Canterbury v South Sydney
Star South Sydney hooker Isaac Luke makes an early return from injury to face serial pest Mick Ennis in just one example of a number of exciting matchups on Friday night. Josh Morris v Beau Champion will definitely be another and Ben Hannant v Sam Burgess is probably my personal favourite. The two teams line up well but it is South Sydney with everything to play for and in much, much better form.
Scoring 28 second half points against a heralded Warriors defence last week is one reason to tip them and the other reasons probably don't matter. The Bulldogs might not be up to this and if last week's opening defensive set of six against Parramatta is anything to go by, they are in trouble. John Sutton dominates the game and is too big and strong for a Canterbury team already planning its Mad Monday celebrations at the Three Swallows in Bankstown.
My Man of the Match Prediction: John Sutton
My tip: South Sydney 30-12
Result: Canterbury 32-12
Man of the Match: Brett Kimmorley
Snap Review:
The Bunnies are either hitting a wall or have fallen apart all together. The Dogs were methodical.
Penrith v North Queensland
Playing at home on a Friday night against possibly the worst team in 1st grade, their halfback coming back from injury and Luke Lewis named to start??..... No excuses for the Penrith Panthers will everything in their favour against the Cowboys at CUA. If the mountain men lose this one I will head out to Penrith Whitewater Stadium and swim the rafting course wearing nothing but my old footy shorts, circa 1992.
Having now lost anyone reading this preview, let me be bold in the following prediction and say that Petero Civoniceva will personally do whatever it takes to ensure a Penrith win and is well supported by Lewis and Trent Waterhouse. Last week's loss against Melbourne could be blamed on poor handling and poor decision making from the Penrith backline and you can bet Petero has told them all about it.
My Man of the Match Prediction: Petero Civoneceva
My tip: Panthers 28-18
Result: Panthers 24-16
Man of the Match: Luke Lewis
Snap Review:
Lewis make a massive difference but Penrith have proven nothing here. They are still a step away from being a premiership threat.
Parramatta v Sydney Roosters
Planes? Perhaps. Trains? Apparently not anymore. Automobiles? Plenty of parking at Parra stadium for this blockbuster on Saturday. Curiously scheduled for the dreaded 5.30pm time slot on Saturday, this could turn into a screamer with both teams charging towards the playoffs and on all sorts of winning streaks. The Eels favoured mid week at $1.50 but this will be close and very physical.
With Anthony Minichiello in his best form since 2005 and the Todd Carney experiment a ridiculous success, the Roosters will head out west brimming with confidence and will play as such. This will be the biggest test for Parramatta's impressive defence and one that they will not pass. The Roosters forwards once again play above themselves and pound the home side into submission. Pearce and Carney completely outplay Mortimer and Robson.
My Man of the Match Prediction: Nate Myles
My tip: Roosters 20-18
Result: Roosters 48-12
Man of the Match: Todd Carney
Snap Review:
This is was lethal performance from the Roosters and one that should change the mind of every Parramatta fan that Hayne can do it all by himself.
Wests Tigers v Cronulla
With the Tigers fresh off their first loss in a month, they are understandably listed at $1.22 to bounce back and win this one and with the return of Gareth Ellis, should win comfortably. What's more important in this match will be how the Tigers forwards respond to mid week criticism after being thumped off the park by Anthony Watmough and his fellow Eagles last week. Robbie Farah will also be out to prove his toughness.
This means fireworks and who better to come up against when you are looking for a fight than the always willing Cronulla Sharks. Through all of their recent struggles, Paul Gallen and the rest of the forward pack from south of Tom Ugly's bridge has never been labelled soft and in fact, looked more willing at times last week than they have in ages. Point being that I'm obviously hoping for some biff here because the Tigers should win easily so perhaps I'm reaching but maybe..... just maybe, the natives might get restless.
My Man of the Match Prediction: Benji Marshall
My tip: Tigers 34-18
Result: Tigers 24-22
Man of the Match: Liam Fulton
Snap Review:
One of those games that don't mean much to the Tigers. They are a generation Y football team that only put in when they have to.
NZ Warriors v Gold Coast
Match of the round for mine. The Titans showed plenty of ticker to drown the Dragons last week and this kind of mentality will go along way to getting them a win against New Zealand on Sunday. To maintain the rage though, they will need another herculean performance from Luke Bailey and definitely more points from a sputtering attack averaging just 12 points a game over the past month. It is possible.
Not probable though as the Warriors spirited defence will make this even harder and the form of James Maloney getting even better. Maloney, and in fact the entire NZ squad, have been the story of season 2010 with many predicting a wooden spoon finish and having been plagued by injury for large parts of the season. This impressive resurgence continues, as will the hilarious one-eyed form of the home town commentary team from Mt Smart Stadium. Enjoy.
My Man of the Match Prediction: Brent Tate
My tip: Warriors 20-8
Result: Titans 28-20
Man of the Match: Mat Rogers
Snap Review:
Amazing result, in my mind. The Titans are hitting some form at the right end of the season after looking very shaky. Beaten the Dragons and Warriors away. Nice.
Melbourne v Canberra
It's beginning to get difficult to write about the Melbourne Storm. We all had our opinions when the news broke earlier this year, but they are still playing football with the same team and getting paid the same money. It seems like too much effort to talk about how they are about to rob the young Canberra Raiders of their semi final dreams and make another mockery of the NRL administration. I've never been a fan of too much effort.
So instead, I implore Brett White to do everything in his power to help the Raiders leave AAMI stadium with the two points. Brett: this can only be an investment for you. Help them win, drop the ball, miss a few tackles and give away some penalties late in the tackle count. Get them to the finals and when you head to Canberra next year, the place will be pulsating with positivity and this can only rub off on you and then... success is inevitable.
My Man of the Match Prediction: Brett White
My tip: Canberra 21-20
Result: Melbourne 36-12
Man of the Match: Billy Slater
Snap Review:
Bitterly disappointing for Raiders fans. Bitterly disappointing for Storm fans. Why is this still going on?
Brisbane v St George Illawarra
Always a good game of footy and always brutal. Let's hope Sunday's match from Suncorp Stadium will be another great chapter in this 22 year old story. The young Broncos would have been shocked by their loss to the Roosters last Monday night and are again fighting for their place in the semi finals. This kind of desperation can get them home against the Dragons.
And it will. As always, there are theories going around about St George Illawarra's ability to lift for big games and their ability to beat teams who do not cough up easy possession. I subscribe to this theory and so will the Broncos. Led by Sam Thaiday, they aim up, do a bit of bashing in the opening 15 minutes and the rest is history as Thaiday looks for Ben Creagh and finds him often. Saints begin the downward spiral and their fans prepare for the inevitable.
My Man of the Match Prediction: Israel Folau
My tip: Brisbane 18-8
Result: Brisbane 10-6
Man of the Match: Darren Lockyer
Snap Review:
The Broncos have too much experience on the park and are healthy. They never let the Dragons dominate and sent a warning to them for later in the year I think.
Newcastle v Manly
Ordinarily, one might consider tipping an upset here as a few things might fall into place for the Knights. They are at home and will be heavy underdogs playing against a Manly team coming off an emotional win last week; a good recipe for an unlikely victory. Unfortunately for Newcastle the only thing ordinary about this match are their chances of winning and the only recipe will be one for humble pie.
So take a big bight, my very good friends from the Hunter, and here's hoping your season ends quickly. The Manly forward pack out muscle the Knights though Jason King and Anthony Watmough and then Jamie Lyon takes over as the Eagles win their third in a row. Kurt Gidley as always will put up a spirited performance, this time at halfback; and the matchup between Adam MacDougall and Steve Matai will be entertaining but the Eagles too good in the end.
My Man of the Match Prediction: Shane Rodney
My tip: Manly 30-14
Result: Newcastle 32-14
Man of the Match: Akuila Uate
Snap Review:
That Humble Pie tasted great - thanks for asking. Credit to the Knights and their fans.
For live updates go to http://www.leagueunlimited.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment