Gold Coast v Wests Tigers
With a 1 and 4 record staring him in the face, Titans coach John Cartwright is now feeling the pressure. The former Penrith forward came to the Gold Coast with good experience as an assistance coach and player and was duly trusted with the future of the club by Michael Searle. He now owns a 50% all time winning record in charge at Robina and is struggling this season so far. The going is about to get a whole lot tougher this Friday night as Benji Marshall comes to town.
Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens will test every possible weakness in the home side and this method will be delivered astutely, as always, by Robbie Farah and Marshall. Add to this arsenal the rejuvenated Tim Moltzen, now in his preferred position at halfback and tipsters will be flocking towards the visitors. Gareth Ellis plays all over the Titans and the Tigers win 2 in a row.
My tip: Wests 22-16
Parramatta v Canterbury Bankstown
Between them, these two NRL teams scored 1 try in 160 minutes of football last week so don't expect the greatest chapter in ‘dogs v eels history to be written on Friday night at ANZ Stadium. Rather, footy fans should expect to see an Eels team searching for its identity, a Bulldogs team still blooding a new halfback and five-eighth and finally, a few stories in the media on Friday about the Mortimer family and young Daniel's on-going struggles.
Speaking of the Eels' number 6, he faces former teammate Kris Keating in an interesting head to head matchup but easily the most exciting battle on the field will be between the two fullbacks. Fleet footed and capable of beating multiple defenders in one movement, Ben Barba and Jarryd Hayne will keep the kids awake and interested. Speaking of awake and interested, the 'Dogs show more enthusiasm after losing 2 straight and come away with the biscuits.
My tip: Canterbury Bankstown 24-16
Manly Warringah v NZ Warriors
Any of you who saw the Sea Eagles pull one out in the dying moments of their match against the Sharks last weekend may never doubt them again. Me personally, I will never forgive them as that ridiculous turn of events cost me a multi. Ridiculous for some but for Des Halser, a sign that his group are capable of miracles and with this confidence, they face the visiting New Zealand Warriors on Saturday afternoon at Brookvale Oval.
A huge win for Ivan Cleary's men last week but this is a long road trip and although they have had success in the past, New Zealand will find the task too difficult to overcome. The Eagles discipline and defence holds the Warriors at bay but only just. Don’t miss the enthralling matchup in the centres as four old hard heads prepare to knock the stuffing out of each other. Jamie Lyon and his men hold on in a tight one.
My tip: Manly 19-18
North Queensland v Canberra
The Canberra Raiders have now officially hit the skids. Their spine should read - Dugan, Campese, Orford, and Tongue but rather reads.... well... I won't bad mouth these players by naming names but needless to say the boys from our nation’s capital are finding out how hard the grind of the NRL really is. Without the leadership and class of these missing stars, it's a near impossible feat to travel to Townsville and beat the in-form Cowboys on a Saturday night.
So, with the open exchanges between two willing forward packs set to be a highlight, the Raiders should fade soon after and this is when Jonathan Thurston and Matt Bowen will continue their resurgence and start the scoreboard ticking over. Look forward to seeing young firebrand Tariq Sims slam himself into the Raiders front rowers but apart from this muscle mashing, it shouldn’t be a contest. The Cowboys are fairdinkum and play as such.
My tip: North Queensland 36-18
Eastern Suburbs v Brisbane
A Roosters fan base in Gosford? Not sure. Perhaps maybe a Broncos supporters group around the Central Coast? Doubtful. This scheduling phenomenon exists only because everyone's favourite publican, John Singleton, wants to host a game of footy on Saturday night, create some exposure for the Bears Bid (rightly so) and perhaps shout some refreshing beverages for the punters. Is it a coincidence that Mark Riddell is heading up the F3? Can't be.
After 'Piggy's' recent column in a Sydney metro newspaper, you'd think Singleton will need to re-stock the bar after fulltime as Riddell heads to the members area of Bluetongue Stadium. Unfortunately for the Bondi club's back up rake, it will be the Broncos who drink from the cup of victory after this match as their impressive defensive form continues and they keep the potent Roosters offense at bay. Carney 'the student' v Lockyer 'the immortal' a highlight.
My tip: Brisbane 18-12
Newcastle v Cronulla
The dawn of a new age is upon the Hunter. A new 'super coach' for next season, a good crop of juniors coming through, Darius Boyd set to sign..... All very exciting for the Newcastle fans. However, that future will have to wait because this Sunday afternoon at 2pm, the only thing coming at the Knights will be a hardnosed and destructive Cronulla Sharks forward pack. A nearly all-representative group who would no doubt be stinging from their desperate loss last week.
The Knights should be wary but with a distracted preparation for this match, they might be ripe for the picking and what better opportunity for the Sharks to steal an away win. Upset of the week for mine. Wade Graham's prodigious right boot combined with the visitors forwards make this a long day for Newcastle and the Shire boys come away with redemption for last week's horror. Snowden and Douglas the standouts.
My tip: Cronulla 24-22
Penrith v Melbourne
You could not find two more contrasting football teams. The Panthers of recent years have been inconsistent, reliant upon only a handful of players and have disappeared in some big games. The Storm, on the other hand, have been a model of week-to-week consistency, have talent across the park in attack and defence and have done nothing but win the big games. Whilst some of this can be explained away via the Salary Cap scandal of 2010, Melbourne's performances this year suggest otherwise.
They defend for 80 minutes, they are clinical in attack and they have enough firepower to blow you off the park in a hurry. This is exactly what will happen on Sunday afternoon at Centrebet Stadium. The Panthers will lift as they do but will drop their guard long enough for the visitors to punish them. It will be hard going for Luke Walsh and Kevin Kingston as they are out-gunned in the end by Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith.
My tip: Melbourne 18-10
South Sydney v St George Illawarra
As has been their custom over the past 3 years, the Dragons have simply shut down every attack they face and turned every opponent towards desperation. Some can keep it close and even sneak away with the occasional victory, but most simply fade away and become victims of the best defence in the competition. South Sydney, the team with the worst defence in the competition, hosts the reigning premiers on Monday night at ANZ stadium.
This could be a massacre. The 'Pride of the League' could quickly turn into the 'Shame of the Week'... If the Rabbitohs fail to bring their best to Homebush, things could turn nasty in the Burrow but fear not my feathered, fluffy-tailed friends, it won’t be as bad as you fear. The likes of Burgess and Taylor launch themselves into the fire, so to speak, and gain some respectability but Souths just aren’t on the same level. Dragons too good.
My tip: St George Illawarra 22-4
For live updates throughout the weekend go to leagueunlimited.com
No comments:
Post a Comment