Wests v Canterbury
The Tigers defence has been amazing at times so far this year. Not renowned for this type of discipline and commitment, it's been the reason for their 3 game winning streak which has included recent victories away at Canberra and North Queensland. Impressive. Will this continue without Galloway, Payten and Tim Moltzen? Indeed it will against an under pressure Bulldogs outfit struggling with their go-forward.
At the SFS on Friday night, expect to see the Tigers dominate the ruck with Robbie Farah weaving his magic against a Canterbury side still trying to find intensity and inner 'mongrel'. This is exactly what they are missing. Win or lose, the Dogs haven't looked angry this year. Finally, Chris Lawrence had a field day last week against the Cowboys and will face Jamal Idris this week in a battle of future superstars. Can't wait.
Man of the Match Prediction: Robbie Farah
Tip: Tigers 32-16
Result: Canterbury 24-4
Man of the Match: Andrew Ryan
Match Review:
Just when you think the Dogs don't have it in them anymore, they turn up and dominate with defence. Admittedly, this was not the Tigers best performance of the year and they were missing some of their hard men up front. Michael Ennis seemed to have his best performance of the year, as did Luke Patten. You get the feeling both the Dogs and the Eels are gearing up for their match in two weeks time.
Gold Coast v St George Illawarra
If the Titans are able to get early points in this match, they have the talent to put pressure on a Dragons attack that thrives on opposition errors. Saints are an elite team in this year’s premiership but questions have been asked after their loss to Melbourne if they can handle the pressure of big games.
This is a big game. The Titans will be confident after last week's come-from-behind victory over the reigning premiers and that will carry over to this blockbuster as they match the dragons' traditionally intense opening 20 minutes. Discipline will decide who finishes stronger and this makes it hard to tip against the Dragons. So I won't. Greg Bird was magnificent last week so the visitors will be all over him to nullify the home side's main attacking weapon. Titans get frustrated - Saints win.
Man of the Match Prediction: Dean Young
Tip: Saints 20-18
Result: Saints 19-6
Man of the Match: Darius Boys
Match Review:
Why don't I evet pick Darius Boyd as Man of the Match? The bloke keeps getting points in the Dally M race and I keep ignoring him. Well, no longer! Saints were fantastic in this game and winning at Skilled Park is not easy. Their forwards worked tirelessly to win the ruck and their defence at times was more impressive than the usual Dragons hallmark. Luke Priddis ages gracefully and was great. Jamie Soward is building in confidence every week.
Newcastle v North Queensland
The Newcastle Knights have everything to play for in this game. Their reputation is on the line after losing 4 games in a row including a heartbreaking home loss to Penrith on Easter Monday and being domination by South Sydney last week. Most league pundits are talking about the Bulldogs and Eels’ woes in early 2010 - the Knights should be mentioned in the same disappointing breath.
With a talented 'spine' of De Gois, Dureau, Mullen and returning captain Kurt Gidley, Newcastle will be too strong for the visiting Cowboys who are completely ravaged by injury. Everything they do in attack goes through the missing Payne and Thurston. The Newcastle Knights are not fairdinkum if they lose this game. Also, Willie Mason has traditionally played well in his home town - he should do so again here.
Man of the Match Prediction: Cory Paterson
Tip: Knights 32-12
Result: Knights 36-18
Man of the Match: Issac De Gois
Match Review:
Paterson was the destroyer here as an under-manned and over-matched cowboys outfit were blown off the park early. Tries in the 3rd, 7th, 12th and 20th minutes suggest that the visitors approached this match with less than a confident belief in causing an upset. Their only chance to win was to turn this match into a defensive struggle. Being down 30 points after 40 minutes was probably a sign that this game plan may have failed. Cooper Vuna gets a hat-trick and young cowboy Ray Thompson is learning about 1st grade the hard way. He will be better for it though.
Eastern Suburbs v Canberra
A short turnaround for the Raiders will not help their cause in this match. Neither will the fact that the Roosters were so convincingly beaten last week. Canberra will find their hosts’ attack much more difficult to control than the Eels and this makes the Bondi boys justifiably favoured. The only way Canberra could cause another upset is if they get out to an early lead and hold on.
They won't. The Roosters strength and major advantage in this game is Mitchell Pearce. He will guide his forwards around the park to open enough gaps in the Raiders defence for Todd Carney and an experienced backline to take advantage. The Raiders will use their size to intimidate the smaller Roosters pack but won't have the legs to capitalise. Todd Carney and Phil Graham playing against their old club will be interesting.
Man of the Match Prediction: Mitchell Pearce
Tip: Roosters 28-18
Result: Roosters 36-6
Man of the Match: Nate Myles
Match Review:
This result made me a lot more comfortable about tipping the Rabbits in Sunday's match against the Eels. If you follow the way I've drifted... The Raiders proved that they have not changed their 'away game' reputation by succumbing meekly to the Roosters and proving that last weeks defeat over the Eels was more due to the struggles out west. Having said all that - it could be the fact that the Raiders were playing the second consecutive away game and were following up from a Monday night. Either way - my tipping sucks.
NZ Warriors v Penrith
No better way to get your Rugby League fix than with a midday game from Mt Smart Stadium. For those of you with pay TV, get comfortable and tune in for the magnificent one-eyed commentary that comes with every Warriors home game. Let’s not forget the actual footy as this game will be a knockout. Literally in this case as the Panthers starting forward pack is at full strength with Trent Waterhouse, Frank Pritchard and Luke Lewis all named in the run on squad with Lewis moving to lock.
At any other time this alone would be enough to tip them, but this is not any other time. The New Zealand Warriors are playing fantastic football this year led by inspirational number 7 James Maloney and his halves partner Lance Hohaia. It takes a team with plenty of mental toughness to cross the Tasman and come back with two points. The Panthers are not yet that team.
Man of the Match Prediction: Wade McKinnon
Tip: Warriors 24-18
Result: Panthers 40-12
Man of the Match: Kevin Kingston
Match Review:
The Panthers ARE that team!! How many times can I be wrong in one weekend? How many times will Parramatta rue the loss of Kevin Kingston this year? How many times will Luke Lewis prove himself to be one of the best footallers in 1st grade? How many questions can I ask in one paragraph that is intended to be a match review? No more apparently. Penrith were PISTOL PETE'S LOCK OF THE WEEK on this blog and he is now working on 6 straight correct locks. An amazing feat if you look at the list of Pete's tips on our home page.
Brisbane v Cronulla
More changes to the Broncos outfit this week means more confusion on the field. Players returning from injury and suspension, coupled with Coach Ivan Henjak dropping his two starting props to the bench, will see their cohesion suffer. It also seems he has given up on his young fullback Corey Norman. Tough call. It's no wonder Darren Lockyer wants to enjoy another tilt at origin this year. He deserves better than to struggle through a re-building phase with the club he has given so much to.
The Sharks, on the other hand, haven't been giving much of anything. Whilst their forward pack looks impressive on paper and remains intact, Coach Ricky Stuart has again made changes to his backline as Albert Kelly is replaced by Nathan Stapleton at fullback. By his own admission, Stuart is opting for defence over attack with this change and with Captain Trent Barrett struggling to inspire the side; the Sharks will not have enough points in them to cause an upset.
Man of the Match Prediction: Andrew McCullough
Tip: Brisbane 14-10
Result: Brisbane 44-16
Man of the Match: Matt Gillett
Match Review:
The return of Israel Folau and a number of other speedy outside backs heralded the return of the Brisbane Broncos to the winners circle. It should also signal the near end of Ricky Stuart's coaching career if history has taught us anything. Peter Wallace had a field day with a struggling Sharks defensive structure and Darren Lockyer must have been reminded of how easy it can be after his struggles of late. Playing at home, in the sun, against a team struggling to play an worthwhile football. Play on Black Prince!
Parramatta v South Sydney
You don't need another person telling you that the Eels are struggling this year and that they will eventually come good. The bigger problem at Parramatta is the way they are losing. They trailed for 80 minutes at home against the Raiders, failed to score a point against Cronulla, and were out-muscled by the Tigers. Last week, their attack looked slightly more interesting with the changes made by Daniel Anderson, but it failed to create enough points.
This week, they are up against a team with momentum. The Rabbitohs are on a roll and are performing as a unit in both attack and defence. They also have something in their squad this year that we haven’t seen at Redfern in a long time - belief. Souths have a confidence in their ability and are up against a team with none. Isaac Luke will make the Eels pay for this and Souths might have a few points in them here.
Man of the Match Prediction: Sam Burgess
Tip: Souths 36-12
Result: Eels 22-8
Man of the Match: Tim Mannah
Match Review: (Written by guest columnist P. Ritcho)
As is becoming an annual event, Souths have once again saved their worst game of the year for Parramatta. It was a game marred by poor handling, poor options and poor refereeing. In the end it was a desperate Eels side who lifted their game long enough to get the points over a disappointing Bunnies side. An ispirational 10 minutes from Timana Tahu and Luke Burt provided the scoring punch early in the second half and despite the Eels still looking poor with the ball, they had enough to outlast Souths who were crippled by numerous errors. Young Justin Horo and Tahu were standouts for the Eels whilst Sam Burgess was tireless for the Bunnies on both sides of the ball. Still plenty of question marks over both teams' halves.
Melbourne v Manly
This rivalry is based on very recent history which will make the matchup more brutal than other traditional 'rivalries' in the NRL. The Storm lost last week and are playing at home which make them more aggressive from the outset. However, the Eagles respond well to aggression and have an impressive attack to counteract the fact that Melbourne have won all of their games this year by scoring only 20 points or less.
This will be a magnificent tactical battle, as much as it will be a battle of will. Manly's impressive young halves pairing of Trent Hodkinson and Kieran Foran will test the Storm defence but we have to lean towards the home side and defending premiers. Billy Slater in particular will be tested but will pass with flying colours. The visitors will want to atone for a poor performance in their last meeting with the Storm but experience is telling in this match and the Storm have it in spades.
Man of the Match Prediction: Billy Slater
Tip: Melbourne 20-16
Result: Manly 18-16
Man of the Match: Kieran Foran
Match Review:
See our "Minute by Minute Monday Night" blog - delivered in 'retro' form on Tuesday. For live updates go to http://www.leagueunlimited.com/
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