Brisbane v Parramatta
To give you an idea of the Eels season in numbers, they have the exact same points differential as the Canberra Raiders. With all dew respect to the Raiders, this does not sound good for Parramatta fans and simply means the Eels have not lived up to expectations. So should I tip them again? Up against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night - I don't think so, not even if Darren Lockyer is unable to play.
The Eels halves have struggled for the most part this year and last week, their forward pack displayed worrying looks of defeat against the Titans. In their last meeting against the Broncos, Parra scored just the one try and now, they are playing in Queensland for the second consecutive week. Fatigue is sure to set in and the Broncos youth and home ground advantage will get them another win.
My Man of the Match Prediction: Sam Thaiday
My tip: Brisbane 22-18
Result: Parramatta 30-14
Man of the Match: -
Snap Review: The Eels take advantage of the Broncos missing Darren Lockyer - no other reason matters here. If Lockyer plays - Brisbane win.
Cronulla v Eastern Suburbs
About time the Cronulla Sharks were given a free-to-air television game!! Under lights on a Friday night against a rival Sydney team - this is just the recipe for coach Stuart Flanagan to motivate his troops in front of their home fans. To add some flavour, the visiting Roosters are coming off a tough loss in a physical encounter against the competition leading Dragons and could be a little flat in this game.
Who am I kidding? Brian Smith has coached 3 million first grade games compared to Flanagan’s 3. Hyperbole aside, the Roosters should be up for this and will dominate through their impressive halves and very willing forwards. Cronulla have named Tim Smith to return from reserve grade and based on his form this year, will be a target for the Roosters ball runners. They will find points and find them often to atone for a round 13 bashing by the Sharks.
My Man of the Match Prediction: Braith Anasta
My tip: Roosters 30-12
Result: Cronulla 18-12
Man of the Match: -
Snap Review: Great performance from the Sharks. The Roosters would be happy their defence was still tough after a huge game the week before. They will re-load well for the semis.
Gold Coast v North Queensland
Two clubs moving in completely opposite directions. The Cowboys' Grant Rovelli has been under pressure to keep his spot in the starting squad all season and is now asked to take over from Jonathan Thurston at halfback. This is just one of the problems the Cowboys face in this match; a much bigger problem is the fact that their season is over and they have nothing to play for!!!
The Gold Coast Titans seem like a team on a mission and have all the momentum here. It will take a poor performance from their tradesman like forward pack if the Cowboys are any chance. They are not. Scott Prince guides his team around the park perfectly and Greg Bird makes his return from the bench to give the home side all the weapons they need to stomp on the struggling Cowboys.
My Man of the Match Prediction: Scott Prince
My tip: Titans 26-12
Result: Titans 37-18
Man of the Match: -
Snap Review: Grant Rovelli gave a good account of himself and the Cowboys played with plenty of pride. Pity their forwards are a complete mess. Titans finding good combinations after injuries forced a few changes.
Canterbury v Canberra
An impressive performance last week from the Raiders. It is not often they make a comeback like they did against the Panthers last Monday night and this is a great sign for David Furner's team as they aim for a semi final berth. The visitors will be looking to improve their for-and-against in this match against an out of sorts Bulldogs squad whose season is over.
The Raiders will look to dominate a Dogs forward pack that has not been able to get over the top of many this year, and the same will happen here. The farewell tour begins for Luke Patten and Brett Kimmorley but unfortunately for these two great servants of our game, their careers look to be ending with a whimper, rather than a much deserved bang. Terry Campese and Josh Dugan could have a field day.
My Man of the Match Prediction: Terry Campese
My tip: Canberra 32-18
Result: Canberra 28-14
Man of the Match: -
Snap Review: The Raiders looked like the better footy team, played like the better footy team and finished like the better footy team. The dogs were completely out of their league in this match and were lucky not have conceded more.
NZ Warriors v Newcastle
A big test for the suddenly in-form Newcastle Knights as they head across the Tasman in search of their third consecutive victory. Important to note that the 2 wins have come at home and they now embark on a journey to Mt Smart Stadium, a notorious graveyard for visiting teams and even more so against a Warriors team in good form. To add to the Knights difficulties, rain is predicted for the entire week in Auckland.
So, with conditions suiting the home side we predict a solid performance from the Warriors Brett Seymour and James Maloney. They control the tempo of this match and the New Zealanders pull away late to strengthen their grip on a semi final berth and put a huge dent the hopes of the Knights. Akuila Uate faces Manu Vatuvei in a tremendous match up out wide but the Warriors too good in the end.
My Man of the Match Prediction: Simon Mannering
My tip: Warriors 24-6
Result: Warriors 22-10
Man of the Match: -
Snap Review: Great start to my Sunday. Midday kickoff on the couch, prepared for a 6 hour league extravaganza. This is the only good thing about having a TV station run the game... they make it easy to be very, very lazy. Knights tough but Warriors have a touch of class in the halves and Manu out wide.
Melbourne v South Sydney
With four games remaining in their painful season, the Melbourne Storm will either be praying for the end to come quickly, or motivated to win these final games as a farewell gift to the 7 or so players not with the club next year. I'm tipping that the latter will be enough to get them a win against South Sydney on Sunday afternoon in Melbourne and their defence will be the catalyst.
The Rabbitohs injury troubles have added to the equation as they have lost possibly their most influential player in attack, John Sutton. The responsibility now sitting with Isaac Luke and Chris Sandow as playmakers will be a heavy one as the visitors face a tough assignment to keep their finals hopes alive. Sandow and Luke fall just short and the Storm find a reason to win. Greg Inglis v the much improved Beau Champion a highlight.
My Man of the Match Prediction: Cooper Cronk
My tip: Melbourne 18-16
Result: Melbourne 18-16
Man of the Match: -
Snap Review: I believe this is the first correct pick the score for a long, long time. Melbourne too good with Souths missing John Sutton. Souths did not look as bas as i thought they would though. Still a chance at the semis.
Wests v Penrith
The lovely folks in Campbelltown are in for a treat here. Rugby League's heartland will be alive and well on Sunday afternoon as the Penrith Panthers look to find some form against the Tigers. Match of the Round for mine with the Panthers desperation up against the Tigers potent attack, the bookies not able to separate them and both sides with exactly the same win-loss record this year. Anyone's guess and mine is the Tigers.
They would be filthy at losing last week and the Panthers are coming off a short turnaround from Monday night. I can’t think of any other reason but more importantly, this game will feature some of the best talent in the NRL. Jennings, Marshall, Lawrence, Coote, Tuqiri and we haven't even made to the forwards yet. Incidentally, that is where big games are always won and lost and we predict the Tigers forwards do just enough to get over the top of the mountain.....men.
My Man of the Match Prediction: Robbie Farah
My tip: Tigers 20-18
Result: Tigers 43.-18
Man of the Match: -
Snap Review: Impressive showing from the Tigers... in fact they dominated in the second half reminded the top 8 teams of how dangeroud they can be. Gareth Ellis superb and Andrew Fifita the destroyer.
St George Illawarra v Manly
A Monday night beauty. Manly put Melbourne to the sword last week in an impressive display and the Dragons were similarly impressive against the in-form Roosters. Good teams peaking at the right time of year and this match will have the pay-TV commentators giddy with excitement. In fact they might be a little too excited and not make any sense at all during the game, just for something different.
All jokes aside, 'Kogarah Oval' will be pulsating with anticipation as Dragons fans gear up for the their most stressful time of year and this match will give a good indication as to whether Manly are the team to knock of the premiership favourites. Happy to overlook the last match between these clubs in round 9 this year as it was mid origin series. This will be another defensive struggle with Manly poking their nose in front at the death. The battle between all 4 centres will be a highlight - Matai v Gasnier and Lyon v Cooper. Awesome.
My Man of the Match Prediction: Jamie Lyon
My tip: Manly 16-12
Result: St George Illawarra 32-10
Man of the Match: -
Snap Review: An impressive performance from the Dragons. In fact this is the best I've seen them play for a while. Nathan Fein and Soward combined well and Trent Merrin was fantastic up front. A huge difference for saints wghen Weyman plays. They are deserved premiership favourites because of an amazing commitment to defence.
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