Paully's Picks - Round 16

Penrith v Manly

A battle of the halves. The rising Panthers star Luke Walsh with 20 year old Wade Graham by his side, up against Manly's 2010 season saviours, Trent Hodkinson and Kieran Foran. Hodkinson's unbelievable performance last week was an example of how well Manly have recovered from the loss of Matt Orford. In fact it's difficult to say if Orford had the necessary ice in his veins to match his successor’s feats against Souths last week.

Of course, to lay the platform on Friday night, opposing forward packs will be belting the daylights out of each other and winners of this battle invariably win the match. Penrith for mine. Young Tim Grant has improved each week and will be nicely supported by a star studded back row. The Eagles will be ready for this though so tune in to enjoy the show. Panthers at the death.

Man of the Match Prediction: Luke Lewis
Tip: Panthers 18-14
Result: Panthers 40-22
Man of the Match: Michael Jennings
Snap Review:
The Panthers ar simply having a party when they play at CUA. Manly's halves are starting to struggle with weel to week first grade. Hodkinson and Foran will be better for the experience but you can tell they are mentally tired.



St George Illawarra v Wests

Dear Wests Tigers,
Who are you and what have you done with the Wests Tigers. I hardly even know who you are anymore... You seem to be winning close games by grinding out victory with your defence? How dare you!! I thought you were different. I thought you scored an average of 32 points a game and allow the opposition to score 30. I thought that was your game plan!! I also see that you currently 3rd on the ladder. Keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
League fans everywhere.
PS - the Dragons will probably have your measure on Friday night at Kogarah Oval because they are the experts when it comes to grinding out a victory. On this occasion I can't see the student out-thinking the master. I am, however, looking forward to seeing your super talented team go up against the best defensive unit in the land. Good luck.

Man of the Match Prediction: Ben Hornby
Tip: Dragons 19-12
Result: Dragons 34-10
Man of the Match: Matt Prior
Snap Review:
I love it when MOM goes to a front rower. Excellent decision Wally Lewis and long may your commentary years continue. The Tigers won't win anything without a halfback. Lui or Moltzen must return for them to be any chance.

Parramatta v Brisbane

Happy to ignore both teams previous performances. Parramatta turn up every few weeks to remind us that they are still premiership threats even after some bad results this season. Brisbane remind us that they still rely on Darren Lockyer despite surrounding him with some young, eager and talented footballers. That makes this one difficult to tip. It's that sort of weekend actually.

Parramatta struggle to back up from a physical Monday Night battle in the Hunter and the Broncos enjoy a weeks rest. Lockyer and Thaiday especially will play with renewed enthusiasm to lead the visitors to an impressive victory. Looking forward to Jarryd Hayne hopefully respond to recent criticism of his form but Brisbane by their teeth, especially if predicted rain comes along.

Man of the Match Prediction: Sam Thaiday
Tip: Brisbane 18-12
Result: Brisbane 10-6
Man of the Match: Corey Parker
Snap Review:
Corey Parker and the rest of the Broncos back row are having career seasons. Thaiday, obviously... but Parker is leading this team brilliantly and is a wonderful example to the baby broncos. Ben Teo, Lagi Setu and other interchange forwards have once again prven that with a larger selection base than every other team in the compeition - they will never suffer through a dry spell of longer than 1 or 2 seasons.


North Queensland v Cronulla

We have reached a point in the season where a bottom of the table clash such as this promises little and will no doubt deliver even less. How can this be, with the best halfback in Australia captaining the Cowboys? If you know the answer to this then please let me know. Something terrible is going on in tropical North Queensland and it aint much better down in god’s country.

Still, I'm a fan of the Sharks' back three. Especially Blake Ferguson and hopefully they will design an attack that showcases his immense talent and impressive speed. Based on the last two seasons, they probably won't and subsequently won't have enough points in them to overcome a home side looking to atone for their huge loss in Melbourne. Matt Bowen slowly getting better and will find his form in this match. The Cowboys win.

Man of the Match Prediction: Matt Bowen
Tip: North Queensland 32-20
Result: Cronulla 20-19
Man of the Match: Paul Gallen
Snap Review:
Unbelievable. JT must be ready to throttle somebody.


South Sydney v Melbourne

A big test for the Bunnies. South Sydney have been impressive this year and made us forget how inconsistent they.ve been in recent times. Souths have shown a renewed sense of belief in themselves, especially in that forward pack. So, as it has been in the past few years, playing against the Melbourne Storm will be a true test of how far they have come.

Souths are up against it here. They play away from their fans with a young team against the experience and talent of the Storm who are playing an aggressive brand of football without any fear of making mistakes. Melbourne will be a dangerous opponent on Saturday night and if Souths do not start with discipline and an aggression of their own, they will find it tough going. It could be a steep learning curve for the bunnies.

Man of the Match Prediction: Billy Slater
Tip: Melbourne 26-16
Result: South Sydney 16-14
Man of the Match: Sam Burgess
Snap Review:
Souths have noe arrived. I hope they get a home semi final. The fans in sydney will erupt into a collective volcano of support as we see woodwork all over the city oozing fans.


Eastern Suburbs v NZ Warriors

A lot to like about the Roosters this year after a horror 2009. Mitchell Pearce is flourishing under the guidance of Brian Smith and Todd Carney joins him in the halves this week with Minichiello moving to his preferred position at fullback. On paper this makes for a great spine and working behind an impressive forward pack should give them great confidence.

The Roosters youth, however, has been their undoing. Inconsistent form has plagued every club this season so hard to criticise the boys from Bondi, but it is difficult to tip them playing across the Tasman, so I won't. The Warriors are led admirably in attack by James Maloney and his young halves partner, Isaac John. Our other prediction is that 6 Roosters players will be admitted to hospital suffering from frostbite.

Man of the Match Prediction: Manu Vatuvei
Tip: Warriors 20-6
Result: Warriors 20-18
Man of the Match: Kevin Locke
Snap Review:
If you have not seen the try that Kevin Locke scored to win the match in the dying seconds - do yourself a favour. The Roosters were in control of this match at every turn and did not deserve to lose. Unbelievable result in horrible conditions.



Gold Coast v Newcastle

Once again, we are faced with a Titans side missing captain, leader and lynchpin, Scott Prince. Gold Coast looked like putting up a big score on the Bulldogs last week before Prince's injury. Without him, they revert to a less exciting and somewhat bullish style of play revolving around ruck domination. Greg Bird is the perfect pivot to lead this attack and the Knights are the perfect team to adopt this style against.

In fact, Newcastle will suffocate against this game plan and with Luke Bailey, Preston Campbell and Ash Harrison back from injury, the 6.5 start given to the Knights seems generous. The presence of Kurt Gidley might ensure the Knights stay close but the Titans will have too much in the end. Good battle between two hard-heads as Mat Rogers sizes up Adam MacDougall, perhaps one last time. Titans too good at home.

Man of the Match Prediction: Preston Campbell
Tip: Gold Coast 30-12
Result: Knights 24-16
Man of the Match: Kurt Gidley
Snap Review:
Without Scott Prince - they just seem to be slightly confused, but that is no excuse for some of the defensive errors committed by the Titans in this match. If they are fairdinkum, they dont drop matches like this to a team coming near the bottom of the ladder, whilst playing them at home.


Canberra v Canterbury

Monday Night in our nation's capital. The people of Canberra will be sick of politicians dominating the news by the end of this weekend and will be crying out for something good and decent to see on their TV's and in morning papers. Rugby League, as usual, will provide for them. Beware though, my friends from Bruce, Belconnen and Barton... the Bulldogs are facing the end of their season and are on their way to town.

The Raiders are slightly favoured at home but this fails to signify how high a mountain the dogs must climb to win this match. Their confidence is shot, their defence embarrassed, their attack predictable and their task almost insurmountable. Almost; let's give them one more shot here to save the season and we predict a furious start from the Dogs, and a fire in the eye we have not seen for some time. Canterbury scrape home led by Ben Hannant and Mick Ennis.

Man of the Match Prediction: Ben Hannant
Tip: Canterbury 19-18
Result: Canterbury 18-10
Man of the Match: Ben Hannant
Snap Review:
Finally picked one. The dogs DID start furiously and Hannant WAS man of the match. pity you cant bet on this unless its a semi or origin.

See our "Minute by Minute Monday Night" blog - delivered in 'retro' form on Tuesday. For live updates go to http://www.leagueunlimited.com/