South Sydney v Parramatta
Already a fair amount of pressure on the Rabbitohs from their fans and the Rugby League media, but it is amazing how quickly this pressure will disappear after one win. To get this win, the same old questions must be answered by Souths: Can they play well for 80 minutes and can they get leadership from the halves?? I'm tipping they play well for long enough; and John Sutton delivers enough to get his team past the Eels on Friday night at Homebush.
The bunnies have recruited well and this is where that recruitment pays dividends. Experienced footballers will not panic with the likes of Greg Inglis and Michael Crocker playing leading roles. Also keep an eye on Dave Taylor who ran at the Bulldogs last week like he was shot out of cannon - more of the same here. Speaking of more of the same, you know what you will get from the Eels as they stick to the basics but it simply won't be enough against a desperate South Sydney team.
My tip: South Sydney 24-12
Gold Coast v Brisbane
With Greg Bird back in the number 6 jersey and the return of Anthony Laffranchi and Mark Minichiello, Titans fans believe that this is their week. Criticism continues to mount that this young franchise is full of ageing footballers but the Gold Coast club get their chance to prove that old bones can still scrape together a victory against their Queensland rivals, the Broncos, at Skilled Park on Friday night. What better opportunity to register their first win of the season.
On this occasion however, when opportunity knocks it will be the Brisbane Broncos who answer the call as they are powered by the perfect combination of youth and experience. Speaking of power, Ben Hannant is named to play in his first match for the visitors since begging to leave Sydney and Justin Hodges makes his return from injury after missing the entire 2010 season. This should give the Broncos the edge, but only slightly against a desperate opponent.
My tip: Brisbane 20-16
Penrith v Cronulla
'Centrebet Stadium' just sounds ridiculous doesn’t it? But let's not focus on the negatives here as there is a whole lot to like about this match. The Cronulla forward pack has now announced itself to the NRL with a thunderous and match winning performance last Monday night against the reigning premiers. The Panthers pack, meanwhile, knocked the stuffing out of Parramatta last week right from the opening whistle. So with intentions clearly signified, fingers crossed for some fireworks.
Unfortunately for Sharks fans, you'll be brought back down to earth with a thud. The home side has plenty of speed and class out wide to sniff out any opportunities and that's exactly what they do with the likes of Michael Jennings and Lachlan Coote doing the damage. Wade Graham returns to his home town wearing enemy colours for the first time but is outplayed by his opposite number in Luke Walsh. Panthers run away with it.
My tip: Penrith 32-12
Wests Tigers v Canberra
With Teacher v Student in the coaches box's and a whole bunch of westies in the Grand Stand, this encounter promises plenty of entertainment as the brawn of the Raiders forward pack meets the brain of the scheming Tigers. If any of you have been bothered to watch the NSW State Election coverage on Saturday night, it will probably be over by 7.30pm so do yourself a favour and tune into this semi-final replay between the Tigers and Canberra from Campbelltown Stadium.
It’s only a 2 hour drive from our nation’s capital to Wests' home ground. Incidentally this is the same amount of time it would take the Tigers players to get to Western Sydney from their Eastern Suburbs homes if there is a breakdown in the Airport Tunnel. Election issues aside, Robbie Farah should have the big Raiders forwards running in circles as he and Benji Marshall show a bit too much class for the visitors to handle. They run riot at home.
My tip: Tigers 28-12
NZ Warriors v St George Illawarra
The Warriors seem like a team well aware of the dangers of peaking too early in a long NRL season. We've all heard that you "don't win premierships in March" and "it’s a marathon, not a sprint" and of course my favourite, "you only need to win half your games to make the 8". The fact that this last phrase is true means firstly, that it’s time to review our finals format and secondly, that the Warriors need to win nearly all of their home games to be any hope in September.
They will have to wait another week to get their first. The reigning premiers were beaten up by their younger brother last week and this would have damaged some pride at the Dragons. Just enough damage to ensure they bounce back to escape Mount Smart Stadium this Sunday with the two points. James Maloney, the Warriors' key playmaker, returns from suspension and with rain predicted for Auckland on Sunday, this will be a close one. Close enough for me to take the Warriors with 6.5 start on my multi.
My tip: St George Illawarra 16-12
Canterbury Bankstown v Eastern Suburbs
Match of the round for mine. Canterbury seem to have their combinations down pat already this year with Trent Hodkinson looking like he has been at Belmore forever and Aidan Tolman looking like an old Bulldog at heart. The Roosters have essentially only one new face in their squad for 2011, Mark Riddell. Judging by 'piggy's' weekly column in a Sydney metro newspaper, he is happy to be home and has not lost his sense of humour.
He will need it on Sunday afternoon at ANZ stadium. Difficult to picture two more verbose and mischievous hookers in the NRL than Mick Ennis and Riddell and this is a matchup worth tuning in to see. Relevant because whoever wins the battle up the middle in this match will no doubt find more space out wide to produce points. Something these two clubs seem to do in bucket loads when they face each other and a wet track on Sunday will not change this. The 'Dogs poke their nose in front at the death.
My tip: Canterbury-Bankstown 30-28
Manly-Warringah v Newcastle
A hot start to 2011 for the Knights and a brutal return to form for the Sea-Eagles last week has this match standing out as a beauty at Brookvale with both clubs carrying good momentum. The third and final match in your Sunday afternoon triple header will make it difficult to get off the couch but ultimately rewarding your laziness with another bitter chapter in this 'north of the bridge' rivalry.
Unfortunately for the visitors, they don't look to have the same sting up front as some Newcastle teams of the past. There will be no violent encounters of the Paul Harrogan/Mark Carroll variety in this match but what Newcastle does bring down the F3 is the form halfback of the competition. Jarrod Mullen's left boot has delivered two straight wins to start the season but the proverbial shoe will be on the other foot in this match as the Eagles forwards defend their home turf and squeak out another win.
My tip: Manly 19-18
North Queensland v Melbourne
The unstoppable Rugby League machine from the south continues to destroy everything in their path and its ruthless dictator will stop at nothing to seek revenge on the evil empire that took away his glory last year. In this Blog's season preview, the Melbourne Storm were predicted to deliver a performance in 2011 that would bring back their former glory in the only way they know how - by setting the benchmark for football excellence that the other 15 teams in the NRL aspire to.
Last week's demolition of the Gold Coast Titans indicated that this is exactly what is happening and the Cowboys could be in for a very rude shock on Monday night at Dairy Farmers Stadium. The home side has the ability to compete for short while against the Storm, but will not be able to match their intensity for the full 80 minutes. Cameron Smith the chief destroyer once again and suitably assisted by an army of robots who stick to a game plan and punish the home side for any mistakes.
My tip: Melbourne 30-12
For live updates of every game go to http://www.leagueunlimited.com/
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