Paully's Picks - Round 8

Brisbane v Newcastle


A battle of pride will take place in this match between two teams struggling for form and languishing near the bottom of the ladder. The Broncos will be competitive, as they always are, and be confident to win at Suncorp, as they always are. However, this young team will be inconsistent throughout the season, as well as throughout this match.

And that is just what the doctor ordered for Newcastle to upset the home side. The Knights cannot possibly play as bad as they did last week against the Sharks and will turn up to restore their season, their pride and their for-and-against, which is abominable considering their roster. Kurt Gidley now has 2 games back from injury and will be desperate to build his claims for the upcoming rep season. The Knights band together around him and find a way to win this one.

Man of the Match Prediction: Ben Cross
Tip: Newcastle 25-24
Result: Newcastle 30-22
Man of the Match: Zeb Taia


Parramatta v Canterbury

As far as rivalries go - it does not get any better. As far is this season goes for the Eels and Dogs - it has been a lot better. Firstly on the Dogs, they are suffering from injuries in positions all over the park and will have their depth tested. The Eels? They are definitely building towards something from last week's performance but still give up too much possession. Now that we have completed that analysis, lets just enjoy the footy on Friday night because I dont think form or injury will matter

Canterbury will remember the Eels as the team that destroyed their premiership dream last year and the Eels will never have any love for the Belmore side. It will be on and it will be intense. Kimmorley and Ennis will enjoy the addition of a resurgent Blake Green to their combination and that's enough for me to tip an upset here. However there will be plenty of interest in how tough the Canterbury forwards can be without Ben Hannant. Big test also for Jamal Idris as he faces Timana Tahu in a matchup that promises so much, as does this rivalry once again

Man of the Match Prediction: Michael Ennis
Tip: Canterbury 20-18
Result: Eels 26-10
Man of the Match: Nathan Hindmarsh


NZ Warriors v Canberra

The Warriors have made a few changes to their line-up for this week. A few drastic changes. Most importantly Lance Hohaia moves from five-eighth to fullback and Wade McKinnon back to the bench. Why? Because they were dusted by 40 against the Storm last week? This is no reason for coach Ivan Cleary to panic as the Melbourne Storm were basically playing with 25 men on the field - if you know what I mean. Let's hope the Storm don't go on to crush the confidence of other teams and force players to lose their starting spots. It just wouldn't be right.

Speaking of right, the Raiders will find themselves right out of this game as the home side have been playing well this year despite last weeks debacle. The Warriors have been solid with two upset victories to their name. They are heavy favourites in this one and will be tough to beat. It's a long trip from our nation’s capital for the boys in lime green and this makes it very hard to tip them. The injury ravaged home side will benefit from the Raiders mistakes.

Man of the Match Prediction: Brent Tate
Tip: Warriors 30-20
Result: Canberra 23-16
Man of the Match: David Shillington


Gold Coast v Penrith

2nd plays 3rd on the ladder here in what promises to be a beauty. If Scott Prince plays it will be even better. The Panthers are playing with an aggression not seen since 2003 and this is evident in the play of Michael Jennings. He looks angry for the first time ever! Travis Burns adds to this aggression, but not for the first time - Burns is the mongrel that perhaps this Penrith team needed. Will this be enough to get them home against the Titans at Skilled Park?

Yes. With the Titans coming off a huge Monday night win at Brookvale Oval, they will struggle to match the visitor’s intensity for the full 80 minutes. To be honest, this is all I could think of to separate these two exceptional teams. Panthers by a try with the winner decided late. The battle of the back rowers will be a highlight in this match with some of the best in the business on display.

Man of the Match Prediction: Michael Jennings
Tip: Penrith 27-20
Result: Titans 38-24
Man of the Match: Ashley Harrison


North Queensland v Melbourne

You have to feel for North Queensland in this match. They are a very good chance of losing in a matchup against the best in the NRL; the best team that money can buy; the benchmark. Here's hoping the two points actually get given to someone and the Cowboys can get up. It would be a nice win for a team struggling with consistency this season. However, with the form of Willie Mason and Willie Tonga, there could be big result for them on the cards.

Unfortunately those cards tell me that the Storm have hidden an ace up their sleeve and will be dealing from the bottom of the deck: They will be too strong for the home side. There might be a 'come down' from the emotional high of last week for Melbourne but Craig Bellamy probably won't allow this to happen. Great battle of arguably the two best halfbacks in the competition will see the Storm come home stronger and the Cowboys lose their fourth in a row. Interesting to see how opposition fans react to the visitors.

Man of the Match Prediction: Billy $later
Tip: Melbourne 24-14
Result: Melbourne 34-6
Man of the Match: Ryan Hoffman (butchered about 3 tries - but Greg Alexander knows more than I do)


St George Illawarra v Cronulla

We are predicting plenty of 'niggle' in this game. The Sharks will be revved up to the eyeballs by Ricky Stuart and hoping to cause a massive upset in this local derby. With their impressive performance from last week and the improving form of Tim Smith and John Morris, the Sharks will come into this game with renewed self belief and throw everything they have at the Dragons.

Unfortunately it will all bounce off the home side like a tennis ball on a brick wall. Saints defence has been super impressive this year and we don’t expect that to change anytime soon. The Dragons will have too much discipline in the end to frustrate a valiant Cronulla side. Neville Costigan and Paul Gallen will hopefully run into each other a few times in this match - keep an eye on the ensuing fireworks. Dragons in Wollongong tough to tip against.

Man of the Match Prediction: Jamie Soward
Tip: Dragons 32-10
Result: Dragons 38-0
Man of the Match: Darius Boyd


Wests v Eastern Suburbs

The Roosters have shown promise this year but they are not in the elite classification of NRL teams just yet. A relatively young forward pack sees them slightly inconsistent this year and against the Tigers, they will suffer because of this. Mitchell Pearce is also a huge loss for the Bondi Boys and although he is replaced by another star in Todd Carney, they will struggle without his direction and leadership.

The home side will have this in spades as they are coming off two consecutive losses and are playing their first game of the year at Campbelltown. Both reasons good enough to see them turn up on Sunday afternoon with the right attitude and run away with the two points. The Tigers should be expecting more from a talented forward pack who have struggled in the past fortnight. They must win the ruck and we predict they will through standout performances from Gareth Ellis and Chris Heighington.

Man of the Match Prediction: Robbie Farah
Tip: Tigers 30-22
Result: Roosters 12-8
Man of the Match: Nate Myles


South Sydney v Manly

Match of the Round. This game has two very strong forwards packs, two sets of young and talented halves, and a couple of great coaches. Also, neither team has been hit too badly by injury in recent weeks. This all points towards a cracking game of football and with a dry track at Homebush, anything is possible. Anything except George Piggins and Mal Reilly making an appearance to re-enact some of their famous brawls from the 1970s. Wouldn't that get some people through the gates?

Alas; those days are well behind us now - whoever wins the ruck and completes their sets will win this game, rather than whoever wins the fight. The Rabbits distracted us from some fine form with a terrible second half performance against Parramatta 2 weeks ago but we predict the Bunnies will have something special in store for a Manly squad still hurting from Monday night's loss to the Titans. Souths in a screamer.

Man of the Match Prediction: Dave Taylor
Tip: Souths 30-24
Result: Manly 30-22
Man of the Match: Kieran Foran



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