12

 

Storm V Rabbitohs – AAMI Park – 21.50NZT

What a time for this South Sydney side to play the Storm.

We’ve got no read on them from the bye – the stress around JD’s job has seemed to ease, but they still have only one win.

The Storm aren’t their best either, but we know that by winning games that are 50/50 will only make them harder to beat.

Involved in plenty of 80-minute thrillers, this will put them in good stead for an unpredictable Rabbitohs outfit.

Storm should be too good, like they usually are on ANZAC Day – but I expect a complete performance by the Rabbits, or else it’s going to be a woeful match.

TIP: Storm 1-12

 

FRIDAY: Sea Eagles V Eels – 4 Pines Park – 22.00NZT

Not much decided this game only a month ago – but a lot has unfolded since then and most of that folding has been done by the Eels.

Folding in a bad way, obviously – conceding a record amount of tries in a 20-minute period last week.

Parra have a boy on debut with plenty of hope on his shoulders, but for him it probably feels like he’s being fed to the lions.

Manly can’t let the result of last week get to them as they weren’t amazing either. There’s work on defensively that can’t be repeated every week.

But I think this Manly side aren’t far away from clicking and destroying someone.

TIP: Sea Eagles 1-12

 

SATURDAY: Tigers V Broncos – Campbelltown Sports Stadium – 19.30NZT

Considering the Broncos haven’t been full strength for about a month and are still firing, that’s a scary thought for the rest of the NRL.

Tigers are lacking that x-factor that Brisbane have, but there’s still plenty to like about their competitive nature.

There’s just a divide in points here. The Broncos are incredible and turn it on so easily. I just can’t see the Tigers being that defensively sound for 80 minutes and keeping the Broncos out.

TIP: Broncos 13+

 

Cowboys V Panthers – Queensland Country Bank Stadium – 21.35NZT

Jeez, this is some concerning form for the Cowboys – and their fans will be concerned about the lack of action taken to their 17.

The Panthers are ready to roll with a full-strength side that is just down-right scary.

North Queensland managed the upset with this corresponding fixture last year. What they need to do that worked then was to work the Panthers into submission.

I just think Penrith will be too hard to stop through the middle and will cause plenty of problems.

TIP: Panthers 1-12

 

SUNDAY: Dolphins V Knights – Accor Stadium – 16.00NZT

Well that Dolphins performance last week was unreal. As was that Knights performance. Unreal for different reasons, however.

I’m backing this Knights side to turn it around. I did tip big things for them this year, I just don’t know if they turn it around so much that they win.

What makes this Redcliffe side good is their ability to believe. They’ve got mongrel in them. They have flair. They fight. So many great team-sport characteristics that work well.

Newcastle, the chopping and changing of halves needs to step. Especially without Ponga.

Just play hard, play direct. Let Hastings and Gamble do their thing.

TIP: Dolphins 1-12

 

Raiders V Sharks – GIO Stadium – 18.15NZT

Without Jamal Fogarty, it’s going to be a hard slog for the Raiders. Even with the forwards they have, there’s now a lot of pressure on two very green halves.

And a green half for Cronulla replaces Trindall. Not good timing as this Cronulla side is starting to build their own reputation as a hard-to-beat side this season.

Canberra’s DNA is you won’t beat them through the middle. I don’t know if their middles could be doing more but that’s where they are conceding some soft tries in 2024.

They will know their performance last week was nowhere near good enough – and it’s going to be tough to go against a Sharks side who are getting it done at both ends of the field.

TIP: Sharks 1-12

 

BYE: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

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