Brisbane v Canberra
The mighty green machine have had a wonderful season and are now within a whisker of playing semi final football. A remarkable effort and congratulations must go to David Furner and his coaching staff. However, they still have to beat the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. A big ask considering Brisbane are playing for pride and the Raiders are slight underdogs.
It won't matter. The Raiders are clearly playing with confidence and the home side simply has none. Wallace tender, Lockyer out, the season effectively over and the Broncos defence in disarray. They have allowed an average of 34 points over the past month and the visitors will make them pay. The Canberra forwards will roll right over Ivan Henjak's troops and end their season with a whimper. The Raiders book themselves a trip to Kogarah.
My tip: Canberra 26-16
Result: Canberra 18-16
Gold Coast v Wests Tigers
Both teams semi final bound, fully aware that they might meet again in the very near future with a lot more at stake. Tim Sheens and John Cartwright will be keeping their cards very close to the chest. The Tigers are suffering a few injuries and this match is the perfect opportunity to rest up. So what does this mean for Friday night's match at Skilled Park? I'm not really selling it very well.
You can be sure that Scott Prince and Benji Marshall will both want to win this one as old friends face off again. Robbie Farah and Nathan Friend also have a recent history and will be determined not to let each other get away with a win. Here's hoping the very first scrum blows up and if it does, we have a beauty. The Tigers have the Titans measure and will revert to their less flamboyant style of play. It works in a close one.
My tip: Tigers 24-20
Result: Titans 21-18
Parramatta v NZ Warriors
The Parramatta Eels have had a number of chances to turn their season around this year, a number of opportunities to turn up in big games and prove that last year's grand final appearance was no fluke. They have blown it each time. This inconsistency has now led to a season over, a club in shambles and a farewell match at Parra Stadium on Saturday for Nathan Cayless, Feleti Mateo and Kris Inu.
To suggest that the Eels will suddenly be motivated because of this is a stretch. They are capable of so much but once again, will deliver so little. The Warriors taught them a rugby league lesson in their last meeting in Auckland, and we predict the same happens here. The visitors defence will stand up and the frustrated Eels will fold in the final 20 minutes. We also wish Luke Burt the best of luck in facing a man 3 times his size.
My tip: Warriors 20-10
Result: Warriors 26-12
North Queensland v Eastern Suburbs
A tough end to a horror season for the North Queensland Cowboys. They are completely out-gunned here and will need to pull off a miracle in defence if they are any chance at rewarding their fans with a win. Perhaps motivated to send off a few departing players, perhaps with a poor game from the Roosters, perhaps if the referees are completely incompetent, the Cowboys could get up.
Or perhaps, the visitors continue their resurgence and run up 50?? The latter seems more likely with Mitchell Pearce and Todd Carney combining beautifully and a healthy forward pack in front of them. Willie Mason possibly plays his last NRL game, Clint Amos and a bunch of other Cowboys get an opportunity to keep their positions for next season, but ultimately the only thing happening in this game will be the home side itching for Mad Monday.
My tip: Roosters 36-10
Result: Roosters 18-8
Penrith v Cronulla
The Panthers showed plenty of spirit last week to win in miraculous fashion against the Bulldogs on Monday night. Playing the last 10 minutes of that game without their captain, and without their halfback, the Penrith forwards turned it up a notch and pulverized the Bulldogs into submission. This was the definition of making your own luck and without Luke Walsh and Petero Civoniceva again this week, they will need it.
Against the Sharks on Saturday night at CUA stadium, the supporting cast will stand up and finish the regular season in style. Michael Jennings destroyed the visitors when they met at Toyota Stadium earlier in the season and will again be looking to run straight past his opposite number, as well as every other member of the Cronulla back line. Tim Smith must be having nightmares. Panthers get themselves a home semi.
My tip: Penrith 26-12
Result: Penrith 50-12
Melbourne v Newcastle
For just a dollar, you can buy a ticket to this match at AAMI stadium in Melbourne. The Storm are rewarding their fans with $1 tickets to the season finale and will want to end the shambles that was 2010 with a win. A bargain in anyone's language when you consider the footballers on display in this match. No surprise though as the Melbourne club have a history of getting more bang for their buck... jokes aside though we wish them well.
Brett Finch has been a great servant to the NRL and will be missed; Ryan Hoffman is also off to England and a host of others on their way out of Melbourne. This is enough reason to tip them here against a Newcastle side which may have already began its Mad Monday celebrations by the time this Sunday afternoon match kicks off. Adam MacDougall v Greg Inglis a highlight.
My tip: Melbourne 30-12
Result: Melbourne 34-4
Manly v Canterbury
It's not often you get a group of blokes from Belmore congregate in the Northern Beaches, but when the Bulldogs play Manly at Brookvale, there will be hundreds. Dogs fans are known to travel well and will do so again here to add to the atmosphere of the Eagles last home game for 2010. This match also officially closes the curtain on Brett Kimmorley's career and the visitors will be keen to send him out a winner, along with Luke Patten.
Unfortunately for the Dogs and their supporters, the Eagles have bigger plans. In what is effectively a must win game for the home side, we predict they come out blazing and punch a number of holes in the Canterbury defence to end this one early. Trent Hodkinson gives the visitors a preview of what they can expect from him in 2011 and the Eagles forwards dominate. Let's hope for some open football with the battle between 4 very tough centres a definite highlight.
My tip: Manly 30-12
Result: Canterbury 30-24
St George Illawarra v South Sydney
The current generation of rugby league fans were weaned on stories from an era when these two clubs were lords of the land. Saints v Souths represents a traditional rivalry like no other in the Greatest Game of All and how fitting that the J.J. Giltinan shield will be presented after this match. The Dragons have had another wonderful season and their defence is some of the best we've seen. The Rabbitohs have struggled with injury but are still a chance of making the semi finals.
Unfortunately for the visitors, mathematical equations will not matter on Sunday night as the Dragons defence will hold firm again and lead them to another victory. This will be a celebration of St George Illawarra's dominance in 2010 and a reward to the Jubilee faithful. Meanwhile... deep down in the pits of their collective red and white stomachs, the butterflies are starting to flutter and bad memories are rising to the surface. Take a deep breath, Saints fans.
My tip: St George Illawarra 26-6
Result: St George Illawarra 38-24
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